Mario Circuit 3
Mario Circuit 3 from Super Mario Kart.
Information
Appears in Super Mario Kart (1992)
Mario Kart: Super Circuit (2001)
Mario Kart Wii (2008)
Mario Kart Tour (2019)
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe (Booster Course Pass, Wave 2) (2022)
Cup(s) Flower Cup (Super Mario Kart)
Extra Lightning Cup (Super Circuit)
Lightning Cup (Wii)
Turnip Cup (8 Deluxe)
Tour(s)
Online play No longer available (Wii)
Available (Switch)
Music sample
Super Mario Kart

Mario Kart: Super Circuit

Mario Kart Wii

Mario Kart Tour

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe (frontrunning)
Course map
Super Mario Kart
The map for Mario Circuit 3.
Mario Kart: Super Circuit
MKSC SNES Mario Circuit 3 Map.png
Minimap as seen on the menu.Minimap as seen in the race.

Mario Kart Wii
WiiMariocircuit3.png
Mario Kart Tour
The map of SNES Mario Circuit 3 from Mario Kart Tour
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe
Map of SNES Mario Circuit 3 in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe.

Staff ghost(s)
Wii Nin★iwaco
1:38.880 Baby MarioStandard Kart S
Wii Expert Nin★Shige
1:26.659 Baby MarioBullet Bike
8DX 150cc Nin★Mark
1:46.806 MarioB DasherStandard (tire)Super Glider
8DX 200cc Nin★Giulia
1:17.075 LuigiMach 8Slim (tire)Super Glider

Mario Circuit 3 is the fifth and final course of the Flower Cup in Super Mario Kart. It is a tarmac circuit set in a grassland.

It reappears in Mario Kart: Super Circuit as the second course of the Extra Lightning Cup, Mario Kart Wii as the first course of the Lightning Cup, Mario Kart Tour starting from the 2019 Paris Tour, and the Booster Course Pass of Mario Kart 8 Deluxe as the second course of the Turnip Cup. Mario Circuit 3 was the first course coded into Super Mario Kart.[1] If one counts Mario Kart 8 and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe as the same game, Mario Circuit 3 is tied with Rainbow Road, also from Super Mario Kart, for the most frequently appearing classic course in the series, having a total of five individual appearances.

Overview

 
Mario racing on the course

Mario Circuit 3 is a long, almost symmetrical track with many twists and turns (even bearing a faint resemblance to both the Sepang International Circuit, located in Malaysia and Circuito de Jerez, located in Spain), but no obstacles other than pipes and oil slicks scattered throughout the track. There is a very sharp hairpin turn mid-circuit. At the end of the track, there is one zipper which can be used to take the lead or catch up at the last minute. There is also a shortcut: after the hairpin, a long straightaway and a wide right-hand curve lies a right-left turn sequence, leading into another right-hander to the finishing straight. The two sides of the right-left sequence are separated by a wall with a hole in it, which can be taken as a shortcut. It is best to use a mushroom or a star here, to avoid slowing down.

Mario Kart: Super Circuit

 
Mario racing on the course

Mario Circuit 3 appeared in Mario Kart: Super Circuit, and is the second race of the Extra Lightning Cup. It uses the background from that game's own Mario Circuit. The pipes and oil hazards were removed from the track, along with the zipper, and an extra item box can be found on the straight shortly after the sharp turn.

The sharp bend can be used to perform a Mini-Turbo by drifting and holding it for a second or more.

Mario Kart Wii

Mario Circuit 3 reappears in Mario Kart Wii as the first course of the Lightning Cup where it remains unchanged, aside from getting a new starting banner like the other SNES and GBA courses that reappear in the game, and receiving a graphical update and slightly larger scale overall. It is one of two courses in the game where players cannot perform tricks, the other being N64 DK's Jungle Parkway.

Tournaments

 
The tournament

A tournament took place on this track. The track was an Arena. Players had to collect every coin that was in the area. It was a karts only tournament, and it was the second tournament of September 2008 and the first tournament of October 2010, with the same restrictions. It was later repeated as the second tournament of February 2012 and the first tournament of May 2013, without restrictions.

Mario Kart Tour

 
The course icon with Diddy Kong in Mario Kart Tour

Mario Circuit 3 returns in Mario Kart Tour, starting from the 2019 Paris Tour alongside Paris Promenade. The layout is mostly identical from its previous iterations, although using the visuals of the two other SNES Mario Circuit present in the game. The most noticeable change is the Dash Panel behind the starting line being changed to the current Dash Panel design. Additionally, the course uses the Mario Kart 7 arrangement of the SNES Mario Circuit music used in SNES Mario Circuit 2.

As with other courses in the game, Mario Circuit 3 has an R version, a T version, and an R/T version referred to as Mario Circuit 3R, Mario Circuit 3T and Mario Circuit 3R/T respectively; the former two were introduced alongside the regular version in the 2019 Paris Tour, while the latter was added in the Vancouver Tour. The R/T variant has a Chain Chomp.

Appearances

For this course's tour appearances, see List of SNES Mario Circuit 3 tour appearances in Mario Kart Tour.

Top-tier and middle-tier items

Select "show" to reveal the drivers, karts, and gliders for which SNES Mario Circuit 3 and its variants are always favored or favorite courses. For instances in which additional drivers, karts, and gliders temporarily had this course and its variants as favored or favorite courses, see List of SNES Mario Circuit 3 tour appearances in Mario Kart Tour.

Course Three-item drivers Bonus points ×2 karts Combo bonus ×3 gliders Two-item drivers Bonus points ×1.5 karts Combo bonus ×2 gliders
 
Normal variant
                                               ** ** *         **     ** * **  * *     *         
                  ** 
   
 
R variant
                                            * *        **   *     **      **              
              **         **
   
 
T variant
                                         *      *       **  *  *  **  **               
                 **       
   
 
R/T variant
                                        ***   **              **        **  * *   *  *   ** *     * * * 
            * *  *    
 
* indicates a favored course upgraded to a favorite course after reaching level 3.
** indicates a favored course upgraded to a favorite course after reaching level 6.
*** indicates a favored course upgraded to a favorite course after reaching level 8 for High-End items.

Bonus challenges

Ring Race
Icon Course variant Chosen
driver
Chosen
kart
Chosen
glider
Grand Star scores Tour appearances Cup
  Regular  
Bowser
 
Pipe Frame
 
Super Glider
  • 15
  • 25
  • 35
Paris Tour (2019)  
Bowser Cup
  • 12
  • 22
  • 30
Sydney Tour (September 2021)  
Kamek Cup
Do Jump Boosts
Icon Course variant Chosen
driver
Chosen
kart
Chosen
glider
Grand Star scores Tour appearances Cup
  Regular  
Baby Daisy
 
Pipe Frame
 
Super Glider
  • 5
  • 10
  • 15
Vancouver Tour  
Iggy Cup
  • 6
  • 10
  • 15
Berlin Tour  
Luigi Cup
Big Reverse Race
Icon Course variant Opponents Tour appearances Cup
7th 6th 5th 4th 3rd 2nd 1st Extra
  Regular Driver  [2]  [2]  [2]  [2]  [2]  [2]  [2]   Mario Bros. Tour  
Luigi Cup
Kart                
Glider TBD TBD TBD TBD TBD TBD TBD TBD
Goomba Takedown
Icon Course variant Chosen
driver
Chosen
kart
Chosen
glider
Item Box
type found
Number of item slots Grand Star scores Tour appearances Cup
  Regular  
Mario
 
Pipe Frame
 
Super Glider
 
Bob-omb

 
Mushroom

 
Fire Flower
1
  • 15
  • 25
  • 35
Paris Tour (2019)  
Lemmy Cup
Los Angeles Tour (2022)  
Wario Cup
2 Mario vs. Luigi Tour (2023)  
Mario Cup
Glider Challenge
Icon Course variant Chosen
driver
Chosen
kart
Chosen
glider
Grand Star distances Tour appearances Cup
  Regular  
Diddy Kong
 
Pipe Frame
 
Super Glider
  • 150
  • 300
  • 450
Peach Tour  
Larry Cup
Bowser vs. DK Tour  
Funky Kong Cup
Doctor Tour (2022)  
Cat Peach Cup
Steer Clear of Obstacles
Icon Course variant Chosen
driver
Chosen
kart
Chosen
glider
Obstacles Tour appearances Cup
  Regular  
Larry
 
Pipe Frame
 
Super Glider
 
Oil slick
 
Goomba
 
Goomba Tower
Winter Tour (2019)  
Larry Cup
Sydney Tour (April–May 2021)  
Diddy Kong Cup
Vs. Mega Bowser
Icon Course variant Mega opponent information Tour appearances Cup
Driver Kart Glider Items used
  T  
Bowser
 
Dozer Dasher
 
Safety Glider[3]
 
Green Shells[3]

 
Bowser's Shells[3]
Trick Tour (2020)  
Dry Bowser Cup
Mario Tour (2023)  
Baby Rosalina Cup
Smash Small Dry Bones
Icon Course variant Chosen
driver
Chosen
kart
Chosen
glider
Grand Star scores Tour appearances Cup
  Regular  
Waluigi
 
Pipe Frame
 
Super Glider
  • 5
  • 10
  • 15
Exploration Tour (2020)  
Dry Bowser Cup
  • 4
  • 8
  • 12
Mario vs. Luigi Tour (2023)  
Baby Daisy Cup
Break Item Boxes
Icon Course variant Chosen
driver
Chosen
kart
Chosen
glider
Item Box
type found
Number of item slots Grand Star scores Tour appearances Cup
  Regular  
Larry
 
Pipe Frame
 
Super Glider
 
Mega Mushroom

 
Coin
2
  • 5
  • 9
  • 17
Ice Tour  
Bowser Jr. Cup
  • 4
  • 8
  • 15
Summer Festival Tour  
Baby Rosalina Cup
  • 5
  • 10
  • 15
Los Angeles Tour (2022)  
Bowser Cup
Mario Tour (2023)  
Lakitu Cup
Time Trial
Icon Course variant Chosen
driver
Chosen
kart
Chosen
glider
Grand Star scores Tour appearances Cup
  Regular  
Metal Mario
 
Pipe Frame
 
Super Glider
  • 2:05.00
  • 1:35.00
  • 1:20.00
Winter Tour (2019)  
Roy Cup
  • 2:00.00
  • 1:40.00
  • 1:28.00
Los Angeles Tour (2021)  
Iggy Cup
  R  
Bowser
 
Pipe Frame
 
Super Glider
  • 2:05.00
  • 1:35.00
  • 1:25.00
Summer Festival Tour  
Daisy Cup
Combo Attack
Icon Course variant Chosen
driver
Chosen
kart
Chosen
glider
Highest combo counts Tour appearances Cup
  T  
Shy Guy
 
Pipe Frame
 
Super Glider
  • 5
  • 8
  • 15
Ice Tour  
Shy Guy Cup
Take them out quick!
Icon Course variant Chosen driver information Item Box type(s) found Opponent information Starting time Grand Star times Tour appearances Cup
Driver Kart Glider Number of balloons Number of item slots Driver Kart Glider Number of balloons Items used
 
Regular  
Donkey Kong
 
Pipe Frame
 
Super Glider
3 1  
Green Shell

 
Red Shell

 
Frenzy
(Green Shell)
 
Bowser
 
Dozer Dasher
TBD 5  
Banana

 
Giant Banana
1:15.00
  • 0:00.00
  • 0:05.00
  • 0:15.00
Doctor Tour (2022)  
Pink Gold Peach Cup

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe

 
View of the course

Mario Circuit 3 returns as the second course of the Turnip Cup in the Booster Course Pass DLC for Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. It is currently the only course from Super Mario Kart to appear in the Booster Course Pass. It is based on its appearance in Mario Kart Tour, though with updated graphics, with the sand becoming a dark yellow color and the background hills reverting to their more saturated, lime green color scheme from the original Super Mario Kart. Floating Brick Blocks, staircases, pipes with Piranha Plants, and flagpoles have been added in the background as decoration, and Toads and Shy Guys have been added as spectators. Traffic cones also now appear in front of the oil slicks. The music is slightly rearranged, with the drum-line being dramatically altered, but retains its SNES-styled sound. Due to the lighting on the course, some vehicles appear golden.[4]

Profiles

Mario Kart Wii

  • European website bio: "Hairpin turns and oil slicks make this tight little course treacherous. Successfully steering into the boost on the final straight could mean the difference between victory and defeat."

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe

  • Nintendo Switch News app (US):
    • This course first appeared in the Super Mario Kart™ game for Super NES™.
    • Iconic items from the Super Mario series―such as blocks and pipes―are featured on this course. Don't miss the hills in the background as well!
    • Mario Circuit 3 has many tight corners, so practice on being precise with your positioning, drifting, and Mini-Turbo skills.
  • Nintendo Switch News app (UK): Drift your way to victory in Mario Circuit 3!
    This course first appeared in the Super NES game Super Mario Kart. It features a colourful design with lots of blocks and pipes that might look familiar if you're a fan of the Super Mario series, but don't let the course's charming exterior fool you - its twists and turns may pose quite a challenge. Try to follow the racing line and make good use of drifting, because those Mini-Turbo boosts just might be the key to victory!

Gallery

Super Mario Kart

Mario Kart Wii

Mario Kart Tour

Course icons

Screenshots

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe

Names in other languages

Language Name Meaning Notes
Japanese マリオサーキット3[?]
Mario Sākitto 3
Mario Circuit 3
Chinese (simplified) 马力欧赛道3[?]
Mǎlìōu Sàidào Sān
Mario Speedway 3
Chinese (traditional) 瑪利歐賽道3[?]
Mǎlìōu Sàidào Sān
Mario Speedway 3
Dutch Mario's Circuit 3[?] Mario's Circuit 3
German Marios Piste 3[?] Mario's Track 3
Italian Circuito di Mario 3[?] Mario's Circuit 3
Korean 마리오 서킷 3[?]
Mario Seokit 3
Mario Circuit 3
Portuguese (NOA) Circuito Mario 3[?] Mario Circuit 3
Portuguese (NOE) Circuito do Mario 3[?] Mario's Circuit 3
Russian Трасса Марио 3[?]
Trassa Mario 3
Mario's Track 3
Spanish (NOA) Circuito Mario 3
Circuito de Mario 3 (Mario Kart Wii)
[?]
Mario Circuit 3
Mario's Circuit 3
Spanish (NOE) Circuito Mario 3[?] Mario Circuit 3

References

  1. ^ The Cutting Room Floor
  2. ^ a b c d e f g TheMadWeazel (February 26, 2020). Mario Bros Tour “Luigi Cup” - Mario Kart Tour. YouTube. Retrieved January 30, 2021.
  3. ^ a b c Crunchzeit (April 27, 2020). Mario Kart Tour 💻 (S16E012) - Trick Tour - Dry Bowser Cup [2K]. YouTube. Retrieved December 21, 2020.
  4. ^ Gold vehicles