Here’s a rollercoaster ride through the blue-shell chaos, broken rubber, and colorful madness of the Mario Kart franchise. From SNES sprites to 4K sparks on Switch, we’ve skidded through every banana peel to bring you the definitive list. Fasten your seatbelts and grab a red shell—it’s ranking time.
10. Mario Kart Tour (Mobile)
Why it’s low: This mobile spinoff had big ambitions but ended up feeling like a loot-box simulator. The controls are fine for a touchscreen racer, but aggressive monetization schemes and constantly rotating content make it feel like you’re renting fun instead of owning it. But hey: It’s the only Mario Kart you can play in a dentist’s waiting room. And it does have some cool city tracks that haven’t shown up anywhere else.
Fun Fact: Tour introduced Pauline as a playable character for the first time in Mario Kart history. Shoutout to the Donkey Kong ’80s fans.
9. Mario Kart Arcade GP Series
Why: Bright lights, big sounds, and a lot of yen spent per race. It’s a great spectacle, especially with items like “giant bananas” and Namco characters, but it lacks the depth and polish of the console entries.
Nostalgia factor: You probably remember smashing this with your buddy in a movie theater lobby while your parents watched something boring like The Da Vinci Code.
Fun Fact: It has announcer voiceovers that make even a coin pickup sound like a WWE moment.
8. Mario Kart: Double Dash!! (GameCube)
Why: The two-character gimmick is like pineapple on pizza—either you love it or it makes you rage quit. Some mechanics feel clunky, and balance goes out the window with special items like Bowser’s giant shell.
Still loved because: When it works, it really works. Coordinating a perfectly timed character switch to dodge a red shell? Chef’s kiss.
Fun Fact: It was the first game to introduce LAN play. Yes, that was a thing on GameCube. Kind of.
7. Mario Kart DS
Why: Portable and feature-rich, it brought Mario Kart online for the first time. The mission mode? Underrated genius. But the rubber-banding AI can feel like playing against a cheating sibling with GameShark.
Your reward: Still one of the most competitive Mario Karts when played properly. And the snaking technique? Peak sweaty gameplay.
Fun Fact: It introduced retro tracks—a now-staple feature.
6. Super Mario Kart (SNES)
Why: Respect your elders. This was the origin story. The flat Mode 7 tracks were revolutionary at the time, but today they feel like racing on a paper plate.
Classic for a reason: Battle Mode was a friendship-destroyer in the best way.
Fun Fact: Koopa Troopa was actually cut from Mario Kart 64, so this is where he shined brightest.
5. Mario Kart 7 (3DS)
Why: Hang-gliders and underwater driving spiced things up. The track design was solid, and the addition of kart customization added real strategic depth.
Shines brightest: That first moment you glide off a ramp and realize you’re no longer bound to gravity. Pure handheld magic.
Fun Fact: Wiggler and Honey Queen were playable. No one asked, but we got them anyway.
4. Mario Kart 64 (N64)
Why: This is where the series grew legs. Or wheels. True 3D tracks, couch multiplayer chaos, and the most meme-able sound effects of any entry.
Golden moment: Watching your friend slam into a banana on Rainbow Road while you coast to victory.
Fun Fact: Toad’s Turnpike was everyone’s nightmare until 8 Deluxe made it actually fun.
3. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe (Switch)
Why: It’s the whole buffet—base game, DLC, new battle mode, and polish so shiny you can see your tears of defeat in it. Addictive, fast, and endlessly playable.
Frozen hilarity: Baby Park in 200cc. Enough said.
Fun Fact: It became the best-selling racing game of all time. Move over, Gran Turismo.
2. Mario Kart 8 (Wii U)
Why: The visuals popped, anti-gravity mechanics added wild strategies, and the soundtrack? Full-on orchestra. But the battle mode felt like an afterthought.
Showstopper: Driving on walls like you’re in F-Zero Lite. Glorious.
Fun Fact: First Mario Kart to hit 60 FPS in local multiplayer.
1. 🏆 Mario Kart 8 Deluxe (Switch)
Yeah, it’s here again. And it deserves the double dip. The content, the balance, the visuals, the online support—it’s the gold standard. This is the Smash Bros. Ultimate of kart racers.
Why it’s number one: It combines nostalgia, innovation, and chaos into one beautiful, drift-heavy package. Even Grandma can get a win with Smart Steering on.
Fun Fact: Still receiving updates years after launch. That’s Mario Kart love.
Final Take
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe isn’t just the best Mario Kart—it’s arguably the best arcade racer ever made. And yet, every game in the series has had its moment in the spotlight. Whether you’re snaking through DS maps or yelling about blue shells in your kitchen, Mario Kart is eternal.
Your Turn:
- What’s your favorite Kart moment of all time?
- Which version made you want to throw your controller (or phone) across the room?
- Should Double Dash get a sequel?
Light up the comments with your hot takes and wildest Kart stories!
