Kart

A Kart is a vehicle used in the Mario Kart (series) for racing. They come in many varieties.

Karts first appeared in the game Super Mario Kart; they've since reappeared in every Mario Kart Game. Mario Kart: Double Dash!! moved away from the classic Pipe Frame model, and added custom karts for each character and a simple kart stat system. Mario Kart DS expanded on the stat system, which is also slightly expanded in Mario Kart Wii. In Mario Kart DS, all the karts have about even stats (depending on the character's weight, the weight changes) with the occasional high or low. Each character has three karts, making for a total of 36. In Mario Kart Wii, there are six karts for each weight class, making for a total of 18. The term Kart has another meaning in Super Mario Kart, in which Karts replaced the term of Extra Lives in Grand Prix mode. When a driver only reached the fifth position or below, he would lose one of his four Karts. Losing the last Kart would automatically quit the Grand Prix. However, it is possible to get one back under certain circumstances.

A Kart also appeared in Super Smash Bros. Melee as a trophy. Here's a list of all karts, arranged by game. (Note: Super Mario Kart, Mario Kart 64, and Mario Kart Super Circuit all feature a basic, metal pipe frame kart for each character. The way they perform is different for each.)

In Mario Kart 64, if the player gets 4th or under, the kart with the driver in said kart will get flung into the air by a Bob-omb, then said character giving a distraught reaction to failing to get a trophy. In Mario Kart: Super Circuit, the player will get squished by the podium in said ending, then giving the same losing reaction as Mario Kart 64.

Super Mario Kart

Standard Performance: (Middleweights) Mario & Luigi
Fast Acceleration: (Lightweights) Peach & Yoshi
High Top Speed: (Heavyweights) Bowser & Donkey Kong Jr.
Good Handling: (Lightweights) Koopa Troopa & Toad

Mario Kart 64

Lightweights: Toad, Peach, Yoshi
Middleweights: Mario & Luigi
Heavyweights: Wario, Donkey Kong, Bowser
Other: Bob-omb, Magikoopa (Japanese Version)

Mario Kart: Super Circuit

Lightweights: Toad, Peach, Yoshi*
Middleweights: Mario & Luigi
Heavyweights: Wario, Donkey Kong, Bowser*
Yoshi is slightly heavier than Peach and Toad but slightly lighter than Mario and Luigi
Bowser is a little heavier than Wario and Donkey Kong, making him the heaviest character.