Amazingly, even better than the original SNES game (Super Mario Advance (GBA))

Member Name: trussellp

Product:	Super Mario Advance (GBA)
Date:	22/02/02 (28 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: all round greatness

Disadvantages: small screen

It would have seemed unbelievable nine years ago to think that the Super Nintendo racing classic Super Mario Kart would ever appear on a handheld. However, to prove any sceptics wrong, Mario Kart Super Circuit has been released on the Game Boy Advance and, amazingly, is even better than the original SNES game.

Before the racing gets under way, you first have to make selections from the snappy intro screens. After choosing a player, you have to decide upon the Kart's engine size and also the track and tournament to race in. Along with the famous plumber, seven other familiar Nintendo characters can be chosen from, each offering various skills and driving strengths. For all round ability Mario is the best choice, but for added weight on the difficult bends, you may opt to race as either Bowser or Donkey Kong.

It then remains to decide upon the track to race on, with four tournaments or cups to choose from initially. Each cup consists of four different races, which cleverly offer a variety of environments from Mario's platforming escapades. The Boo Lake course is particularly inspired, and recreates the chilling atmosphere of the Super Mario World ghost house level perfectly.


As the race gets under way, your driving prowess is quickly tested to the limit and it becomes an endurance test just to stay on the track. Along with encountering hazards such as lakes and oil spills, you also have to avoid missiles fired by the other racers. Fortunately, you can collect coins to limit the damage from direct hits and also various weapons to use against your opponents. Banana skins and Shells are particularly good, and once deployed can help get you into a lead position.

Mario Kart Super Circuit also lets you play against friends who have a Game Boy Advance, by using the optional Link Cable. One cartridge allows up to four players to race together, with the winner having to complete five laps in the quickest time. Unfortunately
each player is represented by a colour coded Yoshi, but the game does offer excellent value.

However, the excitement really ignites when each player has a Mario Kart Super Circuit cartridge. In addition to letting you play as any of the Nintendo characters, you can also choose to play the wacky Battle Mode. Each player has three balloons attached to their Kart, and whilst avoiding various hazards you have to fire shells at your opponents. The winner is the player that retains the most balloons and so avoids the most hits.



Graphically the cartridge is in a class of its own, and makes any other handheld racer appear dull in comparison. The animation and scrolling are exceptionally fluid and each environment appears effortlessly brought to life.

Mario Kart: Super Circuit is an exceptionally polished game and is highly addictive and playable. The game sets a new bench mark for all other racing simulations to aspire to and like its SNES counterpart will surely stand the test of time.

Summary: