GameTimeline

Release & story order

Mario Kart timeline

Every main Mario Kart console and handheld entry in US release order—from Super Mario Kart on SNES through Mario Kart 8 Deluxe on Switch and Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit. No story timeline exists; Release and Story tabs show the same racing history. Arcade cabinets and Mario Kart Tour stay in the FAQ.

Updated July 2026

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Release order Story order

Release order

When each main Mario Kart shipped in the United States—home consoles and handhelds only. Mario Kart Tour, arcade GP cabinets, and Booster Course Pass DLC are FAQ-only, not separate timeline rows.

  • Play today → Mario Kart 8 Deluxe on Switch—the current retail entry with online play
  • Retro marathon → Super Mario Kart (1992) through Mario Kart 7 in release order
  • Couch multiplayer peaks → Mario Kart Wii or Double Dash!! for local chaos
  • Super Mario platformers → separate timeline on /mario—not required for any Kart game
Story order tips

Mario Kart has no shared plot—each entry is a standalone kart racer with the same cast. Story order mirrors Release order for historical context only, not fiction.

  • No narrative links between games—pick any entry as your first Kart
  • Character roster grows over time—Release order shows when newcomers like Rosalina or Inklings joined
  • Mario Kart 8 Deluxe replaces Wii U Mario Kart 8 for new buyers—see FAQ
  • Mario Kart Live is a toy-camera hybrid—optional side experiment, not a numbered sequel

Timeline

When each game was released. Click a game for platforms, dates, and where it fits in your playthrough.

Release order

  1. Super Mario Kart

    Super Mario Kart

    SNESRacingMainline

    Franchise debut—Mode 7 pseudo-3D and battle mode on SNES.

    Overview
    Invented the mascot kart formula—item boxes, drifting, and split-screen battle on Super Nintendo.
    In-game setting
    Eight drivers, twenty tracks across Mushroom Cup through Special Cup; Battle Mode on Block Fort.
    Should you play it?
    Historic but dated handling—start with a modern entry unless you want series origins.
    Release date
    US SNES launch September 1, 1992.
  2. Mario Kart 64

    Mario Kart 64

    N64RacingMainline

    Full 3D tracks—four-player split screen and Wario Stadium.

    Overview
    True 3D circuits with ghost data, triple red shells, and sped-up 150cc.
    In-game setting
    Mario Raceway, Rainbow Road, and Battle Mode arenas like Big Donut.
    Should you play it?
    N64 nostalgia favorite—NSO Expansion Pack includes it on Switch.
    Release date
    US N64 launch February 10, 1997.
  3. Mario Kart: Super Circuit

    Mario Kart: Super Circuit

    GBARacingMainlineHandheld

    Portable Kart with SNES retro cups on Game Boy Advance.

    Overview
    Linked play and four-player support with extra GBA systems—mix of new tracks and classic SNES remakes.
    In-game setting
    Lightning Cup and Star Cup on handheld; unlock SNES tracks by earning medals.
    Should you play it?
    Handheld side chapter—optional unless you collect every Kart.
    Release date
    US GBA launch August 27, 2001.
  4. Mario Kart: Double Dash!!

    Mario Kart: Double Dash!!

    GCRacingMainline

    Two drivers per kart—special items and co-op driving on GameCube.

    Overview
    Driver plus gunner pairs, character-specific karts, and cooperative Grand Prix.
    In-game setting
    Baby Park chaos, cooperative special items like Chain Chomp and Bob-omb Cannon.
    Should you play it?
    Best for local co-op experiments—mechanics never returned in later entries.
    Release date
    US GameCube launch November 17, 2003.
  5. Mario Kart DS

    Mario Kart DS

    Nintendo DSRacingMainlineHandheld

    Online Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection era—retro cups return on dual screens.

    Overview
    First Nintendo online Mario Kart—mission mode and snaking drift meta on DS.
    In-game setting
    Shell Cup through Star Cup plus SNES and N64 retro cups.
    Should you play it?
    Wi-Fi service discontinued—local play and nostalgia only today.
    Release date
    US DS launch November 14, 2005.
  6. Mario Kart Wii

    Mario Kart Wii

    WiiRacingMainline

    Motion steering and bikes—12-player online on Wii.

    Overview
    Wii Wheel accessory, tricks off ramps, and massive online lobbies at launch.
    In-game setting
    Rainbow Road in space, Coconut Mall memes, and competitive time-trial community.
    Should you play it?
    Peak casual multiplayer Kart—still a fan favorite for couch sessions.
    Release date
    US Wii launch April 27, 2008.
  7. Mario Kart 7

    Mario Kart 7

    Nintendo 3DSRacingMainlineHandheld

    Gliders and underwater driving—first handheld 3D Kart.

    Overview
    Kart customization with gliders and underwater sections on stereoscopic 3DS.
    In-game setting
    Metal Mario debut as playable; StreetPass ghost sharing.
    Should you play it?
    Handheld companion to Wii era—NSO includes it on Switch for subscribers.
    Release date
    US 3DS launch December 4, 2011.
  8. Mario Kart 8

    Mario Kart 8

    Wii URacingMainline

    Anti-gravity sections and HD tracks—Wii U original before Deluxe.

    Overview
    Zero-gravity wall riding, 200cc mode added post-launch, and Mario Kart TV replays.
    In-game setting
    Mount Wario, Rainbow Road anti-gravity finale; DLC packs expanded cups on Wii U.
    Should you play it?
    Superseded for new players by Mario Kart 8 Deluxe on Switch—same base tracks.
    Release date
    US Wii U launch May 30, 2014.
  9. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe

    Mario Kart 8 Deluxe

    SwitchRacingMainline

    Definitive Switch Kart—all Wii U DLC included plus new characters and Battle Mode overhaul.

    Overview
    Portable and docked HD Kart with Booster Course Pass DLC seasons (2022–2023) adding retro track remakes—FAQ for pass content.
    In-game setting
    Current competitive and casual standard—Inkling, Link, and Animal Crossing racers included.
    Should you play it?
    Start here if you only buy one Mario Kart.
    Release date
    US Switch launch April 28, 2017.
  10. Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit

    Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit

    SwitchRacingHybrid

    Real RC karts with Switch camera AR—living-room tracks, not a traditional sequel.

    Overview
    Velocio physical karts filmed through Switch to build virtual circuits in your home.
    In-game setting
    Mario or Luigi kart sets sold separately; single-player campaign with gate markers.
    Should you play it?
    Optional toy experiment—skip unless you want the RC gimmick.
    Release date
    US launch October 16, 2020.

FAQ

Release order for home and handheld Kart, no fiction chain, MK8 vs Deluxe, mobile and arcade boundaries, and links to Super Mario platformers.

Play order

See the Mario games timeline for side-scrolling and 3D platformers from Super Mario Bros. through Wonder. This page covers kart racers only—same characters, different genre, no required play order between the two.

No. Mario Kart games do not continue one plot—each Grand Prix is a standalone racing package. Story order on this page mirrors US release dates for historical context only. Pick Mario Kart 8 Deluxe if you want the modern entry, or follow Release order if you are collecting the full series.

What's included

Mario Kart 8 (2014, Wii U) is the original HD game. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe (2017, Switch) includes all Wii U DLC characters and tracks at launch, reworked Battle Mode, new racers (Inkling, etc.), and later Booster Course Pass retro cups (2022–2023). New buyers should get Deluxe only—the Wii U version is legacy hardware.

Optional & related

More timelines

Other release-order and story-order guides on this site.