Super Mario Kart

"Classic Mario racing!"

Mario Kart may be one old SNES game, but it is certainly one of the must have classic games today. Even though graphics and features of systems like PS2, N64, and Dreamcast make the game seemingly obsolete, this is still a entertaining and classic racing game. There's many addictive modes of playing in the game, and it doesn't get boring after playing a week.

GAME PLAY
SCORE - 9/10: The best part of the game is when you can play it. Too bad Mario Kart is only a 2-Player(or 1-Player) game, limiting battle challenges. Playing Mario Kart with friends is the best way to have fun. You and your friends will enjoy knocking each other out with weapons in the game, with humorous cartoon weapons, such as the banana peel. There are old characters from other Mario Games, including Bowser, Toad, Peach, and Luigi. Each of these characters has his/her own positive and negative aspect when racing. Some of the characters are perfect for beginners, having medium stats in everything; acceleration, speed, and strength. There are characters with fast acceleration, but low speed, and vice versa. This varies the characters' abilities, so all the racers aren't the same. You can challenge yourself, by mastering all races in every mode with every single character. Modes of game play include:

1 Player Grand Prix
By yourself, you can race the computer, in three different levels(one secret) and two difficulty levels(one secret). Once you beat the easiest difficulty, 50 class, you can try the faster 100 class. Conquering the 100 class gets you the ultimate fast paced 150 class! To become a true racing game expert, you would probably have to beat 150 class, first place! Three levels include the Mushroom Cup, Flower Cup, Star Cup, and the complicated and secret ''Star Cup,'' where you have to unlock after beating Star Cup, first place. Each of the levels have a different tracks, Mushroom is easiest, to the intense ''Special Cup'' which is not a joke.

2 Player Grand Prix
Got a friend or sibling you can play with? This mode lets you race with and against your partner and the computer! By doing this mode, it is easier to unlock the Special Cup and 150 Class mode. You can challenge anyone who thinks they can beat you! Decide who is the true expert in this mode!

Battle Mode
This is an interesting mode in Mario Kart, you can beat your buddy one on one, in a arena! Drive around, and hit each other with projectiles until one person loses their three lives! Battle mode is always enjoyable, plus if you are tired of racing, try this mode. Super Mario Kart 64 may have a better Battle Mode, but just try this simpler battle mode...

Time Trial
The Time Trial mode is in just about every single racing game. Basically, you are racing to get low times to set a record. Over time, you'll try to beat your best record. Time Trial doesn't really much action, but you can race a around the track!

GRAPHICS
SCORE - 5/10: May be your average not so thrilling Super Nintendo graphics, Mario Kart has simple animated graphics. This may be a con about this game, but most SNES games have dull cartoon graphics. The tracks are kept at a simple design level too. The upside is at least this game doesn't get glitches during game play, which annoys a lot of gamers. What do you expect when you have a Super Nintendo game? At least the graphics don't have blending colors which confuse players!

AUDIO
SCORE - 6/10: Not so terrific sounds, Mario Kart has strange noises made by the characters. There aren't any dialogues, but Nintendo has included amusing sounds. The sounds of this game are not significant, although they may be really cheap. It doesn't matter to many people. You'll ignore it during game play, when you worry about your opponents catching up to you.

FEATURES
SCORE - 7/10: Mario is a fantasy-like cartoon character, and the story makes this game addictive and enjoyable. While a lot of other racing games have machine guns, missiles, and mines as weapons, Mario Kart uses turtle shells, ghosts, stars, and other strange weapons for racing to put down your opponents in last place. This may get boring after a while, but at least you can enjoy more Mario!

FUN FACTOR
SCORE - 8/10: Kids enjoy this game, and some teens do too because of the classical Mario characters, put into a racing game. They want to hit their opponents with homing shells, banana peels, and keep them away from winning the race. Since this game is simple, it won't make kids give up due to harsh tracks and computers. The computer most of the time is fairly easy, and this game is not a hard racing game. You can beat just about any of the levels without too much difficulty. There is a lot of humor in this game, because it is basically a cartoon. Mario Kart proves that old games aren't always so bad.

OVERALL
SCORE - 9/10: Mario Kart isn't the hardest racing game, and it doesn't upset gamers when they buy this game. It is almost priceless, yet a classic. It is easy enough to beat at least a few levels before having a whole lot of trouble. This game is worth dishing out a few dollars to buy it, after all it is only worth about $20 now. Anyone can enjoy it. The more you love Mario, the more you'll love this game!

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 03/27/01, Updated 03/27/01