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Mario Kart 64 n64 Game Reviews
Mario Kart 64
Critic Score
Metascore: 83 Metascore out of 100
User Score  
9.2 out of 10
based on 15 reviews
Read critic reviews
How did we calculate this?
based on 29 votes
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Rate this game

Mario Kart 64 races eight familiar faces, including Mario, Bowser and Yoshi, on four progressively tougher four-track circuits. Wide curves and gentle banks mark the Mushroom Cup tracks. Your commute gets notably tougher on the Flower Cup, though. You'll have to dodge semis rumbling on Toad's Turnpike and bounding boulders on fogbound Choco Mountain! Star Cup tracks range from the icy surfaces of Sherbet Land to the lava lakes of Bowser's Castle. The true test of karting competence, though, comes on the four tracks in Special Cup. Zip through the dark caves and green hillsides of Donkey Kong's Jungle Parkway, cling to the sheer cliffs of Yoshi Valley and hustle over haunted Banshee Boardwalk before tackling the longest track in the game: neon-lit Rainbow Road. [Nintendo]

PUBLISHER: Nintendo
DEVELOPER: Nintendo
GENRE(S): Racing, Driving
PLAYERS: 4
ESRB RATING: E (Everyone)
RELEASE DATE: February 1, 1997

What The Critics Said

All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...

100
GamePro
If you’ve experienced Super Mario Kart on the SNES, this game will feel like a grand homecoming. New players of all skill levels will instantly pick up on the fun.
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93
Electronic Gaming Monthly
And on the eighth day, God created Mario Kart. He saw it, and it was good. [Jan 2004, p.189]
90
TotalGames.net
Mario Kart 64 is much more of an arcade combat game than before but its lastability, like the 16bit original, will be measured in years not months.
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90
Computer and Video Games
It may be lacking the coins of the original, and the courses aren't as inspired, but it plays like a demon, and that's the important part, right?
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90
Electric Playground
A few new weapons, a 3D take and cleaner visuals can't hide the fact that this is essentially five year old game play that Nintendo could have done in its sleep. Although I found Mario Kart 64 to be eminently playable, I just couldn't shake the feeling that it was a knock off of the first game.
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90
Nintendojo
Although it doesn't break any new grounds in originality (like Mario 64), Mario Kart 64 is a great addition to the N64 line-up. The solid graphics, good sound, and addictive gameplay--coupled with features like being able to race yourself (from a former race) in a special ghost mode--make you want to play it forever.
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90
GamerWeb Nintendo
An improved version of the SNES game. It takes the same gameplay, the same controls, and the same modes and puts them into the 3D worlds made possible by the Nintendo 64.
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88
Gaming Age
A weak one player game, Mario Kart 64 excels in the multiplayer arena, and that alone is worth the cost of admission. Few titles can come close to this one in terms of party games.
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81
IGN
Single-player mode gets old pretty fast, but the game's multiplayer mode is forever brilliant.
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80
Nintendorks
It's the most beautiful thing that I've ever seen! An incredible game for racing and Mario fans that is the best of both catagories (that's right, better than Mario 64)!
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80
Hot Games
It's one of those simple games that you know you'll be coming back to long after the latest racers have run out of gas.
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80
All Game Guide
Despite the fact that Mario Kart 64 doesn't quite compare to the original, it's nevertheless one of the best racing games for the system. The good still far outweighs the bad.
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70
Games Domain
This game is fun without a doubt. But, it relies too much on multi-player action.
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67
Game Revolution
Mario Kart 64 is really just a souped up version of the SNES game with added graphical power. No new ground is broken, or even scraped.
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64
GameSpot
I'm off to Mario Kart on my SNES to reminisce about the good old days, and dream of what this cartridge could have been.
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What Our Users Said

Vote Now! The average user rating for this game is 9.2 (out of 10) based on 29 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

Mike M. gave it a10:
This game isn't perfect. But damnit, what is? I love this game, and if I had to play it to save my life, well damn, I'm pretty sure I'd be safe. The sheer fact that it's a retarded game makes it great. The characters are wacky, so people love them. The realism in this game is in the negatives, and people love it. This game's cons are nothing mroe than hidden pros. All all around greatness, and just because SNES might have had a better Mario Kart, doesn't mean this one's horrible.

Bryan D. gave it a7:
I like this game but its a little messed up when, It doesn't matter how good you are, some people just get in front of you. You could have beat it 100 times and then out of now where you loose?!

Marvin M. gave it a10:
Best game ever. Simple, addictive, amazing 4 player battle. First game of its kind. Time trials.... they can be intense competition once you learn the E break.

Daniel P. gave it a10:
Simply the best game ever invented. 4-player races, each race done once, all night.

Silent Moose gave it a5:
this game has its ups, but nothing that the snes version didn't have. The "catch up" assistance given to players in the back is ridiculous. One player could hang back in second packing up red shells, lightenings, stars, and various items to take out first place as they are about to pass the finish causing a undeserving last place. Its not a game that tests your racing skills, for sure, but how long you can hang in back with items to finish off the person in the lead.

Dejan N. gave it a10:
I used to play it the whole day with my friends.. the game is a great fun... not a lashy graphics or anything but a great fun... like the games of our youth.. they were pure fun and we weren't worrying about how good graphic it has nor a good sound or anything... Perfect Ten.

Mark H. gave it a10:
Best racing game ever made never gets boring.

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