10 One-Off Video Game Levels That Totally Change Everything
7. Rainbow Road - Mario Kart Series (1992-)
As spin-off series go, Mario Kart is WAY up there among gaming's all-time most successful. The competitive racing franchise attracts arguably more players than the main Super Mario series, as the bright, fast-paced go-karting is the ultimate party experience for people of all ages.
It's doubtful the kiddies had much fun on Rainbow Road, though... because very few others did, either.
This legendary course is featured in every Mario Kart game to date, and is almost always the final challenge players must overcome to bag first place in the cup. As its name suggests, Rainbow Road is literally a rainbow-coloured racetrack, and, like a real rainbow, isn't exactly the best surface to drive high-speed go-karts on.
With very little traction and no guard rails at ANY point, you have to have your eyes glued to the screen to prevent yourself from driving straight off the end to your doom. And even the most careful of karters can still be clipped by a rogue Koopa shell or other pesky weapon from their opponents behind them.
It may look pretty, but difficultly-wise Rainbow Road is in a league all of its own. You've got to take the corners with absolute precision and be a true dab hand with those banana peels to make it to the finish line first here.