Editing Rainbow Road

{{articleabout|race courses from the [[Mario Kart (series)]]| similar looking race courses that were in [[Mario Kart Arcade GP]] and [[Mario Kart Arcade GP 2]]|[[Rainbow Coaster]] and [[Rainbow Downhill]]}}
[[Image:RainbowroadMK7.png|thumb|280px|'''Rainbow Road''' in its latest appearance.]]
'''Rainbow Road''' is the name of the last racecourse of the [[Special Cup]] in each of the ''[[Mario Kart (series)|Mario Kart]]'' games. These tracks are suspended in the starry night sky in outer space. Most contain few or no rails, putting racers at risk of falling, and each Rainbow Road also contains its unique hazards. Due to these obstacles, Rainbow Road is one of the hardest tracks in each ''Mario Kart'' game. Rainbow Road is also usually a long track when compared to other tracks. 

==History==
===''Mario Kart'' series===
====''Super Mario Kart====
{{racecourse
|title=Rainbow Road (''Super Mario Kart'')
|image=[[Image:SMK_RainbowRoad.jpg|240px]]
|appearances=''[[Super Mario Kart]]<br>[[Mario Kart: Super Circuit]]''<br>''[[Mario Kart 7]]''
|cups=[[Special Cup]] (SMK)<br>Extra [[Special Cup]] (MKSC)<br>[[Lightning Cup]] (MK7)
|map=[[File:SNES Rainbow Road.png|200px]]
}}
This Rainbow Road lacks rails entirely and contains 90-degree turns. Rainbow-colored tiles cover the track's surface, and the yellow tiles conceal [[Coins]] and [[jump]]ing humps. This course features Star [[Thwomp]]s which can, unlike regular Thwomps, wipe out a racer by touch as well as by crushing, unless the racer activates a [[Star]] or a [[Boo]], but they cannot be defeated by a [[Star]]. If any players use a [[Mushroom]] or star, they can jump over the gap near the end of the course. This is the only track in ''[[Super Mario Kart]]'' that is not numbered compared to the others. The track reappears in ''[[Mario Kart: Super Circuit]]'', but it does not have the Star Thwomps.

''Super Mario Kart'' composer [[Soyo Oka]] considers this course's theme one of her favorite compositions.

Rainbow Road makes its third appearance as the last course of the [[Lightning Cup]] in ''[[Mario Kart 7]]'', being the first ''Rainbow Road'' to reappear as a retro track in another ''Mario Kart'' (not including when it, along with all other [[Super Mario Kart|SNES]] tracks, appeared in ''Mario Kart Super Circuit''). Unlike its reappearance in ''Mario Kart Super Circuit'', Star Thwomps make a return in the course. The Thwomps now hit the ground and cause the road to move in a wave-like motion that the player could do tricks off of. Ramps are also added throughout the course. There is also a starry background rather than it being completely black; in actuality, this was implemented earlier in ''Mario Kart: Super Circuit''. This Rainbow Road, along with Luigi Raceway, are the only 2 retro courses in Mario Kart 7 that do not make use of the gliding or underwater features.

=====Gallery=====
<center><gallery>
File:RainbowRoad-SMK.jpg|[[Mario]], racing at Rainbow Road.
File:SNESRainbowRoad-MKSC.jpg|The track, as it appears in ''Mario Kart Super Circuit''.
File:SNES MK7.png|The course's appearance in ''Mario Kart 7''.
File:SNES MK7 Rainbow Road.png|Lakitu and Donkey Kong racing on the retro track.
</gallery></center>
{{br}}

====''Mario Kart 64====
{{racecourse
|title=Rainbow Road (''Mario Kart 64'')
|image=[[File:Rainbow Road MK64.png|235px]]
|appearances=''[[Mario Kart 64]]''
|cups=[[Special Cup]]
|distance=2000 m
|map=[[Image:Rainbow Road (arieal).jpg|x200px]]
}}
Rainbow Road is the longest race course in ''[[Mario Kart 64]]'' at 2,000 meters and requiring around two minutes per lap. The track differs from the other Rainbow Roads in that it has rails throughout the track. The track features a transparent multi-colored path and with [[star]]-shaped rails running throughout the course. Neon-light pictures of the eight playable characters, plus a portrait of a [[Boo]] and a [[Mushroom]] in the distance, float in the [[Bottomless Pit|void]]. Moreover, a big three-dimensional smiling star lies in a section of the track. Roving [[Chain Chomp]]s slide through the course in reverse, tossing into the air any driver who touches them.

The twisting course starts with a huge drop followed by a gentle uphill stretch, passing through a rainbow ring halo. After the ring, racers behold the flashing neon portraits while run through a pigtail bridge, following then towards another shallower drop. Racers turn around a corkscrew to reach a hairpin bend, and then a twisting stretch to go back to the checked line finally.

Although this track may easily be the easiest Rainbow Road track (thanks to the railings), racers can perform a large shortcut by making a timed [[hop]] to the left (or right, during Extra) during the drop at the beginning.

''F-Zero X'' has a track that imitates this Rainbow Road, having the same map of the track, and following it basically. It is described as a "Psychedelic Experience". Parts, though not all of it, are rainbow-colored. Unlike the original, it has no barriers in certain areas, and the neon [[Mario (series)|''Mario'' series]] decor is missing - instead, it just has a plain black background with a watery blue bottom to which careless drivers may fall. In addition, when racing the track with the 64DD expansion features, the background song is a [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cXqJEEAA-sw heavy metal version] of the Rainbow Road song heard in ''Mario Kart 64''. There aren't any Chain Chomps, because they are Mario-exclusive.

=====Gallery=====
<gallery>
Image:RainbowRoadMK64.png|The icon from the menu.
Image:Mk64rainbowroad2.jpg|The start of the track.
Image:Mk64rainbowroad3.jpg|The one of the several Chain Chomps.
Image:Mk64rainbowroad4.jpg|The big drop at the start.
Image:Rainbow Road (arieal).jpg|An aerial view of the course
Image:F-zeroxrainbowrd.jpg|Its appearance in ''F-Zero X''.
</gallery>

=====Instruction Manual Description=====
''This course can be described in a word -- LONG, very long. It is simply the longest of all the courses. As the name indicates, the road is made of rainbow and it has a fantastic view of neon sculptures twinkling in the distance. The final course of the Special Cup, it is definitely worth seeing. It is advisable to slow down to avoid the Chomps that will attack.''
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====''Mario Kart: Super Circuit====
{{racecourse
|title=Rainbow Road (''Mario Kart: Super Circuit'')
|image=[[Image:mkscrainbowroad.png|240px|center]]
|appearances=''[[Mario Kart: Super Circuit]]
|cups=[[Special Cup]]
|map=[[File:GBA Rainbow Road map.png|200px]]
}}
In ''Mario Kart: Super Circuit'', Rainbow Road has rails at the start line. Edges of the course are lined with bounce-jumps. Astute racers can use [[Mushroom]]s to perform significant shortcuts. The track has falling stars that can make racers spin out and [[Thunder Cloud]]s that will shrink anyone careless enough to drive under them. [[Bowser's Castle#Paper Mario|Bowser's Castle]] from ''[[Paper Mario]]'' can be seen in the background.  This track is equal with the course of Rage Racer Overpass City. This game also features the Rainbow Road course from ''Super Mario Kart'' without the flashing Thwomps.

=====Gallery=====
<gallery>
Image:RainbowRoad.png|Mario driving on Rainbow Road
Image:MKSC.png|The ''Paper Mario'' castle in the background.
</gallery>
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====''Mario Kart: Double Dash!!====
{{racecourse
|title=Rainbow Road (''Mario Kart: Double Dash!!'')
|image=[[Image:Doubledashrainbow Road.PNG|215px]]<br>Rainbow Road seen in ''Mario Kart: Double Dash!!''.
|appearances=''[[Mario Kart: Double Dash!!]]
|cups=[[Special Cup]]
|map=[[File:RainbowRoadMap-MKDD.png]]
}}
[[Dash Panel]]s give a boost of speed to the racers in the ''Mario Kart: Double Dash!!'' version of Rainbow Road. This version of Rainbow Road also has rails in parts of the course. It features a helix and a pipe that shoots players to the highest point of the track after reaching the very bottom. It also contains floating sculptures of items, and rains stars that racers can pick up. It has the most pearl-like colors of all the Rainbow Roads. Depending if the mode is in split-screen or not, Rainbow Road will take place either over a city or in deep space. The city located below the course could be [[Mushroom City]], according to the design of some of the buildings. When playing in split screen mode, the city and the item sculptures are removed. The final part of the theme music played in the course is a remix of part of the Rainbow Road theme from ''Mario Kart 64'', and reappears in ''[[Super Smash Bros. Brawl]]'' as an alternative music theme for the [[Mario Circuit (stage)|Mario Circuit]] battle stage. In the [[All-Cup Tour]], it is always the final race to compete in.

It is interesting to note that the player can see the reflection of clouds in the track, but no clouds appear in the sky.

=====Course Layout=====
The track begins just before a ramp with a boost panel on it, which sends the player flying into a somewhat straight, downhill section of a track. This part of the track tends to be very bumpy and causes Shells and Eggs to bounce around, which hinders their homing skills. After a slight curve to the right and a straight road, there is a sharp U-turn to the left that leads to a short and straight section, then a U-turn to the right and another straight road, that soon leads into a boost ramp that sends the player flying. The ramp actually leads to a road lower than the previous, both with lengthy boost panels on a straight road that leads the player into a helix with boost panels on it.

The helix spirals upwards to the left. Boost Panels and [[Item Box]]es are present in this helix. The boost panels can help the player speed up, or help the player plummet to their doom until Lakitu saves them. Past the long helix is a bump road that is straight, but then waves near the end of the long straight road. The road is also very bumpy here and shooting stars hit here and become [[Star]]s for the player to play around with and screw up the other racer's progress by knocking them over the cliff. Past the wavy road is a curve to the left and a pipe. Any item thrown in the pipe gets destroyed and players are invincible when blasted up the pipe.

At the end of the pipe, the player falls down and hits another boost. The boost sends the player into a long road, also with a lot of small boosts that can help or hinder the player. Stars can also spawn here. After this straight road is a ramp with boost panels on it, and it leads the player to a downwards helix. The downwards helix is sharper and shorter than the previous one, and it leads the player into the finish line again, which starts the cycle again and another lap.

=====Official Description=====
*'''Official Website:''' ''“The longest, and most treacherous, course in Mario Kart, Rainbow Road is a wild ride unlike any other. Its hypnotic curves and stomach-turning drops are enough to shake even the steadiest racers.”''

=====Gallery=====
<gallery>
File:RainbowRoadLogo-MKDD.png|The track logo.
File:RainbowRoadIcon-MKDD.png|The track icon.
File:RainbowRoad1-TimeTrial-MKDD.png|A time trial gets prepared.
File:RainbowRoad2-TimeTrial-MKDD.png|One of the first sharp u-turns.
File:RainbowRoad3-TimeTrial-MKDD.png|A straight pathway.
File:RainbowRoad4-TimeTrial-MKDD.png|A circular road with dash panels.
File:RainbowRoad5-TimeTrial-MKDD.png|A swirly path, with a tunnel coming up.
File:RainbowRoad6-TimeTrial-MKDD.png|The wind tunnel.
File:RainbowRoad7-TimeTrial-MKDD.png|The long circular turn, leading to the goal.
</gallery>
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====''Mario Kart DS====
{{racecourse
|title= Rainbow Road (''Mario Kart DS'')
|image=[[File:Rainbow RoadDS.PNG|215px]]
|appearances=''[[Mario Kart DS]]
|cups=[[Special Cup]]
|wifi=Available ([[DS]])
|map=[[File:RoadRaindowDSTrack.PNG]]
}}
The Rainbow Road of ''[[Mario Kart DS]]'' has several rails on certain curves and includes a loop and  a corkscrew. Those elements may have been added to ensure challenge; players can place items so their opponents could fall off the corkscrew or the loop. Some multi-colored [[Warp Pipe|Pipes]] and [[Star]]s appear in the surroundings of the stage.  Additionally, the coloring pattern of this looks different from the other previous Rainbow Roads: here, the stripes on the track follow along it, instead of crossing the track. However, there are glitches on the corkscrew and the loop. If a player drifts and hits the rail or continues touching the rail it could send the player floating up, putting them off the track.

=====Course Layout=====
[[File:RainbowroadDS.png|thumb|left|[[Mario]] in the [[B Dasher]] on ''Mario Kart DS'''s Rainbow Road.]]
The track starts out with three boost pads. There are four item boxes laid out across the track and a spiraling bend to the left while going upward, with four boost pads close to the left edge. There are four more item boxes with the loop close after. A right turn comes next with a small drop, four more item boxes, and a sharp turn to the left. After a short, straight road is a U-turn right. The corkscrew is next, with a slight curve to the right, four item boxes, and another U-turn to the left. With the finish line just ahead, the cycle is started again two more times.
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====''Mario Kart Wii====
{{racecourse
|title=Rainbow Road (''Mario Kart Wii'')
|image= [[Image:RainbowRoadwiiview.png|220px]]<br>A view of <i>Mario Kart Wii</i>'s Rainbow Road.
|appearances=''[[Mario Kart Wii]]
|cups=[[Special Cup]]
|ghost=Nin*Konno (3:05:895)
|expert_ghost=Nin*Syun1 (2:44:734)
|wifi=Available ([[Wii]])
|map=[[File:RainbowRoadMKWLayout.PNG|160px]]
}}
The Rainbow Road of ''[[Mario Kart Wii]]'' is a new version of the rainbow-colored track. The track is located over the eastern parts of North America, as well as parts of Europe, Africa, and South America. If the player happens to fall off in this track, they will burn up in the atmosphere, no matter if there is a section of the course below them before getting picked up by [[Lakitu]]. This course has a ''[[Super Mario Galaxy]]'' theme to it, and it even includes floating [[Star Bit]]s and a part of a ''Super Mario Galaxy'' musical piece, [[Good Egg Galaxy]]'s background music. A large galaxy can be seen on the background, plus sunlight on the Earth's surface. This course also happens to be Rosalina's expert staff ghost course.

=====Course Layout=====
The course begins on a near 90 degree slope, located after the starting line. Light drivers are easy to push off in this area, since there are no walls that can help the player from falling off. Three boost panels are present in this slope. One stretches across the road while the other two are spread apart from each other, such as one being on the right while the other boost panel is on the left, depending on the mode. After the slope is a ramp with a boost panel in it and a sharp turn left. Any vehicle that performs a trick has a risk of falling off on the right end; the worse the drift/handling rating, the more likely the player will fall off.

After the first curve are three more boost panels that stretch across the road and a half-pipe ramp on the very right, plus a turn left. The half-pipe contains floating item boxes for the player to use. After the left turn is a slightly wavy road, in which the player may perform tricks on. Each lap, the road gets wavier, allowing for more tricks to be performed. After the wavy part is a ramp with a boost panel on it, for the player to speed up and perform a trick. The player will then see a very straight road, with two giant holes in the center for the player to fall through. Half-pipe ramps are located to the left and right of these holes, and the player may perform a stunt on the edges of these holes, since the edges of these holes contains small ramps. Both holes contain half-pipe ramps, but the latter one later on doesn't have any item boxes on top of them.

After this area is a turn left, then a curve right that has item boxes lying across the road. After the item boxes is the [[Launch Star]] which will lead the player, in very high speeds, to the other part of the course. When the player gets out of the Launch Star, there is a very minor twist in the road and a half-pipe ramp that leads the player into another section of the track, making a broad turn right for the player. After this particular ramp is two roads, which split and merge later on in the track. Both will make the player end up in the same area, but one is more elevated than the other and has boost pads in different locations. Both will lead to a ramp with two boost panels on it, with floating item boxes. Past the ramp is where the road merges again. This part has more boost panels with a sharp curve to the left and to the right. The boost panels may give the player an edge or throw the player off course and off the track. Past this area is the finish line, which starts the track over and another lap. It is the longest Nitro Course, and one of the longest tracks in the game.

=====''Mario Kart Wii'' Trading Card Description=====
''The layout of Rainbow Road has changed over the years as it has appeared in a variety of incarnations; the challenge factor has always been high. It's a long track with plenty of opportunities to fall off into space. In Mario Kart Wii, at least one of those opportunities can become a shortcut if you play it right.''

=====Competitions=====
[[Image:2009-TournamentNovember2.jpg|thumb|left||The November 2009 Competition 2.]]
The November 2009 second competition took place at Rainbow Road. Players had to race three laps, while avoiding the Chain Chomps and Incoming Chomps. The players started the race with a set of Triple Mushrooms. The official description stated, "Anticipating their movements and avoiding them is the key to a good score." This could be a reference to the ''Mario Kart 64'' track, as Chain Chomps were present there.  The competition was restricted to karts only.

This competition was repeated as the first competition of December 2010, but there were no restrictions.  It was later repeated as the second competition of August 2011, with the karts only restriction still in tact.
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=====Gallery=====
<gallery>
File:MKWii-RainbowRoad1.png|The downhill portion of the track.
File:MKWii-RainbowRoad2.png|The wavy road.
File:MKWii-RainbowRoad3.png|The 8-shaped part of the track.
File:MKWii-RainbowRoad4.png|The Launch Star tunnel.
File:MKWii-RainbowRoad5.png|The last tunnel before reaching the finish line.
</gallery>

====''Mario Kart 7====
{{racecourse
|title=Rainbow Road (''Mario Kart 7'')
|image=[[Image:RainbowroadMK7.png|250px]]<br>A view of Rainbow Road in <i>Mario Kart 7</i>.
|appearances=''[[Mario Kart 7]]
|cups=[[Special Cup]]
|ghost=Nin★Takamu (2:10:090)
|expert_ghost=Nin★Asakur (1:52:077)
|wifi=Available ([[Nintendo 3DS|3DS]])
|map=-
}}
[[Image:RainbowRoadMK7.PNG|thumb|200px|left|[[Queen Bee|Honey Queen]] driving at Rainbow Road in ''[[Mario Kart 7]]''.]]
The Rainbow Road is featured once more in a new incarnation in ''[[Mario Kart 7]]'' and it is again made up of multi-colored tiles. It also shows planets and rockets in the background. This incarnation of Rainbow Road, along with the tracks [[Wuhu Island Loop]] and [[Wuhu Mountain Loop]] only has one lap instead of three. It is divided into three sections to resemble laps, with banners at the end of each section.

Unlike past Rainbow Roads, this incarnation features the player driving on non-rainbow tile surfaces such as the moon and rings of a planet, that looks like Saturn. The first part has the drivers race on the rainbow tiles and the second part has them race on the rings of a planet, which resembles Saturn, for a short time. The third part brings them to the moon with [[Chomp]]s coming out of the craters. Like in ''[[Mario Kart: Double Dash!!]]'', the music on the course is a remix of ''Mario Kart 64's'' Rainbow Road.<ref>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R9BrzEdtceU</ref> There are 2 different variations of this new theme. The 1st variation plays while driving on the rainbow tiles, and the 2nd variation plays during the 2nd section when the player is driving on the Moon.{{br}}

=====Music=====
[[File:Rainbow Road.ogg]]


[[File:Rainbow Road planet.ogg]]


[[File:Rainbow Road final.ogg]]

===''Mario Hoops 3-on-3===
[[Image:MHrainbowship.jpg|thumb|200px|Towers floating over the clouds, where the Rainbow Road takes place.]]
Rainbow Road is the unlockable third dribble race from the "challenges" section in the basketball game ''[[Mario Hoops 3-on-3]]''. However, this Rainbow Road floats above the clouds and around a clock tower, and not much of the course is fully seen when playing. [[Podoboo]]s and [[Bomb]]s come out of holes similar to [[Bowser's Castle Court]].

===''Super Mario Galaxy 2===
[[File:RoCoG2.png|thumb|left|170px|Rainbow Road in ''[[Super Mario Galaxy 2]]''.]]
In ''[[Super Mario Galaxy 2]]'', Rainbow Road appears in the [[Rolling Coaster Galaxy]] in the mission called the "Rainbow Road Roll", and also a purple coin challenge, but it is very different than in its previous appearances. While it does retain its appearance, it's curved and appears to be made up of rainbow tiles instead of the colors simply being contiguous, much like the Rainbow Road from ''[[Super Mario Kart]]'' in which the track was also made up of rainbow tiles. Instead of just the Rainbow itself, it also has several platforms shaped both like mushrooms and squares with different colors. Along the way, Mario or Luigi must avoid several obstacles like towers and [[Bob-omb]]s. Also, the two brothers can earn two [[Power Star]]s for finishing the course, one for the normal mission, and another for collecting 100 of the 110 [[Purple Coin]]s. The music played when riding on Rainbow Road is a remix of the music played on the [[The Princess's Secret Slide]] in ''[[Super Mario 64]]''.
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==Names in Other Languages==
{{Foreignname
|Jap=レインボーロード
|JapR=Reinbō Rōdo
|JapM=Rainbow Road
|Fra=Route Arc-en-ciel
|FraM=Rainbow Road
|Dut=Regenboogbaan
|DutM=Rainbow Road
|Ger=Regenbogen Boulevard
|GerM=Rainbow Boulevard
|Spa=Senda Arco Iris
|SpaM=Rainbow Pathway
|Ita=Pista Arcobaleno<br>Via Arcobaleno (''Super Mario Galaxy 2'')
|ItaM=Rainbow Track<br>Rainbow Road
|Por=Estrada Arco-Íris
|PorM=Rainbow Road}}

==Trivia==
*''[[wikipedia:F-Zero GX|F-Zero GX]]'' also has a track similar to Rainbow Road called the "Phantom Road", but this one doesn't take place in a starry night sky or the cosmos like most Rainbow Roads, it takes place in a psychedelic cybernetic void of sorts. In addition, the track has only one color that constantly shifts through the color spectrum as opposed to having the traditional rainbow-looking appearance.
*Before [[Mario Kart 7]], Mario Kart 64's Rainbow Road is the longest track in the series.
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{{Racecourses}}
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[[Category:Mario Kart DS]]
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[[Category:Mario Kart 7 Race Courses]]

==References==
<references/>