The Mario Kart series is widely considered one of the best multiplayer series in gaming. And why not? The items, tracks, and variety of modes have kept players coming back for almost 23 years!
Today I am ranking the series based on my personal preference. So let's-a-go!
8. Super Mario Kart
To those who love this game, I apologize, but I just cannot get into it as much as most of the rest of the series. It is a landmark game that spawned the Mario Kart empire and was technologically dazzling for the time, but it just gets more and more aged with each passing year. If you play this one, play it with a friend and enjoy a blast from the past because the single-player mode is rage-inducing if your cannot grasp the controls very well.
7. Mario Kart: Super Circuit
Alas, another case of a Mario Kart game I cannot really get into. Perhaps if I had anyone to play with I would like it a little better, but as a single player experience it really lacks. Despite the stiffest turning in the series, I rank it above Super Mario Kart because it contains all of Super Mario Kart's tracks.
6. Mario Kart 64
Here we have another case of a Mario Kart game that has significantly aged. Not to fear, Mario Kart may have stiffer controls than modern Mario Kart games, but it is still extremely playable. Mario Kart 64 was a significant step forward for the series because it introduced 4-Player Versus and Battle Modes, Wario and Donkey Kong as playable racers (they have been in every installment since), and full 3D tracks that were steps above the Mode 7 graphics of the SNES.
This N64 racing giant still captures my interest because of its terrific courses (Koopa Troopa Beach, Kalahari Desert, Rainbow Road) and fun battle mode. One thing to wonder about is the title of the game. Now that they are numbering Mario Kart games, what happens once they reach the 64th Mario Kart game?
5. Mario Kart Wii
Mario Kart Wii is clearly the most culturally dominant Mario Kart game in history. It has sold 35.15 million units to date and still commands a high price. On top of that, most of my peers who don't play many video games think of this Mario Kart game first.
With all that being said, I love Mario Kart Wii. It has some of the best courses in the series (Coconut Mall, Koopa Cape, Maple Treeway) and a wide variety of karts and motorbikes (a series first) to pick from. The online play was also very fun and it's a shame that it's gone now.
All that being said, Mario Kart Wii has several factors that keep it from being my favorite (and many a critic's favorite)Mario Kart game. While it is true that every Mario Kart game has some sort of imbalance in its item system, Mario Kart Wii is notorious for being one of the worst balanced Mario Kart games. The Thunder Cloud and POW Block items appear far too often and are very annoying. Thankfully, Nintendo removed them in subsequent installments. The character selection is a little strange as well. Who ever wanted Funky Kong, Dry Bowser, and Baby Daisy? The game's graphics are also not that great. They look blurry to be honest. The Wii could have handled better graphics, even with its limits.
Despite all of that, Mario Kart Wii is very entertaining game that I will enjoy for years to come.
4. Mario Kart 8
The latest Mario Kart game is one of the most popular games on Nintendo's failing Wii U. The graphics are gorgeous, the controls are tight and responsive, and the antigravity gameplay mechanic is very fun. Mario Kart 8 continues to live on thanks to its DLC. Course/Character packs are available and 200cc (a series first) is on the way. Oh, and memo to Nintendo, please fix the battle mode. I would love some actual battle arenas and some other gameplay options (Bob-omb Blast, Coin Runners)
Mario Kart 8 may not be as magical to me as it is to others, but it is a great game that I will continue to enjoy.
3. Mario Kart 7
Mario Kart 7 helped save my 3DS experience. I got the 3DS at launch and only had Pilotwings Resort to play for over 6 months (spoiler alert: I barely played Pilotwings Resort). Mario Kart 7 is so fun and looks great on the 3DS. The kart customization, along with gliding and underwater segments, help shake up the old Mario Kart formula. Mario Kart 7 is a bundle of racing joy that I will continue to enjoy.
2. Mario Kart DS
Mario Kart DS is one of the most loved Mario Kart games because of its innovations. It was the first game to use Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection and the first Mario Kart game to have revamped retro tracks. To this day it remains the only Mario Kart game to have a mission mode and customizable emblems (bring these innovations back Nintendo). Mario Kart DS is a brilliant game that changed the Mario Kart series for the better, and is still highly beloved today.
1. Mario Kart: Double Dash!!
Perhaps the only reason this game takes the crown for top Mario Kart game is because of my memories with it. My family and I loved this game so much that we took it on trips with us. My father, older brother, and I drove to Wisconsin back in 2004, with Mario Kart: Double Dash!! in tow. Despite the fact that we were in a moving car with only a tiny television, my brother and I spent our time racing along the beautiful courses of Double Dash.
All that nostalgia aside, Double Dash still has a ton to offer. The battle mode is varied and extremely fun, the dual drivers mechanic allows for customization and strategic mayhem, and the courses are some of the best in the series. Mario Kart: Double Dash is a quirky, innovative game and my favorite Mario Kart game.
So what do you guys think? Agree? Disagree? I would love to hear your opinions. Until next time, Wman1996 out.
