Yo, what's up guys? It's your boy, back at it again with some serious karting nostalgia. As we sit here in 2026, with rumors about the next Nintendo console and potentially a new Mario Kart swirling, I thought it was the perfect time to look back at the GOATs. The series that defined couch multiplayer, caused more friendships to be tested than any other, and introduced us all to the pure, unadulterated rage of the Blue Shell. Let's dive into my personal ranking of the best Mario Kart games ever made, from the ones that were fun for an afternoon to the ones we still boot up weekly.
7️⃣ Mario Kart Arcade GP DX: Pure Chaotic Arcade Fun
Let's kick things off with the arcade monster. You know the feeling—you walk into an arcade, the neon lights are flashing, and there it is: a row of Mario Kart Arcade GP DX cabinets. This isn't just a port; it's a full-blown experience. Grabbing that physical steering wheel and stomping on the pedal just hits different. It's raw, immediate, and loud in the best way possible.
What makes this entry so wild is the crossover. Since Bandai Namco helped develop it, we got some wild guest characters. Imagine lining up on the grid and seeing Pac-Man chomping away next to Bowser. Or the Taiko no Tatsujin drum chilling in a kart. It's gloriously silly.
The tracks are simpler, sure, designed for quick, three-minute races where you're trying to get the most bang for your tokens. But the real-time, side-by-side competition with your friends is unmatched. And don't even get me started on the goofy photo it takes of your face mid-race. Pure meme material. There was even talk of a VR version a few years back—if you ever find one, hit me up!
Why it's ranked here: It's the ultimate "experience" game. It's not the deepest, but for pure, unadulterated arcade joy and crossover chaos, nothing beats it.
6️⃣ Mario Kart 7: The Underrated 3DS Gem
Alright, hear me out. I know a lot of people sleep on Mario Kart 7. When it dropped on the 3DS, it felt... safe. But looking back from 2026, this game was low-key pioneering.
This was the game that truly introduced gliding and underwater sections as core mechanics. Soaring over a track or diving deep added a whole new vertical layer to racing. It also gave us the first real taste of kart customization. Swapping out wheels, gliders, and bodies to match your driving style or a track's terrain was a game-changer that later titles would expand on.
The roster had some deep cuts—Metal Mario, Lakitu as a racer (the absolute madlad!), Wiggler, and Honey Queen. Weird? Yes. Iconic? Also yes. The item pool got some love too with the strategic Super Leaf (a shield that could send shells back!) and the glorious, spammy return of the Fire Flower.
Why it's ranked here: It's the foundation for the modern Mario Kart formula. It feels a bit barebones by today's standards, but its innovations were crucial.
5️⃣ Mario Kart: Double Dash!!: The Chaotic Duo
This is where things get WILD. Mario Kart: Double Dash!! on the GameCube is the series' most unique, chaotic, and frankly, genius experiment. TWO CHARACTERS ON ONE KART. One drives, one shoots. You can switch on the fly. The mind games were real.
Each character pair had special items. Baby Mario & Luigi had the Chain Chomp of doom, the Koopalings had the giant Bowser Shell... it added a meta-layer of team composition. Do you go for raw speed or item dominance?
And can we talk about Baby Park? This tiny, oval-shaped track of pure madness is perhaps the most iconic creation from this game. Seven laps of constant shell-dodging, banana-slipping chaos. It's NASCAR meets a cartoon bomb explosion. The fact it's still in rotation today speaks volumes.
Why it's ranked here: For sheer, unapologetic innovation and party-game chaos. We need a proper sequel to this concept, Nintendo!
4️⃣ Mario Kart Wii: The Motion Control Revolution
The Wii era was a cultural reset, and Mario Kart Wii was at the heart of it. This game made karting a household activity. Grandma, your little cousin, your non-gamer friends—everyone could pick up the Wii Wheel and feel the thrill.
It introduced tricking off ramps by flicking the remote up, which is now a series staple. The track selection is S-tier nostalgia: Coconut Mall (the escalator part!), Wario's Gold Mine, the serene Moo Moo Meadows. Perfection.
The item roster peaked here for me. The Mega Mushroom—turning into a Godzilla-sized kart and plowing through everyone—is arguably the most fun item ever created. Its absence in later games is a crime! This game also blessed us with Rosalina, Funky Kong (the meta king), and Dry Bowser.
Why it's ranked here: It's the ultimate "everyone can play" game that also had incredible depth. It defined an era of social gaming.
3️⃣ Mario Kart DS: The Portable Perfection
For an entire generation, Mario Kart DS was multiplayer. The magic of DS Download Play meant only one person needed the cartridge. Suddenly, the school bus, the cafeteria, the park—everywhere was a potential race track.
Beyond the tech, the content was flawless. It gave us some of the most iconic tracks in the entire franchise:
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Waluigi Pinball: A masterpiece of sound design and chaotic pinball mechanics.
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Tick-Tock Clock: A brilliant, moving clockwork obstacle course.
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Delfino Plaza: A beautiful tour of Sunshine's hub world.
This game also introduced Bullet Bill, the ultimate comeback item. You're in last place, you get that black box with eyes, and ZOOM—you're blasting past everyone. The rush is still unmatched. It was the perfect portable package: robust single-player, revolutionary local multiplayer, and a banger soundtrack.
Why it's ranked here: It perfected portable multiplayer and its track design is legendary. Pure, concentrated fun.
2️⃣ Mario Kart 64: The Nostalgia King
If you know, you KNOW. Mario Kart 64 is the blueprint. The jump to 3D was monumental. That feeling of pulling off a long, satisfying power slide (even without a boost) on Rainbow Road... chef's kiss.
The tracks weren't just courses; they were playgrounds.
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Toad's Turnpike: Dodging traffic for the first time was mind-blowing.
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Sherbet Land: That slippery ice physics trauma (in a good way).
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DK's Jungle Parkway: That epic jump over the riverboat felt like a movie stunt.
The four-player split-screen on the N64 defined sleepovers. The music is burned into our brains. It's janky by today's standards, but the heart, charm, and pure fun are timeless. It's readily available on Switch Online, and it still holds up for a blast of pure nostalgia.
Why it's ranked here: It's the foundation. The one that proved Mario Kart could be a 3D, multiplayer phenomenon. The nostalgia factor is immeasurable.
1️⃣ Mario Kart 8 Deluxe: The Ultimate Package (For Now)
As of 2026, there is no contest. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is not just the best Mario Kart; it's arguably one of the best games ever made, period. The sales figures (over 68 million!) don't lie. This is Nintendo firing on all cylinders for over a decade.
What makes it #1?
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Content Galore: The base game + the massive Booster Course Pass (finished in 2023) gives us a staggering 96 tracks and a huge roster. It's a living museum of the series.
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Cross-Over Heaven: Racing as Link on a Hyrule track, or as an Inkling in a Splatoon-themed course? Genius. It celebrates all of Nintendo.
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Polished to Perfection: The anti-gravity sections, the HD visuals that still look stunning, the incredible orchestral soundtrack. It's a sensory delight.
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The Great Equalizer: The smart steering and auto-accelerate options mean literally anyone can play and have fun, while the online scene (when the connection is good) is fiercely competitive.
It took everything that worked from past games—the gliding from 7, the bikes from Wii, the gravity ideas—and blended them into the most polished, content-rich, and endlessly replayable kart racer in existence. Until the next one drops on the Switch successor, this is the king.
Why it's ranked here: It's the ultimate culmination of everything that makes Mario Kart great. A masterpiece of content, polish, and pure fun.
So, what's next? With the Switch 2 (or whatever it's called) on the horizon, the hype for a new Mario Kart is real. Will it bring back double karts? Introduce a new gimmick? One thing's for sure: it has a legendary legacy to live up to. Let me know in the comments which one is YOUR personal GOAT! Peace out, and watch out for those blue shells! 🐢💥