Mario Kart 64

**CatalystiCam** · 02-22-2010, 02:18 PM

Mario Kart 64

Cam3ron36

Ever heard of a great racing game? A game that gave you good memories, and happy days, well, this is one of them.

Mario Kart 64 is relatively well known to people, it was quite often one of the first N64 games people play, as it was very often, boxed in with N64 consoles. I would say it’s one of those games people automatically think of when they think of the N64. For one simple reason; it was popular.

Nintendo was in their golden days of game design back when this was made. They had managed to take a decent racer on the super Nintendo, and take it to all new heights with Mario kart 64. Just coming to play this game after playing Super Mario Kart is astounding, and yes. The graphics are one thing you are going to take note of here, they aren’t great, but they do allow for twistier, topsy-turvy mayhem with more in depth action and some up-and-down hills. One thing you notice when you play an old racer, compared to a new racer, you can just tell the difference, even when the older racers do have the hill-like environments. It’s just a bit crisper and nicer to see this game on the N64, I enjoy it anyways. One thing I do have to complain about in the graphics department; is the characters just look… weird, I don’t know what it is about it, but it looks awkward. Anyways, the graphics are a nice touch, but they don’t really make a difference on the game play itself.

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dc6QmGQzhhE&feature=player_embedded]YouTube - Super Mario Kart Mushroom Cup[/ame]
That is the Snes mario kart, it was a great game, hell, it's mario kart. The graphics or worse, but the coins were not in MK64 which kinda sucks...

Mario Kart 64 is amazingly fun; one thing that probably was a disappointment to people is the lack of unlockables, and the lack of as many tracks. I mean, just think, SMK on the Snes had like 4-7 tracks per cup. That being said, it doesn’t affect the game much, it still has its redeeming factors, because what you don’t get in the Snes version is the more lengthened levels, I mean think, each SMK level had to have 5 laps per level, because of the shortness in all of them. So, not too much to complain about there, I’m fine with the amount of levels in the game, some like Yoshi’s level are just wild and fun, if you take one gander at Yoshi’s level, it is just a brigade of obstructions and alternate routes. It makes for a fun mix-and-match sort of scenario, I don’t know about everyone else, but that was a fun level. It was especially enjoyable to just watch every newbie to the game (my friends) fail constantly by falling off the track all of the time.
As for my unlockables comment, I honestly don’t mind, I mean, I always rented this game throughout my whole life, so I just assumed the Crown-cup was already unlocked by previous renters of the cartridge. But when I got it on the VC, it was there immediately. It was confusing since most of the other Mario kart games; I have to beat Star-cup on 100cc to unlock the crown cup, anyways. There is nothing to unlock in Mario Kart 64, but that is what I’m saying. I usually cheat in a racing game to unlock everything, because I just want to race. That’s just me, others might not agree, I personally pick up that pick-it-up and play factor that you are presented with Mario Kart 64.

The best way to play Mario Kart 64 is with a friend, or a family member. My bros and I spent countless hours on this game, with my one brother it was the races and the GP. With my other brother, it was always battles, especially Block tower; I’d say that I played battle mode more. Yeah, one brother didn’t like the racing part, so my other brother and I would just play battle mode with him since we enjoyed all of the Mario Kart 64 essence. No one really cares about my life really, so I’ll get to more of my review here: The battle mode was a definitive factor of the game for me, I mean, the Race tracks sort of wear on you to the point where you can’t play them anymore, at least for a while, but the battles are great if you have a buddy or buddies to play with. There are several levels in battle mode, some that have been in the newer Mario Kart games, but only one really stands out. That would be Block Tower; it’s basically just 4 towers that you battle it out on, eventually though, you just don’t want to fall to the bottom, because if you do. All of those green turtle shells that you and your friends shot without hitting anyone will be waiting to destroy you. You really don’t want to fall lol. Only 3 hits are allowed, and you might only have one left… Ugh, bad memories.

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PpHiTKApQmU&feature=player_embedded]YouTube - Mario Kart 64 Online Battle #1[/ame]

The sound is just, ok. I mean, it measures up well to the game, but nothing special, at least to me.

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cc7vyMcM9wM&feature=player_embedded]YouTube - Luigi Travels the Rainbow Road in Mario Kart 64[/ame]
Fun Fact: They also put this level in F-zero X.

Overall, I’d say that Mario Kart 64 is a great game, it is fun. Yeah, it has GP racing, time trials and battle mode, but to play battle mode, you need a friend. Otherwise, you can’t play. So the game wears on you easily, it is nice to have if you just want to come back and play some classic races. It is classic, it is great, but it gets boring quickly. One of those games that you just have to take breaks from, so there you have it; Mario Kart 64, and comments are certainly welcome.

**samejamesbond** · 02-22-2010, 02:38 PM

I was going to review this next, oh well.
It's a good review, nice work.

**CatalystiCam** · 02-22-2010, 02:53 PM

Thanks, know what you mean though. I hate reviewing a game that's already been done, by someone else.

**Mareeps** · 02-22-2010, 04:31 PM

This game was awesome, back before the computers started getting blue shells every 10 seconds.

**fenrir1887** · 02-25-2010, 11:52 AM

Yeah, but I really believe since then Nintendo has topped itself with MKWii. That game is a worthy descendant of MK64 if you ask me.

**samejamesbond** · 02-25-2010, 11:56 AM

Double Dash was better than Wii.
I mean 16-Player Mario Kart is insane fun.

**fenrir1887** · 02-25-2010, 11:58 AM

I bet, but remember that Double Dash is also a good game. Wii makes things interesting by throwing in motorcycles as well as karts.

**CatalystiCam** · 02-25-2010, 01:18 PM

Yeah, but there is no skill in MKW, you just have to stay in second with a bannana or shell behind you and avoid being in first at all costs.

**Chuck Norris** · 02-25-2010, 02:47 PM

in my honest unbiased opinion I think the original SNES version was the best

**CatalystiCam** · 02-25-2010, 02:52 PM

I missed the coin thing from the Snes. MK: Double Dash is my favourite.

**fenrir1887** · 02-25-2010, 03:59 PM

Seriously, man, certain tracks on Double Dash needed no skill. Set the game on mirror mode and watch the fun and mayhem commence on DD.

**samejamesbond** · 02-25-2010, 04:00 PM

Every Mario Kart has levels that require no skill, like the first racetrack.

**fenrir1887** · 02-25-2010, 04:06 PM

Uh, huh. You can't tell me MKW is made up of tracks that require no skill. People would not buy it if that were the case.

**Mareeps** · 02-25-2010, 04:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cam3ron36

Yeah, but there is no skill in MKW, you just have to stay in second with a bannana or shell behind you and avoid being in first at all costs.

Yeah, and god help you if your online and you get in 1st. You will get hit by like 5 extremely cheap blue shells. Whats the point of blue shells? It doesn't help the person using it because he's likely too far back to gain anything from it.

**samejamesbond** · 02-25-2010, 04:20 PM

The blue shell was an effective weapon in Mario Kart 64, it traveled along the ground until it reached the person in first,
striking down anyone that got in it's way.

**fenrir1887** · 02-25-2010, 04:22 PM

Not to disrespect anyone here or anything, but only cowards shy away from playing other people. I play my mother and brother and have a blast. Besides, HackNSlash's philosophy when we play is that she's all about pummeling her opponents with blue shells, even if she loses.

**Mareeps** · 02-25-2010, 04:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by samejamesbond

The blue shell was an effective weapon in Mario Kart 64, it traveled along the ground until it reached the person in first,
striking down anyone that got in it's way.

It was way better in MK64 for that reason, and the fact that the computers never got them.

**fenrir1887** · 02-25-2010, 04:24 PM

That's a shock unless the computers always stayed in first, the only reason they'd never get the blue shell.

**Mareeps** · 02-25-2010, 04:27 PM

No, I have played MK64 a lot, and i have never seen a computer get a blue shell. They mainly get lightning, which is actually better in this game because you can get it up to 2nd place.

**samejamesbond** · 02-25-2010, 04:28 PM

It's hilarious when two shruken people hit one another, they both get flattened.

**fenrir1887** · 02-25-2010, 04:30 PM

This is why you got new items like the POW boxes to stir things up!

**Mareeps** · 02-25-2010, 04:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fenrir1887

This is why you got new items like the POW boxes to stir things up!

If you flick the Wii Wheel (or D Pad if your using a gamecube controller) Up the second the POW block spins everyone out, you won't get slowed down, however you will lose your item.

**CatalystiCam** · 02-25-2010, 05:02 PM

The POW block is the stupidest most pointless item ever. I play MKW against people I know. I've played Sabby & NN before... Also some other people that you wouldn't know...

**Dudebro** · 02-25-2010, 06:50 PM

Guys, Chuck Norris has spoken and as usual he's right.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chuck Norris

in my honest unbiased opinion I think the original SNES version was the best

FTW. The other versions are good but none come close to the perfect of the first.

I agree that MKwii is cheap because of the items. Any racing game that punishes you for doing well is missing the point. If you're way out in front all the time the game should try to match you people who are of equal skill(like on 360/PS3) not give the horrible players huge advantages. Still a great game besides that though.

**Mareeps** · 02-25-2010, 08:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dudebro

I agree that MKwii is cheap because of the items. Any racing game that punishes you for doing well is missing the point. If you're way out in front all the time the game should try to match you people who are of equal skill(like on 360/PS3) not give the horrible players huge advantages. Still a great game besides that though.

My thoughts exactly