Mario Kart 64

Mario Kart 64 (マリオカート64, Mario Kāto Rokujūyon) is the second installment in the Mario Kart series. It features updated graphics, all-new courses, different characters and modified gameplay mechanics.

Mario Kart 64 was released on the Virtual Console in 2007. However, ghosts cannot be saved, as this originally required a seperate peripheral. It has new courses and features that will be in later Mario Kart games like Wario Stadium and Sherbet Land. This was also placed Number 4 in Nintendo Power's Greatest Games of All Time in 1997.

Changes from Super Mario Kart

 * The replacement of the item panels with item blocks. Unlike the panels, the blocks regenerate.
 * Additionally, trap blocks were added.
 * The addition of voices for some of the characters, although some characters speak to a very minor extent in Super Mario Kart.. The rest have sound effects.
 * Donkey Kong Jr. was replaced with Donkey Kong.
 * Koopa Troopa was replaced with Wario.
 * The stages are 3-D, though the characters are still 2-D sprites. The courses are also broad enough that the player can become lost.
 * Many items were introduced such as the infamous Blue Shell. The Feather was removed.
 * Coins were removed from the game.
 * The game now has four cups per difficulty instead of three (although the 100cc cup in SMK had the unlockable Special Cup)
 * The races are now three laps instead of five, although the retry feature is retained.
 * The addition of Time Trials.
 * Up to four players can now play instead of two.
 * Special items were removed from the game, although they would return in Mario Kart: Double Dash‼.
 * The Special Cup is now available as a default cup (in fact, this is only game in the entire series to have this feature).

Stage Hazards

 * Swooper
 * Boo
 * Chain Chomp
 * Cheep-Cheep
 * Sidestepper
 * Mini-Bomb Kart
 * Monty Mole
 * Cow
 * Penguin
 * Piranha Plant
 * Snowmen
 * Spiny
 * Thwomp

Other

 * Lakitu

Mushroom Cup

 * Luigi Raceway
 * Moo Moo Farm
 * Koopa Troopa Beach
 * Kalimari Desert

Flower Cup

 * Toad's Turnpike
 * Frappe Snowland
 * Choco Mountain
 * Mario Raceway

Star Cup

 * Wario Stadium
 * Sherbet Land
 * Royal Raceway
 * Bowser's Castle

Special Cup

 * DK's Jungle Parkway
 * Yoshi Valley
 * Banshee Boardwalk
 * Rainbow Road

Battle Stages

 * Big Donut
 * Double Deck
 * Block Fort
 * Skyscraper

Reception
Although attracting a small amount of criticism for elements such as the revised Battle mode, the game's reception was overwhelmingly positive, particulary as 4-player multiplayer made its debut.

Trivia

 * As Yoshi's Story had not yet been released, Yoshi does not speak in the game. He instead uses the sound generated when Mario mounts him in Super Mario World.