Sixteen years of Mario Kart

by Alisha Karabinus { Apr 20th 2008 at 12:00PM }

It's been nearly two decades since Super Mario Kart, and in that time, the five console releases have turned Mario's hobby into a powerhouse franchise in its own right. And no matter where you started in the series, be it with Super Mario Kart or Mario Kart: Double Dash, you've probably already noticed that the old adage applies here: the more things change, the more they stay the same.

We're kicking off a week of everything Mario Kart with an overall look at the franchise, with an emphasis on old familiar faces and places. Reappearing characters, recurring tracks, and our oldest memories with the series: you'll find it all right here.

Looking to stay spoiler-free? Only very basic information is revealed about Mario Kart Wii, near the end of the gallery.


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Tags: joystiqfeatures, mario-kart, mario-kart-64, mario-kart-double-dash, mario-kart-ds, mario-kart-super-circuit, mario-kart-week, mario-kart-wii, super-mario-kart

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Brian @ Apr 20th 2008 12:11PM

"Looking to stay spoiler-free? Only very basic information is revealed about Mario Kart Wii, near the end of the gallery."

Mario kart hasn't got a story to spoil

ffs

Perverted @ Apr 20th 2008 2:44PM

No but it has characters/tracks/karts/bikes and some people like to unlock them themselves and bask in their secretive glory....or something like that...

Patrick @ Apr 20th 2008 12:40PM

You guys should include the Japanese box art as part of that collage.

Truckondo @ Apr 20th 2008 12:51PM

Thanks for making me feel old!

Mikey @ Apr 20th 2008 1:02PM

Seems like just yesterday that I unwrapped the new and exciting Super Mario Kart...I do feel old..

Just_a_guy @ Apr 20th 2008 1:03PM

I want mario kart wii

Ed @ Apr 20th 2008 1:07PM

Awesome! I look forward to a week covering my favorite game!

Antonio @ Apr 20th 2008 2:51PM

I'd hate to bitch, but the depth seems a little lacking. The gallery and captions amount to "Hey remember this?" with no discussion about how things have changed. For instance, you mention red shells but don't discuss how they originally were much faster but wouldn't navigate around obstacles. You mention ice tracks but make no mention of how the traps and obstacles varied from game to game. I did like the comparison of Mario Circuit on SNES, GBA, and Wii though.

Mr Khan @ Apr 20th 2008 3:52PM

Mr Khan is not pleased that Yoshi is no longer a lightweight

Billston @ Apr 20th 2008 4:41PM

Pedant alert!

There are six Mario Kart games, not five. Hell, even your picture shows it

Shadow31 @ Apr 21st 2008 12:33PM

Um, it says five CONSOLE releases... in which case, there are four, if I'm not mistaken... SNES, N64, GCN, and Wii... so you're both wrong. :p

misterhearn @ Apr 20th 2008 6:50PM

Mario Kart Wii is great, the online blows SSBB out the water, the Mario Kart channel is a step forward in Nintendo Wifi, if anybody wants to get a game in send me a reply. I've had the game for about two weeks now and I'll try not to spoil it but if you liked the DS version you'll love this

Ethan @ Apr 21st 2008 1:51PM

I thought the Hindenburg one was perhaps in poor taste. Though certainly not too soon.

ethan @ May 11th 2008 1:17PM

i wish these were all the characters mkw had(i've had mkw 4 2 weeks...aand i only have 2 unlock mii(b) & dry bowser.)

funky kong
donkey kong
kiddy kong
king k. rool
dry bowser
bowser
petey pirahna
cheep cheep
kremling
magikoopa
kamek
kamella
koopatrol
paper mario
dixey kong
mario
luigi
koopa troopa
para koopa
goomba
dino pirahna
king kaliente
bowser jr.
baby bowser
gnawty
very gnawty
diddy kong
r.o.b.
wario
baby wario
waluigi
king boo
boo
boolosus
monty mole
birdo
yoshi
baby mario
baby peach
shy guy
baby yoshi
mii(a)
mii(b)
mii(c)
baby birdo
e. gadd
pianta
paper bowser
paper peach
paper luigi
count bleck
dimentio
super dimentio
giga bowser
dry giga bowser
wart
blooper
mimi
o 'chunks
nastaisa
paper goomba
paper dry bones
paper koopa troopa
mouser
lakuiti
hammer bro.
paper hammer bro.
boo mario
bee mario
boo luigi
bee luigi
luma(a)
luma(b)
green luma