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Mario Kart 64
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North American Player's Choice box art |
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| Developer(s) | Nintendo EAD |
| Publisher(s) | Nintendo |
| Composer(s) | Kenta Nagata |
| Series | Mario Kart |
| Platform(s) | Nintendo 64, Nintendo iQue, Virtual Console |
| Release date(s) | JP December 14, 1996 NA February 10, 1997 EU June 24, 1997 Virtual Console NA January 29, 2007 PAL January 26, 2007 |
| Genre(s) | Racing game |
| Mode(s) | Single-player, multiplayer |
| Rating(s) | ESRB: K-A OFLC: G PEGI: 3+ |
| Media | 96 Mb (12 MB) 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 (even though the US version's copyright screen says 1996, the US version was released in 1997), 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. In production, its original name was Super Mario Kart R.[1]
Mario Kart 64 is the sequel to Super Mario Kart for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System. Changes from the original include the move to 3D computer graphics and the inclusion of four player support. Players take control of characters from the Mario universe, who race around a variety of tracks with items that can either harm an opponent or aid the user.
The move to three dimensional graphics allowed for track features not possible with the original game's Mode 7 graphics, such as changes in elevation, bridges, walls and pits. However, the characters and items remained 2D pre-rendered sprites. Music for the game was composed by Kenta Nagata.[2] 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. The game was one of the best sellers and had sold millions of copies.
The game is compatible with the N64 Controller Pak, but only to save track ghosts in the Time Trial mode, which require 121 pages, almost the entire standard controller pak. All other data is stored in-cartridge.
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There are four forms of play in the game, Grand Prix, Time Trial, Versus, and Battle. There are also eight playable characters, Mario, Luigi, Bowser, Princess Peach, Wario, Yoshi, Toad, and Donkey Kong. They vary in weight, speed, and acceleration. There are also 16 tracks that are based on different locations seen in Mario games. Each track has a unique shape, and can contain various obstacles, hazards, and short cuts. All eight characters participate in each race. Up to four of them can be playable characters, while the rest are computer controlled for one or two player races, three and four player races feature no computer controlled racers.
On a track, various actions can be performed to change the flow of a race. Items can be acquired by hitting an item box. The items' uses include acting as projectiles to impede opponents, speed up the user, or stop opponents through the placement of bananas and fake item boxes. However, AI-controlled racers do not use any kind of shell. One can earn a small turbo boost through obtained items, and also by drifting, which one can perform by hopping and tilting the control stick in the direction of the turn, allowing for speedier turns. There is also an advanced drift technique that allows players to turn against the direction of their drift for a speed boost.[3]
In Grand Prix mode, one or two human players compete against computer players in a tournament composed of races on four individual courses, arranged in four-course cups. For each race, points are awarded based on placement, and at the end, the winner is decided on the number of points accumulated. Difficulty level is measured by engine size, 50, 100 or 150 cc. There is also an 'EXTRA' difficulty, allowing players to race on mirrored tracks. Time trial allows a player to race around any track in the game, either by themselves, or racing a 'ghost' of a previous run, attempting to improve their time. If the player is racing with a ghost, this phantom player mimics the motions and time of the last personal record run. Versus entails two to four players racing head-to-head in a single all-human race, on any course. This mode is identical to Grand Prix, without AI players, but with the added obstacles of moving bombs placed sporadically around the track. Battle mode pits two to four players against one another in one of four available battle courses. These courses are separate from the race courses, and are suited for more combat-oriented gameplay. Each player begins with three balloons attached to their kart. When damaged, a player will lose one of their balloons. When all of the balloons on a kart are gone, the player is eliminated, in the case of a one-on-one match, or turned into a bomb on wheels, able to crash into any living player and cause damage, a single time until the match ends. The winner is the last kart to survive the battle.
In Mario Kart 64, the player(s) can choose any one of eight unique characters to operate their kart. Koopa Troopa and Donkey Kong Junior, both of whom appeared in Super Mario Kart, did not return for Mario Kart 64, and were replaced by Donkey Kong and Wario. In pre-release screenshots, a Magikoopa was playable, but before the game's final release the Magikoopa was replaced by Donkey Kong.
The characters are divided into three categories. The 'Lightweights' include Peach, Yoshi and Toad. These characters are favored for their quick acceleration. The 'Heavyweights' include Wario, Bowser, and Donkey Kong. These characters are favored for their responsive steering. The 'Middleweights', Mario and Luigi, are balanced characters.
Mario Kart 64 features 16 tracks, split equally between Mushroom Cup, Flower Cup, Star Cup and Special Cup. Due to the advanced graphical capabilities of the Nintendo 64, the tracks in this game are more dynamic than those in the previous game, featuring ramps, pits and banking turns. Each track has a unique setting, unlike Super Mario Kart which featured tracks based on eight main themes. Mirrored versions of each track can be unlocked once certain criteria are met. Several tracks from Mario Kart 64 have been used in later games in the series as unlockable bonuses and Rainbow Road was featured in another Nintendo 64 racing game, F-Zero X.
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Mario Kart 64 has an average review ratio of 85% on Game Rankings, including reviews from IGN and GamePro, and magazines such as Electronic Gaming Monthly.[9] 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."[8] GameSpot insisted that though the graphics and sound of the game are impressive, the gameplay is too easy and lacks depth.[7] In GameSpot's re-review of the Virtual Console release the reviewer criticized its sound, no ghost saver and graphics calling it "have aged rather poorly".[13] Mario Kart 64 sold approximately 5.5 million copies in the United States and 2.24 million Japan.[14][15]
Voices samples are different between American and Japanese versions.[16]
Almost 10 years later, Mario Kart 64 was re-released on the Wii's Virtual Console in Europe on January 26, 2007 and in North America on January 29, 2007 for 1000 Wii Points. Due to the lack of a Controller Pak, it is impossible to save ghost data, 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. Like Super Mario 64 on the Virtual Console, this version of the game is presented in 480i and can also be run in 480p mode with a suitable television setup, with the exception of the PAL release which is presented in 576i at 50Hz only, regardless of TV or console setup. Most 2D graphical elements were not enhanced for the higher resolution, and thus look blurrier. The emulation of this title on Wii Virtual Console has a speed variance from the original title.
In 1999, Toy Biz released Mario Kart 64 action figures as part of the "Video Game Super Stars" line. Each figure features multiple points of articulation and their own motorized kart which fire projectiles like Boos or spiked shells.
Other merchandise was created for the game, including a kart telephone. Pushing the phone's flash button causes it to say "Hey there! It's me, Mario! Let me race you to your calls!"
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