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July 26, 2026Sources cited
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Entertainment • Racing

Mario Kart

Mario Kart is a long-running series of kart racing video games developed and published by Nintendo as a spin-off of the Mario franchise.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Mario Kart is a long-running series of kart racing video games developed and published by Nintendo as a spin-off of the Mario franchise. Players race as Mario characters on themed tracks, using items and power-ups to influence competition. The series began with Super Mario Kart in 1992 and has become one of Nintendo’s best-known game franchises.

Gameplay

Mario Kart games typically involve racing on themed tracks while collecting and using items such as shells, bananas, and speed boosts. The series is known for accessible controls, competitive multiplayer, and unpredictable item-based races.

Series history

The franchise began with Super Mario Kart in 1992 and grew into a major Nintendo series across multiple platforms. Over time, it added new mechanics, characters, and modes while remaining centred on kart racing.

Crossovers and characters

Most games feature Mario characters, but some entries also include guest characters from other franchises. Arcade releases co-developed with Namco notably introduced characters from Pac-Man and related properties.

Commercial performance

Mario Kart is among Nintendo’s most successful franchises and has sold over 189 million copies worldwide. Its popularity has made it a major part of Nintendo’s brand and multiplayer game lineup.

Key facts

  • The series centres on competitive kart racing with items and power-ups.
  • It began with Super Mario Kart on the Super Nintendo Entertainment System in 1992.
  • The games feature characters and settings from the Mario universe.
  • Some entries have included crossover characters from other Nintendo and partner franchises.
  • Mario Kart World was released in 2025 as the latest entry in the series.
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Canadian context

Mario Kart is widely available in Canada on Nintendo platforms and is a major part of local console gaming culture, especially through family play and multiplayer use.

Frequently asked questions

What is Mario Kart?
Mario Kart is a Nintendo video game series of kart racing games set in the Mario universe.
When did Mario Kart begin?
The series began in 1992 with Super Mario Kart for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System.
Who developed Mario Kart?
Nintendo develops and publishes the Mario Kart series.
What kind of gameplay does Mario Kart have?
Players race karts on themed tracks and use items and power-ups to gain advantages.
Has Mario Kart included guest characters?
Yes. Some entries have featured characters from franchises such as Pac-Man, The Legend of Zelda, Animal Crossing, and Splatoon.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mario_Kart
    Supports: Series overview, genre, first release, latest release, platform spread, guest characters, sales figure.
  2. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Super_Mario_Kart
    Supports: Super Mario Kart as the first game, release year, and SNES platform.
  3. MarioWiki — https://www.mariowiki.com/Mario_Kart
    Supports: Series origin, gameplay description, and history.