Super Mario Kart is a racing game that can be played with one or two players (the latter being split-screen), contrary to the other games in the series where at least four people can play (in Mario Kart DS and Mario Kart Wii, 8 and 12 players can play at once, respectively). In single-player mode, it will still be split-screen though the bottom will feature a map of the stage.
Before the player starts the race, he/she has to pick one of eight different characters, including Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach, Yoshi, Bowser, Toad, Donkey Kong Jr., and Koopa Troopa. Afterwards, they have to pick one of four different cups with five courses in each. After each course, the player is rewarded a set amount of points; nine for first, six for second, three for third, and one for fourth. The top three characters with the most amount of points in the end of the five races wins. If the players get lower than fourth place, they have to retry the race.