1P Game (Single-player mode)[edit]
In single player mode the players have a choice of the following 2 types of game:
- Mariokart GP
Initially there are two classes of kart to race in: 50cc and 100cc. A third class, 150cc, can be unlocked by completing the 50cc and 100cc classes. These classes equate to three levels of difficulty ranging from easy (50cc) to hard (150cc).
Each class has three cups to compete in: Mushroom Cup, Flower Cup and Star Cup. In 100cc and 150cc classes, a fourth cup (Special Cup) can be unlocked.
Each cup consists of 5 races, each on a different track, against 7 computer controlled racers. The player must finish in the top-4 in order to progress to the next race. Points are awarded to each racer in the top-4 and the racer with the most points after all 5 races wins the gold trophy. The racer in 2nd place wins a silver trophy and a bronze trophy goes to the third-placed racer. (In the event of a tie - two or more racers finishing with equal points - the human player will always finish above a computer opponent).
- Time Trial
In this mode, the player can choose a track from any cup (Special Cup tracks are only available when the Special Cup has been unlocked in the 100cc class). The player races against the clock over 5 laps; the top 5 overall times and the best lap time are recorded for each track.
2P Game (Two-player mode)[edit]
- Mariokart GP
This is the same as the single-player GP mode but with two players and 6 CPU opponents. Both players cannot select the same character. All the same rules apply as in the single-player GP mode.
- Match Race
In this mode, two players compete head-to-head, with no other opponents on the track. There are some items available in this mode that cannot be used in GP mode, such as the feather and ghost items.
- Battle Mode
The objective of battle mode is to destroy all three of the balloons on the other player's kart with items found by touching the question mark blocks. When the opponent loses all his balloons, he loses.