Mario Kart: The crazy race made by Nintendo

1243 mots | Temps de lecture : 6 minute(s)

Mario Kart is one of Nintendo 's most popular franchises . Combining racing, wacky items and iconic characters from the Super Mario universe, it has captivated all generations since its launch in 1992. Fun, accessible and strategic, Mario Kart is now a pillar of multiplayer , whether with friends, online or with family. And with Mario Kart World , planned for 2025 , the saga is about to embark on a major turning point .

Origin of the series

The series began with Super Mario Kart , released in 1992 on the Super Nintendo . Its concept was simple but revolutionary : having characters from the Mario universe compete on circuits full of traps, while using objects to attack or defend. The multiplayer mode and the famous bananas, red and blue shells, instantly became cult classics.

The game takes advantage of a technical feat of the console: Mode 7 , which allows you to simulate a 3D perspective by rotating and zooming the backgrounds. This innovation gives an impression of depth unprecedented for the time and contributes to the unique visual identity of the game.

Nintendo originally wanted to create a multiplayer racing game separate from F-Zero , which was too fast to accommodate two players in split-screen. It was so successful that Mario Kart became a genre in its own right , copied but never equaled.

The main games in the series

Each major installment brought its share of technical and gameplay innovations. Here's a timeline of the main titles:

• Super Mario Kart (SNES, 1992)
• Mario Kart 64 (N64, 1996) – introduced polygonal 3D , larger tracks, 4 simultaneous players
• Mario Kart: Super Circuit (GBA, 2001) – return to the SNES style with retro circuits and portability
• Mario Kart: Double Dash!! (GameCube, 2003) – two characters per kart, team strategy, improved graphics
• Mario Kart DS (DS, 2005) – first online game, single-player missions, new items
• Mario Kart Wii (Wii, 2008) – Wiimote, motorcycles, and gyroscope control, huge commercial success (37 million units)
• Mario Kart 7 (3DS, 2011) – introduced hang gliding and underwater sections
• Mario Kart 8 (Wii U, 2014) – antigravity, HD graphics, orchestral soundtrack
• Mario Kart 8 Deluxe (Switch, 2017) – all DLC, balance, new characters, improved fluidity
• Mario Kart World (Switch 2, 2025) – open world, 24 players, new modes and crossovers

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe: The Biggest Hit

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is the most comprehensive and best-selling installment in the series, with over 60 million copies sold to date, making it the best-selling game on the Nintendo Switch .

It offers:

• 48 base tracks , expanded to 96 tracks with the Booster Course Pass , including remastered retro tracks and brand new tracks
• 42 playable characters , record diversity, with guests from Zelda , Animal Crossing , Splatoon …
• Local multiplayer for up to 4 players in split screen and 12 players online, with quick matchmaking
• 200cc mode, a real driving challenge reserved for the most experienced
• Revamped Battle Mode, including sun capture, bob-omb bombs and more

Its fluidity at 60 FPS , its sublime graphics and its colossal content make it an absolute reference of the genre.

Emblematic objects

Mario Kart is famous for its items that spice up the races:

• Red Shell – Homing projectile targeting the runner in front
• Blue shell – feared by all, it explodes on the first
• Lightning Bolt – Shrinks opponents, slows them down, and makes them drop items
• Boo – steals an item from another player, while temporarily making the player intangible
• Super Horn – only counter to the blue shell, also effective against nearby enemies
• Piranha Plant – Devours everything in its path while slightly boosting speed
• Super Star – invincibility and increased speed, perfect for coming back
• Mushrooms – simple or golden, they temporarily speed up
• Triple items – bananas, shells, mushrooms, boomerangs, bombs… to multiply attacks

Playable characters

• Classic characters : Mario, Luigi, Peach, Bowser, Yoshi, Donkey Kong, Toad
• Supporting Characters : Wario, Waluigi, Daisy, Harmony, Baby Mario, Baby Peach, Metal Mario
• Special Characters : Inkling (Splatoon), Link (Zelda), Villagers & Marie (Animal Crossing), King Boo, Maskass, Bowser Skelet, Skelerex, etc.
• Customizable : The player's Miis, with their own kart

The most cult circuits

• Rainbow Route – final, challenging and visually stunning circuit
• Mount Wario – unique with its “downhill” format without a loop
• Big Blue & Mute City – ultra-fast F-Zero tributes
• Bowser's Castle – Menacing atmosphere and dynamic traps
• Koopa Beach – Nintendo 64 nostalgia
• Excitebike Arena , Animal Crossing , Hyrule Circuit – successful crossovers with other licenses

Mario Kart Tour & Mario Kart Live

• Mario Kart Tour (2019, iOS/Android) – regularly updated tracks, inspired by major cities like Paris, Tokyo, and New York. Controversial but highly downloaded free-to-play model
• Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit (2020, Switch) – uses a real miniature kart equipped with a camera. Thanks to augmented reality, you can create your own circuits at home

What future for the series?

The next installment, now officially named Mario Kart World , is scheduled for June 5, 2025 , as a launch title for the Nintendo Switch 2. Touted as a revolution, it marks a major evolution for the franchise.

Mario Kart World will feature:

• An open world mode , allowing you to freely explore environments between races
• Races for up to 24 players , both locally and online
• Knockout Tour mode , a series of elimination events with progressive difficulty
• New items and tracks inspired by franchises never before seen in Mario Kart
• Extensive customization of karts and characters

Conclusion

Mario Kart is more than just a racing game: it's a video game institution , a must-have for evenings with friends or family. A blend of strategy, chance, rivalry, and laughter, it has evolved without ever betraying its DNA. And with Mario Kart World on the horizon, the series promises to reach new heights in the years to come. The race is far from over!