Mario Kart 64

Mario Kart 64
Developer	Nintendo EAD
Publisher	Nintendo
System	Nintendo 64, Virtual Console
Release Date	Nintendo 64 JP December 14, 1996 US February 10, 1997 EU June 24, 1997 Virtual Console EU January 25, 2007 US January 29, 2007 JP January 30, 2007
Genre	Racing
Gallery	GH Gallery
Rating	ESRB: K-A

Mario Kart 64 is the 3-D sequel to the original Super Mario Kart. It featured an expanded four-player multiplayer mode along with new items and characters.

Gameplay

Mario Kart 64 plays similarly to the previous game, but with polygonal graphics. The characters of Donkey Kong Jr. and the Koopa Troopa have been replaced with Donkey Kong and Wario. As before, items could be used to sabotage other racers. This installment introduces the infamous Spiny Shell, which homes in on the player in first place and blows them up. In addition to the standard racing mode, there are extras which include mirrored tracks and the option to race against "ghosts" of previous plays of stages. The ghosts in Time Trial mode could only be saved to the Nintendo 64 Controller Pak.

This installment was known for its multiplayer, which underwent a natural expansion due to the transition from Super NES to Nintendo 64. Up to four players could compete in races or Battle Mode.

Tracks

Mushroom Cup	Flower Cup	Star Cup	Special Cup
Luigi Raceway	Toad's Turnpike	Wario Stadium	DK's Jungle Parkway
Moo Moo Farm	Frappe Snowland	Sherbet Land	Yoshi Valley
Koopa Troopa Beach	Choco Mountain	Royal Raceway	Banshee Boardwalk
Kalimari Desert	Mario Raceway	Bowser's Castle	Rainbow Road

• Mario Kart Tracks

Legacy

Mario Kart 64 established a roster of eight characters (Mario, Luigi, Yoshi, Princess Peach, Bowser, Donkey Kong, Wario and Toad). These eight characters appeared in all following Mario Kart games and most of the other Mario spin-off games.

Sequels

The next Mario Kart game was Mario Kart: Super Circuit for the Game Boy Advance, which blended elements from Super Mario Kart with Mario Kart 64. The next 3-D Mario Kart was Mario Kart: Double Dash!!.

Remakes

• Four of Mario Kart 64's tracks appeared in the Retro Cup of Mario Kart DS, and four tracks were also used in Mario Kart Wii.
• The original game was released for download over the Virtual Console in early 2007.