With over 170 different courses across the series’ thirty-year history, it’s no easy job picking out the best Mario Kart tracks. Still, here at Pocket Tactics, we think we’re up to the job, so we’ve gone back through all the games to decide which we’d include on in an imaginary hall of fame. So, shall we find out if your favorite made the list?
Before we set off at 200cc into the rest of this guide, be sure to aim your Luigi death stare at our other great content covering Switch games and beyond. We have articles for the best Switch games, best Switch fighting games, best Switch strategy games, best Switch simulation games, and many more.
Alright, red shells at the ready because we expect arguments as we head into our guide on the best Mario Kart tracks.
Maple Treeway – Wii
There’s something warm and inviting about Maple Treeway, even if you have to get launched by a cannon halfway through the course. There’s the orange hues of autumn colors, Wigglers wandering in every direction, and some nice long corners for big drifts. Sure, it’s not as hardcore as any of Bowser’s Castles, but thanks to some hidden shortcuts and big ramps, it’s just as fun.
Delfino Square – DS
Nintendo doesn’t celebrate Super Mario Sunshine as much as we think it should, but Delfino Square is both a fantastic tribute to the GameCube platformer and one of the best Mario Kart tracks in its own right. It’s all about timing on this course, which you can leap off to take to the air, but we also love just drifting by happy Piantas going about their business.
Waluigi Pinball – DS
First appearing in Mario Kart DS, Waluigi Pinball is a beloved entry in the karting series that makes its most recent appearance in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. Get knocked around a gigantic pinball board while avoiding the giant metal balls, and be extra vigilant for paddles and bumpers. This track is absolute chaos, but the addition of Waluigi’s trademark personality and great music keeps it in the hearts of many.
Toad’s Turnpike – N64
Yes, it’s tough, but… get good? Mario Kart 64 is a stalwart memory in the minds of millions, and we’d wager that Toad’s Turnpike is responsible for a few broken controllers. Taking place on a highway with oncoming traffic, this track demands vigilance as well as skill. Of course, getting hit with an onslaught of red shells, large trucks, and oncoming cars is enough to drive anyone mad. So, look both ways!
Ninja Hideaway – Tour
The newest track on this list, Ninja Hideaway, is from Mario Kart Tour but is also playable in the Mario Kart 8 Deluxe: Booster Pass DLC. Explore the Ninja Manor, avoid traps and shy guys, and battle to be the best on an ever-changing course. This track also features Wario iconography, such as his iconic mustache and garlic everywhere, is he a secret ninja?
DK Mountain – Gamecube
The dense foliage and luscious jungles of the Donkey Kong series always make for great tracks, but one stands out. DK Mountain from Mario Kart Double Dash blasts players out of a cannon and up to the peak of a grumpy volcano before you have to avoid falling rocks on the way down. With perilous bridges and constant falling debris, this is a tough track, and that’s what makes it so satisfying to master.
Ghost Valley 3 – SNES
Fittingly enough, Ghost Valley 3 is an absolute nightmare. With tight corners, zig-zagging lanes, and holes in the track, it’s certainly not one for beginners. Still, it’s one of the first truly challenging Mario Kart tracks, even if it feels a little archaic all these years later. If you want to try it for yourself, the original SNES Mario Kart is available via Nintendo Switch Online. That is, unless you’re scared of ghosts.
Baby Park – Gamecube
Okay, so this might be a bit of a controversial pick, but Mario Kart is all about chaos, and it doesn’t get much more chaotic than seven laps of Baby Park. There are no shortcuts here, it’s the Mario equivalent of NASCAR, as the Mushroom Kingdom gang races around an oval-shaped track time and time again. If you want to really put your friendships to the test, invite your friends over and take on this bad boy. I guarantee it’ll cause some arguments.
Hyrule Circuit – Switch
One of the few Mario Kart tracks to take place outside of the world of Mario just so happens to also be one of the best. It’s a track that’s committed to the bit, too, replacing coins with rupees and swapping out Mario’s enemies for Link’s, namely Deku Babas and Keese. You even get a glimpse of the Master Sword!
Rainbow Road – 3DS
It’s tough to decide on one Rainbow Road, as the Mario Kart series features a take on the concept in each and every entry. But Rainbow Road from Mario Kart 7 is a fan favorite, and for good reason. As well as the iconic Rainbow Road itself, this difficult level features the surface of the moon and the rings of Saturn, making it a truly intergalactic adventure. It’s also part of the Mario Kart 8 Deluxe: Booster Pass DLC, so we can play it in full glorious HD.
Alright, that’s it for now, folks! These are our picks for the best Mario Kart tracks. For even more high-octane action, be sure to check out our guide to the best Switch racing games next.