Mario Kart 64 is a 1996 kart racing game developed and published by Nintendo for the Nintendo 64 (N64). It is the second main entry in the Mario Kart series and is the successor to Super Mario Kart (1992) for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System. It was released in Japan on December 14, 1996, and in North America and Europe in 1997. It was released for the iQue Player in China on December 25, 2003. It was released on the Wii and Wii U Virtual Console in 2007 and 2016, and on the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack on October 25, 2021. Players control one of eight Mario franchise characters, who race around 16 tracks (four in each of four cups) with items that can either harm opponents or aid the user. Changes from the original include introducing 3D computer graphics for track design, and four-player support. The characters and items remain 2D sprites, but 3D track features include elevation, bridges, walls, and pits. The game was commercially successful and was generally praised for the fun and high replay value of its multiplayer modes. It is regarded as one of the greatest video games of all time.