Few multiplayer games can surpass the simplicity of Super Mario Kart in battle
mode. Genki may be showing our years, but the Super Famicom version worked a
treat for us. Simple on screen graphics in modern day comparison, yet with Mode
7 power to ensure it zipped along full speed. Obtain the power up, destroy
opponents balloons. Full stop (if they are indeed still called full stops this
side of the pond...) Yet the twist seemed to lie in being able to use turtle
shells in a defensive manner aswell as to attack with Genki's preferred weapon
of the red shell having its homing capabilities. Few will forget the fear that
was felt when realising a red shell yielding cart was in hot pursuit. Yet sharp
cornering could help preserve that vital last
balloon from getting popped. Or perhaps
grab a green shell, set it up as a reverse shield on the back of the cart and
gain satisfaction from your opponent wasting a opportunity with the killer red.
Or maybe a well timed star of invincibility to save your bacon with the beauty
being players never knew the next power up coming: perhaps the foot would be on
the other shoe within minutes?
The choice of kart was just as crucial as in the
race with perhaps the smaller carts more suited to the tight
manoeuvres
required on the track. Yet veterans better than Genki's mere mortal status will
no doubt have come to love the meatier machines of Bower's and Donkey Kong's
carts. Then its the tactics: lie in wait for a passing kart in a discreet part
of the course perhaps? Or lure an opponent out before out manoeuvring them to
gain the upper hand? Few multiplayer games could claim to be as good in the
plural player mode as the single player. Yet Mario Kart was worthy of this
accolade. Granted Bomberman is superb fun and, kept simple without too much
graphical candy or power up overload, is a piece of pure gaming joy in
multiplayer mode. But the single player version doesn't reach such dizzy
heights. An old school tennis title with all players visible on screen at once
also works a treat in multiplayer mode. Something personal about being able to
console (and taunt) your opponent mano e mano does something for Genki rather
than an over the net jibe. Anyway, I digress. Multiplayer Mario Kart: pure
gaming essence and soul food for the fingertips.
