Overview
- Number of Players
- 2
- Genre
- Release Date
Super Nintendo
- 27th Aug 1992
- 1st Sep 1992
- 21st Jan 1993
Wii (Wii Shop)
- 23rd Nov 2009, 800 points
- 2nd Apr 2010, 800 points
- 9th Jun 2009, 800 points
Wii U (Wii U eShop)
- 19th Jun 2013, ¥800
Wii U eShop
- 27th Mar 2014, £5.49
- 6th Aug 2014, $7.99
New Nintendo 3DS (3DS eShop)
- 17th Mar 2016, £7.19
- 24th Mar 2016, $7.99
Nintendo Switch Online (Subscription)
- Available Now
- Series
- Tags
Reviews
Review Super Mario Kart (New 3DS / SNES)
Classic karting on the small screen
Many Mario Karts later it can be a little disorientating to go back to where it all began. Each cup has five races. Laps are short, but there are five of them. Item boxes are squares laid flat on the ground and put out of use after you've run over them. The CPU characters don't collect items at all, but have a...
Review Super Mario Kart (Wii U eShop / SNES)
A timely boost for a classic
With a PAL release a mere nine months after the April 1992 launch of the UK SNES, during a 16-bit era where show-boating superior technology and exceptional console power was at the forefront of Nintendo’s objectives, Super Mario Kart remained humble in exhibiting its technical prowess. European gamers had been...
Review Super Mario Kart (Wii Virtual Console / Super Nintendo)
Back to the good old days before the blue shell from hell
Less than a year after the Super Nintendo was launched, our pals at Nintendo had the bright idea of taking the Super Mario World universe and squeezing it into a kart-racing game. It sounded like a crazy idea at the time, but they managed to pull it off with style and create an almost...
Screenshots 5
Super Mario Kart Guides
Guide Best Mario Kart Games Of All Time
Every Mario Kart, as ranked by you
Remember, this dynamic ranking is governed by every entry's User Rating on our database and is subject to real-time change, even now. Don't agree with the order? Feel free to get rating your game collection and potentially influence the ranking below. Enjoy! Back when Nintendo announced the very first Mario Kart...
Super Mario Kart News
Random 'Resident Evil Kart' ROM Hack Brings Fixed Camera Angles To Super Mario Kart
Up for a challenge?
Resident Evil and Mario Kart. Hardly the most likely pairing, eh? We'd be pretty confident assuming that a crossover isn't coming our way anytime soon, but if the last few years have proven one thing, it's that you can never rule out the hacking community. 'Resident Evil Kart' is a new ROM hack from SNES hacker MrL314 which...
Random Super Mario Kart Composer Launches Retro-Inspired Chiptune Album
LOOP816 is out now
If you're a fan of games like Super Mario Kart, Super Mario All-Stars, and Pilotwings, then you may have heard of Soyo Oka, a composer who worked with Nintendo from 1987 to 1995. Even if you're not aware of her by name, you will have no doubt heard a number of her more famous tracks, including Mario Circuit and
Random 'Super Mario Kart Deluxe' Romhack Gets The Franchise's Most Notorious Item
Feeling blue?
Everyone's got their favourite items when it comes to the Mario Kart franchise, but we'd be willing to bet that it probably isn't the Blue Shell. Introduced in Mario Kart 64 and subsequently becoming a mainstay in the franchise to this very day, the Blue Shell is a veritable nightmare for those cruising along in first place,...
Feature Super Mario Kart At 30: How 16-Bit Limitations Created A Franchise-Defining Mechanic
The gift of the drift
The landscape of the Mario Kart series looks very different today than it did back in 1992 when Super Mario Kart was released for the Super NES. Of course, there is a clear improvement with respect to visuals and we now have new characters, karts, and courses dropping all the time thanks to the Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Booster...
News 20th Super Mario Kart Championships Start Their Engines On Twitch Today
Off to the races
We are rapidly approaching the 30th anniversary of Super Mario Kart's Japanese release on the Super Famicom, but what if we told you that there is another SMK-adjacent anniversary happening today? We are, of course, talking about the Super Mario Kart Championships, which will be racing off the start line today in its 20th year of...
Video Take A Look At The Regional Differences In The Mario Kart Series
How does the Japanese version compare?
If you like Mario Kart and are a fan of the series' long-running history, this latest video from the same YouTube Channel behind Boundary Break (Shesez) is a must-watch. It investigates the regional differences in Nintendo's popular kart racing series - from different announcers in Mario Kart 64 to the...
Poll What's The Best Mario Kart Game?
Rate them Rainbow Roads
Some of us here at Nintendo Life Towers are convinced that your favourite Mario Kart game is simply the one you played first with three other players in the same room — or just one other player if you were there at the very beginning with Super Mario Kart on Super NES. We tend to think this because while we can all agree...
News Turns Out Sonic 2's Stars Have Impeccable Taste In Video Games
Chrono Trigger! GoldenEye! Contra!
The press blitz for the Sonic 2 movie is in full swing, and that means plenty of interviews with the cast – including James Marsden and Ben Schwartz, the latter of whom provides Sonic's voice in this and its forerunner. As you might imagine for a movie based on a video game, the topic of video games cropped up...
News Mario Kart Convinced Nintendo's President To Join The Company In The '90s
"I didn’t really play many Nintendo games"
Nintendo President Shuntaro Furukawa has revealed that Super Mario Kart played a huge role in getting him to join the company earlier in his life. Speaking to Nikkei, Furukawa spoke about his history with Nintendo and how he came to work for the Kyoto firm. He admits that, although he had a Super Famicom...
News Almost 30 Years Later, This Super Mario Kart Player Has Achieved An "Impossible" Record
From legend to Myth+
Super Mario Kart may have launched way back in 1993 and spawned several sequels since then, but it has lost none of its power when it comes to attracting record-breaking attempts. We've covered the likes of Sami Cetin on Nintendo Life in the past, as well as Guillaume "Antistar" Leviach – two of the world's best Super Mario...
About The Game
Start your engines for the original, legendary Super Mario Kart! Consistently ranked as one of the best video games ever made, it launched the kart racing genre and spawned five smash hit sequels.
Choose from eight of your favourite Mushroom Kingdom characters – from familiar faces like Mario and Bowser, to Donkey Kong Jr. in his only Mario Kart appearance.
Burn rubber across tracks rendered in fluid Mode 7 graphics, including many courses that still feature in Mario Kart games today; like Mario Circuit, Bowser Castle, Koopa Beach and the infamous Rainbow Road!
Race solo against the CPU, go head-to-head in split-screen, and experience the original version of Battle Mode – the great multiplayer favourite. And it wouldn't be Mario Kart without the sublime controls; power sliding is still as fun now as it ever was!
Comments 104
This and Mario Kart Super Circuit are the only Mario Karts I need for the complete collection, I hope this game will come to the Virtual Console.
Edit: Well, it just did...
When I was four I played this with my friend a lot, even though neither of us could ever win a course we still had lots of fun! I hope this comes to Virtual Console soon!
Super Circuit was garbage.
Yes, Super Circuit was garbage. However I do enjoy seeing Super Circuit courses on the DS and Wii Mario Kart games. I'll be downloading Super Mario Kart as soon as it appears.
OH MY GOSH! IT'S BEEN RATED! THANK YOU NITNENDO!
Nope wait a minute! It's been OFLC rated. No ESRB rating. Never mind.
Super Circuit was not garbage, it was good. However, this is the Mario Kart I have been waiting for since the VC was announced.
When is the ESRB going to rate this?
It probably already is for all we know. The ESRB doesn't always show games before they get released.
I actually liked Super Circuit. I had this, although I prefer the N64 version.
Mario Kart 64 was always my favorite. But, this game was pretty fun!
Super Circuit being garbage? It's the second best Mario Kart right after the original.
Can we say top 20 VC Games list anyone? I see this as being at least number 3 or 4 on that list once it is out.5th at the very least.
I hope this or SSB is VC Game number 300.Then again if it comes out before or after as long as it is this year i'll be just fine.
Come on ESRB. Let's rate this game.
@JTCPingas09: Yeah, we all can't wait for the ESRB rating, but at least the OFLC rating's worth something! Even though it's not alot lol
@WolfLink22: There have been many rumors out there that Zelda: Majora's Mask will be the 300th release in the US, however, anything's a possibility!
I also agree that we can't wait forever for this game to be ERSB rated... but my guesses Nintendo might hold out on the surprises after E309 & maybe, just maybe; Super Mario Kart will be ERSB rated & might come out within the end of 2009! So my guesses sometime within June or July it gets ERSB rated & maybe come out... it its later though in Q4 of 2009; so be it!
BTW I probably will get the game; but it looks SOO outdated to the N64 Mario Kart! I probably won't play it at all ever so often & it'll sit on my SD card menu with all of the other games I rarely play!
& BTW; I think the N64 version is the best in the series... unlike Mario Kart Wii however!
Yes, Super Circuit is garbage in my opinion, well compared to every other Mario Kart game, it is definetly the worst game in the series. Now as for a prediction, I don't have a clue. I know Majora's Mask is going to be 300, while Europe probably will get it for 300 and we get it for 350 and then it starts a cycle in which good games we get every 50 after Europe, theres my prediction I don't want to be mean, but this is how I see it is going to happen and it will piss off a lot of NOA gamers including myself.
If MM is vc game number 300 then i'll be ok with it.Because i still have it in cart form.
If VC Game number 300 is SSB then i'll need more Wii Points.
If we do end up getting Super Mario Kart for VC Game number 300 then i'll have just enough for it unless we get ClayFighter as VC Game 299.
I just hope we start getting great VC Games again very soon.
i'm super happy to see this coming
its the only mario kart i really like and which gave me the best memories
actually the best racing game for me, and i dont like much racing games
thx alot nintendo, now put it up in VC soon enough
Never got to play this, but it looks like Wacky Wheels for PC. Anyone who can compare these two?
At long last! This is the game I've been waiting for years to download! Hopefully we'll get the SNES-style controller that the Japanese have as I can't imagine winning the 150cc Special Cup with anything else!
This is without a shadow of the doubt one of the greatest games of all time and by far the best Mario Kart in terms of pure racing. Don't judge it off it's appearance, yes it's a bit blocky but the game moves at an incredible speed on 100cc/150cc for a 16-bit game (far faster than the dreadful N64 game). There is more emphasis on the racing and no blue shell so the game relies on your driving skills and the more tactical use of weapons.
Oh how you'll hate the Princess and her special mushrooms!
@21 Mr.64
If you shrink your Racer in Super Mario Kart and want to be bigger without resetting the game then Princess Toadstool and Toad's Poison Mushrooms will make you bigger instead of making you smaller.
Such a great game My only complaint would be it's perhaps a little too unforgiving if you make mistakes. Otherwise it's the best racing game ever made in my opinion.
Needs to come to NA, & not until the next 50th, or 100th release, either!
it will probably be the 250th release or something:(
@gardawg62: don't you mean 350?
I think 1 of N's biggest flubs this gen, is how they are handling the VC. I know they wanna stretch it out, but 1 VC game per week is stupid.
Well this is coming out for freaking Japan on June 9th. The only way we'll get this before Japan is if we get this on June 8th.
still not on VC yet, but maybe we get right after japan gets it
that is next weekend, we'll see
all i hope is that it'll be before 350th VC game if not, THE 350th one
I have to admit i'm a little bit jealous of Japan getting this first but what do you expect? they make the games. But at least we know that SMK is confirmed for America & Europe.
jealous of japan?
you're nuts... but so am i cuz i also am bit of jealous now
japan has it, we get it, i'll wait for it
the character i always used in SMK is Toad
simply cuz Toad and Koopa Troopa are fast and handlings are easiest IMO
I too agree I'm jealous of Japan... actually MAD at them though!
This is in fact the second good game they got; other than SSB64!
Somehow I bet we'll get both for June & July of 2009 though... that's what I'm hoping for anyway!
The only reason I was able to get gold in all the races was because this was one of only three games I had for 6 or 7 years. Lets hope my skills from Mario Kart Wii transfer over, otherwise it will be a while before I can master this one again.
@12. KeeperBvK I agree.
When I heard about the VC for the first time all those years ago, the first game I taught about was super mario kart. Now 3 years later its still not released. I had given up hope but now it looks like we might get it soon.
Nintendo Please release this game in europe and america sooner rather than later.
This is my Second Most Wanted VC game. I hope it comes Very Soon.
Shoot if USA and Europe get SMK in June then i will get SMK and skip SSB for i long while since i no longer own Super Mario Kart i want to have it again.
The daddy of all Mario Karts - none of the others come close. Most looked forward to VC release ever
this would be my 1st place of wanted list if:
1. robotrek wont come to VC
2. hanabi wont come for long time
and i think nr 2 is sure
so, its my most wanted for now
Best racing game ever made. So many great memories playing this in my pre-teen years. Can't wait for it to come out on the VC.
I hope that this game comes out sometime this Summer along with SSB64!
My original for SNES doesn't work as well anymore... I would love it if this was on Virtual Console. Gotta respect the classics.
Hey, this game might come out soon for VC after all! It came out June 9 for Japan!
I hope this comes out in U.K this fri, but I can't see it happening this soon...
Absolute classic with the music and all,will absolutely buy this when it comes out.
Absolute classic!!
Oh my God...the Mario Kart series of games has to be one of the best franchises ever. IMO, Mario Kart Wii is the best and 64 is a close second but I used to have this on the SNES before it broke and it was one of my favorite games and since I've just had it on an emulator. But now that its on a real platform I'm so excited. I can't use my laptop keys anymore. I want to use a controller. The minute this comes out I'm downloading it!
And BTW, the music on this one is the greatest over each Mario Kart game with the exception of 64.
Definitely the most difficult, and the most thrilling, Mario Kart ever ! Don't expect the bonuses to compensate for you lack of talent in this game. A must-buy when it comes out on the virtual console catalogue !!
this is an great racing game. I encorage everyone with a with a wii to download this as soon as it comes on
This really has to come to Europe & America! Come on Nintendo!
This os the only mario kart i havent played. Thank you nintendo!
Before Christmas would be nice
@51: Hmm....
It is a classic game that everyone has to try
This is seriously the best mario kart game
I agree with carson. Come on Nintendo this has to come out by Christmas 2009.
if it comes near xmas, it should come to both europe and america, so first in europe at friday, then next monday to NA, would be fair and more people can be happy that way
this game has the best game music in the history of the planet
Too bad I already own this game. I expect this to come out for Christmas or as game #350.
Please let it come out by Christmas this year.
@Mario 34: Your prayer is answered. It's coming out this Monday.
Thanks for the news Super Smash Bros Fan 1999. Please Nintendo Release this in Australia and Europe this Friday PLEASEEE
Maybe they didn't release anything on Friday for Europe Or Australia Because if this came out on Friday it would be the 300 for Australia, 320 for Europe. Since NA is geting it on Monday it will be the 330 release.
DS my fav
Then 64
Then Wii
This is the last one I need to complete the collection
P.S Super Circuit Rocked
FINALLY!
Almost there, hopefully. Can't wait for an fantastic tommorow, even if I'm not able to get the game then and if it is the only game released tommorow.
Of course we've been wrong before.
Can't wait till tomorrow!
YAY!
Will I still be able to do Mario Circuit 1 on Time Trials in just over a minute? No, probably not. And under a minute has always been quite impossible for me. Never came close even during my best.
finally in NA, now for europe
i'll buy it for sure once its here
i just cant wait for this to be in europe, same with kirby super star
lets hope they wont wait with it for europe
Glad we didn't have to wait 'till #350.
I really hope that It comes in out in Australia and Europe this Friday.
I have Wii Points at the ready. My only problem is deciding what other game to get with the left over points.
At least this is finally out in USA now and this can reconfirm that it will come to AU and Europe in due time but for europe's sake you can at least wait until Christmas because it is on a Friday and you've had SSB longer then we've had SMK so it's only fair.
May I remind you that Europe has been waiting over two years for Axelay and still has to wait.
Can't wait to play this again soon. I already have the points to buy it.
(Delete)
Spend many joyfull hours at friends playing this game in the past, once it comes I will get it.
Gonna have to get this one soon
It is going to be the best day of the year when Super Mario Kart comes out In Australia and Europe
Just seen a British Nintendo magazine site, I don't think Super Mario Kart is coming to European VC on Christmas Day. But how about if we wait and see but I'm disappointed all ready!!!
I hope they are keeping it a suprise for Christmas
Just had this gifted to me today. Must say I love it so far! It has the potential to be my favorite Mario Kart/SNES game it seems.
its weird, i thought it'd be here at xmas, i liked this game as a present
i hope the next update gives us this one
ps. even worse, no VC for xmas at all :S
Remember back in the day my cousin and I would play this until the morning. I'm just not sure if I should my points in it.
I hate japan for making us wait so long for this to arrive on the European virtual console!! now america has it...before us.
When will it come
Fianlly decided to buy it. Soon as it loaded all the memories came back. Even my mom remmebred the game from like 10 years ago when I stilled owned a Super Nintendo.
It has to come sooner or later for Aus and Europe
Since Japan and North America has it now, Europe and Australia requires a wait for this game. It will hopefully come any time soon. After that I'll need to get some Wii Points from a shop and download this and play it all over again.
thats what happens when you keep super smash bros 64 to your selves
We didn't do it on purpose, we would not have cared if you have gotten it the same day as us
Excellent SNES memories
@92
wish i could trade my SSB for someone else's SMK, but thats impossible
dunno whats taking them so long, its a nintendo licensed game o_O
The release for Europe has finally announced. I better get a Wii points card fast or I might lose a Mushroom on the track.
Dang, I got Streets of Rage 2 over this. Perhaps another week if I'll get this game.
i got it right when i woke up
i was waiting for its release which was at 00:00, but got so tired, i fell asleep and woke up 3 hours later, so i decided to sleep and then get it next morning
i love the game as i always did
already got 1st in all courses in mushroom, cup 50cc, and didnt play for years
just gotta get used to this again, lol
next game i'm waiting for is kirby super star (in EU its kirby fun pak)
ps. i use the classic controller for this game, works just as good as the SNES controller, as it has the same shape
Too hard.
A lot of great memories are coming back after playing this game again over the past few weeks. Got it as soon as it came out on the VC
Hi...first time to this site. What is a VC?? This is my favorite game of all time. i love the battle mode. Is there any chance they would ever make a replica which would allow online gameplay?
@phatbak35
The VC stands for Virtual console where old games like Super Mario Kart are rereleased though the wii's online store. The chances of the game getting an online mode are slim to none
This game is great, it became the most successful Mario Kart game ever. Since it was the 1st game game ever, Super Mario Kart spawned 5 sequels of the series in history.
Happy 20th Anniversary!
Super mario kart is hard and fun
Super Mario kart is so good
I have mixed opinions about Super Mario Kart. I know it started the series and everything, but it honestly feels pretty clunky to play (but then again, that's probably since I never grew up with this game). The soundtrack is great (but then again, every SNES game had a great soundtrack), and some of the courses are pretty fun to play on, but I don't really think that Super Mario Kart holds up as well as the other Mario Kart games.
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