Races saw players assigned a limited number of lives which would cause them to lose and “rank out” whenever they were depleted. Second, each track is relatively short compared to later iterations, resulting in an increase in the number of laps to 5 versus the standard 3 we get today. While this game is responsible for establishing some of the staples for the series going forward, it also features a fair share of unique quirks that aren’t present in later games.įor one, AI-controlled drivers would use special power-ups during races that were character-specific and couldn’t be accessed by the player. In addition to races, Super Mario Kart presented Battle mode, an alternate game mode where the goal is to eliminate your rivals by using power-ups. The iconic racing game allows you to select eight playable characters from the Super Mario universe and compete in races set on 20 different tracks, including fan favorites like Donut Plains. Mario Kart’s legacy begins with Super Mario Kart which was released for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System. Related: Best Party Games 2021 Best Racing Games 2021 Best Upcoming Nintendo Switch Games 2021 (And Beyond) We’ll be updating this list in the future, so make sure to check back.Īnd if you’d like to receive more gaming recommendations, consider reading through our other curated lists: While some entries are far better than others, each of the 14 Mario Kart games reflects a moment in gaming history.įollowing the release of Mario Kart Tour on mobile devices, we have created a timeline to highlight the history of Mario Kart games, including handheld, home consoles, and arcade releases. The kart racing franchise has seen a transition from 2D sprites to full 3D, from a standard control scheme to emphasizing motion controls, and most recently, it was adapted as a mobile game.

For a series whose gameplay appears to stay the same across all releases, you would be surprised to learn there have been a large number of changes to Mario Kart over the last two decades, reaching far beyond merely better graphics.

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