Editing Mario Kart: Super Circuit

{{Short description|2001 video game}}
{{Redirect-distinguish|Super Circuit|SuperCircuits}}
{{good article}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2023}}
{{Infobox video game
| title = Mario Kart: Super Circuit
| image = Super Circuit.jpg
| caption = North American box art
| developer = [[Intelligent Systems]]
| publisher = [[Nintendo]]
| director = Takeshi Ando<br />Yukio Morimoto
| producer = [[Shigeru Miyamoto]]<br />Kenji Miki
| composer = Kenichi Nishimaki<br />Masanobu Matsunaga<br />Minako Hamano
| series = ''[[Mario Kart]]''
| platforms = [[Game Boy Advance]]
| released = {{Video game release|JP|July 21, 2001|NA|August 27, 2001|EU|September 14, 2001}}
| genre = [[Kart racing game|Kart racing]]
| modes = [[Single-player video game|Single-player]], [[Multiplayer video game|multiplayer]]
}}

'''''Mario Kart: Super Circuit'''''{{efn|{{nihongo|Known in Japan as '''''Mario Kart Advance'''''|マリオカートアドバンス|Mario Kāto Adobansu|lead=yes}}}} is a 2001 [[kart racing game]] for the [[Game Boy Advance]] (GBA). It is the third ''[[Mario Kart]]'' game and retains its predecessors' gameplay: as a ''[[Mario (franchise)|Mario]]'' franchise character, the player races opponents around tracks based on locales from the ''[[Super Mario]]'' platform games. Tracks contain obstacles and [[power-up]]s that respectively hamper and aid the player's progress. ''Super Circuit'' includes various [[single-player]] and [[multiplayer]] [[game mode]]s, including a [[Grand Prix motor racing|Grand Prix]] racing mode and a [[Last man standing (video games)|last man standing]] battle mode.

''Super Circuit'' was developed by [[Intelligent Systems]] and published by [[Nintendo]]. It was the first [[Handheld game console|handheld]] ''Mario Kart'' game and the only game in the series developed by Intelligent Systems. Its graphical style changed drastically from early demos, with the final release resembling ''[[Super Mario Kart]]'' (1992) visually. Nintendo revealed ''Super Circuit'' alongside the GBA in 2000 and released it in mid-2001, months after the console's launch.

''Super Circuit'' received acclaim, with praise for its modes, presentation, gameplay, and difficulty, though responses to the multiplayer were mixed. Retrospectively, critics have ranked it as one of the best GBA games, but one of the lesser ''Mario Kart'' games due to its lack of technical innovation compared to its predecessors. It was nominated for several awards and won one. ''Super Circuit'' sold 5.91&nbsp;million copies worldwide, making it the fourth-[[List of best-selling Game Boy Advance video games|bestselling GBA game]]. It was rereleased digitally for the [[Virtual Console]] line on the [[Nintendo 3DS]] in 2011 and the [[Wii U]] in 2014, and for the [[Nintendo Classics]] service in 2023.

==Gameplay==
{{See also|Mario Kart#Gameplay|l1=Gameplay of the Mario Kart series}}

[[Image:GBA Mario Kart.png|thumb|left|The player, as [[Yoshi]], racing on Peach Circuit, the first course of the game]]

''Mario Kart: Super Circuit'' is a [[kart racing game]] featuring characters and elements from the ''[[Mario (franchise)|Mario]]'' franchise. The player controls one of eight [[Characters in the Mario franchise|''Mario'' characters]] and races opponents in [[kart]]s around [[race track|tracks]] themed around locales from the ''[[Super Mario]]'' platform games.<ref name="GSpy"/> Boxes labeled with [[question mark]]s populate each of the 40 tracks;<ref name="Eurog"/> they give the player a random item based on elements from ''Super Mario'' games to help progress. Items can either be [[power-up]]s, such as a speed boost, or offensive, such as one that freezes an opponent's kart in place.<ref name="GSpy"/> Tracks are littered with obstacles that slow the player down,<ref name="GRadar-retro">{{cite web |last=Griffin |first=Ben |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/how-super-circuit-paved-way-modern-mario-kart/ |title=How Super Circuit paved the way for modern Mario Kart |website=[[GamesRadar]] |date=October 20, 2015 |access-date=January 26, 2023 |archive-date=January 12, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230112181010/https://www.gamesradar.com/how-super-circuit-paved-way-modern-mario-kart/ |url-status=live }}</ref> and coins that increase their speed once collected.<ref name="Eurog"/> Each playable character is sorted into one of three [[weight class]]es that determine how they play, with heavier characters having higher top speeds but slower acceleration. [[Princess Peach]], [[Toad (Nintendo)|Toad]], and [[Yoshi]] are lightweights; [[Luigi]] and [[Mario]] are middleweights; and [[Bowser]], [[Donkey Kong (character)|Donkey Kong]], and [[Wario]] are heavyweights.<ref name="GSpot"/> There are three [[difficulty level]]s themed after engine classes—50[[engine displacement|cc]], 100cc, or 150cc—, with the harder difficulties' more powerful engine classes providing increased maximum speed and control difficulty.<ref name="IGNrev"/>

''Super Circuit'' features three [[single-player]] [[game mode|modes]]: [[Grand Prix motor racing|Grand Prix]] (GP), [[Time Trial]], and Quick Run.<ref name="GRadar-retro"/> The main racing mode, GP, sees the player race against seven computer opponents around four consecutive circuits, with the objective of placing first in each race. Each set of tracks is part of a "cup", of which there are 10. Whoever achieves the best overall placements across all four races wins.<ref name="GSpy"/> The player is graded at the end of the GP based on a formula which takes into account several factors of player performance, including how many coins the player collected and the weight class of the character they completed the GP with.<ref>{{cite web|last=Nightingale|first=Ed|url=https://www.eurogamer.net/yoshi-left-out-of-mario-kart-super-circuit-secret-bonus-points|title=Yoshi left out of Mario Kart Super Circuit secret bonus points
|website=[[Eurogamer]]|date=February 27, 2023|access-date=November 2, 2023|archive-date=March 14, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230314035526/https://www.eurogamer.net/yoshi-left-out-of-mario-kart-super-circuit-secret-bonus-points|url-status=live}}</ref> Achieving a high grade on any of the game's five original cups unlocks a single-player cup from ''[[Super Mario Kart]]'' (1992).<ref name="NWR"/> Time Trial allows the player to race on their own to complete a track in the fastest time possible. The player can compete against another player's fastest time shared via the [[Game Boy Advance]]'s (GBA) [[Game Link Cable#Third generation|Game Link Cable]], a peripheral cable that connects GBA systems.<ref name="GRadar-retro"/> The Japanese release of ''Super Circuit'' was compatible with the [[Mobile Adapter GB]] peripheral, service for which was discontinued in 2002, which allowed the player to upload and download track times using a [[mobile phone]]'s internet connection.<ref>{{cite web |author=IGN staff |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2001/06/15/mario-kart-super-circuit-2 |title=Mario Kart Super Circuit |website=[[IGN]] |date=June 16, 2001 |access-date=February 5, 2023 |archive-date=February 5, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230205174555/https://www.ign.com/articles/2001/06/15/mario-kart-super-circuit-2 |url-status=live }}</ref> Quick Run allows the player to race with customizable aspects, such as lap count and toggling item boxes and coins.<ref name="GRadar-retro"/>

[[Multiplayer]] modes allow up to four players to compete via the Game Link Cable.<ref name="IGNrev"/> It is possible to play multiplayer even if only one player owns the game cartridge, though only one character and four tracks are selectable with this setup.<ref name="GPro"/> Three modes are playable in multiplayer: GP, Versus (VS), and Battle.<ref name="GRadar-retro"/> GP remains unchanged from its single-player version, though only two players can race at once.<ref name="GSpot"/> VS allows up to four players to race around a single track without computer opponents.<ref name="GSpot"/> Battle mode differs from other modes as it sees up to four players compete in an [[arena]] rather than a circuit.<ref name="GSpot"/> Players begin with three balloons above their character and must pop the balloons of other players by attacking them with items. Players are knocked out if they lose all their balloons, and the winner is whoever remains the [[Last man standing (video games)|last man standing]].<ref name="Eurog"/>

==Development and release==
[[Image:Nintendo-Game-Boy-Advance-Purple-FL.jpg|thumb|right|''Super Circuit'' was one of the first games revealed for the [[Game Boy Advance]] (pictured).]]

''Mario Kart: Super Circuit'' was the only ''Mario Kart'' game developed by [[Intelligent Systems]].<ref name="GRadar-topmk">{{cite web |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/best-mario-kart-games/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210418141358/https://www.gamesradar.com/best-mario-kart-games/ |title=The best Mario Kart games from worst to best |last1=John Agnello |first1=Anthony |last2=Roberts |first2=David |website=[[GamesRadar]] |date=April 19, 2017 |archive-date=April 18, 2021 |access-date=January 11, 2023 |url-status=live }}</ref> It borrows elements from ''Super Mario Kart'' and ''Mario Kart 64'',<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nintendo.co.jp/nom/0108/soft01/interv/index.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20021218003812/http://www.nintendo.co.jp/nom/0108/soft01/interv/index.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=2002-12-18|title=マリオカートアドバンス／インタビュー１|accessdate=2024-12-01}}</ref> and uses a similar graphical style to ''Super Mario Kart'', particularly with its use of [[parallax scrolling]] and [[Mode 7]]-style [[2.5D#Scaling along the Z axis|scaling]].<ref name="IGNrev"/><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/digitalfoundry-2017-tech-evolution-25-years-of-super-mario-kart |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230111220428/https://www.eurogamer.net/digitalfoundry-2017-tech-evolution-25-years-of-super-mario-kart |title=Tech Evolution: 25 years of Super Mario Kart |last=Morgan |first=Thomas |website=[[Eurogamer]] |date=September 4, 2017 |archive-date=January 11, 2023 |access-date=January 12, 2023 |url-status=live }}</ref> Originally titled ''Mario Kart Advance'' in English,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/mario-kart-receives-a-name-change/1100-2776611/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230111214922/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/mario-kart-receives-a-name-change/1100-2776611/ |title=Mario Kart receives a name change |author=GameSpot staff |website=[[GameSpot]] |date=June 25, 2001 |archive-date=January 11, 2023 |access-date=January 11, 2023 |url-status=live }}</ref> ''Super Circuit'' was announced by Nintendo prior to its annual [[Nintendo Space World|Space World]] exhibition in 2000 and was unveiled alongside the GBA console itself.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://pocket.ign.com/news/22767.html/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000815232712/http://pocket.ign.com/news/22767.html |title=Mario Kart a Go on Game Boy Advance |last=Harris |first=Craig |website=[[IGN]] |date=June 27, 2000 |archive-date=August 15, 2000 |access-date=January 11, 2023 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="NWR-innovations">{{cite web |url=http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/feature/28544/the-innovations-of-mario-kart-mario-kart-super-circuit |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230116234559/http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/feature/28544/the-innovations-of-mario-kart-mario-kart-super-circuit |title=Mario Kart: Super Circuit - Feature |last=Hernandez |first=Pedro |website=Nintendo World Report |date=December 4, 2011 |archive-date=January 16, 2023 |access-date=January 28, 2023 |url-status=live }}</ref> Gameplay screenshots published in an issue of ''[[CoroCoro Comic|CoroCoro]]'' featured a different [[super deformed]] art style, depicting characters with large heads.<ref name="ignfirstscreenshots">{{cite web |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2000/08/10/four-gba-games-exposed |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230110180325/https://www.ign.com/articles/2000/08/10/four-gba-games-exposed |title=Four GBA Games Exposed |author=IGN staff |website=[[IGN]] |date=August 10, 2000 |archive-date=January 10, 2023 |access-date=January 11, 2023 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2014/06/mario_kart_month_a_history_of_the_mario_kart_series_part_one |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230110180322/https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2014/06/mario_kart_month_a_history_of_the_mario_kart_series_part_one |title=Mario Kart Month: A History of the Mario Kart Series - Part One |last=O'Neill |first=Jamie |website=[[Nintendo Life]] |date=June 3, 2014 |archive-date=January 10, 2023 |access-date=January 11, 2023 |url-status=live }}</ref> Items from early versions were also absent in the final release.<ref name="GRadar-retro"/>

Nintendo released ''Mario Kart: Super Circuit'' in Japan on July 21, 2001, in North America on August 27, and in Europe on September 14.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nintendolife.com/games/gba/mario_kart_super_circuit |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230112230622/https://www.nintendolife.com/games/gba/mario_kart_super_circuit |title=Mario Kart Super Circuit (GBA) 2001 |website=[[Nintendo Life]] |date=July 13, 2022 |archive-date=January 12, 2023 |access-date=January 12, 2023 |url-status=live }}</ref> It released not long after the GBA itself, which launched in March in Japan and June elsewhere. It was the third entry in the ''Mario Kart'' series, after ''Super Mario Kart'' and ''[[Mario Kart 64]]'' (1996), and the first released on a [[handheld console]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2011/10/19/the-7-steps-to-mario-kart-7 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230110180326/https://www.ign.com/articles/2011/10/19/the-7-steps-to-mario-kart-7 |title=The 7 Steps to Mario Kart 7 |last=Thomas |first=Lucas |website=[[IGN]] |date=January 18, 2012 |archive-date=January 10, 2023 |access-date=January 12, 2023 |url-status=live }}</ref> Nintendo intended to release ''Super Circuit'' in [[mainland China]] through [[iQue]], which localized Nintendo games for the region. A [[Chinese language|Chinese]] translation was created, but its release was canceled due to significant [[Video game piracy|piracy]] of iQue's first batch of localized GBA games.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.siliconera.com/a-look-into-what-couldve-been-prototype-unreleased-chinese-gba-games/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230205174600/https://www.siliconera.com/a-look-into-what-couldve-been-prototype-unreleased-chinese-gba-games/ |title=A Look Into What Could've Been: Prototype Unreleased Chinese GBA Games |last=Wong |first=Alistair |website=[[Siliconera]] |date=March 25, 2019 |archive-date=February 5, 2023 |access-date=February 5, 2023 |url-status=live }}</ref> The game was rereleased for the [[Nintendo 3DS]] and [[Wii U]]'s digital [[Virtual Console]]. On the 3DS, it was released free on December 16, 2011 for members of the [[Nintendo 3DS Ambassador Program|Ambassador Program]], eligible for entry to anyone who accessed the 3DS's [[eShop]] service before the console received a price cut.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/3ds-ambassador-gba-games-released/1100-6347755/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180916051217/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/3ds-ambassador-gba-games-released/1100-6347755/ |title=3DS Ambassador GBA games released |last=Sinclair |first=Brendan |website=[[GameSpot]] |date=December 16, 2011 |archive-date=September 16, 2018 |access-date=January 12, 2023 |url-status=live }}</ref> It was made available for purchase on the Wii U in 2014 in North America and 2015 in Europe and Japan.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2014/11/mario_kart_super_circuit_is_racing_onto_the_wii_u_virtual_console |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230110183829/https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2014/11/mario_kart_super_circuit_is_racing_onto_the_wii_u_virtual_console |title=Mario Kart: Super Circuit is Racing Onto The Wii U Virtual Console |last=Doolan |first=Liam |website=[[Nintendo Life]] |date=November 13, 2014 |archive-date=January 10, 2023 |access-date=January 12, 2023 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2015/04/mario_kart_super_circuit_arrives_on_the_wii_u_eshop_this_week_in_europe |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220516184506/https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2015/04/mario_kart_super_circuit_arrives_on_the_wii_u_eshop_this_week_in_europe |title=Mario Kart Super Circuit Arrives on the Wii U eShop This Week in Europe |last=Whitehead |first=Thomas |website=[[Nintendo Life]] |date=April 20, 2015 |archive-date=May 16, 2022 |access-date=January 28, 2023 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nintendo.co.jp/titles/20010000008106 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221127003222/https://www.nintendo.co.jp/titles/20010000008106 |title=マリオカートアドバンス |lang=ja |website=[[Nintendo]] |access-date=January 12, 2023 |archive-date=November 27, 2022 |url-status=live }}</ref> ''Super Circuit'' was also rereleased on the [[Nintendo Switch]] as part of the [[Nintendo Classics]] service on February 8, 2023.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/game-boy-gba-games-coming-to-nintendo-switch-online-including-links-awakening-metroid-2/1100-6511299/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230208225859/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/game-boy-gba-games-coming-to-nintendo-switch-online-including-links-awakening-metroid-2/1100-6511299/ |title=Game Boy, GBA Games Coming To Nintendo Switch Online Including Link's Awakening, Metroid 2 |last=Ramée |first=Jordan |website=[[GameSpot]] |date=February 8, 2023 |archive-date=February 8, 2023 |access-date=February 8, 2023 |url-status=live }}</ref>
{{Clear}}

==Reception==
{{Video game reviews
| MC = 93/100<ref name="Metacritic">{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/mario-kart-super-circuit/critic-reviews/?platform=game-boy-advance |title=''Mario Kart Super Circuit'' Critic Reviews for Game Boy Advance |website=[[Metacritic]] |publisher=Red Ventures |access-date=April 28, 2008 |archive-date=November 23, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101123213941/http://www.metacritic.com/game/game-boy-advance/mario-kart-super-circuit |url-status=live }}</ref>{{efn|Based on 24 reviews<ref name="Metacritic" />}}
| EGM = 25.5/30<ref name="EGM">{{cite magazine |title=Review Crew: ''Mario Kart: Super Circuit'' |last1=Boyer |first1=Crispin |last2=Dudlak |first2=Jonathan |last3=Johnston |first3=Chris |magazine=[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]] |publisher=[[Ziff Davis]] |date=October 2001 |issue=147 |page=156}}</ref>
| EuroG = 9/10<ref name="Eurog">{{cite web |last=Bramwell |first=Tom |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/r-mksc-gba |title=''Mario Kart: Super Circuit'' Review |website=[[Eurogamer]] |date=September 27, 2001 |access-date=May 3, 2022 |archive-date=May 3, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220503172637/https://www.eurogamer.net/r-mksc-gba |url-status=live }}</ref>
| Fam = 34/40<ref>{{cite magazine |script-title=ja:マリオカート アドバンス |trans-title=Mario Kart Advance |language=ja |magazine=[[Famitsu]] |year=2001 |issue=915}}</ref>
| GamePro = 18/20<ref name="GPro">{{cite magazine |url=http://www.gamepro.com/nintendo/gameboy_advance/games/reviews/16365.shtml |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041229091948/http://www.gamepro.com/nintendo/gameboy_advance/games/reviews/16365.shtml |title=''Mario Kart: Super Circuit'' Review for Game Boy Advance |author=Bro Buzz |magazine=[[GamePro]] |publisher=[[International Data Group]] |date=August 27, 2001 |archive-date=December 29, 2004 |access-date=May 25, 2021 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
| GSpot = 8.2/10<ref name="GSpot">{{cite web |last=Ajami |first=Amer |url=https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/mario-kart-super-circuit-review/1900-2808115/ |title=Mario Kart Super Circuit Review |website=[[GameSpot]] |date=August 27, 2001 |access-date=April 28, 2008 |archive-date=April 6, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160406110454/http://www.gamespot.com/reviews/mario-kart-super-circuit-review/1900-2808115/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
| GSpy = 96/100<ref name="GSpy">{{cite web |last=Bub |first=Andrew |url=http://archive.gamespy.com/reviews/september01/mariokart/ |title=Mario Kart: Super Circuit (GBA) |website=[[GameSpy]] |pages=1–2 |access-date=April 28, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080803125225/http://archive.gamespy.com/reviews/september01/mariokart/ |archive-date=August 3, 2008}}</ref>
| GRadar = 95/100<ref name="GRadar">{{cite web |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/reviews/default.asp?subsectionid=170&articleid=59787&pagetype=2 |title=Mario Kart Super Circuit |website=[[GamesRadar]] |date=September 14, 2001 |access-date=January 17, 2023 |archive-date=June 3, 2002 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020603011128/http://www.gamesradar.com/reviews/default.asp?subsectionid=170&articleid=59787&pagetype=2 |url-status=live }}</ref>
| IGN = 9.5/10<ref name="IGNrev">{{cite web |last=Harris |first=Craig |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2001/08/29/mario-kart-super-circuit |title=''Mario Kart Super Circuit'' Review |website=[[IGN]] |date=August 29, 2001 |access-date=May 3, 2022 |archive-date=May 18, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220518013708/https://www.ign.com/articles/2001/08/29/mario-kart-super-circuit |url-status=live }}</ref>
| JXV = 18/20<ref name="Jeuxrev">{{cite web |author=Jihem |url=https://www.jeuxvideo.com/articles/0000/00001555_test.htm |title=Test de Mario Kart : Super Circuit sur GBA |language=fr |website=[[Jeuxvideo.com]] |date=September 5, 2001 |access-date=January 17, 2023 |archive-date=January 12, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230112180919/https://www.jeuxvideo.com/articles/0000/00001555_test.htm |url-status=live }}</ref>
| NLife = 3DS: 7/10<ref name="Nlife3ds">{{cite web |last=DelVillano |first=Ron |url=https://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/2011/12/mario_kart_super_circuit_3dsvc |title=Mario Kart Super Circuit Review (3DS eShop / GBA) |website=[[Nintendo Life]] |date=December 22, 2011 |access-date=January 17, 2023 |archive-date=January 10, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230110185455/https://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/2011/12/mario_kart_super_circuit_3dsvc |url-status=live }}</ref><br />Wii U: 7/10<ref name="Nlifewiiu">{{cite web |last=Letcavage |first=Dave |url=https://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/2011/12/mario_kart_super_circuit_3dsvc |title=Mario Kart Super Circuit Review (Wii U eShop / GBA) |website=[[Nintendo Life]] |date=November 20, 2014 |access-date=January 17, 2023 |archive-date=January 10, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230110185455/https://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/2011/12/mario_kart_super_circuit_3dsvc |url-status=live }}</ref>
| award1Pub = [[IGN]]
| award1 = Editors' Choice Award<ref>{{cite web|title=IGN Editors' Choice Games |url=http://gameboy.ign.com/index/choice.html |website=[[IGN]] |access-date=April 23, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051212052058/http://gameboy.ign.com/index/choice.html |archive-date=December 12, 2005}}</ref>
}}

''Mario Kart: Super Circuit'' received "universal acclaim", according to the [[review aggregator]] website [[Metacritic]].<ref name=Metacritic/> The game was successful commercially, selling 5.91&nbsp;million copies worldwide—the fourth-[[List of best-selling Game Boy Advance games|bestselling GBA game]] and the system's bestselling non-''[[Pokémon (video game series)|Pokémon]]'' game.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.gameinformer.com/b/news/archive/2014/06/02/mario-kart-8-speeds-to-over-1-2-million-sales-in-opening-weekend.aspx |title=''Mario Kart 8'' Speeds To Over 1.2 Million Sales In Opening Weekend |last=Futter |first=Mike |date=June 2, 2014 |magazine=[[Game Informer]] |access-date=June 2, 2014 |archive-date=June 4, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140604084937/http://www.gameinformer.com/b/news/archive/2014/06/02/mario-kart-8-speeds-to-over-1-2-million-sales-in-opening-weekend.aspx |url-status=live }}</ref> In the United Kingdom, ''Super Circuit'' sold 350,000 units by 2005 and was the bestselling GBA game in the region,<ref name=uksales>{{cite web |last=Reed |first=Kristan |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/a-2005salesreview-pt2 |title=2005 UK Sales Review |website=[[Eurogamer]] |pages=1–3 |date=May 4, 2006 |access-date=January 17, 2023 |archive-date=January 11, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230111220434/https://www.eurogamer.net/a-2005salesreview-pt2 |url-status=live }}</ref> and by 2006 had sold 2.1&nbsp;million units in the United States.<ref name=nextgensales>{{cite web |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071010052300/http://www.next-gen.biz/index2.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3557&Itemid=2&pop=1&page=0 |url=http://www.next-gen.biz/index2.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3557&Itemid=2&pop=1&page=0 |title=The Century's Top 50 Handheld Games |last=Keiser |first=Joe |date=August 2, 2006 |work=[[Next Generation (magazine)|Next Generation]] |archive-date=October 10, 2007 |url-status=dead}}</ref> The game was added to Nintendo's "[[Player's Choice]]" lineup in 2006.<ref>{{cite web|last=Harris|first=Craig|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2006/07/27/players-choice-round-two|title=Player's Choice, Round Two|website=[[IGN]]|date=July 27, 2006|access-date=May 3, 2022|archive-date=October 15, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221015214113/https://www.ign.com/articles/2006/07/27/players-choice-round-two|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Harris|first=Craig|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2006/03/10/gba-gets-players-choice|title=GBA Gets Player's Choice|website=[[IGN]]|date=July 27, 2006|access-date=January 10, 2023|archive-date=January 10, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230110031218/https://www.ign.com/articles/2006/03/10/gba-gets-players-choice|url-status=live}}</ref>

The single-player modes received praise.<ref name="NWR">{{cite web |last=Berghammer |first=Billy |url=http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/review/3792/mario-kart-super-circuit-game-boy-advance |title=Mario Kart: Super Circuit Review |website=Nintendo World Report |date=July 24, 2001 |access-date=January 17, 2023 |archive-date=January 12, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230112180928/http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/review/3792/mario-kart-super-circuit-game-boy-advance |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="IGNrev"/><ref name="GSpot"/> Reviewers said the game had significant [[replay value]] due to the grading system and large number of tracks.<ref name="NWR"/><ref name="IGNrev"/><ref name="GSpot"/> ''[[IGN]]'' praised the "ghost mode" that allows players to race their friend's saved best time, which they said contributed to replay value.<ref name="IGNrev"/> The multiplayer offerings were lauded;<ref name="IGNrev"/><ref name="GSpot"/><ref name="NWR"/><ref name="GRadar"/> ''Nintendo World Report'' commended their speed, and ''[[GamesRadar]]'' declared ''Super Circuit'' the best multiplayer game on a handheld console at the time.<ref name="NWR"/><ref name="GRadar"/> The battle mode in particular drew praise,<ref name="GSpot"/><ref name="NWR"/><ref name="GRadar"/> although ''IGN'' criticized the inability to play against computer opponents in it.<ref name="IGNrev"/> The ability for multiplayer modes to be played over multiple consoles with only one game cartridge was met with a more mixed reception.<ref name="IGNrev"/><ref name="NWR"/><ref name="GSpot"/> While ''[[GameSpot]]'' stated that the feature added further value, ''Nintendo World Report'' noted performance problems, which they said were enough to hinder gameplay.<ref name="GSpot"/><ref name="NWR"/>

Critics enjoyed ''Super Circuit''{{'s}} gameplay.<ref name="GPro"/><ref name="Nlife3ds"/><ref name="Nlifewiiu"/><ref name="GRadar"/> ''[[GamePro]]'' described its controls as precise, though they found it difficult to input a power slide move.<ref name="GPro"/> ''[[Nintendo Life]]'', in contrast, stated that controls could have been more precise.<ref name="Nlifewiiu"/> ''GamesRadar'' said the vehicle handling was superior to competitors like ''[[Crash Team Racing]]'' (1999) and ''[[Diddy Kong Racing]]'' (1997), with movement that felt "effortlessly perfect".<ref name="GRadar"/> Reviewers noted the difficulty;<ref name="IGNrev"/><ref name="GSpy"/><ref name="Nlifewiiu"/> ''IGN'' described its single player offerings as "extremely challenging" due to the intelligence of computer opponents and the process of unlocking tracks.<ref name="IGNrev"/> ''[[GameSpy]]'' and ''Nintendo Life'' agreed that the precision of the controls adds to the challenge, though they became less of a struggle through experience.<ref name="GSpy"/><ref name="Nlifewiiu"/>

''Super Circuit''{{'s}} presentation received praise, with critics admiring the visuals. Some reviewers noted its graphical similarity to ''Super Mario Kart'', though they considered it an improvement.<ref name="Eurog"/><ref name="IGNrev"/><ref name="GSpot"/><ref name="NWR"/> ''Nintendo Life'' and ''Nintendo World Report'' commended the track designs for their thematic variety and attention towards minute details.<ref name="Nlifewiiu"/><ref name="NWR"/> The original GBA model did not contain a [[backlit]] screen, a problem which ''GameSpot'' wrote the bright color palette helped rectify.<ref name="GSpot"/> The sound design was well received: ''IGN'' described the music as "extremely upbeat",<ref name="IGNrev"/> and ''Nintendo World Report'' said its [[stereo]] audio contained a high degree of precision.<ref name="NWR"/>

''GamePro'' said Intelligent Systems had combined all the positive aspects of previous ''Mario Kart'' games "seamlessly" to create ''Super Circuit''.<ref name="GPro"/> ''GamesRadar'' and ''IGN'' said the game had few flaws, the latter naming it an exemplar for the GBA's hardware capabilities.<ref name="GRadar"/><ref name="IGNrev"/> ''Super Circuit'' received "Favourite Video Game" at the 2002 [[Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards]].<ref>{{cite web |last=Berghammer |first=Billy |url=http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/news/7264/mario-kart-is-kids-favorite |title=Mario Kart is Kids Favorite! |website=Nintendo World Report |date=April 24, 2002 |access-date=January 17, 2023 |archive-date=January 12, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230112180918/http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/news/7264/mario-kart-is-kids-favorite |url-status=live }}</ref> It was nominated for the Handheld [[List of Game of the Year awards|Game of the Year]] award at both the [[5th Annual Interactive Achievement Awards]] and the 2002 [[Golden Joystick Awards]],<ref>{{cite web |author=IGN staff |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2002/02/07/2001-academy-awards-for-games |title=2001 Academy Awards for Games |website=[[IGN]] |date=February 7, 2002 |access-date=January 17, 2023 |archive-date=December 25, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221225235416/https://www.ign.com/articles/2002/02/07/2001-academy-awards-for-games |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author=Eurogamer staff |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/article-46903 |title=GTA3 sweeps the boards at the Golden Joysticks |website=[[Eurogamer]] |date=October 28, 2002 |access-date=January 17, 2023 |archive-date=January 11, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230111214934/https://www.eurogamer.net/article-46903 |url-status=live }}</ref> and best "Mobile" game at the 2001 [[BAFTA Awards]] show.<ref>{{cite web |last=Yeung |first=Karlie |url=http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/news/6649/nintendo-games-scoop-up-two-baftas |title=Nintendo Games Scoop Up Two BAFTAs |website=Nintendo World Report |date=October 26, 2001 |access-date=January 17, 2023 |archive-date=January 17, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230117011029/http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/news/6649/nintendo-games-scoop-up-two-baftas |url-status=live }}</ref>

{{Clear}}

==Legacy==
Despite its positive initial reception, ''Super Circuit'' ranks low on retrospective critics' lists of the best ''Mario Kart'' games,<ref name="GRadar-topmk"/><ref>{{cite web |last=Malone |first=Casey |url=https://www.pastemagazine.com/games/the-8-best-mario-kart-games/ |title=The 8 Best Mario Kart Games |website=[[Paste (magazine)|Paste]] |date=May 29, 2014 |access-date=January 28, 2023 |archive-date=January 29, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230129174700/https://www.pastemagazine.com/games/the-8-best-mario-kart-games/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=McFerran |first1=Damien |last2=Lane |first2=Gavin |url=https://www.nintendolife.com/guides/best-mario-kart-games-of-all-time |title=Best Mario Kart Games Of All Time |website=[[Nintendo Life]] |date=August 27, 2022 |access-date=January 28, 2023 |archive-date=December 31, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221231182743/https://www.nintendolife.com/guides/best-mario-kart-games-of-all-time |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Ktku-top">{{cite web |last=McFerran |first=Damien |url=https://kotaku.com/lets-rank-the-mario-kart-games-worst-to-best-1842892038 |title=Let's Rank The ''Mario Kart'' Games, Worst To Best |pages=3 |website=[[Kotaku]] |date=April 21, 2020 |access-date=January 28, 2023 |archive-date=December 26, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221226012711/https://kotaku.com/lets-rank-the-mario-kart-games-worst-to-best-1842892038 |url-status=live }}</ref> and ''Nintendo World Report'' said it was the ''Mario Kart'' game with the "fewest innovations".<ref name="NWR-innovations"/> Critics blamed this on the hardware limitations of the GBA; ''GamesRadar'' said that the scarcity of the Link Cable made ''Super Circuit''{{'s}} multiplayer experience less memorable than other ''Mario Kart'' games.<ref name="GRadar-topmk"/> ''Kotaku'' described ''Super Circuit'' as "lost", unable to live up to the technically pioneering releases of ''Super Mario Kart'' and ''64'' because of the GBA's hardware.<ref name="Ktku-top"/> Nonetheless, critics rank ''Super Circuit'' among the best GBA games.<ref>{{cite web |last=Harris |first=Craig |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2007/03/17/top-25-game-boy-advance-games-of-all-time |title=Top 25 Game Boy Advance Games of All Time |website=[[IGN]] |date=March 17, 2007 |access-date=January 28, 2023 |archive-date=March 20, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070320012527/http://gameboy.ign.com/articles/772/772284p2.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Bonthuys |first=Darryn |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/best-game-boy-advance-games/1100-6497311/ |title=Best GBA Games: Top 25 Game Boy Advance Titles |website=[[GameSpot]] |date=February 14, 2022 |access-date=January 28, 2023 |archive-date=December 25, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221225063954/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/best-game-boy-advance-games/1100-6497311/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Jones |first=Darran |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/best-gba-games/ |title=The 25 best GBA games of all time |website=[[GamesRadar]] |date=June 25, 2022 |access-date=January 28, 2023 |archive-date=September 1, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210901235919/https://www.gamesradar.com/best-gba-games/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

''Super Circuit'' was the first ''Mario Kart'' game to include tracks introduced in previous games, a tradition that would carry with every entry in the series starting with ''[[Mario Kart DS]]'' (2005).<ref>{{cite web |last=Reynolds |first=Matthew |url=https://www.digitalspy.com/videogames/retro-gaming/a356360/retro-corner-mario-kart-super-circuit/ |title=Retro Corner: 'Mario Kart: Super Circuit' |website=[[Digital Spy]] |date=December 17, 2011 |access-date=January 28, 2023 |archive-date=October 6, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221006082208/https://www.digitalspy.com/videogames/retro-gaming/a356360/retro-corner-mario-kart-super-circuit/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2017, ''[[Paste (magazine)|Paste]]'' ranked ''Super Circuit''{{'s}} Cheese Land as the tenth best track in the ''Mario Kart'' series; he cited it as an example of ''Super Circuit'' having "some of the wackiest, out-there tracks", surmising that "the course designers hadn't yet been stultified by the series' massive success to come during the DS and Wii eras".<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.pastemagazine.com/games/mario-kart/the-15-best-mario-kart-tracks/ |title=The 15 Best ''Mario Kart'' Tracks |website=[[Paste (magazine)|Paste]] |last=Irwin |first=Jon |date=April 21, 2017 |access-date=February 11, 2021 |archive-date=January 23, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210123023126/https://www.pastemagazine.com/games/mario-kart/the-15-best-mario-kart-tracks/ |url-status=live}}</ref>

==Notes==
{{Notelist}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* {{Official website|https://www.nintendo.co.jp/n08/amkj/index.html}} {{in lang|ja}}

{{Mario Kart}}
{{Intelligent Systems}}
{{Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Award for Favorite Video Game}}
{{Authority control}}
{{Portal bar|Video games|2000s}}

[[Category:2001 video games]]
[[Category:Game Boy Advance games]]
[[Category:Intelligent Systems games]]
[[Category:Mario Kart|Super Circuit]]
[[Category:Mario racing games]]
[[Category:Multiplayer and single-player video games]]
[[Category:Nintendo Classics games]]
[[Category:Video games developed in Japan]]
[[Category:Video games produced by Shigeru Miyamoto]]
[[Category:Virtual Console games]]
[[Category:Virtual Console games for Wii U]]
[[Category:Virtual Console games for Nintendo 3DS]]