Super Mario Kart

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Super Mario Kart

Developer(s)	Nintendo
Publisher(s)	Nintendo
Release date(s)	27 August 1992 1 September 1992 21 January 1993
Genre(s)	Racing
Mode(s)	Single player, multiplayer
Rating(s)	ESRB: K-A (Kids to Adults) (1996 Players' Choice Re-release)
Platform(s)	SNES, Virtual Console
Media	4-Megabit cartridge

Super Mario Kart is the first video game in the Mario Kart series, released in 1992 for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System. Players race go-karts as one of eight characters from the Super Mario Bros. series. It is believed this game gave birth to the sub-genre of kart racing. It features advanced graphics for the time thanks to its use of Mode 7 texture mapping. The music was composed by Soyo Oka and Taro Bando, and included some sequences and variants of Koji Kondo's works, though he had no direct involvement in the project.

1 Gameplay
- 1.1 Single player
- 1.2 Multiplayer
2 Characters
3 Honors
4 References
5 External links

[edit] Gameplay

The game is always split screen, even in one player mode. The lower half is used here to show a course map.

Super Mario Kart can be played by one or two players. All gameplay uses a forced split screen view. In single player mode, the top displays the course, while the bottom screen can either display a rear-view mirror perspective, or an overhead view of the whole track, displaying where all the racers are currently. In multiplayer, the bottom screen is assigned to the second player's view.

[edit] Single player

There are two single player modes:

The first is Mario Kart GP, in which one player races seven computer-controlled drivers. Engine classes of 50cc, 100cc, and 150cc are available. The first two are available immediately and 150cc is unlocked after completing all races (including Special Cup) at the 100cc class. Larger engines result in faster vehicles and a greater level of difficulty. There are four cups to select: the Mushroom, Flower, Star, and Special Cups. The first three are available immediately and the Special Cup is unlocked after winning all three gold cups in 100cc or 150cc. Each cup consists of five tracks and the player must receive fourth place or better in any track to advance to the next. Places five through eight are given the "ranked out" title.

The second mode is the time trial, in which the player races through one track in an attempt to set a record for best lap time or course time. No items are available in this mode.

[edit] Multiplayer

Three multiplayer modes are available:

The first is Mario Kart GP, which plays just like the single player version, but with one less computer-controlled driver. In order to proceed to the next track only one of the drivers is required to rank in the top four.

A Match race is a one-on-one race on one track.

The last mode, Battle mode, is the only mode in which players do not race. Two players choose from four levels specially designed for battle mode and try to pop the three balloons surrounding the other player with items such as Koopa shells or banana peels. The last player with balloons wins.

Lakitu helps the drivers when they get into trouble.

In all modes, Lakitu runs the raceway and rescues drivers who have driven off the track for a price of two coins.

[edit] Characters

The eight available drivers can be classified into four types based on top speed, steering, strength and acceleration. When two karts of different weight collide, the heavier kart will be knocked off the course far less and lose less speed than the lighter one, but lighter characters are better off-road. This largely depends on the angle of contact, since all characters will lose their speed if they make contact with a wall or another driver from the back without jumping at the right moment. Also, when two drivers collide at an angle resulting in no speed loss, the lighter character will usually maintain his speed temporarily if bumped offroad.

[edit] Honors

Upon release in North America, the game sold well and eventually became a Player's Choice Million Seller title. In 2001, GameInformer ranked Super Mario Kart 35th in their list of "Top 100 Games of All Time."^[1] Super Mario Kart placed 15th on IGN's Top 100 Games.

[edit] References

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