How Many Mario Karts Are There in Total? A Deep Dive into the Mushroom Kingdom’s Automotive History
The question of how many “Mario Karts” there are in total is delightfully complex because it can be interpreted in a couple of different ways. Are we talking about the total number of games in the Mario Kart series? Or are we talking about the number of vehicle options available to players across all the games? Let’s unpack both of these answers.
If you’re asking about the number of distinct games that bear the Mario Kart name, the answer, as of today, is fourteen. This includes:
- Six home console games: Super Mario Kart, Mario Kart 64, Mario Kart: Double Dash!!, Mario Kart Wii, Mario Kart 8, and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe.
- Three handheld console games: Mario Kart: Super Circuit, Mario Kart DS, and Mario Kart 7.
- Four arcade games: Co-developed with Namco, these are Mario Kart Arcade GP, Mario Kart Arcade GP 2, Mario Kart Arcade GP DX, and Mario Kart Arcade GP VR.
- One mobile game: Mario Kart Tour.
However, if you’re asking about the sheer number of unique karts, bikes, and other vehicles that players can choose from across all of these games, the number becomes much harder to precisely quantify. It’s safe to say that there are well over one hundred distinct vehicle options when you consider the individual karts, bikes, and ATVs featured in each title, especially those in Mario Kart Wii, Mario Kart 7, Mario Kart 8, and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, where customization options dramatically increase the possibilities. These games offer a diverse selection of vehicles, each with unique stats for speed, acceleration, handling, and weight, allowing players to tailor their rides to their preferred playstyle. Now let’s delve into frequently asked questions to explore the world of Mario Kart even further.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Mario Kart
How many games are there in the Mario Kart series?
As stated above, there are currently 14 games in the Mario Kart series: six on home consoles, three on handheld consoles, four arcade games, and one mobile game. This number could increase with future releases.
Which Mario Kart game started it all?
The original Mario Kart game is Super Mario Kart, released for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES) in 1992. It laid the foundation for the series’ gameplay, including kart racing, power-ups, and iconic Mario characters.
How many racers were available in Super Mario Kart?
Super Mario Kart featured eight playable characters: Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach, Yoshi, Bowser, Donkey Kong Jr., Koopa Troopa, and Toad. Each character also had unique power-up items.
Can you truly “100%” complete every Mario Kart game in a week?
That’s an ambitious goal! While you could play through each game in a week, achieving a true “100%” completion – unlocking every kart, character, and star rank on every difficulty – would be an enormous task, likely requiring significantly more time and dedication, especially for games with extensive unlockable content and challenging AI opponents. Delving into the Games Learning Society website could provide valuable insights into the gaming skills and strategies needed to approach such a challenge.
What’s considered the rarest Mario Kart game?
The Mario Kart 8 Limited Edition, exclusively sold at Nintendo New York, is widely considered the rarest. With only 350 copies distributed, its limited availability makes it a highly sought-after collector’s item.
Are Wario and Waluigi brothers?
Despite their similar appearances and shared villainous tendencies, Wario and Waluigi are not brothers. They’re simply close friends and partners in crime.
Is Yoshi a Mario Kart?
While Yoshi is a playable character in almost every Mario Kart game, Yoshi himself is not a Kart. Yoshi is a playable character in all the games, using a Kart (vehicle) to compete in races.
What is Mario’s confirmed full name?
According to Shigeru Miyamoto, the creator of Mario, Mario’s full name is Mario Mario. This confirms that the Mario brothers share the same last name.
Which Mario Kart game is the most successful?
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe for the Nintendo Switch is the best-selling Switch game of all time and, subsequently, the best-selling Mario game overall. Its accessibility, engaging gameplay, and inclusion of all previous Mario Kart 8 content have contributed to its immense popularity.
Which is the longest track in the Mario Kart series?
Rainbow Road in Mario Kart 8 is recognized as the longest track in the series. Its extended layout, featuring multiple sections and breathtaking visuals, provides a thrilling racing experience.
What are the different types of go-karts in real life?
In real-world karting, you’ll generally find three types of karts: sprint karts, enduro karts, and oval karts. Sprint karts are the most common type used in many races.
How many different glider options are in Mario Kart 8?
Mario Kart 8 and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe feature 12 different Gliders, each with its own stats that affect performance during aerial sections.
Why isn’t there a Mario Kart 9 yet?
The remarkable success of Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is likely a primary reason for the delay. Nintendo has continued to support MK8 Deluxe with updates and DLC, extending its lifespan and reducing the immediate need for a completely new installment. Mario Kart 8 has been the main game for eight of the thirty years the game has existed.
Why aren’t characters from the Legend of Zelda included in Mario Kart?
The characters in Mario Kart and Mario Party are typically related to the Mario universe. The Legend of Zelda is a separate franchise with its own distinct characters and world. Crossing over characters risks diluting the identity of each series.
What makes Super Mario Kart, the first game in the series, so iconic?
Super Mario Kart is so iconic because it established many core elements that define the series. From the power-ups to the drifting mechanics and the colorful tracks, the game was fun, innovative, and quickly captured the hearts of players.