Full Review for Mario Kart 64 by Volke

Introduction

Mario Kart 64, first released on the Nintendo 64 in 1997 (it might have been 1996 in Japan), is now available to download onto the Wii's Virtual Console. It is the second game in the Mario Kart series, and one of the most popular games on the Nintendo 64. Unfortunately, however, it has not aged well with time, and it wasn't even a good game to begin with. Here's my review of the game's re-issue.

Graphics

This is by the standards of Nintendo 64 games re-released on the Virtual Console. Whilst the visuals were indeed praised at the time of release, they aren't so pretty now.

As an earlier Nintendo 64 title, the graphics are unlikely to be as good as later titles. However, issues with the graphics have become greater. Due to the limited nature of the Virtual Console, the graphics have been hampered slightly and flickers can be experienced whilst playing the game. Supposedly, this is because Mario Kart 64, on the Virtual Console, does not support 50 Hz TVs. I might be wrong about this, but it's certainly not a good thing.

The majority of the courses are very bland and dull, with little detail. Whilst Koopa Troopa Beach and Rainbow Road have quite nice details, most of the other courses don't. It just seems that there's no life to the majority of the courses.

A five out of ten for the graphics. Some of the character models are nice, but too many of the courses are dull and the limited capability of the Virtual Console makes things worse.

Sound

Indeed, Mario Kart 64 was never tip-top in the sound department. Nothing has changed since 1997 - the sound still gets a poor score.

Whilst some of the courses have some pleasant tunes in the background, some are just bad. The background msuic in the 'Raceway' levels is awful - and the kind that won't get out of your head. Other courses' background music, such as Kalimari Desert and Toad's Turnpike, are simply the sort that you will fall asleep to, as they're so boring. It's not all bad, however. Some courses, such as Koopa Troopa Beach and Moo Moo Farm, have some nice tunes in the background, just like a Mario Kart game should.

The voice-overs are also relatively poor and cheesy. Mario's signature 'Woo-hoos' and 'letsa goes' are as irritating as ever. Yoshi makes the same noises that occur when he pops out of an egg for some reason. Donkey Kong sounds more like a warthog than an ape. The rest are just average at best.

Four out of ten for the sound. Some pleasant qualities, but the bads outweigh the goods. Pity.

Gameplay

The gameplay, in itself, is fun. Multiplayer mode obviously boosts the score, as is as fun here as it is in any other Mario Kart game.

Single player mode is decent, if short-lived with limited options. Grand Prix is fun and Time Trials will have you trying to beat your own records for a while...unless you get bored of the courses. Sadly, issues with the Virtual Console means you can't save ghost data. You needed an Expansion Pack (or whichever Pack it was you needed) to save ghost data on the Nintendo 64 version, but the Virtual Console just can't add this feature. A pity, really. It's the best feature when playing Time Trials.

Multiplayer is as good as ever. Battle mode is great fun, as is VS mode. Two player Grand Prix is more interesting than one player Grand Prix. Mario Kart 64 is great if you're playing with your mates, just like every Mario Kart game should be.

Seven out of ten for the gameplay, because multiplayer is great fun. I wouldn't recommend this for single-player value, though, as it's too short lived. If you just want to play Mario Kart alone, then hunt down any of the Mario Kart games that succeeded 64, as they all have better single player value. So does the SNES Super Mario Kart, but there's little chance of you getting your hands on that right now.

Lastability

Seven out of ten if you're playing with your mates. If you're just playing alone, it's more like three or four out of ten. Nevertheless, you'll be playing it for a while if you have buddies to play with. That is, if you on't have any other Mario Kart games to play with them. This really isn't the best one, but it's still good.

You won't be playing single player for long, though.

Overall

I'm afraid I have to say it - Mario Kart 64 isn't what I would call a good game. It's fun when playing with your mates...for a while. However, the single player value is low, whilst the graphics are poor by Virtual Console Nintendo 64 standards and the sound is overall mediocre.

If you've never played a Mario Kart game before, and want to try one out, grab Mario Kart Wii or Mario Kart DS, or hunt down Mario Kart: Double Dash for the Gamecube or Mario Kart: Super Circuit for the GameBoy Advance. Or if you simply want to try out the oldies, I'd recommend you wait around for the SNES Mario Kart, Super Mario Kart, to be released on the Virtual Console, which will hopefully be sometime soon.

If you like Mario Kart, but have never played this particular Mario Kart, then take a look at it if you like. I wouldn't recommend it, but I'm not stopping you. This review is soley based on my opinion, and others would probably disagree.

Six out of ten overall. If you're only going to play it alone, four out of ten.

Final Score: 58%