scaught69's Full Review: Mario-Kart Super Circuit for Game Boy Advance
Mario Kart is an amazing title. The premise is simple. You choose from eight racers from the Mario World and then you go off to race. And along the way through, you get to pick up items to help even the score. The items include your typical Mario fare (turtle shells, banana peels, etc.)
I will break down the different parts of the game to give you an idea if Mario Kart Super Circuit is right for you.
Characters
Mario Kart still uses the standard eight racer system: Mario, Luigi, Peach, Yoshi, Toad, Donkey Kong, Bowser, and Wario.
Each racer has a different level of speed and weight. Some are well balanced (like Mario) some have more speed (like Toad) while others have more weight (like Bowser). If you like any of these characters, then you are bound to like this game.
Speed vs. Weight
Its funny, after all the pasta that Mario fellow eats, his weight isn't as high as you would think. The speed vs. weight issue is the biggest factor to consider while choosing a character in Mario Kart. The more speed a character has, the faster he can accelerate and cruise through a track. However, the more weight a character has, the less he can be thrown around the track when bumped into and also will be better able to maintain a top speed. You should try each character to see which best suits you. They each have pros and cons.
Control & Gameplay
The Gameboy Advanced button set up takes some getting used to. The A and B buttons are fine to use, but the shoulder buttons take some time getting comfortable with them. The A button is used for acceleration while the B button is used for brakes. The right shoulder button lets your racer hop in to air. This is useful for jumping over those pesky obstacles you encounter last second. The left shoulder button is used to deploy what ever item you are carrying. Have a red shell? Press the left shoulder button to take out the racer in front of you. Have a mushroom? Press the left shoulder button to get a sudden burst of speed. The left shoulder button is also used to get you out of tight turns. Once you get used to where the buttons are located, you will notice that the control is a breeze.
Mario Kart is all about the gameplay. It is set up so simply that anyone could figure it out and have a blast as well. The items feature helps to bring a gleeful insanity to the game. They aid you in your goal for victory. Mario Kart isn't about who is fastest, it is about who has the items. You could be in last place throughout the whole track and wind up in first once it is over. It is anybody's race. Though the pace isn't as quick as a game like F-Zero: Maximum Velocity, it still grabs your attention.
Different Modes of Play
Mario Kart can be played in one player which is very enjoyable. There are three modes to play 50cc, 100cc, and 150cc. Not only does the speed increase in each mode, the level of difficulty does as well. The other characters get rowdier once you try the harder modes. They love bumping you right off the track.
Also, you can link up to four players on a single game. This will only give you access to four tracks and everyone can only pick Yoshi as a racer (they each get a different color). However, this is still a cool feature.
If you and multiple friends each have the game, you will have access to all the available tracks and all of the racers. You will also have access to battle mode. The concept there is pure and simple. Each racer gets three balloons. Last one left with a balloon is the winner. This mode is sensational.
There are 40 tracks in the game. 20 original and 20 classics. You start out with 16 and you have to unlock the rest, so there is plenty to do in this game. This helps out with the lasting appeal.
Graphics and Sound
This game delivers the goods in this department. Mario Kart offers a visually splendid experience. The game looks even better than its SNES counterpart. The graphics are sharp and the colors are nice and bright (a plus for the dark GBA screen). The mode 7 effects are outstading as the tracks rotate around giving it a nice 3D effect.
The sound tracks are well written too. Each track has different music and each racer has their own battle cry as they pass you. The tiny GBA speaker does its best to show off the sound. However, pop on some headphones and you will get the full effect and hear it in stereo as well.
Bottom Line
What can I say, this is a quality title. The Mario brand is one that can be trusted. It has shown time and time again that you cannot go wrong with a Mario title.
Mario Kart is a must own Gameboy Advanced title. It is simple to use, highly addictive, beautiful to look at, and with all the hidden features, it has a great lasting appeal.
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