
Release
Saturday, December 14, 1996
Critic score
81/100
Platform families
1
Editorial overview
What it is
Mario Kart 64 is the second main installment of the Mario Kart series. It is the first game in the series to use three-dimensional graphics, however, the characters and items in this game are still two-dimensional, pre-rendered sprites. The game offers two camera angles and three engine sizes: 50cc, 100cc and 150cc. Each kart has distinctive handling, acceleration and top speed capabilities. Shells that you fire at rival racers, Bananas that make them skid out and Lightning Bolts that make them small and very slow are just a few of the game's unique power-ups.
Play styles
Single player · Multiplayer · Split screen
Perspective
Third person
More like this
Nintendo Entertainment Analysis & Development · Nintendo
Connected releases
Core game only
Game data from IGDB
Themes
Action · Kids · Party
Languages
3 supported
Cinematic archive
Official footage, in-game captures, and production artwork—collected into one immersive gallery.
Gameplay Video
TV commercials
Beyond this game
One complete franchise view connects the main releases, spin-offs, settings, and related game families.
Production dossier
Cast, creators, hardware, release history, and the details that define how this game plays.

Wii
Gen 7

Nintendo 64
Gen 5

Wii U
Gen 8