Super Mario Kart review - Super Nintendo

Who'd have thought that the race game to supercede F-Zero would come in the form of a Go-Kart racing gane? But still, if ever a game was going to topple F-Zero from its perch as a no-frills racing game of the highest order, Super Mario Kart is it. The graphics are nothing short of spectacular, from the detailed sprites and backgrounds, the super-smooth and rapid scrolling to little animation touchers such as your driver glancing behind when he (oe she) passes someone. The sound is also great, with a variety of cutesy (what else do you expect?) tunes which are strangely in keeping with the high-speed action.

The gameplay is the most startlng aspect of the game however. The game moves at a cracking pace with a smoothness not yet seen since the ultra-brill F1 Exhaust Heat. There are tactics to learn and weapons to use, plus a number of leagues to test your racing mettle. However there is one small fly in the ointment. With two players, Mario Kart is the most racing fun to be had anywhere. However with only a single player the enjoyment is severely reduced, although it's still great funn to play. A few more courses and a tougher difficulty setting would have improved things for the single player, but as it stands, Super Mario Kart is still a highly polished soft-ware classic.

Super Mario Kart is undoubtedly a stunning game. The graphics and sound are both superb and the gameplay s incredible, particulary the "feel" of the karts (believe me I've raced real go-karts and these handle exactly the same way)! But it is a game of two halves. With two players, the game is amazing. There are three modes of simultaneous play - Mario GP, Time Trial and Battle Mode. Time Trial is a fairly simple chase game where each picks a driver and course and battles head-to-head to the finish line.

Battle mode is much better, with the players driving around an arena trying to take each other out - very competitive and brilliant fun! But Grand Prix is where the game really comes into it's own - it's astonishingly good fun. Not only do you battle your opponent, you've also got all the other computer players to contend with. The end result is fast, furious and highly addictive racing action - the best yet seen on the SNES.

What can be said about this game? I imported the Japanese version in 1992 and played it over and over again with mates. This has to be the most played title I have ever known. Even in more recent days we have dug out this game on an old yellowing SNES and relived the fun.

The secret of this title which in my opinion the N64 and Gamecube instalments did not catch is the tightness of the tracks. Taking the best racing line usually ensured victory. No cheap blue shells to take out the leader of the pack either! The GBA version came close and the DS version is almost on a par; the wifi mode ensuring multi-player goodness for even the loneliest of gamers.

Nintendo really struck gold with this title. Many clones have been spun out since this title. None have come close to matching the unbridled pleasure of trailing your opponent for 3 laps and then coming back at the last minute due to a lucky red shell or a well placed banana skin on the previous lap. Genius! Nintendo we salute you!