The Mario Circuit tracks have the simplest design of any tracks on Super Mario Kart, and therefore the least hazards. The track istelf is always a standard road surface and is bordered by gravel traps. This good surface gives very good grip. There are multi-coloured brick walls in place to reduce short-cutting. There are often pipes, gravel patches and oil slicks to watch out for on the track.
Hazards: The only real hazard on this course is the group of pipes sticking out of the track on turn 2. There is a wide path through these on the left side of the track.
Items: Question Blocks are located on the straight section after turn 2.
Shortcuts: The only real shortcut comes from cutting across the gravel on the right hand side after turn 3 and a mushroom is required. Just after the pair of pipes on the right side of the track, turn hard right and aim for the section of track in the distance. Use the mushroom as soon as you start driving on the gravel.
Hazards: There are pipes on turns 1, 2 and 9. There are oil slicks on the right before turn 5 and on the outside of turn 7. There are gravel patches on the outside of turns 1, 8 and 9. Also, there is a zip-jump over a section of track towards the end of the lap; make sure you hit this straight on and at high speed so that you clear the jump.
Items: Question Blocks are located on the straight section after turn 3.
Shortcuts: There is an opportunity for corner cutting on the gravel between turns 3 and 4.
Hazards: Gravel patches on turns 2, 7 and 8. Oil on turns 4 and 8. There also also pipes placed on the edge of the track on most corners but none actually in the road.
Items: Question Blocks are located immediately after the start line. There is also a zipper at the beginning just after the last corner.
Shortcuts: There is very little shortcut potential on this track. Using a mushroom to cut the corner on turns 4 and 6 is about as good as it gets.
Hazards: Gravel patches on turns 1, 8, 9, 11. Pipes across track on turns 6 and 11; and on the straight section after turn 7. Oil slick just before turn 7.
Items: Question Blocks are located just after turn 2.
Shortcuts: Use a mushroom to drive across the gravel on the right after turn 9 and go through the hole in the wall. It doesn't give you that much of an advantage but it could make the difference between winning and losing in a close race.
