Mario Kart 64/Characters

Mario Kart 64 features eight playable characters, as the original game did. From the original line-up Donkey Kong Jr. and Koopa Troopa were dropped in favor of Donkey Kong and Wario. Kamek was originally intended to appear as a playable character but was replaced by Donkey Kong. The characters can be grouped into three types: Lightweight, Middleweight and Heavyweight.

Lakitu returns as the track marshal and is not a playable character.

Lightweights
They typically have the quickest acceleration and best speed but this is balanced by their poor handling and their vulnerability to being hit by heavier racers. Always use one of these characters in Time Trial mode.

Peach
Peach is a typical lightweight character and the princess of the mushroom kingdom. She can do a triple-gas-acceleration recovery technique!

Toad
Toad is a typical lightweight character and the loyal subject of princess peach. He can do a triple-gas-acceleration recovery technique!

Yoshi
Yoshi is a typical lightweight character and has been a companion of Mario since the early 1990's. He can do a triple-gas-acceleration recovery technique!

Middleweights
Similar to heavyweights, they have poor acceleration and speed, the only differences are their lighter weight.

Mario
A great protagonist and everyone's favorite character. This character is good for Battle Modes because of how he slows down while turning.

Luigi
Mario's brother, rarely the main character, but good for battle modes because of how he slows down while turning.

Heavyweights
They have the best handling and can barge smaller karts out of the way but they also have poor acceleration and low top speed.

Donkey Kong
Typical heavyweight character and original Mario antagonist going back to the Donkey Kong game!

Wario
Mario's Alternate personality and counterpart. Typical heavyweight character

Bowser
Mario's biggest rival, and a typical heavyweight character, borrowing the exception that he can do the triple-gas-acceleration recovery, just like lightweight characters.