Mario Kart 64

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Mario Kart 64
Title Screen
Genre	General Racing (N64)
Developer	Nintendo
Publisher	Nintendo
Release Date	Feb 10, 97 [North America], Dec 14, 96 [Japan], June 24, 97 [Europe]
Perspective(s)	Third Person
Console(s)	Nintendo 64, Virtual Console (Wii)

Background

Mario Kart returns with a sequel to the original Super Mario Kart, placing Mario Kart 64 up next (for the Nintendo 64). The play will play as one of eight well known characters from the Mario franchise in various racetracks that are named after individual characters. Use weapons based off items in the franchise to knock yourself into the lead. You will be able to utilize the analog stick as your steering wheel, the "A" button as your gas pedal, and the "B" button as brakes, as well as other buttons used to control the various aspects of the race.

Features

16 different courses based off various things you can see from the Mario franchise.
A grand array of weapons from the franchise at your disposal, including the Koopa Green Shell.
Time Trials, to improve on racing efficiency.
Multiplayer Versus with four players.
Battle with four other players in Balloon Battle. Knock off as many of your enemy's balloons as possible!

Trivia

Before Donkey Kong was introduced to Mario Kart, Kamek the Magikoopa was going to race in his place.

Playable Characters

There are 8 playable characters in Mario Kart 64:

There are 3 weight classes:

Light characters do not lose as much speed as other classes when going offroad, but they are knocked off the road more easily. Light Characters are the slowest characters, but accelerate the fastest. Peach, Toad, and Yoshi are Light characters.

Middle characters are between Light and Heavy characters. They lose a decent amount of speed offroad, and Heavy characters can knock them back slightly. However, Middle characters can also knock back Light class characters. These characters have decent acceleration, as well as decent top speed. Mario and Luigi are Middle class characters.

Heavy class characters get little knockback, and can easily push around all other characters. However, they slow down drastically offroad. Heavy Characters have the best Top Speed, but accelerate very slowly. Heavy class characters are Donkey Kong, Wario, and Bowser.