List of Super Mario Kart pre-release and unused content

This is a list of beta elements of 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
An 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.