Rainbow Road: Difference between revisions

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{{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]]. For the course from [[Super Mario 64]], see [[Rainbow Ride]]}}
{{about|the race courses from the [[Mario Kart (series)|''Mario Kart'']] series|other uses|[[Rainbow Road (disambiguation)]]}}
[[Image:RainbowroadMK7.png|thumb|280px|'''Rainbow Road''' in its latest appearance in ''Mario Kart 7''.]]
[[File:MK8-Course-RainbowRoad.png|thumb|330px|[[Rainbow Road (Mario Kart 8)|Rainbow Road]] in its appearance in ''[[Mario Kart 8]]'']]
'''Rainbow Road''' is the name of the last racecourse of the [[Special Cup]] in each of the ''[[Mario Kart (series)|Mario Kart]]'' games. As the name suggests, these tracks are made of multi-colored tilesets that are either one color or change their color as racers pass by them, depending the game they appear. They 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.  
'''Rainbow Road''' is the final course of the [[Special Cup]] in all ''[[Mario Kart (series)|Mario Kart]]'' games and serves as the ultimate course in terms of difficulty in each game in which it appears. Each game features its own different iteration of Rainbow Road, but the courses all share the "Rainbow Road" name. Starting in ''[[Mario Kart 7]]'', Rainbow Road courses from previous games have reappeared as [[classic course]]s alongside the [[New course|new]] ones. ''[[Mario Kart Tour]]'' is the only mainline game in the series to not introduce its own completely original Rainbow Road outside of [[remix course]]s, though it does feature some returning Rainbow Roads as classic courses.


As their name suggests, these courses are made of rainbow-colored surfaces, usually metallic or glass, that are either one color or change their color as racers drive on them, depending on the game. Many of these tracks are transparent. Starting in ''[[Mario Kart: Double Dash!!]]'', the surface on each Rainbow Road (including the returning ones in ''Mario Kart 7'' onward) creates a unique metallic sound when racers [[drift]], [[Hop (move)|hop]], or perform a sharp turn on it. Starting in ''Mario Kart 7'', some of the Rainbow Road courses have sections of the race track that are not rainbow-colored. Rainbow Road typically appears to be floating in deep space or the [[Earth]]'s atmosphere, although the [[Rainbow Road (Mario Kart: Double Dash!!)|Rainbow Road]] in ''Mario Kart: Double Dash!!'' and the remade {{classic-link|N64|Rainbow Road}} and {{classic-link|SNES|Rainbow Road}} in ''[[Mario Kart 8]]'' instead hang suspended in a starry night sky above a landscape. The course often contains few or no railings, putting racers at risk of falling off the track, and each Rainbow Road also contains its own unique hazards. Due to these obstacles, Rainbow Road is among the most difficult courses in each ''Mario Kart'' game; it also often one of the longest.
Rainbow Road has also made some appearances in other games outside of the ''Mario Kart'' series, as well as in ''[[The Super Mario Bros. Movie]]''.
==History==
==History==
===''Mario Kart'' series===
===''Mario Kart'' series===
====''Super Mario Kart====
Rainbow Road has appeared as multiple incarnations throughout the ''Mario Kart'' series:
{{racecourse
{|class="wikitable"align=center width=100% style="text-align:center"
|title=Rainbow Road (''Super Mario Kart'')
|-
|image=[[Image:SMK_RainbowRoad.jpg|240px]]
!width=10%|Course
|appearances=''[[Super Mario Kart]]<br>[[Mario Kart: Super Circuit]]''<br>''[[Mario Kart 7]]''
!width=10%|Games
|cups=[[Special Cup]] (SMK)<br>Extra [[Special Cup]] (MKSC)<br>[[Lightning Cup]] (MK7)
!width=30%|Description
|wifi=Available ([[Nintendo 3DS|3DS]])
|-
|music=[[File:Rainbow Road (SNES).ogg]]
![[File:SMK Rainbow Road Lower-Screen Map.png]]<br>[[SNES Rainbow Road|Rainbow Road]]
<center>''Super Mario Kart''</center>
|''[[Super Mario Kart]]''<br>''[[Mario Kart: Super Circuit]]''<br>''[[Mario Kart 7]]''<br>''[[Mario Kart 8]]'' <small>([[The Legend of Zelda x Mario Kart 8|''The Legend of Zelda'' × ''Mario Kart 8'']])</small><br>''[[Mario Kart 8 Deluxe]]''<br>''[[Mario Kart Tour]]''
|map=[[File:SNES Rainbow Road.png|200px]]
|A simplistic, yet challenging course that debuted in ''Super Mario Kart'' with narrow paths and tight curves. The road is made of tiles in all colors of the rainbow (although red was replaced by pink in ''Mario Kart 7''), arranged in horizontal bars, while the environment appears to be in the starry depths of space (or a starry night sky in ''Mario Kart: Super Circuit'', ''Mario Kart 8'', and ''Mario Kart 8 Deluxe''). [[Star Thwomp]]s appears as the course's primary obstacles, which can spin out racers by touch unlike regular [[Thwomp]]s, and as of ''Mario Kart 7'', their stomps causes the course to wave, allowing drivers to [[Jump Boost|trick]] on them.
}}
|-
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.
![[File:Rainbow Road MK64.png|250px]]<br>[[N64 Rainbow Road|Rainbow Road]]
|''[[Mario Kart 64]]''<br>''[[Mario Kart 8]]''<br>''[[Mario Kart 8 Deluxe]]''
|The longest course in ''Mario Kart 64'', taking at least two minutes per lap to race on; in ''Mario Kart 8'' and ''Mario Kart 8 Deluxe'', the course instead has a single lap split into three segments. This iteration's road is translucent and arranges its colors in bars, but features no tiles (this is changed in ''Mario Kart 8'' and ''Mario Kart 8 Deluxe'', where the course is tiled similarly to {{classic|SNES|Rainbow Road}} but the colors are arranged diagonally). The course also features guard rails shaped like stars, and the environment takes place in outer space with a smiling star and neon sign images of the character (in ''Mario Kart 8'' and ''Mario Kart 8 Deluxe'', the course takes place above a city in the night sky, and the neon signs are replaced with fireworks). [[Chain Chomp]]s will occasionally run into the drivers, although in ''Mario Kart 8'' and ''Mario Kart 8 Deluxe'', they instead bounce on certain wavy pathways.
|-
![[File:MKSC Rainbow Road Starting Line.png|200px]]<br>[[Rainbow Road (Mario Kart: Super Circuit)|Rainbow Road]]
|''[[Mario Kart: Super Circuit]]''
|Similar to ''Mario Kart 64'', the Rainbow Road introduced in ''Mario Kart: Super Circuit'' is translucent and has its colors arranged horizontally. The course takes place in outer space, with [[Bowser's Castle]] from ''[[Paper Mario]]'' clearly visible in the background. The course's guard rails are bouncy ramps, allowing drivers to make large shortcuts at certain parts with well-timed [[Dash Mushroom|Mushroom]] boosts. Obstacles range from falling stars that hurt the racers, to thunder clouds that make them shrink.
|-
![[File:Rainbow Road GCN.jpg|200px]]<br>[[Rainbow Road (Mario Kart: Double Dash&#x21;&#x21;)|Rainbow Road]]
|''[[Mario Kart: Double Dash!!]]''
|A long course with many elevations and turns, this iteration from ''Mario Kart: Double Dash!!'' takes place above a city which resembles [[Mushroom City]], in the night sky. Its road features its colors in gradients, and is tiled and reflective. It features a vertical tube that shoots drivers high upwards, not unlike [[Cannon (Mario Kart series)|cannons]]. Occasionally, collectible [[Super Star|Stars]] will scatter on the road, granting racers invincibility.
|-
![[File:MKDS Rainbow Road Intro.png|200px]]<br>[[Rainbow Road (Mario Kart DS)|Rainbow Road]]
|''[[Mario Kart DS]]''
|The Rainbow Road from ''Mario Kart DS'' is the first Rainbow Road to arrange its colors in a vertical fashion, and also features long, vertical tiles. Like previous incarnations, this version takes place in outer space. Uniquely, this course features two loops, prior to the introduction of [[anti-gravity]] in ''Mario Kart 8'' and ''Mario Kart 8 Deluxe'': a vertical loop, and a corkscrew loop. Both loops are laced with [[Dash Panel]] boosts to prevent drivers from falling.
|-
![[File:MKW Rainbow Road Overview.png|200px]]<br>[[Wii Rainbow Road|Rainbow Road]]
|''[[Mario Kart Wii]]''<br>''[[Mario Kart Tour]]''<br>''[[Mario Kart 8 Deluxe]]'' <small>(''[[Mario Kart 8 Deluxe – Booster Course Pass|Booster Course Pass]]'')</small>
|The iteration from ''Mario Kart Wii'' features many twists and curves, as well as many opportunities to trick. In ''Mario Kart 8 Deluxe'', the course is also set entirely in anti-gravity. Like previous versions, it also takes place in outer space, with [[Earth]] visible below the course; falling off the track will cause drivers to burn up in the atmosphere before [[Lakitu (Mario Kart referee)|Lakitu]] picks them up. The course also features [[Star Bit]]s and a [[Launch Star]] from ''[[Super Mario Galaxy]]''. It is also the first iteration to feature [[Ring (Mario Kart series)|Star Rings]].
|-
![[File:RainbowroadMK7.png|200px]]<br>[[3DS Rainbow Road|Rainbow Road]]
|''[[Mario Kart 7]]''<br>''[[Mario Kart Tour]]''<br>''[[Mario Kart 8 Deluxe]]'' <small>(''[[Mario Kart 8 Deluxe – Booster Course Pass|Booster Course Pass]]'')</small>
|''Mario Kart 7{{'}}''s incarnation is a long, three-segmented course that takes place in outer space like previous incarnations, this time including portions on a planet ring and even on the [[moon]], making it the first Rainbow Road to feature parts that are not rainbow-colored. In ''Mario Kart 7'', the part on the moon functions similarly to an [[Underwater driving|underwater]] section, while in ''Mario Kart 8 Deluxe'', it is an anti-gravity section. The course also features several opportunities for [[Glide Ramp|gliding]].
|-
![[File:MK8-Course-RainbowRoad-overview.jpg|200px]]<br>[[Rainbow Road (Mario Kart 8)|Rainbow Road]]
|''[[Mario Kart 8]]''<br>''[[Mario Kart 8 Deluxe]]''
|The iteration from ''Mario Kart 8'' takes place on a space station in outer space, above another planet's atmosphere. This iteration of Rainbow Road appears more artificial compared to previous versions, and features several satellites floating around, as well as another space station with [[Conveyor Belt|conveyor belts]], which then leads to a split path. As with most courses in ''Mario Kart 8'', it features several anti-gravity segments.
|-
![[File:MKT RMX Rainbow Road 1 Scene.jpg|150px]]<br>[[RMX Rainbow Road 1]]
|''[[Mario Kart Tour]]''
|A [[remix course]] based on {{classic|SNES|Rainbow Road}}, thus featuring the same tiled road design and the same environment as the course normally has in ''Mario Kart Tour''. Its layout is shaped similarly to a squared-off figure eight, but the middle paths that would normally cross each other are instead glider sections with floating meteors.
|-
![[File:MKLHC Rainbow Road Course Icon.png|200px]]<br>[[Rainbow Road (Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit)|Rainbow Road]]
|''[[Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit]]''
|Due to the nature of ''Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit'' using a remote-controlled car and augmented reality, the course layout design for this incarnation of Rainbow Road depends on what the player has set up. Aside from that, this course features Star Rings for the racers to drive through, as well as a magnet obstacle at the fourth gate. This version of Rainbow Road reuses the music from {{classic|N64|Rainbow Road}}, as it appears in ''Mario Kart 8''.
|-
![[File:MKT RMX Rainbow Road 2 Scene.jpg|150px]]<br>[[RMX Rainbow Road 2]]
|''[[Mario Kart Tour]]''
|A second remix course based on {{classic|SNES|Rainbow Road}}. This Rainbow Road features a bunch of [[Mushroom Trampoline]]s, and some elevation.
|}
While ''[[Mario Kart Arcade GP]]'' and ''[[Mario Kart Arcade GP 2]]'' do not feature any courses with the Rainbow Road name, two similar courses appear in the games' [[Rainbow Cup]], namely [[Rainbow Coaster]] and [[Rainbow Downhill]]. Both courses feature a tiled road with rainbow colors high in the night sky, starting out at a space station with floating items and warping to a cloudy environment with beanstalks at daylight akin to {{classic-link|GBA|Sky Garden}} (which is instead an undersea environment in the third and fourth rounds of the Rainbow Cup, the ruins of an above-clouds sanctuary at night in the first and second rounds of the Special Rainbow Cup (although ''Mario Kart Arcade GP 2'' has these environments swap places), or an underwater temple in the third and fourth rounds of the Special Rainbow Cup).


''Super Mario Kart'' composer [[Soyo Oka]] considers this course's theme one of her favorite compositions.
===''F-Zero X''===
[[File:F-zeroxrainbowrd.png|thumb|Rainbow Road in ''F-Zero X'']]
{{main|N64 Rainbow Road#F-Zero X}}
[[fzerowiki:Rainbow Road|Rainbow Road]] appears as a racetrack in ''[[fzerowiki:F-Zero X|F-Zero X]]''. It is based on the Rainbow Road from ''Mario Kart 64''.


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 Nintendo Entertainment System|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 track forming undulations on it, off of which the player can do tricks. Also, metallic grinding noises can be heard when the Thwomps are driven under. Ramps are also added throughout the course, taking the place of the yellow bumps that appeared in ''Super Mario Kart''. 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 and Luigi Raceway are the only two courses in ''Mario Kart 7'' that do not make use of the gliding or underwater features. Unlike the last appearance or any other Rainbow Road course, this track is short, and is one of the shortest tracks in the game. Despite this, there are three laps instead of five.
''[[fzerowiki:F-Zero GX|F-Zero GX]]'' also has a track similar to Rainbow Road called [[fzerowiki:Phantom Road|Phantom Road]], which does not take place in a starry night sky or deep space like most Rainbow Roads, but rather in a psychedelic cybernetic void. In addition, the track has only one color that constantly shifts through the color spectrum rather than the traditional rainbow-looking appearance. Earlier builds of the track that remain in ''[[fzerowiki:F-Zero AX|F-Zero AX]]'' retain the Rainbow Road moniker, most likely as a nod to Rainbow Road in ''F-Zero X''.


=====Gallery=====
===''Mario Hoops 3-on-3''===
<center><gallery>
[[File:MHrainbowship.jpg|thumb|200px|Towers floating over the clouds, where Rainbow Road takes place, in ''[[Mario Hoops 3-on-3]]'']]
File:RainbowRoad-SMK.jpg|[[Mario]], racing at Rainbow Road.
{{main|Rainbow Road (Dribble Race course)}}
File:SNESRainbowRoad-MKSC.jpg|The track, as it appears in ''Mario Kart Super Circuit''.
Rainbow Road is the unlockable third dribble race from the "challenges" section in ''[[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.
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====
===''Super Mario Galaxy 2''===
{{racecourse
[[File:SMG2 Rolling Coaster Starting Path.png|thumb|left|170px|Rainbow Road in ''[[Super Mario Galaxy 2]]'']]
|title=Rainbow Road (''Mario Kart 64'')
In ''[[Super Mario Galaxy 2]]'', Rainbow Road appears in both missions of the [[Rolling Coaster Galaxy]], but it is quite different compared to its previous appearances: it is curved and appears to be made up of rainbow tiles instead of the colors simply being contiguous, more similar to the Rainbow Road from ''[[Super Mario Kart]]'' in which the track is also made up of rainbow tiles. The road is also accompanied by several platforms shaped like both mushrooms and squares with different colors. Despite taking place in space, this Rainbow Road features a cloudy sky as a background. [[Mario]] or [[Luigi]] must roll a [[Star Ball]] along this Rainbow Road, avoiding several obstacles like towers and [[Bob-omb]]s. They 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 on Rainbow Road is an arrangement of "[[Slider]]" from ''[[Super Mario 64]]''.
|image=[[File:Rainbow Road MK64.png|235px]]
{{br|left}}
|appearances=''[[Mario Kart 64]]''
|cups=[[Special Cup]]
|distance=2000 m
|music=[[File:N64 Rainbow Road.ogg]]
|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, making it the longest in the whole series. 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. 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.
===''Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS''===
{{main|Rainbow Road (stage)}}
[[File:SSB3DS Rainbow Road.jpg|thumb|left|The Rainbow Road stage in ''Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS'']]
Rainbow Road appears as a stage for ''[[Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS]]'', based on its ''[[Mario Kart 7]]'' [[3DS Rainbow Road|incarnation]]. Like [[Port Town Aero Dive]] from ''[[Super Smash Bros. Brawl]]'', it is a moving stage where players fight on a platform that flies around the course, which also occasionally lands on the course itself. While on the ground, [[Shy Guy]]s can drive by and damage any fighters in its way, like in the [[Figure-8 Circuit (stage)|Mario Circuit]] stage from the previous game.


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.
A Rainbow Road also appears in [[Rosalina]] & [[Luma]]'s announcement trailer, where Mario, Luigi, Peach, Bowser, and Donkey Kong are all racing each other (driving [[kart]]s from ''[[Mario Kart 8]]'') only to be suddenly interrupted by [[Kirby]] on his [[Warp Star]], followed by a Luma and Rosalina. This Rainbow Road slightly resembles the [[Rainbow Road (Mario Kart DS)|incarnation]] from ''[[Mario Kart DS]]''.
{{br}}


''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.
===''Paper Mario: Color Splash''===
[[File:PMCS Rainbow Road.png|thumb|Rainbow Road in ''Paper Mario: Color Splash'']]
Rainbow Road appears in ''[[Paper Mario: Color Splash]]'', leading directly to [[Black Bowser's Castle]]. The road is formed after all six [[Big Paint Star]]s are retrieved. [[Luigi]] drives [[Mario]] and [[Huey]] over to Black Bowser's Castle via his [[kart]] as the road is too slippery to walk on. Eventually, all but Huey (who elects to stay behind to ensure the black paint does not seep into the ocean when Black Bowser's Castle falls down) escape the castle and return to the road. While comforting Mario about Huey's decision, Luigi indicates that he knows Huey will probably be back as promised as the former has "fallen off Rainbow Road more times than [he] can count."
{{br}}


=====Gallery=====
===''The Super Mario Bros. Movie''===
<gallery>
[[File:TSMBM Rainbow Road.png|thumb|Rainbow Road in ''The Super Mario Bros. Movie'']]
Image:RainbowRoadMK64.png|The icon from the menu.
Rainbow Road<ref>{{cite|url=youtu.be/4yyzqebLLd4|title=''The Super Mario Bros. Movie'' {{!}} Everything Number One|publisher=YouTube|accessdate=May 5, 2023}}</ref> appears as a location in ''[[The Super Mario Bros. Movie]]'', leading towards [[Bowser's Castle]]. After [[Mario]], [[Princess Peach]] and [[Toad]] convince [[Cranky Kong]] to recruit the [[Kong army]] for a raid on [[Bowser]] and his [[Koopa Troop|army]], the heroes speed off a ramp on [[kart]]s in the [[Donkey Kong Island|Jungle Kingdom]] that lands them on Rainbow Road. The [[Koopa General]] warns Bowser of the impeding planned raid, prompting Bowser to order an ambush on the heroes. [[Koopa]]s on karts ambush the heroes on their drive down Rainbow Road, prompting an immense battle between the two forces. The Kongs are captured by the Koopas, while the Koopa General becomes a [[Spiny Shell (blue)|Blue Shell]] and strikes [[Donkey Kong]] and Mario causing an explosion that sends them spiraling down into the ocean below them. Meanwhile, Peach and Toad manage to escape the attack and retreat to the [[Mushroom Kingdom]].
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:F-zeroxrainbowrd.jpg|Its appearance in ''F-Zero X''.
</gallery>


=====Instruction Manual Description=====
At one point, Mario hops from one segment of the road to another directly below, a possible reference to the ''[[Mario Kart 64]]'' [[List of Mario Kart 64 glitches#Rainbow Road skip|Rainbow Road shortcut]]. Additionally, when the characters jump off a large ramp and land on the road, a rendition of the [[SNES Rainbow Road (theme)|Rainbow Road music]] from ''[[Super Mario Kart]]'' briefly plays.  
''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.''
{{br}}
<br clear=all>
 
====''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 game also features the Rainbow Road course from ''Super Mario Kart'' without the flashing Thwomps.
 
=====Gallery=====
<gallery>
Image:RainbowRoad.png|Rainbow Road artwork.
Image:MKSC.png|The ''Paper Mario'' castle in the background.
</gallery>
<br clear=all>
 
====''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 giant rainbow 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.
 
Its staff ghost is [[Mario]] and [[Princess Peach|Peach]] in the [[Red Fire]].
 
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>
<br clear=all>
 
====''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]]'' is unique to the ''Mario Kart'' series as it contains a loop and  a corkscrew, the only inversions in a Mario Kart track (excluding [[halfpipe|halfpipe tricks]]). Rails border the sides of both inversions to prevent racers from falling off sideways. Those elements may have been added to ensure challenge; players can place items so their opponents can fall off the corkscrew or the loop. Some multi-colored [[Warp Pipe|Pipes]] and [[Star|Stars]] appear in space around the track. Additionally, the coloring pattern of this looks different from the previous Rainbow Roads: here, the stripes of color on the track follow along it, instead of crossing the track. This track is the only one so far with a loop in 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. This Rainbow Road has many sharp turns and a helix. Its staff ghost is [[R.O.B.]] in the [[ROB-BLS]].
 
=====Course Layout=====
[[File:RainbowroadDS.png|thumb|left|[[Mario]] in the [[B Dasher]] on ''Mario Kart DS'''s Rainbow Road.]]
Like almost all Rainbow Roads, this one is in space. The track starts out with three boost pads down a steep drop. 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. In the spiral is a floating pipe, mostly for decoration. In the spiral, it is very easy to fall or be pushed off. There are four more item boxes at the end of another steep drop with the loop close after. The loop is a vertical loop (a simple loop that just goes upside-down once). A steep incline follows the loop. A right turn comes next with a small drop, four more item boxes, and a sharp turn to the left. The drop prevents racers from being able to race the course backwards. 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]])
|music=[[File:Rainbowroadwii.ogg]]
|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 and normal 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, 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 doesn't have any item boxes on top of it.
 
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 at 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 into another section of the track, making a broad turn right for the player. After this particular ramp are two roads, which split and then 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 for 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 intact.
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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]])
|music=[[File:Rainbow Road.ogg]]
[[File:Rainbow Road planet.ogg]]
|map=[[File:Rainbow Road.png]]
}}
[[Image:RainbowRoadMK7.PNG|thumb|200px|left|[[Queen Bee|Honey Queen]] driving at Rainbow Road in ''[[Mario Kart 7]]''.]]
Rainbow Road is featured once more in a new incarnation in ''[[Mario Kart 7]]'' and 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 [[Maka Wuhu]], 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 resembling [[wikipedia:Saturn|Saturn]]. The first part has the drivers race on the rainbow tiles and the second part has them race on the rings of the planet for a short time. The third part brings them to the moon with [[Chomp]]s coming out of the craters, and finally the track returns to the rainbow tiles.
===''Super Mario Party Jamboree''===
A track similar to Rainbow Road appears in ''[[Super Mario Party Jamboree]]'', in the second half of the Showdown [[minigame]] [[Rosalina's Radical Race]].


Like in ''[[Mario Kart: Double Dash!!]]'', the music on the course is a remix of ''[[Mario Kart 64]]''<nowiki>'</nowiki>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. It should also be noted that, when the 3rd section is reached, the end of the music, which is the remix of the end of ''Mario Kart 64''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s Rainbow Road plays first, instead of the start of the music.
==Names in other languages==
{{br|left}}
{{foreign names
 
=====Course Layout=====
The track starts of with a short straightaway, following with a sharp turn to the right, then left, going around a planet. Afterward, there are 3 platforms that the drivers drive and jump off each one (similar to area before the temple in [[DK Jungle (Mario Super Sluggers)|DK Jungle]]). Next, players drive around another planet, but this time spiraling down. The track then comes to one bouncy mushroom, then a sharp right turn. After the turn, players have the opportunity to snatch some item boxes and coins on a waving road (similar to ''[[Mario Kart Wii]]''). Section two starts off with a another sharp turn with a glider ramp, which activates the air glider to ride into of the rings of Saturn. Players have to dodge holes, but then try to hit some speed boosts. Players then activate their glider again after hitting the glider ramp. Once landing, players take three turns, all loaded with boost pads. Next, there is another wavy road, but this one has holes in it. Once the drivers make it through the wavy road or fall through, players land on the moon, where they need to dodge rolling [[Chomp]]s, and they can trick off of craters for little boosts. Gravity on the moon is very low, so sometimes players can fly great distances by just one trick. Section three starts at with some conveyor belts, that give little boosts, then leads into a turning tunnel with a speed pads and a speed pad or glider pad at the end. The track splits into two parts, three, then two. This part is filled with ramps that can be used to go through star rings for extra speed. If players hit a glider pad, they have to dodge asteroids, but try to hit those star rings at the same time. The track ends with a part that increases in altitude, then decrease which leads to one small jump, and to the finish line.
 
===''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]]''.
<br clear=all>
 
==Names in Other Languages==
{{Foreignname
|Jap=レインボーロード
|Jap=レインボーロード
|JapR=Reinbō Rōdo
|JapR=Reinbō Rōdo
|JapM=Rainbow Road
|JapM=Rainbow Road
|Fra=Route Arc-en-ciel
|ChiT=彩虹之路
|FraM=Rainbow Road
|ChiTR=Cǎihóng zhī Lù
|ChiTM=Rainbow Road
|ChiS=彩虹之路
|ChiSR=Cǎihóng zhī Lù
|ChiS2=彩虹桥
|ChiS2N=prior to ''Mario Kart 8 Deluxe''
|ChiS2R=Cǎihóng Qiáo
|ChiSM=Rainbow Road
|ChiS2M=Rainbow Bridge
|Dut=Regenboogbaan
|Dut=Regenboogbaan
|DutM=Rainbow Road
|DutM=Rainbow Track
|Ger=Regenbogen Boulevard
|FreA=Route arc-en-ciel
|FreA2=Route Arc-en-ciel
|FreA2N=''Mario Kart Wii''
|FreAM=Rainbow Road
|FreA2M=Rainbow Road
|FreE=Route Arc-en-ciel
|FreEM=Rainbow Road
|Ger=Regenbogen-Boulevard
|GerM=Rainbow Boulevard
|GerM=Rainbow Boulevard
|Spa=Senda Arco Iris
|Ita=Pista Arcobaleno
|SpaM=Rainbow Pathway
|Ita2=Via Arcobaleno
|Ita=Pista Arcobaleno<br>Via Arcobaleno (''Super Mario Galaxy 2'')
|Ita2N=''Super Mario Galaxy 2''
|ItaM=Rainbow Track<br>Rainbow Road
|ItaM=Rainbow Track
|Por=Estrada Arco-Íris
|Ita2M=Rainbow Road
|PorM=Rainbow Road
|Rus=Трасса Радуга<br>''Trassa Raduga''
|RusM=Rainbow Track
|Kor=무지개 로드
|Kor=무지개 로드
|KorR=Mujigae Rodeu
|KorR=Mujigae Rodeu
|KorM=Raindow Road}}
|KorM=Rainbow Road
 
|PorA=Avenida Arco-íris
==Trivia==
|PorAM=Rainbow Avenue
*The SNES Rainbow Road has appeared in three ''Mario Kart'' games, more than any other specific course.
|PorE=Estrada Arco-Íris
*''[[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.
|PorEM=Rainbow Road
*The [[Rocket]]s seen in Rainbow Road of ''Mario Kart 7'' have a share of similarity with the ones in ''[[Super Mario Bros. 2]]''.
|Rus=Трасса Радуга
*Strangely enough, in Rainbow Road of ''Mario Kart 7'', there are three Item Boxes floating under the rings of Saturn. It is possible to get one under the rings of Saturn by gliding, but the player must get back on the track after getting the Item Box in order to use their item. However, it is quite difficult to do so.
|RusR=Trassa Raduga
*Rainbow Road and [[Baby Park]] are the only courses in ''[[Mario Kart: Double Dash!!]]'' to have no obstacles.
|RusM=Rainbow Track
*SNES Rainbow Road is the only stage in Mario Kart 7 not to have a speed boost, boost ramp, glide ramp, or glide boost.
|Spa=Senda Arco Iris
{{BoxTop}}
|SpaM=Rainbow Path
{{Racecourses}}
}}
{{SMK}}
{{MK64}}
{{MKSC}}
{{MKDD}}
{{MKDS}}
{{MKW}}
{{MK7}}
[[Category:Mario Kart DS]]
[[Category:Mario Kart DS Race Courses]]
[[Category:Mario Kart: Super Circuit]]
[[Category:Mario Kart: Super Circuit Race Courses]]
[[Category:Mario Kart: Double Dash!! Race Courses]]
[[Category:Places]]
[[Category:Mario Kart Wii]]
[[Category:Mario Kart: Double Dash!!]]
[[Category:Outer Space Locations]]
[[Category:Sky Locations]]
[[Category:Super Mario Kart Race Courses]]
[[Category:Mario Kart Wii Trading Cards]]
[[Category:Mario Hoops 3-on-3]]
[[Category:Mario Kart 64]]
[[Category:Mario Kart 64 Race Courses]]
[[Category:Unlockables]]
[[Category:Mario Kart Wii Race Courses]]
[[Category:Mario Kart 7 Race Courses]]
[[Category:Retro Courses]]


==References==
==References==
<references/>
<references/>
{{TSMBM}}
[[Category:Cosmic areas]]
[[Category:Sky areas]]
[[Category:Race courses]]
[[Category:The Super Mario Bros. Movie locations]]
[[it:Pista Arcobaleno]]
[[de:Regenbogen-Boulevard]]

Latest revision as of 02:38, October 23, 2024

This article is about the race courses from the Mario Kart series. For other uses, see Rainbow Road (disambiguation).
Rainbow Road in Mario Kart 8.
Rainbow Road in its appearance in Mario Kart 8

Rainbow Road is the final course of the Special Cup in all Mario Kart games and serves as the ultimate course in terms of difficulty in each game in which it appears. Each game features its own different iteration of Rainbow Road, but the courses all share the "Rainbow Road" name. Starting in Mario Kart 7, Rainbow Road courses from previous games have reappeared as classic courses alongside the new ones. Mario Kart Tour is the only mainline game in the series to not introduce its own completely original Rainbow Road outside of remix courses, though it does feature some returning Rainbow Roads as classic courses.

As their name suggests, these courses are made of rainbow-colored surfaces, usually metallic or glass, that are either one color or change their color as racers drive on them, depending on the game. Many of these tracks are transparent. Starting in Mario Kart: Double Dash!!, the surface on each Rainbow Road (including the returning ones in Mario Kart 7 onward) creates a unique metallic sound when racers drift, hop, or perform a sharp turn on it. Starting in Mario Kart 7, some of the Rainbow Road courses have sections of the race track that are not rainbow-colored. Rainbow Road typically appears to be floating in deep space or the Earth's atmosphere, although the Rainbow Road in Mario Kart: Double Dash!! and the remade N64 Rainbow Road and SNES Rainbow Road in Mario Kart 8 instead hang suspended in a starry night sky above a landscape. The course often contains few or no railings, putting racers at risk of falling off the track, and each Rainbow Road also contains its own unique hazards. Due to these obstacles, Rainbow Road is among the most difficult courses in each Mario Kart game; it also often one of the longest.

Rainbow Road has also made some appearances in other games outside of the Mario Kart series, as well as in The Super Mario Bros. Movie.

History[edit]

Mario Kart series[edit]

Rainbow Road has appeared as multiple incarnations throughout the Mario Kart series:

Course Games Description
SNES Rainbow Road.
Rainbow Road 		Super Mario Kart
Mario Kart: Super Circuit
Mario Kart 7
Mario Kart 8 (The Legend of Zelda × Mario Kart 8)
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe
Mario Kart Tour 		A simplistic, yet challenging course that debuted in Super Mario Kart with narrow paths and tight curves. The road is made of tiles in all colors of the rainbow (although red was replaced by pink in Mario Kart 7), arranged in horizontal bars, while the environment appears to be in the starry depths of space (or a starry night sky in Mario Kart: Super Circuit, Mario Kart 8, and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe). Star Thwomps appears as the course's primary obstacles, which can spin out racers by touch unlike regular Thwomps, and as of Mario Kart 7, their stomps causes the course to wave, allowing drivers to trick on them.
Rainbow Road MK64.png
Rainbow Road 		Mario Kart 64
Mario Kart 8
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe 		The longest course in Mario Kart 64, taking at least two minutes per lap to race on; in Mario Kart 8 and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, the course instead has a single lap split into three segments. This iteration's road is translucent and arranges its colors in bars, but features no tiles (this is changed in Mario Kart 8 and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, where the course is tiled similarly to SNES Rainbow Road but the colors are arranged diagonally). The course also features guard rails shaped like stars, and the environment takes place in outer space with a smiling star and neon sign images of the character (in Mario Kart 8 and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, the course takes place above a city in the night sky, and the neon signs are replaced with fireworks). Chain Chomps will occasionally run into the drivers, although in Mario Kart 8 and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, they instead bounce on certain wavy pathways.
MKSC Rainbow Road Starting Line.png
Rainbow Road 		Mario Kart: Super Circuit Similar to Mario Kart 64, the Rainbow Road introduced in Mario Kart: Super Circuit is translucent and has its colors arranged horizontally. The course takes place in outer space, with Bowser's Castle from Paper Mario clearly visible in the background. The course's guard rails are bouncy ramps, allowing drivers to make large shortcuts at certain parts with well-timed Mushroom boosts. Obstacles range from falling stars that hurt the racers, to thunder clouds that make them shrink.
A birds-eye-view of Rainbow Road in Mario Kart: Double Dash!!
Rainbow Road 		Mario Kart: Double Dash!! A long course with many elevations and turns, this iteration from Mario Kart: Double Dash!! takes place above a city which resembles Mushroom City, in the night sky. Its road features its colors in gradients, and is tiled and reflective. It features a vertical tube that shoots drivers high upwards, not unlike cannons. Occasionally, collectible Stars will scatter on the road, granting racers invincibility.
Rainbow Road (DS)
Rainbow Road 		Mario Kart DS The Rainbow Road from Mario Kart DS is the first Rainbow Road to arrange its colors in a vertical fashion, and also features long, vertical tiles. Like previous incarnations, this version takes place in outer space. Uniquely, this course features two loops, prior to the introduction of anti-gravity in Mario Kart 8 and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe: a vertical loop, and a corkscrew loop. Both loops are laced with Dash Panel boosts to prevent drivers from falling.
Rainbow Road
Rainbow Road 		Mario Kart Wii
Mario Kart Tour
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe (Booster Course Pass) 		The iteration from Mario Kart Wii features many twists and curves, as well as many opportunities to trick. In Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, the course is also set entirely in anti-gravity. Like previous versions, it also takes place in outer space, with Earth visible below the course; falling off the track will cause drivers to burn up in the atmosphere before Lakitu picks them up. The course also features Star Bits and a Launch Star from Super Mario Galaxy. It is also the first iteration to feature Star Rings.
Rainbow Road
Rainbow Road 		Mario Kart 7
Mario Kart Tour
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe (Booster Course Pass) 		Mario Kart 7's incarnation is a long, three-segmented course that takes place in outer space like previous incarnations, this time including portions on a planet ring and even on the moon, making it the first Rainbow Road to feature parts that are not rainbow-colored. In Mario Kart 7, the part on the moon functions similarly to an underwater section, while in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, it is an anti-gravity section. The course also features several opportunities for gliding.
Rainbow Road
Rainbow Road 		Mario Kart 8
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe 		The iteration from Mario Kart 8 takes place on a space station in outer space, above another planet's atmosphere. This iteration of Rainbow Road appears more artificial compared to previous versions, and features several satellites floating around, as well as another space station with conveyor belts, which then leads to a split path. As with most courses in Mario Kart 8, it features several anti-gravity segments.
RMX Rainbow Road 1 in Mario Kart Tour
RMX Rainbow Road 1 		Mario Kart Tour A remix course based on SNES Rainbow Road, thus featuring the same tiled road design and the same environment as the course normally has in Mario Kart Tour. Its layout is shaped similarly to a squared-off figure eight, but the middle paths that would normally cross each other are instead glider sections with floating meteors.
Rainbow Road course icon from Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit
Rainbow Road 		Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit Due to the nature of Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit using a remote-controlled car and augmented reality, the course layout design for this incarnation of Rainbow Road depends on what the player has set up. Aside from that, this course features Star Rings for the racers to drive through, as well as a magnet obstacle at the fourth gate. This version of Rainbow Road reuses the music from N64 Rainbow Road, as it appears in Mario Kart 8.
RMX Rainbow Road 2 in Mario Kart Tour
RMX Rainbow Road 2 		Mario Kart Tour A second remix course based on SNES Rainbow Road. This Rainbow Road features a bunch of Mushroom Trampolines, and some elevation.

While Mario Kart Arcade GP and Mario Kart Arcade GP 2 do not feature any courses with the Rainbow Road name, two similar courses appear in the games' Rainbow Cup, namely Rainbow Coaster and Rainbow Downhill. Both courses feature a tiled road with rainbow colors high in the night sky, starting out at a space station with floating items and warping to a cloudy environment with beanstalks at daylight akin to GBA Sky Garden (which is instead an undersea environment in the third and fourth rounds of the Rainbow Cup, the ruins of an above-clouds sanctuary at night in the first and second rounds of the Special Rainbow Cup (although Mario Kart Arcade GP 2 has these environments swap places), or an underwater temple in the third and fourth rounds of the Special Rainbow Cup).

F-Zero X[edit]

Rainbow Road
Rainbow Road in F-Zero X
Main article: N64 Rainbow Road § F-Zero X

Rainbow Road appears as a racetrack in F-Zero X. It is based on the Rainbow Road from Mario Kart 64.

F-Zero GX also has a track similar to Rainbow Road called Phantom Road, which does not take place in a starry night sky or deep space like most Rainbow Roads, but rather in a psychedelic cybernetic void. In addition, the track has only one color that constantly shifts through the color spectrum rather than the traditional rainbow-looking appearance. Earlier builds of the track that remain in F-Zero AX retain the Rainbow Road moniker, most likely as a nod to Rainbow Road in F-Zero X.

Mario Hoops 3-on-3[edit]

Rainbow Road
Towers floating over the clouds, where Rainbow Road takes place, in Mario Hoops 3-on-3
Main article: Rainbow Road (Dribble Race course)

Rainbow Road is the unlockable third dribble race from the "challenges" section in 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.

Super Mario Galaxy 2[edit]

Rainbow Road in Super Mario Galaxy 2

In Super Mario Galaxy 2, Rainbow Road appears in both missions of the Rolling Coaster Galaxy, but it is quite different compared to its previous appearances: it is curved and appears to be made up of rainbow tiles instead of the colors simply being contiguous, more similar to the Rainbow Road from Super Mario Kart in which the track is also made up of rainbow tiles. The road is also accompanied by several platforms shaped like both mushrooms and squares with different colors. Despite taking place in space, this Rainbow Road features a cloudy sky as a background. Mario or Luigi must roll a Star Ball along this Rainbow Road, avoiding several obstacles like towers and Bob-ombs. They can earn two Power Stars for finishing the course, one for the normal mission and another for collecting 100 of the 110 Purple Coins. The music played on Rainbow Road is an arrangement of "Slider" from Super Mario 64.

Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS[edit]

Main article: Rainbow Road (stage)
A stage in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS based on Rainbow Road from Mario Kart 7.
The Rainbow Road stage in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS

Rainbow Road appears as a stage for Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS, based on its Mario Kart 7 incarnation. Like Port Town Aero Dive from Super Smash Bros. Brawl, it is a moving stage where players fight on a platform that flies around the course, which also occasionally lands on the course itself. While on the ground, Shy Guys can drive by and damage any fighters in its way, like in the Mario Circuit stage from the previous game.

A Rainbow Road also appears in Rosalina & Luma's announcement trailer, where Mario, Luigi, Peach, Bowser, and Donkey Kong are all racing each other (driving karts from Mario Kart 8) only to be suddenly interrupted by Kirby on his Warp Star, followed by a Luma and Rosalina. This Rainbow Road slightly resembles the incarnation from Mario Kart DS.

Paper Mario: Color Splash[edit]

Rainbow Road
Rainbow Road in Paper Mario: Color Splash

Rainbow Road appears in Paper Mario: Color Splash, leading directly to Black Bowser's Castle. The road is formed after all six Big Paint Stars are retrieved. Luigi drives Mario and Huey over to Black Bowser's Castle via his kart as the road is too slippery to walk on. Eventually, all but Huey (who elects to stay behind to ensure the black paint does not seep into the ocean when Black Bowser's Castle falls down) escape the castle and return to the road. While comforting Mario about Huey's decision, Luigi indicates that he knows Huey will probably be back as promised as the former has "fallen off Rainbow Road more times than [he] can count."

The Super Mario Bros. Movie[edit]

Rainbow Road in The Super Mario Bros. Movie
Rainbow Road in The Super Mario Bros. Movie

Rainbow Road[1] appears as a location in The Super Mario Bros. Movie, leading towards Bowser's Castle. After Mario, Princess Peach and Toad convince Cranky Kong to recruit the Kong army for a raid on Bowser and his army, the heroes speed off a ramp on karts in the Jungle Kingdom that lands them on Rainbow Road. The Koopa General warns Bowser of the impeding planned raid, prompting Bowser to order an ambush on the heroes. Koopas on karts ambush the heroes on their drive down Rainbow Road, prompting an immense battle between the two forces. The Kongs are captured by the Koopas, while the Koopa General becomes a Blue Shell and strikes Donkey Kong and Mario causing an explosion that sends them spiraling down into the ocean below them. Meanwhile, Peach and Toad manage to escape the attack and retreat to the Mushroom Kingdom.

At one point, Mario hops from one segment of the road to another directly below, a possible reference to the Mario Kart 64 Rainbow Road shortcut. Additionally, when the characters jump off a large ramp and land on the road, a rendition of the Rainbow Road music from Super Mario Kart briefly plays.

Super Mario Party Jamboree[edit]

A track similar to Rainbow Road appears in Super Mario Party Jamboree, in the second half of the Showdown minigame Rosalina's Radical Race.

Names in other languages[edit]

Language Name Meaning Notes
Japanese レインボーロード[?]
Reinbō Rōdo 		Rainbow Road
Chinese (simplified) 彩虹之路[?]
Cǎihóng zhī Lù 		Rainbow Road
彩虹桥[?]
Cǎihóng Qiáo 		Rainbow Bridge prior to Mario Kart 8 Deluxe
Chinese (traditional) 彩虹之路[?]
Cǎihóng zhī Lù 		Rainbow Road
Dutch Regenboogbaan[?] Rainbow Track
French (NOA) Route arc-en-ciel[?] Rainbow Road
Route Arc-en-ciel[?] Mario Kart Wii
French (NOE) Route Arc-en-ciel[?] Rainbow Road
German Regenbogen-Boulevard[?] Rainbow Boulevard
Italian Pista Arcobaleno[?] Rainbow Track
Via Arcobaleno[?] Rainbow Road Super Mario Galaxy 2
Korean 무지개 로드[?]
Mujigae Rodeu 		Rainbow Road
Portuguese (NOA) Avenida Arco-íris[?] Rainbow Avenue
Portuguese (NOE) Estrada Arco-Íris[?] Rainbow Road
Russian Трасса Радуга[?]
Trassa Raduga 		Rainbow Track
Spanish Senda Arco Iris[?] Rainbow Path

References[edit]

  1. ^ The Super Mario Bros. Movie | Everything Number One. YouTube. Retrieved May 5, 2023.
[Edit]
The Super Mario Bros. Movie
Characters Main characters Donkey Kong • Luigi • Mario • Princess Peach • Toad
Antagonists Bowser • Kamek • Koopa General
Supporting characters BrKLnCouple • Cranky Kong • Driver • Francis • Giuseppe • Kong army • Lumalee • Mario and Luigi's family (Aunt Marie · Mario and Luigi's father · Mario and Luigi's grandfather · Mario and Luigi's mother · Mario and Luigi's niece · Uncle Arthur · Uncle Tony) • Penguin King • Spike • Toad General
Other characters Baby Luigi • Baby Mario • Baby Peach • Chanterelle • Chunky Kong • Diddy Kong • Dixie Kong • Funky Kong • Kiddy Kong • King Bob-omb • King Boo • Luigi's bully • Pauline • Pit • Super Mario Bros. Plumbing customer • Swanky Kong • Toadette • Yoshi
Forms Cape Mario • Cat Mario • Fire Mario • Ice Mario • Invincible Mario • Mini Mario • Super Mario • Tanooki Mario
Species Bat • Biddybud • Blooper (Blooper Baby) • Bob-omb • Bullet Bill (Bomber Bill) • Bramball • Buzzy Beetle • Chain Chomp • Cheep Cheep (Spiny Cheep Cheep) • Goomba (Goomba Tower) • Hammer Bro • Human (H. nintendonus) • Jellybeam • Kong • Koopa (Dry Bones · Koopa Paratroopa · Koopa Troopa · Spiny · Sledge Bro) • Luma • Maw-Ray • Penguin • Piranha Plant • Snifit • Toad • Yoshi
Locations Bob-omb Battlefield • Bowser's Castle • Brooklyn (Brooklyn Heights) • Castle Burger • Crazy Cap • Dark Lands • Jungle Kingdom • Fire Flower Fields • Great Ring of Kong • High Cliffs • Kart workshop • Mushroom Forest • Mushroom Kingdom (Toad Town · Mushroom Heights) • Peach's Castle • Punch-Out Pizzeria • Rainbow Road • Desert Area • Secret passage • Snow Kingdom • Super Mario Bros. Plumbing • Training Course • Warp Zone • Waterfall Area • Yoshi's Island
Items and objects ! Block • Anchor • Axe • Barrel • Bill Blaster • Bike (Bullet Bike · Mach Bike) • Blue mushroom • Blue Shell • Boomerang Flower • Bowser Statue • Box • Brick Block • Cannon • Cape Feather • Clear Pipe • Coin • Coin Block • Crate • Donut Block • Dragon Coin • Fire Bar • Fire Flower • Flying Question Block • Fruit (Banana · Carrot · Coconut · Grape · Melon · Pineapple · Turnip · Watermelon) • Girder • Goal Pole • Hammer • Ice Flower • Kart (Pipe Frame · Standard Kart · Tiny Titan) • Koopa Clown Car • Ladder • Lakitu's Cloud • Lift • Magic wand • Magical Potion • Mushroom Platform • Music Box • Mysterious pipe • P Switch • P-Wing • POW Block • Power Balloon • Question Block • Rocket Barrel • Rotating Block • Shy Guy balloon • Spike Trap • Snowball • Super Bell • Super Leaf • Super Mushroom • Super Star • Tanooki Suit • Trampoline • Warp Pipe • Wooden cutout • Yoshi's Egg
Miscellaneous Gallery • Illumination • Jump Man • Media • Quotes • References to other media • SMBPlumbing.com • Staff • The Super Mario Bros. Movie (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) ("DK Rap" · "Mario Brothers Rap" · "Peaches") • Universal Pictures • Voice actors
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