Introduction:

The Next Edition of the Famous Mario Kart Series. Everyone was looking forward to this game. After Super Mario Kart was released and astounded everyone, people were waiting for this game, everyone had high hopes for this sequel. Was Super Mario Kart just a fluke? Was Mario Kart 64 just going to be some cheesy sequel to make money? Well, it sure was made to make money, but it sure is not some cheesy sequel. This game keeps the great Mario Kart Style, just better graphics and a few new things. This game is a must have for me, I rented it over and over again, it was just cheaper for me to buy the game. This game is the most fun to play with a friend. Try your skill in Battle mode.

Story:

Hmm, Story!!! This game doesn't really have a story. It's just some Nintendo Characters getting together to have some racing fun. Even Bowser and Wario have joined in.

Gameplay:

The gameplay is almost exactly of Super Mario Kart. In Grand Prix mode, you will select your character, then your cup, then race. You will race around very original and cool tracks. You will be using items to help you win. They have kept most of the old items, Red and Green Shell, Star, Lightening, Mushroom. But there is no more feather to jump, although you can jump with the R button. There are 8 Characters, Mario, Luigi, Peach, Toad, Yoshi, D.K., Wario, and Bowser. . . . .NO KOOPA!!! That's right, there's no Koopa, Koopa has been replaced by Wario. A lot of people were upset with this change, but Wario had become a big Nintendo Character when Mario Kart 64 came out. I miss Koopa though, he was one of my favourite characters. Each Character has his or her own unique style. One Character might be fast and have excellent Acceleration, but has horrible turning. After awhile you will have your favourite and worst character. I'm a Yoshi player myself. My Sister is a Wario player, my Brother is a Luigi player. But, if you play this game long enough, you will eventually play and master all characters, it is so easy for me to beat the game with Yoshi, so I had to switch over to another character and then another. There are 4 Tracks in every cup. There was 5 tracks in every cup in Super Mario Kart, but these tracks do seem longer. There are 3 laps in each track, in the last Mario Kart it was 5. There is 16 Tracks in total, but you can play these over and over again. 1 or 2 players can play in Grand Prix mode, sadly 3 or 4 players can't play Grand Prix, those 2, 3 or 4 players can just vs. in a track they select. I think the N64 just didn't have enough memory to do Grand Prix Mode with 3 or 4 players. There is also Time Trials, that is for 1 player, that player will select a track, and just drive around it for a high score in time. On time trials there are no items, except the 3 Mushrooms you get at the start, there are also no characters to race, just you and the open track. Now, for the Battle Mode. Battle mode is all out fun for 2, 3, or 4 players. This is very fun. I would have to say that the Battle Mode in Mario Kart 64 is the best Battle mode in all of the Mario Kart games. I play it all the time. You pick 1 of 4 big arena's to battle in. You and the other player(s) get 3 balloons, if you lose all 3 balloons you lose. You will just have to drive around these arena's trying to make the other player(s) lose their balloons. You will lose a balloon if you hit or are hit by Shells, Stars, Banana's and Fake Item Boxes. You can also lose a balloon by hitting a bigger character, I hate when Yoshi runs into Bowser and loses a Balloon. There are also some arena's where you can simply fall and lose a balloon. Battle Mode will never really get boring. I think Mario Kart 64 has the BEST battle mode out of any Mario Kart Game. I play it all the time. This game has extraordinary gameplay for both Battle and Grand Prix Mode.

I give the gameplay: 8.5/10

Graphics:

The Graphics are incredible for the characters. Mario, Luigi, all of them look incredible. The Tracks and Arena's look good. They just look 3-D.

I give the graphics: 7/10

Sound:

The sound is great. Each stage has it's own cool background sound. The Sound FX are great, we have Mario's great voice, as well as the snarls of Bowser, and the sounds of all the other characters. The other Sound FX are great.

I give the sound: 9/10

Replayability:

The replayability is high. Like all Mario Kart games, you can play this game over and over again. I have been playing its since its release. I just love to put it in and beat a Cup. Or vs. someone on Battle Mode. I will play this game forever.

I give the replayability: 7/10 if you play by yourself and 9.5/10 if you have someone to play with.

Challenge:

The challenge is good. After you play this game for awhile you will master it. But it will seem harder for every character. You might think that you mastered the game, but then you choose a different character, and all of a sudden you haven't mastered it. You will have to master every character. This game has a good challenge. There will be 50cc, 100cc, and 150cc. There will also be Extra, which is just the mirror image of the track your playing on. You also have to remember that it's a multi-player game. So, if you have someone to play this with, then it will always be good. Because you will both improve, and you will be a challenge for each other.

I give the challenge: 7/10

Value:

The Value of this game is great. If you like this game, then you will definitely get your money's worth. You will play it over and over again. Owning this game has saved me lots of money, I would have paid hundreds over the years to rent this at the Video Store.

Overall:

This game has the great Mario Kart Racing Style. You will have to race, but with the fun twist of items. These are unique items too, not nitro and a missile, but a Mushroom and a Red Shell. The graphics of the characters are great, the graphics of the tracks and arena's are good. The Sound is great for both Background Sound and Sound FX. The replayability is very good, you will be able to play this game for years. The challenge is good, and the value is excellent. I love this game, If you liked Super Mario Kart then you will love this. If you hated Super Mario Kart, then you won't like this one, and, why don't you like Super Mario Kart!?, its an Awesome game.

I give Mario Kart 64 : 9/10

Conclusion:

Mario Kart 64 continued the great Mario Kart Series. I have to have the Mario Karts. I rent them the day they come out, then buy them as soon as I can. This is a great racing game Nintendo made. I was so happy that this game was great, I had played Super Mario Kart for years, and was in need of a New Mario Kart. This game is another great Mario Kart game, I hope it is one of many.

Written by: Joey Anderson

Date Written: April 8th, 2004