It is the sequel of Super Mario Kart, featuring a similar base where players can select a character from the Super Mario franchise to drive in a kart, using items to help themselves or hinder the other drivers. (Because of aerodynamics and all that.) This can be used to overtake your opponent, or if the mood strikes you, to ram right into the bastard.Mario Kart 64 (styled as MARIOKART 64 abbreviated to MK64) is a racing game developed and published by Nintendo for the Nintendo 64 (N64) video game console and the second installment in the Mario Kart series. Simply trail directly behind another racer’s kart for a few seconds to receive a mini-boost. Turns out it can be performed in the four latest games, as well as Mario Kart 64. This technique, also called Drafting, was news to me as I never realized it was possible in Mario Kart. Equippable items include Triple Green Shells, Triple Red Shells, Triple Bananas/Banana Bunch, Mario Kart 7’s Lucky 7, and Mario Kart 8’s Crazy 8.
These items will encircle your cart in a protective orbit and also free up your item inventory, allowing you to pick up another. This technique will also free up your item inventory, allowing you to pick up another item should you run through an Item Box while dragging this one behind you.Īdditionally, some items-especially item bunches-are first equipped before you can fire them. Simply press and hold the Item button-as opposed to tapping it-to drag the item behind your kart. Green Shells, Red Shells, Banana Peels, and Fake Item Boxes can all be held behind your cart to shield you from attacks fired at your back. Banana peels, Fake Item boxesĪfter Power Slides, the next most important technique for winning in Mario Kart is using items defensively. If your target rounds a corner before the shell can get there and it hits the wall instead, it will just break apart.īoth Green Shells and Red Shells can be dragged behind your kart as a shield, a tactic we’ll discuss a little later. (They can also be fired backwards, but in that case, they only travel straight.) Red Shells will not bounce off walls, they break on contact with anything. You don’t have to aim them because they will go after the next person ahead of you. It also means that a poorly aimed Green Shell can bounce right back and nail you in the face if you’re not careful. They also will bounce off walls without breaking, meaning that you can hit your opponent with a bank shot if you can manage the trajectory. Green Shells fly in a straight line after you fire them, so you have to aim carefully to hit your target. The come in two basic varieties: Green Shells and Red Shells. Koopa shells are the primary offensive weapons of Mario Kart, projectiles you can launch from your vehicle in the hopes of hitting an opponent.
We’ve written this “How To” piece to show you the ropes and give you the basic techniques for playing Mario Kart. If that’s the case, never fear, the Kelleher Bros. And sure, your 10-year-old niece might absolutely crush you on Rainbow Road. But if you’ve made it this long without playing the game that invented the “cart racing” genre, you might feel a tad bit intimidated to jump into the race now. With its many titles and massive popularity among all demographics, it’s not unlikely that you will be invited-or aggressively challenged-to play Mario Kart. (And that’s not to mention the Mario Kart Arcade GP games co-developed with Namco for arcades.)
Starting with Super Mario Kart (1992) on the Super Nintendo, the series had made a smash-hit appearance on all Nintendo consoles and handhelds, the most recent being Mario Kart 8 on the WiiU. It’s hard not to love the cartoonish kart racer with its colorful cast, devious tracks, and trademark blend of auto racing and vehicular combat. Mario Kart is probably the single most universally praised video game series of all time.