History VideoGame / SuperMarioKart

** There are only a handful of racing environments and instead a single setting can host several track configurations. Later games set each course in its own unique environment (the only exception being ''Super Circuit'', which had four Bowser Castle courses). Additionally, all of the tracks except for Mario Circuit, Koopa Beach, and Rainbow Road were explicitly based off settings from Super Mario World, while later games were a bit more creative on tracks were set up.

** There are only a handful of racing environments and instead a single setting can host several track configurations. Later games set each course in its own unique environment (the only exception being ''Super Circuit'', which had four Bowser Castle courses).

** Both the Special Cup and 150cc mode have to be unlocked in this game. Furthermore, [[EasyModeMockery you have to play in 100cc mode]], and win all three cups to unlock the Special Cup. You also have to win the Special Cup in the same mode to unlock 150cc mode.

''Super Mario Kart'' (1992) is a DrivingGame for the UsefulNotes/SuperNES that started the ''VideoGame/MarioKart'' series and, with it, a whole slew of MascotRacer imitators.

* CrutchCharacter: While Koopa and Toad are perfect for beginners because of their good acceleration and traction, they CantCatchUp at higher levels because of their poor top speed and lightweight.

* ExclusiveEnemyEquipment: The [=AI=] versions of Bowser can throw out fireballs that can be difficult to avoid due to its circular movement pattern while Peach and Toad have Poison Mushrooms, which shrink the victim like Lightning Bolts. Yoshi can toss his signature Eggs, which acts like a Green Shell if ran into.

** There is no goal gate at the finish line. (''VideoGame/MarioKartWii'' and onwards start adding goal gates to Finish Lines to courses that come from this game, one example being Mario Circuit 3.

* UnwinnableByMistake: While item panels on the Battle Mode courses will refresh after they've all been used, there's an oversight on Course 3, which has two such panels in areas you need a feather to get to. Use all the other panels and don't have feathers? You're stuck.

[[caption-width-right:350:Think that the big red plumber has done everything he has the opportunity to do? Try putting four wheels, an engine, and an incomprehensible amount of cement on him.]]

* TheComputerIsACheatingBastard:

* JackOfAllStats: Mario and Luigi have middle-of-the-road acceleration, off-road performance, weight, and handling. Their top speed actually is better than Peach and Yoshi, but not as good as DK Jr. and Bowser.

* PalmtreePanic: Koopa Beach tracks actually lack palmtrees, but happens on a beach, implies to race on water, and deeper water sections are bottomless pits here.
* TheRival: Depending on who the player drives as, there will be certain characters that perform better and try their best to annoy the player. The rival will always be the same for each character, and that rival will do their best to not let you win. For example, pick Koopa Troopa and the CPU giving you the most trouble will be Luigi, but pick Luigi and Yoshi will suddenly give you the most grief, and so on.[[note]]The position of each character is always determined based on who you pick and your rival is always the racer in 1st or 2nd place, depending on whether you're 1st or 2nd on the leader board. Should your rival fall behind in the standings, whoever is next on the list will become the new rival. In the above image, if Luigi were to fall severely behind, then, assuming he doesn't fall behind in the same race as well, Yoshi would be the new rival.[[/note]]

* VideoGameLives: The only ''Mario Kart'' game alongside ''Super Circuit'' to use them. Rank in lower than 4th, and you lose a life. Lose all your lives, and it's GameOver, forcing you to start the cup over.

* FragileSpeedster: Peach and Yoshi are the racing game variant, having the best acceleration, but average weight and top speed. Unlike the following games, they are also as hard to control as heavyweighets.

* JackOfAllStats: Mario and Luigi, have middle-of-the-road acceleration, off-road performance, weight, and handling. Their top speed actually is better than Peach and Yoshi, but not as high as DK Jr. and Bowser.

* LightningBruiser: Donkey Kong Jr. and Bowser have the heaviest karts which are also slow to accelerate, however this is balanced by having the highest top speed in the game.

* MightyGlacier: Bowser and Donkey Kong Jr. are standard examples of the racing game variant of this trope. While their top speed is high, their slow acceleration and [[DifficultButAwesome poor handling]] make it tough for them to actually reach and maintain it. However, their heavy weight means they can smack lighter characters around the track.

* FragileSpeedster: Peach and Yoshi are the racing game variant, having the best acceleration, but an average top speed. Unlike the following games, they are also as hard to control as heavyweighets.

* CrutchCharacter: While Koopa and Toad are perfect for beginners because of their good acceleration and traction, they Can'tCatchUp at higher levels because of their poor top speed and lightweight.

* AstralFinale: Rainbow Road starts the series' tradition.

* CrutchCharacter: While Koopa and Toad are perfect for beginners because of their good acceleration and handling, they {{can't catch up}} at higher levels because of their poor top speed and lightweight.

* GreenHillZone: The four Mario Circuits.

* JackOfAllStats: Mario and Luigi, have middle-of-the-road acceleration, off-road performance, weight, and handling. Their top speed actually is slightly better than Peach and Yoshi, but not as high as DK Jr. and Bowser.

* TheRival: Depending on who the player drives as, there will be certain characters that perform better and try their best to annoy the player. The rival will always be the same for each character, and that rival will do their best to not let you win. As shown in the page picture above, pick Koopa Troopa and the CPU giving you the most trouble will be Luigi, but pick Luigi and Yoshi will suddenly give you the most grief, and so on.[[note]]The position of each character is always determined based on who you pick and your rival is always the racer in 1st or 2nd place, depending on whether you're 1st or 2nd on the leader board. Should your rival fall behind in the standings, whoever is next on the list will become the new rival. In the above image, if Luigi were to fall severely behind, then, assuming he doesn't fall behind in the same race as well, Yoshi would be the new rival.[[/note]]

* SlippySlideyIceWorld: The Vanilla Lake tracks.

* JackOfAllStats: Mario and Luigi have middle-of-the-road top speed, acceleration, off-road performance, weight, and handling.

* ContinuingIsPainful: Not only does losing a race (or opting for the "Give Up" option) require you to spend a life to replay the course, any position you entered the first attempt with is disregarded and you start at the back of the pack again.

** [=AI=] karts have special powers discussed above under TheComputerIsACheatingBastard, the deck is nowhere near as stacked against you if you're ahead, there's a coin-for-speed boost mechanic that wouldn't be touched upon again until Super Circuit and 7, and the Blue Shell didn't exist (which the European VC release trailer [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mLixS7ZNV_c mercilessly lampshades.]]) Also there are twenty tracks with five laps rather than sixteen tracks with three laps.

** There are only a handful of racing environments and instead a single setting can host several track configurations. Later games set each course in its own unique environment.

** Each race has 5 laps, which hasn't been used in future games that opted for a standard of 3 laps due to the first game having simpler track designs and shorter length. Each cup also had five races as opposed to four.

** There are only a handful of racing environments and instead each host several track configurations. Later games have unique settings for every track.

** Each race has 5 laps, which hasn't been used in future games that opted for 3 laps due to the first game having simpler track designs and shorter length. Each cup also had five races as opposed to four.