Big Blue is the Greatest Mario Kart Track of All Time

[@natelikesfun]

The first 10ish seconds of Big Blue's final lap is quite possibly my favorite sequence in any track in the entire series Going through the lap gate, and then the combination of hearing the voice announcing the last section, seeing the world flip upside down around you (and subsequently doing a donut with the ocean directly above your head), all combined with the start of the lap 3 music never fails to give me chills and is the definition of hype imo

[@silhouettoofaman2935]

Couldn't have said it better myself. It's pure magic!

[@mrmediocre848]

Riddle me this, Batman: Mariokart 8 added anti-gravity and 200cc which emulate F-Zero to a degree. They had crossovers with other Nintendo series, which naturally had to include the other racing franchise, F-Zero. All of them got at least a character, one set of vehicle parts, and a track. So, given all that, why were we given 2 tracks, a vehicle, and a MII COSTUME of Captain Falcon rather than the real deal?! His home-series tracks and F-Zero machine got in without him! Link, Isabelle, Villager, and the Inklings got in before he did!! Even Mercedes got into Mariokart before the Captain himself!!! But yeah, Big Blue is great

[@ChuyR.]

Captain Falcon already gets too much attention in Smash Bros, putting him in Mario Kart is a risk, ironically Waluigi had that sort of attention in 8 and 8Deluxe for the majority on their life cycle. He would also be quite tall, so they would give him the Rosalina Stats or the Drybowser stats, which are pretty decent and fast.

[@LiamWins]

10:10 fun fact: the red conveyors aren’t off-road, they’re conveyors, meaning they actually slow you down regardless of having the boost or not. This means that you either want to only stay on the red for as long as you have to, or try to risk staying on the red for slightly longer in return for getting an earlier boost 13:37 great analogy, which is also coincidentally the same analogy Nintendo used in the liner notes of its OST CD: “We had the sax and guitar engage in a kind of duel…”

[@Brad766-]

15:54 Finally someone says it! I don't love Waluigi Pinball because everyone else did, I love it because I think it's a fantastically designed track...and I'm tired of pretending it's not.

[@CrazyKoopaTroopaCKT]

Oh hey, it's the Gringill dude, I love your videos.

[@cool_guy7]

All my homies love Marcus

[@LittleBitCrafty]

Big Blue has always been my favourite track, now I appreciate it even more. Great video as always! :]

[@NmMindstorm]

Big Blue is seriously my favorite mario kart track of all time. Thank you for making my day and sharing its beauty with the internet. I speedran it for a while and got my time pretty close to a minute and 1 second in 200cc

[@ChuyR.]

The last stretch of the track is a typical gimmick in FZero, you have to remember that in FZero you crash out, so having “dirt patches” at the end is a risk and reward thing, if you have enough energy to boost through them you can do it but don’t hit or be hit by anything because you can get killed right at the finish line. Mute city has it too, but is ironically mute since everyone takes the jump

[@donacdum]

I love F-Zero, particularly F-Zero GX. While I wish we could get a new game, or even a port of GX to modern consoles, seeing this and Mute City added to MK8 felt really special.

[@XxbelligerentxX]

Overall enjoyed the video! I was with you until the argument of “people say this thing is overrated to be contrarian.” People will say something is overrated for many reasons. Me personally, I think this track is a bit overrated, but not bc I think it’s cool to dislike a popular track, bc I think it’s overall bad, or bc I think a track like Sunset Wilds (gimmickless) or Baby Park (a divisive track) is better. I just don’t think it’s a top 10 track. To me, not a lot of it tells me it’s an F-Zero original track. Feels more like it could have been named Neo Koopa Cape with a Koopa Cape Wii remixed theme and I wouldn’t have thought differently. It’s still gorgeous and fun to play on tho! I just don’t think it’s a great argument and felt more like a side tangent you wanted to speak on in the video. Again, good video! I like watching these videos dissecting tracks and other various things they love about a game. Keep it up bro

[@JacobPDeIiNoNi]

I agree with everything you said but I don’t find it to be the best track in the series for two main reasons. 1, I feel like the final section drops the ball a bit thematically, the rest of the course has this really cool theming of a fusion between lots of nature and technology intertwined. Lap 1 has floating islands surrounding a giant mechanical loop, lap 2 has a giant waterfall canyon with tons of futuristic buildings built into it. Lap 3 though, apart from the ocean (which to be fair is utilized very well) doesn’t really have any natural elements to speak of. Which I think makes it too thematically inconsistent. But the second reason and the main one, is it’s just too short. Like ESPECIALLY lap 2. Not only is it pretty short to begin with, it’s also constantly in rushing water with tons of shortcuts. So it’s pretty much impossible to not go insanely fast through the section, which makes it very fun, but also always leaves me wanting more because it’s over before it even really starts. I also think the course overall being longer would have let it feel more grandiose like it’s clearly trying to be, visually and mechanically it’s one of the most extravagant tracks in the series, and yet barely takes longer to finish than toad circuit. And the main thing that suffers from this is the music… like I 100% agree it’s not only the best song in the game but one of the best songs in all of gaming, but you can’t hear the full thing on 150cc, neither the regular nor lap 3 versions complete their loop. And I consider that to be a significant design oversight, no other track in the series has that issue where you can’t hear the full song on 150cc (which is the “standard” mode), at least to my knowledge. I know that making the track longer would’ve just been more work for the devs on what’s already one of the most ambitious tracks in the series, but I truly think it needed it.

[@xant8344]

Yeah I wish it was two laps of the full course, with a cannon or something to take you back to the start

[@BlueThunderO7]

This is honestly the only track in the game I've gotten 10 online wins on, using what's known as the Captain Falcon combo. Medium Mii with the Captain Falcon amiibo suit, Blue Falcon kart, red roller wheels and paper glider. And every W I get on the F-Zero tracks is dedicated to the Captain himself.

[@adrielcheazestrada2005]

at this point Captain Falcon should be a playable character bc we have Big Blue and Mute City, a customizable vehicle option and can’t forget the Mii Racing Suit

[@silhouettoofaman2935]

I cannot thank you enough for shedding light on this course, as it's my favorite in the game too. It's nothing but nonstop thrills from start to finish, upping the ante even more with its insane, balls-to-the-wall music! And when you cross into that final section, and you hear the old F-Zero X announcer scream, "YEAH! THE FINAL LAP!" followed by that positively RIPPING sax/guitar duel solo? You feel like you're on top of the fucking world!!! If not for the BCP, this would've been the perfect grand finale for Mario Kart 8.

[@eXi101]

Never thought I would watch a video like this. Solid vid made me appreciate big blue a whole lot more

[@Ziilus]

Mount Wario is one of my favorite tracks, along side Ribbon Road, Piranha Plant Slide, and a few others. I love Big Blue, but unlike in F-Zero, I love it because I am GREAT at not racing correctly on it! Unlike in those shortcut videos, I discovered stuff on my own, and so I can officially say I’m great at floating off road on it! Also the booster pass couldn’t dream of having such a beautiful course.

[@lemonking3851]

Glad to see a fellow big blue fan the goat of all tracks. The pacing of it is impeccable each section is split up by a glider section with the second one being faster adding to the building excitement as the race comes to a close. Than you get rocketed with either boos panels of flowing water. Than once you reach the end what a spectacle the massive rotating circular thing is so sick and you talked about the suspense perfectly. And the music the music goes so hard!!!

[@VGMenjoyer]

As someone who has only played mk8dx big blue happens to be my favorite track, but that’s all I can say

[@Avinkwep]

As an F Zero fan this makes me happy

[@checkthegamer587]

My Brother Absolutely loves Excite bike Arena 😂😂😂😂

[@Koopamelon]

i also do, it has a easy shortcut with mushroom and infinite tricking is really fun

[@ryansmith2903]

I love videos where people appreciate the details of video games!! It doesn't matter to everyone, but to some it matters a lot.

[@JustinGamesJG]

Easily my favorite track of all time. Not only is it one of the most visually appealing tracks in the game, time trialing it (ESPECIALLY on 200cc specifically) is literally the most fun you can have playing mario kart imo. I'm so glad someone else recognizes peak.

[@luckyboy7294]

I honestly prefer Mount Wario over Big Blue because the inspiration behind Mount Wario was the very essence of why I love this franchise so much, but I won't deny it, Big Blue is also a top tier to me

[@officialdonkeykongoildrum5423]

That final lap jingle was actually from F Zero GX. Gets me pumped up every time, so my eyes escaped my skull when I heard it for the first time.

[@SkySerce]

i loved this track since the first time i played it on the wii u. i played it so much that it has become one of, if not the best tracks i'm at.

[@kamsharkproductions8981]

My personal favorite track in the seried is Singapore Speedway, but Big Blue is my 2nd favorite.

[@mauwus4322]

For the aesthetics comparison, can we not just focus on F-zero alone? Crazy to think about it but there were other games in the franchise.

[@theshadowspider97]

It's a funny coincidence that u uploaded this around the same time Sillintor uploaded a Captain Falcon video! That's right above this one in my sub feed! 😂

[@HuneeBruh]

Great video but wtf is that dolphin mii trick animation 😭

[@fryingpansam]

he swim :]

[@dh3913]

9:51 Oh THAT'S what is said lmao, all this time playing I thought that was just unintelligible noise similar to Birdo sfx I will say there is one aspect of the track you left out (particularly relevant online) that can make or break this track for some people- it's a bagging track. You can try to run it (like all tracks) but that cannon before lap 3 makes everyone in mid/bottom spots pull such powerful items, a shock becomes more likely along with the potential people dodge. That said, that isn't a dealbreaker for me, depends on how much you hate bagging / tracks with high comeback potential.

[@ThatOldMan2112]

My favorite track! For the music, screaming rock guitars and sax are what my generation grew up on.

[@DiegoMatos-u6u]

Like Albert Boris, My three personal favorite tracks of all time are Ninja Hideaway, Super Bell Subway, and my personal favorite Mario Kart track of all time is Wario’s Goldmine!

[@Nicolas-Gonzalez-ReefRider]

You know, I used to think big blue was bad. Now it's my favorite track in the game as well!!

[@lonelyhorse64]

I have loved this track since it came out, I dont own deluxe which means this is the last track in the game for me! The obly positive of 8 😢

[@isaaclee1416]

Your comment on the developers labor of love making the course that much better is why I’d say the best of base MK8 is better than the best of BCP!! The good tracks in the BCP are arguably better concepts and track design in racing (Wii tracks in general), but without nostalgia it’s easy to see how many corners were cut to put them in. It’s not as fun playing 5 Below version coconut mall with the eatery of Big blue right there

[@xxblackkzoruaxx5971]

I’ve been saying it for years, it’s peak

[@sadboiinasweater6104]

When I first got my switch, i was playing mk8dx's big blue over and over again. I didn't totally comprehend F-Zero as a franchise, I just thought the track was cool.

[@orikrasnovsky8317]

My take is big blue is insanely fun to time trial or to race on in local multiplayer. Online though... that cannon item set at the end of lap 2 really ruins the track imo.

[@code_blue5060]

i have joint favourite mk8 tracks - big blue, obviously, thanks for spreading the good word, and... excitebike... i just really like tricks ok 😭

[@VestedUTuber]

Ok, if you think this is the best Mario Kart track ever, then you really need to give F-Zero GX a try. Because this track, as good as it is, is just a taste, a teaser, an appetizer. So park your little toy Blue Falcon and strap yourself in to the real deal, and get ready to break the sound barrier. Also, I wouldn't call F-Zero a "kart racer". SNES F-Zero is THE original anti-grav racer, the game that basically invented the genre. Now, there is some overlap between the kart racing and anti-grav racing genres, but F-Zero actually sits relatively distant from that overlap point, with WipeOut and its various spiritual successors filling up the overlap point of the Venn Diagram. Anyway, regarding the background elements: 1. Pay attention to the shape of the center skyscraper of the city off in the distance. Look familiar? Yeah, that's the Galactic Federation Building that hosts the starting line for MK8 Mute City. 2. The ships that fly by are a double-reference. First off, compare them to the Little Wyvern from F-Zero X, GX, GP Legend and Climax. Yeah, they're nearly identical. Those fighters belong to Galaxy Dog, the mercenary team headed by James McCloud. And yes, both James McCloud and Galaxy Dog are a blatant Star Fox reference. Regarding the conveyors, I've found that they don't make that much of a difference on those first few S-turns because of how short they are. They're a bigger deal in the tube.

[@vulduv]

Wait why is a building in Mute City in the background of Big Blue? Did the developers forget that big blue is a completely different planet, and that Mute City is on earth???

[@VestedUTuber]

@@vulduv They didn't forget, because it's continuity-dependent. Big Blue is a separate planet in the GP Legend/Falcon Densetsu continuity, but in the main series it's just the oceans and coastal areas of the same planet that Mute City is located on. In the main continuity only some of the venues are on different planets, and some actually share planets as well (Death Wind from SNES and 99 and Devil's Forest from X are both on Poripoto, for example).

[@carb0xyde887]

When the best Mario kart track is an F-zero track

[@_vanessajane]

4:23 omg what remix is that??

[@SplatzicYT]

my top 3 tracks: coconut mall big blue toads factory

[@s1nnrz]

I always thought the announcer said "woah! Quick old butt!" On the last lap smh.

[@TheManOfManyNames.]

I, too, love Marlin also yeah this track is cool.

[@bubbabasher7652]

I personally think it is a crime to talk about an F-Zero and not show any gameplay of F-Zero GX or even X. F-Zero GX is widely considered one of the best arcade racing games ever and I personally love the game.

[@fryingpansam]

I couldn't capture footage of GX but I have played it and it was pretty fun. As for X, I haven't played it but I put some of its music in the background, so there's that

[@Enan63.]

You should play F-Zero! SNES original and GameCube GX are the best especially!!!!!!!

[@gavout1511]

I’d say it’s literally the 2nd best. But if I remove all nostalgia (MKWII Rainbow Road on MK8DX), it’s absolutely the best.

[@NintendoFan2103]

Any My Singing Monsters fan will literally have Big Blue as there favorite track.

[@DiegoMatos-u6u]

But Big Blue is also one of my favorite tracks of all time also!

[@_Hero_Link_]

Peak Blue

[@jam06]

It’s a pretty cool track But I’m one of the people that think “Hey that track was pretty cool”

[@luisFer-iu1mq]

Toad factory 🥹

[@Red_Roy1445]

this is what they could do with F-ZERO.

[@Baaluluna]

I like excitebike arena

[@FLUDDgate-dc2sp]

I also think this is the best track in the series

[@Nukatha]

But consider Big Blue: Ordeal from F-Zero GX.

[@autismandgaming4532]

But it's technically not a MARIO Kart track

[@fryingpansam]

😐😐😐😐

[@Voxelcube808]

Can you play F-ZERO GX on the gamecube pls it's amazing the best in the series

[@gavinisdie]

This track is why i am a F-ZERO fan

[@pietersfilms5171]

96 likes lol

[@Overkill9991]

Counter argument: Waluigi Stadium is simply superior.

[@fryingpansam]

you forgot the argument part of your counter argument

[@joshslater2426]

I’ve never liked Big Blue personally. Since I’ve never played F-Zero, the track doesn’t appeal to me, and it doesn’t feel very ‘Mario’. It’s a fun track that lets you drift and glide at immense speeds, so I can get why a lot of people like it.

[@TheNorsemon]

My brother in Christ you must HATE The Nintendo kart idea also you gotta play F-Zero they release around the same time as Mario Kart but it’s 100% better

[@BarrilBuzz]

4:39 Dislike and dishonor for disrespect the other versions of Big Blue. Nah just kidding, but the track in X also have antigravity and the GX one also have a pretty good-looking aesthetic.

[@zaples_128]

What about mario circuit 3 for the game boy advance smh.

[@barelyhere7200]

It’s pretty embarrassing that big blue is a way better waterpark track than the track that is literally named waterpark

[@agent3fan]

Supra maycrus kart

[@astromotive6047]

This track *single handedly* made up for the complete disappointment that was this game's version of Rainbow Road. Coming off of the insane high that was 7's incarnation, going back to 3 laps rather than 3 sections just felt like a step backwards. A baffling decision that was made more obvious by the track's less than impressive layout featuring a blatantly in your face figure 8 and split paths section. Both of which neither feel creative or wholly original and just exist to fill the anti-gravity quota for that track. A FINE course at the end of the day, but for a RAINBOW ROAD just an incredibly mid experience overall. Not to mention the Booster Course Pass which straight up brought back both 3DS Rainbow Road and the *VASTLY* superior 3 lap option in the form of Wii Rainbow Road. Big Blue though is a complete thrill ride of a stage from start to finish with many unique elements on display such as the downhill spiral at the start, the numerous boost panels that accelerate you through this stage, the thrilling dual branch waterslide on section 2 [Which also makes up for Water Park and it's complete lack there of] and the straightaway finale which has more than once resulted in some epic final lap battles online as well as some troll worthy 1st place steals. This is all on top of the course naturally and elegantly twisting and inverting in ways that make the outside perspective look insane throughout multiple parts. I mean come on *THE OCEAN BECOMES THE CEILING ON SECTION 3!!!* It's honestly what 8's Rainbow Road SHOULD'VE been in terms of ambition, creativity and adrenaline factor.

[@SB2749]

I think giant green is better

[@Conor-s24]

I agree big blue is the best

[@OGmaximilian]

Did you just insult Berlin as misery

[@fryingpansam]

no, i insulted london as misery

[@JamisRobertson]

I do know who i am

[@JudeSaliba]

Wii rainbow road is better 😂

[@Noshadesfunky]

Big blue is good but NOT BEST IN THE SERIES. Big blue is only B tier when you have alot of choices from mkwii.

[@forgottenrider7261]

Someone send this to BigPuffer