{{nihongo foot|Mario Kart|マリオカート|Mario Kāto|lead=yes|group=lower-alpha}} is a series of kart racing games based on the Mario franchise developed and published by Nintendo. Players compete in go-kart races while using various power-up items. It features characters from the Mario series racing along tracks from the Mario universe. Recent releases have also included characters from other popular Nintendo franchises like The Legend of Zelda, Animal Crossing, F-Zero, Excitebike, and Splatoon.

The series was launched in 1992 with Super Mario Kart on the Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES), to critical and commercial success.{{Cite web |last=Crecente |first=Brian |date=February 26, 2009 |title=Super Mario Kart: Most Influential Video Game in History |url=https://kotaku.com/super-mario-kart-most-influential-video-game-in-histor-5160745 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090228050332/http://kotaku.com/5160745/super-mario-kart-most-influential-video-game-in-history |archive-date=February 28, 2009 |access-date=January 27, 2012 |website=Kotaku}} The Mario Kart series totals seventeen games, with eight on home consoles, three on handheld consoles, five arcade games co-developed with Namco, and one for mobile phones. Over 189 million copies of the series have been sold worldwide.

Mario Kart 8, released on the Wii U in 2014 and ported to the Nintendo Switch in 2017, is one of the best-selling video games, at 76.66 million sold for both versions. Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit, a mixed reality game, was released on the Switch in October 2020. The newest installment, Mario Kart World, released as a launch title on the Switch 2 on June 5, 2025.

Gameplay

File:Mario Kart gameplay.jpg race being played on the "Mario Circuit" course in the Grand Prix mode in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe (2017)]]

In the Mario Kart series, players compete in go-kart races, controlling one of a selection of Mario characters. Up to 24 characters can compete in each race (varying per game). Players can perform driving techniques during the race such as rocket starts, slipstreaming, drifting and mini-turbos.

Gameplay is enhanced by power-up items obtained by driving into item boxes laid out on the course. These power-ups vary across games in the series, but generally include Mushrooms to give players a speed boost, Red/Green Shells to be thrown at opponents, Banana Peels and hazards such as Fake Item Boxes. The game selects an item based on the player's current position in the race, utilising a mechanism known as rubber banding. For example, players lagging far behind may receive more powerful items such as Bullet Bills, which give the player invincibility while auto-piloting them forward at great speed, while the leader of a race may only receive small defensive items, such as Shells or Bananas. This gameplay mechanism allows other racers a realistic chance to catch up to the leading racer.

In the original game, Super Mario Kart, the player takes control one of the eight Mario series characters, each with differing capabilities. In single player mode, players can race against computer-controlled characters in 4 multi-race cups consisting of 20 tracks (5 in each cup) over three difficulty levels (50cc, 100cc and 150cc). Alternatively, players can race against the clock in a Time Trial mode. In multiplayer mode, two players can simultaneously take part in the cups or can race against each other one-on-one in Match Race mode. In a third multiplayer mode – Battle Mode – the aim is to defeat the other players by attacking them with power-ups, destroying balloons which surround each kart.

Each new game has introduced new gameplay elements, such as new circuits, items, modes, and playable characters.

Mario Kart 64 introduced 3D graphics, 4-player racing, mini turbos to more easily execute drift boosts,{{Cite web |last=Saavedra |first=John |date=2017-02-10 |title=How Mario Kart 64 Became the N64's Best Racing Game |url=https://www.denofgeek.com/games/mario-kart-64-history-anniversary/ |access-date=2025-05-08 |website=Den of Geek |language=en-US}} slipstreaming,{{Cite web |date=2020-10-01 |title=5 Ways Mario Kart 64 Is Timeless (& 5 It Hasn't Aged Well) |url=https://gamerant.com/mario-kart-64-classic-aged-poorly/ |access-date=2022-03-20 |website=Game Rant |language=en-US |archive-date=March 20, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220320141631/https://gamerant.com/mario-kart-64-classic-aged-poorly/ |url-status=live}} and item dangling (the ability to hold bananas and shells to defend against projectiles and hold a reserve item as well), alongside the removal of coins. It introduced several items, including the Fake Item Box, the Golden Mushroom, and the Spiny Shell. In addition to the three Grand Prix engine classes, Extra Mode (known in later games as Mirror Mode) was introduced, in which all tracks are flipped laterally. When playing Battle Mode with three or more players, when a player is defeated they turn into a "Mini Bomb Kart", where they can try and pop another player's balloons via Kamikaze.
Mario Kart: Super Circuit returns to the Mode 7 gameplay style found in Super Mario Kart. Multiplayer in Super Circuit is done via GBA Link Cable. The game allows multiplayer with only one Game Pak, although if played this way the game includes various restrictions, such as a limited course count and players only being allowed to play as Yoshis. Super Circuit introduces a new mode called Free Run, which allows the player to play any course with CPU. Battle mode appears as it did in 64, with Mini Bomb Karts being replaced by Bob-ombs that respawn once exploded.
Mario Kart: Double Dash!! returns to the 3D format that originated in Mario Kart 64. New feature to the game include the titular double-manned karts, a 2-player Co-op mode where one player drives while the other uses items, and also LAN play, which allows up to 16 people to play. It introduced a revamped Spiny Shell that leaves an area of effect explosion, and character exclusive items (known in the game as Special Items). It also introduced new alternate battle modes: "Shine Thief", where players fight over obtaining a Shine Sprite from Super Mario Sunshine before a timer runs out, and "Bob-omb Blast" where players throw Bob-ombs to collect/steal points from each other. In Balloon battle, players no longer turn into Bob-ombs when defeated.
Mario Kart DS featured dual-screen play to take advantage of the system's capabilities. It introduced custom emblems, as well as Online play via the now defunct Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection, a mission mode, and returning courses as a main feature. It also returned to the single item and racer format. New playable characters included Dry Bones, R.O.B., and Shy Guy (who was exclusive to DS Download Play). It also introduced a new battle mode in "Shine Runners" (not to be confused with the aforementioned "Shine Thief") where players try to collect enough Shine Sprites before a timer runs out to avoid being eliminated.
Mario Kart Wii introduced motion controls as a headlining new feature alongside the Wii Wheel accessory. It also introduced the ability to perform mid-air tricks, and bikes as a second vehicle type. The amount of racers that could be in a race was raised from 8 to 12.{{Cite web |last=Sato, Yoshi |date=February 6, 2008 |title=Mario Kart Wii Detailed |url=http://www.1up.com/news/mario-kart-wii-detailed |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029192825/http://www.1up.com/news/mario-kart-wii-detailed |archive-date=October 29, 2013 |access-date=May 21, 2013 |publisher=1up.com}} It introduced three new items: the Mega Mushroom, the Thundercloud, and the POW Block. It also introduced a new battle mode titled "Coin Runners" (not to be confused with "Shine Runners"), where players try to collect as many coins as they can before time runs up. The rules of Balloon Battle are now changed, with the focus now being on getting points by popping other player's balloons before a time limit expires, with players now respawning once they run out of balloons, losing points in the process .
Mario Kart 7 featured stereoscopic 3D graphics and the return of dual screen functionality. It introduced gliders and submersible karts, a first-person perspective, and full kart customization. It also re-introduced Coins in regular races for a small speed boost, though they are also now used to unlock kart parts.
Mario Kart 8 introduced the 200cc engine class{{efn|name=fn1|Added via a post-launch update on April 23, 2015}}, anti-gravity racing, a third vehicle type in ATVs, downloadable content, HD graphics, and Mii costumes unlocked via amiibo. Also introduced is Mario Kart TV (abbreviated as MKTV), a mode that gives players the ability to save up to six video replays of races. These replays can be customized based on length and various aspects of focus. MKTV was able to upload replays on to YouTube via the now defunct social media platform Miiverse. Battle mode only features balloon battle, with it taking place on a handful of race courses.
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe added a revamped battle mode, which included the new "Renegade Roundup", the return of double item boxes, ultra mini-turbo, and added 6 characters that were absent from the original game.{{Cite web |last=Otero |first=Jose |date=2017-04-20 |title=Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Review |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2017/04/20/mario-kart-8-deluxe-review |access-date=2025-05-03 |website=IGN |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2023-03-09 |title=Mario Kart 8 Deluxe update adds 5 more extra character slots beyond Birdo |url=https://www.shacknews.com/article/134515/mario-kart-8-deluxe-wave-4-update-character-dlc-slots |access-date=2025-05-03 |website=Shacknews |language=en}} These characters include King Boo, Dry Bones, Gold Mario, Bowser Jr, and the male and female Inklings from Splatoon, in addition to giving the female Villager her own character slot.{{Cite web |title=Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Hands-on Preview - Hands-on Preview |url=https://www.nintendoworldreport.com/hands-on-preview/43990/mario-kart-8-deluxe-switch-hands-on-preview |access-date=2025-05-03 |website=Nintendo World Report}} From 2022 to the end of 2023, the "Booster Course Pass" DLC expansion pack doubled the amount of courses and added new characters,{{Cite web |last=Gilliam |first=Ryan |date=2022-03-17 |title=Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Booster Course Pass DLC starts this week |url=https://www.polygon.com/22982861/mario-kart-8-deluxe-dlc-wave-1-release-date-booster-course-pass |access-date=2025-05-03 |website=Polygon |language=en-US}} item customization to VS mode, and a music player.
Mario Kart Tour was the Mario Kart debut on a mobile devices, and introduced a points-based system for certain racing actions.{{Cite web |last=Hilliard |first=Kyle |date=2019-10-01 |title=Mario Kart Tour Review |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2019/10/01/mario-kart-tour-review |access-date=2025-05-03 |website=IGN |language=en}} It introduced Frenzy Mode, gacha and loot box mechanics that was later removed in 2022. It reintroduced character-specific items and new items such as Ice Flower, Coin Box, and Dash Ring. Multiple new tracks were introduced in this game and later added to Mario Kart 8 Deluxe via the DLC Booster Course Pass.
Mario Kart World features 24-player races{{cite web |last1=Bošnjak |first1=Dominik |title=Nintendo Switch 2 Mario Kart Game Seems To Feature a Big Improvement |url=https://gamerant.com/nintendo-switch-2-mario-kart-game-24-players-count-multiplayer-mode/ |website=Game Rant |date=January 16, 2025 |access-date=17 January 2025 |archive-date=January 17, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250117230051/https://gamerant.com/nintendo-switch-2-mario-kart-game-24-players-count-multiplayer-mode/ |url-status=live }} and off-roading mechanics, as well as an open-world driving format.{{cite web |last1=Cardy |first1=Simon |title=What is Mario Kart 9's New Twist? |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/what-is-mario-kart-9s-new-twist |website=IGN |date=January 17, 2025 |access-date=17 February 2025 |archive-date=February 11, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250211153010/https://www.ign.com/articles/what-is-mario-kart-9s-new-twist |url-status=live }} A new mode is introduced, called "Knockout Tour", where 24 players will race between 6 different checkpoints located on the open world, with the last 4 players being eliminated each time a checkpoint is passed. All new characters in World have previously appeared as course hazards. Missions from DS are set to return, with them being found around the open world. As of it's launch it does not include a 200cc speed option. It is excpected to be added in a future update.{{Cite web |url=https://nintendoeverything.com/mario-kart-world-doesnt-have-a-200cc-mode-but-producer-not-ruling-out-future-update/ |access-date=2025-06-05 |website=nintendoeverything.com}}{{Cite web |last=Cruz |first=Christopher |date=2025-06-03 |title=The Making of 'Mario Kart World': 'We Have to Think About the Chaos' |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/rs-gaming/mario-kart-world-switch-2-nintendo-kosuke-yabuki-1235350685/ |access-date=2025-06-05 |website=Rolling Stone |language=en-US}}

=Modes=

Each game has a variety of modes. The following five modes recur most often in the series:

Grand Prix – Players compete in various "cups" of four courses each (five in Super Mario Kart) with difficulty levels based on the size of the engine, larger engines meaning faster speeds. Before Mario Kart 8 there were four difficulties: 50cc, 100cc, 150cc, and Mirror Mode, where all tracks were flipped horizontally. In Mario Kart 8, a fifth difficulty level: 200cc, was added.{{efn|name=fn1}}{{Cite web |title=Mario Kart 8 Deluxe {{!}} Nintendo Switch {{!}} Nintendo |url=https://www.nintendo.com/my/switch/aabp/index.html |access-date=2025-06-05 |website=Nintendo Official Website |language=en-MY}} Players earn points according to their finishing position in each race and the placement order gets carried over to the next race as the new starting grid. At the end of the cup, the top three players with the most points overall will receive a trophy in bronze, silver, and gold. In Mario Kart: Super Circuit and every game from Mario Kart DS onward, players are also ranked based on how well they raced (three to one stars, A, B, C, D, and E). Three stars is the best rank, while E is the worst.
Time Trials – The player races alone in order to finish any course in the fastest time possible.{{Cite web |date=2014-06-25 |title=Time Trials - Mario Kart 8 Guide |url=https://www.ign.com/wikis/mario-kart-8/Time_Trials |access-date=2025-06-05 |website=IGN |language=en}} The best time is then saved as a ghost, which the player can race against in later trials. Mario Kart: Double Dash!! introduced Staff Ghosts, which are ghosts set by members of the Nintendo development team.{{Cite news |date=2005-11-11 |title=Mario Kart DS |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/fi-mariokartds-ds |access-date=2025-06-05 |work=Eurogamer.net |language=en}}
Match Race (or VS Race) – Multiple human players race on any course with customized rules such as team racing and item frequency.
Battle – Multiple human players use in-game offensive items (shells, etc.) to battle each other in a closed arena. In the most common battle type, balloon battle, each player starts with three balloons and loses one per hit; the last player with at least one balloon wins. Various battle types have been added to the series, and single-player battles with CPU controlled players.{{Cite web |date=2013-10-11 |title=Battle - Mario Kart 8 Guide |url=https://www.ign.com/wikis/mario-kart-8/Battle |access-date=2025-06-05 |website=IGN |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Mario Kart 8 Review |url=https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/mario-kart-8/1900-6415760/ |access-date=2025-06-05 |website=GameSpot |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |title=Mario Kart World™ for Nintendo Switch™ 2 – Official Website |url=https://www.nintendo.com//us/gaming-systems/switch-2/featured-games/mario-kart-world/ |access-date=2025-06-05 |website=www.nintendo.com |language=en-US}}
Online Multiplayer – Players compete in races and battles through online services, such as Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection, Nintendo Network, and Nintendo Switch Online. Players can share Time Trial ghosts, and participate in tournaments. In races and battles, players are matched by VR (VS Rating) and BR (Battle Rating) respectively, which is a number between 0 and 99,999 (9,999 in Mario Kart Wii). Players gain or lose points based on performance in a race or battle. The game attempts to match players with a similar rating.{{Citation needed|date=May 2025}}
Knockout Tour - Introduced in Mario Kart World, Knockout Tour presents players the challenge of finishing a race in a placement above a specefic placement. If players are unable to meet said placement, they are "knocked out", or have failed the tournament.

Development

File:Mario kart first logo.png]]

The debut game in the Mario Kart series was Super Mario Kart released for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES) in 1992. Its development was overseen by Mario creator Shigeru Miyamoto, the Japanese designer of many successful Nintendo games including Super Mario Bros. Darran Jones of NowGamer suggests that the success of Super Mario Kart resulted from the Super Mario characters, and being a new type of racing game.{{Cite web |last=Jones |first=Darran |date=November 28, 2011 |title=Super Mario Kart: The Complete History of Nintendo's Kart Racer |url=http://www.nowgamer.com/features/1148204/super_mario_kart_the_complete_history_of_nintendos_kart_racer.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130625232227/http://www.nowgamer.com/features/1148204/super_mario_kart_the_complete_history_of_nintendos_kart_racer.html |archive-date=June 25, 2013 |access-date=September 15, 2013 |website=NowGamer |publisher=Imagine Publishing Ltd.}}

Games

{{Timeline of release years

| title =

| subtitle = Main entries in bold

| align =

| range1 = 1992–

| range1_color = #DC3C26 #53D5F7

| 1992 = Super Mario Kart

| 1996 = Mario Kart 64

| 2001 = Mario Kart: Super Circuit

| 2003 = Mario Kart: Double Dash

| 2005a = Mario Kart Arcade GP

| 2005b = Mario Kart DS

| 2007b = Mario Kart Arcade GP 2

| 2008 = Mario Kart Wii

| 2011 = Mario Kart 7

| 2013 = Mario Kart Arcade GP DX

| 2014 = Mario Kart 8

| 2017a = Mario Kart 8 Deluxe

| 2017b = Mario Kart Arcade GP VR

| 2019 = Mario Kart Tour

| 2020 = Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit

| 2025 = Mario Kart World

}}

=Console=

style="width:6em;font-size:90%" \| Wii	style="width:6em;font-size:90%" \| Wii U	style="width:6em;font-size:90%" \| 3DS	style="width:6em;font-size:90%" \| Switch	style="width:6em;font-size:90%" \| Switch 2
class="wikitable" style="width: 65em; text-align: center" ! rowspan = "2" \| Year !! rowspan="2" \| Game !! rowspan="2" \| Platform !! colspan="6" \|Virtual Console/Nintendo Switch Online re-release
1992	Super Mario Kart	SNES	{{Ya\|alt=Yes}}	{{Ya\|alt=Yes}}	{{Partial\|Available on New Nintendo 3DS only}}	{{Ya\|alt=Yes}}	{{Ya\|alt=Yes}}
1996	Mario Kart 64	Nintendo 64	{{Ya\|alt=Yes}}	{{Ya\|alt=Yes}}	{{CNone}}	{{Ya\|alt=Yes}}	{{Ya\|alt=Yes}}
2001	Mario Kart: Super Circuit	Game Boy Advance	{{CNone}}	{{Ya\|alt=Yes}}	{{Partial\|Available only to members of the Nintendo 3DS Ambassadors program}}	{{Ya\|alt=Yes}}	{{Ya\|alt=Yes}}
2003	Mario Kart: Double Dash	Nintendo GameCube	{{Partial\|{{dagger}}}}	{{CNone}}	{{CNone}}	{{CNone}}	{{CNone}}
2005	Mario Kart DS	Nintendo DS	{{CNone}}	{{Ya\|alt=Yes}}	{{Partial\|{{dagger}}}}	{{CNone}}	{{CNone}}
2008	Mario Kart Wii	Wii	{{Included\|{{Double-dagger}}}}	{{Partial\|{{dagger}}}}	{{CNone}}	{{CNone}}	{{CNone}}
2011	Mario Kart 7	Nintendo 3DS	{{CNone}}	{{CNone}}	{{Included\|{{Double-dagger}}}}	{{CNone}}	{{CNone}}
2014	Mario Kart 8	Wii U	{{CNone}}	{{Included\|{{Double-dagger}}}}	{{CNone}}	{{CNone}}	{{CNone}}
2017	Mario Kart 8 Deluxe	Nintendo Switch	{{CNone}}	{{CNone}}	{{CNone}}	{{Included\|{{Double-dagger}}}}	{{Partial\|{{dagger}}}}
2020	Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit	Nintendo Switch	{{CNone}}	{{CNone}}	{{CNone}}	{{Included\|{{Double-dagger}}}}	{{Partial\|{{dagger}}}}
2025	Mario Kart World	Nintendo Switch 2	{{CNone}}	{{CNone}}	{{CNone}}	{{CNone}}	{{Included\|{{Double-dagger}}}}

{{legend|#D2FFD2|text=13px|Re-released via Virtual Console or Nintendo Switch Online}}

{{legend|#FFB|text={{Dagger}}|Playable via backwards compatibility}}

{{legend|#DDFBFF|text={{Double-dagger}}|Native console release}}

{{Reflist|group="nb"|refs=

}}

=Arcade=

File:SAKIKO - Arcade game machine. (40004108183).jpg

Mario Kart 64 Slot Machine (1996, developed by Maygay){{Cite web| title=How Refreshing! How Fruit!|url=https://worldofstuart.excellentcontent.com/unlocked/fruit/videofruit.htm| date=March 30, 2025| url-status=live| archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20241130190628/https://worldofstuart.excellentcontent.com/unlocked/fruit/videofruit.htm| archive-date=November 30, 2024| access-date=March 30, 2025

}}{{Cite web| title=Maygay Machines|url=http://www.maygay.com/products/awp/old/mariokart/index.html| date=March 30, 2025| url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20021021002418/http://www.maygay.com/products/awp/old/mariokart/index.html|archive-date=October 21, 2002| access-date=March 30, 2025}}

Mario Kart Arcade GP (2005, developed by Namco)
Mario Kart Arcade GP 2 (2007, developed by Namco Bandai Games)
Mario Kart Arcade GP DX (2013, developed by Namco Bandai Games){{Cite web |date=February 5, 2013 |title=Namco Formally Announces Mario Kart Arcade Grand Prix DX – Arcade Heroes |url=http://arcadeheroes.com/2013/02/05/namco-formally-announces-mario-kart-arcade-grand-prix-dx/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130208050253/http://arcadeheroes.com/2013/02/05/namco-formally-announces-mario-kart-arcade-grand-prix-dx/ |archive-date=February 8, 2013 |access-date=February 6, 2013}}
Mario Kart Arcade GP VR (2017, developed by Bandai Namco Studios){{Cite web |title=MARIO KART ARCADE GP VR – VR ZONE SHINJUKU |url=http://vrzone-pic.com/en/activity/mariocart.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170625224359/http://vrzone-pic.com/en/activity/mariocart.html |archive-date=June 25, 2017 |access-date=June 22, 2017}}{{Cite web |date=June 13, 2017 |title=Mario Kart Arcade GP VR announced for Bandai Namco's virtual reality arcade, played with HTC Vive – Nintendo Everything |url=http://www.nintendoeverything.com/mario-kart-arcade-gp-vr-announced-for-bandai-namcos-virtual-reality-arcade-played-with-htc-vive/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170615190512/http://nintendoeverything.com/mario-kart-arcade-gp-vr-announced-for-bandai-namcos-virtual-reality-arcade-played-with-htc-vive/ |archive-date=June 15, 2017 |access-date=June 22, 2017}}

=Mobile=

Mario Kart Tour (2019)

=Canceled games=

VB Mario Kart was scheduled for the Virtual Boy in 1995. It was revealed in a 2000 issue of German gaming magazine The Big N, but was canceled early in development prior to its official announcement due to the Virtual Boy's commercial failure.{{Cite web |title=VB Mario Kart |url=http://www.planetvb.com/content/articles/scans/big_n_ger/07-08_00/big_n_ger_07-08_00_2.jpg |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131105115639/http://www.planetvb.com/content/articles/scans/big_n_ger/07-08_00/big_n_ger_07-08_00_2.jpg |archive-date=November 5, 2013 |access-date=November 3, 2013 |website=Big N}}{{Cite web |last=Roberts |first=David |last2=published |first2=Anthony John Agnello |date=2017-04-19 |title=The best Mario Kart games from worst to best |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/best-mario-kart-games/ |access-date=2025-05-03 |website=GamesRadar+ |language=en}}
Mario Kart XXL is a unreleased Game Boy Advance tech demo developed by Denaris Entertainment Software for Nintendo in 2004. It was originally created as a non-Mario demo known as R3D-Demo before being repurposed.{{Cite web |date=2015-08-16 |title=This Mario Kart XXL Game Boy Advance Prototype Looks... Interesting |url=https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2015/08/this_mario_kart_xxl_game_boy_advance_prototype_looks_interesting |access-date=2025-05-03 |website=Nintendo Life |language=en-GB}} In 2022, A rom of the tech demo resurfaced online.{{Cite web |date=2022-10-15 |title=Unreleased Mario Kart XXL Tech Demo For Game Boy Advance Surfaces Online |url=https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2022/10/unreleased-mario-kart-xxl-tech-demo-for-game-boy-advance-surfaces-online |access-date=2025-05-03 |website=Nintendo Life |language=en-GB}}{{Cite web |last=Extension |first=Time |date=2022-10-15 |title=A Demo Of The Failed Mario Kart XXL Pitch Is Now Available Online |url=https://www.timeextension.com/news/2022/10/a-demo-of-the-failed-mario-kart-xxl-pitch-is-now-available-online |access-date=2025-05-03 |website=Time Extension |language=en-GB}}
Mario Motors was a planned spin-off of the Mario Kart series for the Nintendo DS. It was revealed for the first time at the Reboot Development Conference 2018.{{Cite web |last=Skrebels |first=Joe |date=2018-04-23 |title=Unreleased Mario Racing Game Revealed |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2018/04/23/unreleased-mario-racing-game-revealed |access-date=2023-04-07 |website=IGN |language=en |archive-date=June 10, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220610084024/https://www.ign.com/articles/2018/04/23/unreleased-mario-racing-game-revealed |url-status=live}} The game was going to be co-developed by Yoot Saito. The concept of the game was to allow players to build their own karts.{{Cite web |date=2018-04-21 |title=Yoot Saito worked on Mario Motors, a canceled DS game about building engines |url=https://www.destructoid.com/yoot-saito-worked-on-mario-motors-a-canceled-ds-game-about-building-engines/ |access-date=2023-04-07 |website=Destructoid |language=en-US |archive-date=February 13, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230213172010/https://www.destructoid.com/yoot-saito-worked-on-mario-motors-a-canceled-ds-game-about-building-engines/ |url-status=live}}

Reception

{{Video game series reviews

| updated = March 31, 2025

| sales_title = Units sold
{{small|(in millions)}}

| game1 = Super Mario Kart (SNES)

| year1 = 1992

| sales1 = 8.76{{Cite web |last=O'Malley |first=James |date=September 11, 2015 |title=30 Best-Selling Super Mario Games of All Time on the Plumber's 30th Birthday |url=http://www.gizmodo.co.uk/2015/09/30-best-selling-super-mario-games-of-all-time-on-the-plumbers-30th-birthday/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170228130418/http://www.gizmodo.co.uk/2015/09/30-best-selling-super-mario-games-of-all-time-on-the-plumbers-30th-birthday/ |archive-date=February 28, 2017 |access-date=May 2, 2018 |website=Gizmodo |publisher=Univision Communications}}

| gr1 = 94%

| mc1 = 94/100

| game2 = Mario Kart 64 (N64)

| year2 = 1996

| sales2 = 9.87

| gr2 = 87%

| mc2 = 83/100

| game3 = Mario Kart: Super Circuit (GBA)

| year3 = 2001

| sales3 = 5.90

| gr3 = 92%

| mc3 = 93/100

| game4 = Mario Kart: Double Dash (GCN)

| year4 = 2003

| sales4 = 6.96

| gr4 = 87%

| mc4 = 87/100

| game5 = Mario Kart DS (NDS)

| year5 = 2005

| sales5 = 23.60{{Cite web |title=IR Information: Sales Data – Top Selling Software Sales Units – Nintendo DS Software |url=https://www.nintendo.co.jp/ir/en/sales/software/ds.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160427092514/https://www.nintendo.co.jp/ir/en/sales/software/ds.html |archive-date=April 27, 2016 |access-date=May 2, 2018 |publisher=Nintendo}}

| gr5 = 91%

| mc5 = 91/100

| game6 = Mario Kart Wii (Wii)

| year6 = 2008

| sales6 = 37.38{{Cite web |title=IR Information: Financial Data Wii |url=https://www.nintendo.co.jp/ir/en/finance/software/wii.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171219181140/https://www.nintendo.co.jp/ir/en/finance/software/wii.html |archive-date=December 19, 2017 |access-date=January 7, 2021 |website=Nintendo |publisher=Nintendo, Co. Ltd.}}

| gr6 = 82%

| mc6 = 82/100

| game7 = Mario Kart 7 (3DS)

| year7 = 2011

| sales7 = 18.99{{Cite web |title=Top Selling Title Sales Units (Nintendo 3DS) |url=https://www.nintendo.co.jp/ir/en/finance/software/3ds.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230212154014/https://www.nintendo.co.jp/ir/en/finance/software/3ds.html |archive-date=February 12, 2023 |access-date=February 15, 2025 |website=Nintendo |publisher=Nintendo, Co. Ltd.}}

| gr7 = 85%

| mc7 = 85/100

| game8 = Mario Kart 8 (WiiU)

| year8 = 2014

| sales8 = 8.46{{Cite web |title=IR Information: Financial Data – Top Selling Title Sales Units – Wii U Software |url=https://www.nintendo.co.jp/ir/en/finance/software/wiiu.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171031003753/https://www.nintendo.co.jp/ir/en/finance/software/wiiu.html |archive-date=October 31, 2017 |access-date=November 4, 2021 |website=Nintendo |publisher=Nintendo, Co. Ltd.}}

| gr8 = 88%

| mc8 = 88/100

| game9 = Mario Kart 8 Deluxe (NS)

| year9 = 2017

| sales9 = 68.20{{cite web |url=https://www.nintendo.co.jp/ir/en/finance/software/index.html |title=IR Information : Sales Data – Top Selling Title Sales Units |author= |date=December 31, 2023 |website=nintendo.co.jp |publisher=Nintendo |access-date=June 4, 2025 |archive-date=January 30, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200130072006/http://www.nintendo.co.jp/ir/en/finance/software/index.html |url-status=live}}

| gr9 = 92%

| mc9 = 92/100

| game10 = Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit (NS)

| year10 = 2020

| sales10 = 1.73{{cite book |title=2023CESAゲーム白書 (2023 CESA Games White Papers) |publisher=Computer Entertainment Supplier's Association |year=2023 |isbn=978-4-902346-47-3}}|

| mc10 = 75/100

| gr10 = —

}}

The Mario Kart series is critically acclaimed. Nintendo Power named it one of the greatest multiplayer experiences, citing the diversity in game modes and the entertainment value.{{Cite book |title=Nintendo Power 250th issue! |publisher=Future US |year=2010 |location=South San Francisco, California |page=47}} The first game in the series, Super Mario Kart, received critical acclaim and proved to be a commercial success; it received a Player's Choice release after selling one million copies and went on to sell 8.76 million copies worldwide, becoming the fourth best-selling game ever for the SNES.{{cite magazine |date=October 1992 |title=Super Mario Kart |magazine=Nintendo Power |publisher=Nintendo |pages=83–91 |volume=41}}{{cite web |title=Super Mario Kart Players Choice Box Image |url=http://www.gamefaqs.com/snes/588738-super-mario-kart/images/box-89458 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140705174743/http://www.gamefaqs.com/snes/588738-super-mario-kart/images/box-89458 |archive-date=2014-07-05 |access-date=2014-07-03 |website=GameFAQs}}{{cite magazine |last=Futter |first=Mike |date=2 June 2014 |title=Mario Kart 8 Speeds To Over 1.2 Million Sales In Opening Weekend |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 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140604084937/https://www.gameinformer.com/b/news/archive/2014/06/02/mario-kart-8-speeds-to-over-1-2-million-sales-in-opening-weekend.aspx |archive-date=4 June 2014 |access-date=2 June 2014 |magazine=Game Informer |publisher=GameStop}} In Japan, it was the top-selling game in September 1992{{cite magazine |date=1 October 1992 |title=Charts Would Be a Fine Thing! |url=https://archive.org/details/Superplay_Issue_01_1992-11_Future_Publishing_GB/page/n16/mode/1up |magazine=Super Play |page=17 |issue=1 (November 1992)}}{{cite magazine |date=2 October 1992 |title=Weekly Top 30 (9月18日) |url=https://archive.org/details/WeeklyFamitsuNo198Clearscan/Weekly%20Famitsu%20-%20No.%20198%20October%202nd%201992/page/n13/mode/2up |magazine=Famicom Tsūshin |pages=14–5 |issue=198 |lang=ja}}{{cite magazine |date=9 October 1992 |title=Weekly Top 30 (9月25日) |url=https://archive.org/details/WeeklyFamitsuNo199Clearscan/Weekly%20Famitsu%20-%20No.%20199%20October%209th%201992/page/n13/mode/2up |magazine=Famicom Tsūshin |pages=14–5 |issue=199 |lang=ja}} and became a multi-million seller in 1992,{{cite magazine |date=March 1993 |title=Super Savings! |url=https://archive.org/details/NForce07Jan93/NForce10-Apr93/page/n11 |magazine=N-Force |publisher=Europress |page=12 |issue=10 (April 1993)}} eventually selling a total of {{nowrap|3.82 million}} in Japan.{{cite web |title=Japan Platinum Chart Games |url=http://www.the-magicbox.com/Chart-JPPlatinum.shtml |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160807204211/http://the-magicbox.com/Chart-JPPlatinum.shtml |archive-date=7 August 2016 |access-date=24 February 2021 |website=The Magic Box}} In Europe, it was the top-selling game during the first quarter of 1993, above the Sega Mega Drive titles Sonic the Hedgehog 2 and Streets of Rage 2 during the same period.{{cite magazine |date=16 April 1993 |title=Count Down Hot 100: Worldwide! |url=https://archive.org/details/famitsu-issue-226-apr-1993/page/89 |magazine=Famicom Tsūshin |page=89 |issue=226 |lang=ja}} In the United Kingdom, Super Mario Kart was the top-selling Super NES game in February 1993,{{cite magazine |date=4 March 1993 |title=Charts (Data supplied by Virgin Games Centre) |url=http://www.superpage58.com/digitiser-vault-teletext-screenshot-image-archive-1993-03-04.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210516110749/http://www.superpage58.com/digitiser-vault-teletext-screenshot-image-archive-1993-03-04.htm |archive-date=16 May 2021 |access-date=15 March 2021 |magazine=Digitiser}} and it went on to be the seventh best-selling game of 1993 with more than 250,000 sales in the country.{{cite journal |date=1994 |title=Top-Selling Video Game Titles In UK — 1993 (All Formats) |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=WVnvAAAAMAAJ |url-status=live |journal=Screen Digest |publisher=Screen Digest Limited |page=110 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221011164808/https://books.google.com/books?id=WVnvAAAAMAAJ |archive-date=2022-10-11 |access-date=2021-10-24 |quote=nb sales level at number 5 = 400,000 units, at number 9 = 250,000 units, at number 10 = 200,000 units
Source: Gallup-ELSPA/Electronic Arts/CTW}}

The second game in the series, 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 |date=June 2, 2014 |title=Mario Kart 8 Speeds To Over 1.2 Million Sales In Opening Weekend |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 |url-status=live |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 |archive-date=June 4, 2014 |access-date=June 2, 2014 |publisher=GameStop |magazine=Game Informer}} 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 |author=Horwitz, Jer |date=May 15, 1997 |title=Saturn's Distant Orbit |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/saturns-distant-orbit/1100-2466421/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000312083957/http://headline.gamespot.com/news/97_05/15_belt/index.html |archive-date=March 12, 2000 |accessdate=May 3, 2022 |work=GameSpot}} 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 |date=April 9, 1997 |title=Japan vs. US Sales |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/1999/12/01/japan-vs-us-sales |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131022012303/https://www.ign.com/articles/1999/12/01/japan-vs-us-sales |archive-date=October 22, 2013 |accessdate=September 29, 2024 |website=IGN}}

Although Super Circuit received critical acclaim upon launch, retrospectively, Super Circuit ranks low on retrospective critics' lists of the best Mario Kart games,{{cite web |last1=John Agnello |first1=Anthony |last2=Roberts |first2=David |date=April 19, 2017 |title=The best Mario Kart games from worst to best |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/best-mario-kart-games/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210418141358/https://www.gamesradar.com/best-mario-kart-games/ |archive-date=April 18, 2021 |access-date=January 11, 2023 |website=GamesRadar}}{{cite web |last=Malone |first=Casey |date=May 29, 2014 |title=The 8 Best Mario Kart Games |url=https://www.pastemagazine.com/games/the-8-best-mario-kart-games/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230129174700/https://www.pastemagazine.com/games/the-8-best-mario-kart-games/ |archive-date=January 29, 2023 |access-date=January 28, 2023 |website=Paste}}{{cite web |last1=McFerran |first1=Damien |last2=Lane |first2=Gavin |date=August 27, 2022 |title=Best Mario Kart Games Of All Time |url=https://www.nintendolife.com/guides/best-mario-kart-games-of-all-time |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221231182743/https://www.nintendolife.com/guides/best-mario-kart-games-of-all-time |archive-date=December 31, 2022 |access-date=January 28, 2023 |website=Nintendo Life}}{{cite web |last=McFerran |first=Damien |date=April 21, 2020 |title=Let's Rank The Mario Kart Games, Worst To Best |url=https://kotaku.com/lets-rank-the-mario-kart-games-worst-to-best-1842892038 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221226012711/https://kotaku.com/lets-rank-the-mario-kart-games-worst-to-best-1842892038 |archive-date=December 26, 2022 |access-date=January 28, 2023 |website=Kotaku |pages=3}} and Nintendo World Report said it was the Mario Kart game with the "fewest innovations".{{cite web |last=Hernandez |first=Pedro |date=December 4, 2011 |title=Mario Kart: Super Circuit - Feature |url=http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/feature/28544/the-innovations-of-mario-kart-mario-kart-super-circuit |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230116234559/http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/feature/28544/the-innovations-of-mario-kart-mario-kart-super-circuit |archive-date=January 16, 2023 |access-date=January 28, 2023 |website=Nintendo World Report}} 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. 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. Nonetheless, critics rank Super Circuit among the best GBA games.{{cite web |last=Harris |first=Craig |date=March 17, 2007 |title=Top 25 Game Boy Advance Games of All Time |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2007/03/17/top-25-game-boy-advance-games-of-all-time |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070320012527/http://gameboy.ign.com/articles/772/772284p2.html |archive-date=March 20, 2007 |access-date=January 28, 2023 |website=IGN}}{{cite web |last=Bonthuys |first=Darryn |date=February 14, 2022 |title=Best GBA Games: Top 25 Game Boy Advance Titles |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/best-game-boy-advance-games/1100-6497311/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221225063954/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/best-game-boy-advance-games/1100-6497311/ |archive-date=December 25, 2022 |access-date=January 28, 2023 |website=GameSpot}}{{cite web |last=Jones |first=Darran |date=June 25, 2022 |title=The 25 best GBA games of all time |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/best-gba-games/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210901235919/https://www.gamesradar.com/best-gba-games/ |archive-date=September 1, 2021 |access-date=January 28, 2023 |website=GamesRadar}}

The fourth game in the series, Mario Kart: Double Dash, received "generally favorable" reviews from critics according to review aggregator website Metacritic. Nintendo Power gave the game a perfect score, and said the graphics were of "3-D perfection" and the controls and game mechanics "rival those of any [GameCube] racing game". Although the initial positive reviews, Double Dash has received criticism from the media. Considering the 7-year gap since Mario Kart 64, Davis from GameSpot stated that he was "a little disappointed with the limited scope [of Double Dash"].{{Cite web |title=Mario Kart: Double Dash!! Review |url=https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/mario-kart-double-dash-review/1900-6083532/ |access-date=2025-05-03 |website=GameSpot |language=en-US}} Mirabella of IGN was critical towards Double Dash for not progressing beyond its predecessor, calling the game a "mediocre effort".{{Cite web |last=III |first=Fran Mirabella |date=2003-11-11 |title=Mario Kart: Double Dash!! |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2003/11/11/mario-kart-double-dash-2 |access-date=2025-05-03 |website=IGN |language=en}} G-Wok of GameRevolution criticized the game's single-player mode for lacking substance and the track design for being "bland".{{Cite web |date=2003-11-19 |title=Mario Kart: Double Dash - Gamecube Review - GameRevolution |url=http://www.game-revolution.com/games/gamecube/racing/mario_kart_double_dash.htm |access-date=2025-05-03 |website=web.archive.org |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20031119062924/http://www.game-revolution.com/games/gamecube/racing/mario_kart_double_dash.htm |archive-date=2003-11-19}}

Guinness World Records listed six records set by the Mario Kart series, including "First Console Kart Racing Game", "Best Selling Racing Game", and "Longest Running Kart Racing Franchise". Guinness World Records ranked Super Mario Kart number 1 of the top 50 console games of all time based on initial impact and lasting legacy.{{Cite magazine |last=Ivan |first=Tom |date=February 28, 2009 |title=Guinness ranks top 50 games of all time |url=http://www.computerandvideogames.com/209385/guinness-ranks-top-50-games-of-all-time/ |magazine=Computer and Video Games |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110824051922/http://www.computerandvideogames.com/209385/guinness-ranks-top-50-games-of-all-time/ |archive-date=August 24, 2011 |access-date=March 14, 2009 |url-status=live}} Super Mario Kart was inducted into the World Video Game Hall of Fame in 2019.{{Cite web |last=Good |first=Owen |date=May 3, 2019 |title=Wait a minute, the Video Game Hall of Fame inducted ... Solitaire? Yes, and also Mortal Kombat and Super Mario Kart |url=https://www.polygon.com/2019/5/3/18528738/world-video-game-hall-of-fame-solitaire-mortal-kombat-mario-kart |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190504011921/https://www.polygon.com/2019/5/3/18528738/world-video-game-hall-of-fame-solitaire-mortal-kombat-mario-kart |archive-date=May 4, 2019 |access-date=May 4, 2019 |website=Polygon}}

=Sales=

Like the Super Mario series, the Mario Kart series is a commercial success with 190 million copies sold in total. It is currently the most successful racing game franchise of all time. Super Mario Kart is the fourth-best-selling Super Nintendo Entertainment System game with 8.76 million copies sold. Mario Kart 64 is the second-best-selling game for the Nintendo 64 (behind Super Mario 64), at 9.87 million copies. Mario Kart: Double Dash is the second-best-selling GameCube game (next to Super Smash Bros. Melee) with 6.96 million copies sold. Mario Kart Wii is the second-best-selling in the series and is the second-best-selling Wii game (next to Wii Sports) at 37.38 million copies. Mario Kart 8 is the best-selling Wii U game at 8.46 million total copies sold. It was the fastest-selling Wii U game with 1.2 million copies shipped in North America and Europe combined on its first few days since launch, until Super Smash Bros. for Wii U.{{Cite news |date=June 2, 2014 |title=Mario Kart 8 ships 1.2 million, fastest selling Wii U title to date |work=Nintendo Today |publisher=Nintendo Today |url=http://nintendotoday.com/mario-kart-8-fastest-selling-title/ |url-status=live |access-date=May 3, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180503180645/http://nintendotoday.com/mario-kart-8-fastest-selling-title/ |archive-date=May 3, 2018}}{{Cite news |last=Minotti |first=Mike |date=November 25, 2014 |title=Super Smash Bros. for Wii U is the system's fastest-selling game |work=VentureBeat |publisher=VentureBeat |url=https://venturebeat.com/2014/11/25/super-smash-bros-for-wii-u-is-the-systems-fastest-selling-game/ |url-status=live |access-date=May 3, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180503181024/https://venturebeat.com/2014/11/25/super-smash-bros-for-wii-u-is-the-systems-fastest-selling-game/ |archive-date=May 3, 2018}} The enhanced port for the Nintendo Switch, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, is the fastest-selling game in the series with 459,000 units sold in the United States in one day of its launch.{{Cite news |last=Cowley |first=Ric |date=May 2, 2017 |title=Mario Kart 8 Deluxe becomes fastest-selling game of the franchise with 459,000 units sold in the US |work=Pocket Gamer.biz |publisher=Steel Media Ltd. |url=http://www.pocketgamer.biz/news/65635/mario-kart-8-deluxe-first-day-sales/ |url-status=live |access-date=May 3, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180503180657/http://www.pocketgamer.biz/news/65635/mario-kart-8-deluxe-first-day-sales/ |archive-date=May 3, 2018}} It is the highest-selling Nintendo Switch game with a total of 68.2 million copies worldwide, outperforming the Wii U version. Both versions have a combined total of 76.66 million copies sold, making it the best-selling game in the series across regular and handheld consoles, and also the best selling Mario game as a whole.{{Cite web|url=https://www.crunchyroll.com/news/latest/2024/2/6/mario-kart-8-deluxe-60-million-copies-best-selling-mario-game|title=Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Becomes Best-Selling Mario Game of All Time|last=Harding|first=Daryl|date=February 6, 2024|website=Crunchyroll|access-date=April 19, 2025|archive-date=May 25, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240525230102/https://www.crunchyroll.com/news/latest/2024/2/6/mario-kart-8-deluxe-60-million-copies-best-selling-mario-game|url-status=live}} Additionally, the game holds the title of being the highest selling Nintendo game, excluding Wii Sports due to being bundled with the Wii.{{Cite web|url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/mario-kart-8-deluxe-is-nintendo-best-selling-game-of-all-time/1100-6523297/|title=Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Is Nintendo's Best-Selling Game Of All Time, With One Caveat|last=Bonthuys|first=Darryn|date=May 9, 2024|website=GameSpot|access-date=April 19, 2025|archive-date=May 10, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240510090509/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/mario-kart-8-deluxe-is-nintendo-best-selling-game-of-all-time/1100-6523297/|url-status=live}}

The handheld games were commercial successes too: Mario Kart: Super Circuit is the fourth-best-selling Game Boy Advance game at 5.9 million copies. The second portable game, Mario Kart DS, is the third-best-selling Nintendo DS game and the best-selling portable game in the series with a total of 23.6 million copies. Mario Kart 7 is the best-selling Nintendo 3DS game as of March 2023 at 18.98 million copies.

Legacy

=Merchandise=

The Mario Kart series has had a range of merchandise. This includes a slot car racer series based on Mario Kart DS: one set of which comes with Mario and Donkey Kong figures, with Wario and Luigi available separately. A line of radio-controlled karts are controlled by Game Boy Advance-shaped controllers, and feature Mario, Donkey Kong, and Yoshi. There are additional, larger karts which are radio-controlled by a GameCube-shape controller. Many racer figurines have been made. Sound Drops were inspired by Mario Kart Wii with eight sounds including the Spiny Shell and the race start countdown. A landline telephone features Mario holding a lightning bolt while seated in his kart. K'Nex released Mario Kart Wii, Mario Kart 7, and Mario Kart 8 sets. Line released an animated sticker set with 24 stickers based on Mario Kart 8 and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. Nintendo's customer rewards program, Club Nintendo, released a Mario Kart 8 soundtrack, a Mario Kart Wii-themed stopwatch, and three gold trophies modeled after those in Mario Kart 7. Before Club Nintendo, a Mario Kart 64 soundtrack was offered by mail. In 2014, McDonald's released Mario Kart 8 toys with Happy Meals. In 2018, Monopoly Gamer features a Mario Kart themed board game with courses from Mario Kart 8 serving as properties, ten playable characters as tokens (Mario, Luigi, Peach, Toad, Donkey Kong, Shy Guy, Metal Mario, Rosalina, Bowser, and Yoshi) and a special die with power-ups. In 2019, Hot Wheels released Mario Kart sets of cars and tracks. In commemoration of Mario Day celebrations for March 10, 2021, Hot Wheels also released a Mario Kart track set based on Rainbow Road on June 24, 2021.{{Cite web |last=Doolan |first=Liam |date=2021-03-17 |title=Hot Wheels Is Releasing A Mario Kart Rainbow Road Raceway Track |url=https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2021/03/hot_wheels_is_releasing_a_mario_kart_rainbow_road_raceway_track |url-status=live |access-date=2021-06-21 |website=Nintendo Life |language=en-GB |archive-date=December 2, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221202135426/https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2021/03/hot_wheels_is_releasing_a_mario_kart_rainbow_road_raceway_track}} In 2020, for the Super Mario Bros. 35th Anniversary, Cold Stone Creamery released Mario themed desserts including a Rainbow Road themed ice cream cake, from September 30 to December 15.{{Cite web |last=Jordan Gerblick |date=October 1, 2020 |title=Mario gets an official Rainbow Road cake for his 35th birthday |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/mario-gets-an-official-rainbow-road-cake-for-his-35th-birthday/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201009233019/https://www.gamesradar.com/mario-gets-an-official-rainbow-road-cake-for-his-35th-birthday/ |archive-date=October 9, 2020 |access-date=October 2, 2020 |website=GamesRadar+}}

=Rental go-kart dispute=

File:Mario Kart in Japan (27228418683).jpg, Tokyo]]

In September 2016, Nintendo filed an objection against the Japanese company MariCar, which rents go-karts modified for use on public roads in Tokyo along with costumes resembling Nintendo characters.{{Cite news |last=Otake |first=Tomoko |date=March 9, 2017 |title=Patent authority rules against Nintendo, lets go-kart firm keep MariCar trademark |language=en-US |work=The Japan Times Online |url=https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2017/03/09/national/crime-legal/patent-authority-rules-nintendo-lets-go-kart-firm-keep-maricar-trademark/ |url-status=live |access-date=September 28, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180928121623/https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2017/03/09/national/crime-legal/patent-authority-rules-nintendo-lets-go-kart-firm-keep-maricar-trademark/ |archive-date=September 28, 2018 |issn=0447-5763}} MariCar's English website warned customers not to throw "banana peels" or "red turtle shells".{{Cite news |title=Nintendo wins lawsuit against Tokyo's 'Mario Kart' tour company |work=Polygon |url=https://www.polygon.com/2018/9/27/17910844/mario-kart-tour-japan-nintendo-lawsuit |url-status=live |access-date=September 28, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180927215307/https://www.polygon.com/2018/9/27/17910844/mario-kart-tour-japan-nintendo-lawsuit |archive-date=September 27, 2018}} The service is popular with tourists.

Nintendo argued that the MariCar name was "intended to be mistaken for or confused with" Mario Kart, citing games commonly known by abbreviations in Japan, such as Pokémon (for Pocket Monsters) and Sumabura (Super Smash Bros.). In January 2017, the Japan Patent Office dismissed the objection, ruling that MariCar was not widely recognized as an abbreviation of Mario Kart.

In February 2017, Nintendo sued MariCar over copyright infringement for renting unauthorized costumes of Nintendo characters and using their images to promote its business. In September 2018, MariCar was ordered to stop using the characters and pay Nintendo ¥10 million in damages.

=Theme park attraction=

{{main|Mario Kart: Bowser's Challenge|l1=Mario Kart: Bowser's Challenge}}

Universal Destinations & Experiences' immersive Super Nintendo World areas in Universal Studios Japan, Universal Studios Hollywood, and Universal Studios Orlando feature the Mario Kart: Bowser's Challenge ride as their primary "anchor" attraction. Utilizing innovative augmented reality technology and dark ride set design, guests travel through several environments from Mario Kart 8, including Rainbow Road. The Japan version of the attraction includes a Mario Kart themed shop called "Mario Motors", and a nearby "Pit Stop Popcorn" food stand.{{Cite web |last=Frank |first=Allegra |date=June 8, 2017 |title=Super Nintendo World looks like a dream come true in first teaser |url=https://www.polygon.com/2017/6/8/15761360/super-nintendo-world-commercial-nintendo-theme-park |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170608130430/https://www.polygon.com/2017/6/8/15761360/super-nintendo-world-commercial-nintendo-theme-park |archive-date=June 8, 2017 |access-date=January 15, 2020 |website=Polygon |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Allen |first=Katrina |date=2021-03-10 |title=Unique Aspects in Each Super Nintendo World Around the Globe |url=https://insidethemagic.net/2021/03/universal-super-nintendo-kj1/ |access-date=2023-01-21 |website=Inside the Magic |language=en-US |archive-date=January 21, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230121145934/https://insidethemagic.net/2021/03/universal-super-nintendo-kj1/ |url-status=live}}

=Formula E attack mode=

Starting with its 2018–19 season, electric open wheel racing series Formula E added a so-called "attack mode", which allows a driver to gain a temporary speed boost if they take an alternate lane (highlighted on television via augmented reality computer graphics). The concept has been described by members of the press and by series CEO Alejandro Agag as inspired by Mario Kart.{{cite web | url = https://www.motorsport.com/formula-e/news/agag-fia-mario-bros-style-race-format-1031037/3068457/ | title = Formula E evaluating "Mario Bros"-style race format | last = Kalinauckas | first = Alex | date = 28 April 2018 | website = motorsport.com | access-date = 10 January 2022 | archive-date = February 14, 2022 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220214234921/https://www.motorsport.com/formula-e/news/agag-fia-mario-bros-style-race-format-1031037/3068457/ | url-status = live}}{{cite web | url = https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/formula-1/formula-es-attack-mode-like-13838166 | title = Formula E's Attack Mode is like real-life Mario Kart – and it's a racing revolution | last = McKenna | first = Laurence | date = 11 January 2019 | website = mirror.co.uk | access-date = 10 January 2022 | archive-date = February 14, 2022 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220214234843/https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/formula-1/formula-es-attack-mode-like-13838166 | url-status = live}}

Notes

References

Category:Nintendo franchises

Category:Video game franchises introduced in 1992