Mario Kart 64 review
Test: Mario Kart 641993. Fortified by the indisputable advance acquired in the video game sector, Nintendo manages to surprise us once again with Super Mario Kart, a brilliant mixture of the joy of kart racing and the fun that the Mario universe has created since a some time now. Three years and a new console later, Big N has the masterful idea of serving us this curious recipe, which contributed to the success of the SNES, by passing it to the 64-bit sauce. The result is there and is called Mario Kart 64.
For those who would have missed the very surprising SNES opus, the concept of Mario Kart consists in embodying a character from the world of Mario (among the 8 available) and making him participate in all the crazier races than the others driving a kart. Four modes are present. We count the traditional Time Trial which, as its name suggests, invites you to race alone against the clock. A Grand Prix mode where the goal is to appropriate (alone or in pairs) the coveted trophy against opponents led by the console. A VS mode to determine which of you or your friend is the best, and finally a Battle mode where the objective is to burst the three balls of his opponent in rather limited arenas. If Mario Kart 64 takes up this concept, it is not without bringing notable innovations. First, 3D has replaced mode 7. Unfortunately, only the scenery benefits, the vehicles having remained simple 2D sprites. Suffice to say right away, the graphics rendering is not really worthy of a 64-bit machine. Then, the software is now playable up to four simultaneously in VS and Battle mode. If we still find Mario, Luigi and the other drivers already present in SMK, Donkey Kong Junior and Koopa Troopa have ceded their seats to Donkey Kong and Wario respectively. Again, each character has their own characteristics. The two mustached plumbers are the band's all-rounders, balanced in all characteristics. Those looking for speed will rather turn to Toad, Yoshi or Peach. Finally, for those who want to play in physical contact despite a low top speed, the heavyweight Bowser, DK and Wario are ideal. Last change, the game is essentially focused on fun.
If Super Mario Kart bet on the mastery of the kart in its smallest details both in terms of very picky driving than in managing fairly difficult skids, this MK64 targets a more family clientele and favors the novices rather than the technical players. To start, we will turn to the Time Trial mode to familiarize ourselves with the controls, which are quite easy. The karts having lost the sensitivity of the Super Nintendo game, the turns become easier to negotiate and the losses of control have almost disappeared. There is no longer any question of getting stuck against a wall since it is now possible to back off by pressing and holding B. Longer, moreover, skidding is child's play as it is simple to obtain the turbo by keeping the R button pressed while playing the joystick from left to right. You can then quickly set off to conquer the best time and face your previously recorded ghosts. Mario Kart 64 is really the simplest thing. A simplicity which is further accentuated by the width of the circuits and the amplitude of their turns.
Ah, the famous layouts of Mario Kart 64! A little bit of disappointment all the same, since their number has been revised down from the previous episode. Only sixteen races are playable and all are available from the start. No hidden cup to unlock. Now, if we dwell on it a little more, we can only see the immense variety of routes. You will first find oval tracks, devoid of the slightest trap. Ideal for beginners. The most eager for sensations will appreciate the more winding tracks, provided with bumps, reliefs of all kinds and devoid of safety barrier (if you get off the road, Lakitu will be there to pick you up and get you back on track). More original, you can compete in the Yoshi Valley, very labyrinthine, where your position will be masked by question marks; on a highway where heavy traffic should be avoided; or on a majestic rainbow road with exhilarating light effects. The scenery is never the same, and the coastlines easily border mountains or glaciers. Little choice of course, but in the end we have quality circuits that will delight all ages.
Once you've trained enough, it's time to start (alone or in pairs) in a Grand Prix. After choosing the power of your kart (50cc, 100cc or 150cc), four cups of four races each await you. You are now eight participants on the starting line. Just to take advantage, it is possible to make a turbo start by pressing A at the right time. Then, to keep the first place, you will obviously find the Bonus cases which had made the happiness of the players on Super Nintendo. Items are randomly assigned based on your location. If you are among the last ranked, you will surely get the invincibility star or the lightning, which will reduce your opponents to Lilliputians. Moderately classified, you will have to settle for shells to be projected on the first comer or a turbo mushroom to double. And if you are among the first, you will only be entitled to simple defense objects like bananas, very slippery, or false explosive bonus boxes. The game is indeed the kind to favor the lowest ranked. The speed of your opponents depends on yours and they will slow down if you are far behind (and vice versa). Even shortcuts will only give you a small lead because anyway, the other karts will eventually catch up with you. In the end, there is not so much challenge in this mode. We can even say that the terms "cheating" and "luck" describe it perfectly! If SMK was not always fair, this Mario Kart 64 is even less so.
The best is yet to come: multiplayer. VS mode, first of all, invites you to run up to 4 on the previously selected track. A mode which alone justifies the purchase of the software as much the pleasure and the fits of laughter are present in abundance. We spend hours fighting each other without weariness. There are even moments of suspense where a small devolution, a particularly welcome bonus can change the outcome of the race from one moment to the next. And if VS is not enough for you, you will surely find your happiness with the fantastic Battle mode. No line to cross, here the goal is to survive in one of the four arenas specially designed for this mode. This time you will have to rely on the items to burst the three balloons that each participant has. Again, long hours of fun ahead of your television. To conclude, Mario Kart 64 is a racing game that every Nintendo fanatic fan of the Mario universe must have. And what he likes racing or not, as long as he is hungry for multiplayer. Released in 1996, the app still remains a staple of the N64 today.
The notes
Graphics 14/20
The game has only 64 name. Even if many elements are modeled in 3D, it is difficult to say that MK64 is fully optimized for the console as the use of sprites remains massive. Nevertheless, we recognize the colorful universe of Nintendo and the software is very fluid and offers a good impression of speed.
Gameplay 18/20
Again, the gameplay is almost exemplary. It is only in 150CC that your kart will be able to go back and forth from time to time. Unlike Super Mario Kart, mastery of driving comes much faster.
Lifespan 18/20
The solo has little interest. Only a mirror mode and a new title screen are to be unlocked. But the entire duration of the software is based on multiplayer, which will tape you to your chair for long evenings with friends.
Soundtrack 15/20
"Mama mia" and other demonic laughs punctuate with humor the fierce fight for the first place. In addition, the musical themes that pass in the background perfectly match the universe they animate.
Scenario/
After Super Mario 64, Nintendo shows us once again all its know-how through this fantastic racing game. Much closer to the players than its SNES counterpart, Mario Kart 64 is also the pinnacle of the saga in terms of gameplay in split screen. A magical title that will find its place in all family salons.
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