SNES Rainbow Road

Rainbow Road is a race course that first appeared in Super Mario Kart, and as a retro track in Mario Kart: Super Circuit, Mario Kart 7, and The Legend of Zelda X Mario Kart 8 DLC pack for Mario Kart 8.

Appearance in Super Mario Kart
Rainbow Road is unique in the fact that it is the only track in the game that is not numbered compared to the others, and that it is the game's only one of a kind track. Despite being the final track of the game, it is relatively short compared to other tracks in the game and it is also the shortest Rainbow Road to date. It is also the only track in the Special Cup with normal traction. Rainbow Road also lacks rails entirely and has only 90-degree turns. Rainbow-colored tiles cover the track's surface, and the yellow tiles conceal Coins and jumping bumps. This course features Star Thwomps which can, unlike regular Thwomps, wipe out a racer by touch as well as by crushing, unless the racer activates a Star or a Boo.

The track begins with racers taking a turn to the right, where they will find ? Panels to gather items. There are some jumping bumps that might be a hindrance as there is a quartet of Star Thwomps ahead with a very tight space between them for racers to pass, although racers can also pass on the sides of the Thwomps. After this, racers turn to the right again where they can collect some coins, followed by another turn to the right, where there is once again a path with jumping bumps with an incoming turn that might cause racers to fall. After this turn, the track gets narrower and follows a long path where more coins and Star Thwomps are found along the way with another turn awaiting the player. It is here where the track gets even more narrow increasing the risk of falling. Before the final turn, the track splits into two roads; the left side contains coins while the right side has 2 ? Panels, both have a pair of Star Thwomps near the part these roads merge. Alternatively, there is a jumping bump in the middle gap; if any racers use a Mushroom while they are heading it, they can jump over the gap for a significant shortcut. After the final turn, before the finish line, there is another quartet of Star Thwomps, but this time there is no space between them to pass, with players only being able to pass them by driving on the side or when the Star Thwomps are rising.

Appearance in Mario Kart: Super Circuit
This Rainbow Road reappeared in Mario Kart: Super Circuit. The background is from Rainbow Road, but with only the sparkles, clouds, and moon appearing. The Star Thwomps and the jumping bumps were removed.

Appearance in Mario Kart 7
Rainbow Road makes its third appearance as the last course of the Lightning Cup in Mario Kart 7, being the first Rainbow Road to reappear as a retro track in another Mario Kart besides its appearance in Mario Kart: Super Circuit. Unlike the last appearance or any other Rainbow Road course, this track is short, and is one of the shortest tracks in the game. Despite this, there are three laps instead of five. While keeping the original layout, the tiles that used to be red are now pink. Unlike Super Circuit, Star Thwomps make a return in the course. They are bigger (which actually reduces their number in the track) and now hit the track forming undulations on it, which the player Trick off of. Also, metallic grinding noises can be heard when the Star Thwomps are driven under. Ramps are also added throughout the course, taking the place of the yellow bumps. If the player is in first-person view, the player can see the stars in the background through the breaks in the pixels.

Appearance in Mario Kart 8


Rainbow Road returns for the fourth time in the DLC pack 1 of Mario Kart 8, appearing as the second course in the Triforce Cup. The track looks similar to its appearance in Mario Kart 7. The color of the tiles are the same as they were in the original appearance, but this time they have a neon appearance, the pattern of the tiles are now reversed, and the tiles the Thwomps land on are now white. The course now takes place above the clouds with color-changing hills that stick above them, with the moon now being visible. The number of Thwomps is equivalent to the number of them in Mario Kart 7. Unlike before, when they start to crash down, they will create rainbow waves above them. The wave on the track they create is now bigger. The starting banner is now redesigned with different color of blocks with a star on top of it.

Trivia

 * Super Mario Kart composer Soyo Oka considers this course's theme one of her favorite compositions.
 * SNES Rainbow Road has appeared in four Mario Kart games, more than any other track in the series.
 * SNES Rainbow Road is the only course in Mario Kart 7 not to have a boost pad or a boost ramp, and one of four courses not to have a glider pad, or a glider ramp; the others being N64 Luigi Raceway,  GCN Daisy Cruiser, and Rosalina's Ice World.
 * Also in Mario Kart 8, it is the only course that does not have any boost pads, glider pads, and anti-gravity sections.