History of Mario Kart (1992 - 2025) | Documentary | Every Mario Kart Game, Ranked

IbizaPocholo

NeoGAFs Kent Brockman


A full history of the "Mario Kart" franchise. From Nintendo's first attempt at making a 2-player F-Zero-like game, to their recent open-ended Mario Kart World on the Nintendo Switch.

Celebrate 33 years of one of the most beloved racing series in the history of gaming by learning how the series has evolved! Mario Kart is an accessible item-based racing game, where Mario characters battle for a podium position across a variety of Mario and Mario-Adjacent race courses. The series has steadily grown every generation, with new features, improved visuals, and other quality of life improvements - resulting in an impressive record of exceptionally high rated and well received titles.

Join me as I detail each and every game, breaking down their development history, gameplay features, visuals, and their critical reception, all backed with each game's original soundtrack.

Because "Mario Kart" is one of my all-time favorites, I wanted to make sure to get this one right - and put an exceptional amount of work into research, writing, recording, and editing to ensure the best possible viewing experience. I put a ton of passion and effort into this documentary - but even so, there are bound to be errors. Please feel free to let me know in the comments if you spot one! Now sit back, grab a drink and enjoy the ENTIRE History of Mario Kart!

It's-a-me! MARIO!

Table of Contents
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00:00 Introduction
01:52 Super Mario Kart (1992)
08:02 Mario Kart 64 (1996)
12:43 Mario Kart Super Circuit (2001)
14:58 Mario Kart Double Dash (2003)
19:17 Mario Kart DS (2005)
21:57 Mario Kart Wii (2008)
25:29 Mario Kart 7 (2011)
28:08 Mario Kart 8 (2014)
31:33 Mario Kart 8 Deluxe (2017)
33:07 Mario Kart Tour (2019)
35:25 Mario Kart World (2025)
42:24 Conclusion
 
mario kart GIF
 
I'm surprised that I agree so much with the rankings video.
I'd only put SMK above 64. But Super Circuit is right where it ought to be, ie at the very bottom. And 64 is nowhere near the top. This is justice.
No doubt in my mind that 8 Deluxe was peak Mario Kart, and while I'm still very early in World, it feels just as solid as 8D.
 


We've been driving the open roads of Mario Kart World for several weeks now, and we're starting to see how its new lineup of 30 tracks stacks up against the rest of the Mario Kart series. So, now's the perfect time to rank the 25 best Mario Kart tracks of all time, from classic circuits, to dirt stadiums, to the iconic rainbow road.

00:00 - INTRO
01:00 - 25: Toad's Turnpike (64)
01:41 - 24: Ninja Hideaway (Tour / 8DX)
02:13 - 23: Mario Kart Stadium (8)
03:03 - 22: Baby Park (DD)
03:55 - 21: Wario Stadium (64)
04:46 - 20: Waluigi Stadium (DD)
05:22 - 19: Koopa Cape (Wii)
05:54 - 18: Tick Tock Clock (DS)
06:31 - 17: Yoshi Valley (64)
07:21 - 16: Airship Fortress (DS)
08:03 - 15: DK Spaceport (World)
08:48 - 14: Royal Raceway (64)
09:25 - 13: Coconut Mall (Wii)
10:05 - 12: Hyrule Circuit (8)
10:48 - 11: Electrodrome (8)
11:32 - 10
12:20 - 9
13:02 - 8
13:47 - 7
14:23 - 6
15:09 - 5
15:50 - 4
16:28 - 3
17:23 - 2
18:19 - 1
 
I like MKW more than I do MK8DX. I think that tracks are more varied, more you can do with the grinds, and also it's cleaner in its art style.

I would say both games suffer from unfun when you're in first, they should really come up with new items when you're first. Getting a coin or a green shell ain't it.
 
I like MKW more than I do MK8DX. I think that tracks are more varied, more you can do with the grinds, and also it's cleaner in its art style.

I would say both games suffer from unfun when you're in first, they should really come up with new items when you're first. Getting a coin or a green shell ain't it.
It's a tough one because MKW and MK8 are both very different games and to be honest I love both. But I do feel if Nintendo had simply produced Mario Kart 9 I would not have been as invested as with MKW as the open world is awesome imho. I'ts pretty much driving around an awesome MK8 course but them being able to leave the confines of it and expolre further. A special mention to the traditional Mario Kart course when you find the binocular viewer and realise it's actually three courses joined into one with differents exits etc.. The fact I have played arounf 40 hours or so and have only completed two 50cc Grand prix events and one Knockout tour is a testiment to how much fun I am having simple exploring this awesome world.
 
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This might be the only series that has shown no progress or innovation over the years(33 years!). They tried something new for the first time, like open world, but it seems that wasn't well received either.
 
My favourite MK is still SMK on the SNES. It has beautiful pixel graphics in mode 7, banger soundtrack (amazing how catchy these short loops are), lap times in GP mode (something MK8 and MKW lack), circuits weren't too crazy, and I like how the karts get oversteer depending on the ground and weight of them. I'm playing it weekly in 2P mode with a friend of mine.

N64 MK was cool at the time but the lack of the GP mode for 3+ players was and still is a bummer.
 
This might be the only series that has shown no progress or innovation over the years(33 years!). They tried something new for the first time, like open world, but it seems that wasn't well received either.
Based on what evidence?, the game is selling very well. Or are we taking the views of a few YouTubers with no subscribers or views.
 
This might be the only series that has shown no progress or innovation over the years(33 years!). They tried something new for the first time, like open world, but it seems that wasn't well received either.
You can literally do tricks with the Kart which added a lot of branching paths, there's also a fresh knockout mode...

How did other racing series changed?
 
Based on what evidence?, the game is selling very well. Or are we taking the views of a few YouTubers with no subscribers or views.
You can see it in the comments about open world gameplay here too, it's not just youtubers or reviewers. The fact that it sold well doesn't necessarily mean it was well-received, especially considering it's the first Nintendo exclusive for the new console and comes bundled with it. I didn't say the game as a whole was disliked, but the open world part, which was the biggest "innovation", doesn't seem to have been well-received. The knockout mode seems to have been liked, and the on-rails and water sections also seem cool. What I meant was that watching the history of Mario Kart would have been boring because they released similar games for 33 years(until now), and they finally tried something new for the first time.

How did other racing series changed?
Yeah, you're right — we could say the same thing for a lot of ongoing series(not just racers). I guess I'm just a bit salty because I paid $60 for Mario Kart 8 and played it only for 30 minutes.
 
You can see it in the comments about open world gameplay here too, it's not just youtubers or reviewers. The fact that it sold well doesn't necessarily mean it was well-received, especially considering it's the first Nintendo exclusive for the new console and comes bundled with it. I didn't say the game as a whole was disliked, but the open world part, which was the biggest "innovation", doesn't seem to have been well-received. The knockout mode seems to have been liked, and the on-rails and water sections also seem cool. What I meant was that watching the history of Mario Kart would have been boring because they released similar games for 33 years(until now), and they finally tried something new for the first time.


Yeah, you're right — we could say the same thing for a lot of ongoing series(not just racers). I guess I'm just a bit salty because I paid $60 for Mario Kart 8 and played it only for 30 minutes.
I like it more than 8. The world is full of fun challanges. I also paid 50 euro for it, part of the bundle.
 
I like it more than 8. The world is full of fun challanges. I also paid 50 euro for it, part of the bundle.
It looks and probably plays better than 8, and it will get better with dlcs, but I won't fall for it again(probably). Sorry for the derail, I'm not posting anything in here, have fun guys.
 
Yeah I do think I played through Super Circuit once when it came out but pretty much forgot that it existed once I lost the cart after. The only time I really ever recall the game is from the cool single cart multiplayer feature. The game itself I can't remember other than squinting at the og GBA's screen to play it.

Objectively, 8 DX is the best one but 64 still has my heart though. Which MK let you play Block Fort battle mode in between bouts of Goldeneye, Starfox and Mario Party. The only answer is 64.
 
My Rank

1. Mk64
2. Mk DS
3. Mk DD
4. Mk 8
5. Mk World
6. MK SC
7. MK Wii
8. MK 7

Objectively 8 is probaby the best overall. Ds is the best competitively, DD has the best gimmick, 64 has the best atmosphere, World has the really fun trick stuff. The rest are far below for me in comparison.
 
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This series is pretty consistent for me, and I got each one around the time they came out.

Super Circuit gets dumped on a lot these days but I think it still has its place for people who want a SMK-style game with a lot more tracks.

I think the weakest is actually MK8. Unlike most people I got it when it came out (and it came with a free digital Wii U game which was pretty cool) and besides the audiovisual boost it was a very modest upgrade. Same number of tracks as before with no new modes, janky item balance, and an awful Battle Mode. Its big innovation was supposedly anti-gravity but that was a really subtle change that effectively did very little. And then MK8D came out but by then I'd already played the game so it was held back by being a full-price port of a game that came out three years prior.

Conversely, I think Mario Kart World is awesome and might be my favorite.
 
You can see it in the comments about open world gameplay here too, it's not just youtubers or reviewers. The fact that it sold well doesn't necessarily mean it was well-received, especially considering it's the first Nintendo exclusive for the new console and comes bundled with it. I didn't say the game as a whole was disliked, but the open world part, which was the biggest "innovation", doesn't seem to have been well-received. The knockout mode seems to have been liked, and the on-rails and water sections also seem cool. What I meant was that watching the history of Mario Kart would have been boring because they released similar games for 33 years(until now), and they finally tried something new for the first time.


Yeah, you're right — we could say the same thing for a lot of ongoing series(not just racers). I guess I'm just a bit salty because I paid $60 for Mario Kart 8 and played it only for 30 minutes.
Not trying to rain on your parade here but how many people is this in reality. We are drawing conclusions from data that is simply not there.
 
Once you get used to wall riding and trick chaining in World it's simply the best MK with so much skill expression.

All it needs is one DLC (or at least alt paths that make use of all the unused track variations) to be the absolute best.

Also hot take but 8 became worse with the second DLC adding a lot of boring, poorly designed tracks which diluted the excellent roster of tracks after Wave 1.
 
Once you get used to wall riding and trick chaining in World it's simply the best MK with so much skill expression.

All it needs is one DLC (or at least alt paths that make use of all the unused track variations) to be the absolute best.

Also hot take but 8 became worse with the second DLC adding a lot of boring, poorly designed tracks which diluted the excellent roster of tracks after Wave 1.
Mk world has the highest skill ceiling but its mid level is poorly balance in a game like mario kart, its incredibly punishing to go for the new mechanics a majority of the time at the average level. If you dont practice or optimize like crazy they are borderline useless.
 
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Mk world has the highest skill ceiling but its mid level is poorly balance in a game like mario kart, its incredibly punishing to go for the new mechanics a majority of the time at the average level. If you dont practice or optimize like crazy they are borderline useless.
It's like MK Wii where you want to jump but don't want to stay in the air, any long jump or bad trajectory can be devastating. Short hops and fast trick chains are the key.

But I like that the game feels less random than 8 especially in online survival mode, can't imagine going back to it at this point.
 
Based on what evidence?, the game is selling very well. Or are we taking the views of a few YouTubers with no subscribers or views.
The views of few YouTubers with no subscribers or views is just as valid as a YouTuber with millions of views. Why? Because gaming is art. Therefore subjective.
 
It's like MK Wii where you want to jump but don't want to stay in the air, any long jump or bad trajectory can be devastating. Short hops and fast trick chains are the key.

But I like that the game feels less random than 8 especially in online survival mode, can't imagine going back to it at this point.
While playing the cpus I just get so bored (the cpus show you how you should just stick to doing it like older mario karts and not waste your effortsa majority of the time) when its just better to ignore the new mechanics the majority if the time. Optimally using a charge jump is incredibly niche for how its emphasized as a new mechanic 90% of the time its just better to not do it, which is super boring.
 
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Well I've seen more discontent with this Mario kart than others in the past. So not outrage but there is people not happy not with entry.
Again what metrics are we going off. This does seem like a case of people in bubbles speaking to other people in similar bubbles.
 
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My Rank

1. Mk64
2. Mk DS
3. Mk DD
4. Mk 8
5. Mk World
6. MK SC
7. MK Wii
8. MK 7

Objectively 8 is probaby the best overall. Ds is the best competitively, DD has the best gimmick, 64 has the best atmosphere, World has the really fun trick stuff. The rest are far below for me in comparison.
Oh no it's the dreaded ranking lists section of the thread. Must resist the urge to make a list lol.
 
Again what metrics are we going off. This does seem like a case of people in bubbles speaking to other people in similar bubbles.
Well you can't really have metrics for discourse. I can only speak from what I have seen. And Iv seen a bit of it on social media. More than Iv ever seen for Mario kart.
 
Again waht metrics are we going off. This does seem like a case of people in bubbles speaking to other people in similar bubbles.
I think online thats the general vibe. Its a combination alot of questionable game design choices, missed potential and an 80 price tag.

The npc characters are awful to unlock, the open world has no npcs or meaningful unlockables (npc charcters would have been so easy to implement here), Grand pris having in between courses make it feel just like knockout tour and the lack of 3 laps on the best part of courses is a bummer, no unlocks from getting 1st in knockout tours, no 200cc, new mechanics being to niche a majority of the time to be consistently useful for the majority of players, etc.
 
I think online thats the general vibe. Its a combination alot of questionable game design choices, missed potential and an 80 price tag.

The npc characters are awful to unlock, the open world has no npcs or meaningful unlockables (npc charcters would have been so easy to implement here), Grand pris having in between courses make it feel just like knockout tour and the lack of 3 laps on the best part of courses is a bummer, no unlocks from getting 1st in knockout tours, no 200cc, new mechanics being to niche a majority of the time to be consistently useful for the majority of players, etc.
We are not really getting anywhere with all this. The general vibe from a few YouTubers and the very small amount of people that left a negative review. On the whole most will be simply kicking back and playing this game and enjoying it. Totally unaware of the online storm in a teacup or that it's even being discussed in the first place.
 
We are not really getting anywhere with all this. The general vibe from a few YouTubers and the very small amount of people that left a negative review. On the whole most will be simply kicking back and playing this game and enjoying it. Totally unaware of the online storm in a teacup or that it's even being discussed in the first place.
Oh I agree everyone is still having a good time its just the vibe is a general dissapointment. The trick stuff, npc characters, knockout tour and open world are still cool.
 
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Well you can't really have metrics for discourse. I can only speak from what I have seen. And Iv seen a bit of it on social media. More than Iv ever seen for Mario kart.
Like I said far too small a sample size to make any real judgement. Compared to the millions that have already bought this game.
 
Like I said far too small a sample size to make any real judgement. Compared to the millions that have already bought this game.
Ok but the discourse is from people who have bought the game. I have bought the game and I have some big issues with it. The proof will be if Nintendo make future changes to specific things that people are complaining about. My biggest gripe is the Grand Prix.
 
Like I said far too small a sample size to make any real judgement. Compared to the millions that have already bought this game.
Oh if your talking about the main casual player base that makes sure mk is on the top most selling games every year, they probably love it with the open world.
 
Oh if your talking about the main casual player base that makes sure mk is on the top most selling games every year, they probably love it with the open world.
100% this. The game will continue to sell millions. It's not terrible a game. I just think for the more hardcore crowd it's a weaker entry.
 
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