Top Ten List #8: Coolest Vehicles

[Valigarmander]

Yeah, I know, it's been a few weeks, but I just got a girlfriend, so give me a break.


Week #8 (Week of 03-08-09)
Top Ten Coolest Vehicles

#10: Magic Carpet

"I can show you the world..." The magic carpet first appeared in Super Mario Bros. 2 as the preferred mode of transportation for the Pidgit enemy. If you were able to jump on the Pidget's head and throw him off, you would then be able to ride the carpet yourself for a limited amount of time. Sweet, huh? Magic carpets later reappeared in Super Mario 64, although they moved on a rail this time around and were a bigger pain in the arse to have to deal with.


#9: Marine Pop

Upon entering the World 2-3 in the Muda Kingdom in Super Mario Land, you'll find yourself underwater in a small submarine. The little one-man watercraft can move up and down, and can fire an infinite number of torpedoes. The torpedoes can break through blocks, and are needed to defeat the boss Dragonzamasu at the end of the level. Sadly, it doesn't appear elsewhere in the game.


#8: Sky Pop

The Sky Pop may in reality just be a slightly different (if at all different) version of the Marine Pop, but... it's a friggin' plane! The Sky Pop appears in World 4-3 in Super Mario Land, the last level of the game. Similarly to the Sub Pop, the Sky-Pop can launch missiles, which are able to destroy a variety of enemies and obstacles. The Sky-Pop is used up to the end of the game to defeat both Biokinton and the final boss, Tatanga.


#7: Bowser's Airship

The giant, flying ship piloted by Bowser and his minions first appeared in Super Mario Bros. 3. Here, there were multiple airships controlled by Bowser's seven children, each serving as a "castle" level at the end of each world. Armed to the teeth with cannons, Bullet Bill launchers, flamethrowers, and angry mole pilots, they served as some of the toughest obstacles for Mario on his quest. Airships would reappear in later games, including Super Mario Galaxy.


#6: Lakitu's Cloud

Who wouldn't fall in love with Lakitu's Cloud? This simple floating device is the home of the Spiny-throwing Lakitu, or at least it is until Mario knocks him out of it. In most games since Super Mario World, Mario could commandeer Lakitu's cloud after defeating the enemy with a stomp or fireball. It could then be used to fly around through the air, often to areas that couldn't be reached otherwise.


#5: Koopa Clown Car

First appearing as Bowser's method of movement in Super Mario World. It later became one of Bowser's preferred vehicles, appearing in multiple other Mario games. Within it, Bowser has stored a seemingly endless supply of Mecha Koopas and Big Steelies. Occasionally, it has been fitted with Bullet Bill guns. Even then, the scariest feature is still probably the clown face. Bowser must've been looking to cause Mario some psychological damage with that thing, too.

#4: Wario's Car and Bike

Let's face it, Mario probably has a hybrid and a bicycle. Wario has a huge muscle car, and a motorcycle that could probably go through enough fossil fuel to make the dinosaurs go extinct all over again. Wario's car, first appearing in Wario Land 4, is said to have a top speed of over 280 mph. His motorcycle, which was first show in WarioWare, Inc.: Mega Microgame$!, allegedly has a "5,000cc, 4-stroke, 350HP engine", and a top speed of 217 mph. However, his bike apparently gets less than five miles to the gallon. Be a part of the solution, Wario, not the problem!


#3: Yoshi

Come on, when it comes to methods of transportation, who wouldn't want to be able to ride a big, green dinosaur? Yoshi is able to carry Mario on his back and eat almost anything in his path. His skills have included swallowing enemies whole, breathing fire, flying, shooting eggs, and causing small earthquakes. Heck, he's been Mario's ride since the man was just a baby. And all these years, it still runs like new.


#2: Excitebike

In the rare, Japan-only game [i]Excitebike: Bun Bun Mario Battle Stadium[/i} for the Satellaview Super Famicon, Mario and co. competed in races while riding motorbikes. This game was a BS remake of the NES/Famicon game Excitebike, although changes like the addition of a "SUPER" mode and coins were made. The game was never released outside Japan, sadly, but Mario did get to ride motocross in Mario Kart Wii, with the new addition of bikes.


#1: Mario Kart

There are dozens of mini-franchises that have branched off from the main Super Mario Bros. series, but probably one of the best and most widely-acclaimed would be the Mario Kart series. Ever since its debut on the SNES, the Mario Kart games have been some of the most popular Mario side-games in existence. There's just something about riding little go-karts around the Mushroom Kingdom, all the while trying to knock your opponents off the track using banana peels and heat-seeking shells. The Mario Kart games make for some of the most addictive multiplayer games to date, no matter how old you are or where you come from.

[CaptHayfever]

You picked Excitebike over Kuribo's Shoe?

And remember, "I'm-a Luigi, number one!"

[Metal Man]

We want Kuribo's shoe!

[Luigiman7]

its not a vehicle

[Metal Man]

Sure it is. You can get around with it.

[Luigiman7]

Let's see what Val thinks.

[Baby Peach]

Try riding peach

[Valigarmander]

...Hmm, I never thought to include Kuribo's Shoe.

Oh well, I put it in another Top Ten, let some of the scrubs get their chance.