Hi everyone. If you wish me to read and rate any reviews, feel free to leave a message for me. Take ...
Hi everyone. If you wish me to read and rate any reviews, feel free to leave a message for me. Take care . Geraint.
Member since:22.02.2003
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Super Mario Kart was a game first released way back on the SNES. It's popularity back then was one reason that the SNES did so well. However, since then Nintendo have lost some of the stranglehold that they had on the console game market due to the playstation, better PC's, and so forth. Therefore it was no big surprise when they decided to re-release Super Mario Kart on the ailing N64 console.
At the time this game cost around the £40 mark, however, due to the sad demise of the N64 system, you can now pick up a pre-owned copy of this game for a couple of pounds in computer shops, expecially ones which have a policy of selling second hand copies. I have also seen a few copies going around on Ebay so its worth keeping an eye out there aswell.
The game can be played by 1,2,3 or 4 players, but sadly it is not expansion pak or rumble pak compatible so these add ons will make no difference. A memory pak is useful if only to keep any time trial times that you can post, but this is not essential either.
The game itself comes in a very
attractive box, showing an image of all the characters in action. It also has a brief description of the game in various languages. Inside you are presented with the game cartridge, as well as the instruction manual. The manual is very colourful and clearly displays the idea of the game and relevant buttons, however most people won't even both reading this, and just plough straight into the game itself.
The graphics of the game are actually quite good considering the console and the age of the game. Although not being wonderfully detailed, the backgrounds and karts are very colourful, and do the job quite nicely. That is one of the best features of the game. Nintendo don't try and be fancy about anything. The whole fun of the game is in the gameplay and that is what I think a game should be about. It's fine having fancy graphics and then have a game which is rubbish, but this is perfect.
Sound quality again is adequate for the job in hand. Each track has a different soundtrack, and the sound effects for each person and object are different. Of course if you don't like them you can just turn off the sound, but I feel that would diminsh the game somewhat.
Each character has a slightly different speciality, whether it be acceleration, speed, or cornering. However, the effect of these is so minor on the eventual outcome I won't list all of these here. You have a choice of 8 characters, Mario, Luigi, Toad, Peach, Yoshi, DK, Wario and Bowser.
The single player mode of Mario Kart is actually quite fun. Their are four different cups, Mushroom, Flower, Star and Special. Each cup contains 4 tracks. Therefore there are 16 tracks to try out. In addition to this their are initially 3 different Kart speeds to master 50cc 100cc and 150cc. However if you do manage to win gold in all of these, a special is available, which allows you to play the a mirror image of the tracks. Alot harder than it sounds let me tell you!!!
In each race you have the option of picking up question boxes. These give you an item to use to help your race. I shall list these here for anyone who is unfamiliar with the game.
Mushroom (1 or 3) :- This is used as a speed boost.
Green Shell :- Unguided fire and forget weapon.
Red Shell :- Guided weapon. Hits the person directly in front of you on the track.
Star :- Invunerablility, also gives a speed boost.
Banana :- Slip and spin on these nasties!!!
Ghost :- Become invisible and steal a different item.
Spiny Shell :- Hits everyone in front of you on the track.
Fake box :- Looks like a normal box, but explodes on impact.
Lightning :- Makes everyone else small and slow. Can then catch up or squash opponents.
The one huge problem of this game on single player mode is the style of the computer players. Nintendo in their infinite wisdom decided it would be much more fun if the computer players were always right behind you. So, no matter what you do, they will always cheat to catch you up. This is especially annoying if you have had a perfect race, hit your opponents several times each, yet they get you with a banana right on the line, and you limp in 4th or 5th.
The multiplayer mode is where the game really comes into its own. Can either play as a standard grand prix mode and pick a cup, play a vs game with just the players on a track, or a bttle mode, where you aim to drive around and burst your opponents 3 balloons. Very silly, very funny, and great to play. The screen is divided up into 2, 3 or 4 sections, whilst still remaining easy to see and control. This mode of the game is really the main reason why Mario Kart became the huge success that it did, and will continue to be fun as long as I have it.
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
Advantages: Great all the time, especially with three of your mates! Cool tracks, graphics, characters and modes. The graphics, sound, lifespan and gamepley are all fantastic. What a laugh! Disadvantages: Very very very slight pop-up
natthehat 08.04.2001 ·
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
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