Ranking the Mario Kart Games: A Definitive Guide
Unleash your inner racer with the ultimate Mario Kart game ranking! From classic favorites to modern hits, discover how each game stacks up in this epic comparison Get ready to rev your engines and explore the thrilling world of Mario Kart!
Article Key Points
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe
is widely considered the best
Mario Kart
game, with its extensive tracklist, vast character roster, and balanced karts.
Mario Kart DS
revolutionized the series with the introduction of Battle Mode and Mission Mode, offering players unique challenges and creative racing tracks.
Mario Kart: Double Dash!!
The co-op gameplay of Mario Kart sets it apart, offering players the ability to swap racers and unleash weapons, resulting in a thrilling and enjoyable experience. This iconic racing game series has captivated audiences of all ages for decades, thanks to its endearing Mario characters, energetic music, crazy tracks, and undeniable frustration caused by the infamous blue shells. Mario Kart's popularity shows no signs of waning, promising more enjoyment for years to come.
Mario Kart is widely regarded as one of the greatest racing games ever made, and its success can be traced back to its first version on the SNES. Over the years, new titles have been released with unique features. However, with so many options available, it begs the question: which Mario Kart game is the best?
Updated on November 9, 2023, by Jake Fillery: Mario Kart continues to dominate as the most iconic racing game series of all time, thanks to its beloved characters, exciting weapons, and enjoyable tracks. To celebrate Mario Kart's rich history, Mario Kart 8 recently launched its final wave of the Booster Course Pack. With a legacy spanning decades and various gaming consoles, determining the ultimate Mario Kart game is a challenging task. This update aims to answer that question by presenting the pros and cons of each title, while also including the Metascore to gauge the opinions of both critics and fans.
10. Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit (2020)
Metascore: 75
Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit
Platform(s) SwitchReleased October 16, 2020Developer(s) Velan StudiosGenre(s) Racing
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Mario Kart at home may sound appealing, but to truly experience the joys of Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit, ample space in the living room and a floor without carpet are must-haves. This game transports the racing action from the couch to the real world, allowing players to design their own custom courses filled with any number of obstacles.
This innovative game utilizes various elements and requires additional purchases, but the main drawback of Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit lies in its accessibility and replayability. While players are able to create their own tracks, they will never experience the exhilarating mayhem of Rainbow Road.
9. Super Mario Kart (1992)
Metascore: n/a
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Super Mario Kart, as the inaugural title in the Mario Kart series, established the groundwork and displayed the potential for future iterations. With its diverse selection of characters and tracks, Super Mario Kart served as the catalyst for the franchise's inception. However, given that the original game is now over 30 years old, it fails to measure up to the standards set by its successors.
Considering Super Mario Kart's status as the foundation of the franchise, it comes as no surprise that certain technological limitations hinder its gameplay experience. The map occupies a significant portion of the screen, making it difficult to anticipate the upcoming track due to the graphical limitations. Nevertheless, these drawbacks do not diminish the status of Super Mario Kart as a timeless classic.
8. Mario Kart Super Circuit (2001)
Metascore: 93
Mario Kart: Super Circuit
Platform(s) Game Boy Advance, Nintendo Switch, 3DS, Wii UReleased August 11, 2001Developer(s) Intelligent SystemsGenre(s) Racing
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The Mario Kart franchise makes its way into the Game Boy Advance era, incorporating elements from previous games to evolve the series. Essentially, this game serves as a superior version of the original Super Mario Kart, characterized by a smaller "mini-map" that no longer occupies half of the screen. Although Mario Kart Super Circuit does have some drawbacks, it is still an enjoyable experience.
7. Mario Kart 64 (1997)
Metascore: 83
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Mario Kart 64 brought the popular 2D Mario Kart franchise into the 3D realm. The racing tracks now possess intricate details, elevating the overall experience and creating a heightened sense of speed. This intensified racing action makes competing against friends or computer opponents feel even more thrilling and perilous.
Thanks to its inclusion of new items and iconic tracks, Mario Kart 64 holds a special nostalgic charm. Even though it evokes memories of the past, newcomers to the series can still appreciate this game as it laid the foundation for future titles that surpass it in quality.
6. Mario Kart Tour (2019)
Metascore: 59
Mario Kart Tour
Platform(s) Android, iOSReleased September 25, 2019Developer(s) Nintendo EPDGenre(s) Racing
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Fans of Mario Kart were disappointed when the popular game went mobile. Mario Kart Tour offers exciting tracks from around the world, but the issue lies with the in-app purchases required to unlock characters and items, as well as the challenging touch controls that differ greatly from using a controller.
While Mario Kart Tour offers a relatively safe experience and is free to play on mobile devices, the cumbersome touch controls make racing more difficult, despite the game's improved gameplay and graphics compared to other titles.
5. Mario Kart 7 (2011)
Metascore: 85
Mario Kart 7
Platform(s) Nintendo 3DSReleased December 1, 2011Developer(s) Nintendo, Nintendo EAD, Retro StudiosGenre(s) Racing, Action
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Mario Kart 7 introduces exciting new features to the franchise, including the addition of gliders and underwater racing tracks. Despite the disappointment among fans over the exclusion of Waluigi and the replacement of the Honey Queen, Mario Kart 7 still offers innovative gameplay for 3DS players. The game showcases stunning 3D graphics, creating thrilling tracks that will keep players engaged. Furthermore, the expanded customizable kart options provide players with a diverse and immersive gaming experience.
4. Mario Kart DS (2005)
Metascore: 91
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Mario Kart DS offered players a wealth of fresh experiences to dive into. It not only introduced Battle Mode and the beloved racing modes from previous installments, but also premiered Mission Mode. This innovative addition allowed players to engage in exhilarating challenges and missions, all in the pursuit of rewards and endless entertainment.
Aside from the thrilling Mission Mode, Mario Kart DS showcased a collection of inventive circuits that brought together the finest tracks from the Mario Kart franchise. These diverse courses offered players a delightful blend of unpredictable chaos and excitement. Moreover, fans were relieved to discover that the notorious Snaking Technique did not make a reappearance, a fact that brought them immense joy.
3. Mario Kart: Double Dash!! (2003)
Metascore: 87
Mario Kart: Double Dash
Platform(s) GameCube, WiiReleased November 17, 2003Developer(s) Nintendo EADGenre(s) Racing
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Two is better than one, as they say, and Mario Kart: Double Dash takes this concept to heart by making co-op gameplay a necessity. In this game, each racer is paired with a passenger who can switch racers and unleash their own arsenal of weapons. The result is a heightened level of intensity, not only from the thrilling and diverse racing tracks, but also from the chaotic mayhem that ensues when two players share a kart.
The true allure of Mario Kart: Double Dash lies in its co-op gameplay. Players will find endless enjoyment in the expansive character roster, exciting game modes, and captivating tracks. The element of unpredictability and pure fun ensures that every race provides a unique and exhilarating experience, making it possible for anyone to emerge as the victor.
2. Mario Kart Wii (2008)
Metascore: 82
Mario Kart Wii
Platform(s) WiiReleased April 27, 2008Developer(s) Nintendo EADGenre(s) Racing
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Mario Kart Wii offers nearly everything that fans adore. The exhilarating music sets the tone as players speed through a mix of classic and imaginative tracks. The extensive character roster offers abundant choices, while the option to customize karts allows players to tailor their strategy to secure first place. It is worth noting that Funky Kong is a popular choice among players. The inclusion of the Wii Remote as a steering wheel adds a new level of immersion to the gameplay, despite not preventing the incoming barrage of red and blue shells. Despite the controversy surrounding the addition of bikes and their unbalanced speeds, Mario Kart Wii is still regarded as one of the finest entries in the series for numerous compelling reasons.
1. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe (2017)
Metascore: 92
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe
Platform(s) SwitchReleased April 28, 2017Developer(s) Nintendo EAD, Nintendo EPDGenre(s) Racing
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Mario Kart 8, released in 2014 for the Wii U, received a Deluxe edition for the Nintendo Switch in 2017. This new edition became the definitive version to play. Due to its popularity and accessibility, the release of Mario Kart 9 is yet to be seen. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe excels in several aspects, making it difficult to find flaws.
The game offers a wide range of characters to choose from and an extensive track list. The additional content of the Booster Course Pack further enhances the game's innovative features. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe provides multiple options for racing through its comprehensive customization system. Additionally, players can enjoy both online and offline play, adding to the overall fun and competitiveness of the game.
Editor's P/S
As an enthusiastic fan of the Mario Kart series, I am thrilled to share my opinions and feelings about the ranking of these iconic games. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, with its impressive tracklist, diverse character roster, and well-balanced karts, truly deserves its place as the best Mario Kart game. The game offers a thrilling and immersive racing experience that keeps players engaged and entertained.
On the other hand, Mario Kart: Super Circuit, while a solid entry in the series, falls short compared to its successors. The limited capabilities of the Game Boy Advance platform become apparent in the game's graphics and gameplay mechanics. Despite its shortcomings, Mario Kart: Super Circuit still manages to provide a fun and enjoyable racing experience for fans of the series.
