10 Iconic Video Games You Had NO IDEA Were Originally Sequels
2. Super Mario Kart
Originally: F-Zero multiplayer spin-off
On the Super Nintendo, F-Zero was a bona fide, wig-peeling experience back in the day. Its slick sci-fi presentation, evolutionary Mode 7 graphics, breakneck racing, and nail-bitingly competitive nature made it a showcase for the console’s power. But there was one major flaw Nintendo didn’t foresee: there was no option to play multiplayer.
Of course, back then, “multiplayer” meant strictly local sessions, but it was still a major omission as the novelty of couch co-op grew in popularity. The limitation came down to hardware - the SNES simply couldn’t handle rendering two high-speed Mode 7 tracks on top of each other for split-screen racing.
Nintendo wanted to fix that. Development began on a new project focused on allowing multiple players to race each other, even accommodating more screens with the upcoming Super Multitap accessory. However, combining that with F-Zero’s blistering speed just wasn’t working. The team needed slower, more manageable vehicles - karts - and started with generic drivers before eventually realizing how much sense it made to put Mario and his friends behind the wheel.
That single decision changed everything. The prototype evolved into Super Mario Kart, released in 1992, and went on to launch one of Nintendo’s most beloved and enduring series.