YT YouTube2Text

YouTube2Text → Transcripts → Every Mario Kart Course RANKED! - 156 Levels from Worst to Best

Every Mario Kart Course RANKED! - 156 Levels from Worst to Best — Transcript

by Square Eyed Jak · 29,783 words · 4,264 segments · language en · Watch on YouTube

Open in transcriber Summarize with AI Download SRT/VTT

Full transcript

0:02welcome to Mario
0:04[Music]
0:04[Applause]
0:15[Music]
0:28Kart the Mario Kart franchise has been
0:32burning rubber for over 30 years now and
0:35if that number makes you feel old then
0:37you're in the right place because we're
0:39all about the nostalgic gaming memories
0:41here and none are more fond than going
0:44around to a friend's house and jamming
0:46some Mario Kart throwing shells and
0:48bananas and using your cunning skills to
0:51take that top spot on the podium this
0:53franchise not only laid the foundation
0:55for party multiplayer gaming and the
0:57cart racing genre as we know it but but
1:00it has remained on top as the longest
1:02running and most successful in its field
1:05continuing to innovate with every new
1:08release so if I was to propose the
1:11question what is your favorite Mario
1:13Kart level out of the entire franchise
1:16well that's a pretty big ask because
1:19there are just so many great classic
1:22iconic or inspiring levels throughout
1:25this long series of games that it feels
1:29almost imp possible to think of a top
1:31100 let alone a top 50 or even a top 10
1:37but that's exactly what we're going to
1:39do today because we'll be ranking every
1:42single Mario Kart level let's
1:54[Music]
1:56begin now I'm a PlayStation kid so I
2:00actually didn't grow up with these games
2:01beyond what I played while staying over
2:03with friends and family so I spent the
2:05past few months casually making my way
2:07through all of the games every course
2:10revision and all of the booster packs
2:12for Mario Kart 8 Deluxe with a fresh
2:15unbiased set of eyes now as usual with
2:17these every level ranked videos we're
2:19focusing on unique courses any themes
2:23and layouts that we can lump in together
2:25to make things a little easier will be
2:27considered as a single spot on the list
2:30this includes retro courses that have
2:32appeared multiple times in later games
2:34we'll be taking those versions into
2:36account when ranking each level's design
2:38layout soundtrack and fun Factor now
2:41you're probably thinking that doesn't
2:43seem very fair on the older 2D locations
2:46but thankfully many of these have been
2:48Faithfully remastered over the years so
2:51everything can be judged on equal
2:53footing here regardless of the games
2:55that introduce them oh and I think this
2:58should go without saying but we're not
3:00going to be including any levels from
3:03Mario Kart home circuit because I mean
3:06one it's not a legitimate Mario Kart
3:08game and two well it just wouldn't be
3:11fair on all the other stages if I was to
3:13make my own course and give it the top
3:16spot I mean that is if the wheels don't
3:18get clogged up with dirt and dog hair in
3:20the process so following all of those
3:23guidelines taking into consideration the
3:26primary eight entries in the franchise
3:28as well as Mario Kart tour and the
3:30arcade games that brings us to a total
3:34of
3:35156 unique levels to rank which is quite
3:38the undertaking of course we're not
3:40including any battle arenas in the
3:42rankings however we will be looking to
3:45see which Rainbow Road and which
3:47Bowser's Castle stage claims the title
3:50of the best in their respective sets but
3:53thinking on this for a while now we need
3:56to start at the bottom but I can't
3:59recall anything actually bad ever coming
4:02from Mario Kart I mean sure there's
4:04plenty of generic mid-tier and syy sort
4:07of levels which trust me we will get to
4:09those but a course that is just
4:13legitimately
4:14awful well I can only think of one so
4:19let's kick off this ranking with the
4:22absolute worst Mario Kart course ever
4:28conceived
4:30[Music]
4:38yep it's Wario Stadium this level sucks
4:43it's too damn long it's ugly to look at
4:46nothing happens even Nintendo
4:49understands how crap this is because
4:51it's the only level from 64 which has
4:54never appeared in another game yeah if
4:57you want to play Wario Stadium then
4:59you're going to have to dust off your
5:00N64 and honestly why would you want to
5:04even professional Mario Kart fans don't
5:06want to play this Abomination so they
5:09aim to get it over with as quickly as
5:11possible I've never met a racer in all
5:14of my years who actually enjoys this map
5:17and if you are that one person then
5:20please out yourself with a comment so
5:22that I can make fun of you it's a shame
5:24because Stadium maps are often some of
5:26the most memorable in a lot of cases
5:29maybe I'm being a bit rough on it
5:31because this was the first of its kind
5:33but I can tell you right now there are
5:35plenty of other locations from this game
5:37earning high spots on the list so there
5:39are just no excuses for this one so
5:42congratulations Wario you've kicked mud
5:45in all of our faces and earn yourself
5:47the king pooper award for this crappy
5:50map just missing out on the bottom spot
5:53is vanilla Lake One and Two from the
5:56original Super Mario Kart now don't get
5:59me wrong these levels are loathsome
6:02possibly even more annoying than Wario
6:04Stadium but at least they're short but
6:08that still doesn't make up for the fact
6:09that they're hard to look at infuriating
6:12to navigate and simply never got any
6:14better over the years I know the
6:16graphics were limited back in the day
6:18but if you can have 3D pipes and other
6:21objects in the background as decoration
6:23then why can't these annoying ice cubes
6:26also be 3D instead they're just flat
6:29textures on the ground like everything
6:31else and next to impossible to see I
6:33hate these things but even in Mario Kart
6:36tour there still just as annoying as
6:39they bring your vehicle to a dead stop
6:41and all of this other 3D junk they've
6:43added in to try and fix these courses
6:45simply isn't enough in fact let me just
6:48make it clear right now tour has a lot
6:51of these remix variations on classic
6:54levels which in my honest opinion
6:56doesn't stay true to the original intent
6:59of of these Maps so I'm simply not going
7:02to be including these variations okay
7:05Rec call on that we're purest Mario Kart
7:08fans here and I think that every purest
7:11Mario Kart fan can appreciate Simplicity
7:13when it's done well which vanilla Lake
7:16fails at in every aspect now
7:19unfortunately for these next few circuit
7:21courses they're straight up too simple
7:24to leave any lasting impact so let's
7:27knock a few of these out in Rapid
7:29success shall we figure eight from the
7:31introductory mushroom cup in the DS game
7:34really undersells the otherwise profound
7:37impact that this entry had on the series
7:40I mean sure there is nothing technically
7:42wrong with it but this is just plain
7:45boring and more vanilla than vanilla
7:47Lake I mean even the most basic
7:50introductory courses still have some
7:52jumps or simple hazards on the track
7:55this one has nothing the same can be
7:58said for toad circuit on the 3DS I mean
8:01if you actually look at it this is
8:02essentially the exact same course just
8:05that now we've got a little extra corner
8:07to jump over and a boost ramp over the
8:09upper portion of the track out of all of
8:12the 3DS courses they could have added
8:14into eight via the booster pack why this
8:17one using the glider on a level like
8:20this just doesn't serve any purpose and
8:23now we have Mario circuit from the Wii
8:25game yet another track built exactly the
8:28same a basic figure eight but with a
8:31longer tunnel this time um the chain
8:33chomp in the middle of the course does
8:36add a little bit of interest but it
8:38still leaves much to be desired I mean
8:41what more can I say you're looking at it
8:43it's vapored and lifeless and if you've
8:47got Mario then not far behind is Luigi
8:50circuit this course is actually less
8:52interesting structurally but I'd argue
8:55that the shorter laps and the Big Boost
8:57pad hairpin drift on that last turn
8:59before the Finish Line at least make up
9:02for it a tiny bit I mean this is at
9:04least something to look forward to even
9:07if it is underwhelming it's basic
9:09overall but at least it doesn't outstay
9:11it's welcome up next in this
9:13Unforgettable race of forgettable Mario
9:15kart tracks is mushroom bridge now I
9:19don't know if I'm going to cop some
9:20Flack for this one being so low on the
9:22list I mean after all Double Dash holds
9:25a place in many people's hearts but I
9:27can honestly say this is one of the most
9:30boring levels that I've ever played out
9:33of any game unlike many others that
9:36include pedestrian drivers I find these
9:39other cars don't even become a factor in
9:41most races and while I do enjoy the big
9:44wigam mobile which isn't in the DS
9:47version by the way this is otherwise
9:49just another boring Loop there is that
9:52little shortcut over the hill but it
9:54doesn't even seem to give you much of an
9:56advantage I swear it's actually faster
9:58to to just stay on the main route it's
10:01disappointing and I'm sorry to the
10:03GameCube kids out there but Double Dash
10:06is entering early with two in a row
10:09Peach Beach is another one that I just
10:12can't get behind while at first the
10:14large Seaside area with the alternate
10:16route might seem like it adds some
10:18freedom and variety it only serves as a
10:20distraction from the main race and being
10:23that this area is so wide open there is
10:25very little contact with other drivers
10:28which is kind of the point of these
10:30games right you want to be in the mix
10:32knocking out other races but instead
10:34you're just bored off your ass this
10:37fountain at the finish line is also dumb
10:39and serves no purpose I mean if you're
10:42already behind and need an item then
10:44taking this path around is only going to
10:47hinder your final time I can't knock the
10:49music or the visuals but at most it's
10:52possible and overall just simply generic
10:56Daisy Hills from Seven only barely B
10:59scrapes by for offering a large set
11:01piece which is that Glide after you
11:03climb up through the hills it's actually
11:05quite pretty with all of the balloons
11:07and windmills but this is sadly a
11:10mediocre start to another game ripe with
11:13strong contenders the extra pathway down
11:16the side into a booster jump is kind of
11:18neat I suppose but that's about all
11:20that's here really it's unfortunate that
11:22so many of these early courses for each
11:24game are designed to introduce new
11:26players but in my opinion they actually
11:29end up turning away older ones with poor
11:32replay value every game has them and I
11:35understand why they're included but they
11:37do feel like Nintendo treating every
11:40player like children without the brain
11:42capacity required for pushing start on
11:44the damn title screen and ending off our
11:47bottom 10 let's shift Focus now over to
11:50the arcade scene with Mario's Beach car
11:53probably most well known as the attract
11:56level that is used to make you want to
11:57play it in the arcades appearing in all
11:59three versions jumping in for a race
12:02both of these courses are just a basic
12:04Loop but most of the tracks in these
12:06arcade games are like this in both the
12:09original and the sequels the beach cup
12:11was often home to some of the most
12:13vibrant visuals especially once the sun
12:15sets Over the Horizon and in Mario Kart
12:18arcade Deluxe an underwater section was
12:21also included in place of the tunnel but
12:23despite their liveliness they are
12:25without question the weakest courses to
12:27come out of the arcade TI which always
12:30makes me mad when people pick them to
12:32play I mean seriously I had to pay money
12:36out of pocket to play this thing the one
12:38time a year I'm in the vicinity of the
12:39arcade cabinet and you chose to play
12:42baby's first Mario Kart level a you
12:45little
12:46shits and there you have it folks the
12:49bottom 10 worst courses of the Mario
12:52Kart franchise most of these aren't
12:55necessarily bad per se but they are
12:58quite generic generic and forgettable in
13:00fact we've got quite a few levels like
13:02that to get through yet so we better get
13:04this show on the road so there's your
13:06last chance to go and grab some snacks
13:08for the trip ahead and please for God's
13:11sakes use the bathroom before we leave
13:14okay we're not stopping for anything on
13:17this 2hour road trip and the only thing
13:19I have is this empty plastic bottle so
13:22you've been warned now let's get into
13:24the
13:26video just avoiding the bottom tan we
13:29have the coopa beach courses on Super
13:31Nintendo man these were my favorite as a
13:33kid given that this was the first Mario
13:35Kart that I ever played hell I played
13:38this before I even knew what a Mario was
13:41but looking back there's some of the
13:42most basic of locations and wide open
13:45with very little happening much like
13:47Peach Beach that we saw a moment ago for
13:49the time though the presentation offers
13:51up some relaxing Vibes to break up the
13:53grueling chaos of other courses and did
13:56you know that all of the levels from the
13:58super Nintendo game also appeared as
14:00unlockable cups in super Circuit on the
14:03Game Boy Advance yeah I mean sure
14:06they're mostly just filler but I'd say
14:09that sums up this level pretty well mooo
14:12Farm is another filler track if you will
14:14while I enjoy the Deep Curves in the
14:16dirt to drift through and the mols
14:18popping up to greet us on the home
14:19stretch this is not a great level even
14:22for the time at first appeared and
14:24honestly I've got nothing more to say on
14:27this one so let's move up into the snowy
14:30mountains for DK pass now this level
14:33from the DS game makes me want to pass
14:35something through my
14:37bows okay it's not that bad I just find
14:40it quite underwhelming given that Donkey
14:42Kong maps and downhill mountain levels
14:44often steal the show but this one
14:47disappoints on every front farty frumpy
14:51music stock snow visuals and a downhill
14:54section completely void of well anything
14:58really I mean look at this it's boring
15:01and that sums it all up drifting through
15:03the turns in the uphill section is this
15:05level's only redeeming Factor but I'd
15:08rather just move on to the next course
15:10because unlike this level which is bad
15:12for being too safe excitebike arena is
15:16actually a lot of fun despite its
15:19Simplicity yes Mario Kart 8 entering the
15:22list kind of early on but I mean for the
15:25sheer volume of content it has to offer
15:27that's not a surprise
15:29anyway excite bike arena is actually one
15:31that I really enjoy playing constantly
15:34boost jumping off of dirt ramps bikes
15:36tearing through the mud and a great
15:38remix of a classic NES tune this
15:40wouldn't be the quality of Nintendo
15:42crossover that we'd come to expect with
15:44later inclusions but this is a great
15:47example of modernizing a retro Concept
15:50in fact with f99 tearing things up
15:53excitebike 99 could be another good one
15:56in the future there you go Nintendo free
15:59idea send me a check sadly though I
16:02can't place this level any higher given
16:04its incredibly basic layout and
16:06otherwise dull atmosphere there just
16:08isn't a lot going on in this one Beyond
16:10its name sake and once you realize that
16:13it should be clear why it's being
16:15eliminated so early all right let's do
16:17another round of knocking out some
16:19generic circuits starting off with Mario
16:21circuit as seen in Double Dash and the
16:24wi retro section of course not to be
16:27confused with iio circuit on the Wii
16:30that I've already talked about oh see
16:32that's why we're getting all of these
16:34out of the way so early on because
16:36they're all just as interchangeable as
16:37the next this one does however stand out
16:40just a little bit more than the others
16:42for me given it's got some more pleasant
16:44turns all throughout the track and
16:46doesn't resort to the overused figure8
16:49design but that's about all that I can
16:52give it credit for another double
16:54knockout for Double Dash This Time It's
16:56Luigi circuit honestly ly the only
16:59reason this track wasn't included in the
17:02bottom 10 is that it's one of the very
17:04few examples of a course where you have
17:07the potential to cross over with other
17:09drivers the main straightaway overlaps
17:12in the middle which can sometimes
17:14provide some funny moments but I find
17:16that they're quite rare and the overall
17:18course is just too wide to allow for
17:21much interesting gameplay elsewhere I
17:23mean what's the point of creating a
17:25potential crossover point when the odds
17:27of direct Conta Tor just so limited and
17:30trumping Luigi circuit is Luigi circuit
17:34for God's sake super Circuit makes its
17:37first official entry into the rankings
17:39with this rainy air strip filled with
17:41snaking turns and mud puddles that spin
17:43your cart out for Game Boy Advance I
17:46must say that the faux three-dimensional
17:48rain effect makes for an impressive
17:50Visual and layout wise I think that I
17:53would actually choose this over some of
17:55the other generic circuit courses
17:57present here as this feels like a more
18:00skill-based event and playing it in 3D
18:03definitely confirms this despite system
18:05limitations it attempted to throw a
18:07curveball at the generic theme of the
18:09franchise but still sadly doesn't have
18:13much more to offer us now in similar
18:15vein I've decided to group together both
18:18Peach and Mario circuits from this game
18:21as they're incredibly similar to play
18:23near identical thematically and even
18:25their 3D counterparts are virtually
18:27interchangeable
18:28but Mario circuit's inclusion in eight
18:31is what has solidified this spot on the
18:33list given that it adds just a little
18:35bit more interest with the anti-gravity
18:38hair pin giving the level some height
18:40and it feels much nicer to cut Corners
18:42here otherwise it's standard path of the
18:45course stuff but they do get the job
18:47done and as a result both of these areas
18:51together have had a combined appearance
18:53across five different games both of them
18:56originate from super Circuit on GBA
18:59Peach circuit appears in the DS title
19:01which was the first to reintroduce us to
19:03some of our old favorites Mario circuit
19:06in both eight and eight Deluxe which yes
19:09we're counting them as separate entries
19:11and finally Peach once again returning
19:14in tour which begs the question that if
19:17a level that is still this low on the
19:19list can appear through half of the
19:21franchise's history then which level has
19:25made the most appearances out of them
19:27all well you're just going to have to
19:29stay tuned to find out I can tell you
19:32one thing though it's definitely not
19:34going to be Frapp a snowland this is
19:37just another boring course with very
19:39limited options in terms of shortcuts
19:41and opportunities to overtake your
19:43opponents it features no major landmarks
19:46and perhaps one decent jump so this one
19:50is a winter write off that I never look
19:52forward to seeing so let's get out of
19:55this snow and head on over to Yoshi
19:57desert which does very little to improve
19:59on quality in fact I'll warn you that
20:02Mario Kart in my opinion doesn't do too
20:05well in the desert department and spun
20:08its wheels in the sand on more than one
20:10occasion I do love the Yoshi Sphinx in
20:13the background and the Oasis stands out
20:15as a pretty visual but otherwise this is
20:18just your run-of-the-mill sand trap
20:20another good example of this is dry dry
20:23desert this one has more potential but
20:26its areas feel disconnected from one
20:28another as no obstacle really feeds into
20:30the next you've got the opening drifts
20:33which then you turn a corner into a
20:35giant sinkhole you got some Junes to hop
20:38over in this super wide area a key floor
20:40in many of double Dash's locations that
20:43we've seen so far and then a boring
20:45straightaway to the Finish Line it's not
20:48the worst but it leaves a lot to be
20:50desired I guess Mario Kart 8 introduced
20:53the water section towards the end but
20:55that unfortunately doesn't change a
20:56whole lot for me as I always groan
20:59whenever I have to play this track they
21:01should have called it dull dull desert
21:03if I'm being completely honest I'd
21:06actually argue in fact that Desert Hills
21:08from DS has slightly more to offer
21:11thematically they're virtually identical
21:13but the layout on this one flows better
21:15with some large June Hops and deep
21:18winding valleys of which if you're
21:20equipped with some mushrooms you can
21:22boost yourself up and over to gain a
21:24serious advantage over the competition
21:26which is a neat little trick
21:28but each replay of this one Chips away
21:31at its overall value and had more ideas
21:34from the games been incorporated into
21:36either of these then I'd probably have a
21:39little more praise to offer from the
21:41scorching heat back to the blistering
21:43cold snowland from super Circuit fares
21:46just a little better as a super short
21:49map similar to the many Mario's and
21:51Luigi's raceways but the big slippery
21:54frozen lake is actually quite enjoyable
21:57this time around in the GBA version I
21:59find this level to be kind of
22:01infuriating personally but its tour and
22:05Mario Kart 8 counterparts definitely
22:07show that it's not the worst level ever
22:10it's mostly just here to Pat out a Grand
22:12Prix which is fine I guess I mean this
22:16level is sort of a standard that we
22:19expect through a majority of these
22:21rankings which is actually a little odd
22:23to me given that this franchise has
22:26proven capable of so much greater things
22:29and I really felt that when I played
22:31water park for the very first time man
22:34this game is gorgeous let me just start
22:37off with that it looks so nice
22:39especially any levels that have water in
22:42them I could honestly drink it slurp it
22:44all up but aside from the basic
22:47anti-grav Loop section the rest of this
22:49place doesn't feel very inspired which
22:51for the eth game in a long running
22:53series you might expect that but I also
22:57expect this game to be burning on all
22:59cylinders to deliver Banger after Banger
23:02which it does do this just obviously
23:05isn't one of them Luigi Raceway is up
23:09next and this was the very first site we
23:12ever got of Mario Kart in 3D which at
23:15the time was a groundbreaking concept
23:18with swooping turns and tunnels this
23:21felt like a legitimate race course and
23:23with fans in attendance watching on the
23:25big screen made this one such a big deal
23:28deal of course looking back on it now
23:30there isn't a lot to really see here
23:32though I still managed to squeeze some
23:34fun out of it from time to time it's a
23:36nice track but like many of its
23:38counterparts best remembered and not so
23:41much replayed I feel the same about
23:44sweet sweet Canyon thinking back to my
23:47first time playing number eight I really
23:49enjoyed this one but coming back to it
23:51over the years the plate looks a little
23:54empty this Canyon begins with a huge
23:57launch above Above This fantastic Lake
23:59area and into a long drift which then
24:02splits the track leading up and under
24:04over and around the yellow Fountain is
24:07something else though I thank God we're
24:10not in a snow level I love the
24:12gingerbread man in the stands and all of
24:14the snacky visuals but that final Corner
24:17man the amount of times that I get cut
24:19off from a victory here is astounding
24:22even when I attempt to make it myself my
24:25broke ass Mario Kart skills start to CR
24:28through but regardless I just find this
24:30one to be lacking on the layout side for
24:33a theme that has the potential to go
24:35above the normal limits from one sugary
24:38snack to another we've got Sky High
24:40Sunday from T which is now a nice little
24:43addition to eight Deluxe on the switch
24:45despite being a basic Circle this one
24:48actually has a little more going on with
24:50some much bigger jumps amusing Corners
24:52to drift and it's disgustingly sickly
24:55visuals I mean oh my God just look at
24:58these side by side the pristine and
25:01refined Mario Kart 8 and the blocky
25:04plastic looking tour design man no
25:06wonder people's teeth fell out over the
25:08jarring visual differences for many of
25:10the tracks featured in the booster pack
25:13this level is okay but there were much
25:15better short form courses swinging back
25:18over to the arcade titles again one of
25:21them is the DK cup the first track DK
25:24jungle is merely a basic Loop similar to
25:27baby Park an excite bike but this is
25:30eight laps of intense racing let me tell
25:33you opening up to the surrounding banana
25:35ruins as the rain begins to pour down
25:38adds a lot more visual interest and
25:41while it doesn't exactly scream Donkey
25:43Kong I can't deny the incredible bouncy
25:53[Music]
25:56soundtrack
26:02however while this cup was originally
26:04owned by Donkey Kong for the first two
26:06arcade entries he would sadly hand the
26:09title over to donchan of the tauno taten
26:13rhythm game
26:14franchise yeah these arcade titles were
26:17handed by Namco hence the inclusion of
26:19Pac-Man and some other Namco properties
26:22while still the same basic courses I
26:25actually find it really refreshing to
26:26see another crossover stylized course
26:29especially one outside of Nintendo's
26:32General reach visually and audibly I
26:35much prefer this version as it's
26:37something fresh for the franchise it's
26:39actually a crime that they're just basic
26:41reskins of levels that do still manage
26:44to be fun but are ultimately nothing
26:47more than a basic Loop and from one
26:50basic Loop to probably the most iconic
26:52and noteworthy of the franchise it's
26:55baby Park time this seven lap special is
26:58pure uncontested chaos at its finest
27:02with items flying everywhere races on a
27:04variety of different laps at any given
27:06time and with that bubbly psychotic
27:09music playing this is an insane time
27:12especially in multiplayer and people
27:14love it right I mean so far it's the
27:17only Standalone level that has appeared
27:20up to five times throughout the years
27:22but for as entertaining and fruity as
27:25this one might be there is no denying
27:28that this is a weak course presentation
27:30and everything else is up to par and the
27:32game play is what sells this one but I
27:35feel that the game play is only the way
27:37it is because of an
27:40otherwise stupid and lazy design there I
27:44said it this is stupid sure it's the
27:47best kind of stupid I mean I always have
27:50fun with it but in good conscience I
27:52can't place it any higher than this I'm
27:54sorry as despite the hectic pleasure
27:57that it can offer the novelty wears off
28:00very quickly with every additional
28:06[Music]
28:09replay moooo moving on to moooo Meadows
28:12now this simple yet memorable we course
28:16offers a basic cross-country circuit
28:18through Fields covered in Annoying cows
28:20and this large patchy area with a fun
28:22jump towards the end obviously the
28:25visual Clarity and remastered Graphics
28:27of the version which appears in 8 blows
28:29the original out of the water and also
28:31offers an extra jump on the side
28:34definitely the superior of the two Farm
28:36courses in the series but I still don't
28:39think that this theme really had that
28:41much to offer to begin with next up we
28:44have a level that actually really
28:46disappointed me while I'm glad to see
28:48Yoshi's Island get some representation
28:50with its friendly enemy designs great
28:52music and even its very own special
28:55little details exclusive to this course
28:58I find that the track drastically
29:01underperforms I mean nothing really sets
29:03this one apart from a lot of the other
29:05middle of the- pack tracks that we're
29:07seeing now which is not something that I
29:10should be saying for one of the
29:12franchise's most adventurous titles I do
29:15like the cloud section and if you or
29:17another racer is able to trigger the
29:19bonus pathway towards the Finish Line
29:21then there is some interactive elements
29:23not too common in many other levels but
29:26the biggest m opportunity here is the
29:29visuals if there was ever a time to
29:32break out the colorful crayon drawn
29:34Graphics this was it we can't use
29:37technical limitations as an excuse here
29:39as we're on the switch and even then
29:42some tool levels have more detailed
29:44visuals than this so without that
29:46distinct Yoshi's Island style then
29:50what's the point and as a result this
29:53level loses some really crucial points
29:55for me because I should could be gushing
29:58over a Mario Kart course in this theme
30:01it's a damn shame I mean otherwise it's
30:04fine I'm just upset because I expected
30:07much better when I first sat down to
30:09play this one and one of the reasons
30:12that I expected better is because the
30:14Yoshi Park cup from Grand Prix 2
30:17featured some of these coloring book
30:18items on the map look at this it's like
30:21writing through a popup book and I think
30:23it's super cute it's nice and colorful
30:26plenty of set PES as well I wish I could
30:28just slow down and take everything in
30:31and unlike other arcade Loops this track
30:34is a straight course that teleports you
30:36back to the start meaning that there is
30:38less technical driving and more of a
30:40Reliance on the use of your items to win
30:43hence it can be a bit boring to play
30:46because of that but yeah it's crazy to
30:49me that the arcade games were able to
30:51represent Yoshi's Island better than
30:53Mario Kart 8 which is supposed to be the
30:56penot ultimate MK
30:58experience sadly this course layout
31:01would be handed over to toad in GP
31:03Deluxe and swapped over to the more
31:05generic Mushroom Kingdom theming with
31:08the pipes and the grassy Hills but we do
31:11still have a brief popup book section in
31:13there so while the overall theme may be
31:16gone it's not
31:18forgotten it's really interesting seeing
31:20how some of these arcade levels compare
31:23to what most people would consider to be
31:25the the truer EX example of a Mario Kart
31:28game um but as we continue on now if
31:31you're enjoying the video then maybe
31:33consider subscribing and sharing with a
31:35friend as that really helps me to grow
31:37this Channel and keep on top of bigger
31:39projects like this one because trust me
31:42when I say splitting hairs over which
31:44generic track is better than the next is
31:47no easy
31:49feat so let's keep doing just that and
31:52knock out a few more basic entry level
31:54Maps cheap cheap Lagoon or cheap cheap
31:57Cape as it's known in some regions is
31:59your simple yet satisfying water circuit
32:02diving down under to steal from clams
32:04and then rising out into quite a pretty
32:06cave area I really like this you've got
32:09the main path back down into the water
32:11or the side track which lets you get a
32:13boost past the stalic tights on the
32:15ceiling this one is just simply nice
32:19even if there is little that I can do to
32:21articulate it another cheap cheap level
32:24now this time it's Island from super
32:26Circuit along with alternative Shy Guy
32:28Beach are a revision on the classic
32:30Beach maps from the Super Nintendo days
32:33generally going for the same athetic but
32:35with more going on in the background
32:37including pirate ships and some Big
32:39Fellas jumping out of the water along
32:41with the additional Boardwalk sections
32:43are a nice touch it's just a shame that
32:45these different elements don't play into
32:47the actual structure of the level more
32:50by providing us with unique hazards
32:52these are standard setting tracks from
32:54what you might at first glance consider
32:56to be one of of the weaker entries but
32:59in fact super Circuit is one of the most
33:01enjoyable and Ultra replayable games in
33:04this series to this day I still take it
33:08out with me and play from time to time
33:10while waiting for the train the
33:11Simplicity the Retro throwback and the
33:14sweet Tunes are a big seller for me so
33:17if you haven't actually given this one a
33:19fair chance in the past well you
33:21probably should as there are still
33:23plenty of quality courses still to come
33:25from this game you know Mario Raceway
33:28from 64 is actually a pretty neat track
33:31as it features a few decent Corners
33:33straightaways with jumps off to the side
33:35and I also enjoy the large pipe tunnel
33:38it's just as generic as the rest yet I
33:41don't know this one speaks to me a lot
33:43more than most others within its genre I
33:46feel like especially playing on the Wii
33:48if you're using motion controls and the
33:50Wii wheel it's a great map to practice
33:52on and on that note it's actually higher
33:55on the list than the we own original
33:58circuit Maps which is pretty funny to me
34:01Mario circuit from DS feels like a nice
34:04Evolution on this with a more
34:05interesting layout while still including
34:07features such as the pipe tunnel and the
34:10dusty piranha plant infested Gardens
34:12from Double Dash but it also features
34:14this Forest setting towards the back
34:16which is a nice visual change of pace
34:18from everything else and also some nasty
34:20hair pins to liven up the otherwise
34:22child-friendly layout with some more
34:25skill-based challenge being introduced
34:27finally it was fun on the DS it's great
34:30to play on the switch actually and
34:32definitely a good entry point to the
34:34middle section of the rankings taking a
34:36look at many of the tracks which may not
34:39blow your mind away but definitely do
34:41help to build up that impressive
34:43Foundation which has kept the series so
34:46strong over all these years I remember
34:48the first time I saw Mario Kart Stadium
34:51advertised when eight was due for
34:53release on the Wii U and just being so
34:55excited like a little kid even though I
34:58didn't even have the system it doesn't
35:00matter if it's the basic beginners
35:02course so what it's still really
35:05enjoyable and sold the anti-gravity
35:07gimmick quite well while looking
35:09absolutely stunning in the process I
35:12mean just to see how far these games
35:14have grown visually over the years and
35:16how despite all of the advances and
35:18missteps we make as a society that we
35:21still always have the Carefree pastime
35:24of Mario Kart to fall back on this is is
35:26a level that is good on its own but best
35:29in my opinion as a feeling you know that
35:33feeling that you can only get from
35:34drifting with plumber boy and storming
35:37across the Finish Line after a hotly
35:39contested race Daisy circuit from Wii is
35:42another great example of that feeling
35:44that you only get with cart races the
35:46cartoony visuals vibrant music and a
35:48solid course Design This one is on the
35:51streets cutting Corners up over curbs
35:53back alleys into hidden boost ramps and
35:56I love the tunnel section they weren't
35:58lying when they said that it was
35:59dangerous in here those green shells man
36:02they're the bane of my existence the
36:04coastal Sunset as the road swirls into
36:07some large drifts back around the
36:09Lighthouse Point and along the main
36:10shoreside area makes for an integral
36:13location to gain your advantage or lose
36:15the race entirely I wasn't expecting to
36:18see this one added in to number eight
36:20but it's a welcome addition for sure
36:23especially with those extra boost pads
36:24on that Lighthouse turn which light up
36:27the asphalt even more with some
36:29blistering speed also featured in the
36:31Wii game as a retro course from the
36:33classic N64 title is sherbet land an
36:37improvement over frappe snowland with a
36:39more interesting design circling the
36:41frozen lake with Great Walls of ice and
36:44chilly caves to drift through it can be
36:46a bit wide open in some areas for my
36:48liking leaving it feeling a little bit
36:50dead but it's still a more cheerful time
36:52with that nice song and all of the
36:54little no noot sliding around I don't
36:57know what it is about lap two though but
36:59it always has me sinking in the drink
37:02I'm like the Titanic just try to keep me
37:04out of the water another 64 classic is
37:07choco mountain with its poop emoji
37:09tunnel and gnarly Corners this map isn't
37:12much to look at in my opinion and that
37:14song is really annoying but
37:16gameplay-wise it stands out for the
37:19hazards you encounter you've got the
37:20boulder Avalanche collapsing down onto
37:23you of course but then there is also the
37:25darly corners with steep slippery edges
37:28and if you're unlucky to get hit with an
37:30item or misjudge your turn it can send
37:33you plummeting right back down below
37:35costing you or an unlucky opponent the
37:38entire race on the final turn but if you
37:41manage to hit it just right then your
37:43reward is some big booster jumps into
37:46the finish line so as a genuine fan of
37:49these finer finicky details I actually
37:52despise the remaster I am not happy that
37:56they took the challenge out of this
37:57corner with a huge barrier it's a real
38:00shame if you ask me like I understand it
38:03for tour which doesn't have traditional
38:05controls but in tour you're also
38:08completely ignoring the original intent
38:10for this level anyway so for number
38:12eight why on Earth would you cut the
38:15balls off of this good level similarly
38:18Sunset Wilds was also butchered in the
38:20remakes if you're unfamiliar the Game
38:23Boy Advance original was a Sprint
38:24through Monument Valley and while this
38:26is a pretty stock standard track it's
38:29the visuals that impressed me the most
38:31the first time I played it over the
38:33course of three laps we see the sun
38:35slowly set and then blossom into a
38:37sparkling night sky that detail alone
38:41really helped this to stand out as there
38:43aren't many courses I could name that do
38:45anything similar to this unfortunately
38:48though in my shorttime playing tour I
38:50learned that we only get two phases of
38:52the sunset due to the shorter lap count
38:55so imagine my despair when I played this
38:57in Deluxe and there was no sunset in
39:01Sunset Wilds now Nintendo might fix this
39:05at some point but as it stands at the
39:07time of making this video Mario Kart 8
39:10on the switch is eating the dust of its
39:1316bit
39:15grandfather how embarrassing if you're
39:18not going to treat it with respect then
39:20just leave it alone on the other hand a
39:23level that does get the nighttime Vibes
39:25right is Shy Guy Bazaar set in a desert
39:28Town Marketplace curving around Market
39:31stalls jumping up on top for an
39:33advantage and the like it's a good time
39:35and with some good turns and simple yet
39:38effective Alleyways to discover I wish
39:40this level lasted a bit longer it's a
39:42very brief circuit sadly but for what it
39:45is the foundations of a great level are
39:47here it just doesn't fully deliver
39:50unfortunately especially seeing how well
39:52tour would deliver on many of its real
39:54world inspired City courses leaves me
39:57feeling like a lot more could have been
39:59achieved here to elevate this experience
40:01Beyond a missed opportunity for a Super
40:04Nintendo course choco Island 1 and 2 are
40:08actually a lot of fun just the right
40:10amount of swooping turns the mod is
40:12joyous to Splash through and the game
40:14has both speed boosts and the feather
40:16item to make navigation a little bit
40:18easier DS brought this theme into 3D and
40:21showed that it's still just as fun as
40:23ever while T actually made some further
40:26improvements with the additional dirt
40:28ramps which is good to see still not the
40:31best SN level but you might be surprised
40:34that some have even made it this far
40:37seriously man these are good levels the
40:39original game is still a pleasure all
40:41these years later and the constant
40:43remasters throughout the years prove
40:45that Nintendo struck gold with the
40:47original cart racer back in
40:501992 here we have another Middle Ground
40:53what is there to say about it kind of
40:55level in merry Mountain a Christmas
40:58theme stage irrelevant and out of place
41:0111 months out of the year and
41:03Overexposed to NAIA the other month it
41:06does offer a fun Mountain climb taking
41:08either the track or the beaten up
41:10Railway climbing the snow to a wicked
41:12halfpipe before zooming back down the
41:15hill to the Finish is a celebration this
41:18one just doesn't really stand out Beyond
41:20it just being a nice novelty to see
41:23Mario Kart take on this theme both
41:25visually with the warm lighting and with
41:27that pretty song to match it I mean just
41:30have a
41:32[Music]
41:51[Applause]
41:54listen all right let's knock out out
41:56another arcade course as I mentioned
41:59earlier the collaboration with Namco led
42:01to some of their characters being
42:02playable in these games none more famous
42:05than Pac-Man who got his own two levels
42:08now this is really neat I mean firstly
42:11Pac-Man should have been in more Mario
42:13Karts he's just the perfect fit but
42:16while this level is more involved than
42:18some others with bigger turns and
42:20tunnels and whatnot it doesn't really
42:23look like Pac-Man does it well not to me
42:26it doesn't I'm sure this is set in the
42:29Pac-Man World Games universe but it
42:31doesn't exactly Scream the iconic
42:34imagery that you'd expect thankfully the
42:36alternate track is split into two
42:38different areas with the second part
42:40seeing you War into the classic tunnels
42:42with ghosts and whatnot in the
42:44background but it's still kind of lame
42:48I'm not going to lie it almost looks
42:50like this was an afterthought which for
42:52at the time was a huge debut for the
42:55Mario Kart franchise simply doesn't
42:58deliver as it should have for
43:05me Cloud top cruise from eight is in my
43:09opinion mostly remembered for its Galaxy
43:11inspired music rather than its less
43:14inspired visuals I mean honestly this is
43:17just a poor man's Sky Garden while I do
43:20enjoy the Thunder tunnel and you get
43:22that electric guitar kicking on the
43:24soundtrack that's the course done and
43:26finished all but for a risky yet sneaky
43:29skip past that final Corner I'd
43:31forgotten that this level even included
43:33any floating airships as it's such an
43:36underutilized feature despite being one
43:38of Mario's most iconic throughout the
43:40years we should be launching through the
43:42sky jumping from one ship to the next
43:45and avoiding cannon fire not just
43:47slipping around on an old beant stalk
43:50I'm sorry if you're a fan of this one I
43:52can see why some people would enjoy it
43:54but this just doesn't do it for me the
43:57perfect example of what I'm talking
43:59about and some tracks that do this just
44:01right is Bowser Junior's cup from Grand
44:04Prix Deluxe see look at this it's got
44:07plenty of airships cloudy transitions
44:10cannons firing everywhere and we even
44:12get down to the nitty-gritty interior
44:14workings of the structures it looks
44:17great has a solid soundtrack and is
44:19definitely one of the more noteworthy
44:21courses to come out of this game so why
44:24isn't it higher up on the
44:27well sadly this cup was adapted from the
44:30Waluigi cup from the previous arcade
44:32game while the theming is totally
44:35different these course layouts are
44:37virtually identical so I'm afraid that
44:40I'm going to have to write this off as a
44:42remaster and not its own unique level as
44:46a result the less than inspired stadium
44:49theming with next to no interesting
44:51obstacles or landmarks really holds this
44:53one back which is a damn shame if you
44:55ask me if Nintendo weren't so scared of
44:58progress then we could have seen both
45:00aerial Road and sky Arena combined into
45:04one to create a really fun memorable and
45:07truly unique level in eight or possibly
45:10even tour but sadly without that this
45:13potential is forever trapped as an
45:16arcade
45:20exclusive from one pure exclusive to the
45:24next this time it's par plant pipeline
45:27which is the only remaining level from T
45:31not to be ported over into Mario Kart 8
45:34honestly I'm pretty shocked by that must
45:37be some poor Las ditch effort to get
45:39people to download the game just to try
45:42it and see what they're missing out on
45:43or more likely it's just to avoid
45:46confusion with some other much more
45:48impressive stages but regardless of this
45:51level being exclusive to a mobile game
45:53with a constantly rotating availability
45:56on all of its levels I fear that one day
45:59this entry could end up being lost media
46:02but thankfully you can find mods which
46:05put the map into eight if you really
46:06wanted to try it out however I'm not
46:09going to take that into consideration
46:11while ranking this one anyway as for the
46:14level itself you can probably see it
46:16looks pretty basic the entire thing
46:18takes place through the tubes which
46:20should make for some decent drifting
46:22akin to I don't know sewer Speedway from
46:24Crash team racing but yeah I wouldn't
46:28trust the touchscreen controls to
46:30deliver that feeling and as a result
46:32it's just an uneventful map otherwise
46:35it's got a nice split section and the
46:37bright visuals to compensate but
46:39otherwise piranha plant pipeline is
46:42pretty passable in fact now that I'm
46:45seeing it I'm actually kind of glad that
46:47this one was excluded from the booster
46:49pack oh we're making serious grounds
46:52towards the top 100 now so in class
46:55classic Jack fashion let's knock out a
46:58few more fan favorites before we get
47:00there Yoshi Falls is honestly a really
47:03entertaining Loop the decision of taking
47:06the higher ground for safety or gaining
47:08an advantage on the lower level for
47:10items and speed boosts is quite
47:11thrilling the reason that this very
47:13simple one has made it up a lot higher
47:16than the likes of baby Park is simply
47:18for that strategy alone and the risk
47:20versus reward on what is otherwise just
47:23another beginner track but but I do wish
47:26that Yoshi Falls went beyond the three
47:28laap standard maybe up to five just to
47:31increase the chances for more chaotic
47:33moments another one which screams
47:36unrealized potential to me mushroom
47:38gorge on the other hand feels like it's
47:40ripe with chaotic moments when you're
47:42bouncing on those damn mushrooms but
47:44beyond that I can't see why people love
47:47this one so much maybe it's childhood
47:49Nostalgia I don't know I mean don't get
47:51me wrong it's a fine level but nothing
47:54really all that special in the grand
47:56scheme of things and the decision to
47:58have a split in the path that actually
48:00takes longer than the more obvious route
48:02for very little reward gives me Peach
48:05Beach Vibes it's a good track a standard
48:09Setter but not much else beyond that and
48:12just as I referenced Double Dash next up
48:15is Daisy Cruiser another memorable
48:17iconic level just missing out on a top
48:20100 position it's a great concept for a
48:23level theme but execution wise is better
48:26in some other games I mean it checks
48:29everything off of the list from the top
48:31deck with the pool the lower Boiler Room
48:33section but the only actually good set
48:36piece is the dining room with all of the
48:38tables and chairs swaying around on the
48:40tide oh when you launch up out from the
48:43lowest floor Daisy Cruiser accidentally
48:45turns into Daisy upskirt I think that
48:48later revisions did the best that they
48:50could by incorporating a new split in
48:52the path and allowing you to actually
48:54enter the pool thanks to the submarine
48:56mechanics but there is just still too
48:59many dull points on this map where not a
49:02lot can or will ever happen which for
49:05such a short one should always have some
49:07action happening on screen another
49:09GameCube level this time it's the
49:12exclusive known as Mushroom City which
49:14attempts something a little bit
49:16different starting up on the freeway and
49:18working your way below to the downtown
49:20streets we're spoiled for Choice when it
49:22comes to different routes to take I
49:24really like this you've actually got a
49:26bit of Freedom here and there are plenty
49:28of little shortcuts and secrets to take
49:30advantage of the downside however is
49:32that races are more often separated
49:34which results in less action once again
49:37either you're driving empty roads
49:39completely alone or you'll getting
49:41bombarded by every cart all at once when
49:44they meet up again I think the downtown
49:46section would have made for a much more
49:48appropriate battle arena than anything
49:50else but even then I'm afraid that the
49:53experimental aspects of this one just
49:55can't help to hide that there isn't much
49:57else to see here in my opinion Mushroom
50:00City was ahead of its time because when
50:03you look at the different city Sprints
50:05that we got from Tua and the way that
50:06they all Loop into each other and
50:08explore different routes across three
50:10laps show cases that they were on to
50:13something with this back in the day but
50:15failing to bank on that Concept in the
50:17original leaves it in the dust of its
50:20successes contrary to that however Neo
50:23bows a city or just B leag Cooper City
50:26in power regions has too much going on
50:29for my liking look I'll start off with
50:32this theme wise I really like this level
50:35the techn futuristic city the layout of
50:38the course in theory provides a lot of
50:40Challenge and requires technical skill
50:42and ability But ultimately what this
50:44level comes down to for me is
50:47frustration and difficulty for all of
50:49the wrong reasons debuting in Mario Kart
50:527 on 3DS it just feels slippery and I
50:56think it's the rain I think the wet Road
50:59actually makes you slip and slide all
51:01over the place which might be able to
51:04work I mean that works fine for all of
51:06the ice levels so why doesn't it make
51:08sense here because this layout is
51:11already tough enough without the
51:13addition of obscure cart controls I just
51:16can't get the hang of it even when I
51:18select easier characters with more
51:20turning based stats it still doesn't
51:22help this triple hair pin in the middle
51:24is something that I'd feel more
51:26comfortable tackling in Crash team
51:28racing with its Advanced drifting
51:30controls not Mario Kart and the big
51:33boost before the Finish Line has the
51:36potential to your position in
51:37the race thankfully this was revised in
51:40eight and it no longer seems to be as
51:42slippery either thank God so I can see
51:45now what the appeal is but even then
51:48this is still a very tough level to get
51:50the hang of one that I don't think gels
51:53with Mario Kart's controls super work
51:55well but hey if you can Master this one
51:58then you'll be unstoppable in online
52:00races that's for sure both of these City
52:03courses tried something different but
52:05ultimately got a little lost in their
52:07own Concepts so stripping this concept
52:10back to its foundation reveals that
52:12Toad's Turnpike despite its basic figure
52:15rate structure can provide just as much
52:18fun and at a balanced difficulty your
52:21main opponent here is the oncoming
52:23traffic as well as just dragging on a a
52:25bit long if you're playing the original
52:27but in 8 thanks to Decades of evolution
52:30turnpike now offers a lot of variety
52:32allowing for wall rides navigating the
52:35traffic more precisely or hell just
52:37using the traffic to your advantage it's
52:40a very solid map a template if you will
52:43which has since been referenced
52:44countless times throughout the years I
52:47guess this one is lacking mostly due to
52:49the theme being kind of generic and not
52:51very Mario or even Mario adjacent it's
52:55strengths lie in competitive racing
52:57which wasn't fully realized until the
52:59remaster in8 creating quite a wide Gap
53:03in quality over the
53:05[Music]
53:08years for number 102 we've got Paris
53:12prominade the first on a strong list of
53:15City courses in this race around the
53:17world the real world for a change as
53:19opposed to the Mario Universe which
53:22often crosses over into the real world I
53:25don't know just just blame it all on
53:27time travel I suppose if you're
53:29unfamiliar in order to inflate the
53:31amount of content for the mobile game
53:33many levels from tour would feature
53:35multiple variants remixes and reverse
53:38races which in Mario Kart 8 have all
53:40been condensed down into a single track
53:43to create some truly unique scenes while
53:46this may be the first to get ported over
53:48and the first appearing in the rankings
53:50that doesn't make it the lowest in terms
53:52of inventive Concepts there are alterate
53:55routes here shortcuts to take if you've
53:57got a hold of the right items and for
53:59the final lap everything Loops back onto
54:02itself and into oncoming traffic The
54:04Monuments and set pieces aside this is a
54:07well-made track but I can see why
54:09Nintendo opted for this level to be the
54:11introduction of this new idea that the
54:14tour levels introduced as it really
54:16sells this concept without overstepping
54:19any
54:21expectations woo all right time for our
54:24very first Rainbow Road of the rankings
54:28it's going to be difficult to pick a
54:29number one out of these but out of nine
54:32possible entries the first and most
54:34obvious choice to appear is the rainbow
54:37coaster part one and two from the arcade
54:39titles offering the toughest challenge
54:41in these games by far with twisting
54:44bends and long downhill segments I've
54:46decided to play as Mimi from the
54:48Tamagotchi franchise for this one as
54:51unlike Pac-Man there were no special
54:53cups designs speci specifically for them
54:56so they get rainbow road all to
54:58themselves and these are just so lovable
55:01and cute I'm disappointed they were
55:03removed from the most current arcade
55:05titles so you can't really play these
55:07ones anymore without emulation or an old
55:11physical release and good luck with that
55:13it's a shame because visually they're
55:16striking like all of these tracks and
55:18the level music is like no other Rainbow
55:21Road just check it
55:24out
55:25[Music]
55:38it's gorgeous I absolutely love that
55:40this might not be the most famous
55:42rainbow road but it's definitely still a
55:44great time at number 101 and I feel like
55:48the perfect way to end off this leg of
55:51the
55:52race and that my friends brings us to
55:55the top 100 Mario Kart levels let me
55:58know with a comment down below if any of
56:00your picks have already been eliminated
56:02in the early stages of this video I do
56:04think it's worth noting though that
56:06compared to some of the other every
56:08level ranked videos that I've completed
56:10in the past where we'd still be in the
56:12absolute drags of mediocrity at this
56:14point Mario Kart on the other hand is
56:17already beginning to deliver us some
56:19very memorable courses that have stood
56:21the test of time but which of these
56:24levels will be number
56:35[Music]
56:36100 and now a quick message from today's
56:40sponsor patreon if you like what you see
56:43here on the channel it's all thanks to
56:45the support of our incredible community
56:47over on patreon by pledging you are
56:49directly helping me to keep content
56:51flowing and you'll also unlock rewards
56:53from regular up updates about the
56:55channel Early Access to new videos as
56:57well as some patreon exclusive content
57:00with every new upload patreon is the
57:03only place to see me building Mario Kart
57:05sets playing fortnite baking cookies and
57:08a whole lot more so link is in the
57:11description cheers
57:21guys on to another longdistance grand
57:24pre this time we're scaling the gorgeous
57:27woohoo Island in mk7 on the 3DS now this
57:30is cool I like this inclusion for all of
57:33the fun I had racing around in the we
57:35fit games and exploring the island on
57:37foot and on segue nothing beats a cart
57:40race around the stunning Vistas and
57:42hillsides we've got two versions I'm
57:44grouping together here the island loop
57:46around the outside of the map Crossing
57:48that iconic Bridge the lighthouse and
57:50through woohoo town then the climb up
57:53through to the top of ma woohoo Rocky
57:55Peak at Sunset is also a welcome
57:57alternative that is capped off greatly
57:59by a tremendous glide back down to the
58:01Beachside area out of these two courses
58:04I find the former to feature the most
58:06interesting gameplay with more optional
58:08routes and some darly shortcuts for the
58:10win it comes across a little generic
58:13maybe but I can appreciate Nintendo
58:15incorporating more of their history into
58:17the franchise sherbet land is much like
58:21all of the other ice courses we've
58:22previously seen and doesn't do a lot to
58:24really set itself apart from the crowd
58:26so I had planned to place this one a bit
58:28lower but thankfully in number eight
58:30it's been given a Fresh coat of paint
58:32and a clearer identity no longer does
58:35falling down the ice sink your cart
58:37instead giving you a second chance to
58:39race underwater and recover it can lead
58:41to new shortcuts that weren't available
58:43previously and while there may still be
58:46a few much better executed snow scenes
58:48from the franchise we've definitely come
58:50a long way since this garbage next up
58:54we've got a decent recent and memorable
58:55little circuit level which is Mario
58:57circuit on the 3DS thanks to one key
59:00feature we've seen how many of these
59:03types of levels over the years and this
59:05is the first to actually make use of
59:07Princess Peach's castle and incorporates
59:09it into the tracks design even just for
59:12a simple upward Helix turn boosting out
59:15into a field of pipes then riding the
59:17walls and getting air out the other side
59:19I can still appreciate that they're
59:21trying to get as much as they can out of
59:23this setting uh it's a simple one with a
59:25theme that I'm sick of talking about at
59:27this point but I think this level is
59:30pretty solid and I can't recall a bad
59:32race that I've had on it with my time
59:34playing now this is a level that was new
59:37to me playing through the franchise in
59:39preparation for this video I never had a
59:41DS system growing up so I'd never played
59:44the original and while I have spent some
59:46time with Mario Kart Wii and its prime
59:48I'm sure I must have played this at some
59:50point but I simply had no recollection
59:53of this track and so to my surprise
59:55Delino Square delivers a compact
59:58combative spectacle through tight
1:00:00winding streets while the Greystone
1:00:02walls don't exactly depict the bright
1:00:04and colorful imagery of sunshine that
1:00:06I'm familiar with layout wise this makes
1:00:09for an interesting drag race Alleyways
1:00:12split it's got 90° turns and Wide Open
1:00:15Spaces to help make your move I
1:00:17absolutely love this shortcut jumping
1:00:19across the river towards the pier even
1:00:22if I am completely at it it's
1:00:24creative and a must learn if you want to
1:00:26play competitively and then there is me
1:00:29totally blind to what this level has to
1:00:31offer thinking I'm being cunning and Sly
1:00:33by taking a different shortcut only to
1:00:36get stuck in the damn mud God I am an
1:00:39idiot Beyond exposing my mediocre skills
1:00:43at these games delphino square is really
1:00:45solid and a track that I definitely
1:00:47won't be forgetting anytime soon all
1:00:51right time for another desert course man
1:00:53we haven't had one of these for a while
1:00:55now so let's get Dusty in dry dry ruins
1:00:59as you can see some familiar set pieces
1:01:01now fully realized in three dimensions
1:01:03and for once we have a scorcher of a
1:01:06level with things actually happening fun
1:01:08drifting turns makes shift jumps for
1:01:11extra boosts Temple interiors and half
1:01:13pipes all of the makings of a
1:01:15longlasting forever replayable course I
1:01:18don't have a lot more to say on this one
1:01:20other than the fact that I'm just really
1:01:22happy to see a strong entry for this
1:01:24theme and thankfully it's not the last
1:01:26one either it took some trial and error
1:01:28but they finally figured out this whole
1:01:30desert thing in similar fashion bone dry
1:01:33Junes ticks a lot of the same boxes
1:01:36tightening its Corners even further and
1:01:38extending beyond the dusty PLS up onto
1:01:41the desolate remains of some giant
1:01:43creature into a big Glide towards the
1:01:45Finish there's lots of nice visuals too
1:01:48such as the Airship surfing on the waves
1:01:50of sand truly iconic now personally I
1:01:53find this one can be somewhat
1:01:55challenging due to the strictor Turning
1:01:57but it's still very much an enjoyable
1:01:59time and a level which is fun at both
1:02:01casual and competitive levels of play
1:02:04but it's not over complicated either it
1:02:06almost feels like a throwback to a
1:02:08simpler time within the
1:02:11franchise hang on what's that
1:02:17noise uh-oh get ready for some serious
1:02:22hell because it's finally time to talk
1:02:24about Bowser's Castle yeah you want to
1:02:27talk about difficult turns and
1:02:29competitive challenge then look no
1:02:31further than the original source of
1:02:33childhood nightmares I've seen some
1:02:35discourse recently about the poorly
1:02:37thought out structure of these raceways
1:02:39specifically Bowser Castle 2 having a
1:02:41dead end which leads into a lava pit
1:02:44awful Square turns and shortcuts that
1:02:46don't naturally flow with the rest of
1:02:48the level and yeah I get it it's tough
1:02:52even with the right items to combat
1:02:54these hazards timing is still brutal and
1:02:56to be completely honest I can't recall
1:02:59that I've ever done it
1:03:01successfully but it's not all that bad
1:03:05both Castle 1 and three are iconic and
1:03:08while still a considerable leaping
1:03:09challenge compared to everything else in
1:03:11the game offer a nerve-wracking race
1:03:13through a fortress of freaking insane
1:03:16carding action but still for the longest
1:03:19time these levels were hindered by the
1:03:21fact that they only appeared in the 2D
1:03:24to titles of the series which in many
1:03:26fans Minds seem to deem them as inferior
1:03:29or just too difficult to play and I
1:03:32would agree on that point in fact I'd
1:03:35originally planned for this overall set
1:03:38of tracks to appear closer to around the
1:03:40130 Mark until the third map was
1:03:44remastered in 3D for tour and later
1:03:46added into eight Deluxe on the switch
1:03:49finally we can see after 30 odd years
1:03:52the potential this otherwise simple
1:03:54looking map now had to offer with an
1:03:57interesting warp design to its
1:03:59architecture actual physical structure
1:04:01with clear AB borders and most
1:04:03importantly clean refined control this
1:04:07has proven the original Bowser's Castle
1:04:10worthy of the top 100 and while still
1:04:13the very first Bowser level to be
1:04:15eliminated from the series a strong
1:04:18introduction to one of the most
1:04:19memorable and key Mario Kart themes and
1:04:23finally realized ing its full potential
1:04:25saved itself from a much harsher ranking
1:04:28seriously if you haven't tried this one
1:04:30yet then you need to get on it because
1:04:32it's frantic you've got jumps and
1:04:34obstacles everywhere climbing up that
1:04:37big wall as a thrill and then you've got
1:04:38this section with all these high up
1:04:40Ledges which don't really serve much
1:04:43purpose but they're just so funky I love
1:04:45it and oh my God that badass song remix
1:04:50one for the
1:04:53ages
1:04:56[Music]
1:04:56[Applause]
1:05:00y
1:05:05[Music]
1:05:23wow
1:05:32[Music]
1:05:34shifting gears now let's shred up
1:05:37another tour level this time it's the
1:05:38Royal Raceway known as London Loop this
1:05:42jaunt through the winding streets of
1:05:43Westminster pass big Benjamin and
1:05:45through double-decker traffic across
1:05:47tower bridge and through St james' park
1:05:50there are so many references to
1:05:51historical landmarks here even the
1:05:54British standard for dental work is
1:05:56represented with a race that takes us
1:05:58all across the city in another decent
1:06:00Street course but again this is one of
1:06:03the weaker of the tour set in my opinion
1:06:07uh it it has more going on the Paris
1:06:09prominade with its more diverse layout
1:06:11and set pieces but sadly feels more like
1:06:13a scripted tourism advertisement than a
1:06:16well- constructed marioart level it does
1:06:19get the job done but it's far from the
1:06:21king of cart racing heading down below
1:06:24the loop is another loop in super Bell
1:06:26Subway this is a neat Evolution on some
1:06:29of the other Maps which feature traffic
1:06:31trapping us in a claustrophobic tunnel
1:06:33with a large train and sharing the
1:06:35tracks with all of the other drivers in
1:06:37hot competition it's not much to look at
1:06:39but the abundance of alternative roads
1:06:41high or low helped to make each lap feel
1:06:44Dynamic and unique more of a technical
1:06:47course but one less memorable than
1:06:49others I would say a good level in
1:06:51passing but never one that I opt into
1:06:53play playing personally in at number 91
1:06:57we've got Yoshi Valley from 64 an
1:06:59interesting map like no other spoiled
1:07:02for choice but which path is the
1:07:04quickest you're just going to have to
1:07:06experiment and find out it's cool I like
1:07:10it though looking at how the original
1:07:11plays today I am less impressed than
1:07:14when I first saw the level years ago
1:07:16thankfully the remastering 8 does the
1:07:18job much better thanks to cleaner
1:07:20presentation but as a result lacks the
1:07:23lacks the ominous feeling I guess I
1:07:25enjoy not being shown the position of
1:07:27each racer in the original whereas it
1:07:29creates a constant sense of urgency even
1:07:32in first place as you can't be sure on
1:07:34which drivers are close behind you but
1:07:37now you can clearly see your standing
1:07:38and the HD graphics give it a lot more
1:07:40structure but also lead it to feel a bit
1:07:43more generic I guess still though as a
1:07:46retro Restoration in 8 it's still a
1:07:48solid addition to the lineup and as for
1:07:50its appearance in tour getting to play
1:07:53the track in reverse was like a whole
1:07:55new map entirely it really invigorated
1:07:58it with some new life and speaking of
1:08:01Mario Kart 8 we've got another Rainbow
1:08:04Road getting knocked out kind of early
1:08:08to be completely honest with all of you
1:08:10I don't know if I'm going to be backed
1:08:12up or completely alone on this take but
1:08:15I find this Rainbow Road particularly
1:08:18underwhelming now to be clear yes this
1:08:21is still a wellth thought out track with
1:08:23memorable pieces and the challenge you
1:08:25expect from a course in this theme but
1:08:27despite all of that I find it generally
1:08:30comes across as a little tired instead
1:08:33of the actual rainbow track it takes
1:08:36place on a group of space stations and
1:08:38satellites but unfortunately moving
1:08:40between them is sometimes automated a
1:08:43big detractor from many great rainbow
1:08:45roads unfortunately plus the anti-grav
1:08:48gimmick feels needlessly thrown in for
1:08:50the sake of it rather than a thought out
1:08:52feature which also strips a lot of the
1:08:55challenge and spectacle away I just
1:08:57simply don't get excited to play it and
1:08:59I'm sure that many will disagree with
1:09:01that but I think there are countless
1:09:03better options and hopefully when the
1:09:05day comes we finally get Mario Kart 9 I
1:09:08just hope that Nintendo won't just
1:09:10squiggle a bunch of Roads together for
1:09:12the sake of having something
1:09:14purposefully complicated that's my
1:09:16biggest gripe with this one is that it
1:09:18just doesn't flow like these levels
1:09:20should for 89 we've got another damn
1:09:23circuit level but this time it's Mario
1:09:26circuit 8 and this one hits different
1:09:29the infinity symbol is appropriate for
1:09:31this one because I could race this thing
1:09:33forever a large figure eight that Turns
1:09:36Upside Down onto itself granting you an
1:09:38anti-gravity course like no other in a
1:09:41simple yet very creative way this is a
1:09:44defining track of the franchise hence
1:09:47why it was on the cover of Mario Kart 8
1:09:49when it first released given The
1:09:50Branding for these games the anti-grab
1:09:53and the under whelming reception to this
1:09:55game's Rainbow Road I'd have actually
1:09:57loved to have seen this map as the
1:09:59Rainbow Road for eight because well as
1:10:02we'll learn later on in the video the
1:10:04simpler rainbow roads are often the
1:10:06strongest and in this case not even that
1:10:09iconic imagery can defeat Simplicity
1:10:12executed to a record standard I feel
1:10:15like in any other cart racing game this
1:10:17level would potentially place up even
1:10:20higher in the rankings but because it's
1:10:22Mario Kart that discussing we've still
1:10:25got a lot of Great Courses left to race
1:10:27yet one of them is the GBA classic
1:10:30Riverside Park and Lakeside Park filled
1:10:33with side winding jungle turns water
1:10:35hazards and at times even a volcano
1:10:38erupting I think the most memorable
1:10:40thing about either of these tracks is
1:10:42that damn turn on Lakeside where if you
1:10:44drift too wide you'll accidentally slip
1:10:46over the barrier and miss the big
1:10:48booster jump forcing you to have to
1:10:50complete the corner again it's a damn
1:10:53beginning trap hell I know that it's
1:10:56there and I still have to double check
1:10:57myself on every lap it's odd that they
1:11:00opted for the less interesting of the
1:11:01two for a remaster but I do still enjoy
1:11:04seeing this one in HD ending with
1:11:06another upward Helix and out through a
1:11:09waterfall of the Finish Line back on the
1:11:11N64 one of the most memorable tracks was
1:11:14calamari desert a simple course in the
1:11:16game's opening cup but one that stands
1:11:18out for a single reason the train
1:11:21halting traffic causing drivers to get
1:11:24displaced and gain huge advantages or
1:11:26fall behind to a point that it's
1:11:28impossible to Break Free the difficulty
1:11:30from this one purely stems from the
1:11:32forced segregation of the drivers which
1:11:35I'm sure for most isn't exactly a fun
1:11:38concept as the game's got faster over
1:11:40the years the train became less of an
1:11:42issue thanks to additional jumps and
1:11:44shortcuts and even in its most recent
1:11:46State sending players head first down
1:11:49the tracks themselves I love this
1:11:51version of calamari the most and it's
1:11:53nice to see some of our classic faves
1:11:55evolve to find fresh life in the newer
1:11:58games with a bigger focus on the player
1:12:00experience as it should be but in doing
1:12:03so it's that double-edged sword costing
1:12:06it of the core feature to to some extent
1:12:09not all of
1:12:15it evolve is exactly what Nintendo did
1:12:19for Bowser's Castle in super Circuit
1:12:21taking everything that made the Super
1:12:23NES castles both tough and Lively the
1:12:26GBA shifted this theme into overdrive
1:12:29with more chaotic turns swamps
1:12:31everywhere and plenty of deadly jumps
1:12:34being 2D it can still be difficult at
1:12:36times to Define edges as you boost your
1:12:38way down the tight straightaways but
1:12:40thankfully these levels were shown a
1:12:42little more appreciation and reappeared
1:12:45multiple times playing this set all
1:12:47leveled up makes these hot tracks feel
1:12:49even hotter but I don't want to
1:12:52discredit The Originals as strong in
1:12:54their own right thanks to the tighter
1:12:56controls and better flow in super
1:12:58Circuit out of all four of these
1:13:00variations I find four to be the most
1:13:03satisfying to master but even though
1:13:05these are all collectively more solid
1:13:07overall I do wish we could have seen
1:13:10more detail added in to their remasters
1:13:13so while this group of levels may be
1:13:15superior to the Super Nintendo castles
1:13:18Bowser Castle 3 is still the best one so
1:13:22far onto a simpler concept now another
1:13:26Beach course cheap cheap beach from
1:13:28Mario Kart DS is a marriage of all the
1:13:30previous iterations of this type thanks
1:13:33to the giant rock formations sand bars
1:13:35out over the water some jungle to spice
1:13:38things up and those Huts along the
1:13:39wooden boardwalks but also for the first
1:13:42time ever in the remaster we can dive
1:13:44down below to take the fastest route
1:13:46possible to the finish line and tighten
1:13:49up the competition this one might be a
1:13:51little bit Elementary but it's simply
1:13:53gorgeous to visit and always a nice
1:13:56change of pace we're creeping up quickly
1:13:58on the halfway mark now and while I'm a
1:14:01little upset that some of these next
1:14:02tracks missed out on being you know in
1:14:05the above average section of the video
1:14:07there is no denying that all of these
1:14:09are still highly beloved courses Cooper
1:14:12Cape as seen in Wii s tour and Eight's
1:14:15Deluxe Booster Pack DLC we've got a tall
1:14:18mountain range that climbs up into a
1:14:20halfpipe turn directly into a FL River
1:14:24Drive with that current to gain some
1:14:25extra speed and watch for some tricky
1:14:27Corners before diving deep under into a
1:14:30submerged tunnel below sea level this is
1:14:32a great Landmark for a level experienced
1:14:35at its best in the original Wii version
1:14:38I feel as this version is actually a
1:14:40tubular tunnel whereas later revisions
1:14:43would incorporate the submarine water
1:14:45physics and then anti-gravity as the
1:14:47track is now totally exposed to the
1:14:50elements I feel like this detail misses
1:14:52the brief on what's fun about this track
1:14:55in the first place it's Unique for this
1:14:57feature so I'm sad that they've messed
1:14:59it up in recent attempts still a great
1:15:02one though providing some good Fair
1:15:04Challenge and plenty of opportunities to
1:15:06be a little bastard with your
1:15:13friends boo it's Luigi time baby Luigi's
1:15:17Mansion is the perfect setting for a
1:15:19Mario Kart track as there has always
1:15:20been a creepy presence in the franchise
1:15:23funnily enough though the Mansion is
1:15:25maybe the least interesting part for me
1:15:28as much as I enjoy the downward spiral
1:15:30we're back out into the gardens before
1:15:32you know it being confronted by
1:15:33possessed trees slipping around in the
1:15:36muddy back roads and throwing out
1:15:37whatever you've got as a last it effort
1:15:39to maintain your lead before hitting the
1:15:41Finish Line that's fine but I thought
1:15:44the entire point of Luigi's Mansion is
1:15:47exploring the Mansion so why do we get
1:15:49to see such a limited amount here I mean
1:15:52this could have been a multi-level
1:15:54Madness of stairways attacking other
1:15:57players and haunted bedrooms and while
1:15:59it is still an all right uh you know
1:16:01spooky sort of level there is no denying
1:16:04that it is one of the weakest in this
1:16:06genre of course it's hard to top such a
1:16:09strong original and the Ghost Valley
1:16:11levels from the original cart racer are
1:16:13still some of my favorites after all
1:16:15these years I remember being a kid and
1:16:17seeing these for the first time and
1:16:19being genuinely terrified of the tonal
1:16:22shift from the happy bouncy 16-bit
1:16:24graphics and music to the cold and dark
1:16:28gloomy Racecourse accompanied by that
1:16:30nefarious soundtrack it's scary man
1:16:34there's ghosts I suck at these too even
1:16:37as an adult I just never got good at
1:16:39hitting some of these turns I must admit
1:16:41that I find the atmosphere a little lost
1:16:44in the Wii remake it just doesn't hit
1:16:46the same for me especially with the
1:16:48tighter controls losing some of that
1:16:50intimidation Factor thankfully bench
1:16:53Boardwalk from 64 took this theme and
1:16:55introduced it to 3D quite Faithfully
1:16:58though the walkways are a little more
1:16:59forgiving this time around the booze
1:17:02however no they're much more of a
1:17:04problem if you're holding on to an item
1:17:06you'd better watch out because they love
1:17:08to steal them and I love the additional
1:17:10burnt out building left abandoned and
1:17:13graffitied with arrows to help you try
1:17:15and navigate the awkward turns I
1:17:17personally like this one a lot
1:17:19especially by the standards of the N64
1:17:22on DS it was a little less impressive
1:17:24given the sheer volume of strong course
1:17:26as that game debuted but I still enjoy
1:17:28it for what it has to offer though and
1:17:30I'm probably the minority on that one
1:17:33let me know in the comment below
1:17:35thankfully there is plenty more where
1:17:36that came from on the Game Boy advanced
1:17:38with boo Lake and broken Pier two more
1:17:42classic spooky maps with more Dar ofly
1:17:44shortcuts to make and tight turns with
1:17:46those Breakaway wall segments I enjoy
1:17:49the originals but find the 3D
1:17:51improvements to be a much more faithful
1:17:53Recreation of this classic theme
1:17:55especially dipping underwater for an icy
1:17:58swim it's morid down here with the moonl
1:18:01reflecting off the water's surface and
1:18:03only a shallow hint of warm light to
1:18:05reassure you the originals are great the
1:18:08remasters are much better man I cannot
1:18:11get enough of this classic theme
1:18:13elevated to this level we're definitely
1:18:15starting to see the bar getting raised
1:18:17now as we continue on to number 79 Peach
1:18:21Gardens coming back to normality a bit
1:18:24here the bright and vibrant Springtime
1:18:26course through the chain chomp infested
1:18:28hedge maze past flower beds and
1:18:30alongside the castle much like Mario
1:18:33circuit on the 3DS this one is just a
1:18:35more appealing revision on the classic
1:18:37Castle circuits that were all too
1:18:39familiar with and the risk versus reward
1:18:41of runaway Chomps holding on to items at
1:18:44crucial points in the race makes for a
1:18:46ton of different ways to tackle this
1:18:48level do you try to avoid the Chomps or
1:18:50take them head on try for an eye item or
1:18:53just focus on gaining a boost on The
1:18:55Wider sections of the track sure it's
1:18:57nothing crazy but it doesn't need to be
1:19:00all it needs is maybe a fraction of
1:19:02extra Challenge and this would have
1:19:04placed higher up the variation we get
1:19:07from taking the track in reverse and
1:19:08then flying up above the Hedge maze
1:19:10gives the level A Whole New Perspective
1:19:13and one that shows just how fun and
1:19:15otherwise basic theme and level
1:19:17structure can be as it lives on in the
1:19:19hearts of Mario Carters the world over
1:19:22people all over the globe play these
1:19:24games on The Daily so from one part of
1:19:27the world to another up next we've got
1:19:29Tokyo blur which also shines as a simple
1:19:33yet satisfying Sprint through city
1:19:35streets up onto expressways and across
1:19:37the bridge with that awesome view on the
1:19:40horizon while not as cramped with iconic
1:19:43imagery when compared to other levels of
1:19:44this nature blur simply blurs the line
1:19:47of what makes a course good and that
1:19:49it's not always about over complicated
1:19:52obstacles crazy fantasy themes or
1:19:55convoluted hazards instead that a level
1:19:57should be made most fun by its gaml and
1:20:01provide just enough tools for players to
1:20:03achieve this without bombarding them
1:20:05with too much all at once which in my
1:20:07opinion is the conceptual Foundation the
1:20:11series was built on and is executed well
1:20:13in this level thanks to some blasting
1:20:15turns and fast
1:20:18laps and with that we are officially at
1:20:22the halfway point of the
1:20:25video oh my goodness man let me tell you
1:20:28this has already been so challenging
1:20:31just due to the sheer volume of quality
1:20:34content coming out of these games it
1:20:36just never ends and even already we're
1:20:39seeing so many contenders get knocked
1:20:41out that could have very well have
1:20:43appeared within the top 50 but we're not
1:20:46quite there yet so before we continue on
1:20:49please remember to stand up and have a
1:20:51nice big stretch
1:20:53stretch your legs and get some fresh air
1:20:55especially if you're watching this video
1:20:57within a single sitting and refill your
1:20:59supplies as we continue on down the road
1:21:02to number
1:21:0577 all right maybe I'm a little biased
1:21:09putting this one in the top half of the
1:21:11rankings but listen genuinely it's just
1:21:14nice to see Australia represented as
1:21:16more than just a desert like in most
1:21:18games Sydney Sprint Circle circular key
1:21:22passing through the famous opera house
1:21:24across the river to Luna Park or Park as
1:21:27it's known here this is a simple Street
1:21:30Course once again but includes plenty of
1:21:32cool jumps and turns eventually snaking
1:21:34through barangaroo Reserve yes that is
1:21:37actually what it's called The Harbor
1:21:39Bridge being the biggest set piece of
1:21:41course and as far as tour regions go
1:21:44even the music dials it up a little more
1:21:46with a very triumphant and boisterous
1:21:48tune I could honestly listen to this all
1:21:50day it's a solid little track with some
1:21:53excellent highlights this one makes me
1:21:55really happy though there are maybe one
1:21:57or two dull moments transitioning
1:21:59between certain areas otherwise this is
1:22:02still a bloody good effort and one which
1:22:04represents the Down Under very well
1:22:07flying across the Pacific for 14 hours
1:22:09will land you at Los Angeles laps I just
1:22:12want to start off this entry by saying
1:22:14that the concept of Mario carart is
1:22:16racing around a location that is almost
1:22:19just as famous for its appearance in the
1:22:21world of grand Auto games as it is for
1:22:24its actual real world location is just
1:22:27so so wild to me finally all those
1:22:30batshit crazy mods have some canical
1:22:33connection across both
1:22:35franchises anyway the Beachside area
1:22:38here steals the show obviously with the
1:22:40Santa Monica piia Venice Beach skate
1:22:42park which I absolutely love as a big
1:22:44Pro Skater fan the city streets are less
1:22:47appealing in my opinion standard stuff
1:22:49and still a lot of recognizable
1:22:51landmarks also cover covering more
1:22:53ground for some longer more varied laps
1:22:55thematically though this one is actually
1:22:57a little lacking compared to others we
1:23:00can see Griffith Observatory up on the
1:23:02drab Hillside but where is the Hollywood
1:23:05sign is it a copyright thing I mean
1:23:08everyone else can do some sort of parody
1:23:10why not Mario Kart and yeah I don't know
1:23:13while I do enjoy this level for what it
1:23:15is I guess I'm just more surprised
1:23:17because I was expecting a race through
1:23:20you know sound stages and film back Lots
1:23:22with little toads and goomas on
1:23:24different movie sets but instead I got
1:23:27the damn oil pumping Fields what an odd
1:23:30decision but look regardless of that
1:23:33this is still a very fun map I just feel
1:23:35that some of the other City Sprints
1:23:37honored their inspiration a little
1:23:38better Madrid Drive shows what I'm
1:23:41talking about it stays a little more
1:23:43faithful to its locations architecture
1:23:45and landmarks there's plenty of winding
1:23:47streets and big turns I love the open
1:23:50market square and the Art Gallery taking
1:23:52in all the details not as much going on
1:23:55in this one but that's fine as the
1:23:57layout is solid with some key moments a
1:23:59big one of course being the football
1:24:01stadium man I feel like that's half the
1:24:03reason tour even exists to be honest to
1:24:06cater to the easy Sports demographics
1:24:09not much more to say on this one it's
1:24:11just a very solid middle tier level next
1:24:14up is Wario cup from the arcade games
1:24:17featuring two courses Diamond City and
1:24:20snow Panic now this is neat I love the
1:24:24design of this city first off and the
1:24:26music is great too something kind of
1:24:28different that still fits really well
1:24:30starting to get some kind of cyber Punk
1:24:33maybe even some Jet Set Radio vibes from
1:24:36this place Race 2 sees the snowmaking
1:24:39machine blow up and create a giant
1:24:41Avalanche that Racers need to navigate
1:24:43and then we get to do the entire thing
1:24:45again at night and man this is pretty
1:24:48layout wise like many of these levels
1:24:51it's still quite basic but there was
1:24:53definitely potential here for a remaster
1:24:55in my opinion and the course layout
1:24:57would still offer a lot of chances for
1:24:59entertaining combative gameplay as well
1:25:02as skill-based racing as in your typical
1:25:04Mario Kart game and I think I've
1:25:07mentioned it already but it's a real
1:25:08shame that Nintendo has buried some of
1:25:10these hidden gems over time and sure
1:25:13while it is nice for each game to have
1:25:15its few exclusives to keep you coming
1:25:17back I do feel that some of these have
1:25:20been greatly forgotten
1:25:27as part of the original Mario Kart 8 DLC
1:25:30pack this Nintendo Legend finally made
1:25:33his debut to the franchise after many
1:25:36years of quite frankly being excluded so
1:25:40what if the title is Mario Kart Nintendo
1:25:43Kart would be bloody awesome and this
1:25:45level is proof while without the Legend
1:25:48of Zelda theming this one may not have
1:25:50made it up so high let's be realistic
1:25:53there is no ignoring that this is yet
1:25:55another strong supporting level which
1:25:57also just so happens to be a prime
1:26:00example of how to make a memorable
1:26:02crossover the rupes replace coins link
1:26:05can ride on his horse instead of a cart
1:26:07and if you're skilled enough you can
1:26:09even collect the master sword on your
1:26:11way through the castle it's simple but I
1:26:14like it and if the series was to Branch
1:26:16out to include some Legend of Zelda
1:26:18influences more prominently in the
1:26:20future and I could only begin to imagine
1:26:23the Epic race courses that would come of
1:26:25it I mean there is more than 30 years of
1:26:28history for that franchise as well so
1:26:30make it happen Nintendo Super Zelda card
1:26:34let's do it and speaking of decades past
1:26:37let's go back those 30 years to the
1:26:39original game once again and take a look
1:26:41at donut planes fun fact this theme has
1:26:45appeared across six total games so we've
1:26:47got a lot of experience on these tracks
1:26:50one and two are both really good despite
1:26:52their basic nature the third one on the
1:26:55other hand man I hate it I cannot do
1:26:59this level in the original game honestly
1:27:01I rank out of the entire special Cup on
1:27:04the first level it's embarrassing it's
1:27:07just some brutal turns the water hazards
1:27:10it's all a bit much at such blistering
1:27:12speeds thankfully when it appeared again
1:27:15in Mario Kart 8 the water hazard wasn't
1:27:17as much of a problem and now I can say
1:27:20that yeah I really enjoy these circuits
1:27:23simple catchy tune as always with years
1:27:26of History under its belt just a hard
1:27:28course to argue with at this point in
1:27:30the
1:27:31[Music]
1:27:38list knocking out another arcade level
1:27:41now and another Bowser stage this time
1:27:44it's Bowser's cup featuring both the
1:27:46castle interior and the castle wall this
1:27:49is honestly a really good duet of cart
1:27:51racing action
1:27:52despite its basic structure when
1:27:54compared to later Bowser inspired Maps
1:27:56due to the handling limitations of these
1:27:58arcade games the shorter levels feel
1:28:00like a natural Evolution onto the
1:28:02classic 2D stages which to me is really
1:28:06cool to see these Concepts further
1:28:08realized once again the aesthetic is
1:28:10there executed perfectly no complaints
1:28:13from me and while the music is
1:28:14definitely not what you'd think of when
1:28:17you think of a Bowser level God damn
1:28:19this slaps hard this is an absolute
1:28:22Banger I'm sure the remaster in DX is a
1:28:25lot more threatening in comparison but I
1:28:28don't know I I prefer the original what
1:28:30do you
1:28:32[Music]
1:28:51think
1:28:52[Music]
1:29:01anyway if you can manage to get your
1:29:03drift on then it's a blast winding
1:29:05around the creepy corridors and Visually
1:29:07it's just breathtaking if you happen to
1:29:10cross the arcades with a few mates skip
1:29:12the baby and weed out the real men
1:29:14from the boys on this awesome track next
1:29:18up is friendly fella jungle oh seriously
1:29:22isn't he just the best thing ever I
1:29:24would die for him and protect him at all
1:29:27costs this Double Dash course has some
1:29:29really cute Vibes I love the art
1:29:32Direction in this game and how it
1:29:33handles its foliage as just textures
1:29:35painted onto the map most of the time it
1:29:38makes me think all the way back to
1:29:39Yoshi's Island at number 126 even some
1:29:43modernization on the art Direction like
1:29:45this could have gone a long way to
1:29:46improve that stage but anyway Dino Dino
1:29:50has three core features
1:29:52there's Dino of course he's stamping
1:29:55look at him go then we've got the split
1:29:57of bridges at the back of the level
1:29:59giving you a few different options
1:30:00depending on your position in the race
1:30:02and finally inside of the giant cave
1:30:05with water burst and that damn tricky
1:30:07shortcut across the chasm I just cannot
1:30:10do this to save my life double Dash's
1:30:12physics simply don't gel with me but in
1:30:15Mario Cart 7 the level made a triumphant
1:30:18return with glider physics improving
1:30:20this a whole lot in my opinion and
1:30:22getting up close and personal with the
1:30:23big boy leads into some rather fun and
1:30:26satisfying drifts towards the Finish
1:30:28Line excellent just excellent and
1:30:32sticking with the familiar theme for
1:30:33number 69 we have DK's jungle Parkway
1:30:37another classic N64 stage I mean who
1:30:40could forget that Big River jump winding
1:30:43jungle turns and I always like the big
1:30:45cave at the end you take that rickety
1:30:47rope Bridge down and then do your best
1:30:49upwards turning drift to cut this corner
1:30:51as close as possible remember to stay in
1:30:54your lane though or some will
1:30:56start throwing these things at you it's
1:30:58disappointing that you can phase through
1:31:00the boat on the river but to make up for
1:31:02it thankfully this booster jump into a
1:31:0490° turn which may seem counter utive at
1:31:08first actually invokes a lot of
1:31:10satisfaction once you learn the best
1:31:12methods for tackling this corner nothing
1:31:14beats Landing directly into a drift and
1:31:17zooming away leaving your opponents in
1:31:19the dust rocking on to rock rock
1:31:22mountain known in power regions as
1:31:24Alpine pass Which is less playful this
1:31:27track is all set pieces despite its
1:31:29short length opening up on this
1:31:31Cliffside area with perilous drifts into
1:31:33the cave a huge leap of faith into a
1:31:36longdistance Glide which is awesome and
1:31:38then before you know it you're speeding
1:31:40your way up that hill climb avoiding all
1:31:42the boulders crashing down at you and if
1:31:45you've built up enough speed you can fly
1:31:47right over the starting line to complete
1:31:49a lap and ride that wave of momentum to
1:31:51skip the entire first part of the map
1:31:54it's really really cool and for a level
1:31:57called rock rock mountain it sure has a
1:31:59rocking tune to keep your adrenaline
1:32:02fired up next is shroom Ridge from Mario
1:32:05Kart DS more of a casual Sunday drive
1:32:08through the mountains this time swerving
1:32:10through traffic at 100 mph dodging items
1:32:13and going Offroad to skip ahead oh well
1:32:16seems there isn't actually a shortcut in
1:32:18the original whoops number eight got us
1:32:20covered though with a nice cut over the
1:32:22grassy area and this gnarly Chasm
1:32:24shortcut which more often than not lands
1:32:26you in hot water damn you know when this
1:32:29track first appeared in the booster pack
1:32:32many fans were disappointed with its
1:32:33basic Graphics I mean you look at the
1:32:36Retro courses in the base game the
1:32:38graphical enhancements are off the chart
1:32:41obviously this is a symptom of being
1:32:42ported over from Tua which genuinely
1:32:45isn't up to par Graphics wise but
1:32:48honestly I actually prefer the flat
1:32:51color ful look it calls back to the
1:32:53classic days of the franchise whereas
1:32:56this hyper realistic we see gives
1:32:59Mario running in Unreal Engine Vibes and
1:33:02it's not great that's just my two cents
1:33:04on that little discussion point though
1:33:06um I'm curious what you guys think if
1:33:08you prefer the the crisp HD stylized
1:33:12stuff from eight or the more blocky
1:33:15cartoony kid-friendly stuff from tour
1:33:17let me know despite whatever your
1:33:19feelings may be on tour as a game
1:33:21overall there is no way that we can't
1:33:24still be appreciative for what it
1:33:26brought to the table as Bangkok Rush is
1:33:29a track that I didn't realize I was
1:33:31longing for until it was announced I
1:33:33mean first off there are so many
1:33:36incredible landmarks and monuments from
1:33:38the temples the rivers and of course the
1:33:41famous Railway Market you know that one
1:33:43that you see all over social media what
1:33:45a perfect spot for a cart racer to speed
1:33:48through but it's also not too often I
1:33:50can just indulge in the architecture of
1:33:52a level especially one appearing in an
1:33:55otherwise fantasy cartoonish world like
1:33:57the Mario games but all of these
1:34:00incredible structures offer so much to
1:34:02look at it's a track for skilled drivers
1:34:04too with lots of drifting turns but
1:34:06still offers plenty of fun moments for
1:34:08casual players such as bouncing on the
1:34:11market covers or exploring up on the
1:34:13elevated train tracks this is a very
1:34:15solid tour level and if you enjoy that
1:34:18then we've got plenty more coming up
1:34:20Vancouver velocity might appear a little
1:34:22more generic due to the boring Street
1:34:24sections but the treetop Boardwalk
1:34:27through the snow covered mountain tops
1:34:28is very pretty especially at night we've
1:34:31got more big Glides here to breathe
1:34:33through parks and of course an ice
1:34:36hockey Stadium I wouldn't have expected
1:34:39anything else it's got a nice tune as
1:34:41well while I do really enjoy playing
1:34:43this one both in eight and in tour when
1:34:46I've had the chance it does somewhat
1:34:48lack the special theming I mean as an
1:34:50outsider Beyond a few key objects on the
1:34:53map this could almost be anywhere for me
1:34:56so if I have any criticism for this one
1:34:58it's that it needed just a little bit
1:35:00more identity in my opinion anyway and
1:35:03if you want an example of what I mean
1:35:05then check out New York minute honestly
1:35:09I'm shocked that we got an official New
1:35:11York level in Mario Kart before a new
1:35:14donk City inspired course but I guess
1:35:17what's the difference while the various
1:35:19laps may not stand out as much spam
1:35:21Central Park and urban streets it's the
1:35:23visuals and set design which sell this
1:35:26as New York City I mean it's So
1:35:28Glamorous Time Square is lit up and
1:35:31you've got the red carpets and some of
1:35:33the most exciting spots to take
1:35:34advantage of for rapid and chaotic
1:35:36racing in fact while it is short maybe
1:35:39to a point of flaw I just can't get
1:35:42enough of playing this one I can raise
1:35:44it session after session and squeeze
1:35:46some of the most thrilling moments out
1:35:48of its selection of landmarks and road
1:35:50hazards an EXC excellent map but still
1:35:53not the best or even the most gorgeous
1:35:55to witness without question Singapore
1:35:59Speedway is the most instantly
1:36:01recognizable tour level thanks to the
1:36:03sheer volume of prominent features we've
1:36:05got more of those stunning neon lights
1:36:07at nighttime all of the colorful Gardens
1:36:10and archways Wicked winding streets am I
1:36:13missing anything else uh oh of course
1:36:16the Marina Bay Sands Hotel I mean come
1:36:19on it makes for the perfect track design
1:36:21flying up to the infinity pool for a
1:36:23vantage point above the entire map
1:36:25Skyline and then drifting all the way
1:36:28back down is simply breathtaking I could
1:36:31almost close my eyes and feel like I'm
1:36:33actually there it's just an incredible
1:36:36location that has been perfectly adapted
1:36:38to Mario Kart better than many others
1:36:40that we've seen already and just the way
1:36:42it makes use of the Space by having each
1:36:44new lap integrated into a different part
1:36:46of that Central Landmark really helps it
1:36:49to stand out big time for me as purely
1:36:52Unforgettable and overflowing with
1:36:54gameplay potential onto something a
1:36:57little different now Wario's Shipyard or
1:36:59gallion if you prefer is a really solid
1:37:02mix of Castle and submersible racing
1:37:04action with some decent splits in the
1:37:06path and a slight yet satisfying
1:37:08shortcut I love the big shipwreck
1:37:11crashed into the rocks that makes for
1:37:12the perfect big drift around before
1:37:14diving back under and while otherwise it
1:37:16may not be anything all that special I
1:37:19don't know this is just one of those
1:37:20tracks that executed well with a catchy
1:37:23tune but what really gives it some
1:37:25unique qualities is the larger emphasis
1:37:27on the underwater driving which is not
1:37:29something that you see too often another
1:37:32surprisingly decent course is piranha
1:37:34plant Cove which is also primarily
1:37:36underwater focused which at first glance
1:37:40I thought might greatly hinder this
1:37:42level but the dynamic flow between the
1:37:44submersible physics and the big jumps
1:37:46across Rocky coastlines and temple ruins
1:37:49makes for an incredible combo it can at
1:37:52times feel a little gloomy down here but
1:37:54again that sets it apart from other
1:37:56daytime Beach courses the chirpy theme
1:37:59song picks up the slack on those party
1:38:01mode Vibes however and with so many fun
1:38:04caves and submersed springs to catch a
1:38:06boost off of if you're seeing this one
1:38:08for the first time and haven't tried it
1:38:10out I highly recommend it now that it's
1:38:12been added in the final wave of Mario
1:38:15Kart 8's booster packs because it didn't
1:38:17take long for this one to cement itself
1:38:20as a Hidden Gem with in the franchise
1:38:22upon my first time playing and speaking
1:38:25of Mario Kart 8 now I'd like to discuss
1:38:27a Trilogy of levels that all feel like a
1:38:30set to me keeping on with this somewhat
1:38:32familiar theme they all go quite nicely
1:38:35together deliver a strong medium
1:38:37difficulty courses and never disappoint
1:38:39when they appear the first of these is
1:38:42shy guy falls my memories racing this
1:38:45one are endless I just can't get enough
1:38:47of the cliff formations and drifts but
1:38:49then much like rock rock Mountain we've
1:38:51got a big vertical climb up a waterfall
1:38:54this time dropping boost pads only to
1:38:57then hair pin into a massive flight back
1:38:59down to the cliffs below oh I just love
1:39:02this it makes perfect use of the
1:39:04anti-gravity without feeling overly
1:39:06gimmicked and still offers some heated
1:39:08competition despite its simple nature
1:39:10for a moment filled with awe and
1:39:12excitement man you just love to see it
1:39:16and coming up right after that is
1:39:17Dolphin shs which also relies heavily on
1:39:20large water sections there's big jumps
1:39:23big open caves with boosters and a big
1:39:25fella that you can ride along hell yeah
1:39:28seriously this section is one of my
1:39:30favorites in the entire franchise and
1:39:32then when you resurface onto the gnarly
1:39:34rocks above a swirling walpool that damn
1:39:37saxophone kicks the tropical tunes into
1:39:39overdrive with a heart jolter of
1:39:41excitement as you make those final
1:39:43crucial moves towards first place it's
1:39:46damn excellent it's not as drawn out or
1:39:49dramatic as perhaps some other but this
1:39:52is still an absolute Ripper and delivers
1:39:55everything that the water park back at
1:39:57133 should have showcased for this game
1:40:01but the show stealer of this little
1:40:02Trilogy in my opinion has got to be
1:40:04swamp ruins as for an opening Cup course
1:40:07there is a lot going on here I mean the
1:40:10first thing that gets you is the music
1:40:12once again I love this song inside the
1:40:15temples you've got the option of staying
1:40:16flat on the floor or opting for a wall
1:40:18ride leading out into this Lake area in
1:40:21infested with thampy boys split paths
1:40:24speed boosts more wall rides and you've
1:40:26got to be quick to make your mind up on
1:40:28which route to take because it can get
1:40:30pretty unwieldly here very quickly but I
1:40:33think it's the Simplicity of this ending
1:40:35area that does it for me there's nothing
1:40:37crazy it's just more ruined roadways
1:40:39including a simple yet tricky cut before
1:40:42a final Glide to Victory when I think of
1:40:44Mario Kart 8 these three always come to
1:40:47mind first for me and I hope they do for
1:40:50you as well I mean with all that's been
1:40:52added to this game over the past decade
1:40:54I'm still always stok to race these
1:40:56levels thanks to their familiar almost
1:40:58nostalgic atmosphere that truly
1:41:00encapsulates those feelings of staying
1:41:03up with friends jamming out some Mario
1:41:11Kart oh okay now this is a level that's
1:41:14been made just for me and if you've been
1:41:17around on this channel long enough then
1:41:19you know that I love little guys running
1:41:21around on countertops and all that
1:41:23awesome toy storyes squeaky clean
1:41:26Sprint means bath time for the carting
1:41:28crew because all of those bum ashes and
1:41:30banana skins make a big mess diving into
1:41:33the tub and down the drain it's kind of
1:41:36icky how gross it is down here and some
1:41:39poor fool lost their wedding ring what
1:41:41an idiot back out onto the floor
1:41:43combating fans and soap suds sliding you
1:41:46all over the bathroom tiles you got a
1:41:48few options to make it back up launching
1:41:51up over the toilet then thank God
1:41:53because if the bathtub pipes look like
1:41:55this then I'd hate to see the toilet
1:41:57pipes we can go through the tower rack
1:41:59with a soft turn boost up to the finish
1:42:02line or if you're feeling extra frisky
1:42:04you can even go a level further up onto
1:42:07high up shelves above the sink area for
1:42:09some extra items and speed boosts all
1:42:12the way up here at the top of the map
1:42:13you can really take in the finer details
1:42:16such as the NES Mario inspired tiles on
1:42:18the walls and countless other little Det
1:42:20details of all the new courses we've
1:42:23seen added into this game squeaky clean
1:42:26certainly doesn't disappoint by
1:42:28delivering a highly themed highly
1:42:30memorable track for number 57 and that's
1:42:33right we're quickly closing in on the
1:42:36top 50 now my word we are on record pace
1:42:40so let's keep the momentum going shall
1:42:43we with perhaps a shock late entry into
1:42:46the rankings I mean it was certainly a
1:42:48shock to see Rosalina's ice World
1:42:50announcement for the final booster pack
1:42:52but hey this is a really fun snow course
1:42:55that opening downward spiral is
1:42:57nerve-wracking excitement you've got
1:42:59fractured ice shelves to ride or dive
1:43:01underneath and the decision between
1:43:03playing it safe or risking it for gold
1:43:05on that outer pathway through the
1:43:07slippery caves all adds up to deliver a
1:43:09really strong map for a theme often the
1:43:12laughing stock of the entire franchise
1:43:15in fact I can only think of maybe two or
1:43:17three snow themed courses that can top
1:43:20this one and that's saying something
1:43:22because this is a solid map and its
1:43:24inclusion in eight cements this I know
1:43:27it's probably not the course that
1:43:28everyone was expecting or even wanting
1:43:30to see but it's good man and it's nice
1:43:33to see a character who is from one of
1:43:35the most influential Mainline Mario
1:43:37titles get represented well in the cart
1:43:40racing spin-off I find it to be a little
1:43:42tougher to make that jump onto the
1:43:44floating layer of ice in this version
1:43:46but it's still doable and adds in that
1:43:48extra roll of the dice for each lap time
1:43:52for another crossover now it's Animal
1:43:55Crossing
1:43:56time okay let's quickly address the
1:43:58elephant in the room this is a very
1:44:01basic level not that there is anything
1:44:03wrong with that per se but it's hardly a
1:44:05technical Masterpiece what it is the
1:44:08master of though is character across all
1:44:11four seasons starting off with the warm
1:44:13summer days down by the beach by Autumn
1:44:16the leaves begin to turn this track into
1:44:18a glowing Festival of fun before winter
1:44:21finally kicks in coating the land with
1:44:23glossy sparkling snow the gorgeous
1:44:26lights bringing some festive color into
1:44:28the night sky before spring comes along
1:44:30and the track once again blossoms back
1:44:33to life there is no other course that
1:44:36does this Animal Crossing is treated
1:44:38with the utmost respect here and it's
1:44:41lovely to see and I'm not even a biased
1:44:43Nintendo Fanboy saying that I've never
1:44:46even played an animal crossing game in
1:44:48my life but I just love this track so
1:44:51much it's a truly unique course the year
1:44:54round with endless replay value it's
1:44:56stunning nothing could possibly ruin
1:44:59your day enjoying this one going back to
1:45:02the Jungle with some more water courses
1:45:04that I mentioned a moment ago Mario Kart
1:45:068's original DLC back on the Wii U overd
1:45:09delivered once again with Wild Woods
1:45:12bringing us a Vine surfing Adventure
1:45:14through the trees down slippery water
1:45:16slides and through Treetop towns which
1:45:19is definitely giving off some Donkey
1:45:20Kong Vibes if you ask me it's perfect
1:45:24and similar to you know racing around on
1:45:26a bathroom floor riding up through the
1:45:28Treetops like an insect creates such a
1:45:30compelling environment for that
1:45:32fast-paced action That We crave and its
1:45:35relationship with the visuals and music
1:45:37hit perfectly to create what almost
1:45:40feels like a familiar Disney ROM and due
1:45:43to its natural turns and winding roads
1:45:46you have to take every opening you can
1:45:48get to gain an advantage because there
1:45:50there won't be many offered across three
1:45:52laps so it's all down to your skill as a
1:45:55driver especially on that cut directly
1:45:57before the finish line and uh you'd
1:46:00think with all the Mario Kart that I've
1:46:02played by now that I'd actually be able
1:46:04to make this jump yeah that's
1:46:07embarrassing got to really dig deep and
1:46:09find your inner Tarzan to become a
1:46:11legend on this track an undeniable
1:46:13legend of the franchise in its own right
1:46:17oh now we're up to cheeseland on the
1:46:20Game Boy Advance man this is a really
1:46:23challenging level but damn is it fun
1:46:25when for God's sakes hang on let's try
1:46:29that again for the 2D style gameplay
1:46:32this one is very difficult the first
1:46:34time you play with a lot of continuous
1:46:35drift turn combos but man once you nail
1:46:38it this one is so much fun revived in
1:46:42Mario Kart 8 we've got some additional
1:46:44shortcuts and a more vertical take on
1:46:47the terrain which is nice to see though
1:46:49I don't know something about the
1:46:51original just speaks to me a lot more
1:46:53it's wacky you're not prepared for it
1:46:55and as far as the course design for
1:46:57super Circuit this is one of the best in
1:47:00fact out of all the super Circuit levels
1:47:03we've been ranking cheese land came in
1:47:05at number four overall just barely
1:47:08missing out on a Podium position which
1:47:11is an incredible showing for an early
1:47:13portable level and to think that there
1:47:15are still GBA locations left to come
1:47:19incredible really just showing us what
1:47:22the Game Boy Advance was made of
1:47:24outshining plenty of newer more modern
1:47:26games in this
1:47:29[Music]
1:47:35[Music]
1:47:39ranking sticking with the classics
1:47:41Bowser returns once again to deliver us
1:47:43to hell with this brutal Castle course
1:47:46from Mario Kart 64 Laden with square
1:47:49corners in infested with bloodthirsty
1:47:51swamps including ones that directly
1:47:53Target you yeah thanks you prick there
1:47:56isn't much room to move until you break
1:47:58out onto the large stairwell and
1:48:00Courtyards but you've got to watch out
1:48:02for that tiny little rope bridge over an
1:48:04ocean of lava that one's a killer this
1:48:07is a basic level I find it much better
1:48:09on the Wii game with the improved
1:48:11handling although I am using a Wii Mo
1:48:13and steering wheel to play this so when
1:48:16I say that it's challenging I'm talking
1:48:18next level challenge this might not be
1:48:21the most advanced level but I find this
1:48:23old school classic still has a lot to
1:48:25offer and of course still a level that
1:48:28I'm sure resides in the hearts and
1:48:30tormented minds of many who will never
1:48:32forget the torture they endured here
1:48:34over the years thanks to Bowser's never
1:48:36ending quest to take over the Mushroom
1:48:38Kingdom but from one beloved N64 level
1:48:42to another it's time to eliminate the
1:48:45big one Rainbow Road 64
1:48:51yes just missing out on a top 50
1:48:53position honestly I'm surprised it even
1:48:57made it this far to be completely real
1:48:59with you as I am not a fan of this
1:49:02level yeah I said it while it's a very
1:49:06triumphant ending to the special cup and
1:49:08an endurance against friends it is too
1:49:11damn long three laps of this with next
1:49:14to no obstacles on the course I'm
1:49:16getting Wario Stadium Vibes but at least
1:49:19this is pretty to look at even still
1:49:22though I would have placed this one much
1:49:24lower down if it wasn't for its return
1:49:26in Mario Kart 8 dialing the visuals up
1:49:29several notches to deliver possibly the
1:49:31greatest retro tribute of any in the
1:49:35franchise look excuse my language I've
1:49:38been trying to behave myself for this
1:49:40video given that Mario is a much more
1:49:42familyfriendly mascot but I'm sorry I've
1:49:45just got to say it this level is
1:49:49gorgeous
1:49:50mouthwatering even the city down below
1:49:53all of the lights the fireworks the road
1:49:56is no longer a blistering hard to look
1:49:58at Rainbow now a Regal dance floor of
1:50:01delight which thankfully has a lot more
1:50:03going on now from wavy roads edges
1:50:06without barriers bouncing Chomps to
1:50:09avoid but they had to go and miss the
1:50:12mark by a fraction now with only a
1:50:16single lap to play it doesn't feel as
1:50:19special if it's over before you even
1:50:21know it and had we gotten just two laps
1:50:24of this joyous joy ride through the
1:50:26stars then maybe just maybe Rainbow Road
1:50:3064 could have made it to the top 50 but
1:50:33for as grandiose as it is this just
1:50:36can't compete with the blistering
1:50:38standards of the franchise that it set
1:50:41the standard for all those years ago
1:50:44still despite all of that I can't take
1:50:46away what this level has accomplished in
1:50:48offering players with those epic
1:50:50lifelong memories and countless
1:50:52multiplayer moments you know versing a
1:50:55mate who thinks they're Untouchable only
1:50:57to breee on by at the last moment with a
1:50:59carefully timed item is as Timeless as
1:51:03this level
1:51:04[Music]
1:51:12[Music]
1:51:14is
1:51:16man I am just in shock I'm in utter and
1:51:21complete shock because I just don't know
1:51:24how there are still so many tremendous
1:51:26levels left to come in this video but
1:51:29here we are the top 50 and to think we
1:51:34still haven't even eliminated a single
1:51:37game from the race man what a true
1:51:41Testament to the bankable quality of
1:51:43this franchise man holy now if
1:51:47you're still watching the video then
1:51:49please consider subscribing and remember
1:51:51to hit that Bell so that you get
1:51:52notified of all of my future uploads
1:51:55because godamn man we're going to kick
1:51:57things into overdrive and speed down the
1:51:59road like a Formula 1 because it's time
1:52:02for number 50 ice ice
1:52:06Outpost this glacial Gauntlet of split
1:52:09pathways on the surface isn't very
1:52:11intimidating until you start to unth
1:52:14some of the tougher turns and even
1:52:16tougher alternate routes that's the
1:52:18appeal of outpost for me is that it's
1:52:20got a lot to offer for both young novice
1:52:23players and Veterans alike hell I've
1:52:25been playing these games on and off my
1:52:27entire life and I still struggle to get
1:52:29a grasp on some of these little Cuts but
1:52:32sometimes they're a necessity it's
1:52:34challenging to learn but not a level of
1:52:36frustration instead making you want to
1:52:39try again and again until you can make
1:52:41it and for an ice level it's one of the
1:52:43better ones ironically it features no
1:52:46slippery ice no snowmen or igloo or
1:52:50anything blocking the path this is just
1:52:52a pure race with plenty of chilling
1:52:55moments for number 49 we've got the
1:52:58funky electrome another good Contender
1:53:01for should have been this game's Rainbow
1:53:03Road in my opinion but nonetheless I
1:53:06always enjoy this course it's magical
1:53:08with wall rides Good Vibes split paths
1:53:12and the whole thing has a really good
1:53:13bot to it the digitized course lights up
1:53:16and the inverted split is really neat as
1:53:19well and not nearly as sickening as you
1:53:21might think in fact this is another
1:53:24masterclass in the anti-gravity level
1:53:26design in 8 as this track is pure turns
1:53:29and long straightaways that all flow
1:53:31seamlessly to create a super memorable
1:53:34track I absolutely cannot get enough of
1:53:37this one so let's keep that techno music
1:53:39blaring fun boys as we head over to
1:53:42Germany for Berlin byways through the
1:53:45Glorious Brandenburg gate and
1:53:48down you know what I'm not even going to
1:53:50attempt that this is actually a really
1:53:52strong map with plenty of turns hidden
1:53:55little areas to discover and the variety
1:53:57of monuments blend together seamlessly
1:53:59for a nice tour through the city but oh
1:54:02my God the Berlin Wall literally falling
1:54:06before my very eyes that is just
1:54:10astonishing I don't know about you but
1:54:12something about this is just
1:54:14uncomfortably funny to me like the
1:54:16existence of Communism within the Mario
1:54:19universe or perhaps even for the fact
1:54:21that this isn't even the Berlin walls
1:54:24first appearance in the
1:54:27franchise yeah quick history lesson
1:54:29Mario's Time Machine was a poor attempt
1:54:32at a history lesson as it was plagued
1:54:34with awful tedious gameplay and a joke
1:54:36for even existing in the first place the
1:54:39real joke is that yep there it is the
1:54:43Berlin Wall in all of its 8 bit glory in
1:54:47a Mario game and would you look at look
1:54:49at that guess who stopped communism
1:54:52ladies and gentlemen he really is a hero
1:54:54for the ages but anyway I really didn't
1:54:57want to go on a tangent about the wall
1:54:59but it just stands out so much and then
1:55:02I learned about the time machine game so
1:55:05I'm sorry that was just a lot that I
1:55:07needed to take in and unpack at the end
1:55:10of the day Berlin byways remains one of
1:55:12the more impressive tour levels thanks
1:55:14to the fun Street sections rad drifting
1:55:16turns and of course it's famous icon
1:55:19graphy but the classical instruments
1:55:22blend well with the electro techno
1:55:24backing track for an absolute winner of
1:55:26a level theme that is good enough to
1:55:28stand on its own Rovan is definitely
1:55:31another one which stands out due to just
1:55:33how good it is at implementing its
1:55:35checklist of landmarks into the course
1:55:37design drifting upwards through the
1:55:39Coliseum on your first turn into a huge
1:55:42Glide all the little plazas Market
1:55:45squares and fountains to Swerve on by
1:55:47and another beautiful song the this
1:55:49level is pure class by focusing on the
1:55:52core of Mario Kart gameplay without
1:55:55oversaturating any of the gimmicks while
1:55:57still providing a competitive course
1:55:59that's great to play this one works
1:56:02because it's fundamentally sound sure
1:56:04it's a tour location but whack this same
1:56:07map layout onto any theme from the
1:56:09franchise and it would be just as iconic
1:56:12in my opinion Wario Coliseum from Double
1:56:16Dash is an extraordinary spectacle with
1:56:18its winding spaghetti layout centered
1:56:20around a huge Dome of death launch up
1:56:23into this giant structure for prolonged
1:56:25power sliding opportunities and some
1:56:27cramped racing action for a special cup
1:56:30opener it steals the show honestly and
1:56:33having not grown up with this game I
1:56:35never knew it existed until now
1:56:37seriously this is a Double Dash
1:56:40exclusive to this day which gives this
1:56:42game something special to keep coming
1:56:44back for but with the with the chaotic
1:56:47nature of this one I can only begin to
1:56:50imagine how it would have played with
1:56:51Eight's anti-gravity I mean the Dome
1:56:54alone could make for a wild battle arena
1:56:57and that massive jump at the bottom is
1:56:59intimidating as hell but I'd expect
1:57:01nothing else from such a Despicable
1:57:03prick as Wario my only gripe for this
1:57:06one is the level song doesn't really fit
1:57:10but otherwise it's nice to still be
1:57:12seeing some hidden gems shine so
1:57:14brightly but moving on from the hidden
1:57:17gems now to the iconic levels burned
1:57:19into our retinas the original Mario
1:57:23circuit is definitely one of those now
1:57:26you're probably shocked that such simple
1:57:28courses are up so high but surely I've
1:57:31made my point by now that foundationally
1:57:33a good cart racing level needs to be fun
1:57:36Technical and memorable the trifect are
1:57:39achieved by every single iteration of
1:57:42these four courses and it's for that
1:57:44reason why this overall theme has
1:57:47appeared the most out of of any other
1:57:50throughout the franchise that's right
1:57:52we've got the SNES original and The Game
1:57:54Boy advanced ports the very first retro
1:57:57cups which appeared in the DS and Wii
1:57:59games 3DS T and now Mario Kart 8 Deluxe
1:58:05that is seven overall appearances which
1:58:07means that's every release since
1:58:10November of 2005 and it remains just as
1:58:14jovial as ever thanks to the bouncy
1:58:16music cute and simplistic visuals and
1:58:19for just being a pure cart racing stage
1:58:23no matter the game no matter the era of
1:58:25the series you will never be let down by
1:58:28these ones and looking all the way back
1:58:30to the original man circuits three and
1:58:33four offered up some real challenge let
1:58:36me tell you nothing was more satisfying
1:58:38than finally making it through that last
1:58:40lap to unlock the special cup for the
1:58:43very first time pure uncontended great
1:58:46memories for generations of gamers but
1:58:50sadly this is where Super Mario Kart's
1:58:53Journey comes to an end number 44 and
1:58:57the final Super Nintendo level is of
1:59:00course the original Rainbow Road tough
1:59:04as nails but man soaring through space
1:59:07on this Galactic gallivant is always a
1:59:09nerve-wracking yet joyful time the
1:59:12visuals and that song which creates an
1:59:14aura of excited fear is just unmatched
1:59:17and it would only get better and better
1:59:19throughout the years in fact for as
1:59:21basic as this concept may be not only
1:59:24did it Inspire countless more of its
1:59:26kind but it even trumped some of them I
1:59:30mean hell with the disappointing Rainbow
1:59:32Road in 8 and even the N64 course not
1:59:35fully delivering this was the best
1:59:38Rainbow Road in Mario Kart 8 for such a
1:59:41long long time key word being was and no
1:59:45matter where it decided to show up it
1:59:47was always a blast and so much so that
1:59:50it has had the most overall appearances
1:59:53out of any track within the franchise
1:59:56seriously Mario circuit's General theme
2:00:00appeared in seven games overall but this
2:00:03one single very unique course has
2:00:07appeared six times overall on the Super
2:00:10Nintendo super Circuit s on 3DS as DLC
2:00:15in Mario Kart 8 on the Wii U and then in
2:00:18the Basse version of Lux on the switch
2:00:20and finally tour which with all of its
2:00:23silly little additions and revisions and
2:00:25mini gamess this might be one of the
2:00:27best places to experience the level it's
2:00:30so much fun and just goes to show the
2:00:32potential at your fingertips when
2:00:34presented with greatness flawlessly
2:00:37executed the first time around but now
2:00:40this will be the last time we'll hear
2:00:42from the original Mario Kart in this
2:00:44ranking I'm sure that I've surprised a
2:00:46lot of people with how well this game
2:00:48performed but but I think that's on you
2:00:50because this was an instant classic that
2:00:53still holds up after 30 years and still
2:00:57this is only the first game to be
2:01:00eliminated oh boy just barely inching
2:01:04out rainbow road is Rainbow Road from
2:01:07super Circuit yeah two in a row now let
2:01:10me tell you it's a tragedy that the only
2:01:12way to experience this level is by
2:01:14playing the GBA Game because in my
2:01:16opinion it actually does several things
2:01:19better than the more well-known Super
2:01:21Nintendo level I mean for one it's a lot
2:01:24easier on the eyes with a prettier
2:01:26palette while some edges still result in
2:01:28Shear drops to your death others aligned
2:01:30with jumps that can hinder weaker races
2:01:33or giving the more inventive ones a big
2:01:35advantage to cut corners but finally
2:01:38this track has one of the best shortcuts
2:01:41in the franchise with its giant
2:01:43Launchpad I mean look at this thing how
2:01:46freaking wild is that man and you can
2:01:49try and try and try and still not be
2:01:52able to master this damn thing it's more
2:01:55reliable to stick to the main pathway
2:01:58but what a tease because for those who
2:02:01can manage to pull it off successfully a
2:02:03sense soaring through the air to land at
2:02:06the front of the race holy I did it
2:02:10I did it oh well damn that was
2:02:14shortlived I mean if you can execute
2:02:17this consistently then you deserve a
2:02:19medal I would have loved to have seen
2:02:21this playable in 3D with modern Mario
2:02:23Kart physics but I guess this one will
2:02:26remain a special reason to return to
2:02:28this classic from time to time because
2:02:30man I want to practice this until I can
2:02:32get it perfectly I must point out though
2:02:35catching a falling star hurts you that
2:02:38doesn't make any sense the last lap
2:02:40should have allowed every player to
2:02:42catch a star and gain that Invincible
2:02:44boost to the finish line so should we
2:02:47see this one appear in the future future
2:02:49that's on my wish list for sure one
2:02:52track that has really jumped up a few
2:02:54spots thanks to its later revisions has
2:02:56got to be kooper Trooper beach now I've
2:02:59always loved this one since the original
2:03:01N64 title it's wide open but has got
2:03:04some cunning short cuts excellent rock
2:03:06formations and with the tidde slowly
2:03:08creeping in on a few of the bends
2:03:10bottlenecks races to create some rather
2:03:12memorable moments but otherwise this is
2:03:15still a product of its time until Mario
2:03:19Kart 7 on the 3DS breathed new life into
2:03:22this classic in a major way I mean it's
2:03:25much prettier the stronger graphical
2:03:27Fidelity helps out a lot but from a
2:03:29design perspective this game's
2:03:32introduction of underwater driving has
2:03:34transformed this beach front area into a
2:03:36more modern level the big Cove that you
2:03:39normally have to drift around can now
2:03:41serve as a direct route through the
2:03:43beach area and the shortcut through the
2:03:45cliff side which was rather perilous and
2:03:47awkward before now flows much better for
2:03:50a more fluent and enjoyable Racing
2:03:53Experience man when I first got up to
2:03:55this one I just found myself replaying
2:03:57it again and again which has got to
2:03:59stand for something oh wow another one
2:04:02already damn okay this time we've got
2:04:05double Dash's Rainbow Road another
2:04:07Hidden Gem that as a Nintendo Outsider
2:04:10I've never experienced before seeing the
2:04:13jump in quality from the N64 to this
2:04:15course is stunning as it outshines in
2:04:18every way possible the pastel rainbow
2:04:21colors nighttime cityscape down below
2:04:23and some tricky turns mixed in with big
2:04:26downhill Vibes and a large iconic
2:04:28interactive element huge boost pads and
2:04:31upward spirals I particularly enjoy the
2:04:34big pipe launch back up to the top of
2:04:36this wonderful track I think it's this
2:04:38particular era of Mario Kart which
2:04:41defined the specialness of rainbow road
2:04:43and cemented it as that iconic imagery
2:04:45for the franchise perhaps even for the
2:04:48wider Mario Series in general I mean it
2:04:51made it into the movie and rightfully so
2:04:54as this course and all of its
2:04:56contemporaries all landed during
2:04:58Nintendo's second big boo so from one
2:05:01rainbow road to the next holy we're
2:05:04knocking these out in Rapid succession
2:05:06huh but if that represents anything it's
2:05:09a consistent standard of quality this
2:05:12time it's the DS's turn delivering yet
2:05:14another Whimsical race through the stars
2:05:16both of these sit in my mind as very
2:05:18similar I mean if you look at the start
2:05:20of this I can already see a segment
2:05:22directly ripped from the previous level
2:05:24but the DS does offer a few new features
2:05:27it's got a giant Loop leading us into
2:05:30rings that chime as you pass through
2:05:32before another big cork screw through
2:05:34the center of the loop damn this is like
2:05:37a roller coaster and once again the only
2:05:40way to experience this track is by
2:05:42dusting off your DS and loading up that
2:05:44old save file but I'd highly recommend
2:05:47doing so as the the DS entry of the
2:05:49franchise has been the long running
2:05:51Survivor of these rankings and with
2:05:54plenty of juice still left in the tank I
2:05:56mean the only thing holding this one
2:05:58back is some of the Automation in the
2:06:00level which I'm just not a fan of but
2:06:03hey I just can't deny the incredible
2:06:05moments made on this
2:06:08[Music]
2:06:16track time for another Wario level this
2:06:19time it's Mount Wario from number eight
2:06:21starting high up above the mountains as
2:06:23you ski and sled your way down the
2:06:25slippery slopes skidding around corners
2:06:27and through the treacherous cave systems
2:06:29this is such a highlight for me gliding
2:06:31through and then we're out onto possibly
2:06:33the biggest set piece being the dam this
2:06:36anti-gravity segment borrows some ideas
2:06:39from other fan favorites but makes it
2:06:41feel more special as this is a downhill
2:06:43Sprint so you've only got your one shot
2:06:46to take advantage and then come the
2:06:49trees oh my God this is terrifying but
2:06:52the reward of a clean jump into the
2:06:54final slem with the Finish Line Insight
2:06:57is such a satisfying one that so few
2:06:59downhill maps have managed to execute so
2:07:02effectively and every single time I just
2:07:05can't wait to do it all over again
2:07:08discover new routes and learn the most
2:07:10optimal path to the bottom of this slope
2:07:12in record time superb stuff and this is
2:07:15also a real win for the various snow
2:07:18scen within the series another Wario map
2:07:22damn this video has gone from who's
2:07:25Wario to hot damn Wario kicks ass in the
2:07:28span of about 10 places Wario's gold
2:07:32mine is one of the instantly
2:07:33recognizable Wei levels thanks to its
2:07:35Free Falling dips wide bends and all of
2:07:38the damn hazards getting in your way now
2:07:40I'll be honest I suck at this one but I
2:07:43still can't get enough of it but I think
2:07:45it shines best in number eight thanks to
2:07:48a few key fixes this section which I
2:07:51find to be a little confronting has now
2:07:52been adjusted to suit the anti-gravity
2:07:55and seems to flow much better into the
2:07:57next part of the map which improves how
2:07:59the player can maintain speed and even
2:08:01gain a little more by sneaking past
2:08:03those mine carts offers a risky yet
2:08:06perfect chance to gain that extra boost
2:08:08needed this is why you bring retro
2:08:11Classics back to enhance them and
2:08:13improve on the groundwork laid which at
2:08:15this point in the video the groundwork
2:08:18is already so damn strong that few
2:08:21others could really benefit from any
2:08:24[Music]
2:08:30[Music]
2:08:30[Applause]
2:08:31changes Bowser's Castle on the DS
2:08:34remains exclusive to this release which
2:08:36is again just another reason to dust the
2:08:38old thing off a more simplified
2:08:40structure than some other castles still
2:08:42manages to deliver with cool and
2:08:44inventive track pieces including the
2:08:46turntable floors and this weird pipe
2:08:49thing which takes a little bit of
2:08:50getting used to but thankfully failure
2:08:53here doesn't lead to instant death
2:08:55giving the driver a second chance before
2:08:57the final stretch of the race boosting
2:08:59across those platforms towards the
2:09:01Finish Line the only shortcut that I can
2:09:03think of is this one on the turntable
2:09:06which I swear doesn't even feel worth it
2:09:08half of the time but the music and
2:09:10visuals also give this course life like
2:09:13only the more retro styli Charming
2:09:16Nintendo systems are capable of big
2:09:18Super Nintendo aesthetic off of this one
2:09:21which as a childhood fan definitely
2:09:23earns it some points the big guy would
2:09:26strike again on the 3DS with yet another
2:09:28heavy metal melee through underwater
2:09:30level geers collapsing Rocky roadways
2:09:34and that big jump into a glide through
2:09:36searing waterfalls of fire as you're
2:09:38forced back inside the madness I really
2:09:41enjoy this one however it is also just a
2:09:44little bit short hence why it's getting
2:09:46knocked out ahead of some other strong
2:09:49Bowser Castle Maps but the song sells
2:09:52this track so well thanks to the heavier
2:09:54instruments and an overall more
2:09:56threatening aura about it in comparison
2:09:58the advancements from the DS game are
2:10:01strong while still paying homage to its
2:10:03older brother as you can see the Turning
2:10:06pipe is back with both an interior and
2:10:08exterior path this thing is really funky
2:10:12man I I can't say that I've ever seen
2:10:14this sort of obstacle done anywhere else
2:10:15in the franchise by this point in the
2:10:18ranking we're in the cream of the crop
2:10:21and for all of the creepy castles and
2:10:23spooky Speedways that we've witnessed I
2:10:26feel like Twisted mansion from Mario
2:10:28Kart 8 deserves its props for combining
2:10:31all of these Concepts into a single map
2:10:34the Grandeur of this ghoulish race open
2:10:37Perfectly with a symphony of booze
2:10:39contorting the dining room ahead of the
2:10:41opening stretch before leading the
2:10:43player through a flooded basement the
2:10:45way this course moves makes the entire
2:10:47thing feel alive giving it a really
2:10:50creepy feeling and the animated statues
2:10:52slamming down in the courtyards make
2:10:54this otherwise solid filler map a much
2:10:57more memorable spectacle than most other
2:10:59Grand spectacles of the franchise I mean
2:11:02it's beaten out the vast majority of
2:11:05memorable yet often overhyped rainbow
2:11:08roads and it's even beaten some Bowser
2:11:11Castle maps with only three of those
2:11:13left that we're yet to see the only
2:11:16thing this map is missing that I can
2:11:18possibly think of is a small tribute to
2:11:20the boardwalks and broken peers of old
2:11:23but regardless still a stellar level and
2:11:26a joy to return to after almost 10 odd
2:11:29years of racing it so from one iconic
2:11:32course to another it's time to break out
2:11:35those jungle drums for another donkey
2:11:37coner through the bright and colorful DK
2:11:39Mountain blasting out from a barrel with
2:11:42the S of that grumpy volcano off in the
2:11:44distance you quickly begin the winding
2:11:46descent back down slight ring around
2:11:48corners avoiding falling Boulders and
2:11:51this corner here man I swear as if the
2:11:54giant crevice wasn't enough of a hazard
2:11:56combined with the game's springy physics
2:11:59the other Racers love to litter this
2:12:01area with bananas and other items just
2:12:03to make that last little bit of track
2:12:05before the finish line that much tougher
2:12:08but it's still a fun track man the
2:12:10refinements in the Wii game and now
2:12:12Mario Kart 8 help it to Stand Tall
2:12:14amongst what is quickly becoming an
2:12:16overwhelming abundance of strong
2:12:19downhill maps and Donkey Kong's got
2:12:21another one up his sleeve DK snowboard
2:12:25cross country is like if DK mountain and
2:12:28mount Wario had a baby Barrel launch to
2:12:31the top of the slopes more of those
2:12:33excellent hair pins and snow ramps to
2:12:35boost off of leading to the big half
2:12:37pipes to show off your trick skills it's
2:12:40by far one of the shorter downhill slom
2:12:42style Maps but that keeps the pace fast
2:12:45the race intense and forces the player
2:12:47to perfect their skills if they want to
2:12:49ride away with the win another classic
2:12:52later added to eight via tour I'm just
2:12:55so happy to see this one back as it's
2:12:57perfect for competitive play while still
2:13:00serving as a great midlevel standard on
2:13:02the difficulty Spectrum now thanks to
2:13:05its Revival an entirely New Generation
2:13:07get to grow up shredding these famous
2:13:10Peaks and forming lifelong gaming
2:13:12memories all right guys I'm sorry to say
2:13:16but it's the end of the road for Donkey
2:13:18Kong's contributions to this list and up
2:13:21real soon we're going to see another
2:13:23game be eliminated entirely but first
2:13:26we've got DK jungle from seven and later
2:13:29Mario Kart 8 taking a bit of dkc returns
2:13:33inspo for this one which is nice to see
2:13:35and it's also the only DK course to
2:13:38feature the incredibly catchy and
2:13:40memorable jungle hyink tune that defines
2:13:43the character's personality carving
2:13:45through the jungle and out to this
2:13:46stunning golden banana Temple never
2:13:49ceases to take your breath away and the
2:13:51same can be said for the giant totems
2:13:53blowing hot air around trying to throw
2:13:55you off course one of my favorite things
2:13:57about this level is how it ends with the
2:13:59option of a quicker cut over a log
2:14:02directly towards the Finish or the safer
2:14:04but ever so slightly longer drift around
2:14:07the outside it's always a tempting
2:14:10decision but one that can sadly end in
2:14:13tragedy right before the end of a race
2:14:15but if you nail this just right then and
2:14:18hot damn this is a level that you won't
2:14:20soon forget however it may not be the
2:14:24greatest Donkey Kong map of the Mario
2:14:27Kart franchise No in fact there is one
2:14:31DK level left that many may not have
2:14:34even heard of or even had the
2:14:36opportunity to play and that would be
2:14:40the Donkey Kong cup from arcade Grand
2:14:42Prix Deluxe featuring a combo of the DK
2:14:45jungle and the bananan L Labyrinth oh
2:14:49yeah I bet you forgot that these arcade
2:14:51games were even still eligible in the
2:14:53rankings but don't be so shocked as this
2:14:56entrant is what I'd have to consider the
2:14:59greatest tribute to this beloved
2:15:01franchise to ever be raced on starring
2:15:04that same Golden Banana Temple we also
2:15:06get to explore Vine Laden Treetops Fast
2:15:09and Furious Minecart tracks through the
2:15:11mountains and some absolutely stunning
2:15:14temple ruins which can barely maintain
2:15:16their structural integ because these
2:15:18drivers are so damn crazy honestly this
2:15:22feels like a Donkey Kong level like no
2:15:24other and aside from it missing the
2:15:27appropriate music would have been the
2:15:29perfect candidate for a Revival on the
2:15:32switch but sadly not only is this level
2:15:36curse to exist exclusively in the
2:15:38arcades but some machines may not even
2:15:41include this course to play as it was
2:15:44released post launch as a DLC C up yeah
2:15:49so arcades would have needed to download
2:15:51the update for their machine and it's
2:15:53because of this that many people may
2:15:55sadly never get to try this one out for
2:15:58themselves it's a real devastating loss
2:16:01for the Mario Kart Community there is an
2:16:04alternative method of play but
2:16:06unfortunately it's locked behind a pay
2:16:08wall which if you are interested then
2:16:10you'll have to find that one by yourself
2:16:13but the crazy thing about this is that
2:16:15this isn't even the only arcade cup
2:16:18hidden away in obscurity like
2:16:21[Music]
2:16:30this the final level from the arcade
2:16:34games to appear in the rankings at the
2:16:36high spot of number 30 is the Namco cup
2:16:40a significantly improved Pac-Man
2:16:43inspired Stadium circuit complete with
2:16:45Vapor wave retro futuristic visuals and
2:16:48a second course including the Namco
2:16:50Museum highlighting a historical lineup
2:16:53of characters and franchise from back in
2:16:55the arcade days now just look at this in
2:16:58comparison what an absolutely
2:17:01gamechanging blow up dig dog gets an
2:17:04entire area but Keeny players will also
2:17:07spot references to gallaga Mappy Mouse
2:17:09and Tower of Drager an absolute treat to
2:17:13behold and look you might be bothered
2:17:16that I placed this one so high up and
2:17:18perhaps I'm being a little bit biased
2:17:20but in my opinion if you're going to do
2:17:23a crossover then this is how you do it
2:17:26you pay tribute and respect while
2:17:28integrating it seamlessly to feel like
2:17:31it always belonged in the mix I would
2:17:34have absolutely loved to have seen
2:17:36Pac-Man and this Grand Prix make it into
2:17:38eight Deluxe but once again only in the
2:17:42arcades only via a DLC update and
2:17:46despite its incredibly fun and
2:17:48fast-paced design only played by a small
2:17:51fraction of the Mario Kart fan base that
2:17:55crime sadly ends a very strong run from
2:17:59arguably one of the weaker entries in
2:18:01the series but in my opinion anyway this
2:18:04is simply a no contest for one of the
2:18:07most addicting Mario titles out
2:18:10there man I'm on the edge of my seat
2:18:13with this one I mean this has got to be
2:18:15one of the most gem packed highly
2:18:17anticipated every level ranked videos
2:18:19that I've ever attempted and with so
2:18:22many strong contenders suddenly getting
2:18:24knocked out all around us well it must
2:18:27be noted that several games left are
2:18:30only Hanging On by a mere thread which
2:18:34means that we have to ask ourselves
2:18:36which one is strong enough to go the
2:18:39distance and win that golden
2:18:43[Music]
2:18:46trophy
2:18:48[Music]
2:18:52drop the pedal and start burning rubber
2:18:54because Bowser Castle a is going to kick
2:18:57your ass the giant fiery King of the
2:18:59Coopers is here to ruin your day by
2:19:01disturbing the track and block the path
2:19:04as a huge intimidating foe various
2:19:07anti-gravity segments and splits in the
2:19:09path stand in your way and as usual
2:19:11those damn right angle Corners are ever
2:19:14present to make your race 10 times
2:19:16harder it's this twisted and confusing
2:19:19architecture which gives it that
2:19:20all-encompassing feeling of Terror and
2:19:23yet all makes for a great time learning
2:19:25how to perfectly maneuver each new turn
2:19:28but I don't think anything hits quite as
2:19:31hard as that
2:19:33[Music]
2:19:40tune man that's dope gives Jack Black
2:19:43and Tenacious D a run for their money
2:19:45let me tell you my only critique of this
2:19:48one is being a little shorter than I
2:19:51maybe would have liked you know like
2:19:53Rainbow Road these courses should Define
2:19:56that epic feeling and challenge
2:19:58associated with the Mastery of these
2:19:59games a detail which I feel that Double
2:20:03Dash executed that itty bitty little
2:20:06fraction better you're barely through
2:20:08the front door of the castle before
2:20:10swamps start raining down upon you as
2:20:12you try to sneak through the skinny
2:20:14hallways and bottlenecks of the course
2:20:16it's very easy to see where a lot of
2:20:18inspiration for the previous level comes
2:20:20from and while maybe not as
2:20:22overcompensating as some others the
2:20:24Contemporary Castle is a lot more
2:20:26traditional in a sense due to its less
2:20:28complex obstacles then it's back outside
2:20:31the castle walls to climb up and up to
2:20:33meet Bowser face to face this is the
2:20:36earliest example that we have of some
2:20:38kind of Bowser Hazard on the course
2:20:40itself attacking drivers which is really
2:20:43cool to see and which would become a
2:20:45feature of later iterations as we've
2:20:47seen already there are some brutal turns
2:20:49in this one and it's long too making it
2:20:52an endurance of your carting abilities
2:20:55so many long straightaways to contend
2:20:57with and little to know opportunities to
2:20:59get a boost this is truly end of game
2:21:02challenge now that we're in the final
2:21:04stages of this
2:21:13[Music]
2:21:15video time the ninja Hideway an absolute
2:21:19Blast from booster pack one defined by
2:21:22its Dojo of high up framework routes and
2:21:24falling spikes of Doom in your path you
2:21:27get launched up to a higher structure on
2:21:29top of the gorgeous landscape lined with
2:21:31bamboo and blossoming trees which then
2:21:33leads onto a rooftop rush hour it's
2:21:36short Snappy and damn it kicks hard with
2:21:39that awesome Fusion rock song every time
2:21:42I play this track it feels like a fresh
2:21:45new experience thanks to the variety of
2:21:47different lines you can take through the
2:21:48different hallways and levels of the
2:21:50buildings and I really enjoy this rather
2:21:53subtle shortcut here there is just so
2:21:55much goodness hidden away on ninja
2:21:57Hideway an absolutely incredible
2:22:00addition to the upper echelon of Mario
2:22:02Kart stardom as this rather brief Loop
2:22:05is constantly bustling with intense
2:22:08action and staying on theme dragon
2:22:11driftway snakes along the back and
2:22:13through the inside of this huge Dragon
2:22:15structure it's another Temple it seems
2:22:18but going from such hard 90° turns into
2:22:21such a winding flowing track that feels
2:22:23like it's made of 90% drifting this one
2:22:26requires a bit more learning to get good
2:22:29at to be able to take advantage of those
2:22:31very limited cuts which is often
2:22:33essential to get a win on this one I
2:22:35love this track have loved it since the
2:22:37day I first laid eyes on number eight
2:22:40and I hope that you all agree with me
2:22:41that this one offers up some intense yet
2:22:44satisfying moments and there are plenty
2:22:46of smaller details too you can see L 2
2:22:49doing their best Kung Fu pandering on
2:22:51the walls and the beams across the
2:22:53ceiling appear to feature a throwback to
2:22:56classic Mario Overworld designs man
2:22:59you'd never be able to even notice that
2:23:01blasting through this tube at 200cc but
2:23:04man it just goes to show the level of
2:23:07detail and respect given to extend this
2:23:09course into the higher
2:23:11ranks number 25 is Royal Raceway which
2:23:16is also so the last entry for the
2:23:19classic N64 title with its royally steep
2:23:23Cliff sides incredibly well done circuit
2:23:25sections and featuring one of the most
2:23:27epic jumps of the entire series
2:23:29launching over the lake with that castle
2:23:31off in the background I guess this would
2:23:33still be considered your generic
2:23:35Mushroom Kingdom circuit level as we've
2:23:37seen so many times before now but this
2:23:40one is just designed so perfectly
2:23:44precise and fun Corners it's got the big
2:23:47tlight moment that everyone remembers
2:23:49and you can even Venture off the Beaten
2:23:51Track to explore around the outer
2:23:52grounds of the castle which for the time
2:23:55was just such a rad little Easter egg
2:23:58and one that sadly didn't make it into
2:24:00later revisions not to be seen again
2:24:02until Mario Kart 8 almost 20 years later
2:24:05and this one is a visual Masterpiece I
2:24:09love seeing more of those blossoms
2:24:11falling from the trees the Regal
2:24:13eccentricities and with the franchises
2:24:15control scheme dialed in by this Point
2:24:17makes this circuit a hyperco competitive
2:24:19track online a much beloved tribute to
2:24:22the final level from a much beloved game
2:24:25though it may have started this list off
2:24:27in poor form Mario Kart 64 truly was the
2:24:31launching pad for the 3D cart racing
2:24:33genre back in the day and its Legacy
2:24:36still stands tall after all of these
2:24:38years thanks to strong nostalgic
2:24:40locations such as this one super Circuit
2:24:44is still hanging in there too with some
2:24:46more stand out out additions to the
2:24:47franchise such as ribbon road before we
2:24:51wrap this game up in a nice little bow
2:24:53this tough course presents us with one
2:24:55of the trickiest opening turns of the
2:24:57franchise directly spiraling into a
2:25:00booster jump soon followed by another
2:25:02which can be really annoying at times so
2:25:05you've just got to keep practicing and
2:25:07practicing and once you nail it man this
2:25:10track is wild a real technical driver's
2:25:13playground despite its childish themes
2:25:16seeing this full realized in mk8 was
2:25:18just a mind-blowing experience again
2:25:21adopting the tiny little fellas within a
2:25:23huge realistic interior aesthetic this
2:25:26time it's a child's bedroom Big Toy
2:25:29Story vibes from this one but thanks to
2:25:31the advancements in 3D technology it
2:25:34gives this map so much more life now
2:25:36we're skidding through Castle playsets
2:25:39winding by the windup Cooper Troopers
2:25:41and there are some rather sneaky and
2:25:43very challenging shortcuts to take
2:25:45advantage of now all of those additions
2:25:48really elevated this one into the higher
2:25:50rankings as I honestly can't fault
2:25:53anything here it's vibrant bouncy
2:25:56challenging but still approachable
2:25:58everything that a good Mario Kart level
2:26:01should be the wind has really blown out
2:26:04of tour sail since its incredible streak
2:26:06of City scrambles throughout the middle
2:26:08portion of the list but it's back once
2:26:10more with Amsterdam drift this map gets
2:26:13brownie points for being one of the only
2:26:15city maps to actually take you
2:26:17underwater through the canals and then
2:26:20quickly Loops back around into oncoming
2:26:22traffic which is such an incredibly
2:26:25uncommon thing to see the Calamity of
2:26:27driving head first into your opponents
2:26:29is thrilling and hilarious with the
2:26:32right items and perfect timing but it's
2:26:34also a very pretty stage as well hopping
2:26:37over to the fields of windmills and rows
2:26:39and rows of tulips in Holland for a tour
2:26:42course it's not the most complex and for
2:26:44a non-european it might seem on the
2:26:46surface like many of the other stages
2:26:48we've previously seen But the focus here
2:26:51is on the core cart racing level
2:26:53structure and injecting some variety
2:26:55into the mix with different terrain and
2:26:57rare opportunities for heated action
2:26:59moments which are crucial to the outcome
2:27:01of every single race and I mean
2:27:04design-wise as well blending both
2:27:06bustling streets and Rural dirt tracks
2:27:09makes for a nice change of pace from
2:27:11most others so enjoy this one while it
2:27:13lasts because the Mario carting never
2:27:16stops
2:27:17it's time now to quickly Cascade through
2:27:19the collapsing Grumble Volcano around
2:27:21twisting bends above rivers of lava and
2:27:24trying not to get singed as you react to
2:27:26the level crumbling around you that's
2:27:29the appeal of grumble that I love with
2:27:31each new lap the structural Integrity of
2:27:33this level comes further into question
2:27:36forcing you to speed up and blast
2:27:37through these cavernous turns to get out
2:27:39of here before the entire thing is under
2:27:41an ocean of Fire and Flames the variety
2:27:44of paths to take the sheer in sanity of
2:27:47items flying everywhere moving platforms
2:27:50High Roads to get an extra boost this is
2:27:52such an intimidating level especially if
2:27:55you're rocking the motion control setup
2:27:57if you could consider this a desert
2:27:59level given the barren landscape of
2:28:01charge Rock and Ash then yeah this is
2:28:04without question the best desert course
2:28:07of the series but if that's a stretch
2:28:09for you then consider this little fact
2:28:12there is only one Bowser castle level
2:28:15for us left to see so by that standard
2:28:18I'm not shy to call this one an
2:28:21honorable member of Bowser's track list
2:28:23as it defines his fiery Spirit
2:28:27flawlessly piranha plant pipeway slides
2:28:30the player down through the murky
2:28:31tunnels avoiding ferocious plans and
2:28:33even fiercer turns than Grumble this
2:28:36chicane with the right angles is a
2:28:38momentum killer at the best of times so
2:28:41learning how to tackle this tricky
2:28:42corner is essential then the big drive
2:28:45down before being launch launched up and
2:28:47out back to the classic Mario Overworld
2:28:49makes for a thrilling little circuit
2:28:51with plenty more high points than there
2:28:53are lows in fact the only low that I can
2:28:56gather is that this one appearing in
2:28:58number eight may be the sole reason that
2:29:01pipeline from T was ultimately excluded
2:29:04from the booster packs in the end as
2:29:06both levels are generally the same
2:29:08concept but as you can see here there is
2:29:11just so much more style and life with
2:29:13this one it's got that character the
2:29:16charm and memorability with something
2:29:18for both veteran and new players I've
2:29:20been preaching it all day I mean hell
2:29:22I've been preaching it for years
2:29:24Simplicity Done Right will always
2:29:27triumph over the more try hard complex
2:29:30designs when it comes to level design
2:29:32and this pipeway shines the entire way
2:29:35through metaphorically anyway and Sky
2:29:39Garden from super Circuit is yet another
2:29:41excellent example of this but also an
2:29:44example of never underestimating mating
2:29:46the little guys because even though this
2:29:49is the final level to appear which was
2:29:51originally 2D look at how high it got it
2:29:55soared above the clouds to number 20
2:29:59that's insane but the enjoyment to be
2:30:02had on this quick cruise through the sky
2:30:04never ceases thanks to all the funky
2:30:06little jump skips across the clouds and
2:30:08that cheerful inspiring tune if we level
2:30:11up a generation to the DS we can see
2:30:14just how well this track flowed and
2:30:16allow for exciting gameplay moments
2:30:18despite it Simplicity I said earlier on
2:30:21that cloud top Cruise was just a poor
2:30:23man's Sky garden and I mean that as this
2:30:26GBA original is rich in Mario charm and
2:30:30allows the player to create moments
2:30:32using their skills and Ingenuity rather
2:30:35than trying to force you to feel those
2:30:37special feelings so congratulations to
2:30:40possibly the biggest Underdog of the
2:30:43entire series it may be on the weakest
2:30:46hardware and it's also not the Original
2:30:49Classic that Generations have held dear
2:30:51for 30 years but it is our number 20
2:30:55spot earning itself a golden Power Star
2:30:58from me so congrats on a super showing
2:31:01from super Circuit throughout this
2:31:02entire video definitely go give this one
2:31:05a play if you haven't previously because
2:31:07trust me you will not be
2:31:10disappointed on to yet another circuit
2:31:13this time we're talking Yoshi Circa
2:31:15which for one of the main inline
2:31:16characters appearing in every iteration
2:31:19since day one I'm glad that he finally
2:31:21got one really strong Level under his
2:31:24belt and even though conceptually the
2:31:26idea of Simply outlining the silhouette
2:31:29of a character and calling it a
2:31:30racetrack sounds lazy and uninspired the
2:31:33end result is one of the more unique
2:31:35courses immediately recognizable with
2:31:38some of the most fun turns that you'll
2:31:39ever drift around eight is without
2:31:42question the best way to play it and
2:31:44make the most of the solid driving and
2:31:46the visual upgrades go a long way too
2:31:49Yoshi tunnel ew well at least it's on
2:31:52his face and not his bum I cherish this
2:31:55waterfall shortcut so much I think it
2:31:57defines what cart racing skips are all
2:31:59about nothing fancy just as long as
2:32:02you've got the speed to carry you over
2:32:04you'll be sure to follow through with
2:32:05the victory any day of the week and just
2:32:09like that now it's time to knock out
2:32:11another Contender yep we're at that
2:32:14stage in the video where games are going
2:32:15to start dropping like dead flies the
2:32:18final Double Dash course we have to look
2:32:20at today is Waluigi
2:32:23Stadium yeah I know right thinking
2:32:26purely about Double Dash I mean don't
2:32:28get me wrong it's a really fun level but
2:32:31is it the best in that game well that's
2:32:34debatable however it has only aged like
2:32:37fine wine with later revisions sparking
2:32:39up the energy hyping the player with
2:32:41more Dynamic hazards and its most recent
2:32:44inclusion in number eight just sealed
2:32:46the deal on this strong ranking for me I
2:32:48don't know what to say it's just a blast
2:32:51with Snappy turns free flowing bends to
2:32:53wall rde that segment with the
2:32:55mechanical plants and rotating fire
2:32:58whirly gigs is always a hoot especially
2:33:00with the additional half pipes on either
2:33:02side an absolute winner to round out the
2:33:05gamecube's participation on this list
2:33:08while personally not my preferred Mario
2:33:10Kart experience I can't deny the strong
2:33:13iconic maps to come from it and out of
2:33:16all the games I was new to prior to
2:33:18making this video Double Dash featured
2:33:21the most hidden gems that I hadn't
2:33:23really played before so I'm really glad
2:33:26that I can finally see why so many
2:33:28people love this entry and with several
2:33:31quality exclusives I'll be back behind
2:33:33the wheel sooner rather than later in
2:33:36similar vein Toad's Factory does so many
2:33:39things right for an otherwise beginner
2:33:41course Unique Mechanics like the
2:33:43conveyor belts a funky layout that leads
2:33:46lead you into the sticky mud if you
2:33:47don't get an extra boost off of the
2:33:49industrial ramps the second set of
2:33:51conveyors with items and objects in your
2:33:53path adds some randomization to each lap
2:33:56and by God that's slapping tune man I
2:33:59can barely keep my eyes on the road I'm
2:34:01too busy tapping my knees to the beat
2:34:03because it's just so catchy am I going
2:34:05to be alone on this one I feel like I've
2:34:08played so many similar courses a lot
2:34:10lower down but this one has always just
2:34:13called out to me for some reason and
2:34:15highlights everything I loved about the
2:34:16Wii title if I'm alone on this one then
2:34:20that's fine with me because this little
2:34:22puppy sure has a strong bite and again
2:34:25for another core character from day one
2:34:28all mate deserves a track abundant with
2:34:30quality to represent his legacy next up
2:34:33is another Wii map moon view Highway
2:34:36another really strong entry which I
2:34:37imagine wouldn't sit so high up on other
2:34:40people's lists but no I think this is
2:34:42such a playful course even if it is
2:34:45merely a basic Loop through traffic like
2:34:47a lot of others we've seen any stage
2:34:49with hazards on the roads are a lot of
2:34:51fun in my opinion and it makes getting
2:34:53up off of the road feels special taking
2:34:56High shortcuts or even higher ridges to
2:34:58try and gain your advantage a nighttime
2:35:01race it's also pretty and the cherry on
2:35:03top is that quick yet Whimsical song
2:35:06that sounds like traffic but relaxing
2:35:10yeah relaxing traffic I don't know how
2:35:12to explain it but I also enjoy the wider
2:35:15Highway SE as it allows players a bit of
2:35:17room to move and throw their items while
2:35:20still being able to navigate everything
2:35:21else on the road and leading into that
2:35:23tunnel with cars down either side makes
2:35:25for a nerve-wracking Sprint of the
2:35:27Finish Line especially with those damn
2:35:29bomb cars driving down the street now
2:35:32how on Earth is that thing road legal if
2:35:35you like to go fast and hit some spicy
2:35:37drifts then moon view has got you
2:35:40covered Sunshine airport is another one
2:35:43which truly shines for how well it's
2:35:45been executed maybe not the most Mario
2:35:47Kart 8 track of 8 given its limited and
2:35:50generic use of the anti-gravity but
2:35:53ignore that just as a premise for a race
2:35:55course this one is a show stealer thanks
2:35:58to the various runways playing chicken
2:36:00with oncoming planes and the extra
2:36:02little routes you can use to fly through
2:36:04each lap for the fastest time possible I
2:36:07get real coconut mole Vibes off of this
2:36:09one if you know what I mean which FYI
2:36:12we're still yet to see coconut mole I
2:36:15just find the turn so addicting it's
2:36:18simple yet charming and that luggage
2:36:20claim skip right before the Finish Line
2:36:22has finished the dreams of so many races
2:36:25over the years it should be a statistic
2:36:28that's tracked and updated daily cuz
2:36:30godamn is that a sneaky sucker but while
2:36:34we're here let's board a flight to
2:36:37another Universe
2:36:39[Music]
2:36:44entirely
2:36:48it's time for the final crossover into
2:36:51another franchise and without debate the
2:36:54greatest crossover of them all man who
2:36:58could have expected that the cult hit
2:37:00Nintendo racing franchise combined with
2:37:03its most successful racing franchise
2:37:06would slap so hard well fzo and mute
2:37:09City deliver an adrenaline fueled fly
2:37:11through this anti-gravity Delight with
2:37:14cork screws tall turn turns and speed
2:37:17speed so much speed just all over this
2:37:20one it nails that feeling of zero limits
2:37:23that these games achieved so well and
2:37:26that song man holy God it's a techno
2:37:31Rock saxophone Symphony that just speaks
2:37:33for itself an absolute Banger if I've
2:37:37ever heard one it just gets you pumped
2:37:39up and keeps your heart rate at Peak
2:37:41levels for the entire level I could Rave
2:37:44and rant about how good this is but
2:37:46instead now it's time to talk about the
2:37:49big bad big blue and oh boy this
2:37:53downhill Adventure steals the damn show
2:37:56taking us through more winding
2:37:58futuristic cities perch the top
2:38:00mountains and waterfalls descending down
2:38:02and down until we glance the ocean
2:38:04surface through this awesome cave flight
2:38:07and then get topside again spiraling as
2:38:09close to the water's surface as we can
2:38:12before starting the big climb back up in
2:38:14what completes one of the greatest
2:38:16crossovers in video game history one of
2:38:19the greatest Mario kart tracks of all
2:38:21time and once again it delivers us a
2:38:25banging
2:38:29[Applause]
2:38:41tune man these locations are quality
2:38:44that not only stand tall amongst the
2:38:46vast majority but walk away with ranking
2:38:49much stronger than most rainbow roads
2:38:52for Christ's sake if that doesn't
2:38:54deliver the message I'm trying to get
2:38:56across then shut up go play the game and
2:38:59Jam these kickass courses until your
2:39:01fingertips bleed because it doesn't get
2:39:04much better than this in fact one of the
2:39:07only rainbow roads that can even compete
2:39:10with big blue has got to be the Wii
2:39:13installment and even then we are are
2:39:15splitting hairs over this one flying
2:39:19into the rankings at number 12 this
2:39:21Rainbow Road can be a right pain in my
2:39:23ass don't make fun of me I'm using tilt
2:39:26controls for real though it's a tough
2:39:29challenge but the Perfect Blend of
2:39:30Splendor and Technical racing skill it's
2:39:33got big swoops jumps and a magical
2:39:36elevator so it's obviously pretty badass
2:39:39this big section at the bottom of the
2:39:40course with these two large potholes has
2:39:43got to be one of the greatest set pieces
2:39:45in the series history as it forces the
2:39:47player to gamble on their lap time if
2:39:49they can make the distance across but if
2:39:52not or if you're too chicken to even try
2:39:54then the adjacent half Pipes make for
2:39:56some great boosting and flips that would
2:39:58make Tony Hawk jealous it's certainly
2:40:01taken some trial and error to nail this
2:40:03level theme down to the finest of
2:40:05details but there is a reason that Mario
2:40:08Kart Wii is remembered so fondly and
2:40:11just to see how this concept has evolved
2:40:14over the years and seeing all of the
2:40:16amalgamations of each rendition
2:40:17represented in this one track warms my
2:40:20heart I mean godamn that's our
2:40:23childhoods right there and so this one
2:40:26is going to live on forever Mario Kart
2:40:2960 is going to come out in 100 years and
2:40:31people will still be like damn where's
2:40:33wi rainbow road though because this is a
2:40:36Timeless classic and one that I am
2:40:39really sad to deny a top 10 spot but
2:40:43still just so inspired by its presence
2:40:46in my
2:40:49life all right now just missing out on a
2:40:53top 10 position honestly this is like
2:40:56getting hit with a blue shell on that
2:40:58final turn and seeing everyone else
2:41:00passing you by it's called getting Mario
2:41:03karted and missing the top 10 by such a
2:41:06fine margin is the perfect demonstration
2:41:09of that time has run out for tick tock
2:41:12clock this is almost like a castle map
2:41:14but instead of of brick walls and
2:41:16barricades we've got stopwatches and
2:41:18spinning gears hey I know I talk a lot
2:41:21about how small guys being in a big
2:41:23level is really cool but small enough to
2:41:26fit inside of a wrist watch and that's
2:41:28just not realistic but once again it's
2:41:31appearance in eight is what brought this
2:41:33one to the top of the rankings with just
2:41:35how much was added in from all of The
2:41:37Swinging pendulums and extra little
2:41:39details all over the place oh and I've
2:41:42got to mention the music It's like a
2:41:44child-friendly panic attack which
2:41:46encapsulates all of the stress of waking
2:41:49up to your alarm clock before school
2:41:51after hitting snooze for the 10th time
2:41:53and the final lap music is when you've
2:41:55got 60 seconds to get up out of bed get
2:41:58dressed eat breakfast and run out the
2:41:59door before your mom kicks you up the
2:42:01bump a Timeless race that gets your ass
2:42:04moving from the moment that green light
2:42:06flashes and provides a constant rush
2:42:09until you make it all the way to the end
2:42:11in record time as we finally enter the
2:42:15the top
2:42:1810 and just like that we have only 10
2:42:23levels
2:42:25remaining oh man this th ranking these
2:42:30top spots is going to be
2:42:33brutal okay I mean this has already been
2:42:35one of the toughest rankings that I've
2:42:37ever attempted given to the sheer volume
2:42:40of incredible quality exubera from this
2:42:43franchise over 30 years and this top 10
2:42:46is no different I I think that you'll
2:42:49agree with me that most of these tracks
2:42:51Define what we love about the Mario Kart
2:42:55franchise that you know they captured
2:42:57that special feeling of holding magic at
2:42:59your fingertips as possibly the greatest
2:43:03cart racing levels ever created so with
2:43:07no further time wasting let's commence a
2:43:10very special top 10 with a very big
2:43:14elimination
2:43:27[Music]
2:43:36kicking things off at number 10 is Toad
2:43:39Harbor from Mario Kart 8 and after a
2:43:42staggering 96 courses this is the final
2:43:46entry for this game this map has it all
2:43:49and defines exactly what made this title
2:43:51so special it's bright and cheery the
2:43:54track provides multiple different paths
2:43:56to take which wind and climb up through
2:43:58the Coastal Village to the top of the
2:44:00hill where you'll find the tram this
2:44:02building to the left is also an
2:44:04impressive wall ride opportunity before
2:44:06taking the big slope back down again
2:44:08gaining air and hopefully gaining an
2:44:11advantage is it the most technically
2:44:13impressive map not is it the toughest no
2:44:17and it's not a rainbow road or a
2:44:19Bowser's Castle it's just Toad Harbor
2:44:23and it's a definitive example of the
2:44:25Mario Kart format executed to Perfection
2:44:29ending off the incredible run for one of
2:44:31the most impressive games in the
2:44:33franchise to date with what was already
2:44:36such a strong game before the deluxe
2:44:38Port it's now overflowing with endless
2:44:41content for future generations to enjoy
2:44:43with an Allstar car and all of the best
2:44:46levels the franchise has to offer well
2:44:50almost all of them in fact there are
2:44:52only two tracks in the top 10 which do
2:44:56not feature in Mario Kart 8 which is a
2:44:59strong statistic in its own right if you
2:45:01ask me snubbed from a Mario Kart 8
2:45:04remaster Airship Fortress is getting its
2:45:07respect here as this is a standout
2:45:09Castle course avoiding bullet bills upon
2:45:12boarding the iconic Airship and making
2:45:14our way down below before long boom you
2:45:18get fired out of one of the Cannons and
2:45:19torpedoed into the castle tower for an
2:45:22extended downward spiral which makes for
2:45:24a perfect moment before completing your
2:45:26next lap borrowing from all the classic
2:45:29maps to create a modern twist given that
2:45:31we rarely see airships throughout the
2:45:33Mario Kart games Beyond only a handful
2:45:35of levels this one has Super Nintendo
2:45:38Bowser Castle Vibes but in the good way
2:45:41like it's 3D counterpart from tour and
2:45:44to my surprise I have also played this
2:45:47map in tour and it holds up really well
2:45:49in that game too a good midlevel
2:45:52difficulty map that holds a special
2:45:54place in the hearts of many as an
2:45:56experience now only exclusive to the DS
2:45:59family of portable titles and tour on
2:46:02mobile and that is if you're lucky
2:46:05enough to catch it in rotation but one
2:46:07level that I am glad to see in number
2:46:09eight is coconut mall so let's dip in
2:46:12for some retail therapy because no body
2:46:15can possibly be depressed with that
2:46:16sickeningly upbeat tune echoing
2:46:19throughout this concrete jungle above
2:46:22below and all around this track is a
2:46:24Supermarket Sweep with plenty of fun
2:46:27drifts hidden Cuts races popping in and
2:46:29out of nowhere and as long as you're not
2:46:31contending with those damn escalators
2:46:33then you've got a sure footing for
2:46:35victory nothing beats taking the high
2:46:38road on the final lap and launching down
2:46:40to the car park below to take away a
2:46:42decisive Victory and since its first
2:46:44appear appearance on the Wii coconut
2:46:46mall has appeared again and again
2:46:49defining that this is a musthave course
2:46:52for any future Mario Kart games don't
2:46:55discount it just for its Simplicity as
2:46:57this is far more than your average oh
2:47:00get off the road you idiot oh God what
2:47:03was I saying oh yeah coconut mole is
2:47:07damn awesome dude you know it
2:47:10is oh all right the final tour level is
2:47:14to my surprise r one of the greatest
2:47:16cart racing maps that I maybe have ever
2:47:19played going pedal to the medal against
2:47:22Greek gods through the panon launching
2:47:24from high up Cliffs this stage is an
2:47:26adventure throughout history with so
2:47:28many great set pieces from the stairs of
2:47:31the various monuments drifting through
2:47:33the theater and then quickly launching
2:47:35from the waterfall that sits at top its
2:47:37vertical mountain walls it's got a
2:47:39courageous tune that screams of an Epic
2:47:41Journey which is why I decided to play
2:47:44link for this level level I just think
2:47:45he really fits well and quite frankly
2:47:48there is no reason that a tour level is
2:47:51outclassing a Legend of Zelda themed
2:47:54Mario Kart level by 60 odd points but
2:47:57here we are it's just a true Testament
2:48:00not to ignore tour simply because it's a
2:48:03mobile game with all of the usual red
2:48:05flags as a Mario game it's got the
2:48:09largest roster of any the largest track
2:48:11list of any at 103 which doesn't even
2:48:15include any of the remixed variations or
2:48:17alternate versions by the way and on top
2:48:20of them all standing tall is Athens Dash
2:48:24just an absolute masterclass in level
2:48:27design fitting of its once incredible
2:48:29Empire centered on the gorgeous views of
2:48:32the Acropolis incredible man just
2:48:36incredible I can't get enough of
2:48:41it well well well look who we have here
2:48:44here we have ranked
2:48:47150 tracks now and Wario has climbed the
2:48:51entire mountain with one of the
2:48:53strongest ranking positions of the
2:48:55entire video I just want to say that I
2:48:58am impressed that turn around in real
2:49:01time was roughly a decade but what a
2:49:04difference it made as the DS Wario
2:49:06stadium is an absolute show stealer even
2:49:10just seeing gameplay of this one led me
2:49:12to finally pick up the DS game for the
2:49:14very first time and I've been in love
2:49:16with it ever since it just gets all of
2:49:19the corners right the straightaways and
2:49:21mudslides don't slow down the pace and
2:49:23there are some gnarly sick jumps through
2:49:25rings of fire not to mention it's also
2:49:28got a banger of a tune but we'll talk
2:49:30about that a little more soon as it's
2:49:32reused on another track but it's an
2:49:35incredible track and its Revival within
2:49:38eight couldn't be more deserved as this
2:49:40only amplifies its greatness now with
2:49:43everything in HD we've got this massive
2:49:45midair send introducing just that extra
2:49:48amount of flow and changing up the
2:49:50course Beyond a generic dirt track and
2:49:53the flooded area is great too keeping
2:49:55the player on their toes and forcing you
2:49:57to adjust to the environment after every
2:49:59corner I love this one and I will vouch
2:50:02for it until the day I die and we still
2:50:05have more DS levels to go but can this
2:50:10game take away a Podium
2:50:13spot
2:50:16[Applause]
2:50:18this one cannot be overlooked as the
2:50:20original known as Music Park in 7 on the
2:50:233DS was an absolute show stealer and a
2:50:25defining course introduced by that game
2:50:28its Charming theme of the player driving
2:50:30along posos and xylophones creating
2:50:33chimes in time with the Beat of the
2:50:35Music is always so satisfying as every
2:50:37single one of these requires a
2:50:39calculated drift as you need to be
2:50:41careful not to fall through the walls
2:50:43the bouncy d drums and music notes send
2:50:45your carts flying at which point you can
2:50:48gain an extra boost if you time your
2:50:49jump just right and oh that subtle cut
2:50:53on the final Corner make sure you've got
2:50:55a musical instrument of your own to
2:50:57clear the way because that one is
2:50:59essential a real high note that sadly
2:51:02fell flat right at the end of the race
2:51:06but knocking out the final DS levels in
2:51:09record time up last of all we have
2:51:13Waluigi pinball
2:51:15I mean come on you knew this was going
2:51:16to be in the top 10 people don't shut up
2:51:19about this track and rightfully so as
2:51:21it's clear that God himself handed this
2:51:24course down from the heavens and blessed
2:51:26us with some of the slickest turns
2:51:28blistering visuals and heart racing
2:51:30carting ever to Grace a game console
2:51:33launching at hypers speed to the top of
2:51:35the machine I've got to say what an
2:51:37excellent theme for a level pinball
2:51:40alone is bloody awesome as it's like a
2:51:42roller coaster in there so it makes for
2:51:44a really fun time sliding your way down
2:51:46through avoiding the giant metallic
2:51:49balls and let me just say that if you
2:51:51take issue with this map for whatever
2:51:54reason then prove that you've got the
2:51:56balls and voice your opinion below
2:51:58because quite honestly I could never
2:52:01understand a human being who didn't love
2:52:03this track the pretty lights are great
2:52:05but that song from Wario Stadium DS is
2:52:08back again and fits this theme even more
2:52:11perfectly seeing that smug face waiting
2:52:13for you at the bottom of the track oh I
2:52:16could kiss it because I've been waiting
2:52:18and waiting and waiting to gush over
2:52:21this level since I started working on
2:52:23this project months ago and while this
2:52:25may be the end of the race for the DS
2:52:27Mario Kart once again this is the
2:52:30defined peak of the franchise delivering
2:52:33bangers in record numbers throughout the
2:52:35rankings as we now reach our Podium
2:52:39positions this is it guys The Big Three
2:52:43hold on to your butt
2:52:46[Music]
2:52:56in at number three we have maple Treeway
2:52:59on the Wii continuing to prove my point
2:53:02that this period in time defines the
2:53:05success of this franchise this has got
2:53:08to be the most heartwarming track as if
2:53:10the Autumn jaunt through the bright
2:53:12orange trees wasn't nostalgic and but
2:53:14then launching up through the leaves to
2:53:16ride niled up branches to the peak and
2:53:19finding a few wigglers wiggling around
2:53:21and then like a little worm you get to
2:53:23plummet through the tree trunk and fly
2:53:25down to the starting area for as hectic
2:53:28as things can be at top the Treetops
2:53:30this one is just so relaxing with that
2:53:33breathtaking tune I mean just take a
2:53:36[Music]
2:53:40listen doesn't that just fill your soul
2:53:43up and much the same as how coconut mle
2:53:46has appeared in every game since its
2:53:48debut Treeway has done the same proving
2:53:51just how important this level is to the
2:53:53franchise's history and once again
2:53:55showing us that the Wii title truly was
2:53:59the peak of the franchise with so many
2:54:02great highly memorable courses even the
2:54:05ones which didn't place so high up are
2:54:07all still fun and scratch that cart
2:54:10racing itch but there is one we level in
2:54:13particular particular which stands above
2:54:16them all as not only the best we course
2:54:19but also the best in another
2:54:22category all right here we are the final
2:54:26two who is going to get slammed with
2:54:28that blue shell right on the Finish Line
2:54:32number two
2:54:34[Music]
2:54:43is
2:54:45[Music]
2:54:51that's right coming in second place and
2:54:53earning silver is Bowser's Castle on the
2:54:56Wii the premier Gauntlet of panic
2:54:59Challenge and Technical driving opening
2:55:01up on the drawbridge leaping through the
2:55:03front door into a twisted entrance of
2:55:05snaking Square turns and swamp infested
2:55:08straightaways you eventually Break Free
2:55:11into a burning tube of lava and fire
2:55:13being launched laed out by the man
2:55:15himself taking several notes from Double
2:55:17Dash the course ends with a very similar
2:55:20final corner and familiar view leading
2:55:23back to the finish line along with those
2:55:25same darly Corners inside but it's the
2:55:28halfpipe area which stands out the most
2:55:30to me as you've got to be quick on the
2:55:32pedal to avoid sinking into the molten
2:55:35magma below forcing the player to new
2:55:37heights catching air and using that
2:55:39boost to blast by King Cooper and Escape
2:55:42The Deadly castle one final time this
2:55:45course hits every note correctly even
2:55:49the song might just be the most
2:55:51intimidating of all of them from this
2:55:53theme I absolutely love it man and it
2:55:56clearly Takes the Cake as later Castle
2:55:58levels would continue the trend of
2:56:00borrowing from this
2:56:02masterpiece I am sad to see the Wii game
2:56:05finally eliminated but it was one hell
2:56:08of a run from start to finish and in my
2:56:11opinion rightfully deserves its place on
2:56:14the
2:56:15podium however there is only one course
2:56:21left the grand champion taking that
2:56:24golden prize home have you been keeping
2:56:27a close eye do you have any guesses as
2:56:29to what might possibly be
2:56:32left man what is the best Mario Kart
2:56:37level is going to be one of those
2:56:38debates which will outlive us all so
2:56:42while we're still here can I get get a
2:56:44drum roll
2:56:45please the number one best Mario Kart
2:56:49level of all time
2:56:52[Music]
2:57:13is
2:57:14Rainbow Road 7 on the 3DS and what a
2:57:19fitting tribute to this great franchise
2:57:22after our long long search we finally
2:57:25found the definitive Rainbow Road
2:57:28experience with all of the Majestic
2:57:30grandio We've Come To Love plenty of
2:57:32challenging turns especially this funky
2:57:35one which was sadly nerfed in the deluxe
2:57:37version much to my disappointment it
2:57:39incorporates everything which makes
2:57:41these games good paying respect to
2:57:44better and players while also inspiring
2:57:46those who may be new to this track
2:57:48whether they grew up playing the
2:57:50original on 3DS or had their first
2:57:52experiences with it on the switch it's
2:57:54the finer details which this track does
2:57:57that definitely helps it to Stand Tall
2:57:59above all of the rest in its field
2:58:01circling asteroids in space racing rings
2:58:05around Saturn how is this the only
2:58:07terrestrial location in the franchise to
2:58:10take advantage of this setting and use
2:58:13it to create stunning imagery which
2:58:15stays with you long after playing I mean
2:58:18launching off the end of a rainbow to
2:58:20land on the moon and jump crators
2:58:22suspended in time floating above due to
2:58:25the lower gravity there's no other
2:58:27course like it and even more importantly
2:58:30to me this is one of the few rainbow
2:58:33roads where nothing is automated there's
2:58:36no elevators no launches no big Loops or
2:58:40cork screws nothing that takes control
2:58:43away away from the player it's all in
2:58:46your hands and the final segment of this
2:58:48rally speeding through the spinning tube
2:58:51and having the option to take the high
2:58:52or low path keeps things fresh with each
2:58:55new race Fly Above to avoid items or
2:58:59take advantage of the Boost below for
2:59:01the final time in this video I'd just
2:59:03like to say that as a PlayStation kid
2:59:06growing up and missing out on the boom
2:59:08of Nintendo Portables until I became an
2:59:10adult finally getting to go back and
2:59:13discover the in incredible magic of a
2:59:15level like this creates those memories
2:59:17which feel nostalgic and many years old
2:59:20even though they might only be quite new
2:59:22to me personally I'd never heard or seen
2:59:25much if any of this level in the past
2:59:28and wouldn't you know it before long I
2:59:31was playing this one on Loop again and
2:59:34again just losing myself in its Majesty
2:59:38yo I have played every single Mario Kart
2:59:41game ranked every single level in what
2:59:43has been been a grueling couple of hours
2:59:45but this journey through the Galaxy of
2:59:48cart Racing's biggest name has fulfilled
2:59:51me like no other project in a long time
2:59:54so I just want to share my thanks along
2:59:56with all of the others who cherish this
2:59:58series of games the characters and the
3:00:00unforgettable experiences for those
3:00:03lifelong moments in time and just like
3:00:06that 3DS Rainbow Road drives off into
3:00:10the sunset to end off this every level r
3:00:14[Music]
3:00:15oh man oh man what an epic
3:00:20video I'd like to thank everyone so much
3:00:22for making it all the way through and if
3:00:24you enjoyed it definitely remember to
3:00:26subscribe if you liked that and check
3:00:28out some of my other videos because
3:00:30there's plenty more where that came from
3:00:32and if you enjoy those please take a
3:00:34moment to Click Share as that's worth so
3:00:37much more to a channel success than even
3:00:39subscribing does as that helps to get my
3:00:41stuff out there onto new eyes
3:00:44if you're a patron of the channel then
3:00:46you get an extra special thank you as
3:00:48that support is what helps make these
3:00:50larger projects possible and if you
3:00:52think I've earned it today then you can
3:00:54head over to
3:01:02patreon.com/scishow Kart Wii Connect set
3:01:05that I've been sitting on for years now
3:01:07I had a blast finally putting that thing
3:01:09together and there is also a whole
3:01:12collection of more exclusive content
3:01:14over there waiting for you and lastly
3:01:18I'd like to thank all of my friends and
3:01:19my amazing partner who always chip in
3:01:22with each video contributing ideas and
3:01:25helping me to stay motivated because
3:01:27without them then I honestly don't think
3:01:30that I'd be coming up on such a major
3:01:32anniversary for the channel next
3:01:35year but anyway that's enough Shilling
3:01:38from me for one video man I need to
3:01:41sleep after all of that so thank thank
3:01:43you all so much for watching I'm Square
3:01:46ey Jack and I hope you have a great
3:01:49day and I'll see you all next
3:01:52time somewhere on that magical journey
3:01:55through the
3:01:56[Music]
3:02:12Stars

About this transcript

This page contains the full transcript of Every Mario Kart Course RANKED! - 156 Levels from Worst to Best by Square Eyed Jak, generated from the public captions YouTube serves with the video. The transcript has 29,783 words across 4,264 segments, with the original timestamps preserved so you can click any line to jump to that moment in the embedded player.

What you can do with it

Use the transcript to take notes, quote the speaker, build a study guide, generate a summary with ChatGPT or Claude via the YouTube Summary tool, or export it as a timed subtitle file with YouTube to SRT. You can also re-open it in the transcriber to translate the transcript into 100+ languages.

Free YouTube transcript tool

YouTube2Text is a free YouTube transcript generator — no signup, no daily limit. Paste any YouTube link and get the full transcript instantly, with timestamps, click-to-jump, translation to 100+ languages, AI prompts for ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini, and exports to TXT, SRT, VTT, or Markdown.