Mario Kart 64
Reviewed by Stryker
Well, the 64-bit version of the great 16-bit race is here. Mario Kart
64 pits eight racers against each other across sixteen tracks in a
disappointing version. The challenge is nonexistent, and there's
basically no game underneath the paint job of Nintendo graphics.
Graphics 9 out of 10
Nintendo spent most of their cash forming this into a graphically
impressive video game. They succeeded, forming 3-D environments
that make the original pale in comparison. Mario Kart's courses mostly
take on a bright, cheery color only abandoned in dark stages like Bowser's
Castle and Banshee Boardwalk. The graphics of Mario and his seven
racing friends are digitally mastered. There's even a new 3-D item
box that regenerates after you pick it up, a good addition.
Musics 6 out of 10
There's nothing wrong with this music, but there's nothing that
good either. The music keeps a cheerful tone through the sixteen
races and doesn't throw anything satisfying towards you. Even the
credits music is flat. As for sound effects, each character has a
sound byte programmed in for when they hit another character, get
hit, win, lose, or use an invincibility star. These are perfect for each
character, even for the ones that don't speak English.
Game Play-Fun 7 out of 10
This game is saved by several multiplayer options. There's head to
head battle for 2-4 players, versus racing for 2-4 players, and grand
prix for 1-2 players. As for one-player, the fun is markedly increased.
The frustrating brilliance of the characters in Super Mario Kart is
gone, replaced by idiotic computer racers who run into your bombs
and shells like morons. The challenging aspects are replaced by
cartoony fun. One defect is that there isn't any music in 3 or 4 player
options, and that can take the air out of any get-together. Mario Kart
64 has the returning cast of weaponry, plus a spiny shell, sets of
shells and bananas, and a 10-second unlimited-use mushroom.
Frustration
Ho boy.
1. The challenge is gone.
2. The enemy is stupid.
3. No music in 3-4 player.
4. There's no game behind the graphics.
5. Designed for 6-year olds.
6. The Memory Pak capabilities take up a whole Memory Pak to save them.
Replayability 6 out of 10
The multiplayer options save the game, holding up the tatters of
one-player and keeping some younger kids at my house. But the one-player
challenge is gone after I beat the hardest difficulty possible with every
character.
Game Value 6 out of 10
Well, it's not a five-star game. It's good if you happen to have a bunch of
little kids with runny noses who think that Mario 64 is too scary. But at
least it's the average price, not to mention a rabidly advertised sequel.
Challenge 2 out of 10
I'll put it this way. I beat the entire game in three days. Then I beat the
game with every character in one sitting. Then I beat my opponents in
multiplayer 32 straight times without being hurt. It's sad. In the original
Mario Kart, the enemies were smart enough to avoid your traps. They
jostled you and it's hard enough to keep me from beating the game around
two years. Notice that Mario's games just keep getting easier from his
difficult original game.
Overall 60 out of 100
If you're a 14-year old who liked Mortal Kombat Trilogy then don't buy.
If you're a 9-year old who liked Killer Instinct perhaps it's right. If you're
a 7-year old whose favorite game is Mario 64, buy it now.