1996. This was really the year that changed the gaming world forever. The new Crash Bandicoot game for the Playstation swarmed the country. The Super Mario 64 game that was the start of the Nintendo 64 dominated the sales of that year, and has withstood the test of time. The SNES was unfortunately starting to decline, and the Sega Genesis and Saturn were also nearing their end. Also, with the release of Mario Kart 64, for the Nintendo 64, the racing category was certainly filled. Mario Kart 64 was really the beginning of racing for nowadays, because of the fact that it got much publicity, from the commercial of Donkey Kong slipping on a banana peel to the sunset, to the incredible multiplayer action.
Graphics
Even though the commercial looked surprisingly real, the environment in Mario Kart 64, while not nearly as impressive, is still savoring to the eye. Give it a break, it was a game that was released near the debut of the system released. Frappe Snowland, and Toad Turnpike, are two fairly good examples that show the visuals in action. I was kind of disappointed of the fact that the mini-snowmen were two-dimensional, and I was disappointed by the two-dimensional tires at Toad's Turnpike. It looked like the vehicles were on conveyor belts, and of course, that sets standards reasonably low. To the positives, though, which there are many. Mario Kart 64, while overly impressive with the features, uses a relatively simple tactic: background. One of the main things that have always been a problem in games is the background, but Mario Kart 64 does a fine job for Nintendo 64 standards. I thought that Mario Kart 64 had great visuals on the Rainbow Road, Yoshi Valley, Banshee Boardwalk, and Donkey Kong's Jungle Parkway, among others. This is definitely one of the more eye-candied games of the mid-90s.
Gameplay
Even with the fact that there is only sixteen courses in the game, not including four battle areas, with the multiplayer thrown in, you are in for a very hectic, yet significantly enjoyable ride. You get to play as eight characters, and all of them are the most popular in the Mario franchise. Mario, Toad, Peach, Luigi, Bowser, Yoshi, Wario, and Donkey Kong are available to play, and all are featured in a part of three different classes. In single-player, you go through four different championships of four races each, and you have time-trials. Other than that, there isn't much else you possibly could do in single-player. Multiplayer, however, is a totally different story. You still have the option to battle in the championships, and while not being able to play time trials, the Battle Mode, one of the best parts of the game, takes over in its place. The Battle Mode is, in fact, too addicting to get out of, and the fact that you have unlimited amounts of chances, obviously this is a recommended section of the game.
Sound
Not much to say here. Every track course has a different music feel to it, and both fit the tracks overall appeal perfectly. All eight characters' voices will get annoying after a while, and the fact that the same music is played in the menu over and over is a bit repetitive. Very simple, yet very original and complex at the same time. Although it is pretty straight-forward, the different item sounds do make the other competitors cringe at its feet, and the fact that you could actually hear the items, or in case of a star, the person coming towards you just makes it all the more real, and yet nerve-wracking at the same time.
Replay Value
Most sports games' strong points are its' replay value. This game is definitely no exception. Any Mario sporting title is bound for lengthy lifetime,s and Mario Kart 64 still holds its own, almost nine years after its release. Its creative gameplay, that will probably take you months to get tired of. Its graphics, that are now DS-caliber. The sound, that is harmonic and peaceful to the ears, yet dark and engaging to drive you crazy. The multi-player is very fun and extremely difficult if you have two all-around competitors at your side, and even though you don't have the ability to play three or four-player Grand Prix modes. Unfortunately, after a few hours of non-stop gameplay, it will get a little boring, and you will get tired of it relatively quickly afterwards. But, you wake up next morning wanting to play of the game we all know and love.
Multiplayer
This, like I have said earlier, is the best part of the game in its entirety. No matter if it is Battle Mode, or championship racing with a friend or family member, you will play this game against each other until your brain demands you to go to sleep. Other than championship mode, the game's unlimited battle play is what makes this game as great as any racer on a now discontinued system. Both modes' item selection is astounding because you never get tired of running over your opponent, shrinking the competition, or just knocking your partner out of first place, either way the fun just never ends.
Overall
Mario Kart 64 is of course a game for the party crew. Its excellent craftiness in gameplay, its nice graphical feel, its vibrant sound, its lengthy replay value, and its brilliant multiplayer action makes this game a great collector's item. Need I say more?
Ratings
Graphics: 4.6/5.0
Gameplay: 4.4/5.0
Sound: 4.2/5.0
Replay Value: 4.0/5.0
Multiplayer: 4.8/5.0
Overall: 22.0/25.0 - 4.4/5.0 - 88%
Graphics
Even though the commercial looked surprisingly real, the environment in Mario Kart 64, while not nearly as impressive, is still savoring to the eye. Give it a break, it was a game that was released near the debut of the system released. Frappe Snowland, and Toad Turnpike, are two fairly good examples that show the visuals in action. I was kind of disappointed of the fact that the mini-snowmen were two-dimensional, and I was disappointed by the two-dimensional tires at Toad's Turnpike. It looked like the vehicles were on conveyor belts, and of course, that sets standards reasonably low. To the positives, though, which there are many. Mario Kart 64, while overly impressive with the features, uses a relatively simple tactic: background. One of the main things that have always been a problem in games is the background, but Mario Kart 64 does a fine job for Nintendo 64 standards. I thought that Mario Kart 64 had great visuals on the Rainbow Road, Yoshi Valley, Banshee Boardwalk, and Donkey Kong's Jungle Parkway, among others. This is definitely one of the more eye-candied games of the mid-90s.
Gameplay
Even with the fact that there is only sixteen courses in the game, not including four battle areas, with the multiplayer thrown in, you are in for a very hectic, yet significantly enjoyable ride. You get to play as eight characters, and all of them are the most popular in the Mario franchise. Mario, Toad, Peach, Luigi, Bowser, Yoshi, Wario, and Donkey Kong are available to play, and all are featured in a part of three different classes. In single-player, you go through four different championships of four races each, and you have time-trials. Other than that, there isn't much else you possibly could do in single-player. Multiplayer, however, is a totally different story. You still have the option to battle in the championships, and while not being able to play time trials, the Battle Mode, one of the best parts of the game, takes over in its place. The Battle Mode is, in fact, too addicting to get out of, and the fact that you have unlimited amounts of chances, obviously this is a recommended section of the game.
Sound
Not much to say here. Every track course has a different music feel to it, and both fit the tracks overall appeal perfectly. All eight characters' voices will get annoying after a while, and the fact that the same music is played in the menu over and over is a bit repetitive. Very simple, yet very original and complex at the same time. Although it is pretty straight-forward, the different item sounds do make the other competitors cringe at its feet, and the fact that you could actually hear the items, or in case of a star, the person coming towards you just makes it all the more real, and yet nerve-wracking at the same time.
Replay Value
Most sports games' strong points are its' replay value. This game is definitely no exception. Any Mario sporting title is bound for lengthy lifetime,s and Mario Kart 64 still holds its own, almost nine years after its release. Its creative gameplay, that will probably take you months to get tired of. Its graphics, that are now DS-caliber. The sound, that is harmonic and peaceful to the ears, yet dark and engaging to drive you crazy. The multi-player is very fun and extremely difficult if you have two all-around competitors at your side, and even though you don't have the ability to play three or four-player Grand Prix modes. Unfortunately, after a few hours of non-stop gameplay, it will get a little boring, and you will get tired of it relatively quickly afterwards. But, you wake up next morning wanting to play of the game we all know and love.
Multiplayer
This, like I have said earlier, is the best part of the game in its entirety. No matter if it is Battle Mode, or championship racing with a friend or family member, you will play this game against each other until your brain demands you to go to sleep. Other than championship mode, the game's unlimited battle play is what makes this game as great as any racer on a now discontinued system. Both modes' item selection is astounding because you never get tired of running over your opponent, shrinking the competition, or just knocking your partner out of first place, either way the fun just never ends.
Overall
Mario Kart 64 is of course a game for the party crew. Its excellent craftiness in gameplay, its nice graphical feel, its vibrant sound, its lengthy replay value, and its brilliant multiplayer action makes this game a great collector's item. Need I say more?
Ratings
Graphics: 4.6/5.0
Gameplay: 4.4/5.0
Sound: 4.2/5.0
Replay Value: 4.0/5.0
Multiplayer: 4.8/5.0
Overall: 22.0/25.0 - 4.4/5.0 - 88%
