Sixteen years of Mario Kart

Posted Apr 20th 2008 12:00PM by Alisha Karabinus
Filed under: Fan stuff, Screens, Features

It's been nearly two decades since Super Mario Kart, and in that time, the five console releases have turned Mario's hobby into a powerhouse franchise in its own right. And no matter where you started in the series, be it with Super Mario Kart or Mario Kart: Double Dash, you've probably already noticed that the old adage applies here: the more things change, the more they stay the same.

We're kicking off a week of everything Mario Kart with an overall look at the franchise, with an emphasis on old familiar faces and places. Reappearing characters, recurring tracks, and our oldest memories with the series: you'll find it all right here.

Looking to stay spoiler-free? Only very basic information is revealed about Mario Kart Wii, near the end of the gallery.


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Tags: joystiqfeatures, mario-kart, mario-kart-64, mario-kart-double-dash, mario-kart-ds, mario-kart-super-circuit, mario-kart-week, mario-kart-wii, super-mario-kart

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

4-20-2008 @ 12:11PM

Brian said...

"Looking to stay spoiler-free? Only very basic information is revealed about Mario Kart Wii, near the end of the gallery."

Mario kart hasn't got a story to spoil

ffs

4-20-2008 @ 2:44PM

Perverted said...

No but it has characters/tracks/karts/bikes and some people like to unlock them themselves and bask in their secretive glory....or something like that...

4-20-2008 @ 12:40PM

Patrick said...

You guys should include the Japanese box art as part of that collage.

4-20-2008 @ 12:51PM

Truckondo said...

Thanks for making me feel old!

4-20-2008 @ 1:02PM

Mikey said...

Seems like just yesterday that I unwrapped the new and exciting Super Mario Kart...I do feel old..

4-20-2008 @ 1:03PM

Just_a_guy said...

I want mario kart wii

4-20-2008 @ 1:07PM

Ed said...

Awesome! I look forward to a week covering my favorite game!

4-20-2008 @ 2:51PM

Antonio said...

I'd hate to bitch, but the depth seems a little lacking. The gallery and captions amount to "Hey remember this?" with no discussion about how things have changed. For instance, you mention red shells but don't discuss how they originally were much faster but wouldn't navigate around obstacles. You mention ice tracks but make no mention of how the traps and obstacles varied from game to game. I did like the comparison of Mario Circuit on SNES, GBA, and Wii though.

4-20-2008 @ 3:52PM

Mr Khan said...

Mr Khan is not pleased that Yoshi is no longer a lightweight

4-20-2008 @ 4:41PM

Billston said...

Pedant alert!

There are six Mario Kart games, not five. Hell, even your picture shows it

4-21-2008 @ 12:33PM

Shadow31 said...

Um, it says five CONSOLE releases... in which case, there are four, if I'm not mistaken... SNES, N64, GCN, and Wii... so you're both wrong. :p

4-20-2008 @ 6:50PM

misterhearn said...

Mario Kart Wii is great, the online blows SSBB out the water, the Mario Kart channel is a step forward in Nintendo Wifi, if anybody wants to get a game in send me a reply. I've had the game for about two weeks now and I'll try not to spoil it but if you liked the DS version you'll love this

4-21-2008 @ 1:51PM

Ethan said...

I thought the Hindenburg one was perhaps in poor taste. Though certainly not too soon.

5-11-2008 @ 1:17PM

ethan said...

i wish these were all the characters mkw had(i've had mkw 4 2 weeks...aand i only have 2 unlock mii(b) & dry bowser.)

funky kong
donkey kong
kiddy kong
king k. rool
dry bowser
bowser
petey pirahna
cheep cheep
kremling
magikoopa
kamek
kamella
koopatrol
paper mario
dixey kong
mario
luigi
koopa troopa
para koopa
goomba
dino pirahna
king kaliente
bowser jr.
baby bowser
gnawty
very gnawty
diddy kong
r.o.b.
wario
baby wario
waluigi
king boo
boo
boolosus
monty mole
birdo
yoshi
baby mario
baby peach
shy guy
baby yoshi
mii(a)
mii(b)
mii(c)
baby birdo
e. gadd
pianta
paper bowser
paper peach
paper luigi
count bleck
dimentio
super dimentio
giga bowser
dry giga bowser
wart
blooper
mimi
o 'chunks
nastaisa
paper goomba
paper dry bones
paper koopa troopa
mouser
lakuiti
hammer bro.
paper hammer bro.
boo mario
bee mario
boo luigi
bee luigi
luma(a)
luma(b)
green luma

5-11-2008 @ 1:25PM

ethan said...

Shadow31 is wrong.FIVE console releases.SNES,N64,GCN,D.S.,and WII.:)

5-12-2008 @ 9:34PM

ethan said...

I was wrong...x_x...
SIX consoles.SNES,N64,GBA,GCN,DS,andWII.

5-12-2008 @ 9:36PM

ethan said...

...yeah...totally...

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