Super Mario Kart

"A racing game with a twist."

This Super NES racing game set the standard for go kart racing, as it became a smash hit for the SNES with it's crazy go kart races, and even crazier weapons. You use koopa shells and banana peels as weapons as you fight to be the top racer on the circuits you race. You got other items that do various things to help you win the race. Characters from previous Mario games make up the racers of these go karts, each with their special stats that make each of them unique in their own way. I had lots and lots of fun with this game when I played it!

Gameplay-10
I find it rather amusing to take a turtle shell and try to knock out a go karter with it, that is what makes the game fun, the craziness and the races. You can play single player grand prix modes, time trials, or battle with another player in 4 different arenas designed with it's own features to help or hinder in the battle. Also you can race head to head on the Grand Prix Tracks.

Control-5
The game is rather easy to control, but the karts lack maneuverability that could be essential to turning, and the last time I played it, I lost all my skill, I could not control my kart ;( So if you stop playing for a long time, be prepared to take some time to re-learn your stuff.

Sound-9
The Rainbow Road track music gives me enough reason to rate this category high. The rest are okay. Kart engines are somewhat realistic, and the game is not much in the way of sound.

Graphics-8
Realistic looking tracks, but might be a little overpixellated in creation. But the rainbow road makes up for that by far! The graphics seem to have a bit of a rough texture to them, and not really that smooth. still they are good graphics.

Playability-7
Besides the control issue, the game is A-ok in every other department, so don't expect any frustration except for control and losing the race.

Replay Value-7
You can race for time trials, for cups, or just for fun. And if you got a friend, challenge him/her in a battle mode and see who is the best player. All this gives this game decent replay value.

Buy? Borrow? Rent? Burn?
You might want to play it with a friend, seeing as you cannot rent it because it is too old. Otherwise you would have to buy it used.

Saving
The game pak saves your cup completions and time trial times automatically.

Challenge
50cc-Easy, is really easy to beat
100cc-Hard, can be a bit difficult, and you might not make it if you have too many problems.
Overall-Pretty good challenge.

Game info
Go kart racing game that was different from all the rest, and in a good way!

Player Info
1-2 player simultaneous. 2 players can battle or race head to head in Grand Prix. One player can race Grand Prix or do time trials.

Company Info
Made By Nintendo

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 08/09/01, Updated 08/09/01