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System:
SNES
Genre:
Racing
Publisher:
Nintendo
Developer:
Nintendo
Players:
1-2
Release date/year:
08/27/1992
Other systems:
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» Screenshots
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- Super Mario Kart
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1992 Nintendo - Nintendo - SNES
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Intro
Ah yes, the good old days of gaming. This game was definitely realized during the Super Nintendo’s prime, in fact, I may go as far as to say that it was one of the reasons for the prime. I have always liked the Super Nintendo, I have always liked racing games, and naturally, I have always liked this game. I get a feeling from this game that I don’t get with other ones. That’s right, I like this game better than all the in-depth racing games out (example: gran turismo). Maybe that makes me crazy, maybe it makes me a genius, either way... I remember when I first got this game. Way back when, I was a young gamer, somewhat of a rookie you could say. I had just gotten my Super Nintendo, and had already enjoyed such games as ''Star Fox'' and ''F Zero'' to break me into the system. Then, I got this one, from a Wal Mart nearby. It was a birthday present. I popped it into my Super Nintendo, not knowing what I was going to get. Then, I loved it so much, I didn’t take it out again for hours and hours. My parents weren’t very happy about that, I’ll assure you. But then, the next day, after being forced into bed and away from the Super Nintendo, My dad tried it. Amazingly, he liked it! It remains to this day one of my favorites, and my dad’s. My dad liked it so much in fact, he bought the N64 just for Mario Kart 64. This game is great, and definitely worth picking up, I guarantee you that. Here, in detail, is why:
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{~~Main Scores~~}
Gameplay
The gameplay in this is much like any other racing game, But at the same time, it is so much different. This is without a doubt the most fun racing game I have played. This is one of the best racing games on the Super Nintendo, and perhaps on any console gameplay wise. I’ll explain why: Now, I wont lie and say I liked the character selection in this, in fact, I believe I shall complain about it. I mean, only eight characters? Man, that’s bad. This game could have been so much better with a bigger character selection. Now anyway, moving on, there are many different things that separate this from the other games like it:
For starters I will discuss the single player mode. When you start you choose from either 50cc, 100cc, or 150cc. I think that cc means course challenge, but I have a history of being wrong with things like this. Anyway, once you choose a cc (50 being the easiest) you will start on the mushroom cup. There are four cups, mushroom the easiest, then flower, then star, and then, after you complete all three with gold medals, special cup will open. Within each cup there is 5 or so races. After each race, you will receive points depending on your placement in the race. Then, at the end of the cup, all the scores are added up and first (gold), second (silver), and third (bronze) are chosen. To truly beat this game you must get gold on all cups, including special, and then do that two more times on 100 and 150 cc.
Next we have the time trial mode. The idea behind this is to play against yourself, and everyone who has played this. It can also be used as a place to practice a particular race you’re having trouble with. Basically what you do is leaf through all of the races, and choose one to race on. When you enter the race you are alone, and there is a clock in the top corner. You are racing to get the best time you can. Then at the end of the race there is a list of the best times gotten for that race and with which racer.
Finally, we have the two player mode. In which you choose a cup, and a cc, and race each other, and the computer racers. It counts as a real tournament, with everything but the fact your gold medal doesn’t go up on the medal list for the cup.
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Graphics
Well, with this I had to sit down for a second and make sure I’m doing this right. Because I have been reviewing a lot of PSX games recently. Anyway, I swore to myself that I would do this properly, comparing it to the standards back then, and not to those now. So I will. This game’s graphics are great! For the standards at the time, and the other games in circulation then, this was done very well.
Character designs in Super Mario Kart were pretty good, well, as good as they can be. The reason I say that is because all of the characters are in their cars, all the time. So because of that it is hard to make the characters look amazingly good. But for the resources, the console, and the restrictions, this was pretty good.
Detail, was not really very great. This was one of the areas where this game lacked. The character’s faces looked blurry. The trees were big wavy circles attacked to straight sticks. The roads were flat and un-lifelike. I suppose I shouldn’t expect too much, but I still didn’t like this aspect.
Backgrounds were mediocre. They were noting special really. A track, grass on the sides, trees, water, and walls keeping people from having complete freedom. Oh an of course the classic baby blue sky, fluffy clouds and sun. At that, they weren’t very special in design. But, they did the job, they weren’t terrible. I guess I shouldn’t complain...
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Story
Well, the story in this is not really existent. I suppose you could think of one if you wanted to. So for your reading pleasure, here is the Super Mario Kart storyline, seifer style!
One day, Mario was sitting in his home, with nothing to do. He decided he would go for a walk. Along the way he met all of his friends. They were walking, and they came across a cart rental shop. Toad said, ''Hey, what if we all rent karts and organize a tournament?'' They all Agreed. So they tournament was made. Then, Bowser and Koopa walked by, and naturally they wanted to show up their enemies. So they said, ''you idiots, we could beat you any day of the week.'' So Mario said, ''Fine, join in and we’ll see.'' So, the Super Mario Kart Tourney was made!
I know it was dumb, and obviously fake, but hell, I don’t care! Wheeeeeeee!
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Sound
Ehh… I don’t know if I liked this or not. It was good, but it was bad. What I mean by this is, I thought some parts were great, but some parts annoyed me. I suppose all in all, good sound.
Music in this was just barely good enough for me not to refer to it as mediocre. It has some good parts, but nothing really very special. The music was good sure, but it wasn’t composed properly. It didn’t sound like it was made with instruments, but rather with beeps and squeaks. It was to flat and monotone. I think that’s a good way to describe it… Basically, good, but it could have been much better if more thought was put into it.
Sound effects in this were basically non-existent, but there. Your main effect is the sound of your little kart engine, always chugging away. Then your secondary sounds, falling in water, the cloud fisherman who helps you back into the course, and the starting beeps. Oh, and also the sound of dispatching and being hit by the projectiles. I suppose this was done well.
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Enjoyability
This game was very enjoyable. I liked every part of it. All aspects pulled together and made a great game. Sure it had some faults, but they were easily overshadowed my the good parts. Very enjoyable for me, and most likely for you too.
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BREAKDOWN
Gameplay: 9
Graphics: 8
Story: N/A
Sound: 8
Enjoyability: 8
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{~~Other Important Scores~~}
Replay Value: Slightly above average
The replay value here is slightly above average. Mainly because it is a racing game, and a fun one. So once you beat it you will be fairly done with it. But not completely, you will play it again, and fairly often.
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Challenge: Medium to Hard
This game is hard because you can adjust the settings. The adjusting of the cc can make it very hard when its at it’s maximum. The Computer racers can be quite aggressive.
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Learning Curve: Not long
This game wont take you long to learn, because all you need is to be able to steer and press B to accelerate. But to become good, that is a different story…
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Buy or Rent: Buy
You will want to buy this one. Mainly because it will take you a long time to beat, and even then you wont be done with it. Not to mention, Super Nintendo games are dirt cheap nowadays ^_^
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PROS
-Great control
-Adjustable difficulty
-Innovative
-Organized
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CONS
-Bad detail
-Not enough Characters
Overall this is a good game. No matter what I may have said bad about it above, it is definitely a good one. Pick it up where you can find it. It wont cost you much. Two Thumbs Up!
8/10
//Seifer psx
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