Nintendo 64 · 1997
Mario Kart 64
The fourth entry in the Mario Kart series brought the franchise to the Nintendo 64 and expanded its local multiplayer to four players.
- Publisher
- Nintendo
- Format
- Cartridge
- Genre
- Kart racing
- Released
- 1997
01
Overview
Mario Kart 64 collects Grand Prix cups, versus races, battle modes, and time trials across a roster of Nintendo characters. The game supports up to four local players on one Nintendo 64, introducing four-player racing to the Mario Kart series. Its time-trial records and ghost data are stored on an N64 Controller Pak, while ordinary cup progress does not require that accessory.
02
Why it matters
As the series' first Nintendo 64 title, Mario Kart 64 carried the franchise into the console's defining era of local multiplayer. Its four-player mode became a standard expectation for the series and made the game a natural centerpiece for group sessions on N64 hardware.
03
The physical edition
A typical complete copy includes the cartridge, original box, instruction manual, and a game-specific operation card, with additional inserts such as registration or warranty materials depending on the regional edition. Packaging details can vary between North American, European, and Japanese releases, so a complete set for one region may not match another.
04
Playing it today
On original hardware, the game runs directly from the cartridge, and a Controller Pak is needed only for time-trial ghost data. It remains a straightforward local multiplayer option for up to four N64 controllers in a shared play space.