Game of the Week #35

[Metal Mario]

Mario Kart Arcade GP (Arcade, 2005)



Developed by both Nintendo and Namco, Mario Kart Arcade GP is an installment of the Mario Kart series released in arcades. The machine is your typical "sit down and drive" model, with a steering wheel, a gas pedal, and a brake pedal. There are more than 100 items to be used, including character-specific items. The eleven playable characters include Mario, Luigi, Toad, Yoshi, Princess Toadstool, Wario, Bowser, and Donkey Kong, as well as Namco's own Pac-Man, Ms. Pac-Man, and Blinky the Ghost.

With certain machines, a player's data can be saved on a magnetic card which can be inserted into the machine again later to retain records and unlocked rewards.

The game has been criticized for its expense; after finishing a race, the player must insert additional credits into the machine in order to continue playing, even if said player achieved first place.

Here's a gameplay video.

Click to view video.