Top 10 Best Mario Kart Courses of All Time

Almost everyone has heard of the chaotic racing game series known as Mario Kart. With 8 main titles, there are more than 200 courses to choose from. You can play on Mario Circuit 1, the course that started it all, or Daisy Cruiser, where the ship turns side-to-side while items and furniture follow.

This list includes some of the best courses in Mario Kart history, ranging from Super Mario Kart on the SNES to Mario Kart 8 on the Wii U. Feel free to vote! If you add a course, please include the name and system (SNES, N64, GBA, GCN, DS, Wii, 3DS, Wii U, Switch, iOS/Android).
The Top Ten
1 Waluigi Pinball DS

By far the best Mario Kart track in the franchise. This is a course that never gets boring, the exclusive item sound effects, the fantastic music, based around Waluigi, I could go on all day. This and other courses like Airship Fortress, TickTock Clock, etc., are definitely worth getting Mario Kart DS.

Waluigi Pinball is a masterpiece and will always be. Unlike everyone else, I actually like Waluigi. He finally gets the spotlight he deserves. Everyone says that he has no personality and doesn't belong because he doesn't have a game of his own. But it's Nintendo's fault that he doesn't.

I like the concept of the track: racing in a pinball machine. But they could have made things better, I suppose. If they would let it look like Bowser's Pinball Machine from Mario Party DS, I would like it a bit more. After all, it is an awesome track, and it was even more awesome in Mario Kart 7.

2 Coconut Mall Wii

Now, this is my type of frantic - the type that doesn't get popularity off of being an oval with seven laps and how items work. Piantas, water fountains, escalators, Mii cars, and little shops make this track such fun! Honestly, I think it deserves more than just a rank of 15 in someone's list every time. And I think Sunshine Airport was slightly referenced off of it due to the type of concept it is (of course, it is also based on Mario Sunshine) and sadly ranks lower than it. Woah, calm down, I have nothing against Sunshine Airport. In fact, it's my 2nd favorite track of all time. And take a wild guess of 1st.

Wonderful track! When you hear that music start up at the beginning, and when you hear that ding, you know it's go time! Plus, racing around a mall, launching into the parking lot, and dodging cars moving back and forth is amazing! Although I don't like the spinning Shy Guys in the new version, plus, they took away the speed boosts.

3 Maple Treeway WII

I like the shortcut at the beginning, and overall it's a great track! I love the Wigglers. They add a good twist to the trees! But MK8D ruined it a little bit. They made the branches you drive on flat! And they removed the wavy bridge at the end! Come on! That was a big thing that made Maple Treeway Maple Treeway! Plus, I like the fact that the leaf piles can either give you a mushroom or a banana.

One of my two personal favorite tracks of all time. This is the only Wii course (besides now DK Summit) to be consistently rated as both a nitro and retro track.

Make sure you beat the Mushroom and Flower cups to unlock this one! Driving across a tree branch, over the leaves, and inside the tree trunk is just insane! But watch out for the Wigglers because if you hit them your race will be more than stuffed up. Try to take the shortcut to the right at the start (left in Mirror), and you'll do well. It always gets me in first.

4 DK Mountain GCN

This is an amazing track. The volcano is so funny looking, the wavy bridge is amazing, and don't question, I think the mountain looks satisfyingly smooth.

Got to go with the fantastic DK Mountain. It brings me back to one Christmas when I got my GC, with Double Dash as the game to come with it. I remember I spent my evening going through the Star Cup, and first laid my eyes on this track... First off the bat, you get slung into a cannon, and after that, you are running down a mountain/volcano, with funny swings (I absolutely loved them when I learned them). Perhaps one of the (if not) the greatest tracks in Mario Kart ever.

This is hands down the best track in Mario Kart history. The presentation and design of the track are excellent, with you getting fired out of a cannon to a volcano, going down the twists and turns of the mountain and jungle below. The rope bridge at the end is cool too. I spent hours playing this track, enjoying its perfection.

5 Rainbow Road 3DS

A great track. My almost favorite Rainbow Road (beaten only by N64 Rainbow Road). You bounce off a giant white speckled mushroom! It's so colorful! And you drive on the moon and Saturn's ring, and it's just amazing.

Absolute best track in the series. Not only is it sectioned, but it features racing on Saturn, the moon, and a spinning tube. It also features star rings and vertical driving at the end. This track takes advantage of Mario Kart 7's gliding, and I love that. Not to mention the music. Best Mario Kart track and music of all-time.

This Rainbow Road was absolutely amazing! It had the best music in the series, first of all. Then, let's just say this Rainbow Road is an adventure. You can drive on planets, rings, you can glide, there's a section where you dodge asteroids! You also ride in a spinning tube of fun! And at the end, an awesome vertical section!

6 Yoshi Valley N64

A pretty fun course. Branching paths are really cool, and even the N64 couldn't tell who was in first! It was super crazy! But there aren't really any mini-battles on the road because of so many paths. I don't wish every track were like this, but I'm glad there is one!

I get dizzy because the track has so many paths! It sometimes appears to me like a maze. I can't get out of a maze quickly either. But the track is cool, it fits Yoshi well, and the Mario Kart 8 version was also really superb.

The course is great. It's crazy! It's funny! It's amazing! Anyway, this course has heaps of paths, and believe it or not, the computer can't tell who's in first! Just watch out for the giant spinning egg!

7 Koopa Cape Wii

One of my favorite Mario Kart tracks of all time. I miss the underwater tunnel and lasers from the original Wii version though.

This and Maple Treeway should be in Mario Kart Tour, specifically their Wii versions since the 3DS versions aren't as fun to play on. I want them in because, currently in Mario Kart Tour, there are no Mario Kart Wii tracks.

Music is pure nostalgia for anyone who grew up with Mario Kart Wii. The course is creative. I wish it was brought back for 8 instead of 7 though.

8 Airship Fortress DS

Super Mario Bros 3. I always loved the airship levels and I just loved the idea of having a track completely based on these levels. As soon as you start the track, you're already in the action with Bullet Bills charging at you right off the bat, weaving past Rocky Wrenches, dodging fire torches, and a breathtaking cannon ride. Not to mention a tower which is a brilliant area for powersliding. Best track in DS, best track in MK7, and best track ever.

In my opinion, MKDS had the most interesting ideas for new tracks. A pinball machine, a clock, Luigi's Mansion, a chomp-filled garden, Delfino Plaza, and the airships from SMB3! I have always wanted an airship-themed track and here we have it. The perfect number of obstacles, memorable layout, epic music, and an awesome canon. Best track in MKDS, best track in MK7, and... best track of all time, next to 3DS Rainbow Road.

You get shot into cannons. You avoid bullets. Nothing could be better. Nothing except having to go down a tower for more than 5 seconds. The most boring part for sure. It's still the best bullet-shooting, airship level there is in Mario Kart!

9 Bowser's Castle N64

This course is like an adventure. I JUST LOVE IT. The music fits perfectly and the yard is beautiful.

10 Rainbow Road GCN

I personally prefer this to every Rainbow Road in Mario Kart 8 (though the Wii Rainbow Road is close!) because it is fun to drive around in Mario Kart Double Dash!!.

I loved it.

1. It was Mario Kart Double Dash!
2. You go through rainbow pipes, which was my favorite part of the track.
3. This track is just awesome. I mean, it has rainbow curly roads, which is perfect for something like Rainbow Road!

This course is, well, phenomenal! You go into rainbow pipes and the course is the perfect Rainbow Road length (3:30:000). Not much to say, but, phenomenal! One of the best courses in Mario Kart!

The Contenders
11 Mount Wario 8 Wii

By far the best MK8 track. Mount Wario manages to make a fun snow level with a cool mechanic - the start and finish lines are in different places. This makes for a ridiculously fun track to race on, and is my 2nd favourite track of all time.

This course has so much going on in it, cruising on the mountain, driving through a dam, "skiing", and more! This is my second favorite course in Mario Kart 8.

Amazing course. Had to search for it as I was too lazy to check to see where it was at, which is disappointing. Best track in my opinion in Mario Kart.

12 Wario Colosseum GCN

The course with twists and turns is the ultimate Mario Kart course. Everything is great about it and the tricks are endless. The course is so tantalizingly long there's only 2 laps!

They absolutely NEED to put this as a retro track in the next Mario Kart game. Same goes for the Bowser's Castle from that game.

Never played it, but it sounds great. I am desperate to get Double Dash.

13 Mushroom Gorge Wii

I don't see why people don't like the course sometimes! It's a gorge! And the only way to cross is bouncing across! However, the course is challenging and shouldn't be in the Mushroom Cup. Huh, that's ironic, Mushroom Gorge in the Mushroom Cup.

This course is great. It's fun, it's challenging, it's glitchy, and it has lots of cool shortcuts. Also, I love how there are many different routes you could take. Not as much as Yoshi Valley but still a lot. This track will always be my favorite!

Bouncing on giant mushrooms to get across is really fun and makes it somewhat crazy to ride on the track. Not only that, but it's simple, which is what I like about it.

14 Tick-Tock Clock DS

I really like Tick-Tock Clock. Its music is great! Not gonna lie, it's better than Waluigi Pinball's theme. I've just somehow managed to love Tick-Tock Clock's theme and feeling. I like the DS one better.

The remake actually is better. The background looks like we are in a clockwork, but the problem is that the arrows aren't hazards anymore.

The remake in MK8 is my favorite Mario Kart track of all time.

15 Rainbow Road WII

The course that makes people turn off their game consoles. Believe it or not, I always use it for challenging Wi-Fi racers. Going through Launch Stars and seeing Star Bits, this course is based off Super Mario Galaxy. And that's one of the best games I've ever played. This course couldn't be programmed better.

Rainbows! I mean, *cough*, yeah. I loved Super Mario Galaxy and was thrilled when I went on this course. First of all, the time trial ghost is Rosalina, who I love. All the floating star bits and stuff make me think of that awesome game...

This one is my favorite. It's fun and amazing. I like the fact that once you master it by not falling off the road so much, other people do. This enables you to win more, which is why I love it so much. It's creative and different from all the other courses.

16 Music Park 3DS

My favorite map of all time. The colors and lights are very aesthetically pleasing, and the track is neither too long nor too short in my opinion. There's no annoying places to accidentally fall off of and no annoying enemies to move in your way other than the black music note guys. A great map really.

Musical journey! Music Park is one of my favorite 3DS tracks. You must go through a world of instruments and avoid piranha plants and bouncing notes. I love it mainly for the music. Awesome track!

Of course, a music park has to be awesome. The instruments galore, the cute music notes, and although it got a remake, it didn't really need it! It's good enough already!

17 Rainbow Road N64

The music is as gorgeous as the course itself. It's probably the easiest Rainbow Road course since it has guard rails, but it's fun. Something makes me come back to it.

This track is very beautiful at its time, and you even get to see all of the characters' faces all over the sky. Although it's pretty tough, but hey, thanks, Nintendo, for bringing such joy.

It is so saddening, but I love when all the characters come and it's like, Oh, I want to do it so badly! But I've only done it for time trials because it is like impossible to beat Yoshi's Valley.

18 Rainbow Road SNES

I know it isn't the most creative compared to the other Rainbow Roads, N64 for example, but I always love playing this course and I like the music and the setting.

This is one of the easiest Rainbow Roads but is also the coolest. The feel of the course is great.

Sometimes simple is better! This course expresses that statement. It's just a Rainbow Road with no rails, and a few ramps and Thwomps. This course may be short, but it's better than Dolphin Shoals! And that course is amazing!

19 Baby Park GCN

Hey, yes you! Have you ever wanted to play a battle track (a cramped one at that) in race mode? Well, you're in luck. This track got its popularity from items. For a short amount of time, I despised this track and had it as my least favorite track (145th).

I thought 'This should've been called Baby Krap', but I realized this track wasn't all bad. As it is fairly unique to be honest. This track is a 4/10 for me (in the 'Okay-Tier').

This course is short and simple, but the overall chaotic feeling with bananas, shells, bombs, etc., everywhere causes this course to be very chaotic. But of course, in the MK8 remake, I didn't like the statue of Baby Pink Gold Peach.

From simple track to item minefield in 3 seconds. This was one of the reasons I learned to love Princess Daisy. Her (and Peach's) heart special was really nice to get on this course. Once stole a Bowser shell.

20 Toad's Harbor Wii U

Probably my favorite race from 8. It gives me vibes from Delfino Square and Coconut Mall. The mall is because of all the different paths you can take.

21 Neo Bowser City 3DS

This track felt like you were a true street racer. The rain effects were amazing and there were some sharp turns, so this course was pretty hard. But it is a very fun track indeed.

Why is this Top 14?! It's literally one of the worst courses ever (in my sister's opinion). This course has some turns that can even lead you to death! In fact, a very overrated track.

This course has the most banking in ALL Mario Kart courses. Watch out for cars and oil spots. This is a dangerous course for any skill level!

22 Toad's Factory Wii

Awesome course!

Toad's Factory is definitely a track worth playing.

From the stompers to the items, it's perfect in any way and every way.

Why hasn't Nintendo brought back this course as a retro yet?

The fact that this is a factory is amazing.

23 Big Blue Wii U

Waluigi Pinball is cool, but I can't love it because it's in 7 without Waluigi.

Airship Fortress is awesome, but in 7, there's this one section of the track that makes this really annoying sound when you drift on it, so my vote goes to Big Blue.

This and Dry Bowser are why DLC pack 2 is the best.

This track completely nails it out of the park! Big Blue defines everything a perfect Mario Kart track should have: awesome music, fantastic design, beautiful visuals, and a ton of variety all over the place. It's my personal favourite Mario Kart track of all time.

I honestly don't get how this track is so loved. People only like it because it is F-Zero themed. If it was just an ordinary track, people wouldn't like it nearly as much. I hate this track.

24 Kalimari Desert N64

This course is so nostalgic for me. I can remember when I was five on a road trip, my family rented Mario Kart 64 and Paper Mario. Surprisingly, all I could remember about renting Mario Kart was how I played on the course Kalimari Desert. I waited so long to play it again, but when they finally unveiled it in Mario Kart 7, I was so happy.

Very underrated track! I love the trains and music. Also, it's possible on the original N64 to go into the tunnel on the left with a star, turn around, use the star, and that counts a lap. It's a great track and I'm glad to see it in Tour.

I enjoy the western theme a lot, how simple the track is, and the neat challenge of the train. It's pretty funny to see all the AI stop at the first train crossing too. My favorite track in MK7.

25 Luigi Mansion DS

Luigi Mansion is a course you can never get sick of! Watch out for the walking trees and the spooky ghosts. This course also has a lot of drifting, and in the 3DS, shortcuts. This is a killer course where anything can happen at the end.

Welcome to the Mansion! This course has a lot of banking on turns, mud, and a bunch of ghosts and walking trees. Great in the DS and 3DS Mario Karts.

I know that this course is based on the game Luigi's Mansion, but it also reminds me of Castlevania.

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