Editing Super Mario Kart (section)

==Legacy==
{{Further|List of video games featuring Mario|List of Mario sports games}}
''Super Mario Kart'' has been credited with inventing the "kart racing" subgenre of video gaming; after its release, several other developers attempted to duplicate its success.<ref name="GS ggoat"/><ref name="gspy"/><ref name="CVG retro">{{cite magazine | last = Robinson | first = Andy | title = Mario Kart: From SNES to Wii | magazine = [[Computer and Video Games]] | date = 9 April 2008 | url = http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=186448 | access-date = 2008-12-28 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090528160519/http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=186448 | archive-date = 28 May 2009 | url-status = dead}}</ref><ref name="IGN dd">{{cite web | last = Alfonso | first = Andrew | title = Mario Kart Double Dash!! Guide | website = IGN | url = http://guides.ign.com/guides/16574/ | access-date = 2008-12-28 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090101225557/http://guides.ign.com/guides/16574/ | archive-date = 2009-01-01 | url-status = dead }}</ref> In 1994, less than two years after the release of ''Super Mario Kart'', [[Sega]] released ''[[Sonic Drift]]''; a kart racing game featuring characters from the [[Sonic the Hedgehog|''Sonic the Hedgehog'' series]].<ref name="1up ess50"/> Also in 1994, [[Ubisoft]] released ''[[Street Racer (1994 video game)|Street Racer]]'', a kart racing game for the [[Super Nintendo Entertainment System|SNES]] and [[Sega Genesis|Mega Drive/Genesis]] which included a four player mode not present in ''Super Mario Kart''.<ref name="1up ess50"/> [[Apogee Software]] released ''[[Wacky Wheels]]'' for PC and [[Atari Corporation]] released ''[[Atari Karts]]'' for the [[Atari Jaguar]] in 1995. Future games that followed in the mould of ''Super Mario Kart'' include ''[[South Park Rally]]'', ''[[Konami Krazy Racers]]'', ''[[Diddy Kong Racing]]'', ''[[Sonic & Sega All-Stars Racing]]'' and several racing games in the ''[[Crash Bandicoot]]'' series.<ref name="1up ess50"/><ref name="gspy sc">{{cite web | last = Bub | first = Andrew S. | title = Reviews: Mario Kart: Super Circuit (GBA) | publisher = [[GameSpy]] | url = http://archive.gamespy.com/reviews/september01/mariokart/ | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080803125225/http://archive.gamespy.com/reviews/september01/mariokart/ | archive-date = 2008-08-03 | access-date = 2008-12-29}}</ref> Response to the karting games released since ''Super Mario Kart'' has been mixed, with ''GameSpot'' describing them as tending to be bad while ''1UP.com'' notes that countless developers have tried to improve upon the ''Mario Kart'' formula without success.<ref name="1up ess50"/><ref name="GS msports">{{cite web | last = Ekberg | first = Brian | author2 = Randall Montanari | title = History of Mario Sports Games | website = [[GameSpot]] | url = https://www.gamespot.com/articles/history-of-mario-sports-games/1100-6236695/ | access-date = 2022-05-02 | archive-date = 2022-05-03 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220503163154/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/history-of-mario-sports-games/1100-6236695/ | url-status = live }}</ref>

''Super Mario Kart'' is credited as being the first non-platforming game to feature multiple playable characters from the ''Mario'' franchise.<ref name="GS ggoat"/> As well as [[#Sequels|several sequels]] Nintendo has released numerous other sporting and non-sporting Mario spin-offs since ''Super Mario Kart''; a trend in part accredited to the commercial and critical success of the game.<ref name="GS msports"/> The ''Mario'' characters have appeared in many sports games including those relating to basketball, baseball, golf, tennis, and association football (soccer).<ref name="GS msports" /> Non-sporting franchises using the ''Mario'' characters have been created, including the [[Super Smash Bros. (series)|''Super Smash Bros.'' series]] of fighting games and the [[Mario Party|''Mario Party'' series]] of board game-based party games. ''Mario'' series characters have made cameos in games from other series such as ''[[SSX on Tour]]'' and ''[[NBA Street V3]]'', both published by [[EA Sports]].<ref name="GS msports" /> The genre-spanning nature of the ''Mario'' series that was sparked off by the success of ''Super Mario Kart'' has been described as key to the success and longevity of the franchise; keeping people interested despite the infrequency of traditional [[Mario (franchise)|''Mario'' platforming games]].<ref name="1up ess50" /> Following this model the ''Mario'' series has gone on to become the best selling video game franchise of all time with 193 million units sold as of January 2007, almost 40 million units ahead of second-ranked franchise ''[[Pokémon]]'', also by Nintendo.<ref name="Sutra M#1">{{cite web|last=Jenkins|first=David|date=2007-01-10|title=Mario Tops Best Selling Game Franchise List|url=https://www.gamedeveloper.com/game-platforms/mario-tops-best-selling-game-franchise-list|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080617160750/http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=12349|archive-date=2008-06-17|access-date=2022-05-03|website=Game Developer}}</ref>

''Super Mario Kart'' was re-released on the [[List of Virtual Console games for Wii (Japan)|Japanese Virtual Console]] on June 9, 2009, and later in North America on November 23, 2009.<ref name="JP VC">{{cite web|title=Virtual Console バーチャルコンソール|url=https://www.nintendo.co.jp/wii/vc/vc_mk/index.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090609043913/http://www.nintendo.co.jp/wii/vc/vc_mk/index.html|archive-date=2009-06-09|access-date=2008-07-14|publisher=[[Nintendo]]|language=ja}}</ref> Previously, when naming it as one of the most wanted games for the platform in November 2008, ''[[Eurogamer]]'' stated that problems emulating the Mode 7 graphics were responsible for its absence.<ref name="euro VC">{{cite web | last = Whitehead | first = Dan | title = Virtual Console: The Most Wanted | website = [[Eurogamer]] | date = 11 May 2008 | url = https://www.eurogamer.net/virtual-console-the-most-wanted-article | access-date = 3 May 2022 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100620194415/http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/virtual-console-the-most-wanted-article | archive-date = 20 June 2010 | url-status = live }}</ref>

The game was released for the Wii U [[Virtual Console]] in Japan during June 2013, and in Europe on March 27, 2014.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://nintendoeverything.com/japans-wii-u-vc-releases-next-week-include-super-mario-kart |title=Japan's Wii U VC releases next week include Super Mario Kart |date=12 June 2013 |access-date=2014-01-03 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140103214946/http://nintendoeverything.com/japans-wii-u-vc-releases-next-week-include-super-mario-kart/ |archive-date=2014-01-03 |url-status=live }}</ref> In addition, North American users were able to get the game starting from August 6, 2014 to celebrate the 22nd anniversary of the game, which included the new game update of ''[[Mario Kart 8]]'' on August 27, 2014.

In 2016, the game was re-released for the [[New Nintendo 3DS]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2016-03-23 |title=Review: Super Mario Kart (New 3DS / SNES) |url=https://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/new-3ds/super_mario_kart_snes |access-date=2023-04-15 |website=Nintendo Life |language=en-GB |archive-date=2024-08-16 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240816154711/https://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/new-3ds/super_mario_kart_snes |url-status=live }}</ref>

Nintendo re-released ''Super Mario Kart'' in 2017 as part of the company's [[Super NES Classic Edition]].<ref>{{cite web|date=September 29, 2017|title=Super NES Classic Edition|url=https://www.nintendo.com/super-nes-classic|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170928025849/https://www.nintendo.com/super-nes-classic|archive-date=September 28, 2017|access-date=September 29, 2017|publisher=[[Nintendo of America, Inc.]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Metro Kingdom Power Moon 73 - RC Car Champ! - Super Mario Odyssey Wiki Guide |url=https://www.ign.com/wikis/super-mario-odyssey/Metro_Kingdom_Power_Moon_73_-_RC_Car_Champ! |access-date=2023-04-15 |website=IGN |language=en}}</ref>

''[[Super Mario 3D World]]'' has a stage with a look based on the Mario Circuit racetracks from ''Super Mario Kart''. A remixed version of the music can be heard. ''[[Super Mario Odyssey]]'' has a remix, when racing an RC car around a track in New Donk City in the Metro Kingdom.<ref>{{Cite web |title=World 3-6 Mount Must Dash - Super Mario 3D World Wiki Guide |url=https://www.ign.com/wikis/super-mario-3d-world/World_3-6_Mount_Must_Dash |access-date=2023-04-15 |website=IGN |language=en |archive-date=2024-08-16 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240816154717/https://www.ign.com/wikis/super-mario-3d-world/World_3-6_Mount_Must_Dash |url-status=live }}</ref>

Several future ''Mario Kart'' games contain re-imaginings of courses from ''Super Mario Kart''. ''[[Mario Kart: Super Circuit]]'' contains all of them, though they need to be unlocked. ''[[Mario Kart DS]]'' contains remakes of the Mario Circuit 1, Donut Plains 1, Koopa Beach 2, and Choco Island 2 courses. ''[[Mario Kart Wii]]'' has remakes of the Ghost Valley 2 and Mario Circuit 3 courses. ''[[Mario Kart 7]]'' has remakes of the Mario Circuit 2 and Rainbow Road courses. The most recent entry, ''[[Mario Kart 8]]'', has remakes of the Donut Plains 3 and Rainbow Road courses, though the latter is only available as [[downloadable content]] in the original release. The enhanced [[Nintendo Switch]] port of ''Mario Kart 8'', ''[[Mario Kart 8 Deluxe]]'', later added remakes of the Mario Circuit 3 and Bowser Castle 3 courses as downloadable content.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Guisao |first=Jason |date=July 28, 2022 |title=''Mario Kart 8 Deluxe'' – Booster Course Pass Wave 2 Races Into Action Next Month |url=https://www.gameinformer.com/2022/07/28/mario-kart-8-deluxe-booster-course-pass-wave-2-races-into-action-next-month |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221010045807/https://www.gameinformer.com/2022/07/28/mario-kart-8-deluxe-booster-course-pass-wave-2-races-into-action-next-month |archive-date=October 10, 2022 |access-date=October 7, 2022 |publisher=[[GameStop]] |language=en |magazine=[[Game Informer]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-11-01 |title=Mario Kart 8 Deluxe ‘Booster Course Pass’ Wave 6 launches November 9 |url=https://www.gematsu.com/2023/11/mario-kart-8-deluxe-booster-course-pass-wave-6-launches-november-9 |access-date=2023-11-01 |website=Gematsu |language=en-US |archive-date=2024-08-16 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240816154718/https://www.gematsu.com/2023/11/mario-kart-8-deluxe-booster-course-pass-wave-6-launches-november-9 |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Sequels===
{{See also|Mario Kart|l1=''Mario Kart''}}
Several sequels to ''Super Mario Kart'' have been released for successive generations of Nintendo consoles, each receiving commercial success and critical acclaim.<ref name="sutra crit">{{cite web|last=Cowan|first=Danny|title=Critical Reception: Nintendo's Mario Kart Wii|website=[[Gamasutra]]|date=2008-05-07|url=http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=18524|access-date=2022-05-03|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090528103517/http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=18524|archive-date=2009-05-28|url-status=dead}}</ref> While some elements have developed throughout the series, the core experience from ''Super Mario Kart'' has remained intact.<ref name="1UP retronaut">{{cite web|last=Parish|first=Jeremy|author2=Bob Mackey|date=2008-04-10|title=Retronauts Crashes Into Mario Kart|url=http://www.1up.com/news/retronauts-crashes-mario-kart|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110523081901/http://www.1up.com/news/retronauts-crashes-mario-kart|archive-date=2011-05-23|access-date=2008-12-28|website=[[1UP.com]]}}</ref> The first sequel, ''[[Mario Kart 64]]'', was released in 1996 for the [[Nintendo 64]] and was the first ''Mario Kart'' game to feature fully 3D graphics.<ref name="GS MK64">{{cite web|last=Ward|first=Trent C.|title=Mario Kart 64 Review|website=[[GameSpot]]|date=1997-02-06|url=https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/mario-kart-64-review/1900-2544773/|access-date=2022-05-03|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120625111905/http://www.gamespot.com/mario-kart-64/reviews/mario-kart-64-review-2544773/|archive-date=2012-06-25|url-status=live}}</ref> Although reviewers including ''IGN'' and ''GameSpot'' felt that the single-player gameplay was lacking compared to its predecessor, the simultaneous four-person multiplayer modes – a first for the Nintendo 64 – were praised.<ref name="gengap" /><ref name="GS MK64" /> The second sequel, ''[[Mario Kart: Super Circuit]]'', was released for the [[Game Boy Advance]] in 2001. It was described by ''GameSpot'' as more of a remake of ''Super Mario Kart'' than a sequel to ''Mario Kart 64'' and featured a return to the graphical style of the original.<ref name="GS sc" /><ref name="gspy sc" /> As well as featuring new tracks, players are able to unlock the original SNES tracks if certain achievements are completed.<ref name="GS sc" /> ''[[Mario Kart: Double Dash]]'' was released for the [[GameCube]] in 2003. Unlike any other ''Mario Kart'' game before or since, it features two riders in each kart, allowing for a new form of [[Cooperative video game|cooperative multiplayer]] where one player controls the kart's movement and the other fires weapons.<ref name="dd rev">{{cite web|last=Davis|first=Ryan|title=Mario Kart: Double Dash!! (GameCube)|website=[[CNET]]|date=2003-11-13|url=http://www.cnet.com/products/mario-kart-double-dash-gamecube/|access-date=2022-05-03|url-status=dead|archive-date=2020-11-29|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201129143622/https://www.cnet.com/products/mario-kart-double-dash-gamecube/}}</ref> ''[[Mario Kart DS]]'', released for the [[Nintendo DS]] in 2005, was the first ''Mario Kart'' game to include online play via the [[Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection]].<ref name="gengap"/> It went on to become the best selling [[Handheld game console|handheld]] racing game of all time, selling 7.83 million units.<ref name="Guiness">{{cite web|title=NINTENDO RECORDS |publisher=[[Guinness World Records]] Limited |url=http://gamers.guinnessworldrecords.com/records/nintendo.aspx |access-date=2008-12-31 |url-status=bot: unknown |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081231021848/http://gamers.guinnessworldrecords.com/records/nintendo.aspx |archive-date=2008-12-31 }}</ref> The game marks the debut of tracks appearing in previous games. ''[[Mario Kart Wii]]'' was released for the [[Wii]] in 2008 and incorporates motion controls and 12-player racing. Like ''Mario Kart DS'', it includes online play; it allows racers to play as user-created [[Mii]]s (after unlocking the Mii character)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamewinners.com/Cheats/index.php/More:Mario_Kart_Wii:_Unlockables|title=Mario Kart Wii: Unlockables|access-date=2009-03-01|publisher=Gamewinners.com|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081006050409/http://www.gamewinners.com/Cheats/index.php/More:Mario_Kart_Wii:_Unlockables|archive-date=2008-10-06|url-status=live}}</ref> as well as ''Mario'' series characters and comes packaged with the [[Wii Wheel]] peripheral, which can act as the game's primary control mechanism when coupled with a [[Wii Remote]].<ref name="CVG retro"/><ref name="IGN MKWii">{{cite web|last=Bozon|title=Mario Kart Wii Review|website=IGN|date=2008-04-20|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2008/04/20/mario-kart-wii-review|access-date=2022-05-03|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080423063615/http://wii.ign.com/articles/868/868012p1.html|archive-date=2008-04-23}}</ref> ''Mario Kart Wii'' went on to be the worldwide best-selling game of 2008.<ref name="mkw sales">{{cite web|last=Magrino|first=Tom|title=Mario Kart Wii sells 8.94M in 2008|website=[[GameSpot]]|date=2009-02-02|url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/mario-kart-wii-sells-894m-in-2008/1100-6203988/|access-date=2020-07-15|archive-date=2020-07-15|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200715212115/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/mario-kart-wii-sells-894m-in-2008/1100-6203988/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="GTA IV">{{cite web|last=Lang|first=Derr J.|title=MADD attacks 'Grand Theft Auto IV'|publisher=[[NBC News]]|date=2008-05-01|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna24405072|access-date=2022-05-03|archive-date=2022-10-11|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221011164811/https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna24405072|url-status=dead}}</ref> ''[[Mario Kart 7]]'' for the [[Nintendo 3DS]] was released in 2011, which features racing on land, sea, and air. ''Mario Kart 7'' added the ability to customize the kart and to race in [[First-person (video games)|first-person]] mode. Three ''Mario Kart'' arcade games have been released, ''[[Mario Kart Arcade GP]]'' in 2005, ''[[Mario Kart Arcade GP 2]]'' in 2007, and ''[[Mario Kart Arcade GP DX]]'' in 2013. All of them were developed jointly by Nintendo and [[Namco]] and feature Namco characters including [[Pac-Man (character)|Pac-Man]] and Blinky.<ref name="IGN GP">{{cite web|last=Casamassina|first=Matt|title=Mario Kart GP Comes Stateside|website=IGN|date=2005-09-26|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2005/09/26/mario-kart-gp-comes-stateside|access-date=2022-05-03|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080821215319/http://cube.ign.com/articles/653/653827p1.html|archive-date=2008-08-21|url-status=dead}}</ref> The most recent entry in the series is ''[[Mario Kart 8]]'' for the [[Wii U]], which was released at the end of May 2014, which brings back gliders and propellers from ''Mario Kart 7'' as well as 12-player racing in ''Mario Kart Wii''. ''Mario Kart 8'' includes a new feature called Mario Kart TV, where players can watch highlights of previous races and uploading them to [[YouTube]]. Another new feature is [[anti-gravity]] racing, where players can race on walls and ceilings. An enhanced port, ''[[Mario Kart 8#Mario Kart 8 Deluxe|Mario Kart 8 Deluxe]]'', was released on the [[Nintendo Switch]] on April 28, 2017. The game keeps most elements from the Wii U version, while adding more characters, kart parts, battle modes, and battle stages. The port received universal critical acclaim, and has sold over 61 million copies as of March 2024, becoming the best selling game for the console. Furthermore, the number of copies sold exceeded that of ''[[Super Mario Bros.]]'', released on the [[Nintendo Entertainment System]], making it the first ''Mario'' title to outsell a previous instalment.

As the series has progressed, many aspects included in ''Super Mario Kart'' have been developed and altered. The power-up boxes which are flat against the track in ''Super Mario Kart'' due to the technical limitations of the SNES became floating boxes in later games.<ref name="CVG forgot"/> The roster of racers has expanded in recent games to include a greater selection of Nintendo characters including some which had not been created at the time of ''Super Mario Kart''{{'}}s release – such as [[List of Mario franchise characters#Petey Piranha|Petey Piranha]] from ''[[Super Mario Sunshine]]'' who appeared in ''Mario Kart: Double Dash!!''. Multiplayer has remained a key feature of the series and has expanded from the two-player modes available in ''Super Mario Kart'': first to allow up to four simultaneous players in split-screen in ''Mario Kart 64''; then leveraging the [[Nintendo GameCube Broadband Adapter and Modem Adapter|GameCube's LAN Adapter]] for up to sixteen players<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mariokart.com/doubledash/launch/parentsinfo.html|title=Parents' Info|publisher=Mario Kart: Double Dash!!'s official website|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160314075346/http://mariokart.com/doubledash/launch/parentsinfo.html|archive-date=March 14, 2016|url-status=dead|access-date=January 9, 2009}}</ref> in ''Mario Kart Double Dash!!''; and eventually supporting up to twelve simultaneous online players in ''Mario Kart Wii''.<ref name="GS MK64"/><ref name="IGN MKWii"/> Many of the track themes have been retained throughout the series, including [[Rainbow Road (Mario Kart)|Rainbow Road]] – the final track of the Special Cup – which has appeared in every ''Mario Kart'' console game.<ref name="GS then & now" /><ref name="5tracks"/> Other features present in ''Super Mario Kart'' have disappeared from the series. These include the "superpowers" of the computer characters, the feather power-up which allows players to jump high into the air and having a restricted number of lives.<ref name="CVG forgot"/> The only other ''Mario Kart'' games to feature the coin collecting of the original are ''Mario Kart: Super Circuit'', ''Mario Kart 7'', and ''Mario Kart 8''.{{cn|date=November 2023}}<!-- cite needed for MK7 --> The aspects of style and gameplay from ''Super Mario Kart'' that have been retained throughout the series have led Nintendo to face criticism for a lack of originality but the franchise is still considered to be a beloved household name by many, known for its familiar core gameplay.<ref name="IGN 100-07"/><ref name="1UP retronaut"/><ref name="CVG retro"/><ref name="dd rev"/>