Mario Kart (series): Difference between revisions

{{series-infobox

|title=Mario Kart

|first=''[[Super Mario Kart]]'' ([[List_of_games_by_date#1992|1992]])

|parent=''[[Mario (franchise)|Mario]]''

|staff=[[Hideki Konno]], [[Kosuke Yabuki]]

}}

{{quote2|Holy smokin' tires! Kart mania is spreading and has invaded the world of Super Mario.|''[[Nintendo Power]]'' Volume 41, October 1992}}  

The success of ''Mario Kart'' has spawned many cartoon-style racing games published by various gaming companies from the {{wp|Fourth generation of video game consoles|16-bit generation}} onwards. It has also been referenced in the ''[[Paper Mario (series)|Paper Mario]]'' role-playing series and inspired several stages in the ''[[Super Smash Bros. (series)|Super Smash Bros.]]'' fighting games. The games in the series have sold a combined total of over 100 million copies worldwide.

===Modes of play===

[[File:MK8 Deluxe Art - Mario and Inkling.png|thumb|[[Mario]] and an [[Inkling]] from ''[[inkipedia:Splatoon|Splatoon]]'' facing off against each other under the classic "balloon" rule set of Battle Mode, as seen in ''[[Mario Kart 8 Deluxe]]''.]]

Each installment of the ''Mario Kart'' series features a variety of single and multiplayer modes. The four modes that recur most often in the series are '''Grand Prix''', '''Time Trial''', '''VS''', and '''[[Battle Mode]]'''.

In Grand Prix, one player is required to race against seven (occasionally eleven) computer-controlled characters in a "cup," a series of four races (five in ''Super Mario Kart''). ''Mario Kart'' games typically have four recurring difficulty levels: 50{{wp|Cubic centimetre|cc}}, 100cc, 150cc, and an extra "Mirror" mode (where tracks are inverted left-to-right); starting in ''Mario Kart 8'', a fifth difficulty level, 200cc, was added. As the player progresses through the cups, the courses become more difficult, and as the difficulty level increases, the vehicles go faster. Players earn points according to their finishing position in each race. In earlier games, if a player finishes in a lower position, they must replay the race and may not proceed until a higher placing is achieved. The racer with the highest number of points after all races have been completed wins a trophy: bronze for third place, silver for second, and gold for first. Grand Prix is also playable in multiplayer mode for up to four players, though this does not affect the rest of the gameplay rules. Grand Prix is known as '''Mario Kart GP''' in the first three games.

The VS mode involves player(s) racing a track of their choice and also feature customized rules such as team racing and item frequency. VS mode has been changed several times throughout the series. In earlier games, VS mode is exclusive to multiplayer without any computer-controlled racers. Starting from ''Mario Kart DS'',  VS mode can be played either single player with CPU racers, or multiplayer with or without CPU racers. A notable exception is ''Mario Kart 7'', where single-player VS races are removed and limited only to multiplayer, but the rules remain the same as in ''Mario Kart DS'' and later installments.

==List of games==

|-

|align="center"|[[File:SMK NA Box Cover.jpg|145x145px]]<span style="font-size:8pt"><br>{{released|Japan|August 27, 1992}} [[Super Nintendo Entertainment System]]</span>

|-

!colspan="2" style="font-size:125%;text-align:left"|''[[Mario Kart 64]]''

This game has been released for Nintendo 3DS and Wii U through Virtual Console, although the former release is only obtainable through the Nintendo 3DS Ambassador Program.

|-

|-

|align="center"|[[File:Mario Kart Double Dash!!.jpg|145x145px]]<span style="font-size:8pt"><br>{{released|Japan|November 7, 2003}} [[Nintendo GameCube]]</span>

|align="center"|[[File:MK8 NA Box Art.jpg|145x145px]]<span style="font-size:8pt"><br>{{released|Japan|May 29, 2014}} [[Wii U]]</span>

|''Mario Kart 8'', released for the Wii U in 2014, introduces [[anti-gravity]] sections that allow players to drive on walls and ceilings, allowing for more alternate paths in courses. In these sections, a player can bump into other racers or special bumpers to trigger a Spin Boost, which gives them an extra speed boost. The game also introduces [[All-Terrain Vehicle|all-terrain vehicles]] (ATVs), allows the player to view replay data from others and upload highlights to {{wp|YouTube}} via "[[Mario Kart TV]]", introduces the [[Koopalings]] as new playable characters, and allows up to four people to play in Grand Prix races. [[Baby Rosalina]] and [[Pink Gold Peach]] are also introduced as new characters to the ''Mario'' franchise. Additional characters, vehicles, and tracks have been released as downloadable content, including actual {{wp|Mercedes-Benz}} vehicles. Characters that have been released as add-on content include [[Tanooki Mario]], [[Cat Mario|Cat Peach]], the returning Dry Bowser, [[Link]] from ''The Legend of Zelda'', and the [[Villager]] and [[Isabelle]] from ''Animal Crossing''; tracks themed after various non-''Mario'' game series have also been made available as add-on content. Additionally, ''Mario Kart 8'' is notable for being the first game in the series to boast HD graphics and live-orchestrated music, as well as the first to receive post-release updates adding new features and enhancements, including rearranged post-race options, 200cc, and support for Nintendo's [[amiibo]] line of figurines. The year it was released, a browser game on [[Play Nintendo]] called ''[[Mario Kart 8 Party Starter]]'' was made based on the game.

|-

!colspan="2" style="font-size:125%;text-align:left"|''[[Mario Kart Tour]]''

|-

|}

!colspan="2" style="font-size:125%;text-align:left"|''[[Mario Kart 8 Deluxe]]''

|-

|''Mario Kart 8 Deluxe'' is an enhanced port of ''Mario Kart 8'' for the [[Nintendo Switch]], released in 2017. In addition to most of the original release's base and DLC content, the port includes additional features. Battle Mode is reworked to be similar to the format from previous ''Mario Kart'' games, and comes with eight exclusive arenas of its own. Boo and ''Super Mario Kart'''s [[Cape Feather|Feather]] are reintroduced as items after long being absent from the series' item lineup, with the latter being exclusive to Battle Mode; and players are now allowed to carry two items at once. More playable characters are added to the roster: [[Bowser Jr.]], [[Dry Bones]], [[King Boo]], and [[Gold Mario]], who return from previous games, as well as the girl and boy [[Inkling]]s from ''[[inkipedia:Splatoon|Splatoon]]''. Other additional content includes new racing suits for Miis unlocked via amiibo, a simpler steering option, and additional kart parts for customization.

|}

!colspan="2" style="font-size:125%;text-align:left"|''[[Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit]]''

|-

|''Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit'', released in 2020, uses physical kart toys to play the game. The controller is used to control the kart both in real life and on screen, with the real life kart being effected by certain things in the game, and the player can use physical gates to create their own courses.

|}

==Table of playable characters==

{| width=1000px border=1 style="text-align:center; border-collapse:collapse;background:white; margin: 0 auto;"

! width=115px | ''MKAGPVR''

! width=115px | ''MKT''

|-

! [[Baby Daisy]]

|

|[[File:Check_mark.svg|17px]]

|-

! [[Baby Luigi]]

|

|[[File:Check_mark.svg|17px]]{{footnote|main|5}}

|-

! [[Baby Mario]]

|

|[[File:Check_mark.svg|17px]]

|-

! [[Baby Peach]]

|

|[[File:Check_mark.svg|17px]]{{footnote|main|14}}

|-

! [[Baby Rosalina]]

|

|[[File:Check_mark.svg|17px]]{{footnote|main|5}}^,{{footnote|main|14}}

|-

! [[Birdo]]

|

|[[File:Check_mark.svg|17px]]{{footnote|main|5}}^,{{footnote|main|14}}

|-

! [[Blinky]]

|

|[[File:Check_mark.svg|17px]]

|

|

|

|[[File:Check_mark.svg|17px]]{{footnote|main|5}}

|-

! [[Bowser]]

|[[File:Check_mark.svg|17px]]

|

|-

! [[Bowser Jr.]]

|

|[[File:Check_mark.svg|17px]]{{footnote|main|5}}^,{{footnote|main|14}}

|-

! [[Captain Toad]]

|

|[[File:Check_mark.svg|17px]]{{footnote|main|5}}

|-

! [[Cat Mario|Cat Peach]]

|[[File:Check_mark.svg|17px]]{{footnote|main|8}}

|[[File:Check_mark.svg|17px]]

|

|

|

|[[File:Check_mark.svg|17px]]{{footnote|main|14}}

|-

! [[Diddy Kong]]

|

|[[File:Check_mark.svg|17px]]

|-

! [[Dixie Kong]]

|

|[[File:Check_mark.svg|17px]]{{footnote|main|5}}

|-

! [[Don-chan]]

|

|[[File:Check_mark.svg|17px]]{{footnote|main|6}}

|

|

|

|[[File:Check_mark.svg|17px]]

|-

! [[Donkey Kong Jr.]]

|

|

|-

! [[Dry Bones]]

|

|[[File:Check_mark.svg|17px]]{{footnote|main|14}}

|-

! [[Dry Bowser]]

|

|[[File:Check_mark.svg|17px]]{{footnote|main|14}}

|-

! [[Fire Bro]]

|

|[[File:Check_mark.svg|17px]]{{footnote|main|5}}

|-

! [[Funky Kong]]

|

|[[File:Check_mark.svg|17px]]{{footnote|main|5}}

|-

! [[Gold Mario]]

|

|[[File:Check_mark.svg|17px]]{{footnote|main|13}}

|-

! [[Hammer Bro]]

|

|[[File:Check_mark.svg|17px]]{{footnote|main|5}}

|-

! [[Honey Queen]]

|

|[[File:Check_mark.svg|17px]]{{footnote|main|2}}

|

|

|

|[[File:Check_mark.svg|17px]]{{footnote|main|5}}

|-

! [[Ice Mario (Super Mario Galaxy)|Ice Mario]]

|

|[[File:Check_mark.svg|17px]]{{footnote|main|5}}

|-

! [[Iggy Koopa|Iggy]]

|

|[[File:Check_mark.svg|17px]]{{footnote|main|5}}

|-

! [[Inkling]]

|

|[[File:Check_mark.svg|17px]]{{footnote|main|9}}

|

|

|[[File:Check_mark.svg|17px]]{{footnote|main|8}}

|[[File:Check_mark.svg|17px]]

|

|

|

|[[File:Check_mark.svg|17px]]{{footnote|main|5}}

|-

! [[King Boo]]

|

|[[File:Check_mark.svg|17px]]{{footnote|main|5}}^,{{footnote|main|14}}

|-

! [[Koopa Troopa]]

|

|[[File:Check_mark.svg|17px]]{{footnote|main|14}}

|-

! [[Lakitu]]

|[[File:Check_mark.svg|17px]]

|

|-

! [[Larry Koopa|Larry]]

|

|[[File:Check_mark.svg|17px]]{{footnote|main|5}}

|-

! [[Lemmy Koopa|Lemmy]]

|

|[[File:Check_mark.svg|17px]]{{footnote|main|5}}

|-

! [[Link]]

|[[File:Check_mark.svg|17px]]{{footnote|main|8}}

|[[File:Check_mark.svg|17px]]

|

|

|

|[[File:Check_mark.svg|17px]]{{footnote|main|5}}

|-

! [[Luigi]]

|[[File:Check_mark.svg|17px]]{{footnote|main|11}}

|[[File:Check_mark.svg|17px]]{{footnote|main|5}}^,{{footnote|main|14}}

|-

! [[Mametchi]]

|

|[[File:Check_mark.svg|17px]]

|

|

|[[File:Check_mark.svg|17px]]

|[[File:Check_mark.svg|17px]]{{footnote|main|11}}

|-

! [[Metal Mario (character)|Metal Mario]]

|

|[[File:Check_mark.svg|17px]]

|-

! [[Mii]]

|[[File:Check_mark.svg|17px]]{{footnote|main|2}}

|[[File:Check_mark.svg|17px]]

|

|

|

|[[File:Check_mark.svg|17px]]{{footnote|main|5}}

|-

! [[Morton Koopa Jr.|Morton]]

|

|[[File:Check_mark.svg|17px]]{{footnote|main|5}}

|-

! [[Ms. Pac-Man]]

|

|[[File:Check_mark.svg|17px]]

|

|

|

|[[File:Check_mark.svg|17px]]{{footnote|main|5}}

|-

! [[Pac-Man]]

|

|[[File:Check_mark.svg|17px]]

|

|

|

|[[File:Check_mark.svg|17px]]

|

|

|

|[[File:Check_mark.svg|17px]]{{footnote|main|14}}

|-

! [[Princess Peach|Peach]]

|[[File:Check_mark.svg|17px]]{{footnote|main|11}}

|[[File:Check_mark.svg|17px]]{{footnote|main|14}}

|-

! [[Peachette]]

|

|[[File:Check_mark.svg|17px]]

|-

! [[Petey Piranha]]

|

|[[File:Check_mark.svg|17px]]{{footnote|main|2}}

|

|

|

|[[File:Check_mark.svg|17px]]{{footnote|main|5}}

|-

! [[R.O.B.]]

|

|[[File:Check_mark.svg|17px]]{{footnote|main|2}}

|

|

|

|[[File:Check_mark.svg|17px]]{{footnote|main|5}}^,{{footnote|main|14}}

|-

! [[Roy Koopa|Roy]]

|

|[[File:Check_mark.svg|17px]]{{footnote|main|5}}

|-

! [[Shy Guy]]

|

|[[File:Check_mark.svg|17px]]{{footnote|main|14}}

|-

! [[Tanooki Mario]]

|[[File:Check_mark.svg|17px]]{{footnote|main|8}}

|[[File:Check_mark.svg|17px]]

|

|

|

|[[File:Check_mark.svg|17px]]{{footnote|main|14}}

|-

! [[Toadette]]

|

|[[File:Check_mark.svg|17px]]{{footnote|main|14}}

|-

! [[Villager]]

|[[File:Check_mark.svg|17px]]{{footnote|main|8}}^,{{footnote|main|9}}

|[[File:Check_mark.svg|17px]]{{footnote|main|9}}

|

|

|

|[[File:Check_mark.svg|17px]]{{footnote|main|5}}^,{{footnote|main|14}}

|-

! [[Wario]]

|

|[[File:Check_mark.svg|17px]]{{footnote|main|5}}^,{{footnote|main|14}}

|-

! [[Wendy O. Koopa|Wendy]]

|

|[[File:Check_mark.svg|17px]]{{footnote|main|5}}

|-

! [[Wiggler]]

|

|[[File:Check_mark.svg|17px]]{{footnote|main|2}}

|

|

|[[File:Check_mark.svg|17px]]{{footnote|main|11}}

|[[File:Check_mark.svg|17px]]{{footnote|main|14}}

|-

! Total racers in Grand Prix

| '''N/A'''

| '''8'''

|-

! Total racers in VS races

| '''6'''

| '''2–8'''

|-

! Total racers in Battle Mode

| '''N/A'''

| '''N/A'''

|-

! Total playable characters

| '''42'''

| '''4'''

|}

{{footnote|note|12|In ''Mario Kart Arcade GP DX'', this character was playable during a limited-time event, and could be unlocked for permanent use through said event.}}

{{footnote|note|13|In ''[[Mario Kart Tour]]'', this character is only playable in Gold Rush.}}

==Merchandising==

===Other===

==Reception and legacy==

''Super Mario Kart'' was the first non-platforming game to feature multiple playable characters from the ''Mario'' franchise, leading the way for not only its various sequels but also the many other spin-offs that the ''Mario'' characters have appeared in, including both sporting games (those relating to [[Mario Tennis (series)|tennis]], [[Mario Golf (series)|golf]], [[Mario Baseball (series)|baseball]], and [[Mario Strikers (series)|soccer]]) and non-sporting games (''[[Mario Party (series)|Mario Party]]'' among other series). The genre-spanning nature of the ''Mario'' franchise that was sparked off by the success of ''Super Mario Kart'' has been described as key to ''Mario'''s success and longevity, keeping fans interested despite the infrequency of the traditional ''Mario'' platforming games.<ref name="1UP.com"/> ''Mario Kart'' and all of the franchise's other spin-off series have helped it rise to its present status as the best-selling video game franchise of all time.

==References==

<references/>

{{Racecourses}}

{{Battlecourses||1}}