GCN Luigi Circuit
- This article is about the race course from Mario Kart: Double Dash!! and retro course in Mario Kart DS. For other race tracks with the same name, see Luigi Circuit.
| Luigi Circuit | |||||||||||
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| Appears in | Mario Kart: Double Dash!! (2003) Mario Kart DS (2005) | ||||||||||
| Cup(s) | Mushroom Cup (Double Dash!!) Shell Cup (DS) | ||||||||||
| Online play | No longer available (DS) | ||||||||||
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Luigi Circuit is the introductory track of Mario Kart: Double Dash!!, serving as the first course of the Mushroom Cup and All-Cup Tour in the game. It is Luigi's home track of the game. The course shape is a distorted stadium that is pinched in the middle, with several dash panels on both U-turns. Because of this, racers can see each other drive in opposite directions in the middle of the course. A Chain Chomp is located at the entrance of the first U-turn, attacking racers that drive too close to it. In every other setting than 50cc, the barrier separating both sides is removed, making most of the first and second halves of the course overlap. However, going through both U-turns is still required to complete a lap. The layout of this course bears a resemblance to the layout of the AVUS circuit in Germany and also resembles the layout of the Mario Kart 64 track Luigi Raceway.
This track shares its music with Mario Circuit and Yoshi Circuit. An arrangement of it appears in Dance Dance Revolution: Mario Mix under the title "Rollercoasting". An arrangement of the music for these courses also appears as one of the selectable songs that can be played during events in Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games (Nintendo DS version), Mario & Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games (Wii version), and Mario & Sonic at the Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games.
Luigi Circuit reappears in Mario Kart DS as the fourth and final course of the Shell Cup.
Mario Kart: Double Dash!!
Course layout
The course starts off next to what looks like a building for box seats with a garage below. Players can drive on either side of the main road leading up to the first turn, which goes to the left, passing a Chain Chomp in the process. In the background, a rank "A" mansion from the end of Luigi's Mansion can be seen. After the turn, players once again enter the merged lane on their way back up to the start/finish line to start the cycle again on the next lap. A lake can be seen on the right, but no life is seen in it. After the second wide turn, which also goes to the left, the lap is completed. The course somewhat resembles the layout of N64 Luigi Raceway from Mario Kart 64.
In split-screen mode, the blimps that fly above the course and the flowers are missing.
Shortcuts
There are no shortcuts in the 50cc version of the course. If the difficulty is above 50cc, players can go far to the right side of the merged lanes to find an alternate route with two Double Item Boxes. Players take this shortcut behind the Chain Chomp and reach quickly the slope with dash panels of the first corner. However, sometimes the shortcut may be blocked by the Chain Chomp. There is a similar path before the final turn.
Staff ghost
To unlock the staff ghost (using Luigi/Mario in the Red Fire kart), the player must achieve a time faster than 1:29.000.
Mario Kart DS
This version of Luigi Circuit makes its classic course debut in Mario Kart DS as the fourth and last course of the Shell Cup. The course's map has been rotated 180 degrees. This rendition of Luigi Circuit is almost identical to the original, although the long straightaways are notably wider and the shortcuts were removed. The barrier that was seen in 50cc in the original version has been removed completely. The blimp as seen in GBA Luigi Circuit is also visible, but only in the demo version of the game. The background has also been reduced to a flat image instead of actual models. The course was playable over the game's Wi-Fi.
This course shares its introduction fanfare with nitro courses Figure-8 Circuit, Waluigi Pinball, and Mario Circuit. It is the only retro course to have this theme.
Missions
There are two missions that take place on Luigi Circuit:
- Mission 2-7: The player controls Toad, who must pass through 10 gates within 55 seconds. Each Item Box contains a Mushroom.
- Mission 3-3: The player controls Luigi, who must collect 15 coins gathered near the middle of the track within 25 seconds. During this mission, the Chain Chomp has been moved to this area as well.
Staff ghost
The staff ghost for this course is 1:29.759, using Luigi in the Poltergust 4000.
Profiles
Mario Kart: Double Dash!!
- Instruction booklet bio: "Though the Chain Chomp is a bit noisy, this is a relatively peaceful course. The front straight and back straight run parallel to each other, so you'll see your rivals coming and going. Whether you opt for the outside line and the dash panels or cut it close and stay on the inside track is up to you."
- North American website bio: "A great beginner’s course, Luigi Circuit has long straightaways and big, loping curves on either end."
- European website bio: "Long and lanky, like Luigi himself, Luigi Circuit is also home to a Chain Chomp that snaps at any racers who dare to come close."
Mario Kart DS
- European website bio: "Named after the taller of the two Mario brothers, Luigi Circuit aptly features two long straights where you can really put your foot down. These are topped and tailed by two banking curves covered with Dash Panels. But watch out for the hungry Chain Chomps!"
Sponsors
- Luigi Grand Prix (Trackside banners)
- Luigi Racing Team (Signs)
- Luigi Tires (Trackside banners)
- Mario Kart (Trackside banners)
- Mario Racing (Trackside banners)
- Nintendo (Signs)
- Shoot!! (Trackside banners)
- Super Mario (Trackside banners)
Gallery
Mario Kart: Double Dash!!
Artwork showcasing many teams racing on the course
Course logo
Pre-release course logo
The teams are lined up and ready to race
The 50cc version of the track
The track when played on 100cc and 150cc
The track when played in Mirror Mode
The first shortcut
The second shortcut
Lakitu, signaling the start of the Grand Prix race
Yoshi and Donkey Kong going around a curve
Prototype screenshot of Mario and Koopa driving down the merged section
Mario Kart DS
Course icon
Bowser races on the racetrack in an early build
Bowser almost completes the second lap in an early build
Luigi racing in Grand Prix
Luigi races on the racetrack in an early build
Names in other languages
| Language | Name | Meaning | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Japanese | ルイージサーキット[?] Ruīji Sākitto |
Luigi Circuit | |
| French | Circuit Luigi[?] | Luigi Circuit | |
| German | Luigis Piste[?] | Luigi's Circuit | |
| Italian | Circuito di Luigi[?] | Luigi's Circuit | |
| Korean | 루이지 서킷[?] Ruiji Seokit |
Luigi Circuit | |
| Spanish | Circuito de Luigi[?] | Luigi's Circuit |
Trivia
- This version of Luigi Circuit is one of five courses in the Mario Kart series that allows racers to run into other racers going in the opposite direction, the others being Tour Paris Promenade, DS Peach Gardens, Tour Amsterdam Drift, and Tour Rome Avanti in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe.
- It is however the only course to have this property for all three laps and to have always had it in every appearance. It is also the only one that is not in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, and its original iteration is the only one that is not a classic course.
- As of the 2023 Mii Tour, this is the only GCN course in Mario Kart DS to not appear in Mario Kart Tour, and is only one of three classic courses in Mario Kart DS with this distinction, the others being N64 Moo Moo Farm and N64 Banshee Boardwalk.
