Mario Kart 64 as You've Never Seen It Before - Low Poly - Episode 6

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Published 2019-04-12

I always wondered what exactly is going on model wise when playing Mario Kart 64. In this episode, my curiosity peaked, and I decided to check out the character models used in the game, and what other secrets the game holds. What I found was some insane resource management, and the technical wizardry of Nintendo.

A+Start with Andy
Please Like, Favourite and Subscribe if you enjoyed this episode and feel free to leave any questions or game suggestions in the comments below. Thanks guys!

All Comments (21)

@AStartShow 5 years ago

Hey guys, Andy here For a year and half, I’ve been inundated with requests for new Low Poly, and this is the first of many planned. If you’re one of the hundreds of people who wanted this series to return, please support this episode by sharing it and liking it, show that algorithm we mean business. Thanks for the support guys. Andy
@vi891 3 years ago

Conspiracy theory: mario kart 8 models are also sprites only they're extremely elaborate sprites.
@dark0ssx 5 years ago

They didn't use sprites instead of models for space reasons. A model wouldn't have taken up more than all the sprites needed for one racer. A sprite is less taxing on the cpu and can have more detail
@lorenzotaz 3 years ago

I remember being like 5 years old and actually noticing that every item, object and character in the game was like a cardboard plane that always faces the camera. Even though I wasn’t aware of any technical aspects I was impressed by the optical illusion
@dan_loup 5 years ago

The 2D sprites actually take more cartridge space than if the carts were 3D models. But the game wouldn't run as nearly as smooth (see Diddy kong racing)
@ElectrikStatik900 5 years ago

YESSSSS LOW POLY IS BACCKKKKKKKK!!!!!! I LOVE THIS SERRIIEEESSSS Also please do low poly on Link :D
@Westile 5 years ago

I refuse to believe that people didn't know they were sprites back in the day.
@lamelama22 5 years ago

I remember realizing they were sprites back when I was playing this as a kid... still amazing how good it looked. It stood out b/c of the pixelated edges of the characters. I may have had it easier than most at the time in noticing it though since I had watched a Donkey Kong Country making of / Behind-the-scenes VHS tape which explained the technique. Pre-rendered sprites were usually much better looking than the extremely low-poly primitive 3D graphics available on consoles of the time (N64, PSX, Saturn).
@jakubpalinowski123 5 years ago

When Low Poly becomes literal.
@DSolymanH 5 years ago

Im really glad to see a new episode of this series.
@awwtizem4173 5 years ago

I don't know if anyone else is like me, but playing MarioKart 64 for the first time, I could instantly tell that it was using 2D sprites.
@dritoc6947 5 years ago

A-am I dreaming..? A new low poly episode?..
@gordonfreakinfreeman2018 5 years ago

Oh golly another episode of low poly!
@BojoJuniorOG 5 years ago

Can you do Spyro the Dragon next? If you have the time?
@piratesephiroth 5 years ago

Who didn't see that it was all 2D sprites? I could tell that back in the day, they were a blurry mess even in old CRTs.
@SS2LP 5 years ago

I remember actually figuring out they weren’t 3D as a kid. I thought it was really neat how they did that even if I had zero idea what everything was back then.
@TrailerguyGotStolen 5 years ago

Low Poly? I haven't heard that name in a long time.
@literallymalware 5 years ago

Can you do a Zelda episode next? It would be really interesting
@MhxAir 5 years ago

I've known this for probably 15 years. I always thought Mario Kart was built off a DOOM type engine. The trees and piranha plants really gave it away.
@JSosaOfficial 5 years ago

I kinda noticed the “Low Poly” Thing you speak of, as a child on Peach’s Castle Road , everytime I’m off the half bridge.. in the air the camera would have a overhead look but I actually can’t see no more detail over the characters head, theyjust remained flat But amazing breakdown tho 💯