What is the best Mario Kart clone?

[Tetsuo]

CTR is probably my fav non SMK. Nice graphics and good track design.

I seem to remember it unashamedly ripped off the entire course design of Mario Kart 64, though. Have to admit, I didn't like it at the time, seemed a very cheap knock off.

[captain binman]

Lego Racers kicked ass on the pc. The grappling hook was amazing.

[nakamura]

I seem to remember it unashamedly ripped off the entire course design of Mario Kart 64, though. Have to admit, I didn't like it at the time, seemed a very cheap knock off.

Oh yeah. Still enjoyed it though.

[lurch996]

I seem to remember it unashamedly ripped off the entire course design of Mario Kart 64, though. Have to admit, I didn't like it at the time, seemed a very cheap knock off.

Some of the locations were similar, but I wouldn't call that ripping off the entire course design of MK64.

[samanosuke]

I'll go with Street Racer for the SNES as it's the only SMK clone I've had the inclination to play for more than ten minutes. In fact, only the original SMK has held my interest over the years; none of its sequels have ever come close to the perfection of the original.

Crash Team Racing.

It's better than Mario Kart.

I think you're on your own here buddy

[ninjabearhug]

Another vote for Diddy Kong Racing here. I spent months shaving seconds off lap times in TT mode. I bought the DS release too, still quite enjoyable but the stylus balloon collecting laps were just tedious.

MK64 will always be my favourite kart racer by far although i spent more hours on the Battle mode than racing .

[SUMIRE]

Yeah Diddy Kong racing was great back when rare did awesome rip offs. I also liked Konami Krazy Racing...the music :P ..plus I think it had some Castlevania music in it, so it got my vote.

[lurch996]

I think you're on your own here buddy

I think you're right! To be honest I should have said better the Mario Kart 64 since they are most comparable. A lot of the reviews at the time agreed with me on that.

[mekanor]

diddy kong racing on the 64. fantastic game. i think it has aged a lot better than mario kart 64 as well. was horrified with the ds version though. im sure rare did it on purpose to ruin my childhood memories. i even preordered it from the us i was that pumped...

lego racers is awesome too. spent a lot of hours on that one.



good ol rocket racer

[Leon Retro]

I'll go with Street Racer for the SNES as it's the only SMK clone I've had the inclination to play for more than ten minutes. In fact, only the original SMK has held my interest over the years; none of its sequels have ever come close to the perfection of the original.

Street Racer was created by a very capable dev - and that really shows in the production values. The visuals are crisp, sharp, and colourful; everything moves well; and the overall design is good.

I'm pretty sure it didn't use a DSP chip inside the cart to boost the 3D - so it does look pretty flat, but the dev did well compared to what some other devs did with other racing games on the SNES.


I fully agree with you with regards to Super Mario Kart still being the best in the series. It's an experience far more focused on racing - and therefore delivers a tighter, more satisfying experience.

If I were going to make an illegal remake - I'd make a hi-def copy of Super Mario Kart in pure polygon 3D. If Nintendo did it - that would be even better. The game is still great to play - but with a lick of paint and a proper 3D engine, it would inspire me to really get into it again. Online racing would be the cherry on the cake. I can only dream.

[egparadigm]

Am I the only one who found DKR stupidly difficult? I got stuck on the first race with Wizpig! It's one of only two occasions when I've damaged a controller in a rage (luckily it was my grey one).

I wonder if I could do it these days with GameFAQs...

[kryss]

I was in that boat too.

Played DKR but SMK was always the best.

[mekanor]

Am I the only one who found DKR stupidly difficult? I got stuck on the first race with Wizpig! It's one of only two occasions when I've damaged a controller in a rage (luckily it was my grey one).

no for a "kids" game it was pretty hard, at least it was back in the day. that first wizpig race took me ages, the second one was much easier.

should try those races again and see if theyre as hard

[Leon Retro]

DKR is much harder than Mario Kart. RARE like to offer a strong challenge.

[randombs]

Wacky Wheels on the PC by Apogee

Yes, that's the one! We loved it so much my dad upgraded the processor from a 486 SX/33 to a 486 DX/66 and added 4MB ram* just for it



* yes, it probably cost the same amount as an actual SNES but I can't remember