History VideoGame / MarioKart

** '''''Mario Kart 8 Deluxe''''' (Platform/NintendoSwitch, 2017): An UpdatedRerelease of ''Mario Kart 8'', with the main feature being an improved Battle Mode after the original ''8''[='s=] was scaled back. ''Deluxe'' also includes all of ''8''[='s=] DLC on the game card, rebalancing of characters and karts, the ability to carry two items at once, a brand-new third level of mini-turbo boost, and an expanded roster of 42 characters including the Inklings from ''Franchise/{{Splatoon}}''. It later received its own DLC expansion in 2022-2023, featuring 6 new tracks and 42 more returning tracks (including all but one introduced in ''Tour'') thereby doubling the total track count to 96, as well as eight new characters for a roster of 50.

** '''''Mario Kart 8 Deluxe''''' (Platform/NintendoSwitch, 2017): An UpdatedRerelease of ''Mario Kart 8'', with the main feature being an improved Battle Mode after the original ''8''[='s=] was scaled back. ''Deluxe'' also includes all of ''8''[='s=] DLC on the game card, rebalancing of characters and karts, the ability to carry two items at once, a brand-new third level of mini-turbo boost, and an expanded roster of 42 characters including the Inklings from ''Franchise/{{Splatoon}}''. It later received its own DLC expansion in 2022-2023, featuring 48 more returning tracks (including all but one introduced in ''Tour'') thereby doubling the total track count to 96, as well as eight new characters for a roster of 50.

* '''''VideoGame/SuperMarioKart''''' ([[Platform/SuperNintendoEntertainmentSystem SNES]], 1992): The original. Has 8 characters and 20 courses, organized into 4 cups with 5 tracks each. Uses "Mode 7" for its graphics, so all the courses are completely flat.

* NumberedSequels: The UsefulNotes/Nintendo3DS and UsefulNotes/WiiU installments, ''Mario Kart 7'' and ''Mario Kart 8''. Not only do they refer to actually being the seventh and eighth installments, but they also respectively refer to the LuckySeven and the Möbius strip.

** ''VideoGame/MarioKartDS'' brought back the idea of NostalgiaLevel cups, this time including retro tracks from all of its predecessors, ramping the amount to eight cups. This has been a steady amount for the following games until ''VideoGame/MarioKart8'' (first by way of DownloadableContent and then with its ''Deluxe'' port on the UsefulNotes/NintendoSwitch) provided another major bump for a total of '''twelve''' cups plus a fifth difficulty level (200cc). Then the ''Deluxe'' port got its own DLC via the Booster Course Pass, adding to a total of '''twenty-four''' cups!

** If people are tagged with ''7''[='=]s [[UsefulNotes/Nintendo3DS StreetPass]] feature, their Mii may show up sometimes in Grand Prix mode to be an extra rival. Their Mii will also act as a rival in their customized Grand Prix.

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''Mario Kart'' is a successful series of go-kart video games developed by Creator/{{Nintendo}} as a series of spin-offs from their trademark and highly successful ''[[Franchise/SuperMarioBros Mario]]'' series of platformer adventure-style video games. Starting on the SNES, the series has graced every subsequent Nintendo console and handheld with at least one installment, with the exception of the UsefulNotes/VirtualBoy and the UsefulNotes/GameBoyColor (portable ''Mario Karts'' started appearing with the UsefulNotes/GameBoyAdvance).

* '''''VideoGame/SuperMarioKart''''' ([[UsefulNotes/SuperNintendoEntertainmentSystem SNES]], 1992): The original. Has 8 characters and 20 courses, organized into 4 cups with 5 tracks each. Uses "Mode 7" for its graphics, so all the courses are completely flat.
* '''''VideoGame/MarioKart64''''' (UsefulNotes/{{Nintendo 64}}, 1996): First use of actual 3D, and set the standards for much of the series: it organized its 16 courses into 4 cups with 4 tracks each, established the usual eight-character starting roster,[[note]]Mario, Luigi, Yoshi, Peach, Bowser, DK, Toad, and Wario. ''Super'' used DK Jr. and Koopa Troopa instead of DK and Wario.[[/note]] and introduced Mirror Mode (known as "Extra" mode in this game).
* '''''VideoGame/MarioKartSuperCircuit''''' (UsefulNotes/GameBoyAdvance, 2001): Has 8 characters again and 20 new courses, 5 cups with 4 courses each. Went back to the Mode 7 flat courses due to the GBA's hardware limitations. It also includes all the courses from ''Super'' (reordered into 5 cups of 4), beginning the tradition of including a set of [[NostalgiaLevel retro courses]] to match the new ones. The only main installment developed by Creator/IntelligentSystems, the people that brought you ''VideoGame/PaperMario'' and ''VideoGame/FireEmblem''.
* '''''VideoGame/MarioKartDoubleDash''''' (UsefulNotes/NintendoGameCube, 2003): Features two characters per kart -- one driver, one "gunner", allowing the player to stock two items simultaneously and swap characters at will. It also returns to the standard 16 courses arranged in 4 cups, but does not include any retro courses (instead, it features a unique All-Cup Tour where racers go through all 16 existing tracks). The first game to allow players to pick their drivers and kart separately, as well as having the first unlockable characters for a total of 20 (one being [[DistaffCounterpart Toadette]], who makes her debut here), and character-specific "special" items. It's also rather famous for its pre-order bonus disc.
* '''''VideoGame/MarioKartDS''''' (UsefulNotes/NintendoDS, 2005): Has 12 characters with 3 karts apiece; and 32 courses -- 16 new courses and 16 returning. Also marks a landmark in Nintendo history as being the company's first foray into online multiplayer gaming.[[note]]At least internationally; the Japanese release of ''[[VideoGame/PokemonGoldAndSilver Pokémon Crystal]]'' had online battling as well.[[/note]] A special mode exclusive to this game, Mission Mode, has the player meeting special objectives in the tracks, including boss battles.
* '''''VideoGame/MarioKartWii''''' (UsefulNotes/{{Wii}}, 2008): Has 24 characters plus the player's UsefulNotes/{{Mii}} and, again, 32 courses in four new cups and four retro cups. It allows a massive 12 characters on the track at once, features a selection of motorbikes in addition to the usual karts, a "Wii Wheel" attachment for motion-control steering, and fully-featured online multiplayer.
* '''''VideoGame/MarioKart7''''' (UsefulNotes/Nintendo3DS, 2011): Has 16 characters plus your Mii and the now-standard 32 courses (16 old/16 new), but races are reduced back to 8 racers at once (likely due to the 3DS being unable to handle 12 players). Courses now include underwater racing and launch ramps for gliding through the air, and the player can fully customize their kart with individual selections of driver, chassis, wheels, and glider. Co-developed by Creator/RetroStudios (the people who brought you ''VideoGame/MetroidPrime'' and ''VideoGame/DonkeyKongCountryReturns''), and includes the same improved online features from ''Mario Kart Wii''.
* '''''VideoGame/MarioKart8''''' (UsefulNotes/WiiU, 2014): Has 36 characters including Miis and DLC. The base game also features the usual 32 courses in 8 cups, split evenly between old and new; but DLC adds 4 additional four-course cups (7 old courses, 9 new) for a total of 48 courses. The bikes and 12-character races from ''Wii'' and the gliding and underwater mechanics from ''7'' return, as well as introducing [=ATVs=] and a new anti-gravity mechanic. Features crossover characters Link from ''Franchise/TheLegendOfZelda'' and Isabelle and the Villager from ''Franchise/AnimalCrossing'' as DLC. 200cc is introduced as a fourth speed class, pushing the race to breakneck speeds. Toys/{{amiibo}} support is introduced, which unlocks cosmetic themed costumes for Miis — including Franchise/SonicTheHedgehog, VideoGame/{{Mega Man|Classic}}, and Pac-Man.[[/index]]
** '''''Mario Kart 8 Deluxe''''' (UsefulNotes/NintendoSwitch, 2017): An UpdatedRerelease of ''Mario Kart 8'', with the main feature being an improved Battle Mode after the original ''8''[='s=] was scaled back. ''Deluxe'' also includes all of ''8''[='s=] DLC on the game card, rebalancing of characters and karts, the ability to carry two items at once, a brand-new third level of mini-turbo boost, and an expanded roster of 42 characters including the Inklings from ''Franchise/{{Splatoon}}''. It later received its own DLC expansion in 2022-2023, featuring 48 more returning tracks (including all but one introduced in ''Tour'') thereby doubling the total track count to 96, as well as eight new characters for a roster of 50.

* '''''Mario Kart Arcade GP VR''''' (Arcade, 2017): A Virtual Reality-based release, using UsefulNotes/HTCVive headsets and controllers. There are only 4 playable characters,[[note]]Mario, Luigi, Peach, and Yoshi[[/note]] one for each arcade cabinet. Players race on a lengthy single-lap course, consisting of a variety of themes, such as Piranha Plant-infested grasslands, Bowser's Castle, and Peach's Castle.

** In the Japanese version of ''Super Mario Kart'', if placed 1st overall in the Mario Kart GP, Bowser and Peach ''actually drink the champagne'' (though it's clear that the latter is a [[JustForPun lightweight]] [[CantHoldHisLiquor in more than one sense of the word]]).

* TheComputerIsACheatingBastard: ''The'' crowning example of this trope. The cheating is ''so'' bad it has [[TheComputerIsACheatingBastard/MarioKart its own sub-page]].

* TheComputerIsACheatingBastard: ''The'' crowning example of this trope. The cheating is ''so'' bad...

* {{Feelies}}:
** ''Mario Kart Wii'' comes with one of the many plastic Wiimote accessories, the Wii Wheel. Of course, the game can be played just fine without it attached. That, and the game is compatible with other controllers such as the [=GameCube=] controller...
** ''Mario Kart 8'' came with a red Wii Wheel and a Mario themed Wii Remote controller if you pre-ordered the Mario Kart Wii U bundle.

** [[VideoGame/PacMan Pac-Man, Ms. Pac-Man and Blinky]] are playable in the arcade installments, as well as Mametchi the Franchise/{{Tamagotchi}} and Don Chan of ''VideoGame/TaikoNoTatsujin''. There are also cameos by other Bandai-Namco characters, like [[VideoGame/DigDug Pooka]].

** [[Franchise/SonicTheHedgehog Sonic]], [[Franchise/MegaMan Mega Man]], and Pac-Man themed costumes appear in ''8'' by scanning the appropriate amiibo.

* LikeADuckTakesToWater: Go-karts and bikes (as well as any sort of motorized land vehicles [[VideoGame/TheLegendofZeldaSpiritTracks except trains]], for that matter) don't even exist in [[VideoGame/TheLegendOfZelda Hyrule]], yet, Link apparently knows how to drive go-karts and motorcycles by the time he decides to race against the Mario characters (as well as [[Franchise/AnimalCrossing Isabelle and the Villager]]) within the game's Grand Prix. {{Lampshade}}d by his DLC tag line.

** Mii Outfit B in ''Wii'' is just a special costume for Miis to wear. It offers no benefits over Mii Outfit A. Similarly, amiibo figures can be used to unlock new racing suits for your Mii in ''8'' based on Mario, Luigi, Peach, Yoshi, Donkey Kong, [[Franchise/TheLegendOfZelda Link]], [[VideoGame/FZero Captain Falcon]], Franchise/{{Kirby}}, [[Franchise/{{Metroid}} Samus]], and [[Franchise/StarFox Fox]]. The second round of these costumes include Bowser, Rosalina, Toad, Wario, [[VideoGame/{{Pikmin}} Olimar]], [[Franchise/AnimalCrossing Villager]], Franchise/MegaMan, Franchise/{{Sonic|TheHedgehog}}, and VideoGame/PacMan.

* MsFanservice: Peach, Daisy and Rosalina have access to skin tight racing suits which shows off their figures (especially their hips) very nicely. Daisy and Rosalina also have the option to wear cute swimsuits in Mario Kart Tour and Pauline is this trope by default.

* TheSmurfettePrinciple: Peach is the only playable female character in the first three ''Mario Kart'' games. Averted from ''Double Dash'' onwards which introduced Daisy, Toadette and Birdo, with the former of the three never missing a single game ever since then. ''Wii'' also introduced Rosalina and Peach and Daisy's baby-selfs, ''7'' features [[VideoGame/SuperMarioGalaxy the Honey Queen]], ''8'' has Wendy O. Koopa, and ''Tour'' has Pauline and Dixie Kong.

* ThirdPersonSeductress: ''Wii'' introduced motorcycles to the series; equipping Peach (and her metallic variant), Daisy, Rosalina and Pauline with a bike causes them to wear a body-clinging suit instead of a frilly dress (which would be very impractical to wear on a bike). [[VideoGame/NewSuperMarioBrosUDeluxe Peachette]] is this as well, only that instead of wearing a suit, she uses a variation of her regular dress, having a shorter skirt and wearing a pair of high boots. The trope is especially prominent in ''8,'' where the female bikers begin each race standing up straddling the seat, waving their behinds toward the player before Lakitu begins the race countdown. The motorcycle suits also feature heavily in the promotional artwork for ''Wii'' and ''8''.

* ThirdPersonSeductress: ''Wii'' introduced motorcycles to the series; equipping Peach (and her metallic variant), Daisy and Rosalina with a bike causes them to wear a body-clinging suit instead of a frilly dress (which would be very impractical to wear on a bike). The trope is especially prominent in ''8,'' where the female bikers begin each race standing up straddling the seat, waving their behinds toward the player before Lakitu begins the race countdown. The motorcycle suits also feature heavily in the promotional artwork for ''Wii'' and ''8''.

** '''''Mario Kart 8 Deluxe''''' (UsefulNotes/NintendoSwitch, 2017): An UpdatedRerelease of ''Mario Kart 8'', with the main feature being an improved Battle Mode after the original ''8''[='s=] was scaled back. ''Deluxe'' also includes all of ''8''[='s=] DLC on the game card, rebalancing of characters and karts, the ability to carry two items at once, a brand-new third level of mini-turbo boost, and an expanded roster of 42 characters including the Inklings from ''Franchise/{{Splatoon}}''. It later received its own DLC expansion in 2022-2023, featuring 48 more returning tracks (including some introduced in ''Tour'') thereby doubling the total track count to 96, as well as eight new characters for a roster of 50.

* '''''VideoGame/MarioKartTour''''' ([[UsefulNotes/IOSGames iOS]] and {{UsefulNotes/Android|Games}}, 2019): A mobile entry in the series with simplified controls and [[LootBoxes gacha]] elements for acquiring characters and karts. Has 144 characters (as of March 9, 2022). It also features new tracks based on real-world locations like New York City, Tokyo, and Paris. It features "tours" which change in a biweekly basis, consisting numerous cups with three courses and a bonus challenge stage.

* AlwaysNight: Ghost Valley 1-3, Toad's Turnpike, Frappe Snowland, N64 and DS Wario Stadium (the latter does take place during the daytime in ''8'', however), Banshee Boardwalk, Boo Lake, Broken Pier, GCN Sherbet Land, Luigi's Mansion (both the track in ''DS'', ''7'' and ''Tour'' and battle arena in ''Double Dash!!''), Mushroom City, Wario Colosseum, Mario Kart Stadium, Moonview Highway, Music Park, Rosalina's Ice World, Twisted Mansion, the winter version of Animal Crossing, Rainbow Road from ''Double Dash!!'', ''8'''s remakes of the N64 and SNES Rainbow Road (which unlike other Rainbow Roads, all take place in the night sky of a city instead of space), New York Minute, Vancouver Velocity, Merry Mountain, Ninja Hideaway and Singapore Speedway.

** In ''8'', they're even smart enough to utilize the shortcuts on a track if they have a Mushroom on hand, and the Spiny Shell tactic from ''7'' has been expanded upon so that, if they're in 1st and you're nearby in 2nd, they will notice when another player has launched a Spiny Shhell, and ''[[SchmuckBait let you pass them]]'' until the Spiny Shell is close enough to decide on its target.

** By ''7'', the AI has learned to block items perfectly and even fire them ''backwards'' at the perfect time to hit you. The AI is even smart enough to use shortcuts when they have the item needed to reach them. Heck, on higher difficulties on ''7'', if a Blue Shell is homing in on them and you're not too far behind, they may even try to veer in front of you to take you out with them, a tactic commonly employed by ''human'' players.
** In ''8'', they're even smart enough to utilize the shortcuts on a track if they have a Mushroom on hand, and the blue shell tactic from ''7'' has been expanded upon so that, if they're in 1st and you're nearby in 2nd, they will notice when another player has launched a blue shell, and ''[[SchmuckBait let you pass them]]'' until the blue shell is close enough to decide on its target.

** The Blue Shell. It is always satisfying to deliver karma to the racer in first place, but you would have to be so far behind in the race to even get one that knocking out the first place racer will very rarely ever help the racer who threw the blue shell in any significant way.

** ''Wii'' is even worse. Rubber-banding in speed is still present, although less obvious, but the computer constantly gets the Blue Shell and can and ''will'' nail you with it. If not that, then expect Bob-ombs or Red Shells to screw you over, followed by getting ''railroaded'' by the other drivers as you try to recover, knocking your placing further down, especially if you're on a bridge or next to a hazard.

** The Super Horn from ''8'' qualifies. On the Difficult side, it has a very limited range, and requires good timing. On the Awesome side, it can destroy ''Blue Shells''.

** An odd case in which the North American localization of ''Wii'' had many vehicle names different from the already-released European localization (for instance, what is known as the Bowser Bike in British English is known as the Flame Runner in American English). The same goes for tracks (which is why you might find people who refer to DK Summit as DK's Snowboard Cross, and the battle stage Chain Chomp Wheel is known as Chain Chomp Roulette).

** Hits ''Super Mario Kart'', ''64'', and ''Super Circuit''. Items in particular behave much differently in these games (the Blue Shell in ''64'' can actually crash into walls and self-destruct like a Red Shell). Additionally in ''64'', the AI racers automatically obtained items, rather than having to drive through item boxes, and they only used Bananas, Fake Item Boxes, Boos, Stars, and Thunder against you.

*** Apart from the usual Castle track, Bowser also has Neo Bowser City (Koopa City in PAL versions of the game), though it can also be associated to Metal Mario.

** If you're in first place, you can avoid being struck by an incoming blue shell by letting the racer behind you take the lead, getting ''them'' blown up instead. As a result, it's not uncommon for two players competing neck-and-neck to panic and try to wrestle second place from each other before the blue shell arrives.

** Applies to every title in the series thus far except for ''Super Circuit'', ''Double Dash!!'', ''7'', and ''8''. [[note]] However, ''Super Circuit'' is "''Mario Kart Advance''" in Japan.[[/note]]

** ''Tour'' takes you to race tracks inspired from real world cities. Rather than Grand Prix mode from previous games, the game features "tours" which changes every two weeks.

** In every installment since ''Double Dash!!'', the course music goes up in both pitch and tempo. Prior installments and the arcade versions [[note]]which instead utilize truncated versions of their respective courses' music[[/note]] averted this, simply opting for a tempo increase.

'''''[[TropeCodifier The]]''''' MascotRacer.

Unlike more serious racing game series such as ''VideoGame/DaytonaUSA'', ''VideoGame/GranTurismo'', ''VideoGame/{{Forza}}'', or even ''VideoGame/NeedForSpeed'', ''Mario Kart'' isn't just about driving technique, but mixes things up with items that racers can obtain from item boxes, while the tracks themselves can have a significant number of obstacles and hazards such as enemies from the ''Franchise/SuperMarioBros'' series of games. This kicked off the subgenre of {{Mascot Racer}}s, as other companies have often imitated the concept with their own mascots to varying degrees of success.

** '''''Mario Kart 8 Deluxe''''' (UsefulNotes/NintendoSwitch, 2017): An UpdatedRerelease of ''Mario Kart 8'', with the main feature being an improved Battle Mode after the original ''8''[='s=] was scaled back. ''Deluxe'' also includes all of ''8''[='s=] DLC on the game card, rebalancing of characters and karts, the ability to carry two items at once, a brand-new third level of mini-turbo boost, and an expanded roster of 42 characters including the Inklings from ''Franchise/{{Splatoon}}''. It later received its own DLC expansion in 2022-2023, featuring 48 more returning tracks (including some introduced in ''Tour'') thereby doubling the total track count to 96, as well as several new characters.%%The placeholder question marks does not guarantee six new racers.

* MsFanservice: Peach, Daisy and Rosalina have access to skin tight racing suits which shows off their figures ( especially their hips) very nicely. Daisy and Rosalina also have the option to wear cute swimsuits in Mario Kart Tour and Pauline is this trope by default.

* '''''VideoGame/MarioKart8''''' (UsefulNotes/WiiU, 2014): Has 36 characters including Miis and DLC. The base game also features the usual 32 courses in 8 cups, split evenly between old and new; but DLC adds 4 additional four-course cups (7 old courses, 9 new) for a total of 48 courses. The bikes and 12-character races from ''Wii'' and the gliding and underwater mechanics from ''7'' return, as well as introducing [=ATVs=] and a new anti-gravity mechanic. Features crossover characters Link from ''Franchise/TheLegendOfZelda'' and Isabelle and the Villager from ''VideoGame/AnimalCrossing'' as DLC. 200cc is introduced as a fourth speed class, pushing the race to breakneck speeds. Toys/{{amiibo}} support is introduced, which unlocks cosmetic themed costumes for Miis — including Franchise/SonicTheHedgehog, VideoGame/{{Mega Man|Classic}}, and Pac-Man.[[/index]]
** '''''Mario Kart 8 Deluxe''''' (UsefulNotes/NintendoSwitch, 2017): An UpdatedRerelease of ''Mario Kart 8'', with the main feature being an improved Battle Mode after the original ''8''[='s=] was scaled back. ''Deluxe'' also includes all of ''8''[='s=] DLC on the game card, rebalancing of characters and karts, the ability to carry two items at once, a brand-new third level of mini-turbo boost, and an expanded roster of 42 characters including the Inklings from ''VideoGame/{{Splatoon}}''. It later received its own DLC expansion in 2022-2023, featuring 48 more returning tracks (including some introduced in ''Tour'') thereby doubling the total track count to 96, as well as several new characters.%%The placeholder question marks does not guarantee six new racers.

** Mii Outfit B in ''Wii'' is just a special costume for Miis to wear. It offers no benefits over Mii Outfit A. Similarly, amiibo figures can be used to unlock new racing suits for your Mii in ''8'' based on Mario, Luigi, Peach, Yoshi, Donkey Kong, [[Franchise/TheLegendOfZelda Link]], [[VideoGame/FZero Captain Falcon]], Franchise/{{Kirby}}, [[Franchise/{{Metroid}} Samus]], and [[Franchise/StarFox Fox]]. The second round of these costumes include Bowser, Rosalina, Toad, Wario, [[VideoGame/{{Pikmin}} Olimar]], [[VideoGame/AnimalCrossing Villager]], Franchise/MegaMan, Franchise/{{Sonic|TheHedgehog}}, and VideoGame/PacMan.

** ''8'' has [[Franchise/TheLegendOfZelda Link]], [[VideoGame/AnimalCrossing Villager and Isabelle]] as DLC.

** The Inkling Boy and Girl from ''VideoGame/{{Splatoon}}'' are racers in ''8 Deluxe''. A battle arena based on Urchin Underpass also appears.

** Meanwhile, ''DS'' offered [[VideoGame/RoboticOperatingBuddy R.O.B.]], and beginning in ''Wii'', you can play as your Mii. DLC for ''8'' adds more crossover characters; Link of ''Franchise/TheLegendOfZelda'' fame and a male and female Villager and Isabelle from ''VideoGame/AnimalCrossing''. ''8 Deluxe'' adds the Inklings from ''VideoGame/{{Splatoon}}''. ''Mario Kart'' is gradually evolving into the racing equivalent of ''VideoGame/SuperSmashBros'' with its inclusion of non-''Mario''-related Nintendo properties.

*** The VideoGame/AnimalCrossing track for the two Villagers and Isabelle.

* LikeADuckTakesToWater: Go-karts and bikes (as well as any sort of motorized land vehicles [[VideoGame/TheLegendofZeldaSpiritTracks except trains]], for that matter) don't even exist in [[VideoGame/TheLegendOfZelda Hyrule]], yet, Link apparently knows how to drive go-karts and motorcycles by the time he decides to race against the Mario characters (as well as [[VideoGame/AnimalCrossing Isabelle and the Villager]]) within the game's Grand Prix. {{Lampshade}}d by his DLC tag line.

** Mii Outfit B in ''Wii'' is just a special costume for Miis to wear. It offers no benefits over Mii Outfit A. Similarly, amiibo figures can be used to unlock new racing suits for your Mii in ''8'' based on Mario, Luigi, Peach, Yoshi, Donkey Kong, [[Franchise/TheLegendOfZelda Link]], [[VideoGame/FZero Captain Falcon]], VideoGame/{{Kirby}}, [[VideoGame/{{Metroid}} Samus]], and [[VideoGame/StarFox Fox]]. The second round of these costumes include Bowser, Rosalina, Toad, Wario, [[VideoGame/{{Pikmin}} Olimar]], [[VideoGame/AnimalCrossing Villager]], [[Franchise/MegaMan Mega Man]], [[Franchise/SonicTheHedgehog Sonic]], and [[VideoGame/PacMan Pac-Man]].

** VideoGame/RallyX, a [[VideoGame/DigDug Pooka]], and a {{VideoGame/Galaga}} flagship appear as special items for the Pac-Man characters in ''Arcade GP''.

** Petey Piranha in ''Double Dash!!'' He's a heavyweight character, but he's nowhere near as big as he was when he appeared in ''Super Mario Sunshine'' (or his guest appearance in ''[[VideoGame/SuperSmashBros Super Smash Bros. Brawl]]'', even). He is however the largest playable character in ''Double Dash!!''.

* MetropolisLevel: Most tracks in ''Tour'' are directly inspired by real-life cities and have you race through routes that follow real-life streets through the city centers, passing multiple notable landmarks on the way.

* CameraScrew:
** Almost never happens in the series, but one case of it occurs frequently in the Rock Rock Mountain track in ''7''. When you start to climb the hill before the finish line, the camera, which is always behind your kart, has to shift to a different angle so you can get a better view on what's ahead of you on the climb. The problem here is that the camera shifts a bit slowly and leaves you blind for a moment, which can screw you over if you can't see a banana peel or a boulder rolling down at you. This is avoided if you play in first person view.
** The camera can also be a bit uncooperative around walls in ''7'', mostly in battle mode.
** Occasionally, the camera will get stuck outside a fence lining the track in ''Double Dash!!'' — particularly prone to this are the Wario Colosseum and Rainbow Road tracks.

'''''[[TropeCodifier THE]]''''' MascotRacer.