Editing SNES Rainbow Road

{{articleabout|the Rainbow Road course originally from ''[[Super Mario Kart]]''|Rainbow Road as a whole and other versions of the track|[[Rainbow Road]]}}
{{racecourse
|title=Rainbow Road
|image=[[File:SMK Rainbow Road.png]]
|appearances=''[[Super Mario Kart]]'' ([[List of Mario games by date#1992|1992]])<br>''[[Mario Kart: Super Circuit]]'' ([[List of Mario games by date#2001|2001]])<br>''[[Mario Kart 7]]'' ([[List of Mario games by date#2011|2011]])<br>''[[Mario Kart 8]]'' ([[The Legend of Zelda x Mario Kart 8|DLC Pack 1]]) ([[List of Mario games by date#2014|2014]])
|cups=[[Special Cup]] (SMK)<br>Extra [[Special Cup]] (MKSC)<br>[[Lightning Cup]] (MK7)<br>[[Triforce Cup]] (MK8)
|ghost=Nin★YABUKI (1:34.459) (MK7)<br>Nin★Anne (1:46.599) (MK8)
|expert_ghost=Nin★SRIWtm (1:21.994) (MK7)
|wifi=Available ([[Nintendo 3DS|3DS]], [[Wii U]])
|music=[[File:Rainbow Road (SNES).ogg]] (SMK)<br>[[File:MK8-DLC-Music-SNES-RainbowRoad.ogg]] (MK8)
|map=SNES / GBA <div style="white-space: nowrap;">[[File:SNES Rainbow Road.png|frameless|upright=0.75|SNES Map]][[File:GBA Raimbow Road.png|frameless|upright=0.75|GBA Map]]</div><br>3DS / Wii U<div style="white-space: nowrap;">[[File:SFC Rainbow Road.png|frameless|upright=0.75|3DS Map]][[File:MK8 SNES Rainbow Road Course Map.png|frameless|upright=0.75|Wii U Map]]</div>
}}
'''Rainbow Road''' is a race course that first appeared in ''[[Super Mario Kart]]'', and as a retro track in ''[[Mario Kart: Super Circuit]]'', ''[[Mario Kart 7]]'', and [[The Legend of Zelda x Mario Kart 8|''The Legend of Zelda'' × ''Mario Kart 8'']] DLC pack for ''[[Mario Kart 8]]''.

==Appearance in ''Super Mario Kart''==
[[File:RainbowRoad-SMK.jpg|thumb|left|240px|Mario racing on Rainbow Road.]]
Rainbow Road is unique in the fact that it is the only track in the game that is not numbered compared to the others, and thus it is the game's only unique track. Despite being the final track of the game, it is relatively short compared to other tracks in the game and it is also the shortest Rainbow Road to date. It is also the only track in the Special Cup with normal traction. Rainbow Road also lacks rails entirely and has only 90-degree turns. Rainbow-colored tiles cover the track's surface, and the yellow tiles conceal [[Coins]] and [[jump]]ing bumps. This course features a [[Super Thwomp (Mario Kart)|different type of 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]].

The track begins with racers taking a turn to the right, where they will find [[? Panel]]s to gather items. There are some Jumps, followed by four Thwomps. After this, racers turn to the right again where they can collect some coins, followed by another turn to the right, where there is once again a path with jumping bumps with an incoming turn that might cause racers to fall. After this turn, the track gets narrower and follows a long path where more coins and Thwomps are found along the way with another turn awaiting the player. It is here where the track gets even more narrow increasing the risk of falling. Before the final turn, the track splits into two roads; the left side contains coins while the right side has 2 ? Panels, both have a pair of Thwomps near the part where these roads merge. Alternatively, there is a jumping bump in the middle gap; if any racers use a [[Mushroom]] while they are heading it, they can jump over the gap for a significant shortcut. After the final turn, before the finish line, there is another quartet of Thwomps, but this time there is no space between them to pass, with players only being able to pass them by driving on the side or when the Thwomps are rising.

==Appearance in ''Mario Kart: Super Circuit''==
[[File:SNESRainbowRoad-MKSC.png.png|thumb|240px|Luigi racing through the track.]]
Rainbow Road reappeared in ''[[Mario Kart: Super Circuit]]'', as the last track of the Extra Special Cup. The background is from [[Rainbow Road (GBA)|<small>GBA</small> Rainbow Road]], but with only the sparkles, foreground clouds, and moon appearing. The track is transparent, but only in that game. The Thwomps and jumping bumps were removed, and the music is higher-pitched.

===Gallery===
<gallery widths=64px>
File:GBARainbowroadSNES.png|Minimap as seen on the menu.
File:GBARainbowroadSNESmap.png|Minimap as seen in the race.
</gallery>

==Appearance in ''Mario Kart 7''==
Rainbow Road returns again 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'' (besides its reappearance in ''[[Mario Kart: Super Circuit]]'').

Even though this track is short, and is one of the shortest tracks in the game, there are only three laps instead of five. While keeping the original layout, the red tiles are now pink, and the turquoise tiles are now cyan. Unlike ''Super Circuit'', the Thwomps (now with their ''[[New Super Mario Bros. Wii]]'' appearance and referred to as "Super Thwomps") return. They are bigger (which reduces their number in the track, from sixteen to seven), and now form undulations on the track upon landing, which the player can [[Trick]] off of. Also, howling noises can be heard near the Super Thwomps. The course uses a similar background to that of [[Waluigi Pinball]], another returning course in the game.

Ramps also replace the yellow bumps, though the first two bumps were removed entirely, and a ramp was added on the inside of the second U-turn, adding a new shortcut (requiring a [[Mushroom]] or [[Mini-Turbo]] to get across). The widest part of the gap in the forked road is two tiles shorter, but the gap itself is also seven tiles shorter, making the shortcut easier to use. In first-person view, the player can see through the breaks in the tiles.

===Gallery===
<center><gallery widths=250px>
File:SNES MK7.png|Overview of the track
File:SNES MK7 Rainbow Road.png|[[Lakitu]] and [[Donkey Kong]] racing on the retro track.
</gallery></center>

==Appearance in ''Mario Kart 8''==
[[File:Mk8-DLC-Course-SNES RainbowRoad.jpg|thumb|310px|<small>SNES</small> Rainbow Road, in ''Mario Kart 8''.]]
Rainbow Road returns for the third time in the [[The Legend of Zelda x Mario Kart 8|''Legend of Zelda'' × ''Mario Kart 8'']] DLC Pack of ''[[Mario Kart 8]]'', appearing as the second course in the [[Triforce Cup]]. As a result, for the first time, a Rainbow Road course is not the last track in a cup. The track's layout is similar to its appearance in ''Mario Kart 7''. The colors of the tiles are the same as they were in the original version, but this time, they have a neon appearance, their color pattern is reversed, there are now eight different colors of tiles, instead of seven from its previous appearances (adding cyan between turquoise and blue), most of the tiles now flash, and the tiles the Thwomps land on are now white. The course itself is also wider and banked (namely, the inclined third U-turn). Tiles at the edges of the track now have borders on the outer edges. The forked road is also altered further, with the narrow part of the hole's end filled in. The music is also deeper-pitched.

The Thwomps are the same as they were in ''Mario Kart 7'', but they now have sparkles, a mosaic-like appearance, horizontal rainbow lines running from bottom to top of them, and use the ''[[Super Mario Galaxy]]'' Thwomp appearance, like the other Thwomps in ''Mario Kart 7'' and ''Mario Kart 8'', rather than their spiked ''New Super Mario Bros. Wii'' look in ''Mario Kart 7''. Additionally, the first two Thwomps are bigger. Unlike before, when they start to crash down, they will create rainbow waves above them. Also, when they shake (preparing to crash down) and the moment they land, they make metallic glistening sounds. The waves on the track they create are now bigger, move more quickly, and disappear faster than in ''Mario Kart 7'', making tricks more difficult to perform.

The course now takes place in the sky with the moon visible, just like in ''[[Mario Kart: Super Circuit]]'', but it now has color-changing hills that stick above them. Various [[Toad House|Toad Houses]] litter the landscape below the course, which in itself is similar to [[Donut Plains 3 (course)|<small>SNES</small> Donut Plains 3]]. The starting banner is now redesigned, with the traditional ''Super Mario Kart'' colored blocks with a star on top of it; the banner also stands on two walled areas, now making the start the only walled part of the course. Also, when a player approaches a turn, two green arrow holograms will appear behind the turn, and indicate in which direction the player must drive (similar to ''Super Circuit'''s new courses). Once the player has made the turn, the arrows will disappear.
{{br}}

===Gallery===
<center><gallery widths=170px>
File:MK8-DLC-Course-icon-SNES RainbowRoad.png|The track's icon.
File:Mk8-DLC-Course-SNES RainbowRoad-startingline.jpg|The course, as seen at the starting line, from ''Mario Kart 8''.
File:Mk8-DLC-Course-SNES RainbowRoad-screenshot01.jpg|[[Toad]], starting the race on the [[Sneeker]].
File:Mk8-DLC-Course-SNES RainbowRoad-screenshot02.jpg|[[Toad]], turning.
File:MK8-DLC-Course-SNES RainbowRoad-screenshot-Link.jpg|Super Thwomps, warping the track.
File:CatPeachRainbow.jpg|[[Cat Mario|Cat Peach]], racing on the track.
File:Rosalina-SNESRainbowRoad-MK8.jpg|[[Rosalina]], racing on the track, while holding a Green Shell.
File:DaisyonSNES.jpg|[[Princess Daisy]], taking the first shortcut on <small>SNES</small> Rainbow Road.
File:DaisyonSNES2.jpg|Princess Daisy, taking the second shortcut on <small>SNES</small> Rainbow Road.
</gallery></center>

==Names in other languages==
{{Foreignname
|Jap=レインボーロード
|JapR=Reinbō Rōdo
|JapM=Rainbow Road
|Spa=Senda Arco Iris
|SpaM=Rainbow Track
|Fra=Route Arc-en-ciel
|FraM=Rainbow Road
|Dut=Regenboogbaan
|DutM=Rainbow Track
|Ger=Regenbogen-Boulevard
|GerM=Rainbow Boulevard
|Ita=Pista Arcobaleno
|ItaM=Rainbow Track
|Por=Estrada Arco-Íris
|PorM=Rainbow Road
|Rus=Трасса Радуга
|RusR=Trassa Raduga
|RusM=Rainbow Track
|Kor=무지개 로드
|KorR=Mujigae Rodeu
|KorM=Raindow Road
|Chi=彩虹之路 (Traditional)<br>''Cǎihóng zhī Lù''<br>彩虹桥 (Simplified)
|ChiR=Cǎihóng Qiáo
|ChiM=Rainbow Road (Traditional)<br>Rainbow Bridge (Simplified)
}}

==Trivia==
*<small>SNES</small> Rainbow Road has appeared in four ''Mario Kart'' games, the most times out of any track in the series.
*<small>SNES</small> Rainbow Road is the only course in ''Mario Kart 7'' not to have a [[Boost Pad|boost pad]]/ramp, and one of four courses not to have a glider pad/ramp; the others are [[Luigi Raceway|<small>N64</small> Luigi Raceway]], [[Daisy Cruiser|<small>GCN</small> Daisy Cruiser]], and [[Rosalina's Ice World]].
**Also, in ''Mario Kart 8'', it is one of the two only courses that does not have any boost pads, glider pads, underwater sections, or anti-gravity sections, with the other being [[Yoshi Circuit|<small>GCN</small> Yoshi Circuit]].
*In ''Mario Kart 8'', <small>SNES</small> Rainbow Road, [[Rainbow Road (N64)|<small>N64</small> Rainbow Road]], the [[Rainbow Road (Wii U)|new Rainbow Road]] and [[Baby Park|<small>GCN</small> Baby Park]] are the only courses in the game to have the map in different colors instead of just blue. 
*In the ''Mario Kart 8'' official trailer for this course, only 11 characters take part in the race.
*In the entire ''Mario Kart'' series, <small>SNES</small> Rainbow Road in ''Mario Kart 8'' is the first and only Rainbow Road course which is not the last course in its cup.
*''Super Mario Kart'' composer [[Soyo Oka]] considers this course's theme one of her favorite compositions.<ref>[http://www.rocketbaby.net/interviews_soyo_oka.html Interview between Rocketbaby and Soyo Oka]. Retrieved February 12, 2015.</ref>

==References==
<references/>
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{{Racecourses}}
{{SMK}}
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[[Category:Super Mario Kart]]
[[Category:Super Mario Kart Race Courses]]
[[Category:Mario Kart: Super Circuit Race Courses]]
[[Category:Mario Kart 7 Race Courses]]
[[Category:Mario Kart 8]]
[[Category:Retro Courses]]
[[Category:Unlockables]]
[[Category:Downloadable content]]