Mario Kart Arcade GP

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Template:More images Template:Infobox-arcade Mario Kart Arcade GP is an arcade game featuring Mario and Pac-Man characters. It is the sixth installment of the Mario Kart series and is the first in the series that released for the arcades. There are two types of models: one without the "data card" dispenser and slot, and one with both. A follow-up called Mario Kart Arcade GP 2 was released in 2007.

Gameplay

Controls

All controls are used to select in-game menu options.

• Steering Wheel (smaller than the average car wheel).
• Accelerate and Brake pedals.(If pressed quickly the Brake Pedal can also make Karts jump and Powerslide if pressed twice) A Rocket Start can be performed by hitting accelerate on the green light.
• Item Button, at the center of the steering wheel.
• VS Cancel Button - Used to cancel opponent searching

Playable Characters

• 

  Mario

• 

  Luigi

• 

  Yoshi

• 

  Wario

• 

  Peach

• 

  Toad

• 

  Donkey Kong

• 

  Bowser

• 

  Pac-Man

• 

  Ms. Pac-Man

• 

  Blinky

Bosses

• Giant Bowser (replaced with Mecha-Bowser when playing as Bowser)
• Robo Mario

How to play

Mario Kart Arcade GP flyer.

File:Mario Kart Arcade GP.PNG

The system.

To play the game, the player has to insert a certain amount of money or tokens into the game or in some cases, swipe a special card such as a Timezone Powercard. First, they can adjust their seat within the time limit by moving a lever near their feet and sliding to any position on the arcade machine. After that happens, the player can choose a character to play with. Then they have to take a picture of themselves within the time limit: if the player didn't take the picture; a countdown starts to force them to take it. The Photo taken will frame the player's face with Mario's Hat and Moustache. When that is done, the player will pick a mode on the screen; "Grand Prix" or "Time Trial"; again within the time limit.

If the player picks "Grand Prix";, they can pick any cup to play within the time limit. But if they pick "Time Trial", they attempt to beat a race-time record in one of the 24 courses in this game with the Triple Mild Mushrooms. If the player picks a cup, they cannot play a locked course: they have to play the available courses in the cup to unlock the other reversed courses. After that, a roulette of basic items comes up, and if the player stops the roulette, they receive the items in the rows whenever they get an Item Box. When that's over, the item descriptions show up, and the player attempts to learn how to use it.

Then, the racing starts. If the player places first, they will move on to the next course, and if they receive any lower rank, they must redo that same course. Either way, they have to pay the machine in order to race again.

Items

Unlike other Mario Kart games, Mario Kart Arcade GP has 93 items, of which 72 are new. Some drivers can obtain special items that other drivers cannot obtain, much like Mario Kart: Double Dash!!.

Basic Items

This article is under construction. Therefore, please excuse its informal appearance while it is being worked on. We hope to have it completed as soon as possible.

Item	Type	Description
Basin	Basic	A normal tin pan; it locks on to another racer and bashes them in the head.
Boo	Basic	Causes whoever is hit by it to slow down for a brief period.
Needle Bomb	Basic	Flattens tires.
Square Tire	Basic	Makes whoever hits it slow down and lose control.
Big & Small Tire	Basic	Changes size of tires.
Time Bomb	Basic	A time bomb, It goes off in 15 seconds. Hit other drivers to transfer the bomb to them.
Green Shell	Basic	A normal shell, it can be thrown in a straight line to knock over other karts.
Tornado	Basic	Hits foes and launches them into the air.
Banana Peel	Basic	Mario Kart's classic item, it is left on the track for other racers to slip on.
Tacks	Basic	When run on, temporarily flattens one of the rival's tires.
Sticky Oil	Basic	Causes wheels to get sticky.
Cream Pie	Basic	A pie that can be tossed backwards. The screen of the target is covered in whipped cream, obscuring vision.
Thunder Stick	Basic	A rod used for close combat.
Rain Cloud	Prize	This cloud locks onto another racer, raining on the track and making it harder for the driver to steer.
Thunder Cloud	Prize	Stronger than the rain cloud, it causes a massive thunder storm.
Snow Cloud	Prize	This cloud freezes another racer.
Off-key Speaker	Prize	Plays music.
Trash Can	Prize	Slows down speed when hit.
Laughter Bag	Prize	Laugh at opponents as a taunt.
Mustache Pen	Prize	Scribbles on opponent faces.
Banana Shot	Prize	Spins out enemies.
Tox-Banana Shot	Prize	Spins out and shakes wheel.
Dash Bazooka	Prize	Rival Kart will dash when hit.
Jump Seal	Prize	Prevents jumping for a time.
Item Seal	Prize	Prevents item use for a time.
Black Shell	Prize	A shell that explodes on impact.
Fire Cracker	Prize	Explodes when hit.
Smokescreen	Prize	Blinds racers who pass through the area of effect.
Shield	Prize	Protects from the rivals attacks.
Reflect Shield	Prize	Reflects attacks.
Absorbing Mushroom	Prize	A special item that lets the player get items from rivals.
Giant Mushroom	Prize	Makes the player grow into enormous size.
Invisible Mushroom	Prize	Turns the player invisible.
Slimy Mushroom	Prize	Turns slimy to dodge easier.
Heavy Mushroom	Prize	Causes the player to become heavy.
Car Horn	Prize	Plays a loud noise.
High Beam	Prize	Flashes blinding lights.
Magic Hand	Prize	Steals items.
Dizziness Virus	Prize	Picture is blurred when hit, can hit other karts to pass on.
Wheel Virus	Prize	Wheel shakes, hit other karts to pass on.
Time Bomb (L)	Prize	Attaches to foe and goes off in 15 seconds, hit other cars to pass on.
Triple Green Shells	Prize	Three green shells circle the user until they are all thrown.
Triple Basin	Prize	Shoots three Basins at once.
Triple Boo	Prize	Shoots three Boos at once.
Triple Square	Prize	Shoot three Square Tires at once.
Triple Needle	Prize	Shoot three Needle Bombs at once.
Triple Pen	Prize	Shoot three Pens at once.
Triple Tornado	Prize	Shoot three Tornados at once.
Triple Black Shells	Prize	Shoot three Black Shells at once.
Triple Banana	Prize	Shoot three Bananas at once.
Triple Smokescreen	Prize	Shoot three Smokescreens at once.
Triple Tacks	Prize	Shoot three Tacks at once.
Triple Pie	Prize	Shoot three Cream Pies at once.
Star	Special (Mario and Luigi)	Makes the user temporarily invincible.
Hammer	Special (Mario and Luigi)	Damages rivals upon contact.
Fireball	Special (Mario and Luigi)	Sends fireballs forward or backwards at will.
Chain Chomp	Special (Mario and Luigi)	Damages all rival drivers upon contact.
Barrel	Special (Donkey Kong)	Sends a barrel forward or backwards at will.
10T Hammer	Special (Donkey Kong)	Can hit a rival. Gives damage when hit.
Giant Banana	Special (Donkey Kong)	Rivals spin out if this touches them.
Conga	Special (Donkey Kong)	Dance to conga rhythm.
Shell Body	Special (Bowser)	Makes the user invincible.
Flaming Tender	Special (Bowser)	Can hit a rival. Gives damage when hit.
Bowser Shell	Special (Bowser)	Strong item that shoots forward or backwards.
Thwomp	Special (Bowser)	Get stomped when the player drives under it.
Wario Car	Special (Wario)	Become invincible.
Stretch Punch	Special (Wario)	Gives damage when hit.
Snot Bomb	Special (Wario)	Strong item that shoots forward or backwards.
Bob-omb	Special (Wario)	Explodes when hit.
Miracle Mushroom	Special (Toad)	Become invincible.
Mushroom Hammer	Special (Toad)	Can hit a rival. Gives damage when hit.
Poison Mushroom	Special (Toad)	Strong item that shoots forward or backwards.
Mushroom Powder	Special (Toad)	One of the mushroom effects appears.
Egg Body	Special (Yoshi)	Become invincible.
Whacking Fan	Special (Yoshi)	Can hit rival. Gives damage when hit.
Rolling Egg	Special (Yoshi)	Strong item that shoots forward or backwards.
Tongue	Special (Yoshi)	Steal rival's item with a tongue.
Power Ball	Special (Pac-Man and Ms. Pac-Man)	Become invincible.
Quack Hammer	Special (Pac-Man and Ms. Pac-Man)	Can hit a rival. Gives damage when hit.
Rally X	Special (Pac-Man and Ms. Pac-Man)	Smoke appears. Spin out when hit.
Galaga	Special (Pac-Man and Ms. Pac-Man)	Galaga appears. Rival will be abducted.
Pooka	Special (Pac-Man and Ms. Pac-Man)	Strong item that shoots forward or backwards.
Frying Pan	Special (Peach)	Can hit a rival. Gives damage when hit.
Peach's Bird	Special (Peach)	Strong item that shoots forward or backwards.
Piranha Plant	Special (Peach)	Eats player's item.
Heart	Special (Peach)	Steals rival's item.
Ghost Shield	Special (Blinky)	Become invincible.
Monster's Hammer	Special (Blinky)	Can hit a rival. Gives damage when hit.
Petit Monster	Special (Blinky)	Strong item that shoots forward or backwards.
Flare Ball	Special (Blinky)	Blind enemy with a flash bang.
Ghost Morph	Special (Blinky)	Can scrape through rival's kart.
Driver Virus	Special	A virus that causes whoever is hit to slow down. The virus can be transferred to other drivers. Looks like the blue virus from the NES game Dr. Mario.
Mushroom	Special	Gives the player's kart a small boost.

Modes

Grand Prix

Players race in 24 courses in six stages with each stage having four courses and a challenge; the first two are forward, last two are similar but with changed gimmick and environment, (e.g. Mario Highway is set on sunset instead of daytime, Bowser's Castle has blocks that block several parts of the track) and a challenge that is specific to each stage. Each race involves a six-kart dash to the finish (one player and 5 CPU players). The goal of each race is to finish in first place within the time limit. Once the player wins a race for the first time, they are rewarded with the next race in the stage. When completing the fourth stage, the player is rewarded with an item. Afterwards, a "Challenge Game" comes up, and are just like Missions from Mario Kart DS which they must complete to earn a special item exclusive to the character and finish the stage. If the player is unable to complete the challenge, they won't receive the trophy of that stage. If so, the player must complete a race within the cup in 1st place to try the challenge again. In Special mode, "+ Items" are unlocked after each win, and in 150cc unlocking items goes back to the former, but the item unlocked is a "Triple item".

Coins can be collected through out races to increase top speed. Prior to Special mode, their effect helps in completing the race more quickly. During Special mode and beyond, the difficulty of the races outweighs the effect of coins giving them very minimal use.

3 items are set in each course randomly, but on the fourth course however, the player is given a chance to pick 3 items to use during the race from their collection. During the first three courses of the Rainbow Stage, the player is first given no items to use, then only able to use Thunder Sticks, and finally only able to use mushrooms. Three items of the player's choice are used during the fourth course. In Special mode, three items are chosen for every race including all races on Rainbow Stage.

Note: The Rainbow Stage can only be unlocked if the player finishes the first five cups (Similar to the Special Cup in Mario Kart Super Circuit).

Once the player has completed the Rainbow Stage for the first time, Special mode is unlocked. In Special mode, the player can win "+ Items" which are upgraded versions of their weapons while still taking the same item slot. The rivals also become much harder and several courses will have much more gimmick. The first two courses on the Special mode are also changed to reverse mode (not to be confused with the Mirror engine class as the course in this mode is simply played backwards) while the last two courses are played normally.

Once Special mode is completed, 150cc mode is unlocked and all racers have gold karts. The character's last special item will be a "+ Item" after beating Robot Mario on Special mode. Difficulty is slightly easier and "Triple items" will be unlocked rather than "+ Items". This mode does not play like the usual 150cc mode in the main series, but rather like 200cc mode from Mario Kart 8 (which was not released until 9 years after Mario Kart Arcade GP). Robot Mario and other challenges prior are not played on this mode, rather only six "Triple items" are unlocked after completing each stage.

Once 150cc mode is completed, 150cc Special mode is unlocked where the races are the same as Special mode, but on 150cc. Difficulty is the same as Special mode where racers are much more difficult and the final six "Triple items" are unlocked after the six stages are completed. Challenges, like before, are not played.

Once 150cc Special mode is complete, a unique credits screen is shown with a message at the end saying "Grand Prix Mode complete! Thank you for playing!!". Afterwards, both 150cc and Special mode are able to be replayed with all weapons unlocked.

Time Trial

The player races on one of the 24 courses to try to appear in the top ten.

Note: The Rainbow Stage is automatically available in Time Trial, regardless of the players Grand Prix stats.

VS

When the player inserts credits, the game starts an opponent search for a limited time (something like Bark Mode in Nintendogs) which, when other players start opponent searching, links the two people together for a VS Match. Up to four people can link together. Unlike Grand Prix, a VS race takes place with four karts per race and each player gets 3 items at random. If less than 4 people gather for a race, then CPU players are added depending on how many people join:

No. of Players	No. of CPU	Total Karts
2 Players	2 CPU	4 Karts
3 Players	1 CPU	4 Karts
4 Players	0 CPU	4 Karts

Courses

Mario Cup

This cup is set on a tropical beach. On the last two races, the course changes from daytime to sunset for Mario Highway and night time for Mario Beach.

The Challenge course involves the player rolling a watermelon to the goal.

Winning this cup will give the player an invincibility item.

Mario Highway

Mario Beach

DK Cup

The cup is set on a tropical jungle. During the last two races, a rain will occur at the courses.

The Challenge course has the player eliminate 15 Koopa Troopas with a Hammer.

Winning this cup will give the player a whacking item.

Donkey Kong Jungle

Bananan Ruins

Wario Cup

This cup is set on a big city. During the last two races, the time will change from day time to night time.

The Challenge course is set in Diamond City, but the player must drive backwards.

Winning this cup will give the player a backward item that has an effect similar to a Banana.

Diamond City

Snow Panic

Pac-Man Cup

This cup is set on a peaceful mountain on Pac-Land. This is also the first cup to introduce warp doors. During the last two races, several parts of the course will have more grass that slows the player down.

The Challenge course makes the player jump over electrical lines.

Winning this cup will give the player a healing item.

Pac Mountain

Pac Labyrinth

Bowser Cup

This cup is set on Bowser's own castle. During the last two races, a Magikoopa will use its magic to put blocks that block several parts of the course, making the course narrower.

The Challenge course has the player fight Giant Bowser. When playing as Bowser, he is replaced by Mecha-Bowser.

Winning this cup will give the player a straight-throwing attacking item.

Bowser's Castle

Castle Wall

Rainbow Cup

The Rainbow Stage is only unlocked if the player completes the first five stages.

This cup is set in space, similar to Rainbow Road from the original series. A warp door transports the player to sky world that is similar to Sky Garden. During the last two races, the warp door will bring the player to an underwater environment instead while still having the same track layout.

The Challenge course has the player race against Robo Mario.

Winning this cup will give the player an item that only exclusive to that character.

Rainbow Coaster

Rainbow Downhill

Reception

Although the gameplay was praised, the game was reviewed negatively for its high cost. Critics noted the lack of play from the video game and made it face huge amounts of criticism at its release.

Sequels

Mario Kart Arcade GP 2 was released (also for the arcades). It features more gameplay elements than its predecessor, including more characters such as Waluigi and Mametchi. It received positive scores and critical acclaim, unlike the previous game which was criticized for the high price. An update to Mario Kart Arcade GP 2 titled Mario Kart Arcade GP DX was also released.

Staff

Main article: List of Mario Kart Arcade GP staff

Pre-release and unused content

Main article: List of Mario Kart Arcade GP pre-release and unused content

Gallery

For this subject's image gallery, see Gallery:Mario Kart Arcade GP.

External Links

• Japanese Site

Trivia

• The billboard for this game appeared in Shroom Ridge in Mario Kart DS.
• Mario Kart Arcade GP is the first Mario Kart game to be developed by a third-party company (Namco, now Namco-Bandai) and the first to have non-Nintendo characters.
  • It is also the only Mario Kart game to be first released in the United States.
• During the final credits, items such as the Golden Shell, Golden Banana, and other unrecognizable items can be seen in a 10x10 square that were never put in the game. They were also not in the second game, but rather in Mario Kart Arcade GP DX which was not released until seven years after GP.