Mario is known for his plumbing abilities but he's plenty talented outside of work too. He's a top athlete in just about any sport (golf, tennis, football...), his long jump abilities could win him a gold medal at the Olympics and he also likes to save the Mushroom Kingdom every now and again. Karting is another of Mario's favourite pastimes and it's led to some exceptional games; any of the Mario Kart titles could have been featured on this list. There can be only one though and Mario Kart 64 deserves the nod. Not only was it the first game the series introduced 3D courses and models but it also made for some fierce racing action. The N64 also helped a lot by allowing four players to play without a need to buy an extra peripheral. Just a quick glance through Mario Kart 64's sixteen courses is a glorious walk down memory lane. Every track is a classic with shortcuts, traps and tight turns in abundance. Each one was unique and provided a different challenge too; Toad's Turnpike, for example, required you to race through traffic, ensuring that everybody had to drive quickly yet carefully. Of course, even careful drivers were still susceptible to attacks from rival players so every course quickly became a battle of wits, luck and timing. While online play has improved the series massively, we still hold a huge spot in our hearts for local multiplayer gaming and Mario Kart 64 is exciting enough to encourage some friendly competition. It might look dated now but if you pull this out with some friends, you'll definitely be cursing each other by the end of the night in the best way possible.
I have an addiction to achievements, a craving for new bands and a dream to become Captain America. I once finished second in a Mario Kart 7 tournament so I'm kind of a big deal.
