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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. It's also the first game in the series to feature Donkey Kong and Wario as playable characters.

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).

Characters

Playable

Icon Character Weight Description
Mk64IconMario Mario Medium The famous hero that everyone loves has returned into another Mario Kart game since Super Mario Kart. He has average stats on everything, explaining his middleweight. His first appearance was in Donkey Kong in 1981. His kart is powered by what appears to be a twin-cylinder two stroke.
Mk64IconLuigi Luigi Medium Mario's younger brother has returned in this game as a playable character. He has average stats on everything, explaining his middleweight. His debut was Mario Bros in 1983. He shares the same kart engine as his brother.
Mk64IconPeach Princess Peach Light This princess of the Mushroom Kingdom reappeared in another Mario Kart game ever since Super Mario Kart. She has high top speed and acceleration, explaining her lightweight. Her debut was Super Mario Bros in 1985. Her kart is powered by what appear to be high-revving, single-cylinder two stroke. Despite it's smaller than the Mario Bros., it has surprisingly high torque and power which make it faster than the two.
Mk64IconToad Toad Light Toad is one of the racers in this game and is considered one of the best racers along with Yoshi. He has top stats on acceleration and top speed, explaining his lightweight. His debut was the same as Peach's. His debut was Super Mario Bros. in 1985. Toad is unique that his kart is powered by a distinctive engine; a smooth-sounding, twin-cylinder four stroke that offers fairly powerful horsepower and torque.
Mk64IconYoshi Yoshi Light The loyal friend of Mario and Luigi has decided to hit the roads with his incredible racing skills as he is one of the best racers. He has high acceleration and top speed, explaining his lightweight. His debut was in Super Mario World in 1991. He shares the same engine as Peach's.
Mk64IconDK Donkey Kong Heavy Mario's first rival. This gorilla is one of the racers in the game and has replaced Donkey Kong Jr. from Super Mario Kart. He has low stats, explaining his heavyweight. His debut was the same as Mario's. He debuted in Donkey Kong in 1981. Much like Toad, his kart is powered by a distinctive engine, but this time it appears to be a V-twin four stroke with deep-sounding exhausts. The engine sound is said to be similar to those heard on 1990's motorcycles.
Mk64IconWario Wario Heavy The rival of Mario hits the roads in this game and replaces Koopa Troopa from Super Mario Kart. He has low stats, explaining his heavyweight. He debuted in Super Mario Land 2: 6 Golden Coins in 1992. His kart is powered by a powerful-sounding, high-revving triple-cylinder four stroke.
Mk64IconBowser Bowser Heavy The long time rival of Mario and Luigi appears as a powerful racer in the game. He however has low stats, explaining his heavyweight. His debut was same as Toad and Peach's. His debut was Super Mario Bros. in 1985. He shares the same engine as Wario's.

Stage Hazards

Other

Courses

Mushroom Cup

Flower Cup

Star Cup

Special Cup

Battle Stages

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.
  • Luigi, Peach, Toad and Wario's voice clips in the Japanese version were later reused for Mario Kart: Super Circuit and in the first two Mario Party games.

Some Songs reused Parts of Other Songs

External links

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