Like most racing games on the 64, Mario Kart 64 has passed the test of time
The bad: Yoshi's Valley is nearly unplayable, computer AI can get cheap at a lot of times.
Game-play: 8/10
Graphics: 8/10
Sound: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Tilt: 10/10
Average Score: 8.8/10
This is part of my Nintendo 64 rereviews on classic games.
Mario Kart has proved to be one of the best racing series of all time. Starting with a fantastic Snes classic, it became a bigger visual beast on the Nintendo 64 in 1997. With awesome 3D visuals with pre-rendered 3D graphics on the characters, this proved to be Mario's first ultimate multiplayer experience on the 64. It isn't as good as the other games after it, but it has withstood the test of time successfully, becoming one of my favorites on the 64.
This game has more than enough for one player to enjoy, but just what the doctor ordered with four players. This provides for some of the best multiplayer action you will ever have on the 64, and anyone who grew up with the Nintendo 64 in the late 90's and 2000's like me will find tons of nostalgic value in this classic 3D update.
All your favorites are back. Mario, Luigi, Yoshi, Peach, DK, Bowser, Toad, and Wario are here for more action. All the weapons such as bananas, fake blocks, stars, blue shells red shells green shells are upgraded and ready to do more cheap damage to your friends. The red shell isn't as useful if you are by a wall, but in wide open areas, it will work. My personal favorite is the lightning bolt, because you get to shrink your opponents and squash them! I love it!
Now this is a classic game, but there are a few things that keep it from being an "A game". The biggest flaw in the game is (who would've guessed?) the computer itself in Yoshi's Valley. Probably the worst track in the history of playable racing games (Big Rigs doesn't count), the reason it sucks so much is because the game can't recognize who is in first place because the track has so many shortcuts, so it's impossible and frustrating to try and get into first place. This is the only thing keeping this game from getting an A grade. Instead, it gives it a B+ grade.
Another problem I have with the game is the AI of the computer. I understand they wanted to keep the races close by keeping the racers closer, but the opponents get better items than you do, resulting in tedious races for first place. The red shells can't shoot backwards, so you can't give the opponents what they came for, which is frustrating as hell.
The graphics are clean and detailed, and damn are they beautiful! The levels are imaginative and pretty. The ice stages, Bowser's Castle, and even Rainbow Road with all its crazy shortcuts looks beast. The 2D characters look superb and Snes style. The Lakitu looks drop dead amazing! The soundtrack is the best for a racing game on the 64. I could not stop humming the tunes the game offers! The audio effects are fine tuned and have plenty of bells and whistles.
In conclusion, it is frustrating at times, but like most racing games on the 64, Mario Kart 64 has passed the test of time. Its classic multiplayer action and battle mode put into a 64 what other games nowadays should. Yoshi's Valley sucks, but this otherwise a solid racing classic that I'd pop into my Nintendo 64 any day!