Mario Kart is a series of go-kart-style racing games, originally launched in 1992 on the Super Nintendo, to much critical and commercial success. In Mario Kart, players compete in go-kart races, controlling one of a selection of caracters from the Mario Franchise. Up to 8 characters con compete in one race. One of the most fun features of the series is the use of various power-up items obtained by driving into item boxes laid out on the course. These include mushrooms, to give players a speed boost, Koopa shells, to be thrown at opponents, and banana peels that can be laid out on the course as hazards. Many of the courses reoccur throughout the series, and most are based on a nexisting area in the Mario universe (Bowser’s Castle, etc). Some of my favorite courses include Koopa Troopa Beach, Luigi Speedway, Wario Stadium and DK Mountain.