Mario Kart 64

 Nintendo 64
User Score
8.6

Generally favorable reviews- based on 505 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 419 out of 505
  2. Mixed: 72 out of 505
  3. Negative: 14 out of 505
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  1. thejonez
    Jun 15, 2012
    7
    Mario Kart 64 was an absolute fantastic title, don't get me wrong! I merely found that by today's standards, it is on nostalgic stilts and it doesn't quite stand up very well when we have such gems as Mario Kart Wii and Mario Kart: Double Dash!!. It still has great tracks, good music, and is still a fun time, but now seems to have gotten dusty. Furthermore, many of the tracks (especiallyMario Kart 64 was an absolute fantastic title, don't get me wrong! I merely found that by today's standards, it is on nostalgic stilts and it doesn't quite stand up very well when we have such gems as Mario Kart Wii and Mario Kart: Double Dash!!. It still has great tracks, good music, and is still a fun time, but now seems to have gotten dusty. Furthermore, many of the tracks (especially the good ones) are in current Mario Kart titles. Overall, this Mario Kart 64 is a short, fun little title, but is sadly, overrated when compared to its own evolution.… Expand
  2. Psychie
    Jan 2, 2020
    6
    Mario Kart 64 doesn't really have a middle ground. You either love it or you think it aged poorly. I stand towards the latter. The track design isn't all that great, the characters are unbalanced and the rubber banding makes me want to throw the cartridge at a chainsaw. Okay, an exaggeration, but you get the idea. An innovative kart racer at the time, but yesterday's news now.
  3. SilentMoose
    Apr 10, 2006
    5
    this game has its ups, but nothing that the snes version didn't have. The "catch up" assistance given to players in the back is ridiculous. One player could hang back in second packing up red shells, lightenings, stars, and various items to take out first place as they are about to pass the finish causing a undeserving last place. Its not a game that tests your racing skills, for this game has its ups, but nothing that the snes version didn't have. The "catch up" assistance given to players in the back is ridiculous. One player could hang back in second packing up red shells, lightenings, stars, and various items to take out first place as they are about to pass the finish causing a undeserving last place. Its not a game that tests your racing skills, for sure, but how long you can hang in back with items to finish off the person in the lead.… Expand
  4. JusticeC.
    Apr 10, 2004
    5
    This game can get on your nerves after you are done.You race in these crowded places,it's so bad.
  5. BryanD.
    Mar 3, 2007
    7
    I like this game but its a little messed up when, It doesn't matter how good you are, some people just get in front of you. You could have beat it 100 times and then out of now where you loose?!
  6. Caestus
    Mar 4, 2013
    7
    In Single player i did not like that now matter how fast or how slow you are, there is still someone near yourself. To it the SP gets boring pretty fast. The MP is fun but there are better fun racing games on the N64
  7. FaloRoy
    Dec 17, 2012
    7
    This game is still pretty good after all these years in spite of the worst rubber banding AI in Mario Kart (it's worse than Wii), a somewhat pointless single player mode (no unlockable characters?), and the controls being a bit slippery. However, the strong points are the awesome multiplayer action, impressive sound, and the graphics. While this title has not aged as well as other MarioThis game is still pretty good after all these years in spite of the worst rubber banding AI in Mario Kart (it's worse than Wii), a somewhat pointless single player mode (no unlockable characters?), and the controls being a bit slippery. However, the strong points are the awesome multiplayer action, impressive sound, and the graphics. While this title has not aged as well as other Mario Kart games (or even other N64 racing games for that matter), it is still great to pick up and play with your friends, just not by yourself. One last thing though: I actually thought the sense of speed was very nice not only for a Mario Kart game, but for a racing game in general.… Expand
  8. shprea
    Jun 27, 2013
    7
    Back in the day, this game was awesome. However, playing it today, I can see how poorly it's aged. The controls feel slippery, the courses aren't as cool, and it just doesn't have the same level of polish as later games. It's a good game, it just isn't as great as it used to be.
  9. jakethesnack
    Oct 29, 2013
    7
    The items are very unbalanced and some items like mushrooms or red shells don't work. Although I have to give it credit for having some of the most unique tracks in Mario Kart history.
  10. UCA
    May 8, 2014
    5
    It's a diffcult game. But I think this game is too simple because you really only can be two skills, dodge an attack and attack with your weapon or magic.
  11. aditya1101
    Jan 26, 2018
    7
    One of the many seminal franchises that nintendo launched during the 64 era. It's not the best mario kart, but it's a damn good game.
  12. TheTrexDude
    Jun 4, 2018
    7
    Playing with friends:FUN :D

    NO FRIENDS:NOT FUN :(

    THATS THIS GAME IN A NUTSHELL.
  13. sebastianali
    Apr 20, 2020
    5
    Si bien tengo que reconocer que el modo multijugador es muy divertido, Mario Kart 64 no envejeció del todo bien debido a los pésimos controles, falta de modos de juego y personajes y la diversión en general si lo comparamos con Crash Team Racing. Ademas la version de la consola virtual no deja guardar fantasmas. El juego es divertido hasta que terminas las pistas de 50cc. Una vez que lasSi bien tengo que reconocer que el modo multijugador es muy divertido, Mario Kart 64 no envejeció del todo bien debido a los pésimos controles, falta de modos de juego y personajes y la diversión en general si lo comparamos con Crash Team Racing. Ademas la version de la consola virtual no deja guardar fantasmas. El juego es divertido hasta que terminas las pistas de 50cc. Una vez que las terminas el juego se vuelve aburrido y repetitivo, sumado a que la IA se vuelve frustrante, siempre 2 corredores detrás tuyo alcanzándote todo el tiempo. Y cuando un corredor gana la carrera en un torneo, siempre ganara en las siguientes, dependiendo del personaje que elijas, aunque principalmente ganan Wario y Toad, parece una carrera robotica, no hay aleatoriedad.... Que vergüenza...… Expand
  14. TheOkCringe
    Apr 26, 2020
    5
    This game is definitely an improvement from its predecessor, but it’s not the best title by far. While the courses are somewhat memorable, they weren’t remembered for any good reason. They were tediously long and often annoying. The controls are wonky, and paired with the awful N64 controller, it makes for a nightmarish experience. But to be fair, it did introduce four player multiplayer,This game is definitely an improvement from its predecessor, but it’s not the best title by far. While the courses are somewhat memorable, they weren’t remembered for any good reason. They were tediously long and often annoying. The controls are wonky, and paired with the awful N64 controller, it makes for a nightmarish experience. But to be fair, it did introduce four player multiplayer, but that’s about the only plus. 4.6/10, it’s my third worst title.… Expand
  15. doroordep
    Jun 21, 2020
    7
    é um bom jogo, tem otimas pistas, todas com uma enorme variedade e obstaculos, mas não tem mais personagens do que no jogo de SNES, e os itens tamém, nenhuma evolução tão grande. Por isso, o jogo não é mais do que um 7, para mim é até um 6,5, mas não posso colocar essa nota.
  16. Toasty87
    Jul 11, 2020
    7
    Really has not aged well but the gameplay still holds up today and can still be enjoyed.
  17. deycd
    Aug 13, 2021
    7
    A día de hoy, los controles han quedado obsoletos, la calidad no está del todo mal para la época, pero no tiene ninguna razón de peso como para ser elegido entre los demás, es soso. No tiene malos circuitos.
  18. BeeSting1
    Jan 1, 2021
    6
    Rubberband AI ruined GP.

    Good - they did an amazing job of bringing Mario carts into 3D. The controls are fluent and responsive. I also liked how they changed up the drifting so that you can get boost, and also the angle is less awkward as super Mario Kart - stages were varied. Lots of vertical terrain, and different obstacles. Bad - hitting someone stationary during spin    Rubberband AI ruined GP.

    Good

    - they did an amazing job of bringing Mario carts into 3D. The controls are fluent and responsive. I also liked how they changed up the drifting so that you can get boost, and also the angle is less awkward as super Mario Kart

    - stages were varied. Lots of vertical terrain, and different obstacles.

    Bad

    - hitting someone stationary during spin out will make you spin out even if u are going slow.

    - cpu go unfairly fast. They can still keep up with me despite me spamming gold mushroom

    - cpu will catch up right behind you near the final part of the final run. Despite them bring far behind

    - getting 4 bananas makes your Kart look like it's boosting which is very misleading and has caused me to crash

    - it's way too easy to spin out. Turn left and right too many times, you'll spin out. Someone heavy runs into you, or you run into someone heavy, you spin out. On top of the regular item spin outs. It's too much, and basically match ending for you

    - CPUs don't utilize items fully. They don't use shells.

    - it's a **** feeling when you pull off multiple perfect drifts dodging everything, only to have the cpu magically catch up. Why should I stress on doing perfect drifts when CPUs are going to be toe to toe with me no matter what? I should just drive normally. This in turn makes the grand prix gameplay super boring.    … Expand
  19. ntBagel
    Apr 23, 2022
    5
    Mario kart 64 a game I have really enjoyed playing as a kid. Replaying it was enjoyable at times but also noticed many problems with the game. Mario kart 64 is of coarse fun to play with friends and family but playing it alone is pretty boring and frustrating. first a look at the graphics in my opinion the title and UI is very bland and just doesn't look very appealing and in game playerMario kart 64 a game I have really enjoyed playing as a kid. Replaying it was enjoyable at times but also noticed many problems with the game. Mario kart 64 is of coarse fun to play with friends and family but playing it alone is pretty boring and frustrating. first a look at the graphics in my opinion the title and UI is very bland and just doesn't look very appealing and in game player sprites aren't even in 3D as well as the items. the way the maps are seen makes it very hard to see what is ahead of you. lots of the stages look very outdated graphically. now going into the controls I'm very mixed on it. it feels very ok. stuff like drifting and using items aren't very satisfying or rewarding to use. ex. red shells often hit walls, mushroom feel underwhelming and drifting feels clunky and hard to use. moving on from that character selection is ok as well as the stages nothing really is amazing but nothing that's really bad. overall, this game is very ok to me it doesn't really feel like it aged to well but will always be a blast to pop in to play with some friends. I just don't see a big reason to play it now compared to any of the newer titles. 5/10 (average)… Expand
  20. ElRagnarLocro
    Mar 30, 2022
    7
    Buen salto de Mario Kart al 3D, entretenido, pero hasta ahí. Una vez jugado un rato no tiene mucho más que ofrecer y el paso del tiempo lo dejó atrás.
    Nota Final: 7
  21. GDsReviews
    May 27, 2022
    7
    Mario Kart 64 has a fantastic soundtrack with some of the funniest character lines ever for a game, and was one of the first successful 4 player games. But, the rest of it has aged extremely badly, and especially 3 and 4 player mode as there is no music playing with 3 and 4 players. It also has only one thing to unlock in Extra mode that is all the tracks mirrored.
  22. Shamrock97
    Apr 30, 2023
    6
    It is a fun, enjoyable game to play with friends and family and I'll bet that for 1997 this was a fantastic game but there are certainly some things about it that have not aged well today, such as its faulty rubber banding AI and graphics lmao. Other than that, this is a pretty solid game that is fun to play, it's a basic Mario Kart experience that players know what to expect when they play it
  23. Eyean
    Aug 20, 2023
    6
    Certainly has not aged well, the driving is super clunky and the rubber banding the bots do is the worst its ever been. I do think the track selection is solid, and I imagine playing this with other people (especially the battle mode) would be pretty fun.

Awards & Rankings

6
#6 Best N64 Game of 1997
2
#2 Most Discussed N64 Game of 1997
3
#3 Most Shared N64 Game of 1997

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
83

Generally favorable reviews - based on 15 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 12 out of 15
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 15
  3. Negative: 0 out of 15
  1. Nintendorks
    80
    It's the most beautiful thing that I've ever seen! An incredible game for racing and Mario fans that is the best of both catagories (that's right, better than Mario 64)!
    Read full review
  2. Electronic Gaming Monthly
    93
    And on the eighth day, God created Mario Kart. He saw it, and it was good. [Jan 2004, p.189]
  3. Nintendojo
    90
    Although it doesn't break any new grounds in originality (like Mario 64), Mario Kart 64 is a great addition to the N64 line-up. The solid graphics, good sound, and addictive gameplay--coupled with features like being able to race yourself (from a former race) in a special ghost mode--make you want to play it forever.
    Read full review
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