Mario Kart (series)
The Mario Kartgames are a franchise kart-racing games in the Mario series; one Mario Kart game has appeared on almost every Nintendo system since the Super Nintendo Entertainment System, except for Game Boy Color and Virtual Boy. With a total of twelve titles in the series, Nintendo has inspired many later cartoon-styled racing games among many gaming companies.
The Mario Kart series has been very successful. It is referenced in Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door by Luigi, who, while telling Mario about the races on Circuit Break Island, briefly mentions racing in karts previously.
Games
| Title, Original Release and System | Synopsis |
|---|---|
| Super Mario Kart
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Super Mario Kart was the first Mario Kart game released. The game has a total of eight playable characters and 20 different racecourses to select from, all of which have five laps due to their short length. This is the only title featuring five courses per cup, whereas all later installments only consist of four. Additionally, this is currently the only installment of the series where courses feature five laps as opposed to three in subsequent titles (possibly due to the shorter lengths of each of the tracks). Super Mario Kart is also the only Mario Kart game to feature Donkey Kong Jr. as a playable character; he is replaced by Donkey Kong in all subsequent titles. Koopa Troopa is also playable in the game, but did not reprise this role until Mario Kart: Double Dash!! as he was replaced by Wario in Mario Kart 64 and its successor. Though the game is on a 16-bit system, it features three-dimensionally rendered surroundings, giving the graphics depth and a more realistic feel. This particular Mario Kart game is heavily influenced by Super Mario World, with some graphics and locations taken directly from the sidescroller. Yoshi's tongue noise from Super Mario World is also present, as is a computer-generated "hoomph" for Donkey Kong Jr.; actual voice acting was not yet possible. Super Mario Kart was later re-released on the Virtual Console for 800 points. |
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| Mario Kart 64
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Mario Kart 64 was the first 64-bit Mario Kart game, which allows for fully three-dimensional graphics, such as the course layouts. The courses, instead of being flat, now have different forms of terrain. However, it still uses 2D sprites for the characters and items. The game features 16 normal race courses, as well as four battle courses. Mario Kart 64 was later re-released on the Wii Virtual Console for 1,000 points. This is the first Mario Kart game to have Donkey Kong and Wario as playable characters which would also continue in future installments, although there is still a total of eight drivers to choose from. |
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| Mario Kart 64 (slot machine)
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Mario Kart 64 (slot machine) is the first Mario Kart arcade title. It was only released in Europe. It was licensed by Nintendo and developed by Maygay. The objective of the game is race around the track to get the Super Jackpot bonus in the track's center, along the way using powerups and collecting cash in various ways. (From the reels, the three central prize trails or the six character-based special features). Mario, Yoshi, and Donkey Kong are the key racers. |
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| Mario Kart: Super Circuit
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Mario Kart: Super Circuit (known as Mario Kart Advance in Japan) is the first Mario Kart title to be brought to a handheld gaming system. It is compatible with the Game Boy Advance (now with the Nintendo DS as well), and is a 32-bit game. It is highly influenced by its two home console predecessors, especially Mario Kart 64. VS mode is not playable in single player. In VS mode, the only courses to choose from are the four SNES courses. The players all play as different colored Yoshis. The game featured eight playable characters once more, all of whom are in Mario Kart 64. A total of 20 racecourses (plus the 20 courses from Super Mario Kart) could be selected from. This is the first Mario Kart game to have a feature that allows players to swap Ghost data (via the use of a Game Boy Advance Link Cable). |
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| Mario Kart: Double Dash!!
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Mario Kart: Double Dash!! was the fourth game released in the franchise. The game brings back the eight playable characters from Mario Kart 64 and Mario Kart: Super Circuit as well as the return of Koopa Troopa from Super Mario Kart and introduces many new features, including 11 new playable characters (being Daisy, Birdo, Baby Mario, Baby Luigi, Paratroopa, Diddy Kong, Bowser Jr., Waluigi, Toadette, Petey Piranha, and King Boo). One difference is that there are two drivers per kart, in contrast to all other games in the Mario Kart series; this allowed characters to hold more items simultaneously. Another new feature is Special Items: each pair of drivers has their own unique Special Item that only they could obtain, with the exception of King Boo and Petey Piranha, who could obtain any Special Item except Luigi's Green Fireballs, and the Birdo Egg. Mario Kart: Double Dash!! features 16 racecourses, as well as an All-Cup Tour, unlocked by beating the 150cc Special Cup. There are 20 different characters to select from, except that they are all partnered up. In total, there are 190 possible combinations of teams. It is also the first game that has uniquely designed karts for each character, rather than just color variations. The only exception is the Parade Kart, which can be used by any character of any weight, and its colour does not change no matter what combination of characters the player uses. |
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| Mario Kart Arcade GP
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Mario Kart Arcade GP was the first Mario Kart title released into an arcade. Though many of the same elements from previous games are still featured in this game, it is entirely unique from the rest at the time. This game features a total of 11 playable characters; 8 are from the Mario series, while the remaining three are from the Pac-Man series. This is the first Mario Kart title to feature third-party characters. It also features 12 racecourses to select from, with two in each cup. It is notable for having many more items than other Mario Kart games. |
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| Mario Kart DS
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Mario Kart DS is the fifth mainstream installment in the Mario Kart series, and is the second title to be released on a handheld gaming system. Unlike Mario Kart Double Dash!!, this game returns to one-person driving and does not feature Special Items. The game features 64-bit graphics, and included an all new Mission Mode, for which the player needs to complete missions within certain time limits. This game features 13 playable characters: eight default racers, four unlockable racers, and one only available for racing via Download Play. This game also has Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection .
This game is also the second in the series to feature racecourses encountered in earlier titles (the first was Mario Kart Super Circuit, which included all Super Mario Kart tracks). All of the bosses in this game come from Super Mario 64 DS. |
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| Mario Kart Arcade GP 2
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Mario Kart Arcade GP 2 was the second Mario Kart title released in arcades. It features the same playable characters as Mario Kart Arcade GP plus Waluigi and Mametchi. This title also features something different from the last arcade release: unique Karts for each playable character, just as Mario Kart: Double Dash!!, Mario Kart DS, Mario Kart Wii, and Mario Kart 7 did. This game features a total of 16 racecourses. |
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| Mario Kart Wii
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Mario Kart Wii is the sixth mainstream game in the series. A new feature in Mario Kart Wii is Bikes. Bikes allow the players to do Wheelies, speeding them up temporarily. Also, the players can do Tricks as they jump off certain ramps to get a short boost when landing. This is also the first game to feature races with up to 12 competitors. Another new feature is the Mario Kart Channel. This channel, installable on the Wii Menu, allows players to check rankings, race ghosts, and compete in tournaments. Similar to the Retro racecourses, the game also has five Retro battle courses. One Retro battle course is featured from each of the past five games in the series, in addition to five all-new battle courses. Mario Kart Wii has 25 playable characters, with 32 courses to choose from, 16 being new and 16 being retro. Unlike the past titles, this is the first game to have a size system used instead of a weight system, although the two are somewhat similar. Mario Kart Wii is the only game in the series with save files (however, since the Wii U allows for different users for each Mii, this technically acts as save files for Mario Kart 8). Mario Kart Wii is currently the best-selling game in the series, with 36,380,000 copies sold as of June 12th, 2015. |
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| Mario Kart 7
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Mario Kart 7 is the seventh main installment in the series. Wi-Fi play is utilized to exchange Ghost Data or to race. New features introduced into the Mario Kart series are the ability to glide, drive underwater, and build customizable vehicles with unlockable parts instead of using premade vehicles. Eight racers compete once again instead of the twelve racers seen in Mario Kart Wii. Retro race tracks also return and, for the first time ever in the series (outside of the arcade games), racers can see the race in first-person view and race with the motion sensor. The game also introduces the community mode for online play, where players race with customizable rules. |
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| Mario Kart Arcade GP DX
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Mario Kart Arcade GP DX, the third Mario Kart title released for arcades, was developed by Namco Bandai Games in partnership with Nintendo. It features the return of gliders and underwater racing from Mario Kart 7. The game's new playable characters (for the arcade series) are Bowser Jr., Rosalina, Metal Mario, and Don-chan. However, Ms. Pac-Man, Blinky, and Mametchi do not return. It was released in July 2013 in Japan and Winter 2013 in North America. [1] |
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| Mario Kart 8
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Mario Kart 8 is the eighth main installment in the series. The title's main new feature is anti-gravity, which lets racers drive along walls and ceilings, allowing for more alternate paths in courses. Also, features from past installments (such as bikes from Mario Kart Wii, and gliding and underwater driving from Mario Kart 7) make an appearance. Another new feature is the ability to switch between traditional and motion controls on the Wii U GamePad by touching a button on the touchscreen during gameplay. ATVs, a new type of vehicle, appear alongside karts and bikes. This game was also the first game in the series to include paid downloadable content which consisted of two packs each containing new characters, courses and vehicles. This game introduced nine new characters to the spin-off series, including the seven Koopalings, who made their playable debut. Mario Kart 8 features the largest amount of playable characters, with 30 (36 including DLC). Mario Kart 8 also features the largest amount of tracks from a Mario Kart game, with a grand total of 48, with the usual 32 in the main game and an additional 16 can be purchased through downloadable content. It is the first of the main installments to use highlight reels for the award ceremony, unlike previous Mario Kart games, which use traditional cinematic cutscenes. It is also the first Mario Kart game on a home console that allows more than one player to pick the same character of their choice, disregarding a glitch usable in Mario Kart Wii. |
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Cancelled games
The German magazine Big N claimed that a Virtual Boy installment of the Mario Kart series, tentatively named VB Mario Kart, was in development.[2] The only known media report of it is Big N's August 2000 issue, which listed it among various other cancelled Virtual Boy projects.
Tech Demos
Mario Kart XXL is a Game Boy Advance Tech Demo created by Denaris Entertainement Software for Nintendo in 2004[3]. The demo consists of a 3-lap trial run showing the Game Boy Advance's ability to render and scale two separate background layers.
New features
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Every main Mario Kart game following the first installment has introduced new gameplay features to keep each game from feeling the same.
- Mario Kart 64: Fully 3-dimensional tracks, 4-player multiplayer, and Mirror Mode.
- Mario Kart: Super Circuit: Extra Cups that feature every track from Super Mario Kart and single-player VS mode (called Quick Run).
- Mario Kart: Double Dash!!: Two players racing in one kart, karts unique to each character, Special Items, and unlockable characters and karts.
- Mario Kart DS: Online multiplayer, Retro Cups that feature tracks from all past titles, Mission Mode and playable non-Mario characters.
- Mario Kart Wii: Save files, 12 characters participating in a race or battle, bikes, tricks, Mii characters (as profile users, and as playable characters), and the Mario Kart Channel.
- Mario Kart 7: Gliders, underwater racing, vehicle customization, a Rainbow Road track in the Retro Grand Prix, and the ability to race and battle in first-person view.
- Mario Kart 8: Anti-gravity, Mario Kart TV, ATVs, Highlight Reels, Spin Boosts, the ability to switch from traditional to motion controls while racing and battling, the option for more than one player to use the same character, 200cc Grand Prix mode, and downloadable content which includes characters, vehicle parts, and courses based on other Nintendo franchises.
Characters
Playable characters
The series has spawned a total of 44 playable drivers in the main console/handheld installments, along with five third-party characters in the Arcade GP series and Miis from Mario Kart Wii onward. If one includes the multiple-colored Yoshis, Shy Guys and Mario Kart 8 downloadable characters, there are 68 playable drivers in total. Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach, Yoshi, Toad, and Bowser are the only characters to have been playable in all titles. Also, Mario, Luigi, Toad, and Bowser are the only characters to be classified as the same weight class in every Mario Kart title, and this means Princess Peach and Yoshi are the only ones to appear in all games to switch between the weight classes in the games (they are a middleweight in all console games, excluding Mario Kart 64, and a lightweight in the handheld games and Mario Kart 64). Out of all these characters, Toad is the only one to be both a default and unlockable driver, being available from the start in all games except Mario Kart: Double Dash!!. Wario and Donkey Kong have been playable in every title since Mario Kart 64, and since then other characters have been playable in all main games after their respective Mario Kart debut, namely Princess Daisy, Rosalina, and Miis. Waluigi is the only playable character in the series to have been classified in all three weight classes (he is a middleweight in Mario Kart: Double Dash!! and Mario Kart DS, a heavyweight in Mario Kart Wii and Mario Kart 8, and a lightweight in Mario Kart Arcade GP DX).
1 - The character is unlockable
2 - The character is only playable in GBA multiplayer or DS/3DS Download Play
3 - The character is downloadable
4 - Two outfits are available, referred to as Mii Outfit A and Mii Outfit B
5 - The character is downloadable only to players who purchase both DLC packs
6 - Planned but cut
Weight/Size and Effects
Throughout the Mario Kart series, a common element in almost each game is the weight of different characters. Characters have been classified by their weight. Up until Mario Kart Wii, the three weights were "Light", "Medium", and "Heavy". In Mario Kart Wii, however, the main element was the size of the character, split in three categories: "Small", "Medium", and "Large". Different weights and sizes have different effects on racing.
Please note:
- In Super Mario Kart, characters are classified in four classes with no official name.
- In Mario Kart DS, weights of characters are not classified in categories, but more exact weights are given to characters.
- In Mario Kart Wii, bikes are usually lighter than karts, due to their smaller size. However, some bikes are heavier than Karts, especially when size classes are taken into account.
- Also, in Mario Kart Wii, Miis can be small, medium, or large depending on their height and weight.
- In Mario Kart 7, there are two extra classes known as Feather, before the Light class, and Cruiser, between Medium and Heavy.
- In Mario Kart 8, Miis like in Mario Kart Wii, can be small, medium, or large depending on their height and weight.
Feather/Light/Small
Characters in this classification are easily knocked aside by their heavier opponents. Feather/Light/Small characters have high acceleration, but low top speeds. When off-road, they lose a very minimal amount of speed. In some games, however, a lightweight can own a kart that has a high top speed, but low acceleration.
| Game | Feather/Light/Small Characters |
|---|---|
| Super Mario Kart | Koopa Troopa · Toad |
| Mario Kart 64 | Princess Peach · Toad · Yoshi |
| Mario Kart Super Circuit | Princess Peach · Toad · Yoshi |
| Mario Kart: Double Dash!! | Baby Mario · Baby Luigi · Bowser Jr. · Diddy Kong · Koopa Paratroopa · Koopa Troopa · Toad · Toadette |
| Mario Kart DS | Dry Bones · Princess Peach · Shy Guy · Toad · Yoshi |
| Mario Kart Wii | Baby Daisy · Baby Luigi · Baby Mario · Baby Peach · Dry Bones · Koopa Troopa · Toad · Toadette |
| Mario Kart 7 |
Feather: Koopa Troopa · Lakitu · Shy Guy · Toad |
| Mario Kart 8 |
Baby Mario · Baby Luigi · Baby Peach · Baby Daisy · Baby Rosalina · Lemmy Koopa · Toad · Toadette · Koopa Troopa · Shy Guy · Lakitu · Wendy O. Koopa · Larry Koopa · Isabelle |
Medium
Medium characters have a equal balance of weight, top speed, and acceleration. When they go off-road, they lose a moderate amount of speed, contrary to that of its corresponding weight classes. In some games, however, middleweights can own a kart that has low speed and high acceleration, or a kart that has high speed and low acceleration.
| Game | Medium Characters |
|---|---|
| Super Mario Kart | Luigi · Mario · Princess Peach · Yoshi |
| Mario Kart 64 | Luigi · Mario |
| Mario Kart Super Circuit | Luigi · Mario |
| Mario Kart: Double Dash!! | Birdo · Luigi · Mario · Princess Daisy · Princess Peach · Waluigi · Yoshi |
| Mario Kart DS | Luigi · Mario · Princess Daisy · Waluigi |
| Mario Kart Wii | Birdo · Bowser Jr. · Diddy Kong · Luigi · Mario · Princess Daisy · Princess Peach · Yoshi |
| Mario Kart 7 | Luigi · Mario · Mii |
| Mario Kart 8 |
Cat Peach · Peach · Daisy · Yoshi · Tanooki Mario · Villager · Mario · Luigi · Ludwig von Koopa · Iggy Koopa |
Cruiser/Heavy/Large
Cruiser/Heavy/Large characters can easily knock most opposing racers aside. They have high top speeds, but very poor acceleration. When they go off-road, their speed greatly decreases. In some games, however, a heavyweight can own a kart that has a low top speed, but high acceleration.
| Game | Cruiser/Heavy/Large Characters |
|---|---|
| Super Mario Kart | Bowser · Donkey Kong Jr. |
| Mario Kart 64 | Bowser · Donkey Kong · Wario · Mini Bomb Kart |
| Mario Kart Super Circuit | Bowser · Donkey Kong · Wario |
| Mario Kart: Double Dash!! | Bowser · Donkey Kong · King Boo · Petey Piranha · Wario |
| Mario Kart DS | Bowser · Donkey Kong · R.O.B. · Wario |
| Mario Kart Wii | Bowser · Donkey Kong · Dry Bowser · Funky Kong · King Boo · Rosalina · Waluigi · Wario |
| Mario Kart 7 |
Cruiser: Donkey Kong · Rosalina · Wiggler |
| Mario Kart 8 |
Donkey Kong · Waluigi · Roy Koopa · Rosalina · Link · Metal Mario · Pink Gold Peach · Wario · Bowser · Morton Koopa Jr. · Dry Bowser |
Engine Class
The Engine Class (also referred to as Engine Size) is an important factor in the Mario Kart series, determining the speed of the vehicles. Super Mario Kart introduced 50 cubic centimeter (cc) and 100cc Karts (and 150cc Karts were unlockable). Starting with Mario Kart 64, 150cc Karts were available at the start of the game. As larger engines increase speed, the vehicles are more difficult to control. In Grand Prix mode, an increase in engine class also increases the computer player difficulty. In Vs. Mode of Mario Kart DS, Mario Kart Wii, and Mario Kart 8, the Engine Class doesn't control the difficulty of the computer drivers, but the option CPU Level does. Each Cup can be raced with different Engine Classes; completing a Cup with a certain Engine Class sometimes unlocks other Cups, drivers, or battle stages. 200cc made its debut in Mario Kart 8 in a patch that was released on April 23, 2015.
Mirror
Appears In: Mario Kart 64; Mario Kart: Double Dash!!; Mario Kart DS; Mario Kart Wii; Mario Kart 7 and Mario Kart 8
The Mirror class (EXTRA in Mario Kart 64; 150cc Mirror in Mario Kart DS) is a bonus engine class in which all tracks are mirrored. As a result, left becomes right and vice versa. All vehicles use the 150cc engine size in this engine class (100cc in Mario Kart 64). Most environmental hazards remain untouched, but there are some exceptions, such as with Toad's Turnpike, in which the cars on the road are traveling towards the kart racers instead of along with them, making them harder to dodge.
Courses
Each main Mario Kart game has at least 16 courses distributed among 4 or more cups. Super Mario Kart has 4 cups with 5 courses each, being the only game in the series with this format. Mario Kart 64 has since introduced the standard of having 4 courses per cup. Mario Kart: Super Circuit has 20 courses among 5 cups to allow for the inclusion of all 20 of the original courses from Super Mario Kart. Since Mario Kart DS, there have been two Grand Prix sets for the player to choose from: the Nitro Grand Prix, consisting of 16 new courses, and the Retro Grand Prix, consisting of 16 retro courses selected from previous installments of the series. In total, the main series has spawned 145 courses.
In every one of the main games (excluding the Mario Kart Arcade GP sub-series), there has been at least one Mario Circuit, one Bowser's Castle, one Rainbow Road, one ice-themed course, one beach-themed course, and one desert-themed course. Unless one counts Toad Harbor or Dolphin Shoals as beach-themed courses, Mario Kart 8 is the only game to not introduce any beach-themed courses.
Mario Kart 8 includes 48 courses in 12 cups, the most of any in the series.
Items and effects
Items (main series)
Throughout the races of the Mario Kart games, racers can pick up items out of Item Boxes. These items differ from game to game, but the following are complete lists of all 39 items from the main series. Items randomly shuffle in the Item Roulette after characters run into an Item Box. Tapping the item button decreases the amount of time it takes for the Item Roulette to select an item. If players do not select an item right away by pressing the item button, the computer automatically selects an item. The item chosen is influenced by the player's place in the race. Generally, racers closest to last place receive better items, and vice versa (this does not apply to computers). After the item is selected, players can press the item button to use it. In Mario Kart: Double Dash!! and onwards, certain damages such as being flipped, squashed or being picked up by Lakitu after falling off of the course makes players drop their item on to the road (for others to use/get hit by), or lose it all together. In Super Mario Kart, Mario Kart: Super Circuit and Mario Kart 8, the players will not lose their item they are carrying if they fall off the track.
| Item | Super Mario Kart | Mario Kart 64 | Mario Kart: Super Circuit | Mario Kart: Double Dash!! | Mario Kart DS | Mario Kart Wii | Mario Kart 7 | Mario Kart 8 |
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| Banana | 
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| Banana Bunch | 
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| Birdo Egg |
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*
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| Blooper |
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| Bob-omb |
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| Boo |
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| Boomerang Flower |
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| Bowser Shell |
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| Bullet Bill |
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| Chain Chomp |
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*****
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| Coin |
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***
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****
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| Crazy Eight |
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| Fake Item Box |
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*****
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| Feather |
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| Fireballs |
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| Fire Flower |
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| Giant Banana |
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| Golden Mushroom |
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| Green Shell |
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| Heart |
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| Lightning |
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| Lucky Seven |
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| Mega Mushroom |
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| Mushroom |
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| Poison Mushroom |
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| Potted Piranha Plant |
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| POW Block |
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| Red Shell |
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| Rupee |
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| Spiny Shell |
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| Star |
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| Super Horn |
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| Super Leaf |
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| Thunder Cloud |
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| Triple Bananas |
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| Triple Green Shell |
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| Triple Mushroom |
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| Triple Red Shell |
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| Yoshi Egg |
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* - Special Item in Mario Kart: Double Dash!!.
** - Only in Mario Kart Wii online tournaments.
*** - Only in the Mario Kart DS Mission Mode.
**** - Only in the Coin Runners battle game from Mario Kart Wii.
***** - Found in the game's data.
- Item present in the game.
- Item not present in the game.
| Image | Name | Description | Appearances |
|---|---|---|---|
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Banana | The Banana is a common item in the Mario Kart series. By throwing it on the ground it will make any opponent spin out of control. They can also be used to protect the player from the Green Shell and Red Shell. | All Games |
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Banana Bunch | The Banana Bunch is an item that acts identically to a Banana. However, instead of having one Banana, the player will have five. | Mario Kart 64 |
| Birdo Egg | The Birdo Egg is a item only found in Mario Kart: Double Dash!!. When thrown, it acts similar to a Red Shell. When it collides with an opponent or an item, three items will pop out at random, they could include Mushrooms, Red or Green Shells, Fake Item Boxes, Bob-ombs, Bananas, or a Star. | Mario Kart: Double Dash!! | |
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Blooper | Bloopers obscure the view of players by squirting ink on the screen. This item affects every racer that is currently ahead of the player. If the player is affected by a Blooper, the player's Items stat determines how long the ink stays on the player's screen. The lower the player's Item stat is, the faster the ink goes away. If players are affected by a Blooper, they can use a Mushroom or drive onto a Boost Pad, or drive into underwater in Mario Kart 8 to get rid of the obstructive goop. | Mario Kart DS Mario Kart Wii Mario Kart 7 Mario Kart 8 |
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Bob-omb | The Bob-omb stays on the track, and it explodes after a restricted period of time. If it is thrown forward, the Bob-omb waits until another racer passes near it to explode by them. Any driver who is in the blast radius and surroundings blows or spins. If a racer holds it behind them (ala Mario Kart Wii) and an Item such as a red shell hits them, it immediately explodes like it usually does. In Mario Kart: Double Dash!!, the Bob-omb is the special item exclusive to Wario and Waluigi, and to King Boo and Petey Piranha; although it can be used for all characters during Battle Mode.
Bob-ombs also appear as unique items in the Battle Mode game, Bob-omb Blast. They are given colors that match the player numbers, and only affects opposing players when thrown. |
Mario Kart: Double Dash!!* Mario Kart DS Mario Kart Wii Mario Kart 7 Mario Kart 8 |
| File:BooMKDS.jpg | Boo | Boos are ghosts from one of the many haunted houses in the Mushroom Kingdom. In Mario Kart: Super Circuit, Boos slow down the race leader upon use, compared to the other games, where he simply leaves the leader alone and takes their item. The target that is chosen is the one with the most powerful item, including Mushrooms. However, if no other racers have items, the Boo does not steal anything for the player. Another benefit to Boo is the fact that players become translucent upon using it, meaning that they can pass right through other drivers and certain obstacles, including items. In addition to being immune to attacks, the Boo item also allows players to drive through rough terrain without losing speed.
Notably, Boos are absent in Mario Kart: Double Dash!! and every title since Mario Kart Wii, possibly because of the inclusion of King Boo in the two mentioned games. |
Super Mario Kart Mario Kart 64 Mario Kart: Super Circuit Mario Kart DS |
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Boomerang Flower | The Boomerang Flower is an item that debuted in Super Mario 3D Land, which transforms Mario into Boomerang Mario. This allows him to throw a boomerang at enemies and reach items from far away. In Mario Kart 8, it allows the user to throw the boomerang three times when used. | Mario Kart 8 |
| File:Mkdd bowsers shell.jpg | Bowser Shell | The Bowser Shell is the item used exclusively by Bowser, Bowser Jr., and by King Boo and Petey Piranha. This monstrous shell goes in a straight line, just like a normal Green Shell, bumping on walls and obstacles, capable of knocking over Karts, or destroying other items that it collides with. Unlike a Green or Red Shell, the Bowser Shell does not disintegrate if it collides on a kart. It keeps spinning around after several bumps, where it breaks apart. When the Bowser Shell collides with another special item, it rebounds. | Mario Kart: Double Dash!!* |
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Bullet Bill | Upon using a Bullet Bill, the player turns into a Bullet Bill, and follows the track automatically. The Bullet Bill is very fast, and boosts the player faster than any other item. The duration of the Bullet Bill depends on how high the player's current place is; the closer the player is to last, the longer the duration. It is possible to steer the Bullet Bill, but only slightly. This feature allows players to "home in" on other racers as they are flying right past them. | Mario Kart DS Mario Kart Wii Mario Kart 7 Mario Kart 8 |
| File:Chomp.PNG | Chain Chomp | The Chain Chomp is a special Item used only by Baby Mario and Baby Luigi, and by King Boo and Petey Piranha as well. When used, a Chain Chomp appears on the front of the kart, pulling the vehicle ahead at a very fast speed, sweeping away any karts and most items in its path. After a limited period of time, the Chain Chomp breaks away from the kart and continues down the track until it eventually vanishes. It is very similar to the Bullet Bill item, except that players are not invulnerable when they use this item. Of course, if the player gets hit by any items, the Chain Chomp breaks free before the time limit has even ended. It was set to appear in Mario Kart DS, but the player can not receive it even in the kiosk demo. | Mario Kart: Double Dash!!* |
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Coin | The Coin item lets the player's character gain a pair of coins in order to prevent being spun around if the driver bumps with another kart while having zero coins. The coin also increases the player's speed slightly. In Mario Kart 7 and Mario Kart 8, a maximum of ten coins can be collected in a race at one time. | Super Mario Kart Mario Kart: Super Circuit Mario Kart 7 Mario Kart 8 |
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Crazy Eight | The Crazy Eight is similar to the Lucky Seven from Mario Kart 7; it gives the player all items granted by the Lucky Seven itself, plus a Coin. | Mario Kart 8 |
| File:Fake Item Box - Mario Kart Wii.png | Fake Item Box | Fake Item Boxes can be placed on the stage anywhere, similar to Bananas. They can also be dragged behind the kart. When hitting a Fake Item Box, the player rolls over, which is similar to the effect of a Green Shell. Like the Banana, the tilt of the control stick determines how far it is thrown. When a Fake Item Box is set on the track, the player can distinguish it by looking for the telltale question mark inside the box. In most games, the Box has an upside-down question mark. In Mario Kart: Double Dash!! and Mario Kart Wii, there is an occasional red flash added. In Mario Kart DS, there is simply no question mark, and they did not rotate either.
In Mario Kart 64, players cannot throw this item forward, but it can block items. However, it loses the ability to block items in later Mario Kart titles. |
Mario Kart 64 Mario Kart: Double Dash!! Mario Kart DS Mario Kart Wii |
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Feather | The Feather gives the player a spin jump which is higher than a normal hop. It is useful for jumping over obstacles, and taking shortcuts over the barriers and voids during races. It was planned for Mario Kart 64 but was removed. | Super Mario Kart |
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Fireball | In Super Mario Kart, only CPU-controlled Bowser can receive this item. They act very similar to Banana Peels.
In Mario Kart: Double Dash!!, they are Mario and Luigi's special item, known as Red Fireballs and Green Fireballs, respectively. Petey Piranha and King Boo use Fireballs as well, but they only receive red ones. These items can be shot both forward or backwards. In Mario Kart: Double Dash!!, they at first appear as a single fireball, but they split into five smaller fireballs after thrown, which can hit multiple karts at once. The fire balls can bounce off walls. Fireballs appeared lately in Mario Kart Wii, used by Dry Bowser as an ability which he spits out three fireballs against his opponents to make them to spin out of control. This item appeared only during one of the game's online tournaments. In Mario Kart 7 and Mario Kart 8, Fireballs are produced by using Fire Flowers. |
Super Mario Kart (CPU only) Mario Kart: Double Dash!!* Mario Kart Wii (CPU only) |
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Fire Flower | When using the Fire Flower, players can throw fireballs backward and forward for ten seconds after it's used or when the player uses ten Fireballs. When characters are hit by one of the fireballs, they will spin out and lose a coin. | Mario Kart 7 Mario Kart 8 |
| File:Mkdd giant banana.jpg | Giant Banana | The Giant Banana is the signature item used by Donkey Kong and Diddy Kong, as well as King Boo and Petey Piranha in Mario Kart: Double Dash!! The Giant Banana is much larger than a regular banana, making it harder to avoid. If a kart collides with one, it spins out much longer than a normal Banana would make. After someone hits the Giant Banana, the Giant Banana breaks up into three normal Bananas. Only certain items can destroy it. | Mario Kart: Double Dash!!* |
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Golden Mushroom | The Golden Mushroom allows the player to perform indefinite boosts of speed for a limited amount of time until it disappears. In Mario Kart: Double Dash!!, the item appeared as a Special Item under the name Super Mushroom, and could only be received by Toad, Toadette, King Boo, and Petey Piranha. This item usually only appears when the racer is behind by a fair bit. | Mario Kart 64 Mario Kart: Double Dash!!* Mario Kart DS Mario Kart Wii Mario Kart 7 Mario Kart 8 |
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Green Shell | One of the classic staples of the Mario Kart series, the Green Shell is a projectile that when thrown, goes in a straight line, knocking over any target that gets in its way. It ricochets when it bumps against walls or certain obstacles, eventually breaking after several bumps. In games before Mario Kart Double Dash!!, however, Green Shells, rather than breaking apart, flip over and fall off the screen. In Super Mario Kart, they slow down and eventually stop, only disappearing when a racer hits it. In Mario Kart: Double Dash!!, Green Shells can be held and thrown backwards, but they move slower when shot backwards. In Mario Kart DS and Mario Kart Wii, when thrown backwards, the shell moves slightly slower before the shell moves fast, and in Mario Kart 64, Mario Kart 7 and Mario Kart 8, the shell moves very fast when thrown backwards like they fire forwards. | All Games |
| File:Normal heart.jpg | Heart | When the Heart item is used, a pair of Hearts surround the kart, protecting against any items dropped on the track. When the kart collides with an item, one of the Hearts absorb it, and gives it to one of the racers for them to use, unless both are already holding an item. After absorbing two hits, the effect of the Heart item disappears. If the driver falls off the course, or gets struck by Lightning, the hearts in use disappear. Also, this item cannot protect the user from Spiny Shells, Chain Chomps, and Bob-omb explosions (but it can absorb the Bob-omb itself). The Heart is not timed-based, meaning that it does not expire on its own. The Heart is the special item used by Princess Peach and Princess Daisy, and is also used by Petey Piranha and King Boo. | Mario Kart: Double Dash!!* |
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Lightning | When a driver uses Lightning, a lightning strikes all opponent racers that are not invincible, in a Bullet Bill, or falling off the course, causing them to spin around, as well as shrinking and slowing them down during a certain amount of time. Shrunk drivers are vulnerable to be flattened or knocked apart by a driver that is not affected by Lightning. In Mario Kart 64, Boos, Stars, Mushrooms and Lightning could not be used while the racers are tiny. In Mario Kart DS and Mario Kart Wii, the amount of time the players stay tiny depends on their rank; the lower the rank, the less time they stay shrunk. In recent games, any items in possession are lost when hit by the lightning.
Beginning with Mario Kart: Double Dash!!, tiny players never get squished, but they do get pushed around easily by the normal sized racers. In Mario Kart 7, the effect of being squished after a Lightning strike is reintroduced. |
All Games |
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Lucky Seven | When the player uses this item, they gain a Banana, Red Shell, Green Shell, Blooper, Mushroom, Star, and a Bob-omb that revolve around their kart until used. In the VS and battle mode of Mario Kart 7, it is possible to select that only Shells, Bananas, Mushrooms, or Bob-ombs are items in the battle. If a Lucky Seven is used, only these items appear around the kart. | Mario Kart 7 |
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Mega Mushroom | While using the Mega Mushroom, the player's character becomes bigger and is able to crush other characters throughout the duration. The driver also becomes immune to most other items, except for powerful items such as Bullet Bills or players utilized with Stars that can still knock enlarged characters aside. Getting hit by Lightning shrinks the enlarged players back to their normal size, as opposed to making them tiny or even being immune to it. | Mario Kart Wii |
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Mushroom | Mushrooms have appeared in every Mario Kart game so far. By using the item, users get a temporary boost of speed, allowing them to go through rough terrain at ease. Also, charging into another driver while using the boost results in knocking them aside, regardless of how light or heavy the player's Kart is. Braking is very difficult while using a Mushroom. It can offer a slight increase in handling for the duration of the boost, but it does not slow the kart down. In Mario Kart: Double Dash!!, using a Mushroom allows the player to steal or drop an item directly from other driver. This technique can also be made in the Battle modes from recent games, although this is for stealing Balloons or Coins. | All Games |
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Poison Mushroom | An item used only by Princess Peach and Toad when CPU Controlled in Super Mario Kart. It gets thrown onto the track and once anyone touches it, they shrink players, not unlike Lightning. | Super Mario Kart (CPU Only) |
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Potted Piranha Plant | An item also seen in Super Mario 3D World, which allows the Piranha Plant to eat any enemy and reach items. In Mario Kart 8, it can bite other racers, collect coins that are on the track, and give the user multiple speed boosts. | Mario Kart 8 |
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POW Block | The POW Block works against the drivers who are ahead of the player that has the Item. After used, a POW Block image appears over the drivers, which compresses itself gradually until it disappears. Then, all the drivers ahead of the player spin around, losing their Items as well. The POW Block item does not show any effects for the airborne vehicles. | Mario Kart Wii |
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Red Shell | This is one of the classic staples from the Mario Kart series. The Red Shell is a homing projectile which chases after the driver who is before it to knock the kart over. The Red Shell can also be thrown backwards, although it goes in a straight line when shot in that direction. In Mario Kart Super Circuit, the driver drops the shell instead of throwing backwards. However, the dropped red shell reacts when another driver passes near to it, and chases after the nearer kart. Homing Red Shells can be stopped using a Green Shell, a Banana, or another Red Shell as a shield. In Mario Kart: Double Dash!! they can also be dodged if the driver uses Powersliding. Upon hitting a wall or obstacle, the Red Shell breaks; however, in games prior to Mario Kart: Double Dash!!, it flips, and falls off the screen.
Red Shells are different in Mario Kart 64, since they always follow a straight line, often hitting walls during the process. Starting with Mario Kart: Double Dash!! though, the Red Shells began to follow the whole track until they reached their target. |
All Games |
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Spiny Shell | When used, the Spiny Shell navigates along the track until it homes in on the player who is currently in first, flipping the player's kart into the air. In Mario Kart 64, Mario Kart Super Circuit, Mario Kart 7 and Mario Kart 8, the Spiny Shell flips any karts that are on its path, until it reaches and knocks out the leader of the group. This shell tends to break if it bumps against walls.
In Mario Kart: Double Dash!!, Mario Kart DS, and Mario Kart Wii, the Spiny Shell appears with wings. Unlike the past versions, where the Spiny Shell slides like a Red or Green Shell, the winged version flies at a very great speed, going directly to the player that is in first place. After hovering over the driver for a few seconds, it explodes immediately, sending the kart flying and destroying the items that the player is holding. Any other driver who is found near to the blast zone is sent flying, bowling over, or spinning out as well. The Spiny Shell is nearly impossible to avoid, but by using certain items like the Star, Boo, Bullet Bill, or even a Mushroom, it is possible to not be affected by the item when it explodes. In Mario Kart 8, the Spiny Shell can easily avoid by using the Super Horn. |
Mario Kart 64 Mario Kart: Super Circuit Mario Kart: Double Dash!! Mario Kart DS Mario Kart Wii Mario Kart 7 Mario Kart 8 |
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Star | The classic Star grants to the player invincibility against every item as well as a great speed and power to knock other karts over. It also nullifies any off-road effect, which enables players to travel off-road without any speed loss. | All Games |
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Super Horn | The Super Horn, when used, emits a shockwave that destroys items and flips over racers. | Mario Kart 8 |
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Super Leaf | The Super Leaf gives racers a Tanooki tail, so they can spin and whip others with it. If one goes under water, the tail serves as propeller. If the player spins while drifting they will skid, making it harder to control the Drift. When used, the Super Leaf lasts for 10 seconds, or until the player is hit by an item. | Mario Kart 7 |
| File:Thunder Cloud Artwork - Mario Kart Wii.png | Thunder Cloud | When drivers obtain this item, the Thunder Cloud forms over their heads. Then, they automatically receive a constant, minor boost of speed. They can also drive off-road without losing speed. However, after a set amount of time, the Thunder Cloud strikes lightning at drivers, shrinking them similarly to Lightning. The cloud, however, can be passed onto another racer by bumping their kart before the lightning strikes, giving the opponent the cloud. It can be passed as many times as possible before the lightning strikes. It also gets destroyed if the driver goes into a cannon or uses an item such as the Star. | Mario Kart Wii |
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Triple Bananas | Triple Bananas act the same as the Banana, except there are three of them. They are similar to the Banana Bunch, except there are less Bananas. Just like the Banana Bunch, when activated for the first time, the bananas follow players' karts and can then be dropped or thrown one at a time. The Items stat available in Mario Kart DS increases players' odds of getting a triple instead of a single. Triple Bananas follow the same physics as single Bananas. In Mario Kart 8, when a triple variant is used, the three bananas rotate around the driver's vehicle instead of trailing the vehicle upon usage, similar to the Triple Green Shells or Triple Red Shells. | Mario Kart DS Mario Kart Wii Mario Kart 7 Mario Kart 8 |
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Triple Green Shells | A set of three Green Shells orbit the kart of the driver. These can be used either as an offensive tool or a protective shield against other certain items as incoming Red Shells. In Mario Kart 64, the shells could be only shot forwards, but in the recent games, the shells can be thrown backwards as well. In Mario Kart: Double Dash!!, these Triple Shells are the special item for Koopa Troopa and Paratroopa (as well as for Petey Piranha and King Boo). In the game, characters hold the Shells with their hands. If the kart gets hit with another item on the road, the character drops the shells, having one left. | Mario Kart 64 Mario Kart: Super Circuit Mario Kart: Double Dash!!* Mario Kart DS Mario Kart Wii Mario Kart 7 Mario Kart 8 |
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Triple Mushrooms | Triple Mushrooms act the same as a Mushroom, but in triple form, meaning the player can use it three times. A higher Items stat, for the games that have it, means the player obtains this more often. In Mario Kart: Double Dash!!, characters hold the Mushrooms with their hands. However, if the kart gets hit with another item on the road, the character drops the mushrooms, having one left. In Mario Kart 8 when a triple variant is used, the three Mushrooms rotate around the driver's vehicle upon usage similar to the Triple Green or Red Shells. | Mario Kart 64 Mario Kart: Super Circuit Mario Kart: Double Dash!! Mario Kart DS Mario Kart Wii Mario Kart 7 Mario Kart 8 |
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Triple Red Shells | A set of three Red Shells orbit the Kart of the driver. They can be used as an offensive or defensive tool. In Mario Kart 64, the shells could be only shot forward, but in the recent games, the shells can be thrown backwards as well. In Mario Kart: Double Dash!!, these triple Shells are the special item for Koopa Troopa and Paratroopa (as well as for Petey Piranha and King Boo). In the game, characters hold the Shells with their hands. However, if the kart gets hit with another item on the road, the character drops the shells, having one left. | Mario Kart 64 Mario Kart: Super Circuit Mario Kart: Double Dash!!* Mario Kart DS Mario Kart Wii Mario Kart 7 Mario Kart 8 |
| Yoshi Egg | In Super Mario Kart, Eggs are used by CPU-controlled Yoshi. Yoshi either drops Eggs or throws them forward. Any karts that are hit by an Egg spin out.
Eggs are special items used by Yoshi in Mario Kart: Double Dash!!. They function identically to the Birdo Egg. King Boo and Petey Piranha can use this item as well, but they receive only the Yoshi Egg. These Eggs home on rival karts, much like a Red Shell. Unlike the Red Shell, though, Eggs stay on the track if there are no karts to home on. When an Egg hits an object, it breaks and lets out three items on the track. Eggs contain these items: Mushrooms, Stars, Bananas, Green Shells, Fake Item Boxes, or Bob-ombs. They break by themselves eventually if they do not hit any kart, but they still release 3 items. |
Super Mario Kart Mario Kart: Double Dash!! |
Items (arcade series)
* - Driver-specific item.
- Item present in the game.
- Item not present in game.
Techniques
Throughout the Mario Kart series, there are various techniques that will help the driver get to the finish line during a race. There are nine of them in all and each one holds a special ability for the vehicle.
Rocket Start
Appears in: All
The Rocket Start allows drivers to gain a speed boost when a race begins. By pressing and holding down the acceleration button at a certain point during the countdown, the vehicle's engine activates. When the light turns green and the final beep sounds, if the button press is timed properly, drivers receive a small boost. However, if drivers press the button too early, their engines burst, and they can't start the vehicle for a few seconds. If they press too late, the vehicles start normally as if there is no button press.
Drift
Appears in: All
Drifting allows the player to cut through sharp corners. Prolonged drifting induces sparks, blue causing a Mini-Turbo and orange/red causing a Super Mini-Turbo. In Mario Kart Wii only karts perform Super Mini-Turbo boosts, but in Mario Kart 8, bikes and ATVs can also perform these techniques.
Mini-Turbo
Appears in: All (undocumented in Super Mario Kart)
Mini-Turbos allow drivers to get a small boost after drifting for a long time. Mini-Turbos save time and improve the acceleration. From Mario Kart Wii onwards, if they drift even longer, the driver can perform a Super Mini-Turbo.
Slipstream
Appears in: Mario Kart 64, Mario Kart DS, Mario Kart Wii, Mario Kart 7, Mario Kart 8
Slipstreaming is a type of speed boost. To perform it, the driver must trail behind another driver for a moment. If done correctly, the driver will suddenly go faster with blue lines surrounding them.
Wheelie
Appears in: Mario Kart Wii
The Wheelie is a technique unique to bikes in Mario Kart Wii and Mario Kart 8. It gives them a small boost in speed. This technique can be useful if the bike is on a straightway or if the bike is going to get hit by a POW Block. It is also featured in Mario Kart 8, where it does not provide a speed boost, is not controlled manually, and is purely aesthetic.
Slide-Attack
Appears in: Mario Kart: Double Dash!!
The Slide-Attack is a technique that can only be used in Mario Kart: Double Dash!!. When used, it will attack the kart to the left or right. This allows the player to steal an item from an opponent.
Trick
Appears in: Since Mario Kart Wii
Tricks allow racers to give themselves a speed boost when landing after the vehicle jumps off a ramp or a hill.
Spin Boost
Appears in: Mario Kart 8
The Spin Boost is a speed boost that only appears in anti-gravity mode in Mario Kart 8. When both drivers bump into each other, they spin around, resulting in a speed boost for both drivers, and when a driver bumps into a specific kind of obstacle, the driver spins around, resulting in a speed boost for the driver.
Double Dash!!
Appears in: Mario Kart: Double Dash!! (Co-Op Only)
The Double Dash!! works in the same manner as the Rocket Start, but with two drivers. Both players must press 
when the light turns green to activate the effect. When that happens, the kart will receive a huge speed boost out of the starting line when a race begins, giving drivers a huge advantage. The technique is named after the game's subtitle.
Modes
Throughout the Mario Kart series, there have been several games that feature different modes of play. The standards featured in each game are 50cc, 100cc, and 150cc. Other modes of play are also available. Different types of Battle Modes allow players to battle against each other in different competitions. Grand Prix Mode features different types of tournament classes as well, such as the Nitro and Retro Grand Prix.
Grand Prix
Appears in: All
The Grand Prix (known as Mario Kart GP or simply Mario GP before Mario Kart: Double Dash!!) is a game mode in the Mario Kart series. In this mode, eight drivers (or 12 in Mario Kart Wii and Mario Kart 8) race a series of courses from a certain Cup and get points depending on their position when reaching the finish line. In some installments, there was an additional ranking system rating the quality of a player's race performance. After all of the tracks are finished, points are summed up and the three drivers with the most points get gold, silver, and bronze trophies at the award ceremony. Finishing a Grand Prix with a certain score sometimes unlocks other Cups, drivers, or vehicles. Starting with Mario Kart DS, the cups were seperated into two categories: Nitro, which features new courses, and Retro, which uses courses from previous titles.
Nitro Grand Prix
Appears in: Since Mario Kart DS
In Mario Kart DS, Mario Kart Wii, Mario Kart 7, and Mario Kart 8 (and technically, all past Mario Kart games as well), there is a section of the Grand Prix mode called Nitro Grand Prix. It is one of two sections of the Grand Prix mode. In the Nitro Grand Prix, there are four different cups to choose from: The Mushroom Cup, the Flower Cup, the Star Cup, and the Special Cup. This section of the Grand Prix contains 16 brand new courses.
In Mario Kart DS and Mario Kart Wii, in order to play the Star Cup, the player must place first in the Mushroom Cup and the Flower Cup (it does not matter which order). Then, in order to play the Special Cup, the player must place first in the Star Cup. By placing first in the Special Cup, the player will unlock something depending if it is played on 50cc, 100cc, 150cc, or Mirror.
For Mario Kart 7 and Mario Kart 8, in order to play the three remaining cups, the player must claim first place in the Mushroom Cup. Also, once the cup is unlocked, it is available for all engine classes.
Mario Kart: Super Circuit features a fifth cup in its Grand Prix, the Lightning Cup. In addition, Mario Kart: Double Dash!! also features a fifth cup known as the All-Cup Tour; in this cup players race through all sixteen courses in the game in a random order, though Luigi Circuit will always be the first course and Rainbow Road the last.
Retro Grand Prix
Appears in: Since Mario Kart DS
A new feature in Mario Kart DS that appears in all subsequent games is the Retro Grand Prix. It is a selectable section in Grand Prix mode. In Retro Grand Prix, all race courses are from past Mario Kart games. Within the Grand Prix, there are four cups able to choose from: The Shell Cup, the Banana Cup, the Leaf Cup, and the Lightning Cup.
To match the new additions each game introduces, retro tracks often receive changes in layout and detail when they reappear. In Mario Kart Wii, ramps and quarter pipes were added in many tracks to allow the racers to perform tricks, many of which were placed on newly created shortcuts. Mario Kart 7 added gliding and underwater sections to many returning tracks to make use of the game's new features. Some retro tracks in Mario Kart 8 make use of the anti-gravity feature, as well as the returning gliding and underwater driving and, unlike Mario Kart DS, Mario Kart Wii, and Mario Kart 7, most of the retro courses now have remixed orchestrated background music and underwent dramatic changes to their race track and background settings, putting them in a completely different setting.
In order to play the Leaf Cup, the player must place first in the Shell Cup and the Banana Cup. And in order to play the Lightning Cup, the player must place first in the Leaf Cup. By placing first in the Lightning Cup, the player will earn an unlockable driver or vehicle, depending on the engine class - 50cc, 100cc, 150cc, or Mirror. In Mario Kart 7 and Mario Kart 8 however, the player must place first in the Shell Cup first to unlock the next Retro Cup and once unlocked, it's available for all engine classes.
A similar feature appears in Mario Kart: Super Circuit, where all of the racecourses from Super Mario Kart reappear in five cups of four courses, as opposed to the original four cups of five courses. These are the Extra Mushroom Cup, Extra Flower Cup, Extra Lightning Cup, Extra Star Cup and the Extra Special Cup.
Time Trial
Appears in: All
Every mainstream Mario Kart game features a Time Trial mode. In this mode, players race through the set amount of laps for each course in the fastest time that they can. In Super Mario Kart and Mario Kart 64, every course is playable; in other games, only unlocked courses can be raced on, with more courses being unlocked as the player races on them in Grand Prix. Also, players start out with a certain amount of Mushrooms, depending on what their item status is. In games without item statuses, the player starts out with a Triple Mushroom. In Mario Kart 8, if the player lets the timer max out (9:59.999), the trial will end, and the times for each lap are split evenly.[4]
Battle Mode
Appears in: All
Battle Mode is a gameplay mode in the Mario Kart series. Some games have multiple battle modes. In Battle Mode, the objective is to defeat all the other players. All games feature Balloon Battle, and some of the more recent additions in the series have additional modes. Until Mario Kart Wii, Battle Mode did not have a time limit, unless one excludes the Shine Thief mode of Mario Kart: Double Dash!! and Shine Runners from Mario Kart DS.
Balloon Battle
Appears in: All
Each player has a certain number of Balloons, with three as the default amount. In Super Mario Kart, players' balloons pop when they are being hit by any item, such as Bananas or Koopa Shells. The last one standing wins. In Mario Kart 64 onwards, balloons were let go after being hit by any item, or after falling off the course before Lakitu picks up the player.
In Mario Kart DS, the system of the mode was slightly changed. Players now have five Balloons, but start out with only one - the rest had to be blown up via 
, by holding down 
or by stealing them from players by bumping into them with a mushroom. Only three could be out at a time, and the player would be eliminated if they had no balloons out, even if they had more in reserve. This also marks the first time Battle Mode is playable in single player.
In Mario Kart Wii, the mode was permanently changed, with the battles now timed by three minutes. Also, the score was based on how many balloons popped, and was not a survival game, unlike others. With each balloon lost, the player will give the opposite team a point. If the player loses their three balloons, they will not be eliminated, rather they will receive another three balloons and continue on with the battle, though with one less point. When the three minutes are up, the team with the most points wins.
Balloon Battle in Mario Kart 7 is similar to Mario Kart Wii, but it can be played by themselves, and the battles are now timed by two minutes, resulting in a larger variety of balloon colors.
Up to five balloons can be obtained in Mario Kart Wii and Mario Kart 7 by using a Mushroom to steal other's balloons.
In Mario Kart 8, the mode returns and now retains both the last-man standing and timed features from previous games, as well as being available to both single and multiplayer. However, Balloon Battle is now played on race courses rather than arenas. Players can now change the time limit ranging from one to five minutes before starting.
Bob-omb Blast
Appears in: Mario Kart: Double Dash!!; Mario Kart 7 (Community Online Only)
In this mode, all items are Bob-ombs, and players can stack up to five Bob-ombs per character on their kart. When another player is hit by a Bob-omb explosion, that player loses a point (if they have one) and the other player gains it. The player who reaches three points first wins the match (four points in three and four player mode).
Although this mode does not appear in Mario Kart 7, Nintendo has a community of the same name that allows players to play online. This is similar to Balloon Battle except Bob-ombs only appear as items. The code for this community is 05-2097-9533-2225. Players offline, however, can set items so that only Bob-ombs appear; the same can be done in Mario Kart 8 as well.
Coin Runners
Appears in: Mario Kart Wii; Mario Kart 7
This game mode is similar to Shine Runners; the teams must collect as many coins as they can within the three-minute time limit. There are coins set on the stage from the beginning, and some that drop as the battle goes on. If a player with coins is hit by an item or falls off the stage, they will lose half of their total. The team with the most coins at the end of the time limit wins.
This battle mode has returned to Mario Kart 7 with some minor changes, this time players can only collect a maximum of ten coins within a two-minute time limit, and it can be played by themselves. If they get hit by an item, they will lose three coins instead.
Shine Runners
Appears in: Mario Kart DS
Shine Runners replaces Shine Thief from Mario Kart: Double Dash!!. Instead of one Shine Sprite, there are nine Sprites that fall onto the stage. Shines can be obtained by running into them. If hit by an item, the player will lose one shine, which will then drop at a random spot on the stage. After one minute, players with the least Shine Sprites are out for the rest of the battle and another thirty seconds is added to the time limit. This continues until only one player is left and that person will be declared the winner.
Shine Thief
Appears in: Mario Kart: Double Dash!!
In this mode, there is a Shine Sprite which can be found in the arena. As soon as a player has grabbed the Shine Sprite, a timer starts. The team that holds the Shine Sprite when time runs out wins. Other players can steal the Shine Sprite by using an item to hit the player holding it, and then taking the Sprite themselves. The timer is reset after this, but it starts at a lower amount each time. The number of players in the battle determines how long the Sprite must be held; a team must possess it for 60 seconds in a two-player game, 55 for three players, and 50 for four players.
VS.
Appears in: All
Versus (commonly shortened to VS.) is a mode much like Grand Prix, in which players race on courses that are selected by them.
In Super Mario Kart, the mode is called Match Race. In this mode, two players can square off against each other in a single five-lap race.
Mario Kart 64 also has VS. Mode but this time, up to four players can compete in a three-lap race.
In Mario Kart: Super Circuit, the VS mode can include up to four players. If only one Game Card is being used, all players race as Yoshis (not by choice) numerous times, gaining points depending on how many times the player wins. Only four courses can be played: Mario Circuit 1, Donut Plains 1, Ghost Valley 1, and Bowser Castle 1, four of the Super Mario Kart courses. If all players have their own game cartridge, then all tracks are available and all the playable characters can be used. It also becomes possible to to turn Item Boxes on or off, set the amount of laps (three or five) and also if all players start the race with a Triple Mushroom. VS mode is, like previous installments, not available in single player mode. The game also features a Quick Run mode, which shares similarities with VS mode.
In Mario Kart: Double Dash!!, the mode is mostly the same, except for some additions: all players can choose their racers and karts, and in the options menu, they can set the number of laps on every course and item variety. Additionally, by connecting multiple Nintendo GameCubes (up to eight) over a local area network using the Nintendo GameCube Broadband Adapter, up to 16 players (two per kart) can play a Versus match at one time. In the Select Mode menu on the LAN mode title screen, players can change the number of laps, course selection, and engine class.
Mario Kart DS and Mario Kart Wii feature a single-player VS mode, unlike previous installments. Also, unlike previous installments, VS mode acts more like Grand Prix mode with custom rules. In Mario Kart DS, the player will select their racer and kart, and then they can change CPU difficulty, course selection (randomly chosen or chosen by the player), engine class, the winning requirements, and whether to play in teams or not. In Mario Kart Wii, the player selects whether to play in teams or not, their racer and vehicle; if playing multiplayer, then both players select which team to be on. Team members are randomly chosen in both installments. Points are distributed based on standings at the end of the race, and the team with the most combined points wins. In the Download Play version in Mario Kart DS, up to eight players may play; however, if all players are only using one game cartridge, the racers are limited to course selection, and those who don't own the game cartridge must only play as varying colored Shy Guys.
For Mario Kart 7, players can customize the rules to their liking but this time, VS is only playable in multiplayer mode. Like with Mario Kart DS, when playing with others via Download Play, anyone playing that does not have a game cartridge must play as a Shy Guy and cannot customize their karts.
In Mario Kart 8, the mode returns now under the name VS Race. Players can still do VS Race alone like in Mario Kart DS and Mario Kart Wii.
Mission Mode
Appears in: Mario Kart DS
The Mission Mode consists of a series of tasks that appear only in Mario Kart DS. The player must complete each mission in a restricted time, in a determined course with the character that plays in the mission. There are seven levels which have eight missions in each. Completing all the missions on a level results in the player unlocking the last mission of that level, which is a battle against a boss. Mission completion is commonly ranked by how fast the player completes the mission, with C being the lowest and three stars being the highest; after clearing an entire level, a rank will be given based on the average of the grades given in the individual missions. The missions that appear vary from collecting objects, defeating enemies using the items, versus races, and passing through numbered gates.
Awards
- Longest Running Kart Game Franchise - Guinness Book of World Records Gamer's Edition 2009 - 2016
Name in other languages
References
- ^ http://www.ign.com/articles/2013/02/06/nintendo-and-namco-team-for-mario-kart-arcade-game
- ^ Big N Magazine. p.19. July-August 2000.
- ^ History page on Denaris' official website, 2004. Retrieved August 15, 2015
- ^ http://www.youtube.com/watch?annotation_id=annotation_4028507405&feature=iv&src_vid=mzuZBJL3jn4&v=xkS_1SVzibg
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