The Mario Kart games have been around since 1992, and the series is now one of the most popular of the racing genre around the world. The games were initially launched for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System, which at the time only allowed offline play. However, more recent instalments are played on consoles which have an internet connection. This means that people from all over the world can now compete against each other in Mario Kart races.
The games are set in the world of Super Mario. Players can choose from a variety of different characters who each have their own unique vehicle. Over time, the basic rules and elements of the games have stayed the same. This formula has proved so successful that more than 100 million copies have been sold so far.
Rules of the Game
Players compete against each other on racecourses which are set in the world of Mario. The laps are often colourful and feature animated background characters. These locations have included a lair on top of an active volcano, as well as a frozen landscape which is littered with penguins.
A classic feature of Mario Kart is power-ups. These can determine who wins the race. Sometimes getting a lucky power-up can be more effective than outmanoeuvring opponents. This means that chance plays a significant role in who will finally reach first place.
These power-ups include speed boosts, projectile weapons and bananas which make other drivers skid on the road. Power-ups come in boxes. However, players can also lay out fake boxes that slow enemies down. The pole position of the player will affect the type of power-up that is received. Generally speaking, drivers lagging behind will get the most powerful ones. Players close to first place tend to get items that are useful for defence.