20 reviews
Well what can I say most of you know the mario kart series very well especially if your here, so you should know its excellent. For one I don't really like racing games there's very few series' out there that I will play and this here has to be the best franchise by far now from all the tracks, the rewards, the multi player, this was the the leader of its time you update the graphics put it up there with todays games it sticks with the best. All of the sounds were done very well the controls were just perfect, only real problem I have is the dumb AI from 50 ccs (easiest difficulty) to 150 ccs (hardest difficulty) the AI makes dumb decisions and somehow for every cup you have the same people in 1st and third even though you know those guys out the most they keep coming like water in a flood but it still doesn't kill the glory beauty and funess of this game Mario Kart 64 is right in my top 10 ever if you haven't played it get it its worth every penny you'll play
- Klovemovies
- Mar 7, 2009
- Permalink
OK, let's get something out of the way. Two player battle mode in Mario Kart 64 is the most fun you can have with a multiplayer game this side of GoldenEye. Now, for the bad news. Although the control is exceptionally tight (a Nintendo trait if ever there was one), and the new power slides are very intuitive, there is a MAJOR problem with the AI. For one thing, unless they pick up a weapon while you watch, they always have banana peels. Now, in the original Mario Kart each computer controlled opponent had their own distinctive weapons, but that was OK, since you had whatever you picked up to use. Now, not only does the computer have unlimited peels, they can also use your weapons against you. That's a minor gripe; here's the big one: rubber band AI. To maintain all races tight to the finish, the computer can never really be left behind too far, they mysteriously bound back. Gone are the days of lapping Toad (sucker!). Besides that, this is a great game for the N64.
Nintendo IS the Disney of video-gaming; their catalogue of classic games have defined millions of childhoods across the globe and influenced things inside and outside the gaming industry itself. Mario Kart 64 is one of those many treasure-troves of Nintendo's gold-mines of entertainment. Mario is here with Donkey Kong, Peach, Luigi, Wario, Yoshi, Toad and even Bowser. The roster's grown since then, but still what a great selection of characters for a crossover racing game.
Released in 1996, Mario Kart 64 was one of the launch titles of the Nintendo 64, alongside Super Mario 64 (though that game was delayed in Europe and Australia by almost a year from the console's release), and Kart 64 still has fast, fun and vibrant gameplay. You're first place one minute, and then your position is under constant threat thanks to the use of blue-shells, banana peels, lightning bolts and trick-question-mark-boxes which are actually bombs.
This game brings back quite a lot of memories from my childhood: the discovery of many glitches, playing it with my cousins whenever they had a sleepover at my place, and just playing it with my brother gave me such cherishing moments that's helped me become the gamer I am today.
Released in 1996, Mario Kart 64 was one of the launch titles of the Nintendo 64, alongside Super Mario 64 (though that game was delayed in Europe and Australia by almost a year from the console's release), and Kart 64 still has fast, fun and vibrant gameplay. You're first place one minute, and then your position is under constant threat thanks to the use of blue-shells, banana peels, lightning bolts and trick-question-mark-boxes which are actually bombs.
This game brings back quite a lot of memories from my childhood: the discovery of many glitches, playing it with my cousins whenever they had a sleepover at my place, and just playing it with my brother gave me such cherishing moments that's helped me become the gamer I am today.
- Johnny-the-Film-Sentinel-2187
- Sep 15, 2017
- Permalink
This N64 game is an update of the classic game from 1992 and I have to say, this game rocked. It was also very challenging, which added to the fun. The graphics are fantastic and the overall game is better than the original. New weapons are available along with the ones from the original and there many new and challenging tracks. The battle mode is also excellent, featuring (I believe) four arenas. Another plus is you can have up to four players playing at once, whether in battle mode or racing mode. This is a must have for any video game fan.
2 words: Rubber banding. I never heard that term before but once you play you'll know exactly what I mean. It's impossible NOT to notice cause it's very prevalent in this game while racing.
Otherwise this game is a great N64 game that holds up well! I just think the more recent Mario Kart editions are even BETTER! Wario stadium is easily my favorite track cause it's so big and full of opportunity. It deserves to be played by everyone at least once. :)
Otherwise this game is a great N64 game that holds up well! I just think the more recent Mario Kart editions are even BETTER! Wario stadium is easily my favorite track cause it's so big and full of opportunity. It deserves to be played by everyone at least once. :)
Mario Kart 64 is a perfect example of how to make a classic game from the Super Nintendo and make it so much better on the Nintendo 64
Mario Kart 64 allows for up to Four players to play and go racing to see who can win.
It's just hard to find anything against this game that would make you not want it for your collection.
Mario Kart is one of those rare series were every game in it is a masterpiece and Mario Kart 64 is no different ranks right up there with some of the best video games ever created and reason enough to own an Nintendo 64
The game play is very addicting and you could spend hours among hours playing this game with your favorite characters using many power ups to help you win
The sound is good and the music plays well for a racing game The controls are easy to pick up and play just need to train of course
The graphics show case what the Nintendo 64 was all about it is just super strong with great level designs as well as good the kart work for the game
Overall if you are fan of Mario and Nintendo then you should get this game if you love classic video games this is your game.
I give Mario Kart 64 an 10 out of 10
Mario Kart 64 allows for up to Four players to play and go racing to see who can win.
It's just hard to find anything against this game that would make you not want it for your collection.
Mario Kart is one of those rare series were every game in it is a masterpiece and Mario Kart 64 is no different ranks right up there with some of the best video games ever created and reason enough to own an Nintendo 64
The game play is very addicting and you could spend hours among hours playing this game with your favorite characters using many power ups to help you win
The sound is good and the music plays well for a racing game The controls are easy to pick up and play just need to train of course
The graphics show case what the Nintendo 64 was all about it is just super strong with great level designs as well as good the kart work for the game
Overall if you are fan of Mario and Nintendo then you should get this game if you love classic video games this is your game.
I give Mario Kart 64 an 10 out of 10
I got this game a few years ago at GameStop and me and my friends had a blast with it.
There is no basic plot to the game.But,you try to beat all the levels of the cup to win.There are three trophies,The bronze,the silver and the gold.
You have many characters to choose from.Like Mario,Wario,Yoshi,Bowser,Peach,Toad and Luigi and many more.And there are four cups to chose from.Each has four race sites to do,like Bowser's castle,a chocolate mountain,a winter land,a farm,an even a rainbow road in space! The game is pretty challenging,especially with lots of obstacles,but it is fun! *****(5)/*****(5) 10/10
There is no basic plot to the game.But,you try to beat all the levels of the cup to win.There are three trophies,The bronze,the silver and the gold.
You have many characters to choose from.Like Mario,Wario,Yoshi,Bowser,Peach,Toad and Luigi and many more.And there are four cups to chose from.Each has four race sites to do,like Bowser's castle,a chocolate mountain,a winter land,a farm,an even a rainbow road in space! The game is pretty challenging,especially with lots of obstacles,but it is fun! *****(5)/*****(5) 10/10
- Illyngophobia
- Apr 12, 2008
- Permalink
It is customary for a Mario game to be very light and fun because they don't bet on a sad, heavy or something very dramatic story, but Mario Kart 64 has a difference. The difference of this game is that it is much lighter than the others because it is just a racing game, without very big challenges. The characters in the game are very cool, the visuals of the levels are also cool, and all the game mechanics are very interesting. There is a considerable drop in quality from Super Mario 64 to this game, mainly in terms of graphics, but this is something that does not matter much, since the proposal is completely different and this is probably due to the fact that it is a simpler game. If you want to have fun playing a game alone, try playing any game in the Mario Kart franchise.
- claszdsburrogato
- Apr 1, 2023
- Permalink
as a 90's kid nothing beats those Saturday afternoons when your best friend/friends came over to play Nintendo for a good game of Mario Kart 64. we are living about 12 years from when it came out and i dunno about you guys, but every now and then, i get out my Nintendo 64 and play my old games, Mario kart included. this game is sooooooo awesome when you're bored or you have some friends over, this game is awesome to have. whether you were renting it from the video shop, owned it or went over to your friends place cos he had it, Mario Kart will always have a place in my memories as i will never ever throw it away because even when i have kids, i will give them the pleasure and the happiness i and the rest of you had when you first played this fun game.
hold on to your memories.
hold on to your memories.
- krazymuffin
- Jul 16, 2007
- Permalink
Mario Kart 64 is the first game I bought for Nintendo 64 back in late 1996. Even after so many other games and other systems that out did the Nintendo 64, I kept coming back to this game. Mario Kart offers a wide variety of courses to race on with eight unique Nintendo characters. A few of these characters being: obviously Mario, Peach, Bowser, and Donkey Kong.
There are four sets of races, each featuring a unique course going anywhere from Peach's Castle to Donkey Kong's Jungle. The course's are fun to travel through while you pick up items off the road helping you to stop your opponents and get a better boost. Mario Kart 64 is by far the best racer I've played. It is so unique and fun that you just become engulfed by it.
When the racing get's old, try to beat your friends in a little battle match or set a course time trial record with your favorite character.
Mario Kart 64. Featuring: Mario, Peach, Luigi, Toad, Wario, Yoshi, Donkey Kong, and Bowser.
Uniqueness: 5/5
Replay Value: 5/5
Plain Fun: 5/5
Overall: 5/5
There are four sets of races, each featuring a unique course going anywhere from Peach's Castle to Donkey Kong's Jungle. The course's are fun to travel through while you pick up items off the road helping you to stop your opponents and get a better boost. Mario Kart 64 is by far the best racer I've played. It is so unique and fun that you just become engulfed by it.
When the racing get's old, try to beat your friends in a little battle match or set a course time trial record with your favorite character.
Mario Kart 64. Featuring: Mario, Peach, Luigi, Toad, Wario, Yoshi, Donkey Kong, and Bowser.
Uniqueness: 5/5
Replay Value: 5/5
Plain Fun: 5/5
Overall: 5/5
- mOVIemAN56
- Jul 22, 2005
- Permalink
The first Mario Kart is a game I don't really care for, but this game is epic. The gameplay is much better here than it was in the first game, same goes for the graphics, as in this game I can actually see what I am doing unlike in the original. The tracks in this game are also pretty cool, my favorites being "Yoshi Valley" and "Kalamari Desert". I also really like the character rooster on this game. I love this game a lot more than "Super Mario Kart" and "Mario Kart 8", though Mario Kart Wii and Mario Kart 7 are even better yet imo
- BustedBlock
- May 21, 2020
- Permalink
- rabenulrik
- Feb 11, 2021
- Permalink
I rarely play racing games, but this one was my favorite for the N64. Having been launched alongside Super Mario 64 in 1996, Mario Kart 64 no doubt boosted both Mario's and the system's popularity. While certainly dated by modern standards, it still has its appeal.
The roster has 8 characters, each with newly introduced weight classes. Toad, Toadstool, and Yoshi were fast lightweights, Mario and Luigi were balanced middleweights, and Bowser, Donkey Kong and Wario were slow but durable heavyweights. You'll race across 16 exotic and well-designed courses; some of them are the series most fun and memorable, like Kalimari Desert, while others are just frustrating, like Snow Mountain and Banshee Boardwalk.
Given the technical limitations of the N64 and the sheer amount of content, the system couldn't process an entirely 3D Mario Kart game, so certain aspects were actually 2D sprites, such as the racer models and the items, but it still looked decent and helped the game run smoothly. New features included 4-player mode, split-screen, and the ability to wield three shells at once as a shield or to hit other players. New items included the super mushroom, fake power-up, and the dreaded Blue Shell.
The characters all had funny voice clips, especially Toad and Wario. The sound effects from the karts and powerups were cool and there was quirky, memorable music on every course, courtesy of Kenta Nagata, like the triumphant sounding trophy theme, the bright and catchy, steel drums of Koopa Troopa beach, and Bowsers Castle with dark choir and percussion. Kalamari Desert and Rainbow Road were my personal favorites.
Unfortunately, there were some notable flaws that made the game infamous to many players. First off, the games difficulty on single player was aggravating. Like Mario Party released in 1998, the CPU drivers are given unfair and nonsensical advantages. The rubber banding is the worst as the CPU's suddenly accelerate to impossible speeds and stay right behind you, making it hard to make 1st place. Even outside that, the controls are difficult, and handling feels stiff and even uncontrollable at times. For example, you can try your hardest to drive around a hazard, like a banana peel, only to fail every time. Plus, the sheer amount of falling hazards on some of the stages was insane, like Choco Mountain and Yoshi's Valley. Just one fall will likely ruin your chances of winning first place, because it takes so long for the fall animation to finish and for Lakitu to retrieve you.
While still a fun and classic game to play once in a while, it's more enjoyable on multiplayer. And even then, this one hasn't aged that well. Some people even say it's inferior to the original Mario Kart on the SNES. So, you might be better off playing more modern releases, like Double Dash and Mario Kart 8.
The roster has 8 characters, each with newly introduced weight classes. Toad, Toadstool, and Yoshi were fast lightweights, Mario and Luigi were balanced middleweights, and Bowser, Donkey Kong and Wario were slow but durable heavyweights. You'll race across 16 exotic and well-designed courses; some of them are the series most fun and memorable, like Kalimari Desert, while others are just frustrating, like Snow Mountain and Banshee Boardwalk.
Given the technical limitations of the N64 and the sheer amount of content, the system couldn't process an entirely 3D Mario Kart game, so certain aspects were actually 2D sprites, such as the racer models and the items, but it still looked decent and helped the game run smoothly. New features included 4-player mode, split-screen, and the ability to wield three shells at once as a shield or to hit other players. New items included the super mushroom, fake power-up, and the dreaded Blue Shell.
The characters all had funny voice clips, especially Toad and Wario. The sound effects from the karts and powerups were cool and there was quirky, memorable music on every course, courtesy of Kenta Nagata, like the triumphant sounding trophy theme, the bright and catchy, steel drums of Koopa Troopa beach, and Bowsers Castle with dark choir and percussion. Kalamari Desert and Rainbow Road were my personal favorites.
Unfortunately, there were some notable flaws that made the game infamous to many players. First off, the games difficulty on single player was aggravating. Like Mario Party released in 1998, the CPU drivers are given unfair and nonsensical advantages. The rubber banding is the worst as the CPU's suddenly accelerate to impossible speeds and stay right behind you, making it hard to make 1st place. Even outside that, the controls are difficult, and handling feels stiff and even uncontrollable at times. For example, you can try your hardest to drive around a hazard, like a banana peel, only to fail every time. Plus, the sheer amount of falling hazards on some of the stages was insane, like Choco Mountain and Yoshi's Valley. Just one fall will likely ruin your chances of winning first place, because it takes so long for the fall animation to finish and for Lakitu to retrieve you.
While still a fun and classic game to play once in a while, it's more enjoyable on multiplayer. And even then, this one hasn't aged that well. Some people even say it's inferior to the original Mario Kart on the SNES. So, you might be better off playing more modern releases, like Double Dash and Mario Kart 8.
- MrPaull0324
- Oct 22, 2024
- Permalink
- ethang-18416
- Jul 9, 2015
- Permalink
"Super Mario Kart 64" is a very fun game and much better than I expected it would be. When it came out in '96 I didn't buy it straight away, but a few friends of mine owned it and I got really good at the game -- and found it really fun to play.
Later I ended up buying it used at a game store and played it all the time. It's a really addictive racing game and elitists will be surprised that just because Mario is attached, it's not a cash in (like Mario Tennis and Party) -- it works well with or without Mario and, like "Paper Mario," doesn't sacrifice gameplay to target towards the little kiddies.
This is a great racing game AND a great Mario game. It's got fun features, well-designed tracks, fairly decent graphics for the time period (remember N64 was top of the line in '96) and a great two-player battle option.
All in all, a must-own if you've got an N64.
Later I ended up buying it used at a game store and played it all the time. It's a really addictive racing game and elitists will be surprised that just because Mario is attached, it's not a cash in (like Mario Tennis and Party) -- it works well with or without Mario and, like "Paper Mario," doesn't sacrifice gameplay to target towards the little kiddies.
This is a great racing game AND a great Mario game. It's got fun features, well-designed tracks, fairly decent graphics for the time period (remember N64 was top of the line in '96) and a great two-player battle option.
All in all, a must-own if you've got an N64.
- MovieAddict2016
- May 24, 2005
- Permalink
This was the first game I brought for my N64, because I loved the SNES version, but I remember at the time I was really disappointed with it. I think it's down falls were due to the fact that the levels were much longer not like the short fun ones on the SNES, I think they should have made more short levels as opposed to the fewer long one's. Also the AI in this game was bad as mentioned in another review, no matter how fast you went the other racers were close behind, often getting speed boosts from no where and over taken you. I did like however, the graphics and the controls, also the multiplayer mode was alot of fun, but I didn't get into it as much as I did in the SNES version. I think that if you've never played the SNES version you will like this game alot, because it is a good game with alot of replay value, I advise you to buy the GBA version because it combine the SNES and N64 versions into a much better game.
- darkangel2003
- Sep 5, 2003
- Permalink
Hearing John Ulmer describe this as the best racing game on the N64 made me glad that I'm not really a driving game fan because if this was the best then it must have been a poor console for the genre. This remake of the vastly superior SNES game was such a major disappointment for me, not only by way of comparison but just on its own terms it needs skill but doesn't allow you to get better and it just isn't as much pure fun as it should have been.
The bright graphics and vocals are all good but the increased power of the N64 went to the programmers heads and it is just all too busy. The tracks have great backgrounds, which I have no problem with, but the amount of stuff occurring on the track is a real problem. The sheer volume of obstacles mean that even the most skillful driver will get caught up and it is endlessly frustrating when it happens it certainly reduces its value as a straight racing game. It doesn't help that you simply cannot pull away in the way you could in the SNES game. With that game a good lap would mean the reward of space and a bit of a lead; however with the N64 the characters seem to stick with you no matter what even a mushroom will make little difference a few seconds after you have used it. In fairness they also seem to slow down (although not to the same degree that they speed up) when you hit an obstacle but it is still annoying because a perfect race can still see you in 4th if you hit an obstacle on the last third of the final lap.
The characters are all OK and have had their individuality hemmed in a bit (not sure why I still go for Toad) and again the courses see good use of the Mario universe. Some of them tend to be a bit too long and too many of them are overly complex with it. The items are surprisingly useless (not helped by how the others will catch you no matter what you do to them) and not helped by the computer characters having a seemingly endless supply of their chosen weapon (causing the third lap to be a total mess of bananas etc). The good items are useless because the computer will catch up in seconds while the idea of a "first place seeking" missile must have been good on paper but is crap in reality. The battle mode has not survived at all. The levels are complex and the items useless; the best way of winning it just to fire lots of green shells and the retreat to an upper level to wait it out. Even the simplest levels are a garish affair and it was more than I could bare my favourite part of the SNES game had become an unplayable, skill and strategy free zone.
Overall this is not an awful game but it is rather poor. The fact that it might have been more for kids would explain why the skill has been taken out of it to some degree, but it doesn't explain why it is just so frustrating and random to play. The mockery of the battle mode is just another straw on my already broken back maybe this is why I got so good at Goldeneye?
The bright graphics and vocals are all good but the increased power of the N64 went to the programmers heads and it is just all too busy. The tracks have great backgrounds, which I have no problem with, but the amount of stuff occurring on the track is a real problem. The sheer volume of obstacles mean that even the most skillful driver will get caught up and it is endlessly frustrating when it happens it certainly reduces its value as a straight racing game. It doesn't help that you simply cannot pull away in the way you could in the SNES game. With that game a good lap would mean the reward of space and a bit of a lead; however with the N64 the characters seem to stick with you no matter what even a mushroom will make little difference a few seconds after you have used it. In fairness they also seem to slow down (although not to the same degree that they speed up) when you hit an obstacle but it is still annoying because a perfect race can still see you in 4th if you hit an obstacle on the last third of the final lap.
The characters are all OK and have had their individuality hemmed in a bit (not sure why I still go for Toad) and again the courses see good use of the Mario universe. Some of them tend to be a bit too long and too many of them are overly complex with it. The items are surprisingly useless (not helped by how the others will catch you no matter what you do to them) and not helped by the computer characters having a seemingly endless supply of their chosen weapon (causing the third lap to be a total mess of bananas etc). The good items are useless because the computer will catch up in seconds while the idea of a "first place seeking" missile must have been good on paper but is crap in reality. The battle mode has not survived at all. The levels are complex and the items useless; the best way of winning it just to fire lots of green shells and the retreat to an upper level to wait it out. Even the simplest levels are a garish affair and it was more than I could bare my favourite part of the SNES game had become an unplayable, skill and strategy free zone.
Overall this is not an awful game but it is rather poor. The fact that it might have been more for kids would explain why the skill has been taken out of it to some degree, but it doesn't explain why it is just so frustrating and random to play. The mockery of the battle mode is just another straw on my already broken back maybe this is why I got so good at Goldeneye?
- bob the moo
- Dec 26, 2005
- Permalink
Super Mario Bros. is one of the most famous video games of all time! The characters, the jumping, the power-ups, and the sure thrill of adventure makes this entire series a fun non-stop playing time! Below is a brief look how I think the game is!
Game Play: The game play is very good. There is really basic controls here and is easy to perform. Novice gamers should have a good time here!
Graphics: The graphics are wonderful. The backgrounds are really beautiful!
Difficulty: The game is easy but as it goes on you''s find out that it will become more difficult!
Music: The music is great! Just fantastic catchy tunes through out the game! In My opinion its some of the best music ever in a video game!
Sound: The sound is great. Nuff said!
Overall: I have always loved Super Mario Brothers! If you like excellent adventure games then I strongly recommend you play this game!
To purchase this video game check out Amazon.com!
Game Play: The game play is very good. There is really basic controls here and is easy to perform. Novice gamers should have a good time here!
Graphics: The graphics are wonderful. The backgrounds are really beautiful!
Difficulty: The game is easy but as it goes on you''s find out that it will become more difficult!
Music: The music is great! Just fantastic catchy tunes through out the game! In My opinion its some of the best music ever in a video game!
Sound: The sound is great. Nuff said!
Overall: I have always loved Super Mario Brothers! If you like excellent adventure games then I strongly recommend you play this game!
To purchase this video game check out Amazon.com!
- Movie Nuttball
- Aug 23, 2004
- Permalink