What do you believe is the core essence of the Mario Kart series? Is it the iconic racers, the cleverly designed power-ups, or the playful competition that sometimes leads to frustration? While all are valid interpretations, I’m seeking a different response.
Indeed, the essence and spirit of Mario Kart lie in its course designs. From the dazzling heights of Rainbow Road to the whirlwind of Baby Park’s loops, it is the tracks themselves that have given us countless unforgettable Mario Kart moments. This has been one of the key elements that has made the newer installments so enjoyable; they consistently include fan-favorite tracks from earlier versions.
Amongst the series’ fanbase, there are many highly-regarded favorites. However, each person tends to have their unique preferences. Perhaps a specific level aligns perfectly with your gaming style, or perhaps you hold fond memories connected to it, or maybe you simply resonate with the track’s atmosphere.
In my personal opinion, I’d like to hear these specific songs played slightly more often than at present, and preferably in the sequence you see here. However, there isn’t one universally correct answer for everyone.
10.
Choco Mountain
Going Off-Roading
Back in the day, Choco Mountain was a favorite course of mine, mainly because of its unique theme tune. The harmonica melody is etched deeply into my memory and remains there forever.
As a fresh gaming recruit, Choco Mountain offers a fun and challenging learning curve for those of us newbies trying to grasp the intricacies of this game. The tunes might be addictive, but it’s the course itself that helps us grow!
This course is packed with sharp turns, countless humps and dips perfect for jumping, and what makes it especially noteworthy are its precarious rocks that underscore the necessity of navigating around obstacles. The thrilling climax lies at the end of the track, where a series of towering bumps await in quick succession.
Whenever possible, I’d jump as far as I could from each spot, often ending up bumping into the wall in an awkward manner. It was a somewhat foolish move, yet entertaining, serving as a useful benchmark for deciding whether or not to attempt similar jumps on other tracks.
9.
Sunshine Airport
Hops And Curves Galore
I strongly dislike air travel, and visiting an airport isn’t my favorite activity, either. They’re often overcrowded, cramped, and everything seems pricey. Furthermore, I can’t help but feel drawn to the open space on the runway, which somehow invites me to engage in reckless speeding.
In real life, I don’t have the courage to attempt something like that, so exploring Sunshine Airport might be the closest experience I can get for now.
Sunshine Airport offers an optimal blend of modern design and conventional runway setup. While it maintains a generally linear structure, there’s an abundance of short jumps between aircraft that keeps things exciting. Notably, it includes a thrilling takeoff and soaring segment just before the starting point.
By dashing swiftly through the terminal and over the runway, you create a miniature world of all the reckless actions one could imagine at an airport, without any repercussions. It’s the most enjoyable airport experience I’ve had in a video game since skating through one in Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 2.
8.
Kalimari Desert
High Potential For Shenanigans
Each Mario Kart course has varying levels of “fun factor,” also known as opportunities for mischief or unexpected antics. When playing with friends for an extended period and craving something beyond standard racing, this fun factor refers to how much you can manipulate the track’s special features for your amusement.
Ever since I was young, Kalimari Desert has always been my go-to track for a little mischief. As you might imagine, what makes this place particularly exciting is the train that chugs along its own track, sometimes even crossing over the roadway.
During my younger days, my companions and I used to engage in various mischiefs involving a train. We’d often play dangerous games like daring each other to cross the railroad tracks at the last moment, race along the train tracks, and even attempt to jump onto the moving train as it was approaching.
Indeed, while some might argue that’s not the traditional approach, when hanging out casually with pals, those seemingly trivial moments, such as that funny train incident, are what create the most unforgettable experiences.
7.
Dino Dino Jungle
Prehistoric Party
As a die-hard enthusiast, I can’t help but find an irresistible allure in blending dinosaurs with high-speed racecars. These two ideas seem worlds apart – the fearsome rulers of our prehistoric world versus the epitome of modern engineering prowess. It’s like pairing a T-Rex with a Tesla Roadster!
To create an excellent dinosaur-themed race track, it’s essential to have numerous large caverns, possibly some native water landscapes, and without a doubt, a dinosaur or two. These specific components are exactly what you’ll find in the Dino Dino Jungle.
In this ancient forest, a cave-dweller would find everything they need for comfort, from expansive, open meadows to caverns filled with sparkling crystals to extensive bridges stretching across the coastline. The star attraction is undoubtedly a gigantic and charming brontosaurus, who almost treads on you while roaming through the meadows and gently nudges your vehicle as you cross the bridge en route to the finish line.
Improving this track even more could be achieved by allowing players to ride on top of a brontosaurus’ tail and body, although the inclusion of glider pads in Mario Kart 7 and later versions has brought us nearer to such a large creature.
6.
Wario’s Gold Mine
A Drifter’s Dream
As a die-hard fan, I can’t help but marvel at the exceptional charm of Wario’s tracks. Perhaps it’s their raw, edgy vibe that captures my attention, or maybe it’s the thrill of ignoring the usual safety rules that adds an extra layer of excitement!
It’s hard to pinpoint exactly, but it seems those aspects undeniably add to the charm of Wario’s Gold Mine for me. To be honest, isn’t there something thrilling about zooming recklessly through a mine tunnel?
Similar to a rollercoaster themed around minecarts, Wario’s Gold Mine is a thrilling playground for drifters. With its tight, steep curves, towering drops, and unexpected obstacles hurtling along the tracks, it offers an exhilarating ride.
I really enjoy the drifting aspect when playing Mario Kart, and if you’re aiming to master this skill, Wario’s Gold Mine is one of my recommended tracks to hone your skills on. In my view, you either figure out how to adjust the drift angle or end up slamming headlong into another kart and soaring off the edge.
5.
Music Park
Feel That Beat
Mario Kart largely depends on visual perception and instinctive decision-making. You observe competitors ahead and receive alerts for approaching items from behind, while your intuition guides you through tricky curves and informs you when to execute drifts.
Sound plays a significant role in the Mario Kart experience, beyond merely appreciating its excellent tunes. Paying attention to the audio cues from the track and competitors can help enhance your intuition, and this becomes particularly evident when racing at Music Park.
In a place like “Music Park,” as its name suggests, music and sound take center stage more so than in typical tracks. The unique rhythm of the background music and various moving obstacles and tricks become crucial factors that guide your driving tactics.
Paying attention to sounds helps you determine when Piranha Plants change pipes or when big music note characters bounce, which allows you to know the optimal moment for drifting or jumping to exploit either situation. Additionally, gliding along a row of piano keys and hearing their notes resonate behind you in harmony is incredibly fulfilling.
4.
Twisted Mansion
The Pinnacle Of Spooky
As a seasoned Mario Kart player, I’ve raced on some tracks that have a spooktacular vibe throughout the game’s history. Staples like Banshee Boardwalk and Luigi’s Mansion, for instance, are perfect examples of these eerily enchanting courses.
I have a strong affection for eerie tunes, and there’s an exhilarating feeling from imagining I outrun a malevolent entity. But when it comes to a song that truly encapsulates its haunting essence, the crown goes to none other than the most daringly spooky track yet – Twisted Mansion.
In essence, Twisted Mansion shares a similar concept with Luigi’s Mansion – both involve a massive haunted mansion teeming with ghosts. However, what sets Twisted Mansion apart is its unique, non-Euclidean design, which means the mansion does not conform to traditional geometric principles.
As I navigate through here, hallways and corridors seem to bend and morph, effortlessly transporting me from the floor to the walls, only for me to unexpectedly swim through a floating mass of water and soar above the courtyard in a thrilling spin. This ride has nailed its eerie ambiance perfectly; I can’t help but think that even the Haunted Mansion at Disneyland would be envious of its chills.
3.
Mount Wario
It’s A Long Way Down
Most Mario Kart courses follow the conventional layout of circular tracks, where you complete three full laps to finish the race. The majority of these tracks can be found across various versions of the game. However, there are a few exceptions – unique tracks that have been introduced in more recent editions, which deviate from this traditional structure.
Instead of completing three separate loops on a circular course, it’s like racing along a continuous straight track that doesn’t loop back on itself and ends with a definitive finish line. This type of track design eliminates opportunities for shortcuts between laps and prevents the use of previously passed tricks or gimmicks. One of my favorite examples of such intricate layouts is another masterpiece from the Yellow King, Mount Wario.
Mount Wario offers an exhilarating rollercoaster-like experience from start to finish, beginning with the adrenaline rush of being ejected from an aircraft, then navigating treacherous icy chasms, gliding through a hydroelectric dam (apparently owned by Wario), and concluding with a thrilling ski slope descent.
In a thrilling, fantastical racing game, you’ll find an exhilarating extreme sport that doesn’t adhere strictly to reality – and this extraordinary spectacle is masterfully presented by none other than the charismatic Wario.
2.
Royal Raceway
Shoot Into That Wild Blue
Compared to more recent versions, earlier Mario Kart games had fewer over-the-top features. However, this was beneficial as it contributed to the game’s growth of a dedicated competitive fanbase in its early days.
Speaking of which, what truly won me over during the N64 period was the thrilling gadgets, and among them, the boost launcher in Royal Raceway remains particularly memorable – something that continues to spark fond memories for me even today.
The Royal Raceway, situated along common roads and surrounded by mountain vistas and crowds of spectators, is an ordinary-looking racetrack that offers a unique twist. What made it irresistible for me during my younger years was the bridge section, where you speed over multiple boost pads, soar off the bridge edge, and dramatically land back on the track with a resounding thump.
The experience was remarkably straightforward when it came to tricks, but there was an enchanting quality about repeatedly launching and soaring off a cliff like that – not to mention avoiding death. Nintendo seems to agree, which is why they added a glider pad to the ledge in future appearances, enhancing that brief flight moment just a tad more.
1.
DK’s Jungle Parkway
Welcome To The Jungle
In the history of Mario Kart, Donkey Kong has introduced several tracks themed around jungles. However, it’s important to note one that stands out as the very first – DK’s Jungle Parkway, a track from the Nintendo 64 era. Interestingly, this was the game where the modern version of Donkey Kong made its debut. Previously, we knew him as Donkey Kong Jr. in Super Mario Kart.
The DK’s Jungle Parkway in Mario Kart offers a delightful blend of my favorite track elements: It features numerous sharp curves perfect for drifting, an impressive jump over a river propelled by giant boost pads, and the added fun of getting ambushed with spiked balls when you stray off course, creating plenty of mischief!
Among all the aspects, I find the narrow bridge leading up to the cave near the starting point particularly captivating. It’s just enough for a couple or perhaps three racers to squeeze through, creating an exciting bottleneck where racers can jostle for position. It’s thrilling, tense, and even has a charming riverboat nearby. In essence, it’s my favorite part of the racecourse.
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2025-05-29 16:40