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. TreasureOrTrash
    Sep 8, 2023
    10
    Treasure!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
  2. Emilio200
    Aug 17, 2023
    8
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  3. firelink88
    May 29, 2023
    8
    I'll give this game an 87%. This game has a good character selection except for the heavy characters. The music is great! I like how Kalamari Desert has a train around the track that can get in the character's way. Battle Mode is fun to play with friends and family. I do wish that you can play VS and Battle Mode with CPUS though. The difficulty in the game provides a good challengeI'll give this game an 87%. This game has a good character selection except for the heavy characters. The music is great! I like how Kalamari Desert has a train around the track that can get in the character's way. Battle Mode is fun to play with friends and family. I do wish that you can play VS and Battle Mode with CPUS though. The difficulty in the game provides a good challenge sometimes. I like how in Toad's Turnpike Mirror Mode, the cars on that map drive on the opposite direction. They drive towards you, which provides a good challenge.… Expand
  4. aaronnmp96
    Feb 6, 2023
    8
    Great game, original and very addictive, it's not very long but it was a good start
  5. Yojimbo2015
    Jan 21, 2023
    8
    The game that launched a thousand clones but was never surpassed. A sequel that got everything right and the gold standard for party racing games.
  6. DanielGG91
    Nov 14, 2022
    9
    Juegazo de mi infancia. Super divertido para jugar en casa con amigos, hoy en día sigue siendo igual de especial.
  7. Jattaman
    Sep 22, 2022
    9
    Classico del N64.
    Gioco di corse super arcade avvincente in cui si lotta sul filo di lana per la vittoria.
    Bello in single player, super nel multiplayer.
    Piste belle, colonna sonora memorabile.
    La melodia della Rainbow Road è ancora nel mio cuore dopo tanti tanti anni.
    Il voto fa riferimento al momento storico in cui è uscito: nel suo genere, in quegli anni, era il miglior esponente.
  8. Potreen
    Jun 14, 2022
    9
    I have so many hours in his game and it was one of the pioneers in friendly local co-op with unique maps, several gamemodes and fun mechanics. Simple but genius for it's time.
  9. Ac-Gamer
    Apr 5, 2022
    8
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. though this game has aged very poorly, handling is extremely annoying when playing it right now, playing this game at the time was an AMAZING EXPERIENCE, the crazy change between SNES 2d Mario kart to 3d 64 Mario kart was MIND BLOWING at the time. If you have not experienced this game yet, WHAT ARE YOU DOING? missing this game is almost criminal. I had a really fun time playing the game for the first time with my friends and relatives, (side note: unfortunately, the games' content is pretty little and there are no unlockables, but this should not stop you from playing the game, it really isn't that big of a deal) the battle mode is amazing, (especially with other players) and playing this game with other players just DOUBLES the fun, if you have not played this game yet, I highly recommend you do so :)… Expand
  10. sosuke1121
    Dec 3, 2021
    8
    This is the game that made the Mario Kart Format what it is like now. I have lots of good things of to say about this game, first having tons of new items, like the golden mushroom, triple shells, blue shell, and FIB, and way much more.
    The tracks themselves are kind of good, with having ones like Wario Stadium, Toad's Turnpike, Royal Raceway, and DK's jungle parkway.
    Of course, the    This is the game that made the Mario Kart Format what it is like now. I have lots of good things of to say about this game, first having tons of new items, like the golden mushroom, triple shells, blue shell, and FIB, and way much more.
    The tracks themselves are kind of good, with having ones like Wario Stadium, Toad's Turnpike, Royal Raceway, and DK's jungle parkway.
    Of course, the battle mode is amazing. With the best map Block 4 being there, you can play for unlimited time until one gets defeated.
    The Bad things about this game is really the controls. The drift is hard to get used to, and if you jump left and right you slip for no reason.
    Sure, the character selection is kind of lame, but overall this is a fun, solid mario kart game.    … Expand
  11. RustyMazza
    Nov 29, 2021
    9
    The multiplayer mode was amazingly fun upon release (and still is) and the time trials mode has become one of the most competitive speedrunning scenes for over 22 years. Search YouTube for the Quest for 32/32 to see how deep the competition has run over such a long period of time.

    The controls are tight and solid; the visuals are simple and generally crisp, and the weapons in multiplayer    The multiplayer mode was amazingly fun upon release (and still is) and the time trials mode has become one of the most competitive speedrunning scenes for over 22 years. Search YouTube for the Quest for 32/32 to see how deep the competition has run over such a long period of time.

    The controls are tight and solid; the visuals are simple and generally crisp, and the weapons in multiplayer are all-time classics (bananas, mushrooms, stars, shells, boos and lightnings).

    There is rubber banding by the computer opponents, which is a bit annoying, but it doesn’t ruin the experience.

    The single play mode of the 4 cups is okay, however, it lacks sustainable value once all cups have been won.

    The game is a solid 9/10 and has stood the test of time.    … Expand
  12. d1versify
    Sep 11, 2021
    10
    The ultimate multiplayer game to ruin friendships. My god the memories. I really wish the N64 would come out nowadays with all the technology and stuff. We would play at 50 inch monitors, with great speakers etc.
  13. DarCbrGr
    Jun 26, 2021
    8
    This would be an easy 9 if the CPU's rubber banding wasn't absolutely ridiculous.
  14. felip3fl
    Jun 20, 2021
    10
    A fantastic game. This game marked my childhood. One of the best games of Nintendo 64.
  15. TropicalNayr
    Mar 31, 2021
    9
    i would give this a 87%
    this is the 2nd Mario kart game and the graphics are amazing compared to the Mario kart games that come after it it is basically a better version of the original Mario kart with new minigames and new maps and charter to enjoy it is a great game!
  16. TOCHO1993
    Nov 11, 2020
    10
    Tengo muchos recuerdos con amigos pasando horas y horas en este maravilloso juego. Las pistas, los atajos, la banda sonora, los personajes, todo increíble y extremadamente adictivo. No puedo entender a quienes le ponen menos de un 8, es una verdadera joya que hasta el día de hoy podría jugar sin problemas.
  17. patrickmurphy09
    Aug 29, 2020
    8
    With this game providing my first experience to the Mario Kart franchise, I certainly have nostalgia goggles. Even so, it is hard to deny how truly fun and impressive this game was for its time and still is today. This built upon the SNES installment by providing a major update to the graphics, given that these graphics were processed completely differently by the N64. But this game alsoWith this game providing my first experience to the Mario Kart franchise, I certainly have nostalgia goggles. Even so, it is hard to deny how truly fun and impressive this game was for its time and still is today. This built upon the SNES installment by providing a major update to the graphics, given that these graphics were processed completely differently by the N64. But this game also had lovely tracks, music, and characters to boot. A true classic!… Expand
  18. BM30
    Jun 28, 2020
    9
    Although not the best Mario Kart game, it's most definitely the most fun for multiplayer. This game is really good and the race tracks are really well designed along with the battle mode races. 9/10 Would recommend!
  19. ChesterField
    May 1, 2020
    8
    The first mario kart and one of the most fun games to play with colleagues in the 90's. A must for Nintendo 64.
  20. Liopleruidon
    Sep 4, 2019
    8
    This game is fun and challenging,but there are barely any unlockables.The game has a addictive grand prix and battle mode . The only thing keeping me from giving this game a ten is the pitiful lineup of characters.
  21. Olicomix
    Aug 27, 2019
    9
    Where the series didn't need training wheels anymore, Mario Kart 64 is an immensely fun time that'll satisfy for many more years to come, with it's varied courses, excellent music, great track design, charming visuals, amazing battle mode, and pretty good roster. Where this game falters is the lack of any unlockables, as everything is available from the start. While the amount of contentWhere the series didn't need training wheels anymore, Mario Kart 64 is an immensely fun time that'll satisfy for many more years to come, with it's varied courses, excellent music, great track design, charming visuals, amazing battle mode, and pretty good roster. Where this game falters is the lack of any unlockables, as everything is available from the start. While the amount of content for an N64 game is certainly ample, it takes away a little bit of longevity this game could've had. Other than that, this is still a fantastic kart racer that really kick started the 3D kart racer genre, and did it with charm and fun times to boot.… Expand
  22. Oreox4
    Aug 17, 2019
    8
    This game from the short time i've played it is really cool. A good game. The controls are kind of wack not even gonna lie but i still enjoy this game when i play it. Good stuff.

    Edit: I just played a grand prix, and the controls are not wack at all.
  23. JPK
    Jul 20, 2019
    9
    One Of The N64’s Most Memorable
    Mario Kart 64 is an absolutely fantastic game with many memorable courses.
  24. nintendo-sekta
    Nov 1, 2018
    8
    Игра хороша. Карты выглядят красиво. Но игра затянута и на прохождение всех карт уходит много времени.
  25. Maluigi
    Aug 3, 2018
    8
    This game is good and gives me some nostalgia, despite that I played it recently. By today, it's still good, but graphics seems not that 3D. AI seems to rubber-banding you for some reason, and some items don't work properly, like red shell. You're far from someone, you're throwing a red shell, but nope! Straight into the wall! Same goes for spiny shell if you aimed that wrong.

    Good game still!
  26. JJTX
    Jun 16, 2018
    8
    Still one of the best Mario Kart games. Rock-solid fun with so much more variety than its SNES precursor. A cherished party game that everyone should play at least once!
  27. BrettSiebenhaar
    Jun 1, 2018
    10
    I can say it over and over, so many memories from my childhood. Mario Kart is my favorite game franchise and this game pretty much started it all! Great to play with friends!
  28. AKthaBeast
    Mar 22, 2018
    10
    Classic game that is great for parties and is one the of the best games for anyone to play as it is easy to learn and hard to master.
  29. Eder123
    Apr 15, 2017
    9
    Entretenido y divertido, una joya más de ninendo de la mano de mi fontanero favorito, la jugabilidad buena, los poderes especiales hacen la carrera más entretenida, y los personajes icónicos de la saga Mario le dan la magia a este gran juego.
  30. thealexmott
    Mar 27, 2017
    9
    A fantastic game by all means, but not the greatest Mario Kart game (MK8 says hi). The battle mode is where it's at. We have never had better battle maps than Block Fort or Double Deck.
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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

All reviews »
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
See all critic reviews »