Mario Kart : de la Super Nintendo à la Switch 2, 30 ans

Mario Kart: From Super Nintendo to Switch 2, 30 Years

1322 mots | Temps de lecture : 6 minute(s)

Mario Kart is much more than a racing game series: it's a video game institution. Launched in 1992, it revolutionized the genre by adding unpredictable items, wild tracks, and Mario's quirky universe. In three decades, each installment has managed to reinvent itself while maintaining the very essence of multiplayer fun. Let's look back at an essential saga, from its Mode 7 beginnings to the ambitious Mario Kart World on Switch 2.

Summary

1992 – Super Mario Kart (Super Nintendo)

First installment, first success. Super Mario Kart invented the formula: eight characters from the Mario universe, wacky items, tracks full of surprises, and a split-screen Battle mode. Thanks to Mode 7 technology, the game simulated revolutionary 3D for its time.

  • 2-player local multiplayer: strategic and intense duel
  • Iconic tracks: Donut Plains, Ghost Valley, Rainbow Road (SNES version)

1996 – Mario Kart 64 (Nintendo 64)

The first true transition to 3D, Mario Kart 64 allowed up to 4 players simultaneously and offered more vertical and complex tracks. Items became more numerous and powerful, and the music remained legendary.

  • Debut of the Blue Shell
  • Memorable tracks: Kalimari Desert, Choco Mountain, Yoshi Valley, Bowser’s Castle

2001 – Mario Kart Super Circuit (GBA)

A return to the SNES style on a portable console, with mechanics from MK64. It introduced, for the first time, the retro cup containing all the original game's tracks as a bonus – a tradition that continues.

2003 – Mario Kart: Double Dash!! (GameCube)

A true UFO in the saga: each kart is driven by a duo of characters, each with a unique special item. The co-op gameplay on the same vehicle changed the dynamic of the races.

  • Ability to switch roles in real-time
  • Cult tracks: Baby Park, DK Mountain, Mushroom Bridge

2005 – Mario Kart DS

A pivotal installment: introduction of online play, integrated retro tracks, and exemplary balancing. The "snaking" technique gave rise to a highly technical meta.

  • Strategic items, solid AI, controlled drifting
  • Cult tracks: Waluigi Pinball, Airship Fortress

2008 – Mario Kart Wii

Phenomenal success: 12 players per race, the arrival of motorcycles (wheelies), and the Wii Wheel which opened the series to the general public.

  • Simple to pick up, but a very technical meta
  • Still very active today via mods (CTGP Revolution)

2011 – Mario Kart 7 (Nintendo 3DS)

Three major additions: gliders, underwater driving, and kart customization. First stereoscopic 3D title and the last before the HD era.

  • Excellent balance between immediate fun and mastery
  • Memorable tracks: Music Park, Maka Wuhu, Neo Bowser City

2014 – Mario Kart 8 (Wii U)

Transition to high definition, orchestral music, stunning visual effects, and the arrival of anti-gravity: drive on walls and ceilings!

  • Addition of the coin system: coins boost speed
  • First paid DLC: Link, Excitebike Arena, Mute City

2017 – Mario Kart 8 Deluxe (Nintendo Switch)

The ultimate version of MK8 with all DLC included and a redesigned Battle mode. In 2022-2023, the Booster Course Pass added 48 tracks for a record total of 96 tracks.

  • The best-selling Mario Kart in history (> 60 M units)
  • Supported for 6 years – unprecedented longevity

2025 – Mario Kart World (Nintendo Switch 2)

Slated for June 2025, Mario Kart World promises a connected semi-open world mode. Players explore a dynamic hub and join races or events on the fly.

  • Races with up to 24 players online
  • Free exploration, events, dynamic weather
  • Extensive customization: karts, avatars, Amiibo outfits
  • Open biomes: jungle, city, volcano, aquatic zone…

An installment designed as an evolving game, relying on seasonal content and a game-as-a-service logic.

Why does Mario Kart remain a must-play?

  • Universal accessibility: immediate fun for everyone
  • Local & online multiplayer always top-notch
  • Perfect balance between chance (items) and skill (driving, trajectories)
  • Regular evolution without losing the series' DNA
  • Active community: competitions, speedruns, mods

Recap Sheet - Mario Kart Saga

First installment Super Mario Kart (1992, Super Nintendo)
Genre Racing game with items, Mario universe
Original innovation Mode 7 to simulate 3D, split-screen Battle mode
Best-selling installment Mario Kart 8 Deluxe (Switch), approximately 71 million units, series record
Track record Mario Kart 8 Deluxe: 96 tracks with the Booster Course Pass
Latest installment Mario Kart World (June 2025, Nintendo Switch 2)
Notable new features Anti-gravity (MK8), gliders and underwater driving (MK7)

🍄 Want to extend the adventure? Discover our Mario toys in the shop.

FAQ

  • What was the very first Mario Kart?
    Super Mario Kart, released in 1992 on Super Nintendo (August 27, 1992, in Japan). It established the formula with eight characters, wacky items, and a split-screen Battle mode, thanks to Mode 7 technology.
  • Which Mario Kart is the best-selling?
    Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, released in 2017 on Nintendo Switch, with approximately 71 million copies sold. It is the best-selling Mario Kart in history, and also the best-selling game on the Switch.
  • Which installment introduced anti-gravity?
    Mario Kart 8, released in 2014 on Wii U, which allows driving on walls and ceilings. It also brought high definition and the coin system that boosts speed.
  • What does Mario Kart World bring to Switch 2?
    Released on June 5, 2025, it offers a connected open world and races with up to 24 players, twice as many as previous Mario Karts, as well as free exploration and new off-road driving techniques.
  • When did online play first appear in the series?
    With Mario Kart DS in 2005, the first in the series to offer online play (via Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection), with integrated retro tracks and praised balancing.

Conclusion

Since 1992, Mario Kart has continually evolved, combining immediate fun, technical mastery, and constant innovation. Each installment leaves a unique mark, and Mario Kart World is set to redefine expectations on the next-gen console. After three decades of shells, controlled slides, and laughter, the finish line is still far away!

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