TheMario Kartseries is a beloved Nintendo franchise that first began on the Super Nintendo Entertainment System and has grown leaps and bounds ever since. The concept is super accessible from newcomers to experts of gaming. The tracks are delightfully entertaining, and the items are a source of fun (and misery at the same time).
They have also made jumps from generation to generation with the inclusion of tricks, underwater sections, and anti-gravity. We all hate those blue shells, but here are the seven best Mario Kart games, ranked.
7Mario Kart Arcade GP DX
Whenever you visit a modern arcade, Mario Kart is usually the highlight of the trip. There are up to four systems ready to race with a physical wheel and even a pedal to place your foot on to accelerate. The tracks are simple in design to accommodate the arcade setting, but it’s still a blast to race against your friends in real-time with an actual steering wheel. It also takes a funny picture of you, which shows up above each player’s head.
As the game was developed by Bandai Namco with Nintendo, some characters from that company appear in this edition of Mario Kart. Pac-Man and the Taiko no Tatsujin drum mascot both appear as playable racers. This game is thrilling fun and should be played if you go to an arcade. There’s even a VR version, but we haven’t found that yet!
6Mario Kart 7
Mario Kart 7
One of the series' most underwhelming entries is Mario Kart 7, but it was still engaging to play. The 3DS sported console-like visuals at the time and had players karting underwater and in the air with the new gliding feature. We also got some new characters to play as, including Metal Mario, Lakitu, Wiggler, and Honey Queen. Sure, they’re lesser known characters in the overall franchise, but it was neat to see them all get a spot on the roster.
It also lets you customize your own cars with new parts like bigger wheels for off-road sections of the race. The Super Leaf item also provides more strategic elements to the game, letting you deflect items like Red Shells back to your enemies. The Fire Flower also made its debut in this 3DS title, letting you throw fireballs at the likes of Luigi and Bowser.
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5Mario Kart: Double Dash
Mario Kart: Double Dash
Mario Kart: Double Dash is a fascinating entry in the series, as you control two characters at the same time. One at the front is driving the vehicle, while the other is on the back firing items at opponents. You can switch them out on the fly. Certain characters had specific items that can help them in the race, adding strategy to the Mario Kart experience as you keep switching between the racers. Both of the characters on the kart can hold one item each as well. “This is perhaps the most thrilling new addition to the series; it adds new complexity to the control scheme, causing you to constantly strategize placement of your characters on your kart,” saidIGN’s reviewin 2003.
Baby Park is a favourite among many in the Mario Kart series. It’s very short, but lots of chaos arises from it as you constantly turn corners in the theme park environment. It feels like NASCAR on drugs. It has since returned in future entries, including Mario Kart 8 Deluxe.
4Mario Kart Wii
Mario Kart Wii
Mario Kart Wii is a nostalgic entry in the series for many, as it brings in some legendary tracks likeCoconut Malland Wario’s Gold Mine into the mix. It is also the first game that lets you perform tricks for a speed boost if you flicked the Wii remote (or wheel) upwards at the right time. Controlling your kart with motion controls for the first time is a masterstroke from Nintendo and let players get into the race more than they have in the past.
It also made the game more accessible and intuitive for a lot of players. The Mega Mushroom in Mario Kart Wii is a fantastic item that was added, letting you grow huge and stomp anyone who gets in your way. Unfortunately, it hasn’t come back. Rosalina, Funky Kong, and Dry Bowser also made their debut in the series. We also can’t forget the wonderful track Moo Moo Meadows, which is filled with personality and fun jumps along the way.
3Mario Kart DS
Mario Kart DS
Many, many days were spent playing this classic Mario Kart game on the DS. While it doesn’t feature any major gimmicks to call its own, it is one of the most solid titles. Yes, the controls aren’t as great with the DS than other consoles, but for the system itself, it’s spectacular. Many friends can join with just one copy of the game as it featured DS Download Play. In fact, theNintendo Switch 2 seems to be bringing a similar featureback.
It also has some incredible tracks that are fondly remembered to this day (and played on modern entries) like Waluigi Pinball, Tick-Tock Clock, and Deflino Plaza. The Bullet Bill is also introduced in Mario Kart DS and became on of the series' best items as you blast past your rivals in a flash. It’s a rush to charge forwards.
The first Mario Kart was released all the way back in 1992.
2Mario Kart 64
Mario Kart 64
You might be too young to know this, but many childhoods were blessed because of Mario Kart 64. It was the series' first foray into 3D and the transition was bliss. Skidding still feels great to this day, and while it doesn’t give you a boost like future entries, it still feels satisfying to pull off. Many of the tracks are standout as well. Toad’s Turnpike was a challenging race as you have to deal with slower traffic; it was a blast, however, if you manage to squeak in between two big trucks.
Sherbet Land is also a fun ice-themed level that tested your skills. DK’s Jungle Parkway is a highlight too as you jump over a riverboat and across the river in an epic fashion. There’s a reason why people still go back to this game many years later. It’s available on the Nintendo Switch if you have a Switch Online + Expansion Pack subscription.
1Mario Kart 8 Deluxe
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe
With over 68.20 million sales worldwide,Mario Kart 8 Deluxeis a phenomenal success for Nintendo. It brings everything we love about the Mario Kart series and adds plenty of shine. It has spectacular visuals, memorable tracks, and wonderful orchestral music that has captivated many people around the world. It has a wide range of characters in the game and features additional heroes that we haven’t seen in the series before like The Legend of Zelda’s Link and Splatoon’s Inklings. There are even tracks based on The Legend of Zelda, Animal Crossing, and F-Zero that all add a bit more variety to the experience.
The online, for the most part, is spot on, letting you play with friends around the world.Mario Kart 8 Deluxeacts as a love letter to fans of the series as it includes a majority of the tracks we know and love from past entries. It also has its own highlights like Thwomp Ruins and Toad Harbour that utilise the power of the Wii U and now Switch.
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