Back when Nintendo announced the very first Mario Kart game in the early '90s, there were some in the industry who proclaimed it as a sign that the veteran firm had finally lost its marbles. Sure, Mario had appeared in other games, but his forte was 2D platformers – he had no place on the racing track, and Super Mario Kart was initially viewed as a questionable attempt to shoe-horn the famous mascot into a genre where he simply didn't belong. As you might expect, when these same nay-sayers actually got to play it, and they changed their tune.
Since then, Mario Kart has become one of Nintendo's most successful properties and has sold in excess of 100 million copies worldwide across all titles. But, you may well ask, which one is best? That's not an easy question to answer in a series which has only seen eight console entries (nine if you include Mario Kart 8 Deluxe), but all of those instalments are solid gold classics (before you ask, no we've not included the arcade entries, because we like being stubborn traditionalists at Nintendo Life). We have added the mixed reality racer Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit and the mobile-only Mario Kart Tour, though. We quite like the latter, but no prizes for guessing where it finishes up. The rest were incredibly tough to place, though!
Still, we like a challenge, so here goes. Please don't hurl any rotten fruit until the end.
10. Mario Kart Tour (Mobile)
The first entry in the series to make the jump to mobile devices which aren't Nintendo handhelds, anyone coming to this expecting a facsimile of the console games will probably be disappointed - this free-to-play version was never going to rival the majesty of Mario Kart 8! The game has been built around one-handed mobile play and can't even be played in landscape mode. Couple that with some confusing and questionable monetisation mechanics and it's easy to see this as a blight on the series' good name.
However, you're not obliged to go in for all those unseemly microtransactions, there's no limit on playtime as found in many other mobile games (including some of Nintendo's) and - taken in context - it's a pleasantly diverting mobile take on your favourite kart racer. Crucially, it costs nothing to find out for yourselves, so there's no reason not to take this for a test drive.
9. Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit (Switch)
Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit is a startlingly authentic "mixed reality" recreation of Nintendo's most popular racing series which encourages you to be inventive with your course designs and does an excellent job of combining your real-world surroundings with the fantasy environments of the Mushroom Kingdom; add in a second player (or three, or four) and it becomes even more compelling. The tech side of things is undeniably impressive and it's impossible to not raise a smile the first time you play; the question is how long that magic will last, especially if your home limits your track designs and you've only got the budget to cover the cost of a single car.
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8. Mario Kart 64 (N64)
After the success of the SNES original, people had high hopes for the N64 sequel; it was one of the console's most anticipated early releases and it was clear, even back then, that Mario Kart as a franchise would seriously benefit from the shift to 'proper' 3D. What we actually got was rather underwhelming; Nintendo opted for pre-rendered 2D sprites for the racers so only the courses themselves were presented in full 3D. The 'rubber band' AI that has since become a series hallmark is really exaggerated, too; it can make some races feel like a slog as only a perfect lap will suffice, especially when racing at higher levels. Even with these issues, Mario Kart 64 is still a million times better than the many 'me too' kart racers that populated the gaming landscape back in the late '90s.
7. Mario Kart Super Circuit (GBA)
Those fans who loved the flat tracks and tight power-sliding gameplay of the original Super Mario Kart were pleased as punch when Nintendo confirmed that it was bringing the series to the Game Boy Advance with a more 'retro' look. The portable was only really capable of replicating the performance of the SNES – it certainly wasn't up to the standard of the N64 or GameCube – so Mario Kart Super Circuit ended up feeling like the Super Mario Kart sequel we never got on Nintendo's 16-bit console. Sure, the visual style has arguably aged worse than the SNES version, but this pint-sized speed-fest packs in plenty of content. If multiplayer is your thing then make sure you go for the original game on original GBA hardware – the 3DS Ambassador version and Wii U Virtual Console version lack any multiplayer features.
6. Mario Kart: Double Dash!! (GCN)
Mario Kart: Double Dash!! divided fans at the time of release and even got some pretty negative reviews in the gaming press; while it's certainly not the best Mario Kart outing available, its reputation is undeserved. At the time of release it was effortlessly the most visually attractive game in the franchise and the introduction of a second character was a neat touch – even if it's something that hasn't been reproduced in the subsequent sequels. Double Dash!! is unquestionably a fun game but the lack of any truly new ideas holds it back somewhat; again, this is only when comparing it to other Mario Kart instalments. The competition at the time was nowhere close.
5. Super Mario Kart (SNES)
The game that started it all remains surprisingly playable and accessible, even after all this time. There's no worrying about picking karts or wheels here; you select your character and hit the track. The split-screen layout (which is present even when racing solo) encourages a second player to pick up the pad, and it's certainly a game that is best enjoyed with a friend (or foe). The Battle mode has also stood the test of time superbly, and that iconic power-slide move still feels natural and intuitive. Sure, it's rather bare-bones when compared to its successors, but Super Mario Kart is fun distilled, and its narrow focus actually ends up being a benefit – especially if you're looking for the ideal pick-up-and-play multiplayer challenge.
4. Mario Kart DS (DS)
Mario Kart DS may look crude when compared to the other 3D efforts included in this list, but its place in Mario Kart history is secured by the fact that it was the first in the series to offer online play – and that was a real game-changer back in 2005. Sure, the online modes were limited even by the standards of the time, but being able to play against people all over the world really took the game to another level. While it was soon bettered by the likes of Mario Kart Wii and Mario Kart 7, Mario Kart DS will always have a place in our hearts.
3. Mario Kart Wii (Wii)
Following the online exploits of Mario Kart DS it was almost a given that Mario Kart Wii would follow suit and include the ability to play against the world – thankfully, despite the console's rather anaemic online capabilities, the experience was nothing short of stunning. While the visual weaknesses of the Wii hardware are sometimes a little too obvious, Mario Kart Wii remains a solid racer and the introduction of motion controls (who could forget that plastic wheel accessory?) help to make it one of the most accessible entries in the series – which is probably why it has sold a staggering 37.14 million copies since launch. Phew!
2. Mario Kart 7 (3DS)
A vast improvement in visual terms over Mario Kart DS – and a great showcase of the autostereoscopic capabilities of the 3DS itself – Mario Kart 7 (the first game in the series to have a number at the end of its title, fact fans) is perhaps one of the finest racers ever made, and certainly one of the best on the 3DS (it still sells well, even today). The ability to customise your kart is also a welcome addition, and one that was carried over to its direct sequel, Mario Kart 8.
1. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe (Switch)
While it may have had the misfortune of initially releasing on Nintendo's worst performing home console, even in its pre-Deluxe state, Mario Kart 8 was an utterly fantastic racer and we've decided to package it up into one entry with its Switch update. The big twist this time around is the introduction of 'anti-gravity' sections which allow tracks to bend and twist on themselves in surprising ways. This doesn't impact the gameplay all that much but during anti-grav sections it's possible to collide with other racers and gain a small speed boost, adding a welcome layer of tactical play. Thanks to a massive selection of parts to unlock and some lovely DLC, Mario Kart 8 is feature-rich – but if you own a Switch you get all that and more.
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe repackaged the original for the hybrid handheld for all of the millions of people who didn't play the original and added in an excellent (and sorely missed) Battle Mode for good measure. This is the pinnacle of the entire series; a fast, attractive and sublimely playable romp which has to rank as one of the best racing games of all time. We can see this selling well throughout the entire life of the Switch as it's one of those games that perfectly suits the console's core ethos of 'anytime, anywhere'; all you need is a flat surface, four Joy-Con and some willing players, and you've got a Mario Kart party. Essential.
Oh, and the addition of 48 more courses with the awkwardly named Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Booster Course Pass DLC? Well, that's just more icing on an already-grand cake, isn't it?
So there you have it; the running order of the Mario Kart series. If you think we've got it all wrong and Mario Kart 64 should be at the top, make sure you race to the comments section to jolly well tell us.
Comments (227)
Hey look, an excuse to argue over opinions!
Aside from sales data, there is no measurable means to rank games like this. It's all a matter of personal opinion. Things like nostalgia, recentness, preference for 2D or 3D, more open or level based... Everyone is going to have their own tastes.
My Top 3 Mario Kart games :
1. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe (Switch)
2. Mario Kart 7 (3DS)
3. Mario Kart Wii (Wii)
Bottom Two :
1. Super Mario Kart (SNES)
2. Mario Kart 64 (N64)
Yikes. N64 Mario Kart ALL the WAY!
Anyways gonna disagree with this list. Here is my Mario Kart list:
1. Wii
2. N64
3. Gamecube
4. 3DS
5. DS
6. Wii U/Switch
7. Snes/GBA
And by the way I do Like all of the Mario Karts, so don't think I hate the ones on the bottom of my list.
I stopped reading after I saw MK64 was ranked so low.
Double Dash is so great though.
#7 Double Dash.
I’m sorry what?
I love all of the Mario Kart games and I'm in total agreement about 64 being the "worst"
Still a great game but just doesn't have the same kind of feel as the other ones.
64 has the best battle mode.
I would love to see Double Dash’s mechanics return.
I would love to see DS’s mission mode and bosses and ROB and Dry Bones become mainstays.
Seven in 3d was one of the best looking titles on that system. That rainy track and the airship track were both so cool.
Eight plays great. No doubt about it and the dlc added a lot just from the insanely good tracks. I don’t need 200cc. But it is fun to see.
@IHateTombs,
I agree! Mariokart 64 at the bottom, what where they thinking?! That one is one of the best, and looked actually amazing for its time. And of course the gloating: Mariokart 8 deluxe on place one! Its just a port, with added battle mode and the dlc on the card. A lazy way to fill your library!
Double Dash should be #3 on this list. Fantastic game.
@Heavyarms55 people's opinions might differ but overal this is a good list.
Honestly I gave up on these lists long ago because all they end up using it for is a way to heap praise on the latest release on Switch. There is literally no in depth look or objective comparison, its literally an excuse to say the latest is the best; even if it isn't. Odyssey, Breath of the Wild, Monster Hunter Generations Ultimate and now Kart 8 Deluxe. The only reason the Metroid List didn't is because there has been no release on Switch; although I'm sure they'll put it there even if the original Prime & Super Metroid are better.
All 4 are great games (though never played MHGU) but honestly, Galaxy 1/2 was better than Odyssey, Wind Waker, Link to the Past & Minish Cap were better than Breath of the Wild and whilst I agree MK8 is the best Mario Kart, no's 4 & 3 are above the others purely because they have online multiplayer.
I get it that this is click bait designed to create controversy but I just need to say that Double Dash was incredibly more innovative than what you presented. "Brought nothing new to the table". Jeepers. 2 players per cart allowing for chariot-like battles for the person in the back to sideswipe other players was great. Bomb battles were new. Characters had their own special abilities such as Peach's heart powered shield. And this even had lan play (if you had the modem) providing a theoretical 16-player races. IMO I don't care where this ranks on your list but you left a lot of facts out.
Nintendo can’t seem to get battle mode right anymore. I just want to play balloon battle with elimination, like in the N64 version.
the #1 game on this list is absolutely the objectively correct answer.
good call!
@Damo You used the wrong box art for Mario Kart DS. Thanks
@Kanbei Lmao sharp eyes
Mario Kart DS was probably the most fun I’ve had with a Mario Kart game. It’s certaibly the game in the series that I’ve spent the most time with because of the online play. At the time, It was just amazing to play a Mario Kart game on a handheld with others around the world. For me it hasn’t really felt the same since, I love 8 deluxe but it didn’t really click the same way as DS did for me.
I couldn’t go back to DS now though, It hasn’t aged well graphically.
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe easily for me. The addition of the extra boost and extra item box really did add something to the game.
With the art style the game still looks beautiful, the soundtrack is great. Honestly the only thing missing for me is the GBA Bowser Castle 3 track that was in the Wii version. I was unbeatable on that track!
My favorites are still Mariokart Wii and Mariokart 64. Mariokart Wii introduced the awesome bikes and the tricks, the wheelies gave you actually speed. Oh, and its the only mariokart with a proper leaderboard. Shame on you Nintendo, this should have become the standard!!
...mario kart double dash divided fans? what? Everyone I know wants to play Double Dash over any of the other mario karts instantly, and hands down.
8 is by no means bad but vanilla 8 had the god forsaken problem of heavy's just flying away and 8 deluxe has the problem of just being peppered by every item imaginable from 2 items...
All of my friends that own 8 deluxe just groan whenever I mention it. Nobody wants to deal with getting unusually punished so heavily (and ridiculously than any other MK) anymore lol.
@FX102A This
mk wii had a shocker not including co-op gps, puts it close to the back of the console versions for me.
mk64 for people over 30 will put it top 5 for the impact it had on local multiplayer.
I would find this a really difficult list to make. Every Mario Kart has something that makes it awesome, but also something that makes them lose some points too. ..I've tried ranking them all for myself, but I just can't, they're ALL amazing.
Ouch. Audience backlash, lol.
I'd say MK7 is the worst. I think it has the worst selection of new tracks and the character roster is underwhelming. (Also, who wanted Honey Queen and Wiggler?) Only the retro tracks were fun.
Not to mention that old Wuhu track glitch that EVERYBODY took advantage of to stay in the lead. It was not fun. It's a good thing they fixed, but how did they overlook this before release?
Top 3 games are MK8, MKWii and MKDS.
For me it's
0. MK
1. MK8/MK8D
2. MK Wii
3. MK DD
Can’t agree with every list. Not a huge fan of the 64 version but I think it is the reason the series is so popular today. To see it in last kinda shocks me. The 2D versions of the game while great at the time don’t hold up.
Who wasn't expecting the most recent on top? Double Dash and Super Mario Kart should be much higher, in my opinion. Mario Kart Wii is the worst because is too chaotic and unbalanced.
Mario Kart's hard to rank because some of the functionality has been lost over time. Mario Kart Wii has been a lot less fun than it was before the Wii/DS online shutdown in 2014 for example. But the one thing that stays true is Mario Kart 8 Deluxe in 1st in all these cases.
Another number 1 spot for the latest Switch game. What a surprise... (funny how the number 1 spot is always the one with the link to buy it off Amazon...)
If it wasn't already painfully obvious that these lists are an absolute sham and exist only to praise the most recent games, look at how the entry for Wii U Mario Kart 8 (at number 2...) conveniently doesn't mention the fact that it has a notoriously terrible Battle Mode. So, if all Mario Kart games are essentially the same sort of thing, but this one has one key mode that's far worse than the rest, how does that make it better than all of them? Please don't try and tell me that the anti-gravity gimmick was somehow enough to put it over all the Mario Karts that have, you know, a proper Battle Mode!
Is this meant to be a guide to your opinions on which game is the best? Did you guys break all the soapboxes for the year already?
Don’t agree with the list. I’d say I enjoyed them all but it’s hard to rank. I’ll still play double dash and 64, ds, Wii
Ignore my comment. I love them all
I’ll say 64 made mario kart Mario kart
Only good Mario Kart is the SNES Mario Kart...
@RetroLifer Be still sensible voice of reason.
@RedMageLanakyn Never, I'm reserving my soap box destruction for a much greater time...
I just don't understand how MK:DD gets bad points for not bringing anything truly new to the genre/series, when it's basically the most unique on the list.
Sure, online, 3D, all are very nice, but those were very much expected steps forward. 16 player LAN for the lucky few, and obviously 2 players per kart able to switch roles, how is that nothing truly new?
Baby park couldn't be more hectic fun, except for, maybe, if the anti-grav collision boost of MK8 was already in it (and I don't really remember if DD had slipstream boosts already, but I guess not?)
@Shambo the drift mechanic felt fun
It's a crime that you put double dash at number 7! It at least deserves to be in the top 5! The N64 one dosen't deserve last place as well. The only placements I agree with are 1, 2 and 4
@FX102A
Don't forget the Smash Bros list as well, which they re-did to put the latest Switch game at number 1. And the console list where they put the Switch as the best Nintendo console of all time (after less than two years on the market...)
They've done 7 of these lists/"guides" now and the only one where the Switch game didn't come top was where there wasn't one eligible. But yeah, they'll probably re-do that list when it comes out...
@Shambo Also Double Dash has the most fun controls and physics, Mario Kart 8 feels heavy in comparison.
I haven't played all of them, but out of those I've played:
6. N64
5. DS
4. SNES
3. GBA
2. 3DS
1. Switch
I'm sorry, but Super Mario Kart should not be above double dash. For new players, double dash would be way easier to pick up and play than Super Mario Kart. But, to each his own.
@Heavyarms55 thats why its said that the best mario kart is the first you play (or something like that). For me nothing comes close to mk 64. I know its not the best playing mario kart. But for me, its the game in the series I have the fondest memories from.
@INKT exactly
Why the hate for Mario kart 64? Easily one of my favorites in the series and one of my favorite games on the N64... Wario Stadium and Rainbow Road ar the most epic tracks in the entire series. I always look forward to playing tracks from MK64 in MK8.
Edit: also loved DK and Peach's levels in MK64. Loved the huge jumps that have become a series mainstay.
I've only played two of them: Mario Kart Wii and Super Mario Kart. MK Wii was only for a few minutes at a party, so I can't really comment much on it (other than I was terrible. XD).
I played Super Mario Kart for the first time recently as a code shipped with the SNES New 3DS XL that I ordered. While I appreciated the simplicity as a newcomer and did enjoy the game to an extent, I also felt that some of the track designs (especially the Ghost House tracks) and occasionally the AI were rather cheap. I became somewhat decent at powersliding, but the game definitely takes some practice.
I'm not sure if that should have been my first proper Mario Kart, but I do plan to at least try out MK8D when I get a Switch.
Agree unreservedly with MK8D being #1. MK8 doesn't deserve #2 for not having battle mode.
Congrats. Never seen a worse list in my life. According to NintendoLife newer equals better.
"The ability to customise your kart is also a welcome addition" Why? Who was asking for vehicle customization in a pick-up-and-play racer? It's Mario Kart not Gran Turismo. I don't think having to now tediously wait for people to choose what type of tyres they're going to use has really benefited the game in any way. In fact, Miyamoto was dead against it for the same reasons and I agree with him. Why do you consider feature-bloat to automatically be a good thing?
Clickbait article but...
1. Mariokart DS. Everything that was good about the original but easier on the eyes and easier to pick up. Spent countless hours on local multiplayer. Only downside is snaking.
2. Super Mario kart. Just a great game. Though these days the graphics make it hard to play and it certainly isn't very easy on new players by today's standards.
3. Mariokart 8 deluxe. Balloon battle sucks (only 1 good track, the snes one) but otherwise pretty good. Only the item fest can be a bit too much. Especially online when you get stuck in the midfield.
4. Mariokart Wii. Don't remember being particularly fond of this one.
Haven't played the other games long enough to really comment on them but those few times I played mk64 or double dash I don't remember liking those very much.
I'd say my least favorite would be Super Mario Kart, between the screen setup, the CPU using unique items with impunity (and outright clipping through obstacles) and the drift mechanic in that one (and Super Circuit). Never could master the way that works compared to the other ones.
My favorite right now would have to be Deluxe, mainly for a higher quality game on a portable and the fact that I've played that one with my friends more than any of the other ones.
I do wish they'd bring back some of the other unique features some of them had though. Like the two-character per kart mechanic from Double Dash or Mission Mode from DS.
@BlueOcean and Dino Dino jungle was a blast along with most of the tracks
Console
1. Mario Kart 64
2. Mario Kart Wii
3. Mario Kart 8/8DX
4. Mario Kart Double Dash
Handheld
1. Mario Kart Super Circult
2. Mario Kart DS
3. Mario Kart 7
i've never tried Super Mario Kart. so i can't rank it.
double dash didn't do anything new???? ummm...sure okay...
1. Mariokart 8 / deluxe
2. double dash
3. 64
4. DS
5. 7
6. super ciruit
7. super mario kart
Imho Double Dash is a very fun game.
Terrible list like usual.
The fact that the Switch version and the Wii U version occupies two spots separately is absolute garbage. They should be considered for one spot. Also Double Dash deserves to be much higher on the list.
64 in last place? It’s like the only one my friends ever want to play lol.
Personally I'd rank the Wii version lower, I really didn't get on with that one myself... I'm not sure the GBA game is better than the N64 entry either, but I wasn't a huge fan of MK64 - it was no Diddy Kong Racing!
It's a great franchise though, I can't think of another where the iterations have got better and better and better. I'd agree that 7 & 8 are the best entries in the series. Curious to see what they do next though...
Wow! For me it's very different
#1-Mario Kart 8
#2-Double Dash
#3-MK 7
#4-MK 64
That's all...I never played DS so I can't rank it and the original and Super Circuit aren't good enough to make the list
Finally, and I know millions and millions of people will think I'm crazy, but I hate MK Wii that's the game that almost convinced me not to even try MK 8 it was so bad.
Best for me was Mario Kart DS, then Mario Kart 64!!
@1UP_MARIO Yeah, the tracks in Double Dash are a lot of fun. It doesn't have retro tracks because they only become the norm since Mario Kart DS (Super Circuit had all the SNES tracks because of the similar engine and because GBA games recycled SNES games). Double Dash also have the best battle mode in my opinion.
Double dash lacked new ideas? Yeah you just lost all credibility... Super Circuit, Wii and 8DX are all easily less original (all good, mind). DD’s biggest crime is that it’s so unique that so few of its ideas were reused since.
Seems the consensus is double dash has been under appreciated by the author of the list.
It’s also my favourite MARIO kart after 8. I would so love Nintendo to remaster double dash with HD and online. Double dash was always the definition of ‘frantic’ for me. Those blue shells though.
@FarkyValentine Choco Mountain is one of my favourite Mario Kart tracks ever. The circuits in Mario Kart 64 are very nice.
Any taste in games is purely subjective, just like films. which is why you can't listen to most critics.
DK Mountain on double dash. That rickety old bridge was probably responsible for the end of many friendships and possibly the catalyst for a few wars.
I think that Super Mario Kart and Double Dash are the best but I admit that for a new player Super Mario Kart is not easy to handle. Super Mario Kart is all about driving, the items help but they don't mess races up. It's a mix of driving and strategy and learning to drift and turn is rewarding in this game. Besides, even when you are first, the second one is going to get closer and closer. Cheap? Perhaps but it works better than two blue shells per lap like in Mario Kart Wii. Double Dash has the most fun physics and memorable circuits and driving is more important that items, too.
@BlueOcean love chocomountain... Power sliding that turn with the boulders and the cool fog effect (for it's time) make it a top 5 course... Dissapointing it wasn't chosen for 8 (but was in one of the DS versions, wasn't it?).
How I rank them, sorry I'm gear more towards old-school.
1. Super Mario Kart (Fun battle mode, unlockable Special Cup, the fact that rival racer doesn't also take item box, able to manipulate the CPU, no blue shell, and the fact that you can get any power-up on first place is spectacular. The only downside is the constant infinite power-up spamming from the CPUs and the fact that the below games also exist now).
2. Mario Kart: Double Dash (A larger roster, larger tracks, 4-player co-op or mayhem, split screen action, LAN local play, only disappointment is the lack of online play)
3. Mario Kart 64 (A great MK, superior battle mode, 4-players out of the box, Mirror Tracks debut are great, just nothing to unlock in terms of characters and contents).
4. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe (The same game but with more stuff included, it had fix that should had being on the original to begin with)
5. Mario Kart 8 (Meh battle mode, better graphics, can't hold items, too many DLCs)
6. Mario Kart 7 (Way better than MKDS in control but lacking features which MKDS had)
7. Mario Kart Wii (Just slightly better than the DS game, just not a fan of the Wii remote sideway play and the steering wheel play cost money)
8. Mario Kart DS (Online was terrible, mission mode was good, graphics was okay but no analog control is what kill this for me)
9. Mario Kart: Super Circuit (terrible framerates, the retro tracks lack details, but was fun to play on the go, multiplayer is also too expensive)
Yep, total nonsense as expected and the 'best' of the list always has an affiliated link, so basically the most recent release wins.
Should the next game in the series be a "smash kart " instead of Mario kart ?
Mario Kart 8 DX is no1 in my eyes. The amount of tracks, characters and modes is unmatched.
These days the best will be the one they bother to include some worthy single player content in, since the multiplayer was mastered years ago.
Remember Mission Mode (DS) - that was great fun. To be honest Mario Kart has been improving mostly in graphics alone recently. Real innovation in racing games is down to how much it can hold your interest when your mates have all gone home. Yay know – content.
Double Dash is overrated, MK8 FTW
Honestly, I could never get into Mario Kart 64. Double Dash was one of my favorites. We lost interest in Mario Kart 8 rather quickly when we saw they didn't have a battle mode but 8 deluxe on the switch made up for it
@retro_player_22 THAT is a list.
@FarkyValentine It looked stunning and realistic at the time. How to forget those turns? It was included in Mario Kart DS but it deserves a newer version. Too many Mario circuits out there but these unique circuits deserve more love.
@antdickens @617Sqn Diddy Kong Racing is amazing (and best). As for the next Mario Kart thing I would like Mario Kart Ultimate with all the tracks ever made and physics and driving like Double Dash.
@brunojenso That is true, the best thing that 8/DX has is the beautiful visuals. In other ways Nintendo has gone backwards like no story mode or missions and rubbish battle mode (8).
Great list. I agree overall.
Double Dash has been robbed.
It had the best driving mechanics and feel of driving plus some of the most memorable stages.
@BlueOcean Mario Kart Ultimate! That is a wonderful idea... hmm, might have to steal that for a follow up feature!
@antdickens Will I be credited?
@BlueOcean Absolutely. It's just lazy to release a big budget game like this with no story mode or missions. At least with Smash Bros they seem to have learnt this.
I still have hope that some singe player content will appear as DLC in Mario Kart - and not more 'costumes'. There needs to be more to actually DO beyond multiplayer.
"Mario Kart 7 (the first game in the series to have a number at the end of its title, fact fans) "
Actually, Mario Kart 64 also had a number at the end of its title, fact fans. And that came a while before Mario Kart 7. Just needed to point that one out, because it is important.
@BlueOcean I'd go with 8 Deluxe physics rather than Double Dash but yeah, Ultimate is the way to go for the next new game whenever that happens.
Crash Team Racing. sry
I stopped reading at #9 tbh
@thesilverbrick Totally. This could be fixed with a simple options menu.
5 years since a new Mario kart. Cmon Nintendo
Wrong wrong wrong. Except for number 1! Double Dash should definitely be number 2 😡
How dare y’all put Double Dash under Super! I’ve tried to like Super Mario Kart, I really have, but I just can’t 🤷♂️
Wrong again. Well, they got #1 right, at least. So, this list is 11.1% correct.
The best Mario Kart is the SNES original because it’s the only one that’s any fun in multiplayer, specifically the battle mode in 2-player.
I know it sounds daft but I never saw what all the fuss was about with MK 4-player. Every single time we play it it’s always the same: one player (normally me) takes the lead and holds it the hold game. One player is normally really rubbish and gets stuck in last place the whole race whilst the other 2 vie for 2nd/3rd. Playing online isn’t any different to playing against the AI on the highest difficulty (although this is a criticism I could level against all racing games online with the exception of Burnout Paradise)
SNES Battlemode is one of the few multiplayer games that nails 2-player.
"Double Dash!! is unquestionably a fun game but the lack of any truly new ideas holds it back somewhat."
It's not just about disagreement over rankings. These lists seem to have very little thought put into them, and statements like the above make that clear as daylight.
As far as I can remember super Mario kart had pretty shoddy gameplay as in the power slide mechanic was no where near as good as the games after it. So SNES version at the bottom. Also I feel the N64 really paved the way in terms of gameplay for the mk8 we know and love today. Deserves to be higher up the list.
@Grumblevolcano I have to disagree with you and quote @WaveBoy
"I still can't get over how sluggish, slow and tank-like most of the turning is for the majority of the karts are in Mk8....haven't played deluxe mind you but it completely threw me off in the wii U version rendering it nearly unplayable especially when one is so accustomed to the tight, precise and Kinetic sharp turning of the earlier games".
What MK8/DX got right was updating the visuals, not the driving and physics.
The only one I'd bump up a few spots is super circuit, the rest I agree with
I enjoyed them all apart from the SNES and N64 versions, never seemed to gel with them ones. Plus never played the GBA version.
I guess i'm one of the few people who doesn't like Mario Kart SNES version. It's just plain racing to me. It started to shine with Mario Kart 64. From that on it got better. SNES version last place. IMO
@BlueOcean I use bikes rather than karts, pretty much stopped using karts in 2014. The competitive nature of those Nintendo Life tournaments where the top 3 got eshop credit led me to change from kart and wheel to bike and normal controller with it being hard to go back to karts since.
I agree with the list except I feel that the Wii and ds should be swapped. The DS introduced online while the Wii did gyro. I think the ds has better tracks as well. Aside from grumble volcano.
Nice ballsy list. I only haven't played the DS and GBA games.
I have great memories of both 64 and DD, however, I don't know if I could cause a tantrum like the other commenters, since I haven't played them in a long time.
I do believe this series has gotten pretty much better every time.
I mostly agree. Maybe lower Wii and increase DD though. Glad I’m not the only one who thinks N64 deserves last place.
@Grumblevolcano I understand you but driving motorbikes in Mario Kart isn't right for me.
@BlueOcean bikes were the big advantage over karts. The wheelie broke the game.
@1UP_MARIO Yeah, Mario Kart Wii online was a mix of item chaos and breaking the game with the wheelie.
I loved Double Dash personally. The original SNES version, Double Dash and 8 Deluxe are my personal favourites, though when it comes to Mario Kart in general you can’t really go wrong.
I agree with the placement of mk64, mk8 and mk7. The others are more difficult to rank.
@WaveBoy Double Dash has the best driving and physics for me, have you tried it? Mario Kart DS did a great job using a D-pad in a 3D game and still having good controls.
This list is pretty aligned with my feelings, but I would put MKDS higher and Double Dash even lower.
1. MK8D
2. MK8
3. SNES ( probably the one I played then most to be honest, it’s great in Time Trial)
4. Wii
5. MK7
6. N64 (again, great Time Trialling)
7. Super Circuit
8. DS
9. Double Dash
I’d say it should be 64, Super, Super Circuit and then Double Dash but the rest is accurate : )
I love these lists, just because of how upset they get some people 😃
I have a longstanding hate relationship with Mario Kart 64, but Mario Kart 7 is the worst imo. There's just no depth there whatsoever. Makes it really hard to get the edge on an opponent if you get knocked back by an item. Super Mario Kart and then Mario Kart Wii are my faves. Mario Kart 8 is a great game, though it similarly lacks that extra competitive edge and has real problems with a first place lead being too easy to maintain.
The battle mode on MK Wii has yet to be bettered. The 16 courses are just amazing, I’m still surprised MK 8 Deluxe only has 8.
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is just a cheap remake of the best one.
@IHateTombs and you clicked and took the bait 😂
Solid list, I'd place Double Dash higher and definitely have Super MK on the bottom(not a bad game, just aged poorly versus the others). But yeah, MK8 and MK7 are the best imo.
@Darknyht dont make me throw a blue shell at you for that dumb comment.
Mario Kart SC is objectively better than Mario Kart SNES.
@PrincessBowsette I have my speaker box ready to go. The Switch version is nothing more than a port and not an original entry into the series. Are we going to start ranking Ocarina of Time and Ocarina of Time 3D on the same list too?
@Darknyht sorry dude the deluxe version is far better then the wii u version.
Agree all these lists are up to opinion. But bizarre to find anyone that would think the Wii game is better then all those before it. As a a 'game' it was probably the worst in terms of balance and fair challenge.
Anyway like i'm sure others have said, it is not really a fair fight when the original game was produced on a cart about the same mb size as this page document
I'm still interested to know what Wii U Mario Kart 8 does that's so special, that the fact that it doesn't even have a decent Battle Mode puts it above all the ones that do. I mean, you have to use pretty fine lines to separate the Mario Kart games, so when one of them is basically the same except that it ruins one of the biggest features of the series, that's a pretty big disadvantage no? I don't know, maybe the ability to tap the Gamepad screen to honk your horn was a real game-changer for NintendoLife?
@Haywired It was the first HD Mario Kart, introduced an extra 16 tracks, the Luigi death stare, combined all the features throughout the series, and overall was just a really well designed game. The only negative it really has was that the battle mode was lacking, but the enhanced port seems to have corrected that.
You’ve put them in release date order then just bumped up the original a few places. If these best of lists are just going to have Switch games at the top then I don’t see the point. I get it, you like the Switch but will we be playing a Switch Classic in 20 years.
8. Super Mario Kart
I know i will get a lot of hate for this opinion, but the first Mario Kart is my least favorite in the whole series. I know it was the first game and all it's sequels build on it's foundations, but i don't like to go back to it at all even though i played it back when i got my Super Nintendo.
7. Mario Kart Super Circuit
This is the only Mario Kart i didn't own for it's original system back in the day. I got it later for 3DS and Wii U. It felt too much like the original Super Mario Kart for me with some slight improvements.
6. Mario Kart 64
When i got this game on my birthday back than i hardly played anything else on my N64. It was really something special for me. Many years later i still like to play it here and there, but most people who play this game now are mostly using shortcuts that are based on glitches and programming oversights. That's not to point of Mario Kart for me.
5. Mario Kart 7
I think MK7 is a really solid game, but it never really felt that special for me. Still a lot of fun.
4. Mario Kart Wii
Yeah, i know many people don't like this one very much and i think it definetly has it's share of problems, but back then i had so much fun playing this with my friends and online.
3. Double Dash
This is by far the most unique Mario Kart game for me. Even though i think the controlls feel a bit slippery compared to later entrys i still like to go back to Double Dash every now and then.
2. Mario Kart DS
My most played handheld entry in the series (if you exclude MK8 Deluxe). Back then i was blown away by the possibility of playing a near home console quality Mario Kart on the go. Still fun to play to this day. I really hope the mission mode and bosses return someday.
1. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe
Currently my favorite Game in the Series. There is so much content in this game to keep you busy for a long time. I can always go back to it.
Please excuse my flawed english
You are all entitled to your opinions of course, but Mario Kart DS is superior to all the others even to this day. Still play it daily at work with a group of 7 friends. We tried "upgrading" to Mario Kart 7 but its not nearly as much fun.
Using Mushrooms to blast people sideways off of cliffs is the greatest feature ever implemented in a racing game and I haven't seen it in a Mario Kart since.
All I know is the art in that original Mario Kart promo image is the best of them all. I wish the games captured a bit more of that look and feel, and not just the Mario Kart games but the Mario platformers too (both the 2D and 3D ones).
PS. Your list seems pretty solid, but I really do still enjoy something about the whole purity and simplicity and also look and feel of that original Mario Kart. It's kinda how I feel about almost all SNES versions of games as compared to their modern counterparts.
Mario Kart DS is still my #1. The memories I have with that game are simply unmatched. I can't even begin to describe the hours that were spent playing that game with friends.
I'd probably have Double-Dash!! as my #2 and Mario Kart 8/Deluxe as my #3.
3. Super Mario Kart
2. Mario Kart Double Dash
1. Mario Kart 8 & Deluxe (it is essentially the same thing)
My list:
8. Mario Kart Super Circuit
7. Mario Kart 64
6. Super Mario Kart
5. Mario Kart Wii
4. Mario Kart 7
3. Mario Kart 8/Deluxe
2. Mario Kart Double Dash!!
1. Mario Kart DS
I knew this list would be nonsense as soon as I saw Mario Kart 64 9th in an 8 game series!!!!!!
Talking about online being a game changer but the N64 and GameCube had 4 player split screen which is infinitely more fun. I'd probably still put 8 as the best followed by Double Dash for me then the SNES game and Mario Kart 64, the rubber banding was atrocious but i cant begin to describe how many good times i had on block fort
@BlueOcean Snaking in Double Dash and DS were even more broken than the wheelie in Wii.
Owned and played every one of these games when they were contemporary and totally agree with your rankings. I'll go further and say I've never been able to figure out why people like Mario Kart 64 so much. I'm glad some of its tracks have made it to later games.
Another garbage list from NintendoLife (I do truly enjoy your other articles). This list is more crap. Double Dash is easily the best!
Double Dash, 64, and Super Circuit are ranked way too low.
Seems written by someone who hasn't played Mario kart.
This entire article is incorrect. MK DS is the best one unanimously, as it has the best track in the entire series. For those uninformed, it’s Waluigi Pinball.
Seems like NL just auto add the latest game in at number one.
I don’t mind a different opinion, but NL always seems to say the newest is the best regardless.
Also, I’d put DD at number one. Wii at number 2. MK8 Wii U at number 3.
I don't think any sane person can say the original is better than double dash.
Why do so many people like Super Mario Kart? Is it all nostalgia? Is it better in multiplayer?
The time I played it, I found it ugly (GBA looks way better) and terribly slow (F-Zero on the SNES felt way better, but the GBA version was a definite improvement too). The music was good, it's been remixed well over the years. But the GBA music was pushing the system as much as it could.
I don't understand why liking the latest game in the series is so unheard to some folks. Why does a game need to be 10 years old for it to be considered the best in the series?
@CoastersPaul probably nostalgia. My buddy really likes it because its technical. I hate it for that reason. Its tough to even stay on the track.
The handling is one of the great improvements the GBA version did.
I can't agree with Mario Kart 8 (Wii U) being anywhere in the top 5. Unlike many of the other entries on this list, there is no reason to go back to MK8 (Wii U), because it does nothing better than Deluxe! The only things that are exclusive to it are the Miiverse stamps, which are useless, and its rushed battle mode that Nintendo lazily slapped together, then tried convincing players it was fun, which, as anyone who even touched the mode could tell you, is a steaming load of crap!
I've owned every home console MK since 64 and my list would be nearly the same. MK64 was my first Mario Kart and I wasn't impressed,Diddy Kong Racing was a much better game. Double Dash I returned after a few days,I found it very disappointing. MKWii was where my love for Mario Kart started and remains one of my most played games ever, only beaten by the original Splatoon. The online racing was superb and with its MKTV time trials , it was better than 8 in some ways. The racing and graphics in MK8/MK8D are sublime though.
My own list would look like this, with a huge distance between 2nd and 3rd.
1st - MK8/MK8D
2nd - MKWii
3rd - MK64
4th - Double Dash
@Enigk They can't even properly put a list in chronological order. :ρ
Loved the entire list positions, so right 🥰
I don't like double dash that much. Most NGC games are overrated imho. People likes to remember them, because that was the last time Nintendo had "competitive" hardware.
imo mario kart 8 deluxe is worse than mario kart 8 for one infuriating reason: the double items. Really decreases the amount of skill needed in favour of luck, increases the rubber banding and overall brings the level of chaos to a mario kart wii kind of level which I despise.
@Heavyarms55 Wrong.
Holy cow. This is a horrible and incorrect list. Do you even play games?
@Grumblevolcano Except that Double Dash has no snaking.
@PAA
NintendoLife is all about promoting the latest games, but to me it feels really disrespectful to all the classics which made Nintendo so great to begin with
Pretty good list, spot on with MK64 being the worst. Courses were pretty bland, multiplayer was not as fun as SNES version, and AI cheated way too much.
MK Wii should be further down the list. The blue shell was way too common of an item and took away any semblance of skill. The courses were also too wide.
Double Dash was a bit under-rated. It was a very unique concept, and they did add a few unique features like a 7 lap course, and an all inclusive cup with all tracks available.
The original while graphically is outdated, still holds up to me as a skill based racer with some exciting shortcuts when executed.
If I had to rerank, here's how I'd put then:
1) MK 8 Deluxe
2) MK 8
3) MK Double Dash
4) MK SNES
5)MK 7
6) MK GBA
7) MK DS
8) MK Wii
9) MK 64
Definitely not the list I would choose. Mario Kart 64 all the way for me, I’m surprised to see its AI described as difficult and requiring a perfect race, I find it the fairest game in the whole series.
I’d say most of the MK games from Double Dash!! onwards are unfair, the AI frequently cost me first place by hitting me with a shell on the last corner. Plus, 64 has the best blue shell as it can hit all the racers, rather than just punishing whoever is in first place.
In fairness though, you could dodge the blue shell in MK DS which was a great idea.
@Mijzelffan someone sounds salty.
What? No love for the arcade games?
@IHateTombs click bait garbage comment
I hate Double Dash. I’m happy to see it low on the list.
Mario Kart 7 is easily the worst because they replaced Waluigi with a fricking Bee Queen.
@BlueOcean There is, it's just much more dependent on the kart than DS. Barrel Train is the easiest vehicle to snake with.
Surprise! The #1 game is on the Switch, never mind that it's a port.
Made an account just to say that this article is awful and garbage.
How you got the top 2 in last positions, that's INSANE
First glance I thought this list is just ridiculous.
But actually you just have to switch MK 64 with both MK 8s and this list wouldn't be THAT bad. It's hilarious how it is though.
@Tropicallo mario kart 64 hasnt age well so it kind of does belong on the bottom of the list it was great during the 64 days but not as much man.
DS had the best battle mode it must return true to form.
@franchy welcome to Nintendolife
@franchy
Probably not worth the effort. It’s just a bit of fun.
There's a slight mistake in the last line of the first paragraph; the "and" shouldn't be there. Fine list; I would rank Double Dash higher but that's my personal opinion. 64 is the "worst" and 8 Deluxe is definitely the best.
@Anti-Matter no one asked for your opinions. Keep them to yourself.
I thought the rubber banding in Mario Kart Wii was much worse than 64.
My top 3:
1. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe
2. Mario Kart 64
3. Mario Kart(SNES)
1) MK 8 Deluxe: Undisputed Champ
2) MK 8: See above
3) MK64: Nostalgia-influenced position on my list. Played all through college, even more than Goldeneye. Oh the memories.
4) MK (SNES): Also nostalgia: Bought this on launch day at Toys-R-Us. Can beat this thing with my eyes closed. Hasn't aged well, but....nostalgia.
5) MK7: I'm a sucker for glasses-free 3D. Thought this was well done.
6) MK Wii: I just don't have a strong connection to this one. Was playing more 360 and PS3 at this time.
7) MK Double-Dash: Loved the tracks!
8) MK DS: Nothing really wrong with this one. I just don't have much reason to go back to it.
9) MK GBA: Still better than Konami Krazy Racers (its competition on GBA), but this title didn't grab me.
Absolutely love this series and can't wait for the next installment! Love seeing everyone's lists and preferences.
@PrincessBowsette
Don't think so. Sure it has its bugs and stuff, but it's still the most fun to me. Rubberbanding is no issue, considering they don't attack you with red or blue shells. I am still faster than CPU anyway, but it stays exciting as every mistake or attack from human enemy might still punish you. In recent MKs the only way to lose against CPU ist getting hit by at least 1 blue shell and consecutive red shells while unprotected at the last round. Except maybe for MK 8, where you might lose because you get bombarded with red shells, while drawing coins only for 2 rounds or something.
I know I am pretty much on my own with this, but MK 8 (Deluxe) is just awful and no fun to me at all. I probably played about 100 Hours MK 8/Deluxe and still don't like its driving physics. I absolutely despise its item distribution system (this is by far the worst about it! Everything else I could live with I guess) and I don't even like most of the new tracks, except for a few! (predominantly DLC-tracks, which was actually good/worth it)
MK8 really kind of killed the series for me, which is kind of sad, because I was used to really love Mario Kart thanks to every previous installment as they were all great...
Don't get me wrong, obviously I will buy the next Mario Kart, too. I even bought MK 8 more or less twice in hope it grows on me / the right changes would be made with Deluxe. But right now I can only hope the best for the next game in the series as it kind of lost its streak of pure perfection to me.
@Tropicallo im not talking about bugs on 64 version im just saying overall mario kart 64 hasnt age well even though it was great during the 64 days but mario kart 8 deluxe beats it by miles.
This list is missing 4 Mario Kart games though:
Mario Kart Arcade GP
Mario Kart Arcade GP 2
Mario Kart Arcade GP DX
Mario Kart Arcade GP VR
Though I've only played Arcade GP 2 (when I was in Japan in 2009). Imagine my surprise when I discovered PAC-MAN in a Mario Kart game! Now it sounds pretty reasonable, since PAC-MAN's been in Smash for years!
That said, they also lock you into using steering wheel controls a-la the Wiimote Wheel and Joy-Con Wheel, which, which better functioning than those by virtual of being made to be a wheel in the first place, is still much harder to control than traditional gamepad inputs in my opinion (I'm just not used to using wheels to play Racing games, a product of not growing up in the Arcade).
The Arcade versions are great; just come with the problem of all Arcade games - you need coins to keep playing.
As a veteran Kart player that has owned and played every single game, I completely agree with this list!
MK8 and MK8D are classics to me!
I look at both titles the same way I look at the original Street Fighter II and Street Fighter II Hyper Fighting; more characters and slight tweaks to improve the experience.
@KayFiOS
Exactly. Putting the Wii U Mario Kart 8 as the second best ever when its Battle Mode (ie. one of the biggest features of the Mario Kart franchise) is so inferior to the rest (and doesn't do anything else particularly better than the rest to magically offset such a significant drawback) just goes to show how little actual thought goes into these lists/"guides" (and they don't even mention it). It's like "Put the Switch game at no.1 with the accompanying link to buy on Amazon (as that's the only reason we do these). The rest; who cares..."
@Haywired
I’m not hugely fussed about battle mode myself so it wasn’t a big deal. However they may as well have left it out and just included the completed version. MK8 looks like a character sketch compared to Deluxe.
I also love the conspiracy theories and people actually saying ‘your opinion is wrong’.
It’s just an opinion, people.
"Please don't hurl any rotten fruit until the end."
Hey, But I had enough rotten fruit to start the drama for this 'Top'. oh well...
XD
Anyway, this top is your opinion, in the end, as has been said, everyone has their perspective on how to catalog or rank some games.
I don’t at all agree with Mario Kart 64 being last. I’m not saying it’s the best, but it’s better than the original.
You know it’s a bad list when they have MK64 in last place.
Nah I love DD more than any lol
@Superzone13 Bang on!
Lame list. Mario Kart 64 is definitely my favorite, with Double Dash being - by far - my least favorite.
Wow this site has some kind of fetish for coming up with terrible rankings for everything they rank
DS best due to best balance of driving and weapons and great tracks and the first online, then 8 Deluxe, 7 and DD. I grew to hate 64 because of the roving bombs on the course. Wii version was poor for me. SNES and GBA haven't aged well. Although, arguably for their time were as good as modern ones. 64 introduced 4 player mode and we had hours of fun with it despite its flaws.
DS > 8DX > 7 > Double Dash > Wii > 64 > SNES > GBA
Don't say "Double Dash!!" didn't have any new ideas! Besides the dual racing system, it also included character-specific special items (which I really wish would return) and All Cup Tour. Besides, it's just an all-around fantastic racer as far as basic gameplay, characters, items, and tracks are concerned, and it has easily one the best Battle Modes in the entire series.
Here's my list:
1. 8 Deluxe
2. Double Dash!!
3. 8
4. 7
5. DS
6. Wii
7. 64 (currently bumped up to #5 now that DS and Wii can no longer be played online)
8. SNES
9. Super Circuit
Terrible list. Basically the newer instalments are apparently the best.
@Emperor-Palpsy Are you kidding?! MK Wii has one of if not the worst battle modes in the series! It restricts you to team based timed points battles (instead of the individual based knockout battles we all love), most of the courses are way too chaotic and difficult to navigate, and there are no extra modes to play besides the standard balloon battles.
The only Mario Kart games with good Battle Modes are 64, Double Dash!!, and 8 Deluxe.
And yet none of them as good as Diddy Kong Racing on the N64...
I was disappointed with Mario Kart on the Switch - there was nothing to unlock, and so no challenge and nothing to aim for.
@Justifier No. GC had really good games.
It also has nothing to do with power. They weren't really competing with their mini dvds either. GC was powerful though. The difference is the GC was the last console without gimmicks and was marketed towards gamers.
@Haywired battle node is hardly the focus. Hell, I dont think I ever played battle mode on double dash. I don't remember if I even knew it had one.
I find it difficult to rank so many games in a particular order when some of them are very similar, like Super Circuit and Mario Kart or the DS games. So I'll just say the best and worst.
The best MK games are Wii and 64. The worst are Mario Kart and Super Circuit.
Double Dash gets a special mention for its unique handling. It's completely different to anything else in the series.
The other games just blur together.
@BlueOcean
And the tracks are too wide.
Like driving a tractor over a field.
Mariokart Wii placed on 4th!!!!!! This list is just dumb and irrelevant. 😂😂😂
Well that's.... controversial. Mario Kart Wii was awful. A dumbed down mess with some of the worst music in video game history.
The SNES version remains my favourite. It's still by far the most skillfull Mariokart, and the one which real masters can really excel at.
I’m sorry but the SNES Mario kart is still the best for me.
Mario Kart 8 deluxe number 1. I didn't see that one coming.
Let's admit it guys, and put the nostalgia aside. Mario Kart 8 is the BEST in the series. Same with Zelda and Smash Bros.
I kind of disagree in Super Mario Odyssey, but it's among the best ones, that's for sure.
Nintendo is doing VERY WELL lately. We shouldn't complain about that. Let's hope they give the same treatment to Metroid, Fire Emblem and Pokemon.
@Franklin Exactly.
Double Dash is at least top 3.
DS is the most balanced MK. Every game after that was chaos and required zero skill. I’m MK DS it took actual skill and strategy to win online games. Today you can’t even see what items the other players are holding. The system is broken compared to DS.
I could win first place 90% of the time simply by snaking which took a lot of mastery to do this on Rainbow Road the whole way through not simply on corners. And choosing the right item to hold on to at the right time to secure your victory. In my case that was learning to get either a star or lightning bolt and using it whenever someone launched a blue shell at me for the final lap.
MK DS is the Super Metroid Of The series. The pinnacle.
My favorite Mario Kart is probably DS. I love MK64 for nostalgia but it's hard to argue that that game has aged well at all. Mario Kart Wii was good too.
Diddy Kong Racing and Crash Team Racing both beat any given Mario Kart as far as I'm concerned though.
I was with you up until Double Dash as worse than Super Mario Kart. Mario Kart 7's not really my cup of tea either — it's a little underwhelming.
Number one is no surprise though. Mario Kart 8 is a fantastic game!
not 64 being below Super Circuit . . . t f ..
Terrible article! Mario kart 64 my siblings and I played more than any other. One of the best. Double dash is the absolute best!!! "...the lack of any truly new ideas holds it back somewhat..." What? I mean, what? This is the most unique Kart racing game, hands down. I mean you can play as Petey Piranha for fish sake. Please do not write anymore articles or opinion pieces if you don't know what you're talking about prior to writing. Maybe something like the Bratz video game series is more up your alley. FACE!
I need to stop looking at top 10's from this site, I die inside everytime I read a top 10 here.
Between the Wii U and Switch versions of Mario Kart 8, I've put around 200 hours into the game. It is, in my opinion, the best and definitive Mario Kart. With that said, my husband and I play Mario Kart 64 ALL THE TIME. He can't get the hang of drifting in MK8, so MK64 is our go-to game to battle it out. Don't think it deserves the bottom spot at all.
Personally I think Mario Kart DS should be number 1 simply because it had mission mode.
@Varelius Definitely divided. Double Dash was one of my least favorite Mario Kart. Definitely below 64 for me.
Here are my top 3 Mario Kart games that I have enjoyed.
1. Mario Kart 8 (Delux) Switch
2. Mario Kart Double Dash for the Game Cube.
3. Mario Kart 64 on the N64.
I can see this making sense and all, BUT WHY IS SUPER MARIO KART UP SO HIGH!?
It's EXTREMLY hard to enjoy nowadys. I tried playing the battle mode on my channel and both our eyes hurt after only 11 minutes of playing. Thats a REALLY bad sign.
I'll not be long on this because it doesn't deserve it.
Your list disgusts me as it has a clear pattern to it. Every single game that was not made with an online component is at the bottom. Every game that features Mario Party tactics and items over any form of driving skill is also in the top half of the list.
That says more than enough to me the list is just garbage to get attention, classic click bait.
@VHSGLITCH How about you don't be rude to people if they have different opinions than yours, okay?
I really don't get why Nintendolife is recycling those lists over and over again. Is news really that slow?
Double Dash has a "lack of any truly new ideas?" You could choose a second character (as mentioned), and characters had unique special items. You could strategically swap characters to hold two items at once and choose which one to use by swapping. Drift boosting was heavily improved over MK64, and it had one of the most fun battle modes.
@Roam85 Best comment so far
Best are Super Mario Kart and Double Dash because they are proper racing games. The others are more party games.
idc if mario kart 7 has the bells and whistles of being newer, it's not better than double dash.
when i first saw this i thought it was going backwards
@Roam85 No way - the original Super Mario Kart had the best battle mode by far. It was the most competitive and skill-based and extremely popular. They still have original Super Mario Kart battle mode tournaments.
@Retr0gamedad no way - the reason Mario Kart is popular is because of the original. The racing was great and it had the best battle mode by far. It was the most competitive and skill-based and extremely popular. They still have original Super Mario Kart battle mode tournaments. Mario 64 paled in comparison.
I could never get into MK Wii. 12 racers meant too much bad luck with too many shells. I just played it for the first time in a decade earlier and only just won a 50cc tournament due to excessive items hitting me at the finish line.
And I still don't like the motion controls. Never did but I loved it on Excite Truck. Luckily the gamecube and classic controllers cover me.
@IceEarthGuard Mario kart Wii is the best Mario kart
I’d say I agree with the top 3, but the rest are different from my picks. I honestly think Mario Kart Tour is really underrated. They have improved the game quite a lot since its launch and it’s pretty solid in my opinion.
❗️My Order, as of Wednesday 13th April 2022 at 11:14AM is:
01) Mario Kart: Double Dash [GameCube]
02) Mario Kart: Super Circuit [GBA]
03) Mario Kart DS [DS]
04) Mario Kart Wii [Wii]
05) Mario Kart 64 [N64]
06) Super Mario Kart [SNES]
07) Mario Kart 7 [3DS]
08) Mario Kart 8/Deluxe [Wii U/Switch]
09) Mario Kart GP 1/2 [Arcade]
10) Mario Kart: Tour [SmartPhone]
1. 8 deluxe
2. 64
3. tour
4. 7
5. gp dx
6. home circuit
7. smk
8. double dash
9. gp 2
10. gp 1
11. ds
12. wii
13. super circuit
14. vr gp (never played)
@Aerona
Double dash ruled
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