Battle Mode

Battle Mode is a multiplayer mode in all Mario Kart games. In the first four games, Battle Mode was only available in multiplayer. Starting in Mario Kart DS, Battle Mode could be a single player mode with computer players or a multiplayer mode with or without them. Starting with Mario Kart: Double Dash!!, there are usually at least two different battle options.

Balloon Battle
Debuting in Super Mario Kart, players have to use items to hit the opposing player to pop one of three balloons. If all balloons are popped, the player is out.

Mario Kart 64 had four-player support, so up to four players can battle, unlike Super Mario Kart which only had two-player support.

Mario Kart DS had a few tweaks to Balloon Battle. It can be played in single player this time, unlike the previous four games which required being in multiplayer to play. The player also starts out with one balloon instead of three, although more can be generated by holding or by blowing into the DS microphone.

Mario Kart Wii had a lot of changes to Balloon Battle. Firstly, the match is now timed to three minutes. Secondly, there can only be two teams instead of a free-for-all match. Finally, the winning objective has been changed. Whichever team pops the most balloons before time runs out wins. Getting hit by any items deducts points from the final score.

Mario Kart 7 allowed there to be teams in battle or not. The time limit of the match was reduced to two minutes, although the goal remains the same in Mario Kart Wii.

Mario Kart 8 had the battles take place on regular race courses throughout the game, alongside the rules changing again. Getting hit by items pops a balloon, but also lowers the player's point tally. If all balloons are popped, they are out of the game, but they can still participate as a ghost. Appearing as a transparent version of the character on the player's screen, but invisible to everyone else, they can still use items to harm the other players.

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe will change the Battle Mode rules to the normal style last used in Mario Kart 7 with new battle arenas.

Shine Thief
First appearing in Mario Kart: Double Dash!!, and scheduled to reappear in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, a Shine Sprite is found in a random spot on the course. Once a player grabs it, they have to hold on to it without getting hit by any items. If they get hit by an item, they drop the Shine Sprite letting another player a chance to get it. If the player holds the Shine Sprite until the timer reaches zero, they win.

Bob-omb Blast
Another battle option that appeared in Mario Kart: Double Dash!! and will also appear in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, this mode features Bob-ombs as the only items obtainable in Item Boxes. If a player hits someone else with a Bob-omb, they earn a point. If they earn the necessary amount of points first, they win. The points needed to win is five for a two-player battle, four for a three-player battle and three for a four-player battle.

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe changes the rules to normal Balloon Battle, but with every item being a Bob-omb.