How Super Mario Kart was Created

In the world of the local multiplayer game, one champion reigns over the rest - Mario Kart. So in this video we'll be taking a look back at the development history of the Nintendo's first entry in the series, Super Mario Kart.
Follow me for updates! / thomasgdocs
Sources:
- www.nintendo.c...
- www.nintendo.c...
- shmuplations.co...
UPDATE:
Reddit user EMI_Black_Ace explained the performance issues of a 2 player F-Zero in some more detail:
"The primary key here was they wanted to make a Mode 7 racer two players, but the hardware only supported a single Mode 7 tile to be loaded into memory at a time. F-Zero's huge tracks took several tiles and could only work in single player because it switched tiles through the tracks. To make it multiplayer, every track would have to be able to fit into a single tile so the hardware could handle it without murdering the framerate when the players were on different tiles."

[@podepe1288]

mario kart has gotten so popular that i think "wow, its like mario kart in real life!" when i see go karting. not the other way around.

[@asher-360]

“But where are the item boxes?”

[@magnawaves]

I feel no shame in saying that I think the same thing before correcting myself.

[@NobodyQuiteLikeMe]

Smh... I guess that makes sense though

[@user-wg8wj7wq7v]

Yeah

[@-Teague-]

Thats kinda sad

[@OhNoBohNo]

Miyamoto: “how’s the racing game coming?” Mario Kart creators: “good we built the car” Miyamoto: “ah, the models are already completed??” *remote control car races past* Mario Kart creators: “no” Edit: Mario Kart Creators, Circa 2020: "OUR TIME HAS COME"

[@aclstudios]

*remote control car crashes*

[@scott2now]

#Relatable

[@mehpainter]

Hah, these guys were about 20 years ahead of their time

[@MadeWithMummyLove]

Whaaaaat

[@LilypadPanda]

Mario Kart Creators: *Go to amusement parks, build remote controlled car with real engine* Miyamoto: ... Mario Kart Creators: It's called RESEARCH, DAMMIT!

[@bananacat3109]

Well

[@larniieplayz6285]

@@bananacat3109 well what?

[@bananacat3109]

Larniie Playz i think i was referring to mario kart live

[@frosty925]

Imagine watching a bunch of grown men in suits sitting in karts with pens and notebooks, only to end up laughing and having fun

[@orlanswf]

throwing oil cans at each other

[@ayyimyou546]

*B O N K*

[@larniieplayz6285]

@@orlanswf lol

[@SN64YT]

@@larniieplayz6285 no u lol

[@wiggy8912]

Swapped out guys in overalls for guys in, um, overalls.

[@callymari]

wait-

[@amychi_]

Mario and luigi are technically in overalls

[@ThomasGameDocs]

Since I recorded the voiceover before Tuesday, I just wanted to welcome all the new people here from GMTK. Hi! As I've mentioned in my other videos, I'm still new at this, so I'm really open to feedback. Don't hesitate to comment if you think I should change something! Also, this video is up only a week after last week's video. That's because Smash is coming out next week and I didn't want to compete with Smash for people's attentions (I think there'd be a clear winner!) I was actually going to upload this the week AFTER Smash, but I somehow managed to get it done much quicker than I expected. So anyway, my next video will be up in 3 weeks, rather than the usual 2. Lastly, just to clarify that point about only being developed by 8 people - from what I understand, the 8 people pictured at the end formed the majority of the development team, but I think a couple of other people helped out a bit too. Also, that number doesn't include roles like illustrators for the box art and manual writers. I hope that clarifies the line a little.

[@lukidjano]

One suggestion I have is that you could maybe interview some developers featured in a video if possible (Kind of like "People Make Games"). Obviously for this video it wouldn't have made sense because they likely don't speak english and have already done interviews. But for example in a video like the one about Snipperclips it could have given us some new insights. Just a suggestion though, love your vids!

[@ThomasGameDocs]

@@lukidjano Hmm, that's certainly an interesting suggestion. I feel like it'd be kinda scary though! Like, I have no idea how to reach out to people and the proper etiquette and stuff. Maybe after this channel's been around a little while I might start to include that sort of thing (because it really does sound like a good idea - I really enjoy People Make Games) but at least for now while I'm still getting my bearings, I'll stick to scouring the internet (and obscure game guides, in the case of Luigi's Mansion) for my information. It's a great suggestion though, and I'll definitely think about it going forward!

[@ThomasGameDocs]

@Mushahid Intesum Haha, ok! Also, part of the problem with not being able to always hear my voice is because my microphone isn't _great._ Like, it's pretty good considering the price, but it does make my voice sound a little muffled. Glad you enjoyed the style though! I'm really happy with it too, so I'm unlikely to change it a lot anytime soon. Thanks for your nice comment!

[@geoffnielson]

Hi Thomas, love your channel's content. I like the video design too. I feel it would really take the videos to the next level if you added more in-game footage to punctuate specific points you are making. It was great to see the F-Zero split screen but there was no Kart footage. Keep up the good work!

[@ThomasGameDocs]

@@geoffnielson I think for now I'll stick to primarily animation - I feel like it could be a little jarring to keep flipping between game footage and animation. Of course if there's beta footage I'll 100% include that, but other than that, I don't want to use _that_ much game footage. I think with something like GMTK where the mechanics of the final game are being discussed, it makes sense to show off the mechanics. For this kind of video though, where I'm mainly talking about work in progress mechanics and prototypes, showing footage of their final, finished form could be a little counterintuitive. I'll definitely think about it though, I'll just see how it goes. Thanks for your kind comment, though! I appreciate your support!

[@mj_player6440]

I think the hand crafted thing looks great. This video was very interesting too. Keep up the good work

[@ThomasGameDocs]

Thanks!

[@Lukz243]

GMTK brought me here and I have something to say: every video of your channel made me smile (and even surprised me, like Professor Layton's development)

[@ThomasGameDocs]

Oh wow, thank you so much! That's incredibly kind! Reading this comment made _me_ smile!

[@tomcartwright5337]

Goomba Didn't Get Lucky 'Cuz He Has No Arms To Drive With.

[@jeremyriley1238]

That, and he dies in one hit.

[@LunarPurin]

@@jeremyriley1238 So does Mario. At least until he's been drugged up.

[@throatychunk]

he walks on the wheel like a hamster wheel

[@AztecaOcelotl]

He swings a bat on the Wii games.

[@ChaoticMushy]

funny because Boo has no legs but can press the gas pedal just fine

[@skipthetutorial]

I like what you're doing with this channel a lot. My feedback would be to: - Cut out breaths in your VO (0:55 stands out as an example of this to me, but I might have the sound confused with one of your sound effects) - In your audio mix, bump up your voice volume and lower the music parts. Right now, it detracts from what you try to say as you get lost in the background track. - I would recommend adding a subtle motion to some of your assets or give an animated texture faintly to the background. Some of your shots don't have much motion after the animation, and it's easy to lose focus when the eye gets used to an image. - Personal preference would be to pick up the VO speed and emphasize enthusiasm. It'll feel weird at first but it really helps long term. This should also clean up some of your bits where you chuckle at an observation made in the script since right now, the slower pace makes them feel out of tone. - The ends of your sentences will lose enunciation and trail off to a lower volume - but the focus on enthusiasm will fix that up nicely. The editing of this series is great and charming. I appreciate the heavy research and these are fun videos to watch. Oh - and final note - get a Twitter. Easiest way to get in touch with folks and for folks to reach out to you. Cannot understate this - get a Twitter, if only for the channel purpose. Have a good one!

[@ThomasGameDocs]

Woah, thanks for all of the advice! I really appreciate that! Audio is definitely my weakest point, imo. I agree about the music volume, and I'll turn it down a tad in future. And yeah, I should definitely cut out more of my breaths. I want to try and strike the right balance between sounding polished but also still like a normal person, if that makes sense? But I definitely think I could do with taking out a lot of my breaths. Also, the enthusiasm one is really annoying - when I'm recording the voiceover I feel like I'm being _too_ loud and enthusiastic, but when I get to editing it, it sounds far lower energy. I need to keep working on that! The point about motion is really good as well. Like, I always feel the parts of my videos with more movement were better, but I'm only consciously noticing it now you point it out. So thanks! And lastly, yes, Twitter! I keep meaning to get round that making one, but I'll definitely prioritise it! So yeah, thanks for all of that, it was super insightful! (also thanks for posting my video on your channel! That really means a lot!)

[@skipthetutorial]

@@ThomasGameDocs Happy to help out - I really like your content and I think you've got some great skills with this stuff. Just little tweaks and you got this. When you get a Twitter, @skipthetweets - would totally be down to DM about some more stuff when you get the chance. Thanks!

[@corn567]

@@skipthetutorial What are you doing here?

[@Kat21]

@@corn567 bruh

[@KIMTUANVIETNAM]

This is not the first time I've seen you on a video from a different channel, nice to see you, though, skip the tutorial.

[@chefschmixer]

I've got an bootleg mobile Mario Maker ad while watching

[@jodysummer9590]

Marko Dizdaruk SAME LOL

[@calebbrennan135]

Did I ask

[@renfrew24ify]

I got someones bootleg mario bros. game with Level Ups footage of animation

[@finb4940]

Supper mario maker is the one i get a lot

[@ElectroBlastLuigi]

That ad is illegal and downloading that app will crash your phone (it's actually fake). I remember getting those ads last month and thankfully I found a video that discussed this issue.

[@THEchakkid]

Really loving your channel and your insights, keep this up!

[@ThomasGameDocs]

Thank you!

[@NESADDICT]

It blew my mind to see Mario outside of a "normal" Mario game when I was a kid

[@mikeexits]

I can't imagine your reaction to Smash Bros haha! I remember first hearing about it as a young child back around 2002, someone told me there was a game with Mario characters where they fight each other, and it was rated T. My mind was blown!

[@NESADDICT]

Mikeureko we probably felt about the same. It was so foreign to me that Mario could literally do something else other than be in a side scrolling game.

[@Lunamine]

Getting to know the process and the creation of something, all the intricate jobs, the unpredictable variables and efforts placed into it is so engrossing to watch.

[@theinstructor123]

Wow how does this channel not have more recognition It randomly appeared in my recommended today

[@CeeEmJay]

1:34 Funky Kong and Daisy: *Allow me to introduce my self.*

[@ericxue3244]

0:09 Thomas: "Any gathering will inevitably end in some variety of kart racing action" Me: *Thinks of blue shells

[@TheSomewhatAsian]

I love the variety of video games you choose to write about. Keep an eye on this guy because he’s gonna go big some day!

[@ThomasGameDocs]

Haha, thank you!

[@ViewtifulSam]

The animation is so amazing in this one! The piano covers at the end give a really unique and cool touch to your videos. I'm already a fan!

[@ThomasGameDocs]

Thank you so much! I'm glad you like the piano covers too - I enjoy playing songs from games on the piano so I thought I'd try and incorporate that into these videos!

[@richardmagel4247]

I love the Mario Kart theme played on the piano at the end.

[@reallyboringindividual]

For such a young guy, you sure know a lot about 90s/early 00s game history. I'm impressed. I grew up with this stuff, and I didn't know even 5% of what you documented on this channel. Keep going. You deserve subs.

[@Ayeato]

Filip Butkiewicz he researches it, it’s his job.

[@Guinea.Pig-Gaming]

When people say Mario Cart instead of Mario Kart: Yep, looks like we'll be racing inside motorized shopping carts.

[@nathanmead140]

Nintendo should make that.

[@Guinea.Pig-Gaming]

@@nathanmead140 That would be amazing.

[@LuksThiago007]

Found your channel troughtout random recomendations. Spent almost 2 hours watching your vids! Sending to my friends! Best from Brazil!

[@inconspicuousibn8820]

This is an actual interesting topic, Why doesn't this Video have more Views?

[@jamescarrington6504]

the way that you tell a story, it is soo compelling and concise. it shows that you do your research

[@RickWhitechest]

Just so much info I wasn't aware of! I love this series!

[@ThomasGameDocs]

Thanks! I'm glad you found the video interesting!

[@sharky9846]

The first few seconds when I heard your comforting voice & the mood of the audio bacground, drawn me to click 'Subscribe'.

[@juneru2]

i thought you were gonna say "any gathering will surely end in a loss of many friendships"

[@greenshell4082]

This video was in my recommended. And I'm glad it was because this is well researched!

[@ThomasGameDocs]

Thanks!

[@Anathema7]

I like your channel and the hand crafted stuff looks good

[@ThomasGameDocs]

Thanks!

[@decline.enjoyer]

You request feedback. Well here it is: this video is amazing, and your hard work has paid off. That’s one more subscriber than you had before. Keep it up!

[@reddblurr]

So let’s all be clear. Mario Kart only exists because the dev team at Nintendo was trying to figure out how to make F-Zero a two player game? As a huge F-Zero fan that makes me super happy to hear! What an awesome piece of game history! Great video 👍

[@blucel2856]

Your channel is the best recommendation Mark Brown has ever made, good going! Fresh channels are always nice to see, especially when they start out at a high baseline of quality :}

[@ThomasGameDocs]

Thank you so much! That's super kind!

[@naejimba]

@@ThomasGameDocs , yep came here from Mark Brown not disappointed. =)

[@NobodyQuiteLikeMe]

The battle mode is responsible for some of the funniest times I had with my sister.

[@SmooviesTV]

I'm happy to be here at the pioneering stage of your videos. I'm certain you'll explode if you keep this up. Great pacing, subtlety, and emotion.

[@ThomasGameDocs]

Oh wow, thank you so much! That's _so_ kind of you! I really appreciate it, thanks!

[@BeTheHero905]

I do like the papery feel of your videos, it’s really nice and oddly relaxing

[@ThomasGameDocs]

Thanks again!

[@sirbattlecat]

I like how your piano says "piano" - like just in case you weren't sure what it was :P

[@EternalTheMandarinGoddess]

It's ridiculous how many winter afternoons me (a videogame lover Nintendo fangirl) and my friends (normal people who don't enjoy videogames that much) spent playing mario kart 8 on my WII U. They came over to my house just to play it almost every day for months! It was amazing.

[@D8OfficialMusic]

As a kart racer with 8 years+ of experience, me playing the Mario Kart games as a little kid was part of the reason why I wanted to do it so much. Thanks Miyamoto for your game.

[@dsvhs93]

So I just found your channel and I can’t I love watching TGD I’ve watched like 20+ of them at this point lol

[@abnertorres9976]

Such a great channel, I thought you had lots of video so I was surprised when I saw less than 8. Congrats on doing something different and amazing, keep it up I’ll be excited for the next videos.

[@ThomasGameDocs]

Haha, thanks! This channel's only about 2 months old so I've got a lot of videos that I really want to make. Thanks for your support!

[@abdulrhmanallihyani7271]

Good video explain the development of the games and showing how hard is it and the new way is better since i watched all the videos at one session. Keep going you are Awesome!!

[@ThomasGameDocs]

Thank you so much! I'm glad you enjoyed the video!

[@abdulrhmanallihyani7271]

@@ThomasGameDocs you're welcome We (The Audience) Have to be glad that content creators like you Exist. ; )

[@ace-of-seven-vulturesnh750]

i love how calming your voice and music is

[@DevoidMoon]

I just discovered your channel and I'm loving your videos! The "paper" and "hand-crafted" style of this looks great! Can't wait for more videos :D

[@ThomasGameDocs]

Thanks! I'm really glad you're enjoying them!

[@itsapplepai]

Digging the papery feel! Loving your thorough research and fun presentation, too; it's hard not to pull a smile through your vids :)

[@ThomasGameDocs]

Aw, thank you so much! That's such a nice thing to say!

[@VeggiePopper]

Haha, I loved how you used for illustrations the Mazda 6 and the Suzuki Swift, two of my favourite (non-luxury/premium/sports) cars ever.

[@matthewjames1172]

dude, your video game YT series is incredible. thanks for these.

[@SigCowengTorr]

Well researched and well discussed. Subscribed! :)

[@ThomasGameDocs]

Thanks! I really appreciate it!

[@leonardomapache]

Thomas Game Docs, your voice is so cute! It's what I imagine a cat would sound if it spoke.

[@joshywashy2861]

I really like the paper theme it’s kinda distracting but I still get the whole point of the video

[@zenkim6709]

Me: [clicks on thumbnail 4 the nostalgia + curiosity re. the backstory of Super Mario Kart] [ends up appreciating the slower piano rendition of the Super Mario Kart attract screen musical theme most of all]

[@ty_sylicus]

So far so good! I saw this upload today and thought, who's this? 😅 Four videos in and I feel bad for not having recognized your channel's name yet. Oops! I'm sure it'll stick and become a name I look forward to seeing, considering how good your content is. My favorite part about your channel is the original way in which you present and animate as you relay the information. The paper craft is fun, as are the SFX. (I do agree that they were too prominent in your first video but, have since been better). Sometimes the music is a bit loud. Balancing sound isn't easy and, is something you'll grow to master with time and practice. Keep up the great efforts! I'm eager to see where you go from here.

[@ThomasGameDocs]

Thank you so much! I'm glad the sfx are less distracting now, and I'll definitely be careful with the music volume for the next videos I work on. Thanks for the lovely comment!

[@ViviButter]

This "paper" Style fits your channel very well. Keep it up!

[@ThomasGameDocs]

Thanks!

[@kirstie.mitchell]

That “competitive serious racing game 😠” idk why but I thought it was really funny 😆

[@thawhiteazn]

Just found your channel recently, love it! Really great stuff, keep it up!

[@just_viben07]

I've been playing way too much mario kart cause the sound of that shell put me on edge

[@kmcamesome3799]

Since Super Smash Bros. Ultimate is coming out soon, how about a: How Super Smash Bros. Was created? Also, liking the style of the videos, they have a homey feel to it.

[@ThomasGameDocs]

Glad you like the style! About the Smash vid - a couple of weeks back I was considering making a video about Smash to coincide with Ultimate's release, but I realised I wouldn't have enough time to do it justice. Smash has a super interesting history, but doing a video on it will be very research heavy - I'm going to make a video about it at some point, but not right now. If you're curious, my next video is going to be about Miis (unless I suddenly change my plans). Anyway, thanks for the nice comment!

[@Kinnijup]

Super underappreciated channel

[@MasthaX]

I used to have a Mario Kart radio controlled car along with the game back in the early 90's as a kid, golden years.

[@midnightkitty8172]

I like the 'paper' look ( Paper Mario? ) and thanks for showing us the story behind Super Mario Kart~! I bought this as one of my first games on the SNES, and my daughters loved it as much as I did. The weapons system really evened the odds for them, being comparatively inexperienced ( where driving is concerned ) to myself, and therefore made it much more playable and enjoyable.

[@NutCrackerGuy]

*that would be Mario kart* Me: but the throne says kart Mario😂

[@rendiggietydog]

ooo yay a new video! I never thought about kart physics before :0 (also I love the brown paper background)

[@ThomasGameDocs]

It's pretty interesting, right! In one of the interviews I was reading, one of the developers said that they actually tried out drifting like it is in actual cars, where you suddenly turn the steering wheel in the opposite direction that you want to turn in, which to me sounds kind of _impossible_ to do! #sneakybonustrivia

[@rendiggietydog]

Thomas Game Docs woahhh cool!! ya i'm not sure how pressing the opposite direction on the dpad would've worked out... probably for the best they thought of using the brake instead haha

[@ThomasGameDocs]

Haha, yeah, they made the right call!

[@jamiebrown3891]

Love the channel and the animation in this video is particularly great! Keep it up! :)

[@ThomasGameDocs]

Thanks! Glad you liked it!

[@briandemodulated]

Very informative and fun video! I love the editing and animations. Excellent job!

[@farah2428]

I LOVE YOUR VIDEOS PLEASE HELP IM ADDICTED I CANT STOP WATCHING THEM

[@Sp3ctralI]

It’s fun to watch and learn how these things were made and whatnot, especially with the eshop on wiiu/3DS+2DS dying

[@BeshoyHolmes]

Love to see you making videos about games like bioshock and metal gear series

[@ThomasGameDocs]

Hmm, that's definitely something to think about. The videos I'm working on/have planned right now are mainly Nintendo games, since they're the games I know best, but I don't think I'd be against doing some other ones at some point in the future too. We'll have to see!

[@alisonwilliams4862]

My mum was so obsessed with Mario Kart 64 back in the day. 😃 I used to get sick of playing it with her lol. She was always DK and I was usually Bowser - my brother was nearly always Toad. I haven't played it for well over a decade and would love a game now!

[@GunnarClovis]

I love the new look! Great video as always

[@ThomasGameDocs]

Thank you so much!

[@GhostPandaFestival]

Such quality videos for such a new channel, really like the style too! Keep it up!

[@ThomasGameDocs]

Thank you!

[@spencergoth1cgutz205]

Wow, it’s always interesting to know, how video games were created, it always impresses me how much time and trial and error actually goes into it :o

[@DragonIllution]

Love your content and absolutely love the fact the you play these game's music in piano. I for one would like to see more about music and hear you play them.

[@DavidWonn]

It’s unfortunate that Battle Mode took a back seat in later games. It was always one of my favorite features of SMK, MK64, and to a lesser extent, Double Dash. Mario Kart Wii's Battle Mode was an all-time low, and 8 was barely any better in this regard.

[@PANTHERF56]

David Wonn Mario Kart 8 Deluxe was pretty good

[@GuyWithThePie]

2:01 Every time I hear this background music I always expect it to be a remix of the city theme from Animal Crossing City Folk and end up getting disappointed.

[@Zazalahyene]

Absolutely lovely vid !

[@HipsterBlackMetalOfficial]

why no mention of 3D Hot Rally on the Famicom disk system? That game was the original concept of mario kart. Same dev team worked on snes Mario Kart.

[@LeoIsFine]

Awesome video man!

[@ThomasGameDocs]

Thanks!

[@rhythmusmeister3823]

I love your videos so much.They are so informative and you do it interesting visual too!

[@ryanmalin]

Very nice piano playing. I always wondered where you got your music from. Now I know thank you

[@thetastywhale]

Writing feedback: you used the word "balance" 3 times in 8 seconds along with visual reference to balance. Please use more synonyms when appropriate. Good videos!

[@ThomasGameDocs]

Ah, thanks for pointing that out! That last part of the video was written a little more hastily than I'd like so I could get the video out on time, so I'm not super surprised that I'd miss something like that. Thanks for letting me know!

[@Quark281]

Honestly I like the papery look but is there some way to make the paper look less... dirty? Multiple times through the video I tried to clean my monitor and it was just the video =) Hope that KZbin goes well for you, I'm really enjoying your videos!

[@ThomasGameDocs]

Ahaha, oh dear! I'll try to find some less dirty paper textures for the next one, maybe then. Glad you're enjoying the videos though! Thanks!

[@cecilnewbold1221]

No keep the paper look I love and it brings charm to your videos I love your work big FAN YOU HAVE MY SUB

[@michaeltate1776]

Thank you so much for this informative video! You just reminded me why I love Nintendo! Especially Super Mario Kart!! 😁😉

[@TheInkPitOx]

I just wanted to let you know I like how you say "Hi there!".

[@caseys2698]

Your voice is like chocolate for the ears ❤️

[@milk4lyfe]

"they were trying to see what drifting felt like" wish they did that with the switch

[@sushiwtlive]

The developers: (6:35) Me: Laughs with Mario Kart Double Dash GameCube battle stage

[@randomdude88856]

0:07 Wait WHAT!? It said Kart Mario, not Mario Kart!

[@niallmcardle7]

This is tremendous.

[@michaelsegal3558]

One time I was playing Battle mode with this old acquaintance from my old street on Super Mario Kart on the Super Nintendo and on the Super Nintendo the question marks don’t replenish that didn’t start until the N64 version and since the question marks didn’t replenish we had to forfeit the match because we ran out of question marks

[@themagicboy6548]

Nice playing the super mario kart theme on the piano

[@codydavis5525]

Was that you playing piano in the background? If so, that was beautiful!

[@MBNJ27]

Happy birthday Super Mario Kart!

[@amychi_]

I have mariokart wii from my cousin's cousin 😳 we absolutely love to play it even though we suck at online.

[@losernemesis]

Animations are pretty good. The voice gets lost behind all of the other audio. Couldn’t finish the video. I bet it has pretty good material and research was good.

[@FroztYcle4737]

I am seeing this a day after I got Mario kart 8 for Wii u It just randomly showed up in my recommendations

[@Mikewee777]

THE GAME SERIES HAS NEVER BEEN BALANCED

[@randysmith7094]

Your sound effects and music are louder than your voice. You must be a professional audio mixer for Hollywood!

[@Creeperboy099]

Want to know what drifting was like? They should have called the drift king himself, Keiichi Tsuchya

[@petventures]

Great video editing and content