Mario Kart 64 (1996 Video Game) User Reviews

Up there with the greatest games ever

[Klovemovies · 10/10 · 8 March 2009]

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

The finest kart title on the N64, except...

[Mzo-3 · 8/10 · 29 August 2000]

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.

Sure it may be surpassed by the later Mario Kart entries, but Mario Kart 64 is still loads of fun 21 years on.

[Johnny-the-Film-Sentinel-2187 · 9/10 · 16 September 2017]

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.

One of the best games ever to hit the N64

[Op_Prime · 18 September 2001]

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.

I would give it a 10, but there is one big issue I have with Mario Kart 64.....

[Reckno64 · 9/10 · 5 March 2020]

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. :)

Warning: Spoilers Ahead, but not a lot.

[ajnrules · 10/10 · 15 August 2000]

This game was really fun back in 1997. I still think it is, but unfortunately, very few other people do. I enjoyed this game enough to make it the first game I bought for the N64 back in 1997. I spent hours improving until I managed to get the extra section.

It's a lot like the original Mario Kart game, except it's a lot easier to control because you use a control stick and not a control panel, which can be quite frustrating when you have to make sharp turns.

There are some levels which can be frustrating, like Peach's Raceway and Bowser's Castle. Sharp turns in Banshee Boardwalk can have you racing in Special Cup for a long time, but still, this game is fun both in one-player and multi-player mode.

Mario Kart is a pure classic

[Terryfan · 10/10 · 12 May 2015]

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

classic, simply a classic!!!

[krazymuffin · 10/10 · 17 July 2007]

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.

Mario Kart 64 : A Masterpiece

[ethang-18416 · 9/10 · 10 July 2015]

The Mario Kart You Know Today Isn't As Good As This Gem. Mario Kart 64 Was A Huge improvement Compared To The NES Prequel. It Had Amazing Graphics With The Power Of The N64. Definitely A Better Mario Kart 64. It Is A Game That Was In Love With Split Screen. 4 Player Split Screen = Awesomeness. It Was Just Overall The Father Of Driving Games. With A Vast Array Of Power ups And Maps To Choose From,This Is Truly One Masterpiece. It's Better Than Forza For Sure! This Is Definitely The Goldeneye Of Racing Games. I Really Recommend This Game. I Am Addicted With This Game. It Was And Still Is Played By Lots Of People. I Just Got An N64 And This Game Rocks! This Is One Of Those Better Games On The N64. It's A Game That Anyone Can Play. Easy Controls And A Simple Concept Makes A Great Game. Or Should I Say Masterpiece...

Fun,Great Racing Game!

[Illyngophobia · 10/10 · 13 April 2008]

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

Unforgettable racing game with Mario and co.

[chribren · 10/10 · 18 October 2013]

"Mario Kart 64" is a racing game for Nintendo 64, first released in Japan 1996 and later internationally in 1997.

This game has eight playable characters: Mario, Luigi, Peach, Toad, Yoshi, Donkey Kong, Wario and Bowser. And together they all race in different tracks over the course of four cups, and use different items (Mushroom, shells, banana peel etc.) against each other in order to get the first place. The only unlockable thing in the game is an Extra mode which requires you to win all cups in 150cc.

A Time Trial allows the player to drive alone in order to get the fastest time as possible in any track he/she choose. In the Battle mode, up to four players can drive around anywhere in any of the four battle tracks, and make the players to lose each of their three balloons, and the last player standing wins. There is also a VS. Mode where also up to four players can compete with each other, this time with traditional racing.

The Battle Mode which I told you about earlier is one of the modes which I've been enjoying at most, and that together with doing Grand Prix 50cc. Because this game is nothing more than a memorial, nostalgic racing game from the time of Nintendo 64, I'm gonna give this game a full overall rating 10/10.

Not matter how many racers are made, this is the best

[mOVIemAN56 · 23 July 2005]

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

A huge improvement over the original

[BustedBlock · 9/10 · 22 May 2020]

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

Mario Kart 64 (1996) A light and fun game

[claszdsburrogato · 8/10 · 2 April 2023]

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.

Raw Power

[rabenulrik · 10/10 · 12 February 2021]

Adamthewoo:Who doesn´t love gokarts and who doesn´t love free? In 1996 Mario Kart got a 64 version with a boost in graphic and music, as more sequel followed. You can play from the good ones like Peach, or if you want to be a villain play as Bowser. It all ends in the classic Rainbow Road. There is terrains for all like chocolate roads, an eerie castle and more. Now drop all you have and emulate this, or if you are lucky buy this in the market if you have your N64. And, now we have a long wait for the Mario movie troiler.

A very fun racing game and one of the N64 platform's best games

[MovieAddict2016 · 25 May 2005]

"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.

Not all that!!

[darkangel2003 · 6 September 2003]

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.

A poor remake of the SNES classic that takes the skill and fun out of it leaving, erm, not a great deal

[bob the moo · 27 December 2005]

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?

Mario Kart 64!

[Movie Nuttball · 24 August 2004]

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!