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| Super Mario Kart |
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| | Developer(s) | Nintendo EAD | | Publisher(s) | Nintendo | | Series | Mario Kart | | Platform(s) | Super Nintendo Entertainment System | | Release date | JP August 27, 1992
NA September 1, 1992
EU January 21, 1993
| | Genre(s) | Racing | | Mode(s) | Single-player, multiplayer | | Rating(s) | ESRB: Originally :K-A (Kids to Adults) Now E (Everyone) | | Media | 8-Megabit cartridge |
Super Mario Kart is the first video game in the Mario Kart series, released in 1992 for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System. Players race go-karts as one of eight characters from the Super Mario series. It features advanced graphics for the time thanks to its use of Mode 7 texture mapping. Super Mario Kart is the third best-selling game on the SNES, with eight million copies sold.
DevelopmentThe game was produced by Shigeru Miyamoto and the music was composed by Soyo Oka and Taro Bando.
GameplaySuper Mario Kart can be played by one or two players. All gameplay uses a horizontal split screen view. In single player mode, the top displays the course, while the bottom screen can either display a rear-view mirror perspective, or an overhead view of the whole track, displaying where all the racers are currently. In multiplayer, the bottom screen is assigned to the second player's view. There are two single-player modes. In Grand Prix, one player races seven computer-controlled drivers. Engine classes of 50cc, 100cc, and 150cc are available (150cc is available upon acquiring gold in all the cups in 100cc). Larger engines result in faster vehicles and a greater level of difficulty. There are four cups to select: the Mushroom, Flower, Star, and Special Cups (100cc and 150cc only). Each cup consists of five tracks (Most associated with levels from Super Mario World) and the player must receive fourth place or better to advance to the next track. Places five through eight are given the "ranked out" title. In Time Trial, the player races through one track in an attempt to set a record for best lap time or course time. There also are three multiplayer modes. Grand Prix plays just like the single player version, but with one less computer-controlled driver. In order to proceed to the next track only one player is required to rank in the top four. Match Race is a one-on-one race on any track. In Grand Prix and Match Race modes racers can collect coins which affect top speed and acceleration. In Battle Mode, two players choose from four levels specially designed for battle mode and try to pop the three balloons surrounding the other player with items such as Koopa shells or banana peels to win. In all modes, Lakitu rescues drivers who have driven off the track.
CharactersThe eight available drivers can be classified into four types based on top speed, steering, strength and acceleration.
TracksThere are four cups in the game, with five tracks each. There are eight different visual themes for the tracks: Mario Circuit, Donut Plains, Ghost Valley, Bowser Castle, Choco Island, Koopa Beach, Vanilla Lake and Rainbow Road. Each theme has 1-4 tracks. Later games in the series only had four tracks per cup, but with more different visual themes. Each one of the tracks also featured in Mario Kart Super Circuit, in the 'Extra' cups, though the tracks were changed to include a lightning cup, and each cup has four instead of five tracks per cup.
ReceptionUpon release in North America, the game sold well and eventually became a Player's Choice Million Seller title, and went on to sell eight million copies, which makes it the third best selling game on the SNES. In 2001, Game Informer ranked Super Mario Kart 35th in its list of "Top 100 Games of All Time." Super Mario Kart placed 15th on IGN's Top 100 Games.
Tournaments and competitionsSince 2002, players in France have gathered annually at the end of August for a competition involving all four modes of play. Prizes frequently include video game systems provided by Nintendo and other retro Nintendo collectibles. The competition is played using the European or PAL version of Super Mario Kart.
References- ^ All Time Top 20 Best Selling Games (2003-05-21). Archived from the original on 2006-02-21. Retrieved on 2006-12-01.
- ^ "Top 100 Games of All Time." Game Informer. August 2001: 36.
- ^ French Super Mario Kart Championships
| Mario sports games |
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| | Mario Golf | NES Open Tournament Golf • Mario Golf (N64) • Mario Golf (GBC) • Toadstool Tour • Advance Tour | | | Mario Tennis | Mario's Tennis • Mario Tennis (N64) • Mario Tennis (GBC) • Mario Power Tennis • Power Tour | | | Mario Kart | Super Mario Kart • 64 • Super Circuit • Double Dash!! • Arcade GP • DS • Arcade GP 2 • Wii | | | Baseball | Mario Superstar Baseball • Mario Super Sluggers | | | Football (soccer) | Super Mario Strikers • Mario Strikers Charged | | | Other | Mario Excite Bike • Mario Hoops 3-on-3 • Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games |
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