Uploaded June 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Super Mario Kart is a racing game for the Super Famicom and Super Nintendo Entertainment System. The game was first released in 1992 and rereleased in 1996 as a Player's Choice title, being the first title in the lineup. Unlike the other racing games at the time, which focused on single-player racing with more complicated tracks, Super Mario Kart was focused on two players and was designed to be an easy and intuitive "pick up and play" experience that heavily involves the use of acquiring weapons on an obstacle course-like track to impede another player's progress. The development of a one-on-one Battle Mode was invented as another way to enjoy the competitive aspects of the game. Another notable aspect of the game is its Mode 7 graphics, where the game simulates a 3D plane by rotating and scaling a background graphic on a scanline-by-scanline basis, allowing players to simulate driving in a 3D environment. Much of this game is heavily based on Super Mario World, with both graphics and general themes being taken from that game; this includes sprites reusing Super Mario World's assets and music cues rearranging its melodies.
Super Mario Kart was rereleased on the Wii's Virtual Console in 2009–2010, on the Wii U's Virtual Console in 2013–2014, and on the New Nintendo 3DS's Virtual Console in 2016. It is one of the 21 titles included on the Super NES Classic Edition and is one of the 20 launch titles for Super Nintendo Entertainment System - Nintendo Classics, which also released a special version titled Super Mario Kart: Fully souped up! with 150cc and the Special Cup unlocked on May 26, 2021.
Super Mario Kart is a racing game for the Super Famicom and Super Nintendo Entertainment System. The game was first released in 1992 and rereleased in 1996 as a Player's Choice title, being the first title in the lineup. Unlike the other racing games at the time, which focused on single-player racing with more complicated tracks, Super Mario Kart was focused on two players and was designed to be an easy and intuitive "pick up and play" experience that heavily involves the use of acquiring weapons on an obstacle course-like track to impede another player's progress. The development of a one-on-one Battle Mode was invented as another way to enjoy the competitive aspects of the game. Another notable aspect of the game is its Mode 7 graphics, where the game simulates a 3D plane by rotating and scaling a background graphic on a scanline-by-scanline basis, allowing players to simulate driving in a 3D environment. Much of this game is heavily based on Super Mario World, with both graphics and general themes being taken from that game; this includes sprites reusing Super Mario World's assets and music cues rearranging its melodies.
Super Mario Kart was rereleased on the Wii's Virtual Console in 2009–2010, on the Wii U's Virtual Console in 2013–2014, and on the New Nintendo 3DS's Virtual Console in 2016. It is one of the 21 titles included on the Super NES Classic Edition and is one of the 20 launch titles for Super Nintendo Entertainment System - Nintendo Classics, which also released a special version titled Super Mario Kart: Fully souped up! with 150cc and the Special Cup unlocked on May 26, 2021.
