Hey guys welcome to Cool Bits where we point out our favorite moments from popular and
maybe not so popular games.
These Cool Bits might be a secret, an Easter Egg, or just a small detail that really resonated
with us.
This time we'll be taking a look at some neat background details in Mario Kart: Double Dash
that are easily overlooked.
Okay, so it's not any great secret that Mario Kart: Double Dash takes quite a bit of inspiration
from Super Mario Sunshine.
Of course, there are the obvious references, such as Toadsworth's cameo during the award
ceremony, and even an entire racetrack which appears to take place right on Sunshine's
Isle Delfino itself.
Then there are others that are a just a little more subtle, such as various Mario Sunshine
signs scattered about--including one that's even bears the graffiti mark of Mario's evil
doppelganger.
So clearly the two games have a lot in common, and it's really not that surprising when you
consider they were released within about a year of each other.
But there's still one really cool little detail that most people probably didn't catch by
itself, but also owes its roots to Super Mario Sunshine
So one of the cooler details about Super Mario Sunshine was that the entire game was designed
to appear as if it took place within a single, connected world, being of course, Isle Delfino.
What this meant was you could often see the island's landmarks from just about any point
in the game, such as the Volcano that looms over the entire island.
And beyond that, you could even see levels that you may not even visited yet from within
entirely different levels in the game.
Take the game's first level, Bianca Hills, for example.
If you turn around at the very start and look off into the distance, you might first spot
Delfino Plaza, which of course is the town you just came from.
But if you then zoom the camera out, you'll be rewarded with a fantastic view of another
level far below:.
And if you pan to the right, you'll get a glimpse of Pinna Park.
And the same holds true for nearly every level in the game.
Such as the aforementioned Pinna Park, which not only affords a view of all of the levels
we've already mentioned--including Bianca Hills--but it also provides a glimpse of Gelato
Beach and Sirena Beach.
It's a small detail that's easily overlooked--and yet it goes a long way in making the world
feel more like a real place.
So what's this have to do with Mario Kart: Double Dash?
Well, that game actually borrows the exact same concept.
To show you what we mean, let's first head on over to the Mushroom Cup's Peach Beach,
which fittingly enough, is based on Mario Sunshine, as we pointed out before.
Now if you've raced on this course before, then you might have noticed a couple of cruise
ships in the background.
Of course, there's The Sunshine, docked in the harbor.
But if you look out a bit further out into the ocean, you'll spot another: the Daisy
Cruiser.
Yep, the same Daisy Cruiser that you race on in the Flower Cup.
Now that race appears to take place while out at sea--perhaps it's way to its next destination?
And that destination might just be the Star Cup's Yoshi Circuit, as it can also be seen
in the background near the end of the course.
And not only that, but The Sunshine can also be seen a bit earlier too, so apparently they
follow similar Itineraries.
And because it seems both Peach Beach and Yoshi Circuit are among the destinations,
it might explain why there's advertising for Isle Delfino can be found here.
Now cruise ships aren't the only type of vehicle to appear in this level, as the Yoshi Helicopter
makes an appearance too.
Yep, the same Yoshi Helicopter that also appears in the Mushroom Cup's Baby Park.
So it seems that the background vehicles really do get around in this game.
Now speaking of Baby Park, there are a ton of cool details surrounding the racetrack
course, but it's perhaps ironically the mountain-sized one that's most easily over-looked.
After turning the corner just before the finish line, you might just notice a frowning volcano
in the far distance.
But that's not just any frowning volcano--as if there could be any others--oh no, it's
actually the very same volcano featured in the Star Cup's DK Mountain.
And while we're here--pay close attention to those flames shooting out
Now if we head on over to the Special Cup's Dino Dino Jungle, you might have spotted some
fiery activity happening far off in the background.
And that's normally all you'd be able to make of it in a typical race.
Although if you take the time to turn around while on the final bridge, you'll not only
get a better look at those same flames, but you'll be able to see that they're emerging
from the unmistakable jagged peak of the grumpy volcano from DK Mountain.
And in case there were any doubt, the color of the flames even match perfectly, unlike
every other smoldering peak seen in the game.
Who knew that DK Mountain was so close to Baby Park and Dino Dino Jungle?
Maybe that's why the Volcanoe's so upset--he's tired of being recognized all the time
But we're not done recognizing Mario Kart locations yet!
If we head on over to the Flower Cup's Mushroom Bridge, you might have noticed some buildings
in the far distance across the water . And if you look even closer, you'll see that some
are even topped with Mushroom-caps.
As it turns out, you're actually looking at a distant version of the Star Cup's Mushroom
City, where you'll actually race among those mushroom capped-buildings.
And in case you don't believe us, you can actually look across that same body of water
from the Mushroom City side of things during the final bend to spot the unmistakable bridge
of Mushroom Bridge.
And did you know that Mushroom City also doubles as the true home of the Special Cup's Rainbow
Road, which takes place directly overhead?
You can tell when racing there by the identical buildings far below, complete with the same
mushroom-topped structures.
Finally, let's head back to Mushroom Bridge one last time, because this course has the
distinct honor of affording a view of not just Mushroom City, but one more racetrack
as well.
If you look into the foggy distance just right of the first tunnel, you'll spot one of the
Mushroom Kingdom's most famous landmarks: Peach's Castle.
Yep, the very same one from the Flower Cup's Mario Circuit.
Who would have guessed that a Mario Kart game would pay so much attention to fictitious
geography?
And it's for that exact reason that these background details are among some of our favorite--not
only do they pay homage to Mario Sunshine before it, but they also stand on their own
in offering an unparalleled sense of making Mario Kart's world feel more like a real place.
And we think that's pretty darn cool.
And that wraps up this episode of Cool Bits for Mario Kart Double Dash.
Thanks for watching and make sure to keep an eye on GameXplain.com for more Cool Bits
and other things gaming too.