Egnomac's Classic Video Game Review: Mario Kart 64
egnomac Its Egnomac here again to present yet another classic video game review, I've decided to review games from my N64 collection and I've decided to review the first N654 game I ever got which is Mario Kart 64.Released for the Nintendo 64 in 1996 in Japan and 1997 in North America and Europe, Mario Kart 64 is the successor to Super Mario Kart for the Super NES and the second game in the Mario Kart franchise and not surprising the game improves on the first game with more flushed out courses a total of 16 in total each with their own theme, the game play has also improved now its much easier to control your driver and make those sharp turns instead of constantly sliding out of control and even though most of the roster from Super MK have returned with Donkey Kong and Wario replacing Koopa Troopa and Donkey Kong Jr. The game features several modes including Grand Prix mode in which you race on four courses each as you race for the gold, time trial, vs and Battle, you also have 2 Player Grand Prix.
Every course feels more unique then the last with several shortcuts that gamers have used and abused over the years to help take the lead coming in first place in each of the Grand Prix classes 50, 100, and 150 and you unlock Mirror Mode in which all the course are in reverse for extra challenge and after getting all the trophies in mirror mode there's very little to actually do after. Although the game plays great and many people consider it one of the greatest Mario Kart games and have fond memories of playing with their friends the game has aged horribly over the past 22 years since its release. For starters the graphics though impressive for its time looks like butt with the characters themselves barely resembling 3D models, another issue that everyone agree on is the ridiculous rubber banding AI especially during the 150 class where the AI is extremely cheap as some opponents move much faster then you to the point where its almost impossible for you to keep up not to mention opponents will constantly bombard you with items a lot of times causing you to lose the race. An as I explained besides unlocking mirror mode and getting an alternate screen title there's pretty much nothing else to unlock no new characters or courses but considering its an early N64 it can be forgiven. Despite the flaws the game still pays pretty decently especially when playing with friends with up to four players for VS's and battle.
Final Verdict:
While the game has aged pretty badly its still worth playing today I give the game a 7 out of 10.