"This works for me!"

Mario Kart: Super Circuit is my first review (actually written and recorded) although I started a Final Fantasy VII long ago and never really had enough detail to finish it before..Anyway, I'm proud of this because this is quite the racing game.

This game is amazing y'all! I'm serious. It's addictive from the get go and is now my favorite GBA so far, probably my favorite racer ever. The environment and just the way it makes you feel while experiencing it is what Nintendo is all about. They probably watched Intelligent Systems all the way through the process of making this fine high quality title.

So take a ride with me through my first review and I would think that I have an accurate grasp on what is good about this game and what has made it almost but not quite as perfect as it could be.

You get to choose from 8 classic characters such as the infamous Mario Bros., Mario and Luigi, Peach and her reliant underling Toad, Yoshi, the arch nemesis Wario, Bowser and Mario's old "pal", Donkey Kong. They all bring this game to life with their distance personalities (although Mario and Luigi are very similar at times).

I was slightly weary that it could drop down to 20 bucks, so I put it off a bit. Eventually, I purchased it in May 2004 and noticed it was something fun to play on break at work.

Let's get to the review though.

**Learning Curve: 5-20 minutes (depending on how familiar you are with the series)

Sound: This is the games many highlights in my opinion. The drums and simple sound effects like all the "dings" and hand claps really go together in this game. It is nice on a GBA but it seems that the DS really brings the noise to your ear (even better with headphones). Each level, for the most part, creates its own atmosphere and certain levels are to die for.

The majority of the music tracks are unsurprisingly upbeat, but their are some that are less poppy and somewhat dark pieces like the Broken Pier and Boo Lake. My favorite is probably Cheep Cheep Island. It has that perfect blend of Island music that is very calm and soothing. The level is also noteworthy, filled with just enough turns and bends to slip you up if not careful, but it ends up being a smooth ride throughout.

^^^10/10

Graphics: The graphics are nice to the eye. Character sprites bring out the best in the characters overall, making them totally noticeable to any fan of the series. Rain effects look decent and even manage to come at you while going at a moderately high speed. Smoke during skids look nice also.

The levels have some detail to them but when you're driving, you can notice that it could be better. The graphics aren't the game's total strong point but very few sprites look pixelated and they get the job done, nonetheless.

^^^8/10

Control: Very, very easy to control. The button layout is pretty good but for me, the DS is somewhat uncomfortable though. Trying to keep hands on the the A button and directional pad is easy, but using the L button to jump and the R for items can be somewhat painful. I am definitely going to assume that if I had my old GameBoy Advance that I'd still have the same problem. So, for the best play, the GBA SP might be preferable. All in all though, it's not too bad. Maybe I just game and type too much!

^^^9/10

Fun Factor: This is where it shines baby! The game has you up against 7 other racers going at the tracks like mad animals! I tell you it gets quite intense at times and when Peach pulls ahead of you at the last second, you'll be fuming, more on guard next race. <_<

The characters all have their trademark sounds (Mario and Luigi are the only rather similar ones) and they can be intimidating when they pass you. Now I know that last remark seems that it'd fit in Sound which it does, but this also adds to the tension of wanting to get in first place, heightening the fun of it all (for most anyway).

^^^10/10

Replay Value: Coming back to this game is fairly easy. It's like McDonalds' fries-too much of it is unhealthy but damn I gotta get some!!! Okay, that was a little overboard but this game is just a lot of fun.

I like it so much because at any time you can just pick it up, choose a character, a level and a racing speed and just go at it, letting the competition begin! Like mentioned earlier, the music is also where it's at. Very enjoyable to the ear leaving only a select few players with the sound down during gameplay.

It definitely would have been nice to see maybe 2 unlockable characters to give a bit more variety (or at least the green shelled Koopa). But the unlockable Super Nintendo levels are very charming and bring it back. The music is almost perfectly brought back to life and gives you more to get into.

^^^High

Short Recap:

*Sound*: 10/10
Graphics: 8/10
Control: 9/10
Fun Factor: 9/10

Overall, it gets a 9.5/10 but the review let's you pick 9 or 10. I think this is a must own for almost anyone. Especially if they need a good racer.

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 01/24/05