Mario Kart: Gold

Mario Kart: Gold is a 2018 Mario Kart game for the Nintendo Switch that was first released on September 6th 2018 in Japan and Europe. Mario Kart: Gold is the second Mario Kart game for this platform after Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, and it introduces the Plasma Gauge mechanic as well as many new tracks and racers.
A remaster for the Nymbus called Mario Kart: Platinum was released worldwide on May 3rd 2020. The remaster features all of the content from Mario Kart: Gold as well as 16 added tracks, 10 characters and various new gameplay features.
== Gameplay ==
 
=== New Features ===
 
==== Plasma Gauge ====
The new Plasma Gauge mechanic relies on a point-based system where players can earn points during a race to try to fill their Plasma Gauge. When the capacity of the gauge reaches 100, players earn an 8-second speed boost before their gauge resets to 0. The plasma in the gauge can be affected by a wide range of different actions, which are listed below.
Effect on Plasma Gauge	Actions
Add 25 	Release a purple turbo drift.
Add 15 	Hit a player with a Green Shell or Bob-Omb.Release an orange turbo drift.
Add 10 	Hit a player with a Red Shell, Lightning Bolt, Bullet Bill or Super Star.Steal another player's item.
Add 5 	Have a player slip on your Banana Peel.Attack a player with a Potted Piranha Plant.Perform a trick.Release a blue turbo drift
Add 1 	Collect a Coin or Item Box.
Lose 1 	Crash into a wall.
Lose 10 	Be hit by a Red Shell, Lightning Bolt, Bullet Bill, Super Star or Potted Piranha Plant.
Lose 15 	Be hit by a Green Shell or Bob-Omb.Slip on a Banana Peel.Crash into a track obstacle such as a Goomba.
Lose 50 	Fall off the track.
Lose 100 	Release the Plasma Gauge's 8-second boost.
==== Waluigi's Slot Machine ====
A new feature is Waluigi's Slot Machine. If the player wins a race, they will receive a Purple Slot Token which they can use in the Slot Machine. Here, they have a chance to receive a Playable Character, Vehicle Parts, Stamps or Coins. The slot machine which is seen by the player is based on Waluigi's design, however it is a Purple Toad which operates the device.
In order to use Waluigi's Slot Machine, the player must first acquire a Wa Token. The player starts the game with one Wa Token but they can be obtained either through completing tasks, or by purchasing them with real money. Wa Tokens can be achieved by:
*Winning a Grand Prix with a 3-Star Rank.
*Beating an Expert Staff Ghost in Time Trials by at least 1 second.
*Winning 10 Online Races or Battles in a row.
*Purchasing them in bundles in the Nintendo Switch eShop.
*Scanned amiibo have a 1% chance of yielding a Wa Token.
*Gifted for free on rare occassions. On December 25th 2018, all players received three Wa Tokens for free.
Once a Wa Token is obtained, players must put the token into the machine to receive their prize.
Wa_Token_3.png|Wa Token Bunch$0.99
Wa_Token_9.png|Wa Token Stack$2.49
Wa_Token_22.png|Wa Token Trove$5.99
Wa_Token_45.png|Wa Token Jackpot$9.99
====Stamps====
Mario Kart: Gold includes 168 collectible stamps that can be obtained from the Slot Machine, and beating other players' time trial times. When another player's time is beaten, the user can select a stamp from their Stamp Book to copy into their own Stamp Book. All stamps can be won from Waluigi's Slot Machine but some stamps have alternative methods of unlocking.
*Character stamps can be unlocked by completing a Grand Prix whilst playing as that character.
*Track stamps can be unlocked by recording a Time Trial on that track.
Stamps 1 through 100 are in the base game and further stamps were released in future updates, with more released in the DLC package.
====Vehicle Customisation====
Player now have even more customisation options when it comes to vehicles. Instead of being stuck with one color, players can choose whatever color they would like their kart to be. For example, the Pipe Frame kart would normally be the same color as the racer (eg: Mario's would be red), but now players can change this, adding thousands of possibilities to vehicle design.
Propellers are now the fourth vehicle part which can be customised. Each one affects underwater racing, affecting stats such as speed, off-road and traction while underwater.
=== Game Modes ===
Every game mode in Mario Kart: Gold has a host character which becomes playable after requirements are met within that game mode. They are all costumes for Toad.
==== Grand Prix ====
Grand Prix is one of the main game modes available from the start of the game. At first, players have access to only the Mushroom, Flower, Shell and Banana Cups, but by completing all four of these, they can unlock the Star, Special, Leaf and Lightning Cups. There are five modes in Grand Prix with increasing difficulty.
*50cc - Easy Difficulty. All Karts move relatively slowly and CPU characters are restricted to a certain range of items (Green Shell, Red Shell, Blooper, Super Star, Mushroom, Bob-Omb, Ice Flower, Lightning). Players may only use Karts in this mode.
*100cc - Normal Difficulty. Karts move faster than in 50cc and CPU characters will perform tricks and use shortcuts. They also now have access to more items (Spiny Shell, Triple Banana, Super Horn, Golden Mushroom, Metal Box, Huckit Crab). Players may only use Bikes in this mode.
*150cc - Hard Difficulty. Karts move very quickly, with CPU characters now being able to drift and use items to protect themselves. They have access to more items (Thunder Cloud, Bullet Bill, Triple Green Shell, Boo) and players can only use Quads (ATVs) in this mode.
*Mirror Mode - Same speed and difficulty as 150cc. All courses are flipped, so a left turn in 150cc becomes a right turn in Mirror Mode. Players and CPUs have no restrictions on vehicle choice.
*200cc - Expert Difficulty. Karts move extremely quickly, and CPU characters can now use all items. No restrictions to vehicle choice apply.
50cc_MKG.png
100cc_MKG.png
150cc_MKG.png
Mirror_MKG.png
200cc_MKG.png
All_Cup_Tour_MKG.png
Additionally, All-Cup Tour makes its return for the first time since Mario Kart: Double Dash!!. Up to 4 Players race on all 32 tracks in the game in a randomised order, but always starting with Rosalina Circuit and ending with Wii Rainbow Road. Grand Prix is hosted by Blue Toad.
Grand Prix 	How to Unlock
Mirror Mode 	Earn a trophy in 150cc Cups.
200cc 	Earn a trophy in all Mirror Mode Cups.
All-Cup Tour	Unlock every cup in 200cc.
====VS Race====
Up to 4 Players can play together on the same console. VS Races are essentially free-play. All sorts of settings are customisable by the user, including number of CPU opponents, item frequency, Engine Class, Vehicle Restrictions, item restrictions. Items can even be turned off to make for competitive races. Team Races are also possible, with up to 4 teams of three; Blue, Red, Yellow and Green teams. VS Race is hosted by Green Toad. Results points awarded are somewhat more strict than in recent iterations of the franchise, as positions 9th - 12th will recieve no points at all.
Games 	1st	2nd	3rd	4th	5th	6th	7th	8th	9th	10th	11th	12th
Super Mario KartMario Kart 64Mario Kart: Super Circuit	9 	6 	3 	1 	0 	0 	0 	0 	N/A	N/A 	N/A 	N/A
Mario Kart: Double Dash!!Mario Kart DS 	10 	8 	6 	4 	3 	2 	1 	0 	N/A	N/A 	N/A 	N/A
Mario Kart Wii 	15 	12 	10 	8 	7 	6 	5 	4 	3 	2 	1 	0
Mario Kart 7 	10 	8 	6 	5 	4 	3 	2 	1 	N/A	N/A 	N/A 	N/A
Mario Kart 8Mario Kart 8 Deluxe 	15 	12 	10 	9 	8 	7 	6 	5 	4 	3 	2 	1
Mario Kart: Gold 	10 	8 	6 	5 	4 	3 	2 	1 	0 	0 	0 	0
==== Elimination Circuit ====
A new mode that shows up alongside Grand Prix and VS Race, Elimination Circuit is an event which lasts about 20 minutes. 12 racers begin the race, but at the end of every lap (or track segment), the last racer to cross the finish line is eliminated from the event. As the number of racers decreases, the game becomes more chaotic, with enemies filling the track and portions of the course crumbling away. Elimination Circuit is hosted by Yellow Toad.
====Time Trials====
Time Trials returns to the Mario Kart franchise. This time around, multiplayer time trials are available, allowing two players to record their own time trials simultaneously. Staff Ghost Data returns as well - this time, there is only one staff ghost per track, however the difficulty is quite high and the ghosts require a lot of practice to beat, particularly on the harder tracks. All Time Trials are recorded at 150cc.
*(For a full list of Staff Ghost Data, see full article: Mario Kart: Gold/Staff Ghost Data.)
Time Trials are hosted by Pink Toad.
====Battle====
Battles are similar to those in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, with the option of playing in teams (default) or individually (in certain modes, there is no option for individual play). This time, there are 12 Battle Courses to select from, and the introduction of several new battle modes.
Every racer starts with five balloons. For every balloon that they lose, their team loses 1 point. However, if they manage to pop another racer's balloon with an item, their own team gains a point.
The racers compete to collect the most coins within a time limit. Racers will lose half of their coins if they are hit by an item or obstacle.
One team, the Authority, must catch all of the members of the other team, the Renegades, before the time enders. If the renegades are not all caught by the end of the time, the renegades win. (Teams only).
A new version of Shine Thief. One Power Moon is found at the center of the course, and in order to win, a player's team must hold the Moon for 30 seconds.
Similar to Balloon Battle, racers have five balloons that can be popped by items. However, in this mode, once a player loses all of their balloons, they will not respawn. The team with the most players at the end will win.
Each team has a coloured Chain Chomp that moves around the track. The opposing team must deplete the Chain Chomp's health using items. The first team to fully deplete the health of the opposing chain chomp will win. (Teams only).
Battle mode is hosted by Orange Toad.
==== Online ====
Online mode returns, with up to four players being able to play online from the same console. Players can enter 'Regional' or 'Global' leagues. Regional leagues are exclusive to the user's country, while in Global leagues, players from all over the world can play together. The user also has the option to set up rooms to play with their friends, either exclusively with friends, or against strangers with friends. Online is hosted by Black Toad.
==== Missions ====
Missions return to the Mario Kart series for the first time since Mario Kart DS, as a single-player mode where players can earn Vehicles and collectable stamps. There are 8 levels, each with 8 missions and a boss fight for a grand total of 72 missions. Missions mode is hosted by Light Blue Toad.
Level 	Objective 	Time Limit	Stage 	Character
Level 1	Level 1 	Level 1 	Level 1 	Level 1
1-1 	Pass through the numbered gates in order. 	01:00 	Rosalina Circuit 	Peach
1-2 	Defeat 3 Goombas using Green Shells. 	00:50 	Mario Circuit 	Baby Mario
1-3 	Pass the finish line before Waluigi. 	None 	Gloom-Gloom Jungle 	Luigi
1-4 	Collect 20 Coins. 	00:45 	3DS Daisy Hills 	Toad
1-5 	Complete two laps of the circuit. 	01:40 	New Donk Junction 	Metal Mario
1-6 	Perform 15 tricks in one lap. 	00:50 	Wii DK Summit 	Donkey Kong
1-7 	Perform 6 mini-turbo boosts in one lap. 	00:35 	Rosalina Circuit 	Koopa Troopa
1-8 	Win the race against the original Super Mario Kart roster. 	None 	SNES Choco Island 1 	[Choose]
1-Boss 	Defeat Mummipokey. 	03:00 	Tostarena Square 	Mario
Level 2	Level 2 	Level 2 	Level 2 	Level 2
2-1 	Defeat 7 Goombas using Super Stars. 	00:40 	Starfall Lake 	Rosalina
2-2 	Complete three laps. 	02:25 	The Bulletworks 	Bowser
2-3 	Open 5 Item Boxes in one lap. 	00:55 	Bubble Pier 	Baby Peach
2-4 	Pass through the numbered gates in order. 	01:00 	GBA Cheep Cheep Island	Yoshi
2-5 	Go down the mountain while reversing. 	00:35 	Starlight Mountain 	Baby Luigi
2-6 	Pass the finish line before Petey Piranha. 	None 	3DS Shy Guy Bazaar 	Birdetta
2-7 	Perform 4 mini-turbo boosts. 	00:25 	Toad's Farm 	Baby Mario
2-8 	Win the race against the Mario Kart 64 newcomers. 	None 	N64 Wario Stadium 	[Choose]
2-Boss 	Defeat Pymaw 	02:30 	GBA Battle Course 4 	Daisy
Level 3	Level 3 	Level 3 	Level 3 	Level 3
3-1 	Collect 25 Coins. 	00:50 	Peach Park 	Shy Guy
3-2 	Perform 3 Tricks in one lap. 	00:30 	SNES Choco Island 1 	Diddy Kong
3-3 	Pass the finish line before King Boo but after Koopa Troopa.	N/A 	Koopa Cave 	Dry Bones
3-4 	Complete one lap while reversing. 	01:25 	Mario Circuit 	Mario
3-5 	Hit King Boo with three Green Shells. 	01:00 	King Boo's Mansion 	Luigi
3-6 	Perform 4 super mini-turbo boosts in one lap. 	00:50 	U Cloudtop Cruise 	Rosalina
3-7 	Defeat 3 Pokeys using Red Shells. 	00:20 	Wii Dry Dry Ruins 	Birdetta
3-8 	Win the race against the Mario Kart: Double Dash newcomers. 	N/A 	GCN Mushroom City 	[Choose]
3-Boss 	Defeat Porcupuffer. 	03:00 	Wii Delfino Pier 	Toadette
Level 4	Level 4 	Level 4 	Level 4 	Level 4
4-1 	Perform 12 mini-turbo boosts in one lap. 	00:55 	Koopa Cave 	Koopa Troopa
4-2 	Collect 20 Coins while reversing. 	01:20 	Wii Dry Dry Ruins 	Baby Daisy
4-3 	Pass through the numbered gates in order. 	01:00 	Wildfire Woods 	Monty Mole
4-4 	Pass the finish line before Topper, Rango and Spewart. 	N/A 	Rabbit Ridge 	Hariet
4-5 	Defeat 5 Piranha Plants using Bob-Ombs. 	00:45 	GBA Lakeside Park 	Pianta
4-6 	Complete one lap without hitting any obstacles. 	01:10 	Bowser's Castle 	Peach
4-7 	Perform 12 Tricks in one lap. 	00:55 	Rainbow Road 	Pink Gold Peach
4-8 	Win the race against the Mario Kart DS newcomers. 	N/A 	DS Shroom Ridge 	[Choose]
4-Boss 	Defeat Bouldergeist. 	03:00 	Boohemoth's Crypt 	Baby Rosalina
Level 5	Level 5 	Level 5 	Level 5 	Level 5
5-1 	Complete one lap while reversing. 	01:10 	Rosalina Circuit 	Topper
5-2 	Win the race against Toad. 	N/A 	Toad's Farm 	Toadsworth
5-3 	Open 16 Item Boxes in one lap. 	01:40 	N64 Wario Stadium 	Rango
5-4 	Perform 13 mini-turbo boosts in two laps. 	01:35 	The Bulletworks 	Spewart
5-5 	Win the Balloon Battle against Luigi. 	02:00 	Skyview Stadium 	Mario
5-6 	Pass through the numbered gates in order. 	02:00 	3DS Honeybee Hive 	Honey Queen
5-7 	Defeat 20 Goombas using Super Stars. 	00:45 	Koopa Cave 	Wario
5-8 	Win the race against the Mario Kart Wii newcomers. 	N/A 	Wii DK Summit 	[Choose]
5-Boss 	Defeat Mechawiggler. 	02:00 	New Donk Junction 	Pauline
Level 6	Level 6 	Level 6 	Level 6 	Level 6
6-1 	Pass through the numbered gates in order while reversing. 	01:25 	3DS Daisy Hills 	Wiggler
6-2 	Perform 2 ultra mini-turbo boosts in one lap. 	00:50 	U Cloudtop Cruise 	Hammer Bro.
6-3 	Defeat 8 Piranha Plants using Super Horns. 	00:25 	DS Mario Circuit 	Yoshi
6-4 	Win the race against Metal Mario and Pink Gold Peach 	N/A 	Rainbow Road 	Blue Silver Luigi
6-5 	Win the race against King Boo 	N/A 	King Boo's Mansion 	Luigi
6-6 	Perform 6 tricks. 	00:25 	SNES Choco Island 1 	Donkey Kong Jr.
6-7 	Open 1 Item Box. 	00:10 	GCN Bowser's Castle 	Boom Boom
6-8 	Win the race against the Mario Kart 7 newcomers. 	N/A 	3DS Shy Guy Bazaar 	[Choose]
6-Boss 	Defeat the Ruined Dragon. 	03:00 	Skyview Stadium 	Waluigi
Level 7	Level 7 	Level 7 	Level 7 	Level 7
7-1 	Win the race against Donkey Kong. 	N/A 	Gloom Gloom Jungle 	King K. Rool
7-2 	Open 6 Item Boxes while reversing. 	01:20 	SNES Vanilla Lake 2 	Baby Mario
7-3 	Complete two laps without hitting a car. 	01:35 	GCN Mushroom City 	Dry Bones
7-4 	Complete a lap while reversing. 	02:00 	Wii Rainbow Road 	Funky Kong
7-5 	Pass through the numbered gates in order. 	00:45 	DS Shroom Ridge 	Bowser Jr.
7-6 	Defeat 7 Boos using Green Shells. 	00:40 	King Boo's Mansion 	E. Gadd
7-7 	Find the 4 hidden coins on the track. 	01:30 	Bubble Pier 	Baby Wario
7-8 	Win the race against the Mario Kart 8 newcomers. 	N/A 	U Sunshine Airport 	[Choose]
7-Boss 	Defeat Gobblegut. 	02:45 	Rainbow Space Station 	Dry Bowser
Level 8	Level 8 	Level 8 	Level 8 	Level 8
8-1 	Collect 20 Coins using a Golden Mushroom. 	00:10 	Mario Circuit 	King Boo
8-2 	Defeat 8 Crabs with Green Shells while reversing. 	01:20 	GBA Cheep Cheep Island	Koopa Troopa
8-3 	Complete 5 laps. 	04:00 	Peach Park 	Pink Gold Peach
8-4 	Perform 4 ultra mini-turbo boosts in one lap. 	01:00 	3DS Shy Guy Bazaar 	Shy Guy
8-5 	Win the race against Boom Boom. 	N/A 	Bowser's Castle 	Pom Pom
8-6 	Collect 20 Item Boxes. 	01:40 	GBA Lakeside Park 	Diddy Kong
8-7 	Perform 16 tricks in one lap. 	01:35 	N64 Wario Stadium 	Hammer Bro.
8-8 	Win the race against the Mario Kart: Gold newcomers. 	N/A 	Rainbow Road 	[Choose]
8-Boss 	Defeat Shadow Bowser. 	05:00 	Royal Gardens 	Mario
== Characters ==
 
=== Playable Racers ===
Mario Kart: Gold features a wide range of playable characters, 20 of which are available at the start of the game. The rest have to be unlocked from completing challenges. The costumes feature returns from Mario Kart 8, with many returning costumes including Tanooki Mario.
==== Default ====
Baby_Mario_MKG.png|Baby Mario
Baby_Peach_MKG.png|Baby Peach
Toad_MKG.png|Toad
Shy_Guy_MKG.png|Shy Guy
Peach_MKG.png|Peach
Kamek_MKG.png|Kamek(New Driver!)
Koopa_Troopa_MKG.png|Koopa Troopa
Bowser_Jr_MKG.png|Bowser Jr.
Mario_MKG.png|Mario
Luigi_MKG.png|Luigi
Yoshi_MKG.png|Yoshi
Birdetta_MKG.png|Birdetta
Wario_MKG.png|Wario
Waluigi_MKG.png|Waluigi
Pianta_MKG.png|Pianta(New Driver!)
Rosalina_MKG.png|Rosalina
Bowser_MKG.png|Bowser
Dry_Bowser_MKG.png|Dry Bowser
Donkey_Kong_MKG.png|Donkey Kong
Metal_Mario_MKG.png|Metal Mario
==== Unlockable ====
Baby_Luigi_MKG.png|Baby Luigi
Baby_Daisy_MKG.png|Baby Daisy
Baby_Rosalina_MKG.png|Baby Rosalina
Toadette_MKG.png|Toadette
Toadsworth_MKG.png|Toadsworth(New Driver!)
Lakitu_MKG.png|Lakitu
Diddy_Kong_MKG.png|Diddy Kong
Daisy_MKG.png|Daisy
Monty_Mole_MKG.png|Monty Mole(New Driver!)
Dry_Bones_MKG.png|Dry Bones
Baby_Wario_MKG.png|Baby Wario(New Driver!)
Nabbit_MKG.png|Nabbit(New Driver!)
Topper_MKG.png|Topper(New Driver!)
Hariet_MKG.png|Hariet(New Driver!)
Spewart_MKG.png|Spewart(New Driver!)
Prof_E_Gadd_MKG.png|E. Gadd(New Driver!)
Pauline_MKG.png|Pauline(New Driver!)
Hammer_Bro_MKG.png|Hammer Bro(New Driver!)
Rango_MKG.png|Rango(New Driver!)
Wiggler_MKG.png|Wiggler
Donkey_Kong_Jr_MKG.png|Donkey Kong Jr.
King_Boo_MKG.png|King Boo
Boom_Boom_MKG.png|Boom Boom(New Driver!)
Pom_Pom_MKG.png|Pom Pom(New Driver!)
Petey_Piranha_MKG.png|Petey Piranha
Honey_Queen_MKG.png|Honey Queen
Blue_Silver_Luigi_MKG.png|Blue Silver Luigi(New Driver!)
Pink_Gold_Peach_MKG.png|Pink Gold Peach
Funky_Kong_MKG.png|Funky Kong
King_K_Rool_MKG.png|King K. Rool(New Driver!)
Mii_MKG.png|MiiVaried
==== Downloadable ====
Baby_Yoshi_MKG.png|Baby Yoshi(New Driver!)
Olimar_MKG.png|Captain Olimar(New Driver!)
Dixie_Kong_MKG.png|Dixie Kong(New Driver!)
Penguin_MKG.png|Penguin(New Driver!)
Fox_MKG.png|Fox McCloud(New Driver!)
Falco_MKG.png|Falco Lombardi(New Driver!)
Lubba_MKG.png|Lubba(New Driver!)
Captain_Falcon_MKG.png|Captain Falcon(New Driver!)
Big_Bob-Omb_MKG.png|Big Bob-Omb(New Driver!)
Cookatiel_MKG.png|Cookatiel(New Driver!)
=== Racer Statistics ===
Within weight classes, there are further sub-classes of character that have different stats. There are six stats in Mario Kart: Gold which all appeared in Mario Kart 8, which are Speed, Acceleration, Weight, Handling, Traction and Mini-Turbo.
Characters	Speed	Acceleration	Weight	Handling	Traction	Mini-Turbo
 	1 	10 	1 	10 	6 	4
 	2 	9 	1 	10 	3 	7
 	2 	8 	2 	9 	7 	3
 	3 	8 	2 	9 	6 	4
 	3 	7 	3 	8 	2 	8
 	4 	7 	4 	7 	8 	2
 	4 	6 	5 	5 	5 	5
 	5 	6 	5 	5 	2 	8
 	6 	5 	6 	5 	3 	7
 	6 	5 	6 	5 	4 	6
 	7 	4 	6 	5 	7 	3
 	7 	4 	7 	4 	8 	2
 	8 	3 	8 	4 	6 	4
 	9 	2 	9 	3 	4 	6
 	10 	2 	10 	1 	6 	4
 	10 	1 	10 	1 	5 	5
==== Vehicle Frame Sizes ====
In addition to a weight class, each character has a size, which determines the size of the vehicle that they drive. These sizes do not necessarily correlate with weight.
Size 	Characters
Small 	
Medium	
Large 	
=== Unlocking Criteria ===
Characters can be unlocked in two ways - either by completing a specific amount of races, or by another method. Once the criteria has been met, the player must beat the character in a 1 v 1 race at a random track at 150cc.
Character 	Play VS Races	Alternative Method
Mii 	N/A 	Connect your save file to a Nintendo Network account.
Toadette 	5 	Beat 1 Time Trial Staff Ghost.
Baby Luigi 	10 	Win the 50cc Flower Cup.
Daisy 	15 	Win the 50cc Shell Cup.
Boom Boom 	20 	Record Time Trials on 8 Tracks.
Donkey Kong Jr. 	30 	Win the 50cc Special Cup.
Dry Bones 	40 	Win the 50cc Leaf Cup.
Lakitu 	50 	Record Time Trials on 32 Tracks.
Nabbit 	60 	Beat 12 Time Trial Staff Ghosts.
Diddy Kong 	70 	Win the 100cc Mushroom Cup.
King Boo 	80 	Win the 100cc Banana Cup.
Honey Queen 	90 	Win the 100cc Star Cup.
Monty Mole 	100 	Win the 100cc Lightning Cup.
Pauline 	115 	Beat 24 Time Trial Staff Ghosts.
Hariet 	130 	Win the 150cc Flower Cup.
Topper 	145 	Win the 150cc Shell Cup.
Rango 	160 	Win the 150cc Special Cup.
Spewart 	175 	Win the 150cc Leaf Cup.
E. Gadd 	190 	Beat all 32 Time Trial Staff Ghosts.
Baby Daisy 	205 	Win all Mirror Nitro Cups.
Pink Gold Peach 	220 	Win all Mirror Retro Cups.
Wiggler 	235 	Win all 200cc Nitro Cups.
Funky Kong 	250 	Win all 200cc Retro Cups.
Toadsworth 	265 	Unlocked from Waluigi's Slot Machine.
Baby Wario 	280 	Unlocked from Waluigi's Slot Machine.
Pom Pom 	295 	Unlocked from Waluigi's Slot Machine.
Baby Rosalina 	300 	Win all 50cc Cups with a 3-Star Rating in every cup.
Hammer Bro 	350 	Win all 100cc Cups with a 3-Star Rating in every cup.
Blue Silver Luigi	400 	Win all 150cc Cups with a 3-Star Rating in every cup.
King K. Rool 	500 	Win all 200cc Cups with a 3-Star Rating in every cup.
=== Alternate Costumes ===
Returning from Mario Kart 8, alternate costumes can be selected by choosing a character, which then gives options for costumes should they be unlocked. Most costumes are unlocked by scanning specific amiibo, but there are several other costumes that can be unlocked in other ways, such as the Toad costumes. All amiibo costumes that are unlocked from amiibo can also be unlocked from the Slot Machine after completing Missions Mode.
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== Tracks ==
Similarly to most other Mario Kart games, Mario Kart: Gold features 8 cups, each containing 4 tracks. The first four cups - Mushroom, Flower, Star and Special - are 'Nitro' cups, comprised of new tracks, while the other four - Shell, Banana, Leaf and Lightning - are 'Retro' cups with tracks from older Mario Kart games. Four more cups were added as DLC later.
*(Note: PAL names for tracks are displayed below North American names in smallprint)
Cup 	First Course 	Second Course 	Third Course 	Fourth Course
Mushroom 	Rosalina Circuit 	Starfall Lake 	New Donk Junction 	Gloom-Gloom Jungle
Flower 	Mario Circuit 	Bubble PierSea Bubble Pier 	Toad's Farm 	Starlight Summit
Star 	Peach Park 	King Boo's Mansion 	The Bulletworks 	Rabbit RidgeLunar Ridge
Special 	Koopa Cave 	Wildfire Woods 	Bowser's Castle 	Rainbow Road
Shell 	SNES Choco Island 1 	3DS Daisy Hills 	GBA Cheep Cheep Island 	U Sunshine Airport
Banana 	DS Mario Circuit 	3DS Shy Guy Bazaar 	Wii DK SummitDK Snowboard Cross	GCN Mushroom City
Leaf 	Wii Dry Dry Ruins 	SNES Vanilla Lake 2 	U Cloudtop Cruise 	DS Shroom Ridge
Lightning 	GBA Lakeside Park 	N64 Wario Stadium 	GCN Bowser's Castle 	Wii Rainbow Road
Falcon 	Cosmo Terminal 	Vibrant Volcano 	SNES Ghost Valley 3 	Bulborb Gardens
Egg 	DS Figure-8 Circuit 	Sparkling Lagoon 	Spewart's Swamp 	3DSRock Rock MountainAlpine Pass
Arwing 	Wii Toad's Factory 	Mt. BuzzyBuzzy Mountain Highway	GBA Sunset Wilds 	Space Gate Assault
Super Bell	SNES Mario Circuit 4	Phanto Temple 	U Electrodrome 	Super Mario Driftway
*Cups in are default cups that are available from the start of the game. These are the Mushroom, Flower, Shell and Banana Cups.
*Cups in are unlockable cups. The Star, Special, Leaf and Lightning Cups are unlocked simultaneously when the player places 1st, 2nd or 3rd in all of the default cups.
*Cups in are downloadable cups. The Falcon, Egg, Arwing and Super Bell Cups can be purchased as a part of the Mario Kart: Gold x Nintendo expansion.
==== Retro Tracks ====
In Mario Kart: Gold, half of the game's default tracks are ones which have previously appeared in a Mario Kart game and are returning to the franchise. 'Retro tracks', as they are called, make up 4 of the game's 8 cups. Many of these tracks have been updated with new features and aesthetic changes to make them feel both fresh and nostalgic at the same time. In the downloadable expansion, 7 out of 16 of the added tracks are retro tracks, scattered throughout the four new cups added in the expansion.
==== Staff Ghost Data ====
In Mario Kart: Gold's Time Trials mode, players can race against times set by the game's developers. By beating these times, players can unlock characters and vehicles. These times are not as difficult to beat as Expert Staff Ghosts, but much harder than Normal Staff Ghosts.
Track 	Staff Ghost Time	Character Used
Rosalina Circuit 	01:45:232 	Rosalina
Starfall Lake 	01:58:786 	Baby Peach
New Donk Junction 	01:39:490 	Pauline
Gloom-Gloom Jungle 	02:15:398 	Diddy Kong
Mario Circuit 	02:37:859 	Mario
Bubble Pier 	01:53:383 	Rango
Toad's Farm 	02:35:802 	Toad
Starlight Summit 	02:53:236 	Honey Queen
Peach Parks 	01:48:239 	Peach
King Boo's Mansion 	02:38:950 	King Boo
The Bulletworks 	02:34:490 	Dry Bones
Rabbit Ridge 	02:54:859 	Topper
Koopa Cave 	02:43:291 	Koopa Troopa
Wildfire Woods 	02:17:940 	Hariet
Bowser's Castle 	03:03:783 	Bowser
Rainbow Road 	03:09:574 	Blue Silver Luigi
SNES Choco Island 1 	01:01:513 	Donkey Kong Jr.
3DS Daisy Hills 	01:56:946 	Daisy
GBA Cheep Cheep Island	01:40:841 	Baby Daisy
U Sunshine Airport 	02:21:272 	Pianta
DS Mario Circuit 	01:54:443 	Baby Mario
3DS Shy Guy Bazaar 	02:18:060 	Shy Guy
Wii DK Summit 	02:25:949 	Donkey Kong
GCN Mushroom City 	01:48:249 	Toadsworth
Wii Dry Dry Ruins 	02:23:513 	Yoshi
SNES Vanilla Lake 2 	01:28:235 	Penguin
U Cloudtop Cruise 	02:20:004 	Lakitu
DS Shroom Ridge 	02:02:443 	Toadette
GBA Lakeside Park 	02:04:506 	Diddy Kong
N64 Wario Stadium 	03:42:074 	Wario
GCN Bowser's Castle 	02:44:583 	Dry Bowser
Wii Rainbow Road 	02:48:381 	Baby Rosalina
Cosmo Terminal 	01:56:230 	Captain Falcon
Vibrant Volcano 	02:34:940 	Cookatiel
SNES Ghost Valley 3 	01:03:859 	E. Gadd
Bulborb Gardens 	02:05:483 	Olimar
DS Figure-8 Circuit 	01:45:382 	Luigi
Sparkling Lagoon 	02:16:736 	Penguin
Spewart's Swamp 	02:46:363 	Spewart
3DS Rock Rock Mountain	02:04:756 	Wiggler
Wii Toad's Factory 	02:07:752 	Toad
Mt. Buzzy 	03:03:687 	Big Bob-Omb
GBA Sunset Wilds 	02:11:732 	King K. Rool
Space Gate Assault 	01:53:874 	Fox
SNES Mario Circuit 4 	01:14:839 	Metal Mario
Phanto Temple 	02:38:555 	Shy Guy
U Electrodrome 	02:14:583 	Pink Gold Peach
Super Mario Driftway 	03:42:800 	Mario
=== Battle Courses ===
There are a total of 12 Battle Courses in Mario Kart: Gold. 8 of these are available from the beginning and 4 must be unlocked.
New Courses 	Retro Courses
Skyview Stadium 	N64 Double Deck
Royal Gardens 	DS Tart Top
Iceberg Beach 	Wii Delfino Pier
Tostarena Square 	3DS Honeybee Hive
Boohemoth's Crypt* 	GBA Battle Course 4*
Rainbow Space Station*	GCN Tilt-A-Kart*
(* Stages marked with an asterisk must be unlocked before you can play there.)
==== Unlocking Criteria ====
Course 	How to Unlock
Boohemoth's Crypt 	Win 5 Games of Balloon Blast.
Rainbow Space Station	Win 5 Games of Chomp Guardians.
GBA Battle Course 4 	Win 5 Games of Coin Runners.
GCN Tilt-A-Kart 	Win 5 Games of Moon Thief.
== Items ==
Mario Kart: Gold features a selection of both new and returning Mario Kart items. Several items, such as the Thunder Cloud, make their first appearance outside of their debut.
=== Returning ===
Item 	Image	Effect 	Range
Mushroom 	 	Gives the player a short speed boost. 	2nd - 5th
Triple Mushroom 	 	Gives the player three mushrooms, letting them use three short speed boosts. 	6th - 10th
Green Shell 	 	A small projectile that does not track players but bounces off walls. 	1st - 5th
Triple Green Shells	 	Gives the player three Green Shell items to use. 	3rd - 6th
Red Shell 	 	A small projectile that will track down players but is easily destroyed. 	2nd - 5th
Triple Red Shells 	 	Gives the player three Red Shell items to use. 	5th - 9th
Banana Peel 	 	Drops on the ground, causing karts to spin out of control if they drive over it. 	1st - 3rd
Triple Banana Peels	 	Gives the player 3 Banana Peels which follow behind their kart until usage. 	1st - 5th
Bob-Omb 	 	The user can throw a Bob-Omb, which explodes on contact with another racer. 	1st - 6th
Lightning 	 	Strikes every player ahead of the user with a bolt of lightning, shrinking them. 	10th - 12th
Bullet Bill 	 	The user transforms into a Bullet Bill, becoming extremely fast while being controlled automatically. 	10th - 12th
Golden Mushroom 	 	Allows the user to use infinite speed boosts until the time limit for the item ends. 	10th - 12th
Super Star 	 	The user becomes immune to all hazards and becomes very fast for a short duration of time. 	10th - 12th
Blooper 	 	Sprays ink over the racers' windshields, blocking their vision of the race. 	5th - 9th
Spiny Shell 	 	Strikes the leading racer with a giant explosion. 	4th - 9th
Boo 	 	The user becomes invisible and immune to hazards, while a Boo steals an item from another racer. 	4th - 8th
Thunder Cloud 	 	The user gains a speed boost and can pass on the cloud to another racer by bumping into them. After a time limit ends, the holder of the cloud is struck with lightning.	2nd - 7th
Super Horn 	 	When used, a sound wave is emitted which destroys any item within a short radius. 	2nd - 7th
=== New ===
Item 	Image	Effect 	Range
Ice Flower 	 	Allows the user to shoot icy fireballs, slowing down any racer that makes contact. 	5th - 9th
Cappy 	 	The user can throw Cappy at another racer, allowing them to take control of the target's kart for a short amount of time while their own kart is automatically controlled.	1st - 12th (very rare)
Metal Box 	 	The user's kart turns into a metal form for 30 seconds. In this state, the user cannot be knocked by other racers and they gain immunity to shells and bombs. 	3rd - 7th
Huckit Crab	 	A Huckit Crab will appear on the user's kart, throwing rocks at nearby racers for a short period of time. 	4th - 9th
Warp Pipe 	 	The user drives into a Warp Pipe, which warps them 6 places ahead of where they currently are. 	10th - 12th
==Downloadable Content==
Mario Kart: Gold x Nintendo is the only DLC pack for Mario Kart: Gold, which was released on January 8th 2018. The package costs $5.99 in the US. (£4.29 in UK), and includes 16 new tracks in 4 new cups, 10 new playable characters and a new battle mode.
==Amiibo Functionality==
Amiibo are functional with Mario Kart: Gold. The player can unlock alternate costumes for some characters by scanning their amiibo. See the Alternate Costumes section for information about the costumes that these amiibo unlock. Furthermore, the player can scan any other amiibo once a day to collect 25 coins. All amiibo, when scanned, have a 1% chance of giving the user a Wa Token.
==Demo Version==
On 14th August 2018, a free Demo Version was made available on the Nintendo eShop. In this version, the player is able to play a Grand Prix of the Mushroom Cup or Shell Cup. The only playable characters are Mario and Luigi, and the only kart available is the Pipe Frame.
==Gallery==
Gold_Logo.png|Logo
Mario_Kart-_Gold_Boxart.png|Nintendo Switch boxart.
Mario_Kart-_Gold_Cartridge.png|Nintendo Switch cartridge.
Balloon_Battle_MKG.png|Icon for the Balloon Battle game mode.
Coin_Runners.png|Icon for the Coin Runners game mode.
Moon_Thief.png|Icon for the Moon Thief game mode.
Renegade_Roundup.png|Icon for the Renegade Roundup game mode.
Balloon_Blast.png|Icon for the Balloon Blast game mode.
Chomp_Guardians.png|Icon for the Chomp Guardians game mode.
Tyre_Icon_MKG.png|The template which is used for character icons. (free to use)
==Trivia==
*This is the first game to feature Donkey Kong Jr., Petey Piranha, Funky Kong, Honey Queen and Wiggler in Mario Kart since they were cut after their debut appearances in the series.
**This makes Paratroopa and R.O.B. the only characters to have appeared in a Mario Kart game, been cut, and never returned.
*This game references The Legend of Zelda series. The icon for the Wa Token Jackpot in the eShop resembles the Triforce. Additionally, the Master Cycle Zero and Hyrule Wheels unlocked with the DLC pack.
*Mario Kart: Gold is the first Mario game on a Nintendo console to have microtransactions.
*Mario Kart: Gold is the first game for the Nintendo Switch to include compatibility with the Wiimote Controller.
*The image for Mario's Classic Colors was produced by , not me.
*The image for Chocoomba was produced by , not me.
===Unused Features===
*Originally, the creator of Mario Kart: Gold, thepuddlecat, wanted to make a Mario Kart Arcade GP game to make the project stand out among other Mario Kart games. However, he later decided to make a traditional Mario Kart game since his ideas for the project better suited the main series.
*Datamined files from the free Demo Version suggest that Paratroopa, Dixie Kong, Ice Bro. and R.O.B. were originally going to be implemented as playable characters, but were later scrapped. This was likely due to Dixie Kong being replaced by King K. Rool, and Ice Bro. being replaced by Hammer Bro.
**Furthermore, there exists audio files for a character named "GR_WAR_28", however these files are unplayable. It is possible that the name refers to a character based on Wario, or from the Wario series.
**In a talk with Famitsu magazine, lead developer, thepuddlecat, states that he was originally going to do a Smash Bros. Ultimate-style Mario Kart game with all playable characters returning. Eventually, the Koopalings, Paratroopa, R.O.B., Link, Villager, Isabelle and Inkling were cut, after all being considered for the game, Paratroopa and R.O.B. even having files in the game.
*There are image files that depict billboards, akin to those found on Moonview Highway in Mario Kart Wii. Some of these have been redesigned and used in New Donk Junction and/or GCN Mushroom City, however several remain unused, suggesting that Moonview Highway may have been considered as a retro course at some point.
*An unused music track in the game's code can be found and listened to, sounding like a remix of N64 Frappe Snowland.
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