Horsepower or Plumber Power? – Mario Kart’s Finest vs Modern Supercars

The long-running Nintendo series first graced our consoles on the Super Nintendo Entertainment System in 1992. For 30 years, it has been a source of glee and fury among friend groups across multiple platforms.

While you may not be able to put Mario in an Aston Martin DB11 and have him leave Yoshi in the dust, your choice of kart is still important. But with 10 games in the main series, the question we have is a timeless one: which one is the best? And how would you compare them to cars in the real world?

In this article, we’ll pick apart a few of the best cars from the history of Mario Kart and which modern supercar we’d compare them to.

Honeycoupe - McLaren 720s

The first kart on our list has a look that echoes supercars. The Honeycoupe, also known as the Dragonetti in the European version, is unlocked on Mario Kart Wii by finishing the Lightning Cup in first place or by playing 3,000 races.

While the vehicle may not have the most eye-catching statistics at first glance, this heavy kart has the benefits of great speed and drifting. Plus, when paired with characters like Rosalina or Dry Bones who have character stats that add to off-roading and handling, improves the vehicle ten-fold.

The Honeycoupe may resemble something closer to a Porsche body, but we think it is closer to a McLaren 720s. Both are heavy with responsive turning, and though the Honeycoupe has a good speed within the game, we’re not sure it could quite challenge the 710 horsepower of the 720s.

Blue Falcon – Lamborghini Huracán Evo

Appearing first in Mario Kart Wii and available as downloadable content in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, the Blue Falcon is pure, unadulterated speed. This kart is based on the vehicle driven by Captain Falcon from Nintendo’s high-octane racing series F-Zero.

Unlocked in the Wii game by beating the Lightning Cup in ‘Mirror Mode’ or by playing 4,200 races, this kart is for the speed demons. It’s super lightweight, but with low handling that makes it best for courses with fewer turns.

A wild vehicle to tame, this can only be compared to a supercar brand that is known for needing to be tamed and the Lamborghini bull springs to mind. The Lamborghini Huracán Evo is like the Blue Falcon in its appreciation for speed, boasting a V10 engine and sleek appearance.

Sprinter – Aston Martin Vanquish

This kart has the largest resemblance to an actual racing car, and for good reason. The Sprinter, or the B Dasher Mk. 2 to European Mario Kart lovers, debuted in the Wii version of the game. It looks like the Alfa Romeo 183T, which drove in the 1983 Formula One season, and is unlocked by either unlocking 24 different expert staff ghosts, playing 3,000 WFC races, or 4,650 races overall.

One of the fastest vehicles in the Wii version of the game, this kart is often overlooked due to the rest of its stats. But there’s a feeling of classic racing when selecting this vehicle and driving around a course. As a bonus, it’s always funny to imagine that Toad is driving in the Monaco Grand Prix.

You must score classic looks against a classic name, and Aston Martin is a name that oozes retro charm when it comes to cars. From James Bond to Formula 1, it’s impossible to think of anyone who fits that vintage vibe more than this British car manufacturer, which is why we’ve compared them to the Sprinter. At the 2019 Geneva Motor Show they announced that the Vanquish series would be making a return, melding classic style with a new supercar aesthetic.

While Mario Kart is a game where your personal preference is important for the type of kart you want to pick, knowing which vehicle could give you extra help is great to leave your friends far behind you. While they may not equate exactly to real supercars, certain elements of them from their individual quirks of speed, drifting, or aesthetics can match popular cars on the market today.