Which classic Mario Kart reigns supreme? In this retro showdown, we pit Mario Kart 64 against Mario Kart Wii—two fan-favorite entries that defined their respective console generations.
While newer versions like Mario Kart 8 Deluxe have raised the bar, these two classics still spark heated debates among longtime fans.
Key Takeaways: Retro Racer Showdown – Mario Kart 64 vs Mario Kart Wii
- ✅ Mario Kart Wii delivers modern gameplay with more characters, better track variety, and motion controls that add depth (even if the wheel isn’t for everyone).
- ✅ Mario Kart 64 shines through nostalgia, with iconic tracks, simple controls, and local multiplayer that’s easy for anyone to pick up and play.
- ✅ For casual players and party settings, Mario Kart 64 is the more welcoming and instantly fun experience.
- ✅ For competitive play and replayability, Mario Kart Wii offers more content, tighter mechanics, and character-vehicle customization.
“That’s why I like Mario Kart on the Nintendo 64 the most. I can compete with hardcore gamers, and I can still play with friends who don’t really know how to hold a controller.” — Brandon, The Old School Game Vault
Even so, we’re leaving Mario Kart 8 out of the mix for now—this is a retro review, after all. For us, the decision comes down to 1996’s Mario Kart 64 or 2008’s Mario Kart on the Nintendo Wii. Then we will discuss if the series is still fresh after all these years.
The Table of Contents
Why Mario Kart Wii Is Better Than Mario Kart 64:
To start with, you have all the advantages of a more modern game – greater configurability, more battle modes, more playable Nintendo characters, more vehicles, better track designs, more advanced graphics, etc.
But of course none of that matters if an argument can’t be made for the core gameplay (which is why so many of us continue to go back to older games despite dated graphics and control systems and such – if the game is good, it’ll be fun despite that stuff).
Mario Kart Wii Gameplay: Why Motion Controls Work
So many early Wii games failed to deliver on the promise of the system for motion-based gaming, but Mario Kart gets it right.
I’m not a fan of the wheel itself, but I find it so hard to go back to racing on any control stick- or D-pad-based system after playing with the Wii Remote.
I love the nuance I can put into the handling and the fun of basically being able to drive as if I have a steering wheel in my hands. It puts a smile on my face to yank up on jumps to get the speed boost, or to yank up more frantically when the POW appears above my head, so I won’t lose as much momentum when it goes off.
Character and Vehicle Variety in Mario Kart Wii
My personal preference is Funky Kong on a Standard Bike L because he can still throw his weight into other racers like a large character, but the bike makes up for the handling tradeoff that comes with large characters (and for some reason, Funky seems to handle better than Donkey Kong or other large characters) and I like the wheelie speed boost on bikes, too.
Mario Kart 64 doesn’t have Funky Kong – it doesn’t even have Waluigi! I love hearing Waluigi’s moral code collapse after a single sixth-place finish: “Everybody cheated. Next time…I cheat!” Also, the courses are more detailed on the Wii, even those classic courses pulled from previous versions of the game.
Revisiting Mario Kart 64: How It Holds Up Today
After playing the Wii for a while, I missed all the new challenges the Wii versions of the Nintendo 64 tracks had added.
I do have to concede, though, that most of my recent Mario Kart 64 playing has been through the Virtual Console, not on an actual 64, and the Virtual Console version seems to have some weaknesses that snuck in during the port. Playing Mario Kart 64 on the N64 gives you more control over the handling, I think.
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On a final note, I will never until the end of my days understand why Nintendo never put out a second map pack for the Nintendo Wii version of the game …the best-selling racing game of all time.
It seems to me that selling an additional 32 maps for $30 or $40 or whatever would have been a pretty easy way to make several dozen millions of dollars while making fans happy. How hard would that have been? Why didn’t this happen?
Why Some Gamers Prefer Mario Kart 64:
First, in response to your question about a Wii Map Pack, I think you might be underselling how large a percentage of time in a Mario Kart development cycle is based around crafting their maps.
I think a map pack, if it were to be created, would have to be packaged basically as Mario Kart Wii 2, which doesn’t fit with Nintendo’s style. Except for Super Mario Galaxy 2, Nintendo doesn’t really release sequels, y’know?
If you're into multiplayer gaming and you haven't picked it up yet, I suggest you shut down your computer and do it now!
This game is multiplayer mayhem at its best... Everything was laid out for competitive multiplayer races and battles.”
— IGN Review of Mario Kart 64 (1997)
- “Mario Kart Wii sold over 37 million copies worldwide, making it one of the best-selling racing game of all time.”
This is an oversimplification
But the Super Nintendo, Nintendo 64, Game Boy Advance, GameCube, Nintendo DS, Wii, and the Wii U all have one Mario Kart each, so I don’t expect that to change with the 3DS or the Switch.
I’d like to admit, before I start talking up Mario Kart 64
I have some pretty big blind spots when it comes to my knowledge of previous Mario Kart games. I’ve never played much of the original courses from Super Mario Kart, I only recently played double dash for the first time, which seems to be a fan favorite from my cursory glances of online play, and I unfortunately do not have the time or money to justify buying a Nintendo Switch so the reportedly superb Mario Kart 8 is beyond my reach.
Not only that, but I’ve played the crap out of the Mario Kart 64, Mario Kart: super circuit, Mario Kart DS, and Wii entries in the Mario Kart series, I keep coming back to is the N64 version. It’s the version I have the most fun playing, as it really has some great tracks.
The Wii’s motion controls always seemed to be at best non-intrusive, and at worst frustration shout worthy when my character veers the wrong way due to my exaggerated movements, so that’s not a selling point for me.
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How Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Evolved the Series on Switch
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe on the Nintendo Switch continues the franchise's legacy with enhanced graphics and smooth performance, offering an immersive gaming experience. The game features an expansive selection of tracks, including classic favorites and new designs, complemented by downloadable content (DLC) tracks.
With a diverse roster of characters and customizable vehicles, players can personalize their racing experience. The multiplayer modes provide a fun and competitive atmosphere, whether playing locally with friends or online against players worldwide.
The game strikes a balance between accessibility for new players and competitive depth for experienced racers, ensuring enjoyment for all skill levels. Ongoing support and updates from Nintendo keep the game fresh and engaging. Overall, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe stands out as a must-play title for both newcomers and long-time fans of the series.
Mario Kart 64 vs Wii: Final Verdict
The N64 version has a degree of familiarity that encourages people unaccustomed or apathetic about video games to play a round or two. In the same way that someone who normally doesn’t play board games might enjoy a round of Apples to Apples with some friends, Mario Kart 64 occupies an extremely welcoming place on the video game intimidation spectrum.
That’s why I like Mario Kart on the Nintendo 64 the most. I can compete with other video game nerds like me, and I can still play with friends who don’t really know how to hold a controller correctly.
It also helps that I’m really, fantastic at Mario Kart 64.
So what do you think? Have we overlooked major strengths or weaknesses of these games? Are we wrongly snubbing other entries in the series by focusing on these two? Which one of these Mario Kart games is your favorite and why?
Is Mario Kart Still Fun Today? Why the Series Still Feels Fresh
At their best, Nintendo games bridge generations. “Super Mario Bros.”, “The Legend of Zelda”, “Metroid”, “Donkey Kong”—these games, and the colorful cast of characters that populate them, have made appearances on most Nintendo consoles, such was their enduring popularity.
Hell, even the “Super Mario Bros.” opening song has a place in the hearts of gamers young and old. (As evidenced by the many renditions performed over the years.) Occasionally that perfect hybrid would come along, a game that took classic characters out of their traditional worlds and placed them in a new arena. 
That’s what “Mario Kart” did. And it worked like a dream. The notion of battles, and races, and battle-races in souped-up go-karts manned by your favorite Mario character, well, it’s no wonder the game is currently on its 8th iteration.
But is too much of a good thing bad?
Or is too much of a good thing a really, really good thing? Here are a couple points to consider when deciding whether or not “Mario Kart” still has its great stuff.
Fan feedback
If you wanted to gauge fan feedback on “Mario Kart 8” (and you were in a particularly masochistic frame of mind) you could head to the boards and check out the opinions of the online commentariat.
Doing so might alarm you, because you’ll see plenty of headers like “Is Mario Kart becoming stale?” and “Getting bored of Mario Kart.” Folks complain of, among other things, too little character variety and a track system that hasn’t changed all that much over the years.
What about the Negative comments
Which lead some to believe that Mario Karts best days are behind it, but that’s taking the narrow view and it ignores the positive reviews the game has garnered (“Mario Kart 8” enjoys a 9.3 community rating on IGN and we gave Mario Kart 8 a 9.0 in our review), as well as the game’s history. After all, it’s this history that will determine MK’s relevance in the future.
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From Super Mario Kart, to the Wii U Version and now, to the Nintendo Switch
The genius of “Mario Kart” is how designers have tailored it to suit the console of the time. While the game was perfectly serviceable upon its 1992 release for the Super Nintendo, it wasn’t until later that it really came into its own.
N64s four-player capabilities and 3D graphics were tailor made for Mario Kart, and the gameplay mechanics were a perfect fit for the hardware of the subsequent Wii. It’s for these reasons that great fanfare usually accompanied the release of next-gen Nintendo Consoles, and for “Mario Kart” in particular.
The verdict: Whether “Mario Kart” is still “fresh”
Likely depends on whom you ask. Certainly, there are those out there who are underwhelmed by the similar casts of characters and track design from one version to the next. But to reinvent “Mario Kart” completely (give it entirely new game mechanics, blow up the level design and start from scratch, etc.) would be to ruin what has allowed it to endure for 30 years.
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If you’re deciding which Mario Kart to revisit, both games deliver in their own way. Mario Kart 64 wins on nostalgia, simplicity, and easy multiplayer fun. But Mario Kart Wii takes the crown for variety, depth, and modern gameplay mechanics. Whether you're a purist or a power player, there's a kart here with your name on it.
The final analysis is that
“Mario Kart” still moves the needle and it likely always will, provided Nintendo continues to let the game evolve alongside its next-gen systems rather than start from scratch with each subsequent console. If the latter were the case, it would be a classic example of the tail wagging the dog.
FAQs About Mario Kart
Is Mario Kart on Nintendo Switch?
- Yes! Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is available on the Nintendo Switch. It’s an enhanced version of Mario Kart 8 from the Wii U, featuring all previous DLC, additional characters, and improved multiplayer options.
Which Mario Kart is the best?
- It depends on who you ask. For modern features and competitive balance, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe leads the pack.
- For party-friendly nostalgia, Mario Kart 64 is a fan favorite. Mario Kart Wii also stands out for its unique motion control gameplay. Each entry has its own strengths.
How many Mario Kart tracks are there?
- As of Mario Kart 8 Deluxe with the Booster Course Pass, there are 96 tracks available.
- This includes both original courses and remastered classics from previous Mario Kart games.
What Mario Kart character are you?
- Your Mario Kart character match depends on your play style.
- Bold players might like Bowser or Wario
- Speedsters might choose Toad or Yoshi
- All-around racers often go with Mario or Luigi.
- (Try a character quiz to find your perfect fit!)
Is Mario Kart on PS4?
- No, Mario Kart is a Nintendo-exclusive franchise and is not available on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox, or PC.
- To play Mario Kart, you need a Nintendo console like the Switch, Wii, or N64.
