Racers

“In the very first prototype, there was a guy in overalls sitting in the kart,” Mr. Miyamoto explained via Iwata Asks. “At first, no racing was involved. It was just two karts moving around freely. Then we noticed that it looked neat if you stopped one car and looked at the other car flying by. We decided to see what it would look like with Mario in one of the karts, and everyone thought that looked even better. Who knows, maybe the designer who drew the overalls on the earlier guy intended that it be changed to Mario all along!”

But Mario wouldn’t be alone for this ride. Luigi, Princess Toadstool, Toad, and rising star Yoshi were all obvious picks for inclusion. Rounding out the cast were Donkey Kong Jr. and villains Bowser and Koopa Troopa. With the goal being fun above all else, DK, Bowser, and the Bros. would set aside their differences and settle things as equals on the track, viewed by Nintendo more as “friendly rivals” in this setting. The team also felt that the villains in the Mario universe were somewhat hard to hate, so players wouldn’t mind taking control of them.

The Bros.

Mario

Mario and Luigi have balanced top speed, handling, weight, and acceleration. They’re good for beginner players and beasts as AI opponents, thanks to their unlimited Star items.

Luigi

Pre-death-stare Luigi was from a simpler, happier time.

The DRagon and the Lady

Princess Toadstool

Referred to simply as “Princess” in the instruction booklet, you have to admire anyone who pilots an open-wheel go-kart in such royal attire. Also, how does her crown stay in place at speeds upwards of seven miles per hour?

Yoshi

Everyone loves Yoshi! When controlled by the AI, Yoshi has an unlimited arsenal of Eggs to throw on the track, but…where are they all coming from?

The Small Guys

Toad

Toad can’t outrun or outgun the competition, but he is unique in every other way…except for his exact statistical parity with Koopa Troopa.

Koopa Troopa

After years of laborious servitude and enduring seemingly insurmountable hardship, Koopa Troopa finally rose up from his meek lineage as Bowser’s punching bag and a literal stepping stone for the Mario Bros. With the hopes and dreams of the entire Koopa species on his shoulders, he races to prove once and for all that the Koopa Troopas are here to stay (Koopa Troopa was later replaced by Wario in Mario Kart 64).

The Showdown

Donkey Kong Jr.

If you’ve ever hit a Banana Peel that wasn’t your own in a single-player race, you have Donkey Kong Jr. to thank for it.

Bowser

Bowser and Donkey Kong Jr. are heavier than other racers, allowing them to throw their weight around when racing becomes rubbing. They also have the highest top speed, making them the only choice for Super Mario Kart experts looking to break records.