Review: Mario Kart Super Circuit (GBA)

They say you should never go back to the scene of former glories but with Mario Kart Super Circuit, Nintendo have gone back once again for a second time. Mario Kart for the SNES is a classic, such was its impact, influence, and resulting failure of many exams by wannabe Kart kings. The N64 version was too many a disappointment, however I found it to be hugely enjoyable with friends and the version included several modifications to the original's winning formula.

Mario Kart Super Circuit takes the SNES version as its base, a dash of N64 for flavour and some new minor tweaks for topping such as the coins found off the racing line. The simple concept remains the same, this is Mario Kart, no need to explain plots for a change. After the initial euphoria of the Game Boy Advance launch we've all been waiting for Mario Kart as the releases since its debut have been few and far between. While other members of the Gamestyle team have succumbed to PSO version 2, Dean and myself have found it nigh on impossible to put down this mobile gem.

I f I ever wanted to take a game to the toilet this would be the one, however the cursing emitting from my cubical would perhaps be misleading. All your favourite characters competing over 20 new tracks, can it get any better? So you ask what do you get for your cash? Mario Kart does represent value for money on the GBA for a change, as both single and multi-player modes will last for a justifiable length of time. £34.99 is a great deal of money for a game and we do have an issue the pricing of GBA products but if one game is worth owning, this is it. In single player there are three modes on offer – quick run, time trial and the Mario GP. The latter is the main section of the game involving four cups each with four unique tracks. The other two modes are good for developing your skills and track knowledge because Mario Kart may look sweet but its just as competitive as Quake.

Once you've won the gold cup on each setting you will open up the Special Cup; a test for any driver. The tracks are new, based on themes reminiscent of previous versions while maintaining an overall excellent design. As you progress through the cups the tracks become harder, more obstacles are thrown in your way testing your skill to the very limit. Whatever skill setting you start at (50, 100 or 150cc) you will not fail to be impressed with the graphics on display. Everything moves at an impressive rate especially when playing in 150cc mode, perhaps even too fast? The game looks almost like an early Playstation title and you will soon become engrossed on the tiny screen, losing track of the outside world and its flaws. As you've gathered its difficult not to like Mario Kart Super Circuit and I've tried hard to find faults or an issue with the game as I believe nothing is flawless.

This is without a doubt one of the best games I've reviewed in my time at Gamestyle and is worth a place in any collection. The problems with the game can only be attributed to machine it is played on there is no escaping the screen and the lack of light. Soon you will curse every tree, every change in shade or natural light when heading into the final bend, leading but only just. The other problem is the controls as while the game handles superbly it does take some adjustment to fit your hands around the machine. The shoulder buttons play an important part in you progressing through the game and their positioning at times is questionable. The multi-player option through the use of link cables brings the joys of the N64 version to portable world. Depending on the number of carts being used you can select from Mario GP, versus or even a battle mode. The possibilities do not end there, even without friends around you can race against their best performances by trading ghosts. Playing through the link is a liberating experience and there will be few games that utilise the feature better than Mario Kart Super Circuit.

Mario Kart Super Circuit has been treated with the love and respect that is missing from most videogames scattered across retail shelves today. Such qualities shine through and for those who have not played the SNES incarnation you afford to miss this. For the more experienced gamer, pick up a GBA and prepare to do battle once again!

Rating: 9 / 10

Words by Jason Julier