Yoshi Circuit
A screenshot of the overview of Yoshi Circuit.
Information
Appears in Mario Kart: Double Dash!! (2003)
Mario Kart DS (2005)
Mario Kart 8 (DLC Pack 1) (2014)
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe (2017)
Mario Kart Tour (2019)
Cup(s) Star Cup (Double Dash!!)
Lightning Cup (DS)
Egg Cup (8, 8 Deluxe)
Tour(s)
Based on Yoshi
Online play No longer available (DS, Wii U)
Available (Switch)
Music sample
Mario Kart: Double Dash!! / Mario Kart Tour: Shinobu Nagata / Kenta Nagata

Mario Kart DS: Shinobu Tanaka

Mario Kart 8 / Mario Kart 8 Deluxe: Atsuko Asahi

Mario Kart 8 / Mario Kart 8 Deluxe (frontrunning)
Course map
Mario Kart: Double Dash!!
The map of Yoshi Circuit.
Mario Kart DS
GCN Yoshi Circuit mapMario Kart DS

Mario Kart 8 / Mario Kart 8 Deluxe

Map of GCN Yoshi Circuit in Mario Kart 8.Map of GCN Yoshi Circuit in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe.

Mario Kart Tour
Map of GCN Yoshi Circuit in Mario Kart Tour

Staff ghost(s)
DD EAD[1]
1:59.866 YoshiBirdoTurbo Yoshi
DS Ninten★たろう
1:48.793 YoshiStandard YS
8 Nin★Adrien
2:11.299 Red YoshiB DasherStandardSuper Glider
8DX 150cc Nin★Adrien
2:07:557 Red YoshiB DasherStandardSuper Glider
8DX 200cc Nin★Elena
1:38.869 Light-Blue Shy GuyP-WingSlickParachute

Yoshi Circuit (also called Yoshi's Circuit[2]) is the third course of the Star Cup in Mario Kart: Double Dash!!. The course is unique in that it is shaped like Yoshi himself, making it the only course in the Mario Kart series to be shaped after a playable character. There are many turns in this course, including a particularly sharp hairpin turn located at Yoshi's "tail". There are also many Piranha Plants at the sides of the road, nipping at racers who get too close. Near the end of the course, the Daisy Cruiser can be seen in the background.

Yoshi Circuit shares its music with Luigi Circuit and Mario Circuit. An arrangement of it appears in Dance Dance Revolution: Mario Mix under the title "Rollercoasting". An arrangement of the music for these courses also appears as one of the selectable songs that can be played during events in Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games (Nintendo DS version), Mario & Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games (Wii version), and Mario & Sonic at the Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games.

Yoshi Circuit reappears in Mario Kart DS as the fourth and final course of the Lightning Cup, in Mario Kart 8 (as part of the Legend of Zelda × Mario Kart 8 DLC) and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe as the first course of the Egg Cup, and in Mario Kart Tour starting with the New York Tour.

Gameplay of Yoshi Circuit was used to tease Mario Kart 8 Deluxe during the Nintendo Switch reveal trailer.

Mario Kart: Double Dash!!Edit

Course layoutEdit

 
DK and Diddy Kong at the start of the race

The race first starts at the straight road under Yoshi's "shoe." As the racer progresses for a little bit, the player will make a slow curve to the right. Piranha Plants are present on the grass on the right of the course, and to the left, there is water that will stop the player in their tracks if fallen off. Past the curve is a short straight road and a turn left. After the turn left is another straight road and soon, another curve to the right, which would be going around Yoshi's "hands". After the "hand" curve is a straight road, and another turn to the left that leads to an overhang, which starts a large curve around Yoshi's "nose".

Inside the curve in Yoshi's "nose", the player is protected by walls to the right to prevent them from falling into the water. Past the long curve to the right in Yoshi's "nose" is a sign that the player will see to turn left, obviously initiating for the player to turn left. The player will then make a shorter curve to the right around Yoshi's "eyes". Past Yoshi's "eyes" are his "spines", which are small and short curves around circular flower beds which won't pose the player much of a problem if the player correctly drives straight.

Past the orange flowers is a Piranha Plant, and past that Piranha Plant is a slight downhill change of terrain and a U-turn to the left. Past the U-turn is a small incline and a straight road, as one is progressing the "tail." On the tip of the "tail" is a U-turn to the right and a straight road. The straight road leads to a turn to the left and three Piranha Plants. Past the Piranha Plants is a turn to the right and a straight road, indicating that the finish line is just in front of the player and starting the cycle of the course again, but on lap two.

ShortcutsEdit

There are three shortcuts. After the first left turn, if a player gets a Mushroom from an Item Box, they can use the Mushroom to jump over the moat, not having to maneuver around Yoshi's "hand". It is also possible to do this without a mushroom, instead using a well-placed powerslide. In the DS version, however, the shortcut can be done with a well placed jump over the moat if the player is using a high acceleration kart.

The second shortcut comes right after the tunnel, and it requires the player to use another Mushroom to propel themselves from the course into a tunnel, which emerges into a straightway. There are also Double Item Boxes in the tunnel. This second shortcut is removed in every following version.

A third, minor shortcut can be performed by boosting behind the Piranha Plants through the grass before the finish line.

Mario Kart DSEdit

 
The intro for GCN Yoshi Circuit in Mario Kart DS

Yoshi Circuit makes its classic course debut in Mario Kart DS as the fourth and last race of the Lightning Cup, as well as the thirty-second and last race of the game overall. Some edits have been made to the course for its reappearance in that game. One of the most significant changes is that the Piranha Plants are no longer in Warp Pipes and bite at racers that drive too close, instead being the small, constantly-biting variation that is seen throughout other courses. Another somewhat significant change is that the number of "spines" on the back of Yoshi's "head" have been reduced from three to two. The tunnel shortcut was also removed. Some minor graphical changes that do not impact gameplay include Yoshi's "fingers" not being there, the windows in the tunnel being larger, Yoshi's "cheek" being made of sand instead of water, the helicopter not being present, and the banners near the finish line being removed. The course was available in Wi-Fi.

Not counting Mario Kart Tour, this is one of only six classic courses in the series to share its music with another classic course in the same game, sharing its music with GCN Luigi Circuit. The other four are GBA Peach Circuit and GBA Luigi Circuit in the same game, and DS Wario Stadium and DS Waluigi Pinball in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe.

MissionsEdit

There is one mission that takes place on Yoshi Circuit:

  • Mission 6-6: The player controls Yoshi, who must perform 14 power-slide mini-turbos before completing one lap and before 60 seconds has passed.

GlitchesEdit

The player must advance until the fence that prevents him from jumping into the water ends, then turn 90 degrees to the left and use a mushroom while falling into the water (near the fence). If done correctly, Lakitu will position the player before the goal, and if backtracked, Lakitu will disappear. However, when the player reaches roughly the area of the map that is shaped like Yoshi's nose, Lakitu will appear again. Lakitu may warn the player that they are going backwards even though the player is going down the normal path.[citation needed]

Mario Kart 8 / Mario Kart 8 DeluxeEdit

 
The course as seen from the starting line

Yoshi Circuit returns for the second time as a classic course included with The Legend of Zelda × Mario Kart 8 downloadable content in Mario Kart 8, and as part of the core game in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, as the first course of the Egg Cup (and in turn the first course of Mario Kart 8's DLC overall). Many changes have been made in this version of the course. The "shoe" is now a small town near the starting line, with a dock, several small islands and sailboats nearby. The course banner now resembles an archway connected by two street lights, with two sets of flower bouquets on both sides and an ornament of a Gold Yoshi posing on top of a silver and gold Yoshi Egg. Additionally, Yoshis and Toads appear as spectators waving and jumping. A lighthouse appears in the background near the "tail". Some trees appear to have some fruits hanging from them.

The Mario Kart logo on the starting banner is red and uses the modern design instead of the classic one used for most of the classic courses from games before Mario Kart DS. GBA Cheese Land, GBA Ribbon Road and GCN DK Mountain also use this design.

The Piranha Plants before and after the starting line have been removed and replaced by tires similar to the ones on GBA Mario Circuit, while the ones in the "spines" have been re-positioned. The flower patches in the "spines" are no longer blocked off and can be cut through for a shortcut. The Yoshi Helicopter has been replaced by a green Mario Kart TV helicopter, from the view above the course. The second shortcut has been removed entirely similar to the DS version; this time, the path is entirely blocked with guard rails. The first shortcut now has a waterfall which players must drive through. Players can now perform tricks off the grass ramp at the first shortcut if they are fast enough. The "saddle" now acts as a place to shade spectators. Also, a sign saying "Yoshi Tunnel" can be seen on both ends of the tunnel around the "nose". The course is more straight, and the dips and inclines at the "spines" and the "saddle" have changed. Red Yoshi on the B Dasher kart with Standard tires and the Super Glider is the Staff Ghost for this course. Light-blue Shy Guy, using the P-Wing with Slick tires and Parachute glider, is the 200cc staff ghost for this course.

The new, live-recorded background music was rearranged with new instruments including guitar, saxophones, and drums.

It is one of only two courses that does not have any Dash Panels, Glide Ramps, underwater sections, or anti-gravity sections, with the other being SNES Rainbow Road. Coincidentally, both of these courses are part of DLC Pack 1. Also, it is one of only two races in Mario Kart 8 that has appeared more than once as a classic course at time of release and does not originate from Super Mario Kart, the other being GCN Baby Park. Coincidentally, both originate from Mario Kart: Double Dash!! and returned in Mario Kart DS.

The map of the course is seen on its icon, making it one of five courses in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe to feature its own map within itself, alongside Mario Kart Stadium, Water Park, Rainbow Road, and Merry Mountain.

Mario Kart TourEdit

 
GCN Yoshi Circuit in Mario Kart Tour

Yoshi Circuit reappears in Mario Kart Tour, starting with the New York Tour. It mostly takes on the appearance of its Mario Kart 8 iteration (the same applies to N64 Royal Raceway, N64 Yoshi Valley, and GCN Baby Park). This is likely due to its lack of anti-gravity sections on the course in Mario Kart 8. The Mario Kart logo on the starting banner has been reverted to its classic one. Most trees have been removed, and the jump near the start of the course is obscured by wooden cutouts of Piranha Plants rather than a waterfall. Otherwise, the track changes little from its appearance in Mario Kart 8. Despite using its Mario Kart 8 appearance, this course uses the original version of its music from Mario Kart: Double Dash!!.

The course also appears as Yoshi Circuit R (reversed), Yoshi Circuit T (with ramps), and Yoshi Circuit R/T (reversed with ramps). While the former two debuted alongside the normal variant in the New York Tour, the latter debuted in the London Tour. In the R variant, there is a glide ramp in the grass at the beginning of the Piranha Plant section. In the T variant, there is a glide ramp near the same spot but racers are far above the ground when they reach it. In the R/T variant, racers go across the middle of the island using Kanaami Road on two occasions. As a result, it is the first course variant in the game where a large portion of the course is traversed in the "wrong direction".

AppearancesEdit

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

Top-tier and middle-tier itemsEdit

Select "show" to reveal the drivers, karts, and gliders for which GCN Yoshi Circuit 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 GCN Yoshi Circuit 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 challengesEdit

Ring Race
Icon Course variant Chosen
driver
Chosen
kart
Chosen
glider
Grand Star scores Tour appearances Cup
  Regular  
Daisy
 
Pipe Frame
 
Super Glider
  • 5
  • 10
  • 15
New York Tour  
Daisy Cup
Do Jump Boosts
Icon Course variant Chosen
driver
Chosen
kart
Chosen
glider
Grand Star scores Tour appearances Cup
  Regular  
Peachette
 
Pipe Frame
 
Super Glider
  • 10
  • 15
  • 20
Paris Tour (2019)  
Peachette Cup
Peach vs. Daisy Tour  
Ludwig Cup
Yoshi Tour (2022)  
Luigi Cup
Big Reverse Race
Icon Course variant Opponents Tour appearances Cup
7th 6th 5th 4th 3rd 2nd 1st Extra
  Regular Driver  [3]  [3]  [3]  [3]  [3]  [3]  [3]  [4] Pirate Tour  
Dry Bowser Cup
Kart                
Glider TBD TBD TBD TBD TBD TBD TBD TBD Animal Tour
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  
Birdo
 
Pipe Frame
 
Super Glider
 
Mega Mushroom

 
Super Star
2
  • 25
  • 45
  • 75
New Year's Tour (2020)  
Birdo Cup
  • 20
  • 45
  • 65
Piranha Plant Tour  
Donkey Kong Cup
Glider Challenge
Icon Course variant Chosen
driver
Chosen
kart
Chosen
glider
Grand Star distances Tour appearances Cup
  Regular  
Yoshi
 
Pipe Frame
 
Super Glider
  • 250
  • 500
  • 750
Paris Tour (2019)  
Lakitu Cup
Los Angeles Tour (2020)  
Diddy Kong Cup
Yoshi Tour (2021)  
Luigi Cup
Mii Tour (2022)  
Kamek Cup
Yoshi Tour (2023)  
Pauline Cup
Steer Clear of Obstacles
Icon Course variant Chosen
driver
Chosen
kart
Chosen
glider
Obstacles Tour appearances Cup
  Regular  
Yoshi
 
Pipe Frame
 
Super Glider
 
Piranha Plant (aggressive)
 
Piranha Plant (passive)
Holiday Tour (2019)  
Peachette Cup
Mario vs. Luigi Tour (2020)  
Wario Cup
Sydney Tour (September 2021)  
Toadette Cup
vs. Mega Birdo
Icon Course variant Mega opponent information Tour appearances Cup
Driver Kart Glider Items used
  Regular  
Birdo
 
Turbo Birdo
TBD  
Green Shell[5]

 
Birdo's Egg[5]
Yoshi Tour (2020)  
Bowser Cup
Sky Tour  
Ice Mario Cup
Smash Small Dry Bones
Icon Course variant Chosen
driver
Chosen
kart
Chosen
glider
Grand Star scores Tour appearances Cup
  Regular  
Bowser
 
Pipe Frame
 
Super Glider
  • 5
  • 8
  • 12
Mario Bros. Tour  
Morton 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  
Dry Bowser
 
Pipe Frame
 
Super Glider
 
Mega Mushroom

 
Coin
2
  • 5
  • 12
  • 23
New Year's Tour (2020)  
Iggy Cup
Winter Tour (2020)  
Baby Luigi Cup
  • 6
  • 12
  • 20
Amsterdam Tour  
Dixie Kong Cup
Time Trial
Icon Course variant Chosen
driver
Chosen
kart
Chosen
glider
Grand Star scores Tour appearances Cup
  Regular  
Yoshi
 
Pipe Frame
 
Super Glider
  • 2:50.00
  • 2:15.00
  • 1:58.00
London Tour  
Peachette Cup
  • 2:50.00
  • 2:15.00
  • 2:00.00
Sydney Tour (September 2021)  
Luigi Cup
  • 2:35.00
  • 2:15.00
  • 2:00.00
Yoshi Tour (2023)  
Yoshi Cup
  R  
Birdo
 
Pipe Frame
 
Super Glider
  • 2:50.00
  • 2:15.00
  • 1:55.00
Hammer Bro Tour  
Peachette Cup
Combo Attack
Icon Course variant Chosen
driver
Chosen
kart
Chosen
glider
Highest combo counts Tour appearances Cup
  T  
Donkey Kong
 
Pipe Frame
 
Super Glider
  • 5
  • 12
  • 20
Mario Bros. Tour  
Donkey Kong Cup
Ninja Tour (2021)  
Rosalina Cup
Snap a Photo
Icon Course variant Chosen
driver
Chosen
kart
Chosen
glider
Other driver information Objectives Tour appearances Cup
Driver Kart Glider
  T  
Yoshi (Egg Hunt)
 
Bright Bunny
 
Bright Glider
 
Yoshi
 
Egg 1
 
Bright Balloons
  • 3 or more drivers
  • A kart gliding
  • Take a photo
Yoshi Tour (2021)  
Daisy Cup
 
Red Yoshi
 
Egg 1
 
Bright Balloons
 
Blue Yoshi
 
Egg 1
 
Bright Balloons
Yoshi Tour (2022)  
Fire Bro Cup
 
Black Yoshi
 
Egg 1
 
Bright Balloons
 
White Yoshi
 
Egg 1
 
Bright Balloons
Yoshi Tour (2023)  
Donkey Kong Cup

ProfilesEdit

Mario Kart: Double Dash!!Edit

  • North American website bio: "Yoshi Circuit is a spine-tingling, mind-bending course filled with dangerous curves and high ocean cliffs. This track is not for the feint of heart."
  • European website bio: "A circuit in the shape of the cute green dinosaur. See if you can spot Helicopter Yoshi from Yoshi’s Island in a guest appearance."

Mario Kart DSEdit

  • European website bio: "You wouldn't know it unless you looked at the track from above, but Yoshi Circuit is shaped like the lovable green dino himself. Tight turns, tunnels and treacherous waters about in one of the toughest courses of the tournament. But by now, you're ready for that, right?"

Mario Kart 8 Original Soundtrack liner notesEdit

"For this track, in order to fully bring out Yoshi's whimsical nature, we swapped the brass part used in the original track with a saxophone ensemble. We also rerecorded that characteristic choppy guitar sound live. We left the whistling part untouched, though!"

SponsorsEdit

Mario Kart: Double Dash!! / Mario Kart DSEdit

Mario Kart 8 / Mario Kart 8 DeluxeEdit

Mario Kart TourEdit

References to the Super Mario franchiseEdit

 
Daisy Cruiser as seen in the background
  • The Daisy Cruiser can be seen in the background of the Mario Kart: Double Dash!! and Mario Kart 8 versions of this course. However, if Mario Kart: Double Dash!! is played via split-screen, the Daisy Cruiser will not be there.
  • The Sunshine can be seen in the background of the Double Dash!! version of the track.
  • In Mario Kart 8, one of the Yoshis in the audience will occasionally hum Totaka's Song.[6] This also occurs in other courses with Yoshis in the audience.
  • The Delfino Fruits sign has an M Graffiti, referencing Super Mario Sunshine.
  • There is a helicopter modeled after Helicopter Yoshi.
  • In Mario Kart 8, the Standard Kart and Yoshi Bike can be seen in the garages by the starting line, as well as Standard Tires and ? Blocks.

GalleryEdit

Mario Kart: Double Dash!!Edit

Mario Kart DSEdit

Mario Kart 8 / Mario Kart 8 DeluxeEdit

Mario Kart TourEdit

Course iconsEdit

For this subject's image gallery, see Gallery:Mario Kart Tour race course icons (GCN courses) § Yoshi Circuit.

ScreenshotsEdit

Additional namesEdit

Internal namesEdit

Game File Name Meaning

Mario Kart: Double Dash!! Yoshi.arc Yoshi course
Mario Kart DS old_yoshi_gc Old Yoshi GameCube

Names in other languagesEdit

Language Name Meaning Notes
Japanese ヨッシーサーキット[?]
Yosshī Sākitto
Yoshi Circuit
Chinese (simplified) 耀西赛道[?]
Yàoxī Sàidào
Yoshi Speedway
Chinese (traditional) 耀西賽道[?]
Yàoxī Sàidào
Yoshi Speedway
Dutch Yoshi's Circuit[?] -
French Circuit Yoshi[?] Yoshi Circuit
German Yoshis Piste[?] Yoshi's Track
Italian Circuito di Yoshi[?] Yoshi's Circuit
Korean 요시 서킷[?]
Yosi Seokit
Yoshi Circuit
Portuguese Circuito Yoshi[?] Yoshi Circuit
Russian Трасса Йоши[?]
Trassa Yoshi
Yoshi's Track
Spanish Circuito Yoshi[?] Yoshi Circuit

ReferencesEdit

  1. ^ Mario Kart: Double Dash!! § Staff Ghost Initials. The Cutting Room Floor. Retrieved November 3, 2024.
  2. ^ "Egg Cup, where players can zoom along the GCN Yoshi’s Circuit track—which is actually shaped like Yoshi himself!" – Option in a Mario Kart 8 Deluxe opinion poll. Play Nintendo (American English). Retrieved May 16, 2020.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g AppCentral (August 14, 2020). Mario Kart Tour - Dry Bowser Cup! (Pirate Tour). YouTube. Retrieved January 31, 2021.
  4. ^ TheMadWeazel (August 12, 2020). Pirate Tour “Dry Bowser Cup” - Mario Kart Tour. YouTube. Retrieved January 31, 2020.
  5. ^ a b TheMadWeazel (April 13, 2020). Yoshi Tour “Bowser Cup” - Mario Kart Tour. YouTube. Retrieved December 21, 2020.
  6. ^ GameXplain (January 12, 2015). Totaka's Song in Mario Kart 8 (Secret). YouTube (English). Retrieved September 10, 2017.