As a long-time gamer who grew up with the humble beginnings of Super Mario Kart on the SNES, I can confidently say that the evolution and success of this franchise have been nothing short of astounding! The stark contrast between the mere 20 courses in Super Mario Kart and the whopping 96 courses in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is a testament to the dedication and creativity of Nintendo’s development team.
On September 1st, 1992, the initial installment of the Mario Kart series was launched in North America on the Super Nintendo Entertainment System. Super Mario Kart, although seemingly modest when viewed next to later games in the series, marked the humble beginnings of a cultural sensation cherished by countless gamers worldwide. With only 20 tracks and outdated visuals, the game may not appear as remarkable today. However, it was this very game that set the foundation for much of the gameplay we still enjoy after 32 years. For those who haven’t experienced the first entry, today’s anniversary provides a perfect opportunity to dive in!
Initially in the classic game “Super Mario Kart”, players had a limited group of beloved characters to select from, each possessing unique abilities: Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach, Toad, Yoshi, Koopa Troopa, Donkey Kong Jr., and Bowser. This game not only gave birth to numerous subsequent installments but also motivated many potential rivals, such as “Crash Nitro Kart” and “Sonic & Sega All-Stars Racing”. Yet, none of these have matched its level of success.
Super Mario Kart: Where to Play It
As a die-hard fan, if you’ve moved on from your Super Nintendo days, the best spot to revisit the original Mario Kart game is via Nintendo Switch Online. This service, which I subscribe to, offers a dedicated SNES app that houses a plethora of games originally launched on this iconic system. For me, Super Mario Kart was one of the inaugural games available on the app, and it’s nestled among classics like Super Metroid and the original Star Fox. The annual fee for Nintendo Switch Online is a budget-friendly $19.99, making it more affordable than most online services. You can grab a subscription through the eShop, or from retailers such as Best Buy, Amazon, Target, or Walmart.
Beyond the regular Nintendo Switch Online plan, t Super Circuit on the Game Boy Advance app. These three games offer a glimpse into the early stages of the series’ history.
Mario Kart: The Present
Compared to the early installments of Mario Kart, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe stands out as the peak of the series. Originally launched on Wii U in 2014, it was later ported to Nintendo Switch along with all its downloadable content and extra features. On the Switch, it gained a massive following, making it one of the most popular games ever created. With over 71 million copies sold across both versions, Mario Kart 8 has a large and dedicated fanbase. To add to this, Nintendo has continued to support the game with additional downloadable content, increasing the number of courses from the original 20 found in Super Mario Kart.
Besides Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, the past few years have introduced more Mario Kart games to the mix. Mario Kart Tour is a mobile adaptation of the series, and despite updates ceasing last year, it’s still playable on iOS and Android devices, making it a viable choice for individuals without a Switch. Another title is Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit, launched in 2020 exclusively on Nintendo Switch. This game lets players create their own tracks at home using the device, then race through them with a remote-controlled kart that links to the Switch. It offers a unique twist compared to standard Mario Kart games, but there’s plenty of fun to be had if you have sufficient space for it.
Mario Kart in Other Media
The influence of Mario Kart on the broader Mario series is immense. For instance, when the movie “The Super Mario Bros.” hit theaters last year, it took many cues from the Mario Kart games and even provided a backstory for the Karts. In this film’s world, the Karts are invented by the Kongs, which sheds light on why banana peels have been a recurring obstacle in the series since “Super Mario Kart.”
Currently, you can find Mario Kart t-shirts, Hot Wheels toys, and a Super Nintendo World attraction dedicated to it. It’s clear that Mario Kart is arguably the most successful spin-off from any video game in existence. The following year promises an influx of new Mario Kart merchandise into stores, as we anticipate the debut of LEGO sets inspired by the games.
The Future of Mario Kart
Even though Mario Kart 8 Deluxe remains popular among gamers, there’s been a strong demand for a fresh installment in the series. It’s been ten years since a new main series game was launched, and fans are excited to see what’s next on the horizon. Typically, Nintendo is cautious about releasing too many spin-offs on the same platform, preferring instead to unveil just one Mario Kart, Mario Golf, or Mario Tennis title (to mention a few). Consequently, it’s likely that we won’t see a new Mario Kart until Nintendo introduces its next video game console.
Based on previous trends, it’s highly probable that a fresh installment of Mario Kart will be unveiled around the same time as Nintendo’s upcoming console, tentatively called “Switch 2.” Given the success and growth of the Mario Kart series over its 32-year history, this seems like an inevitable move. Details about the new game are scarce at the moment, but we can anticipate it will build upon the advancements made since Super Mario Kart on SNES, with potential improvements in tracks, power-ups, and characters, as well as innovative gameplay mechanics such as gliding and underwater driving. Only time will tell what exciting additions the next game might bring to keep players engaged!
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2024-09-01 23:10