List of Super Mario Kart pre-release and unused content

This is a list of beta elements for the game Super Mario Kart.

Early Iteration
The game was initially developed as an original IP and starred a "guy in overalls". The game was retooled as a Mario spinoff after the development team replaced the player character's sprite with Mario and decided that they liked the look of the game better that way.

Prototype cartridge
A user on the Digitpress forum bought a prototype cartridge and showcased its differences in a thread.

Visuals

 * The Cheep-Cheep sprite is upside-down.
 * The cup selection screen lacks a border.
 * The X on Lakitu's flag when the player drives the wrong way is not present.

Sound

 * Vanilla Lake 1 has a different theme, which does not appear in the final build.
 * During the Rankings screen after completing a race, Donkey Kong Jr.'s theme is different than the final version.
 * The Bowser's Castle theme is played in Rainbow Road.
 * Most sound effects are different or have a different pitch.
 * Some themes have slightly different instrumentation and rhythms from the final version.

Content

 * The prototype has animations when ranking 2nd or 3rd place in a championship, something which does not happen in the final game. Scoring 2nds shows a Super Koopa looping over the podium and then getting hit by the winner's champagne cork, while the 3rd place animation has a group of Koopa Paratroopas flying over the podium, the last of which is also hit by the cork.
 * The 150cc mode is not present
 * The "Replay" feature for Time Trial mode is absent.
 * Battle Course 3 is set in Choco Island and has a different layout.
 * Rainbow Road is narrower.
 * The player can't drop the Green Shell item or throw the Banana Peel.