Joystiq

Mario Kart Arcade GP (Arcade)

By far the rarest Mario Kart game, both the upright and sit-down (pictured) versions of Mario Kart Arcade GP are extremely hard to find in American arcades. Those lucky enough to find a unit will get to experience the only Mario Kart with bucket seats and a full steering wheel (unless you count the Wii Wheel, that is). The game also features a digital camera system that allowed players to identify their kart with an on-screen face.

While there are only six tracks and a single race can cost upwards of a dollar, the arcade game preents an extremely polished and unique experience for players who only know the console versions. A 2008 sequel added new items and new characters including Waluigi, but the two versions are largely indistinguishable

Fun Fact: Mario Kart Arcade GP was actually developed by Namco, which explains the inclusion of characters like Pac-Man and red Pac-Ghost Blinky.

23/04/08