Mario Kart 64

"Let'sa Go!"

Introduction

All of the drama from Mario 64 has settled and the Mushroom Kingdom is in need of something to do. So thinking back to the days of yore, Mario and friends once again hit the mean tracks with Mario Kart 64. Super Mario Kart was a grand success that introduced a whole new perspective in the racing genre. With the introduction of Mario Kart 64 you once again get the great experience of slamming your opponent with a turtle shell and blasting your way through to the finish line not with nitrous oxide, but mushrooms. Mario Kart 64 offers four Grand Prix tours with four unqiue and obstacle ridden tracks in each to give you sixteen great tracks for racing and time trials as well as four extra maps for some Mario Kart demolition battles. You get eight characters to choose from which include Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach, Toad, Yoshi, Wario, Bowser, and Donkey Kong. There are also a few odes to the Super Nintendo version of Mario Kart with Koopa Troopa beach and the finale Rainbow Road race.

Reviewing this game makes me feel old though. My younger cousins at the recent family reunion had their DS systems with Mario Kart DS and I was quite impressed with what they had. The graphics on it were better than the graphics for Mario Kart 64. Mario Kart 64 may be dated, but it is still a classic racing game that never really gets old.

Grand Prix

The Grand Prix is the main part of this game that features three difficulty settings of 50cc, 100cc, and 150cc. I never really did figure out what that meant. Suffice to say 50cc is the easiest. You will end up winning in first place on 50cc. There are four different cups you can race that each feature four unique tracks. These tracks will either have a certain setting or be one of the character's featured tracks. The first cup is the Mushroom Cup and features Luigi's Raceway as well as some simple tracks that end with a western track with railroad tracks and the potential to have a train wreck. About every one fourth of the way on the track has a line of colored prism blocks that give you a random selection of helpful items to take out your competition or give you a boost to catch up. Most of the tracks have Mario 64 references life the penguins in Sherbert Island as well as featuring a track and the trophy award ceremony at Princess Peach's castle. You also have eight characters to choose from. The characters are slightly different in control. Mario and Luigi drive with middle class weight as Peach, Toad, and Yoshi are light weights and Donkey Kong, Bowser, and Wario drive with a heavier weight. They all maintain the same speed but you can feel the control is different. Holding down the right bumper will give you a skidding boost when you go into curves and this is a strategy you will have to be able to efficiently use to win the cups on the harder difficulties. There are also a bunch of special jumps as well as shortcuts in some of the tracks so keep an eye out. Timing is also essential in avoiding hidden obstacles that range from ledges to giant penguins skidding on ice. Completing the Grand Prix on the harder difficulty will get you access to an extra Grand Prix race for each cup in which you race each track backwards.

Time Trials, Battle

Here is where you can enjoy some competition between your friends. The time trials are great for seeing who can set a record time. The Battle is multiplayer exclusive and is all about the turtle shells and stars to take out your opponent. You can play up to four with each player having three balloons that you have to take out with a hit. If you are a bigger player like Donkey Kong then you can smash a smaller opponent like Toad and take out one of his balloons. The tracks are nicely laid with plenty of corners to cut to get away from someone chasing you. The green turtle shells and bananas along with the fake item boxes can really be a problem and if you are patient enough you can create a fort with these items. Battle is really enjoyable and this is definitely one of the biggest improvements to the Mario Kart series.

Graphics/Sound

The graphics are a little behind when you compare this game to the DS Mario Kart or Double Dash. Of course Double Dash does not carry on the series as well as it should have, Mario Kart DS goes back to this game and it just amazes me at how well the graphics are on such a small handheld system. Anyway the graphics are still good for the Nintendo 64's capacity and nothing is going to take away from the game. One neat feature of the graphics is the video screen right before you enter the tunnel on Luigi's Raceway that shows you driving into it. The music has a unique track for each track and the music's tempo will start moving faster once you get to the final lap. Some of the music is related to themes of the Mario 64 game like the Banshee Boardwalk and Bowser's track.

Final Recommendation 9/10

So what do I like about Mario Kart 64? I think it is definitely the best of the Mario Kart series and also gives you an excellent alternative racing game. Sure there are plenty of attempts to divert you away from simply racing Corvettes and Mustangs with other tries putting classic characters into go-carts but Mario Kart delivers an original gaming experience as it is able to do most of the time. Is it worth the buy? Not only is Mario Kart 64 one of those classic Nintendo 64 games it is still fun to break out and play every now and then. If you have a collection Mario Party games for the N64 you might as well have a party racing game to go along with it. This is also your first chance to see how Luigi looks in 3-D. Mario Kart 64 is still a popular game to buy for the N64. This system is still very hard to match.

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 07/07/08

Game Release: Mario Kart 64 (US, 02/10/97)