The Best Mario Kart isn’t a 3D One

Sunday, January 19, 2025

There have been 10 major entries in the Mario Kart series since 1992, with the most recent entries being Mario Kart 8 Deluxe and Mario Kart Tour. They are excellent games. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe may be the best racing game ever made, with gorgeous courses, delightful characters, and music that can send you into nostalgia overdrive. When Nintendo unveiled the Switch 2 a few days ago, they also previewed the next Mario Kart title. I cannot wait for it; the new character designs look great, and it seems to offer some new mechanics that will make for a wild experience.

Recently, I’ve spent much of my free time playing retro games, something I’m known to do from time to time. Two games that I’ve spent quite a bit of time with are Mario Kart Super Circuit and the original Super Mario Kart. I highly recommend revisiting these titles if you haven’t; they are beautifully designed—finding workarounds to deliver near 3D experiences in 2D. They are incredibly charming with simple yet colorful courses that are somehow more fun to navigate due to unique controls that feel out of place in a 2D game engine.

These two games are also so easily playable in bursts when on the go. I find myself playing them frequently while waiting for the subway in particular. They’re exponentially more fun than a crossword or cheap free-to-play on my phone. Unlike Mario Kart Tour on iOS and Android, they’re no-frills. No long loading screens, no social features, no store, nothing to get in the way of a quick and fun experience.

So while you’re waiting for Mario Kart for Switch 2, pick up a copy of Super Mario Kart or Mario Kart Super Circuit. They’re very different from modern titles in the series and well worth your time. My favorite way to race is Super Circuit on my Analogue Pocket disconnected from the web, but you can easily play both of these games with a Switch Online subscription.

If you’re willing to spend a bit more for the NSO Expansion Pass, I also suggest revisiting Mario Kart 64. While it is a true 3D racing game closer to modern versions, the unique implementation of the character designs and environments is charming in a similar way to the two 2D titles mentioned above.