Reviews

Mario Kart 64

By Corey

Mario Kart 64 was the sequel to the popular go-kart racer Super Mario Kart on the SNES. Featuring new characters and similar gameplay, how does MK64 stand up on its own?

Graphics: 8

There isn't much to say here really. All the classic Mario characters and scenery make their way here. Its looks like most other Mario games. They fit well with this type of game.

Game Play: 10

Its a racing game gone Mario. Basically, that means its go-kart racing with Mario characters, tracks, and weapons. Weapons you ask? You pick this up from "? block" that lay on the track. You use these to slow the other racers down. These weapons include: bananas, which causes other racers to spin out; a turtle shell which can be shot forward to backward for the same effect as the banana; and a mushroom which gives you a speed boost. In addition, a lot of obstacles are present on most tracks that are there to slow you down. Thwamps, a big Yoshi Egg, and even normal cars are some of those obstacles.

There are 4 cups you can compete in, with 4 tracks in each, and each one a bit more difficult than the last. Ones you have gotten a gold trophy on each cup, the mirror tracks are available, which are just backward versions of the original. They are generally more difficult. So a total of 32 tracks can be raced on.

One thing about the game I noticed is that the CPU picks who are going to be the top contenders keeping you from winning. Let's say I'm Toad. Bowser and Yoshi are 2nd and 3rd while I'm in 1st. I hit both of them with Turtle Shells. Now no matter how well I race, both of them will be back in 2nd and 3rd trying to pass me, unless something extreme happens to them. If you win all your races, you'll usually notice that the same character got second everytime. I thought this shouldn't be how it is, but it's just a minor setback.

A game like this has got to have multiplayer, right? Well, yes. And a great one at that. You can race against your friends in normal modes, but the battle mode is what makes the game. The object of battle mode is to knock out your opponent by using weapons described earlier. What sucks is that there are only 4 battle mode areas to choose from. There really should have been more.

Sound: 8

Just picture the kind of sounds and music in most Mario games and this is what you have here. Each character does some taunting in the game, which is good or bad depending on who does the taunting. Some taunts are awful and some are great to hear over and over again.

Lasting Value: 9

Unlocking everything won't be a problem and shouldn't take long. If you don't have anyone to play against, the game won't last as long. If you do, the battle mode will make the game worth it by itself.

Bottom Line

A must own for N64 owners. If you don't own the game yet, I suggest you try to find a copy to add to your collection.

Final Score: 9 out of 10