:Mario Kart 64
{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2023}}
{{Short description|1996 video game}}
{{Infobox video game
| image = Mario Kart 64.jpg
| caption = North American box art
| developer = Nintendo EAD
| publisher = Nintendo
| director = Hideki Konno
| producer = Shigeru Miyamoto
| artist = Tadashi Sugiyama
| composer = Kenta Nagata
| programmer = Masato Kimura
| series = Mario Kart
| platforms = Nintendo 64
| released = {{vgrelease|JP|December 14, 1996|NA|February 10, 1997|EU|June 24, 1997}}
| genre = Kart racing
| modes = Single-player, multiplayer
| title = Mario Kart 64
}}
{{nihongo foot|Mario Kart 64|マリオカート64|Mario Kāto Rokujūyon|lead=yes|group=lower-alpha}} is a 1996 kart racing game for the Nintendo 64 (N64). It is the second installment in the Mario Kart series after 1992's Super Mario Kart. The game retains the gameplay of its predecessor: the player, controlling a Mario franchise character, races opponents around tracks based on locales from the Super Mario platform games. Tracks contain obstacles to slow the player down and item boxes which give the player power-ups to aid in their progress. Mario Kart 64 contains different single-player and local multiplayer game modes, including a Grand Prix racing mode and a last man standing battle mode.
Developed and published by Nintendo, Mario Kart 64 was first revealed in 1995 alongside the N64. The development team focused on utilising the N64's technology to create a smooth playing experience rather than deviating significantly from its predecessor's gameplay in order to appeal to a wide audience. Developers were bounded by the N64's processing power and made use of rendering techniques to save on memory, and used car physics simulations to aid the game's kart design. Nintendo released Mario Kart 64 in late 1996 in Japan and in 1997 worldwide, months after the launch of the N64.
Mario Kart 64 received acclaim from critics. The track designs, multiplayer, and presentation were lauded, while criticism was directed towards its technical issues and difficulty. The game has sold 9.87 million copies worldwide since its release, making it the second-bestselling N64 game. Mario Kart 64 was nominated for awards following its release, and retrospectively has been considered one of the greatest video games of all time. The game has a notable speedrunning presence online. Mario Kart 64 was rereleased digitally on the Wii in 2007, the Wii U in 2016, and the Nintendo Switch in 2021.
Gameplay
{{See also|Mario Kart#Gameplay|l1=Gameplay of the Mario Kart series}}
Mario Kart 64 is a kart racing video game featuring characters and elements from the Mario franchise largely similar in gameplay to its predecessor Super Mario Kart (1992). The player controls one of eight Mario franchise characters and races opponents in karts around tracks based on locales from the Super Mario platform games. The game's 20 courses are populated with obstacles to slow the player down, shortcuts letting the player skip sections,{{cite magazine |last1=Taylor |first1=Matt |title=Mario Kart 64 preview |magazine=Computer and Video Games |date=April 1997 |issue=185 |pages=16–17 |url=https://archive.org/details/Computer_and_Video_Games_Issue_185_1997-04_EMAP_Images_GB/page/n15/mode/2up |access-date=June 9, 2021 |publisher=Future plc |location=Bath}} and boxes labeled with question marks which give the player a random item based on elements from the Super Mario series.{{cite magazine |last1=Skaggs |first1=Kathy |title=Mario Kart 64 preview |magazine=GamePro |date=March 1997 |issue=92 |page=38 |url=https://archive.org/details/GamePro_Issue_092_March_1997/page/n39/mode/2up |access-date=June 9, 2021 |publisher=IDG Entertainment |location=Newtonville}} Items can be either power-ups, such as giving the player a speed boost, or offensive, such as causing an opponent to spin out. The player can also drift around corners or enter an opponent's slipstream to receive a speed boost. Playable characters are divided into three weight classes which determine characteristics such as speed, acceleration, and handling.{{cite magazine |last1=Desmond |first1=Mike |title=Mario Kart 64: Classic action back on track |magazine=Electronic Gaming Monthly |date=February 1997 |issue=91 |pages=106–109 |url=https://archive.org/details/ElectronicGamingMonthly_201902/Electronic%20Gaming%20Monthly%20Issue%20091%20%28February%201997%29/page/n107/mode/2up?q=mario+kart+64 |access-date=June 9, 2021 |publisher=Ziff Davis |location=Chicago}} Princess Peach, Toad, and Yoshi are lightweights; Luigi and Mario are middleweights; and Bowser, Donkey Kong, and Wario are heavyweights.{{cite web|author=IGN staff|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/1997/01/07/mario-kart-classes-discovered|title=Mario Kart Classes Discovered|website=IGN|date=January 7, 1997|accessdate=October 1, 2024|archive-date=January 23, 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250123080621/https://www.ign.com/articles/1997/01/07/mario-kart-classes-discovered|url-status=live}} There are three difficulty levels based on engine classes—50cc, 100cc, or 150cc—, with the harder difficulties' more powerful engine classes providing increased maximum speeds and control difficulty.
There are two single-player game mode options in Mario Kart 64: Grand Prix (GP) and Time Trials. Time Trials is a solely single-player mode and GP can be played in single-player or with two players. In GP, the game's main mode, the player races seven computer opponents in one of four "cups" consisting of four tracks, with the objective of achieving the highest points across all four three-lap races.{{Cite web |url=http://www.mariomayhem.com/downloads/mario_instruction_booklets/Mario_Kart_64_-_Manual_-_N64.pdf |title=Mario Kart 64 Instruction Booklet, 1997, Nintendo |access-date=April 25, 2016 |archive-date=January 3, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210103014922/https://www.mariomayhem.com/downloads/mario_instruction_booklets/Mario_Kart_64_-_Manual_-_N64.pdf |url-status=live }} The player must race on every track in the cup, and points are given out at the end of each race based on position—nine for first place, six for second, three for third, and one for fourth. The player must come in at least fourth place in each race to continue racing for a trophy. Achieving highest points on all cups in the 150cc difficulty unlocks a "mirror" mode in which all tracks are flipped left-to-right. In Time Trials, the player races on any of the 16 tracks with the aim of achieving the lowest time across three laps. There are no opponents or items on the track; the player is given three speed boosts to use across the whole race. The player can race against another player's time by sharing "ghost" data using the Controller Pak, a memory card that plugs into the back of the Nintendo 64 (N64) controller.
Three local multiplayer modes are present in Mario Kart 64: GP, Versus (VS), and Battle. The game utilises a split screen to display each player's gameplay. GP is unchanged from its single-player version, but allows for two players. In VS mode, two to four players race around any track without computer opponents. Battle mode sees two to four players compete in one of four arenas rather than tracks. The player begins with three balloons over their character, with the objective of popping other players' balloons using items. Players are knocked out upon losing all their balloons—though can control a bomb with wheels to attack remaining players afterwards—, and the winner is whoever remains the last man standing.
Development
Image:N64-Console-Set.png (pictured).]]
The game was provisionally titled Super Mario Kart R during development—the "R" being short for "rendered".{{Cite magazine|date=February 1996|title=Nintendo Ultra 64 - Shigeru Miyamoto Related Projects|url=https://archive.org/details/computer-and-video-games-magazine/Computer%20and%20Video%20Games%20171/page/n19/mode/2up|magazine=Computer and Video Games|issue=171|pages=21}}{{Cite magazine|date=June 1996|title=Nintendo 64 Preview|url=https://archive.org/details/maximum-the-video-game-magazine-issue-7-june-1996-uk/page/22/mode/2up|magazine=Maximum|issue=7|pages=22}} Mario Kart 64 was developed concurrently with Super Mario 64 (1996) and The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time (1998) by Nintendo's Entertainment Analysis & Development division.{{Cite magazine|date=October 1996|title=Miyamoto Speaks|url=https://archive.org/stream/NintendoPower1988-2004/Nintendo%20Power%20Issue%20089%20%28October%201996%29#page/n69/mode/2up|magazine=Nintendo Power|issue=89|pages=64–67}} The game was revealed alongside the N64 console itself in November 1995 at the Shoshinkai trade show via a videotape given out to journalists. The game was reportedly considered "95% complete" at the time of the show.{{Cite magazine|date=December 1995|title=The return of the awesome MARIO KART!|url=https://archive.org/details/maximum-03/page/104/mode/2up|magazine=Maximum|issue=3|pages=105}} Mario Kart 64 was intended to be released alongside the N64 itself in mid-1996 but became delayed as development resources were directed towards Super Mario 64, itself a launch title for the system.{{cite web|url=https://iwataasks.nintendo.com/interviews/wii/mariokart/0/0/|title=Iwata Asks - Mario Kart Wii|date=April 3, 2008|publisher=Nintendo|accessdate=October 5, 2024}}
Developers didn't focus on gameplay deviating significantly from its predecessor Super Mario Kart, wanting the game to appeal to a wide audience. Nintendo instead focused on the game's use of technology and internal processes, like making multiplayer gameplay performance smooth and generally using the full extent of the N64's processing capabilities. Hideki Konno, the director of Mario Kart 64, stated that developers wanted a racing environment in the game where all players were "in it until the end". Konno claimed that they weren't able to achieve this due to the processing capabilities of the N64 not allowing eight players on the screen at all times.{{cite web |last=Totilo |first=Stephen |url=https://kotaku.com/the-maker-of-mario-kart-justifies-the-blue-shell-5780082 |title=The Maker Of Mario Kart Justifies The Blue Shell |website=Kotaku |date=March 9, 2011 |accessdate=October 4, 2024 |archive-date=May 7, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210507034808/https://kotaku.com/the-maker-of-mario-kart-justifies-the-blue-shell-5780082 |url-status=live }} Developers created a simulation of remote-controlled vehicles and did research on the physics of cars to aid in designing the game's kart mechanics. Ultimately, it was decided these kart mechanics were too "realistic" and unenjoyable for game testers, and developers settled on a more straightforward approach to controls in the final release. Game designers wanted freedom in regards to where the player can race on tracks. This caused programmers to struggle with collision detection, trying to find a balance between not overloading the processor and not wanting to cut corners such as by letting players overlap each other.
The game uses a rendering technique known as billboarding to represent characters. Characters are represented by a two-dimensional image kept perpendicular to the camera rather than being rendered in 3D. This technique allowed developers to save on memory—the game's Battle mode and ability to render eight players on the track at once were made possible by this. Producer Shigeru Miyamoto credited the game's technical performance to the N64's use of ROM cartridges over disc-based CD-ROMs for game media, due to the way they handle pre-loading data to the game system. During development, a hard disk failure resulted in designers remaking "about 80%" of the game's character models. An early alpha version of the game appeared in the Nintendo Gigaleak, a 2020 data leak of internal material at Nintendo. The alpha used assets from Super Mario Kart as placeholders.{{cite web |last=Skrebels |first=Joe |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/nintendo-gigaleak-everything-we-know-and-all-the-major-discoveries |title=Nintendo Gigaleak: Everything We Know and All the Major Discoveries |website=IGN |date=July 27, 2020 |accessdate=October 4, 2024 |archive-date=February 27, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240227211919/https://www.ign.com/articles/nintendo-gigaleak-everything-we-know-and-all-the-major-discoveries |url-status=live }} A pre-release version of the game originally featured Kamek, a villain in the Yoshi series, before being replaced by Donkey Kong.{{cite web |last=McWhertor |first=Michael |url=https://www.polygon.com/22641229/mario-kart-tour-kamek-magikoopa-nintendo |title=Mario Kart finally stops disrespecting Kamek the Magikoopa |website=Polygon |date=August 25, 2021 |accessdate=October 4, 2024 |archive-date=October 7, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241007091602/https://www.polygon.com/22641229/mario-kart-tour-kamek-magikoopa-nintendo |url-status=live }} Other features cut during development include a racing game mode without items—scrapped due to disinterest from game testers—and two tracks. The cut tracks were based on a parking garage and a large city, respectively.{{cite web |url=https://archive.org/details/mariokart64guide/Image%20%28121%29.jpg |title=マリオカート64―任天堂公式ガイドブック |trans-title=Mario Kart 64 - Nintendo Official Guidebook |publisher=Nintendo |language=Japanese |pages=74-78 |accessdate=October 5, 2024}}
Release
Mario Kart 64 was released in Japan on December 14, 1996, in the United States on February 10, 1997, and in Europe on June 24—the American release of the game was moved forward a week from the initially announced date.{{cite web|author=IGN staff|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/1997/01/23/mario-kart-64-release-date-moved-up|title=Mario Kart 64 Release Date Moved Up|website=IGN|date=January 23, 1997|accessdate=October 1, 2024|archive-date=January 23, 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250123080707/https://www.ign.com/articles/1997/01/23/mario-kart-64-release-date-moved-up|url-status=live}}{{cite web |url=https://www.nintendolife.com/games/n64/mario_kart_64 |title=Mario Kart 64 (1997) |website=Nintendo Life |accessdate=September 30, 2024}} It was the second entry in the Mario Kart series after Super Mario Kart.{{cite web|last1=Morales|first1=Aaron|last2=Franich|first2=Darren|url=https://ew.com/gaming/mario-kart-evolution/|title=See the 25-Year Evolution of 'Mario Kart'|website=Entertainment Weekly|date=April 20, 2017|accessdate=October 6, 2024|archive-date=October 7, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241007103058/https://ew.com/gaming/mario-kart-evolution/|url-status=live}} Nintendo of America chairman Howard Lincoln stated that the difference in time between the Japanese and American releases of the game was due to the company's desire to release the game during the holiday season in Japan, considering a lack of N64 releases in the region.{{cite magazine|date=March 1997|title=Mr. Lincoln, What's Next?|url=https://archive.org/details/GamePro_Issue_102_Volume_09_Number_03_1997-03_IDG_Publishing_US/page/n37/mode/2up|magazine=GamePro|publisher=IDG|issue=102|pages=36–37}} Nintendo released a special edition of Mario Kart 64 in Japan which came with a specially-styled black-and-grey N64 controller.{{cite magazine|date=January 1997|title='Kart' Offer an N64 Treat|url=https://retrocdn.net/images/a/a6/EGM_US_090.pdf|magazine=Electronic Gaming Monthly|publisher=Ziff Davis|issue=90|page=26|accessdate=June 14, 2020|archive-date=December 6, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201206234608/https://retrocdn.net/images/a/a6/EGM_US_090.pdf|url-status=live}} It was released in China on December 25, 2003 on the iQue Player through the Chinese localization company iQue.{{cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041205223336/http://www.ique.com/news/game_news_031225.htm|url=http://www.ique.com/news/game_news_031225.htm|title=马力欧卡丁车圣诞节零时上市！|trans-title=Mario Kart is Available at Zero Hour on Christmas!|date=December 25, 2003|accessdate=March 15, 2023|archive-date=December 5, 2004|publisher=iQue|language=Chinese}} Mario Kart 64 was digitally rereleased on the Wii and the Wii U through the Virtual Console, releasing on the Wii worldwide across January 2007. On the Wii U, the game released on January 21, 2016 in Europe and on December 29 in the United States. Mario Kart 64 was also rereleased on the Nintendo Switch as part of the Nintendo Classics service on October 25, 2021.{{cite web |last=Bankhurst |first=Adam |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/nintendo-switch-online-expansion-pack-release-date-pricing-n64-sega-games |title=Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack Is Now Live |website=IGN |date=October 26, 2021 |accessdate=September 30, 2024 |archive-date=February 18, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230218084112/https://www.ign.com/articles/nintendo-switch-online-expansion-pack-release-date-pricing-n64-sega-games |url-status=live }}
The Mario Kart 64 soundtrack, composed by Kenta Nagata, was released on CD several times across 1997 in Japan and the United States. The American releases were published by Nintendo on April 1, 1997 and March 1 respectively, and the Japanese release was published by Pony Canyon on September 19. The releases include the game's songs as well as different sound effects and remixes of songs from the game, and each includes a different track listing.{{cite web |last=Turner |first=Jon |url=http://www.squareenixmusic.com/reviews/jonturner/mariokart64jap.shtml |title=Mario Kart 64 Original Soundtrack (Japan) :: Review by Jon Turner |website=Square Enix Music Online |accessdate=April 17, 2024 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20081026083122/http://www.squareenixmusic.com/reviews/jonturner/mariokart64jap.shtml |archivedate=October 26, 2008 |url-status=dead}}{{cite web |last=Turner |first=Jon |url=https://www.squareenixmusic.com/reviews/jonturner/mariokart64us.shtml |title=Mario Kart 64 Race Tracks (US) :: Review by Jon Turner |website=Square Enix Music Online |accessdate=April 17, 2024 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110416055813/https://www.squareenixmusic.com/reviews/jonturner/mariokart64us.shtml |archivedate=April 16, 2011 |url-status=dead}}{{cite web |last=Turner |first=Jon |url=http://www.squareenixmusic.com/reviews/jonturner/mariokart64best.shtml |title=Mario Kart 64 Greatest Hits (US) :: Review by Jon Turner |website=Square Enix Music Online |accessdate=April 17, 2024 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110416055738/http://www.squareenixmusic.com/reviews/jonturner/mariokart64best.shtml |archivedate=April 16, 2011 |url-status=dead}} Mario Kart 64 on Club Circuit, published by {{Ill|Tokuma Japan Communications|ja|徳間ジャパンコミュニケーションズ}} on December 26, 1997, is a remix album containing club remixes of the game's soundtrack.{{cite web |last=Turner |first=Jon |url=http://www.squareenixmusic.com/reviews/jonturner/mariokart64club.shtml |title=Mario Kart 64 on Club Circuit :: Review by Jon Turner |website=Square Enix Music Online |accessdate=April 17, 2024 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20081120082711/http://www.squareenixmusic.com/reviews/jonturner/mariokart64club.shtml |archivedate=November 20, 2008 |url-status=dead}}
Reception
{{Video game reviews
|MC = 83/100{{cite web |title=Mario Kart 64 aggregate score |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/mario-kart-64/critic-reviews/?platform=nintendo-64 |website=Metacritic |accessdate=June 10, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190113131346/https://www.metacritic.com/game/nintendo-64/mario-kart-64 |archive-date=January 13, 2019 |url-status=live |language=en}}{{efn|Score based on 15 reviews}}
|Allgame = 4/5{{cite web |last=McCall |first=Scott |url=http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=987&tab=review |title=Mario Kart 64 – Review |publisher=AllGame |accessdate=April 13, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141210173344/http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=987&tab=review |archive-date=December 10, 2014}}
|CVG = 4/5{{cite magazine |last1=Lomas |first1=Ed |title=Mario Kart 64 review |magazine=Computer and Video Games |date=July 1997 |issue=188 |pages=60–61 |url=https://archive.org/details/Computer_and_Video_Games_Issue_188_1997-07_EMAP_Images_GB/page/n59/mode/2up |access-date=June 9, 2021 |publisher=Future plc |location=Bath}}
|Edge = 8/10{{cite magazine |last1=Ferguson |first1=Nick |title=Mario Kart 64 review |magazine=Edge |date=February 1997 |issue=52 |pages=72–76 |publisher=Future plc |location=Bath}}
|EGM = 9.25/10{{cite magazine |last1=Boyer |first1=Crispin |title=Review Crew: Mario Kart 64 |magazine=Electronic Gaming Monthly |date=March 1997 |issue=92 |page=44 |url=https://archive.org/details/ElectronicGamingMonthly_201902/Electronic%20Gaming%20Monthly%20Issue%20092%20%28March%201997%29/page/n45/mode/2up?q=mario+kar |access-date=June 9, 2021 |publisher=Ziff Davis |location=Chicago}}
|GameFan = 92/100{{efn|In GameFan{{'}}s review, three critics scored Mario Kart 64 differently: 95, 93, and 89.{{cite magazine|url=https://archive.org/details/Gamefan_Vol_5_Issue_02/page/n29/mode/2up|title=Viewpoint|magazine=GameFan|volume=5|number=2|pages=28–30|date=January 1997|accessdate=June 21, 2021}}}}
|GI = 9.25/10{{cite magazine|url=https://archive.org/details/game-informer-issue-46-february-1997/page/n7/mode/2up|title=Mario Kart 64 Review|magazine=Game Informer|date=February 1997|issue=46|pages=6-11|accessdate=October 1, 2024}}
|GSpot = 6.4/10{{cite web |last=Ward |first=Trent |title=Mario Kart 64 review |url=http://www.gamespot.com/n64/driving/mariokart64/review.html |website=GameSpot |date=February 6, 1997 |accessdate=June 10, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190503194411/https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/mario-kart-64-review/1900-2544773/ |archive-date=May 3, 2019}}
|GameRev = B−{{cite web |title=Mario Kart review |url=http://www.gamerevolution.com/review/n64/mario_kart_64 |website=GameRevolution |publisher=AtomicOnline |date=June 6, 2004 |accessdate=June 15, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060514184559/http://www.gamerevolution.com/review/n64/mario_kart_64 |archive-date=May 14, 2006}}
|Hyper = 95%{{cite magazine|last=Wildgoose|first=David|date=June 1997|url=https://archive.org/details/hyper-044/page/38/mode/2up|title=Mario Kart 64|magazine=Hyper|issue=44|pages=38–41|accessdate=June 21, 2021}}
|IGN = N64: 8.1/10{{cite web|last=Schneider|first=Peer |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/1997/02/21/mario-kart-64|title=IGN: Mario Kart 64 Review |website=IGN |date=February 20, 1997 |accessdate=May 3, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080413012252/http://ign64.ign.com/articles/150/150502p1.html |archive-date=April 13, 2008}}
Wii: 7.9/10{{cite web |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2007/01/30/mario-kart-64-vc-review |title=Mario Kart 64 VC Review |date=January 30, 2007 |accessdate=January 17, 2014 |author=Thomas, Lucas M. |website=IGN |archive-date=August 10, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180810011124/http://www.ign.com/articles/2007/01/30/mario-kart-64-vc-review |url-status=live }}
|JXV = 17/20{{cite web |last=Caron |first=Francois |title=Test du jeu Mario Kart 64 sur N64 |url=https://www.jeuxvideo.com/articles/0001/00011273-mario-kart-64-test.htm |website=Jeuxvideo |publisher=Webedia |accessdate=June 9, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210501093829/https://www.jeuxvideo.com/articles/0001/00011273-mario-kart-64-test.htm |archive-date=May 1, 2021 |location=Paris |language=fr |date=August 12, 2009}}
|N64 = 91%{{cite magazine|url=https://archive.org/details/n64magazineukcollection/N64%20Magazine%201%20-%20april%201997%20%28UK%29%20%28Max-Rez%20version%29/page/n65/mode/2up|title=Mario Kart 64|last=Nash |first=Jonathan |magazine=N64 Magazine|issue=1|date=April 1997|pages=66–73|accessdate=June 21, 2021}}{{cite magazine | title=Mario Kart 64 | date=July 1997 | issue=4 |pages=30–45 |last=Nash |first=Jonathan |magazine=N64 Magazine | publisher=Future Publishing}}
|NLife = Wii: 9/10{{cite web |url=http://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/2007/01/mario_kart_64_virtual_console|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210425220023/https://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/n64/mario_kart_64|title=Mario Kart 64 on Virtual Console |last=Dillard |first=Corbie |website=Nintendo Life|publisher=Gamer Network|date=January 27, 2007|archive-date=April 25, 2021|accessdate=September 25, 2011}}
|NGen = 3/5{{cite magazine |last1=West |first1=Neil |title=Mario Kart 64 review |magazine=Next Generation |date=June 1997 |issue=30 |page=113 |url=https://archive.org/details/NextGeneration30Jun1997/page/n113/mode/2up?q=mario+kar |access-date=June 15, 2021 |publisher=Future plc |location=Bath, Somerset}}
|ONM = 90%{{cite magazine|last1=White|first1=Shaun|last2=McComb|first2=Dave|date=July 1997|url=https://archive.org/details/nintendo-magazine-uk-58-july-1997/page/16/mode/2up?q=%22mario+kart+64%22|title=Mario Kart 64|magazine=Official Nintendo Magazine|issue=58|pages=24–35|accessdate=June 21, 2021}}
|rev1 = Cubed3
|rev3 = Officiel Nintendo Magazine
|rev3Score = 98%{{cite magazine |last1=Barrel |first1=Corin |title=Test Nintendo 64: Mario Kart 64 |magazine=Officiel Nintendo Magazine |date=October 1997 |issue=1 |pages=22–27|language=French |publisher=Emap Alpha |location=Paris}}
}}
Mario Kart 64 received "generally favorable" reviews according to the review aggregator website Metacritic. The game was commercially successful, selling 9.87 million copies worldwide—the second-bestselling game on the N64.{{cite web |last=Futter |first=Mike |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 |date=June 2, 2014 |magazine=Game Informer |publisher=GameStop |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 }} It was the highest selling game in the United States over the first three months of 1997, and reached over one million sales within two months of its release in the region.{{cite web |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000312083957/http://headline.gamespot.com/news/97_05/15_belt/index.html |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/saturns-distant-orbit/1100-2466421/ |title=Saturn's Distant Orbit |date=May 15, 1997 | author=Horwitz, Jer |work=GameSpot |archive-date=March 12, 2000 |accessdate=May 3, 2022}} By 1999, Mario Kart 64 had sold 6.23 million copies in the United States and 2.06 million units in Japan, the highest and third-highest selling N64 game in those regions respectively.{{cite web|author=IGN staff|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/1999/12/01/japan-vs-us-sales|title=Japan vs. US Sales|website=IGN|date=April 9, 1997|accessdate=September 29, 2024|archive-date=October 22, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131022012303/https://www.ign.com/articles/1999/12/01/japan-vs-us-sales|url-status=live}}
Critics debated the game's presentation and visuals. Supporters felt the game adequately used the power of the N64,{{cite magazine |author=Dr. Zombie|title=Nintendo 64 ProReview: Mario Kart 64 |magazine=GamePro |date=April 1997 |issue=103 |page=76 |publisher=IDG Entertainment|location=Newtonville|url=https://archive.org/details/GamePro_Issue_103_Volume_09_Number_04_1997-04_IDG_Publishing_US/page/n79/mode/2up|accessdate=June 15, 2021}} made the game stand out from others in the racing genre and in the Mario series, and was an improvement over its 16-bit predecessor. The French Officiel Nintendo Magazine enjoyed the game's colourful and fluid visuals, adding that its overall presentation likened a "magical" experience. Detractors of the graphics felt they lacked detail, weren't better enough than the previous 16-bit entry, and failed to fully benefit from the N64's power. The use of 2D sprites was a common critique, with Next Generation arguing that it made the game look outdated.
Mario Kart 64{{'}}s track design and gameplay polarised critics. The game was panned for being un-innovative, too easy, and simple and monotonous. Computer and Video Games and N64 Magazine felt that success was too dependent on getting the right power-ups. Cubed3 disliked Mario Kart 64{{'}}s wide, motorway-like track design, saying that it did not provide an "adrenaline filled" experience which the player might have hoped for. Critics also found fault in the game's use of rubberband difficulty balancing, recognizing that it gave the enemy artificial intelligence (AI) an unfair advantage. Technical issues such as poor collision detection and lag in the four-player "Battle Mode" were also noted.
The gameplay did have supporters, who noted its large amount of courses, found its track designs more detailed and impressive than Super Mario Kart, and thought it had a lot of replay value. Hyper and N64 Magazine highlighted the flexible turning control with the multiple-angled analog stick, calling it "perfect" and true to real-life karts. N64 Magazine enjoyed the amount of focus and fast reflexes demanded from the player. Hyper reported having many unexpected moments while playing the game due to its "ingeniously fiendish AI" and the boxes containing different power-ups each time they're collected. Reviewers, even those lukewarm towards the graphics, positively noted touches such as the 180-degree turns in Bowser's Castle, the train tracks on Kalimari Desert, the trucks in Toad's Turnpike, the cows in Moo Moo Farm, Peach's castle on Royal Raceway, and the sliding penguins in Sherbet Land as highlights, as well as smoke puffs coming out of the kart.
Critics found the multiplayer mode to be better than the single player,{{cite magazine|url=https://archive.org/details/Gamefan_Vol_5_Issue_02/page/n81/mode/2up?view=theater|title=Mario Kart 64|magazine=GameFan|volume=5|number=2|pages=80-81|date=January 1997|accessdate=October 1, 2024}} with IGN calling it "multi-player mayhem at its best". Game Informer described the game as "one of the best multiplayer games ever made", citing the game's vehicle dynamics and items as aiding the multiplayer experience. Some reviewers criticized the four-player split screen mode for making gameplay difficult to see due to the small size of quadrants, and GameFan noted a poor frame rate performance playing the multiplayer modes compared to single-player.
In 1998, Mario Kart 64 was nominated for Console Racing Game of the Year by the Academy of Interactive Arts and Sciences during the inaugural Interactive Achievement Awards.{{cite web |title=Mario Kart 64 |website=interactive.org |publisher=Academy of Interactive Arts and Sciences |url=https://www.interactive.org/games/video_game_details.asp?idAward=1998&idGame=758 |accessdate=February 13, 2023 |archive-date=August 16, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240816154723/https://www.interactive.org/games/video_game_details.asp?idAward=1998&idGame=758 |url-status=live }} Electronic Gaming Monthly named it a runner-up for "Multiplayer Game of the Year" (behind Saturn Bomberman) at their 1997 Editors' Choice Awards.{{cite magazine |title=Editors' Choice Awards |magazine=Electronic Gaming Monthly |publisher=Ziff Davis |issue=104 |date=March 1998 |page=94}}
==Legacy==
Mario Kart 64 placed 17th in Official Nintendo Magazine{{'}}s 100 greatest Nintendo games of all time{{cite magazine |url=http://www.officialnintendomagazine.co.uk/article.php?id=7258|title=20-11 Official Nintendo Magazine|magazine=Official Nintendo Magazine|accessdate=February 25, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090225040521/http://www.officialnintendomagazine.co.uk/article.php?id=7258|archive-date=February 25, 2009|url-status=dead}} and 49th in Electronic Gaming Monthly{{'}}s 1997 list of the 100 best console games of all time.{{cite magazine |title=100 Best Games of All Time |magazine=Electronic Gaming Monthly|issue=100 |publisher=Ziff Davis |date=November 1997|page=129}} Note: Contrary to the title, the intro to the article explicitly states that the list covers console video games only, meaning PC games and arcade games were not eligible. It has been placed by several reviewers on "greatest video games of all time" lists, including Entertainment Weekly,{{cite magazine|title=We rank the 100 greatest videogames|date=May 13, 2003|url=http://www.ew.com/article/2003/05/13/we-rank-100-greatest-videogames/|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|accessdate=March 8, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180309120251/http://www.ew.com/article/2003/05/13/we-rank-100-greatest-videogames/|archive-date=March 9, 2018|url-status=live}} Polygon,{{cite web|last=Polygon Staff|title=The 500 Best Video Games of All Time|url=https://www.polygon.com/features/2017/11/27/16158276/polygon-500-best-games-of-all-time-500-401|website=Polygon.com|accessdate=December 1, 2017|date=November 27, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180303210843/https://www.polygon.com/features/2017/11/27/16158276/polygon-500-best-games-of-all-time-500-401|archive-date=March 3, 2018|url-status=live}} Hyper,{{cite journal|title=The 50 Best Games Ever!|journal=Hyper|date=December 1997|issue=50}} and Gameswelt.{{cite web |url=https://www.gameswelt.de/gameswelttv/video/plaetze-81-100-165185 |title=Gameswelt Top 100 |date=July 26, 2012 |website=Gameswelt |accessdate=May 14, 2022 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220512080827/https://www.gameswelt.de/gameswelttv/video/plaetze-81-100-165185 |archive-date=May 12, 2022 }}
Critics have been mixed in regards to the game's ranking on retrospective lists of the best Mario Kart games.{{cite web |url=https://kotaku.com/lets-rank-the-mario-kart-games-worst-to-best-1842892038/slides/6 |title=Let's Rank The Mario Kart Games, Worst To Best |first=Plunkett |last=Luke |date=March 10, 2023 |website=Kotaku |accessdate=April 25, 2025 }}{{cite web |url=https://www.nintendolife.com/guides/best-mario-kart-games-of-all-time |title=Best Mario Kart Games Of All Time |first1=Damien |last1=McFerran |first2=Gavin |last2=Lane |date=April 9, 2023 |website=Nintendo Life |accessdate=April 25, 2025 }}{{cite web |url=https://www.pastemagazine.com/games/the-8-best-mario-kart-games |title=The 8 Best Mario Kart Games |first=Malone |last=Casey |date=May 29, 2014 |website=Paste |accessdate=April 25, 2025 }}{{cite web |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/best-mario-kart-games/2/ |title=The best Mario Kart games from worst to best |first1=David |last1=Roberts |first2=Anthony John |last2=Agnello |date=April 19, 2017 |website=GamesRadar |accessdate=April 25, 2025 }}{{cite web |url=https://www.gameinformer.com/2025/04/08/ranking-every-game-in-the-mario-kart-series |title=Ranking Every Game In The Mario Kart Series |first=Brian |last=Shea |date=April 8, 2025 |website=Game Informer |accessdate=April 25, 2025 }} Some critics praised it for defining the direction of the series, noting its utilisation of 3D graphics and expansion of local multiplayer content. Kotaku and Game Informer however believed Mario Kart 64 to fall short compared to other games in the series, with the former panning "empty" tracks and a less palatable art style. It has also been retrospectively described by some reviewers as one of the best N64 games, with IGN declaring the game's tracks to be "some of the most memorable" in the kart racing genre.{{cite web |url=https://www.nintendolife.com/guides/50-best-nintendo-64-games-of-all-time |title=50 Best Nintendo 64 Games Of All Time |first=Gavin |last=Lane |date=January 2, 2025 |website=Nintendo Life |accessdate=April 25, 2025 }}{{cite web |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/best-n64-games |title=The 25 Best Nintendo 64 Games of All Time |author=IGN staff |date=September 16, 2022 |website=IGN |accessdate=April 25, 2025 }} The blue shell item, which directly targets the player in first place, was first introduced in Mario Kart 64. GameSpot's Steve Watts described the item as "synonymous with Mario Kart" and an icon of video game history, while The Guardian placed it on its list of the "11 greatest video game objects".{{cite web |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/mario-kart-the-agony-and-the-anguish-of-the-blue-shell/1100-6506941/ |first=Steve |last=Watts |title=Mario Kart: The Agony And The Anguish Of The Blue Shell |date=August 27, 2022 |website=GameSpot |accessdate=April 12, 2025 |archive-date=April 6, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230406115632/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/mario-kart-the-agony-and-the-anguish-of-the-blue-shell/1100-6506941/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/gallery/2017/jul/12/greatest-video-game-objects-in-pictures-sonic-rings-portal-companion-cube |first=Keith |last=Stuart |title=The 11 greatest video game objects – in pictures |date=July 12, 2017 |website=The Guardian |accessdate=April 12, 2025 |archive-date=November 9, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201109035428/https://www.theguardian.com/technology/gallery/2017/jul/12/greatest-video-game-objects-in-pictures-sonic-rings-portal-companion-cube |url-status=live }}
Mario Kart 64 has a significant speedrunning scene of players competing to set time records on the game's 16 tracks through separate Grand Prix, three lap, or single lap time rankings.{{cite web |url=https://kotaku.com/the-race-to-stop-the-best-mario-kart-64-player-from-sec-1826048444 |title=The Race To Stop The Best Mario Kart 64 Player From Securing Every World Record |first=Ethan |last=Gach |date=May 15, 2018 |website=Kotaku |accessdate=April 12, 2025 |archive-date=January 13, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250113174620/https://kotaku.com/the-race-to-stop-the-best-mario-kart-64-player-from-sec-1826048444 |url-status=live }} Times are recorded on the unofficial Mario Kart 64 Players' Page website, which tracks records starting from 1997.{{cite web |url=https://kotaku.com/the-speedrunner-smashing-records-on-mario-kart-64-s-don-1826336412 |title=The Speedrunner Smashing Records On Mario Kart 64’s Donkey Kong Track |first=Ethan |last=Gach |date=May 25, 2018 |website=Kotaku |accessdate=April 12, 2025 |archive-date=October 7, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241007203103/https://kotaku.com/the-speedrunner-smashing-records-on-mario-kart-64-s-don-1826336412 |url-status=live }} A speedrunner named Daniel Burbank notably obtained all 32 time records at once in 2021, across both three lap and single lap competitions.{{cite web |url=https://kotaku.com/mario-kart-64-legend-just-retired-because-he-got-betray-1847482074 |title=Mario Kart 64 Legend Just Retired Because He Got Betrayed |first=Ethan |last=Gach |date=August 13, 2021 |website=Kotaku |accessdate=April 12, 2025 |archive-date=October 7, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241007231652/https://kotaku.com/mario-kart-64-legend-just-retired-because-he-got-betray-1847482074 |url-status=live }}
Notes
{{Notelist}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/19970401070517/http://www.nintendo.com/product/n64/mk64/mk64hq.html |date=mdy | title=Mario Kart 64 HQ}}
- {{Official website|https://www.nintendo.co.jp/n01/n64/software/nus_p_nmkj/index.html}} (Japan)
{{Mario racing games}}
{{Authority control}}
{{Portal bar|Video games|1990s}}
Category:Nintendo Entertainment Analysis and Development games
Category:Video games developed in Japan
Category:Video games produced by Shigeru Miyamoto
Category:Virtual Console games for Wii
Category:Video games with pre-rendered 3D graphics
Category:Virtual Console games for Wii U
Category:Nintendo Classics games