Mario Kart, as the name suggests, is a racing game featuring the Mario universe. Characters to choose from include Mario, Luigi, Peach, Toad, Yoshi, as well as others. There are over 40 similarly Mario-esque tracks to choose from as well. In Mario Kart, you race around the tracks, collecting coins and items, to help you go faster, and beat the tar out of the opposition. Items include booster mushrooms, turtle shells, homing shells, banana peels, etc. Also featured are various racing modes. The main one is Grand Prix. You race through various cups, at different CCs against 7 opposing racers. As you progress, you eventually unlock a new cup, as well as ALL of the tracks from the original Mario Kart. Talk about cool!

        As if the single player mode isn't big enough, Mario Kart also features awesome 2-player modes. Using multiple cartridges, you can play 2-4 player racing, or in battle mode. The battle mode is basically a fast paced grudge-match in a closed course. Each opponent takes 3 hits before kicking the bucket, and after they do, assuming at least 2 players are left on the field, the finished players become live, moving bombs, so they may hunt down the remaining players for some cold, swift revenge. This is an immense amount of fun that one must experience to believe.

        Much like the gameplay, the graphics, and audio are top notch. The graphics are similar to the Super Nintendo Mario Kart's , but with some major upgrades. The character sprites were greatly upgraded, and made to look very much like their N64 counter-parts. All of the tracks are quite detailed, and gorgeous. The music is a little cute, but it's a Mario game. The tunes are very nice to listen to, never get old, and any Mario fan should definitely enjoy them. I have no doubt in my mind that this is the best kart racer there is (at least perhaps until Mario Kart: Double Dash gets released).