We’re simply weeks away from a model new Mario Kart, and to say we’re excited is a sizeable understatement. The Booster Course Move, which arrived in waves beginning in 2022, breathed life into Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, however the base mechanics beneath are the identical MK8 we have been enjoying since Might 2014 on Wii U.
Do not get us fallacious – we have liked each minute with the Swap’s best-selling recreation (and have additionally loved Reside: Dwelling Circuit, and we favored Tour greater than most), however after a decade of it, we’re positively able to broaden our horizons and discover a brand new world – a Mario Kart World, even.
As we assemble on the grid and start revving our engines, let’s use this lull earlier than the storm to look within the rearview mirror and see how far Mario’s are available his kart since his debut race again in 1992.
On this ‘countdown’ function sequence, NL employees might be wanting again at each recreation within the sequence and following the racing line that obtained us from Tremendous Mario Kart to Mario Kart World over the course of 33 (!) years. We’ll focus on the additions every entry introduced, how they developed because the laps glided by, the issues we liked, the issues we had been blissful to depart behind, and what Mario Kart World takes from every one.
Begin your engines…
I’m a child within the grand scheme of Nintendo historical past, so it took a very long time earlier than I first performed Tremendous Mario Kart. I feel it was on the Wii or possibly even New 3DS Digital Console that I first obtained to see the place it began. And it is obtained to be stated…I wasn’t all that impressed.
I feel that quite a lot of Tremendous Mario Kart’s execs come right down to it being the primary. I am positive that should you hadn’t already performed the later entries, then this could have been a top quality little bit of two-player enjoyable. The sprites are full of SNES sweetness, the idea is so on the market, and the programs, whereas fairly dry by at present’s requirements, had been a fantastic workaround for the {hardware}’s 16-bit limitations.
Going again to it in 2025 is an attention-grabbing one. It is the sport that set the template for the sequence I do know and love, and it is full of the form of nostalgic allure that solely a hyper-sensitive drift button and flattened merchandise packing containers can carry. However it lacks the sense of silliness and celebration vibes that I search for in a Mario Kart.
It is price a replay on NSO if you have not booted it up in a couple of years, however I am unable to say that I would head again to it over…every other entry within the sequence. – Jim Norman
Standout tracks: Bowser’s Fort 3, Vanilla Lake 2, Rainbow Street
Enjoyable truth: The sport’s guide has particular classification names for every of the drivers: “The Bros.” for Mario and Luigi, “The Dragon and The Woman” for Yoshi and Peach, “The Showdown” for Bowser and DK Jr., and (my private favorite) “The Small Guys” for Koopa and Toad
What does Mario Kart World take from this? Solely the whole idea of Mario & Co. in karts, plus gadgets and iconic locales like Rainbow Street. The foolish format would come into its personal later, however that is the muse.
Second Lap
I do not love Tremendous Mario Kart, however goodness, it is fairly charming, is not it? I am keen on the SNES, so the truth that its age confirmed even again once I first performed it (across the GameCube period) upset me a little bit. However it’s nonetheless a very strong little racer.
It would not assist that I am fairly horrible at SMK. I discover the drifting and turning to be awkward and the square-ness of the tracks not enjoyable to navigate. It did give us Poison Mushrooms on the monitor although, and I would like to see these make a return.
Additionally, carry again Donkey Kong Jr.
Alana Hagues
Deputy Editor, Nintendo Life
Mario Kart 64 was my first, so it’s going to at all times maintain a particular place on the rostrum. It was this recreation, together with GoldenEye, which made apparent the boon of 4 controller ports embedded within the entrance of your console. Which is not to say I spent an enormous period of time enjoying four-player MK64 — these pads had been costly!
The truth is, most of my 64-bit karting was two-player, and far of that was spent in battles on Block Fort or Skyscraper, hitting ‘A’ and ‘B’ concurrently to spin on a dime and sneak off a cheeky green-shell hit on my brother. Typically we would make it three-player even when solely two of us had been enjoying as a result of the PAL model would then run at quicker NTSC-style pace for some motive.
I tended in the direction of DK or Wario, however even on the time the character sprites felt ‘outdated’ in comparison with the massive polygonal drivers/pilots in Diddy Kong Racing. The circuits, although, had been such a leap over flat, 16-bit loops. With a number of paths and environmental risks in addition to item-wielding opponents, the SNES authentic looks like a straight-faced racer in comparison with the carnival environment, innumerable hazards, and daring shortcuts right here. Performing the Mario Raceway wall-jump shortcut three laps in a row stays considered one of my biggest gaming achievements. Small fry within the scheme of issues, however I nonetheless treasure that ghost information!
Particular shoutout to the music, too, burned eternally into my synaptic pathways. It took me a beat to understand why I used to be grinning a lot throughout the Mario Kart World Direct, however then it clicked: the raceway theme was enjoying. Helluva recreation. – Gavin Lane
Standout tracks: Royal Raceway, Koopa Troopa Seashore, Yoshi Valley, Toad’s Turnpike
Enjoyable truth: If it is all a bit a lot, you possibly can hit ‘L’ to show the music down or off utterly on this one
What does Mario Kart World take from this? The primary four-player Mario Kart, 64 set the template for the multiplayer mayhem to observe, with loopy tracks and novelties that steered the sequence away from straight racing
Second Lap
Ahh, my first Mario Kart. Whereas it has been surpassed by many different entries at this level, it is most likely the one I am most nostalgic for. Afternoons spent beating my dad and mom and brother, studying the shortcuts. Diddy Kong Racing was our most well-liked racer, however I nonetheless love this, and like Gavin, the music is completely seared into my mind.
I do suppose, like Tremendous Mario Kart, that 64 hasn’t aged significantly effectively. I actually don’t just like the drifting, for instance. However the sheer competitiveness in my family and the wonderful Battle Mode imply this may not be forgotten.
Alana Hagues
Deputy Editor, Nintendo Life
Mario Kart Tremendous Circuit was my introduction to the sequence, and whereas I’m conscious that it’s not seemed upon significantly favourably as of late, I nonetheless completely adore its simplicity. Granted, it’s fallen behind in my private rating barely in recent times, however even now I can nonetheless respect its extra streamlined method when in comparison with MK64 and Double Sprint; it’s aged higher than Tremendous Mario Kart.
I nonetheless bear in mind enjoying it behind the automotive at any time when my household had been en path to a vacation vacation spot (deftly tilting my authentic GBA to seize the sunshine); even once I’d rinsed each GP and gained the most effective ranks, I would return and play by way of all of it once more. The controls simply felt so slick, and though I most likely loved Celebrity Saga and A Hyperlink to the Previous simply that bit extra, Tremendous Circuit is considered one of my favorite GBA video games in pure gameplay phrases.
Going again to it in 2025, I admit I needed to spend time acclimatising to the controls, which is probably not a problem I’d anticipate with every other entry (other than the unique). Drifting, particularly, feels extremely twitchy. There have been positively a couple of occasions I flew straight right into a wall. Or a lake. Not best. – Ollie Reynolds
Standout tracks: Sky Backyard, Boo Lake, Sundown Wilds, Bowser’s Fort 3
Enjoyable truth: Tremendous Circuit was the primary entry to function the Lightning Cup; earlier video games had been restricted to the Mushroom, Flower, Star, and Particular Cups.
What does Mario Kart World take from this? You might argue that Tremendous Circuit introduced little or no to the sequence, however let’s be honest, it is the primary handheld entry, proper? There are simply as many moveable Mario Kart video games than not at this level!
Second Lap
Am I going to get flack for saying Mario Kart Tremendous Circuit is the worst one? No? Okay. Phew.
In all seriousness, that is simply the entry I’ve spent the least time with. I had a GBA SP and enjoying a kart racer on that factor was not enjoyable. There have been some nice tracks, and bringing again the whole thing of Tremendous Mario Kart was such a enjoyable contact. However, on the whole, Mario Kart is not a handheld sequence to me. So I am glad I get the selection these days.
Alana Hagues
Deputy Editor, Nintendo Life
Closing Lap
An absence of Tremendous Circuit-owning buddies meant I missed out on multiplayer with this one. Coming to it after MK64, too, SC felt flat – and the shortage of backlight on the GBA made it awkward to play on the go. Ollie had extra endurance!
This one would not make my private podium, then, however I ponder if there are individuals on the market who did have the hyperlink cables and the right lighting circumstances who rank this entry among the many greatest. If solely there have been a spot to tell us…
Gavin Lane
Editor, Nintendo Life
And there is the checkered flag. All three of the video games listed below are playable on Swap if in case you have an NSO subscription on the Growth Pack tier (and SMK is on the market with an ordinary sub), so if this has gotten you all nostalgic, head out on the circuits for a lap or two and be at liberty to share your recollections under.
In Half 2, we’ll be wanting on the GameCube’s Double Sprint, Mario Kart DS, and Mario Kart Wii – preserve an eye fixed out for that subsequent week.
And should you’re to see the place these three completed within the race for the most effective Mario Kart, we have a ranked record overlaying simply that subject…
Gavin first wrote for Nintendo Life in 2018 earlier than becoming a member of the positioning full-time the next 12 months, rising by way of the ranks to turn into Editor. He can at present be discovered squashed beneath a Swap backlog the dimensions of Normandy.
