Mario Kart 64

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Mario Kart 64

Developer(s)	Nintendo EAD
Publisher(s)	Nintendo
Release date(s)	December 14, 1996 February 10, 1997 June 24, 1997 Virtual Console January 26, 2007 January 29, 2007
Genre(s)	Racing game
Mode(s)	Single player, multiplayer
Rating(s)	ESRB: E (Everyone) OFLC: G PEGI: 3+
Platform(s)	Nintendo 64, Nintendo iQue, Virtual Console
Media	96Mb (12MB) cartridge

Mario Kart 64 (マリオカート64, Mario Kāto Rokujūyon^?) is a racing video game developed and published by Nintendo for the Nintendo 64 video game console. It was released on December 14, 1996 in Japan, February 10, 1997 in North America, and June 24, 1997 in Europe. On January 26, 2007 Mario Kart 64 was released on Nintendo's European Virtual Console Service for the Wii. It was also released on the American service on January 29, 2007.

Mario Kart 64 is the sequel to Super Mario Kart for the SNES. Changes from the original include the use of 3D computer graphics and four player support. Players take control of characters from the Super Mario Bros., Donkey Kong, Yoshi and Wario Land video game series, who race around a variety of tracks with items that can either harm an opponent or aid the user.

1 Gameplay
2 Graphics
3 Sound
4 Characters
5 Reception
6 Re-Releases
7 References
8 External links

[edit] Gameplay

Players choose from a roster of eight characters that vary in weight, speed, and acceleration. These character race in a variety of tracks based upon different locations in the Mario world. Each track has a unique shape, and can contain various obstacles, hazards, and short cuts. Eight characters participate in each race. Up to four of them can be human characters, while the rest are computer controlled for one to two player only. Three and four player races have no computer controlled racers.

On a track, various things can be done to change the flow of a race. Items can be acquired by hitting an item box, a rainbow-colored box with a spinning question mark. The items' uses include acting as projectiles to impede the opponent, speed up the user, or stop opponent through other means. A way of speeding up is drifting by hopping and tilting the control stick. If the control stick is moved left and right while the kart is drifting, it is possible to gain a small boost in speed, called a Mini-Turbo. The Mini-Turbo was subsequently included in every Mario Kart game, as was drifting.

There are various forms of play such as the Mario Grand Prix where one or two human players compete with computer players in a group of eight around a series of four courses per cup. A player selects one of the four cups at the beginning of the game as well as a difficulty level, measured by engine size (50, 100 or 150 cc). The player can also race on a track alone while recording a time, and trying to beat this time on subsequent races. There are two modes where players can face each other. One is just a generic race, while the other is a battle mode where players compete in one of four special arenas filled with item boxes; each player has three balloons attached to their kart which are lost if any damage is done to the kart, with the winner being the last remaining player.

Screenshot of Mario Kart 64

[edit] Graphics

The racers are 2D pre-rendered images as opposed to 3D models. Every frame of the racer is rendered as a separate frame from the high resolution 3D model, and what frame is shown depends on the angle of the racer.^{[citation needed]}

The courses are in 3D, which allows for more detail and depth compared to Super Mario Kart.

[edit] Sound

Music for the game was composed by Kenta Nagata^[1]. The introduction music for Mario Kart 64, which is loosely based on the original Super Mario Kart theme tune, was remixed and used in the music video game Dance Dance Revolution: Mario Mix for the Nintendo GameCube.^{[citation needed]}

Each character has his or her own short voice clips that are usually used when he or she wins or loses a race. They are also used when the character passes an opponent, uses an item, or is hit by an item.

[edit] Characters

Mario Kart 64 has eight drivers from which the players can choose.

Koopa Troopa and Donkey Kong Junior of Super Mario Kart have been removed.

Pre-release screenshot of Mario Kart 64 from Nintendo Power Magazine

In pre-release screenshots, a Magikoopa (possibly Kamek) was playable. Before the game's final release, this character was replaced by Donkey Kong.

[edit] Reception

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Mario Kart 64 has an average review ratio of 85% on Game Rankings, including reviews from IGN (8.1/10) and GamePro (5/5), and magazines such as Electronic Gaming Monthly (9.25/10).[3] IGN stated, "Though the single-player mode is a bit of a step back from the SNES original, Mario Kart 64 still offers one of the best multiplayer experiences to be had on Nintendo 64."[4] It has also received relatively low scores, such as from GameSpot (6.4/10). GameSpot insisted that though the graphics and sound of the game are impressive, the gameplay is too easy and lacks depth. ^[2]

Over one million copies were sold within the first six weeks of release.^[3]

[edit] Re-Releases

While there are no plans to re-release the currently discontinued N64 cartridge, Mario Kart 64 was re-released on the Wii's Virtual Console in North America on January 29 2007 and in Europe on January 26th, 2007. It costs 1000 Wii Points. In this version, it is impossible to save ghost data, as there is no Controller Pak, as was used in the Nintendo 64 version. Nintendo has placed messages advising users about this before they download the game both when the Wii Shop Channel is first accessed and in the More Details tab on the individual game page.