Mario Kart 64 is the second main installment of the Mario Kart series. It is the first game in the series to use three-dimensional graphics, however, the characters and items in this game are still two-dimensional, pre-rendered sprites. The game offers two camera angles and three engine sizes: 50cc, 100cc and 150cc. Each kart has distinctive handling, acceleration and top speed capabilities. Shells that you fire at rival racers, Bananas that make them skid out and Lightning Bolts that make them small and very slow are just a few of the game's unique power-ups.
Also in series
Reviews View More
I must have played 100s of hours of Mario Kart back in the day, although I never really mastered it. Still probably my favourite game in the series in part due to the nostalgia. Has my #1 Rainbow Road as well. The rubber-banding AI is absolutely wild though
One of my favourites, spent literally hundreds of hours playing this as a child. Plowed through 150cc, Banshee Boardwalk is still an absolute pain in the ass but the other courses are still sweet.
I guess one of my biggest gripes about Nintendo Switch Online is the lack of filters or shaders. Desperately needs a CRT filter or something to blend the sprites with the background.
I guess one of my biggest gripes about Nintendo Switch Online is the lack of filters or shaders. Desperately needs a CRT filter or something to blend the sprites with the background.
There's really solid gameplay here. What holds Mario Kart 64 back is that it's pretty barebones. Four cups, eight racers, a couple game modes. What helps this game stay relevant is that every single course is a banger and the mechanics are pretty solid. That helped the game win it's reputation and to keep it even as arguably better sequels have come out over time. People still play Mario Kart 64 even in the face of the shinier new entries and that is a testament to it's quality. Also, it has some of the jankist graphics of any Mario game and that's sort of fun. If you're playing Mario Kart with a group whose willing to try one of the older entries this is probably the go to.
This is where toad's voice peaked
Not my personal cup of tea, but I can acknowledge it was a big step forward for Mario Kart. If I was a kid in the 90's, I would've loved this growing up.
There's 3 core memories I have with MK64, Driving around Peach's castle, the battle mode and playing against my brother in Grand Prix.
The game itself was a great time back then but also didn't age too well imo. Doesn't mean it's a bad game by any means but it's hard to go back to if you're used to Mario Kart 8.
Most of the tracks are memorable and it has the best Rainbow Road out of any of the Mario Karts.
The battle mode was also at its peak here, it's hard to explain why though...maybe it was the courses, because they were at their peak. Especially the one with the 4 towers, absolute joy to mess around with.
The one core memory with my brother is this: we always played this (and the snes Mario kart) all the time and he would always win. There was the one time where I was able to win against him....and that was the last time he played any video games with me, lol. I never knew why...just thought he was that butthurt from losing to his 10 year old brother.
Everyone should try this game once, it is a joy to see all these courses.in their original form, and with Nintendo Switch Online, it's entirely possible to play this one with online multiplayer. New age Nintendo fans should should play!
The game itself was a great time back then but also didn't age too well imo. Doesn't mean it's a bad game by any means but it's hard to go back to if you're used to Mario Kart 8.
Most of the tracks are memorable and it has the best Rainbow Road out of any of the Mario Karts.
The battle mode was also at its peak here, it's hard to explain why though...maybe it was the courses, because they were at their peak. Especially the one with the 4 towers, absolute joy to mess around with.
The one core memory with my brother is this: we always played this (and the snes Mario kart) all the time and he would always win. There was the one time where I was able to win against him....and that was the last time he played any video games with me, lol. I never knew why...just thought he was that butthurt from losing to his 10 year old brother.
Everyone should try this game once, it is a joy to see all these courses.in their original form, and with Nintendo Switch Online, it's entirely possible to play this one with online multiplayer. New age Nintendo fans should should play!