Difference between revisions of "Mario Kart 64"
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*''Mario Kart 64'' was released for download over the [[Wii]]'s [[Wii Virtual Console|Virtual Console]] in early 2007 and the [[Wii U]]'s [[Wii U Virtual Console|Virtual Console]] in 2016. | *''Mario Kart 64'' was released for download over the [[Wii]]'s [[Wii Virtual Console|Virtual Console]] in early 2007 and the [[Wii U]]'s [[Wii U Virtual Console|Virtual Console]] in 2016. | ||
+ | *In October 2021, it was among the initial wave of games in the [[Nintendo Switch]]'s library of Nintendo 64 games that were made available with the purchase of the Expansion Pack for [[Nintendo Switch Online]]. This supported the multiplayer of ''Mario Kart 64'' and allowed it to be played online. | ||
==Sequels== | ==Sequels== |
Latest revision as of 06:18, 26 October 2021
Mario Kart 64 | |
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Developer | Nintendo EAD |
Publisher | Nintendo |
System | Nintendo 64, Virtual Console (Wii, Wii U) |
Release Date | Nintendo 64 JP December 14, 1996 US February 10, 1997 EU June 24, 1997 Wii Virtual Console EU January 25, 2007 US January 29, 2007 JP January 30, 2007 Wii U Virtual Console JP January 6, 2016 PAL January 21, 2016 US December 29, 2016 |
Genre | Racing |
Gallery | GH Gallery |
Rating | ESRB: K-A |
Mario Kart 64 is a racing game that acts as a 3-D sequel to the original Super Mario Kart. It featuredsan expanded four-player multiplayer mode along with new items and characters.
Gameplay[edit]
Mario Kart 64 plays similarly to the previous game, but with polygonal graphics. The characters of Donkey Kong Jr. and the Koopa Troopa have been replaced with Donkey Kong and Wario. As before, items could be used to sabotage other racers. This installment introduces the infamous Spiny Shell, which homes in on the player in first place and blows them up. In addition to the standard racing mode, there are extras which include mirrored tracks and the option to race against "ghosts" of previous plays of stages. The ghosts in Time Trial mode could only be saved to the Nintendo 64 Controller Pak.
This installment was known for its multiplayer, which underwent a natural expansion due to the transition from Super NES to Nintendo 64. Up to four players could compete in races or Battle Mode.
Playable Characters[edit]
The game featured the following eight racers:
Tracks[edit]
Mushroom Cup | Flower Cup | Star Cup | Special Cup |
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Luigi Raceway | Toad's Turnpike | Wario Stadium | DK's Jungle Parkway |
Moo Moo Farm | Frappe Snowland | Sherbet Land | Yoshi Valley |
Koopa Troopa Beach | Choco Mountain | Royal Raceway | Banshee Boardwalk |
Kalimari Desert | Mario Raceway | Bowser's Castle | Rainbow Road |
Legacy[edit]
Mario Kart 64 was a very popular game and established the Mario Kart series in a 3-D environment. It acted as an influential game for Mario Kart games moving forward. It also was the first racing game and Mario spin-off game in general to incorporate Wario and the modern incarnation of Donkey Kong into the playable roster. The roster of eight characters featured in this game would go in to appear in nearly every following Mario Kart game and most of the other Mario spin-off games moving onwards.
Various courses from this game would reappear in later Mario Kart games (starting with Mario Kart DS) as Retro courses.
Ports and Remakes[edit]
- Mario Kart 64 was released for download over the Wii's Virtual Console in early 2007 and the Wii U's Virtual Console in 2016.
- In October 2021, it was among the initial wave of games in the Nintendo Switch's library of Nintendo 64 games that were made available with the purchase of the Expansion Pack for Nintendo Switch Online. This supported the multiplayer of Mario Kart 64 and allowed it to be played online.
Sequels[edit]
The next Mario Kart game was Mario Kart: Super Circuit for the Game Boy Advance, which blended elements from Super Mario Kart with Mario Kart 64. The next console Mario Kart was Mario Kart: Double Dash!!.
Titles in the Mario Kart Series |
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Super Mario Kart - Mario Kart 64 - Super Circuit - Double Dash!! - Mario Kart DS Mario Kart Wii - Mario Kart 7 - Mario Kart 8 (Deluxe) Mario Kart Arcade GP (2 - DX - VR) - Mario Kart Tour - Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit |