Two picture processing units worked in tandem, taking a large 256x256 texture-mapped tile, and shifting the perspective from the conventional top-down view, to a more dynamic side angle. Rotate and scale operations were handled natively on the Super Nintendo console - meaning no extra chip on the cartridges (though Super Mario Kart itself used the DSP1 processor on the cart to handle additional computations). These visuals may look primitive today, but it gave Super Nintendo a huge advantage over the competition at the time. A lot has already been said of the technique, but this was a landmark title for showing what it could do - and it's hard to miss Mode 7 created a psuedo-3D look in SNES titles by rotating and scaling a background layer on top of 2D sprites. It's most famous though, alongside F-Zero, for its revolutionary use of Mode 7 graphics.
Technically, we're looking at a humble beginning in some respects, with the Super Nintendo relying on its 256x224 output mode to CRT screens of the day. Released in Japan on the 27th August 1992, nobody could have predicted the success the title would go on to have, or the legacy it'd create. It was much easier to achieve back in the day, before the advent of polygonal 3D, and that's where the Super Mario Kart story begins. It's almost essential for a driving game of course, but Zelda aside, it's the standard Nintendo sets for all of its major franchises. Of all the platform holders, Nintendo is by far the most wedded to the silky smooth, full frame-rate experience. With just one or two exceptions, every Mario Kart game ever released hit a full 60 frames per second. Just one example of this is its target performance level. But beyond the anniversary itself, the importance of Mario Kart's evolution across the years is significant - each series entry defines the strengths and weaknesses of its host platform, and demonstrates the values, practises and philosophy that set Nintendo apart from its competition. Many imitators have come and gone, but that 1992 release set the template for seven sequels - eight if you count the excellent Mario Kart 8 Deluxe on Switch - and we felt that was worthy of celebration. Can you believe it? This week marks the 25th anniversary of Super Mario Kart - the original, pioneering Super Nintendo release.
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