With the launch of a new Mario Kart game, it’s time to have a little tribute to the franchise, going through every generation of Mario Kart games. Join these memories of this mascot racing series that started it all. Current latest release is Mario Kart World for Nintendo Switch 2.
Super Mario Kart – I believe I got this game when a friend of my sister’s sold a bunch of games to us. I didn’t know what to expect but I was surprised how much I loved it. I loved every mode, loved battle mode in multiplayer. Hated that Donkey Kong Jr. was a character and how we had a split screen in single player. Loved playing time trial pretending the Mario characters were selling real estate in that area and would just create dialogue for them
Mario Kart 64 – My favorite Mario Kart since I was at that age when I was still a kid but old enough to actually understand the game I was playing. The multiplayer was so much fun, always wondered why Yoshi’s Valley didn’t have music in multiplayer. I was happy Donkey Kong Sr had replaced Jr. and Koopa which was a random enemy replaced by Wario an actual main antagonist, it just made sense to me. I did miss Kamek from those early Mario Kart R screenshots.
Mario Kart Super Circuit – I was incredibly hyped for this game as I could not believe a Game Boy would be able to have Mario Kart. A beta screenshot of Bowser driving was actually my signature onNintendo Forums back in the day. I liked how it was a mix between the SNES and N64 versions. I feel Super Circuit doesn’t get enough respect nowadays. I didn’t like how the SNES tracks you unlocked had the backgrounds of the GBA tracks, confused me and made them not feel as different as they should’ve.
Mario Kart Double Dash – This Mario Kart came out just at the time when I had grown out of gaming, but I do remember the E3 that it was unveiled I unironcally was the only one that mentioned Nintendo had won that years E3. I’m really curious to play it once it’s on Nintendo’s classic system as I’ve never actually played it and I wonder if it’s as good as people say it is.
Mario Kart DS – While I was unsure of the Nintendo DS, when this game came out I was convinced and bought the bundle. Sadly my DS had a dead pixel that annoyed the heck out of me and when I went to get it exchanged they just refunded my money. I ended up waiting and buying the DS lite. I’m not sure why but never went back to buy Mario kart separately as I did buy plenty of older games. In my small time with the game I enjoyed it, it felt like Mario Kart 64 had a sequel.
Mario Kart Wii – Likewise this game came out at the wrong time in my life and I just didn’t have the mind to buy and play a game when it released and once I did I didn’t really feel like owning it. When I did play it, it just didn’t feel like it was special enough. I always thought the wii wheel felt dumb and didn’t like the addition of the bikes. I think had I bought it when it came out it would’ve been one of my favorites.
Mario Kart 7 – Another game that just released at the wrong time, I’m not even sure why, maybe I just didn’t have enough money when it released and forgot about it as I was really into the 3DS. Nevertheless I did not get it initially and only got it late into the 3DS’s life. How late? I think I already owned Mario Kart 8 at this point. It just didn’t feel good enough. So yeah I wasn’t really feeling like playing an inferior Mario Kart at this point so I never played much. I did enjoy the 3D though!
Mario Kart 8 – Finally a Mario Kart that did not arrive at an awkward time, I got it on launch and played it a lot. I had a lot of fun and people forget how exciting the two DLC packs that were announced on Nintendo Directs at super cheap prices, it truly felt like Nintendo loved the fans that supported them. Luigi’s death stare becoming a meme was a thing I loved. Played it tons and in my opinion vanilla MK8 is better than deluxe since the second item ruins the balance of the tracks as does the 200 cc.
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe – I felt so burnt that as a digital owner of MK8 and the DLC, there was no way for me to update/upgrade my game on Switch. I didn’t mind paying some type of fee, but paying for the game as if it were new felt too greedy to me. A friend from school wanted to borrow my copy of Zelda BOTW and the only game he had was this one so I agreed. I ended up falling in love with the game again with the new battle mode and mdoes and it convince me to buy it. I awaited a sale but since it never came I eventually bought it full price and when I did a coworker asked me to borrow it, I had already lent him Pokemon Sword so I didn’t mind. He quit the job a week later and never gave me the game despite asking fo rit. I couldn’t believe adults actually did this. So I never got to play the booster courses and I can’t see myself paying for the game full price for a third time.
Mario Kart World – I wasn’t crazy for a new Mario Kart being the console launch title, as Mario Kart is well Mario Kart. I didn’t know what they could do to impress me after the Mario Kart 8 Deluxe booster course pack. And they found a way. The open worldness made me excited for Mario Kart once again.
Mario Kart Tour – I didn’t think they could make a Mario Kart on mobile work unless it was very different and they prove me wrong. They made a compelling Mario Kart with tons of courses that make it very replayable with their Remixed content. I also loved all the costumes they created and characters available. Like with most mobile freemium games I eventually stopped playing it and felt free. I’d love a complete version of this game one day as the booster course pack in MK8 Deluxe doesn’t do this game’s tracks justice.
Mario Kart Arcades – There are many different version of it and I believe I played either the first one or the special edition of the first one. I remember having a lot of fun in the cabinet playing against a friend, sadly it was also very expensive. We only played a few rounds and I haven’t really had the chance to ever play it again.
Mario Kart Live Circuit – This is a game I’d love to play and check out, sadly it’s not a game I’d like to own as I don’t have the space or will to play it more than a couple of times.
There’s an intermediate gape between Mario Kart releases where for one reason or another I didn’t really play the series. But so far this is the overview of Mario Kart.