Participants drive around Tokyo in 'Mario Kart' characters for the Real Mario Kart event in Tokyo on November 16, 2014 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo : Getty Images/ Keith Tsuji)
"Mario Kart 64" is one of the most popular games on the Nintendo 64 console and is now available on Wii U Virtual Console in the United Kingdom. The game is now going to launch for the Wii U Virtual Console in the United States on Dec. 29, Thursday.
The game will retain many of the original features from the N64 version. This includes four-player racing and the Battle Mode. Since the Wii U Virtual Console does not feature support for the N64 Controller Pak, ghost data will not be enabled, Destructoid reported.
Ghost data was used in the original version to record a Time Trial session. Gamers could then race against their own performance, with the goal of getting a better time record.
Although Controller Pak support is not supported there have been alterations for other accessories like the N64 Game Pak, which was required to print photos taken in "Pokemon Snap." The Expansion Pak was also not fully supported except for select games such as "Donkey Kong 64."
"Mario Kart 64" originally released back in 1997 and is widely regarded as one of the console's best video games. It also introduced some of the franchise's most popular racing tracks such as Moo Moo Farm, Yoshi Valley and Toad's Turnpike, Game Spot reported. Many of the songs in the game were also used in later entries in the series.
This is noted as one of the last games releasing for the Nintendo Wii U. Nintendo has officially halted production on the system and are now focusing entirely on the Nintendo Switch and their widely popular handheld, the Nintendo 3DS. It is uncertain if other Nintendo classics will release for the Wii U Virtual Console prior to the release of the Switch in March 2017.
The game will cost $9.99. A feature video showcasing the Wii U Virtual Console can be viewed below:
