Super Mario Kart is a kart racing game developed and published by Nintendo for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES). The first game in the Mario Kart series, it was released in Japan and North America in 1992, and in Europe the following year in 1993. Selling 8.76 million copies worldwide, the game went on to become the fourth best-selling SNES game of all time. Super Mario Kart was re-released on the Wii’s Virtual Console in 2009, on the Wii U’s Virtual Console in 2013, and on the New Nintendo 3DS’s Virtual Console in 2016. Nintendo re-released Super Mario Kart in 2017 as part of the company’s Super NES Classic Edition.
In Mario Kart, the player takes control of one of eight Mario series characters, each with differing capabilities. In single player mode players can race against computer-controlled characters in 4 multi-race cups consisting of 20 tracks (5 in each cup) over three difficulty levels (50cc, 100cc and 150cc). During the races, offensive and speed boosting power-ups can be used to gain an advantage. Alternatively players can race against the clock in a Time Trial mode. In multiplayer mode two players can simultaneously take part in the cups or can race against each other one-on-one in Match Race mode. In a third multiplayer mode – Battle Mode – the aim is to defeat the other players by attacking them with power-ups, destroying balloons which surround each kart.
It received positive reviews and was praised for its presentation, innovation and use of Mode 7 graphics. It has been ranked among the greatest video games of all time by several magazines and organizations. It is often credited with creating the kart-racing subgenre of video games, leading other developers to try to duplicate its success. The game is seen as having been key to expanding the Mario series into non-platforming games; this diversity has led to it becoming the best-selling game franchise of all time. Several sequels to Super Mario Kart have been released, for consoles, handhelds and in arcades, each enjoying critical and commercial success. While some elements have developed throughout the series, the core experience from Super Mario Kart has remained intact.
- Release Date:Â Super Mario Kart was released on September 1, 1992, for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES).
- Console Availability:Â Super Mario Kart has been released on a variety of consoles over the years, including:
- SNES
- Game Boy Advance
- Virtual Console (Wii, Wii U, Nintendo 3DS)
- New Nintendo 3DS
- Nintendo Switch Online
- Developer:Â Super Mario Kart was developed by Nintendo EAD.
- Synopsis:
- Milestones:Â Super Mario Kart was a critical and commercial success, and it is considered to be one of the greatest racing games of all time. Some of the most notable milestones in the history of Super Mario Kart include:
- The game was the first in the Mario Kart series, and it helped to popularize the kart racing genre.
- Super Mario Kart was the best-selling game of 1992, and it has sold over 40 million copies worldwide.
- The game was praised for its innovative gameplay, its colorful graphics, and its catchy music.
- Super Mario Kart inspired a number of sequels and spinoffs, including Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, which is one of the best-selling games of all time.
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