Mario Kart 8 Toad/Standard Kart

       

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Made By:
Hot Wheels
Scale:
1/64
MSRP:
US$8.99
Overview:
Packaging (Design):9/10
Packaging (Durability):8/10
Casting (Body):8/10
Casting (Interior):N/A
Casting (Chassis):N/A
Casting (Engine):8/10
Paint (Exterior):9/10
Paint (Interior):8/10
Paint (Trim/Graphics):8/10
Overall Panel Fit:8/10
Total Score:8.3/10

 
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Hot Wheels Mario Kart Toad Standard Kart
Mario Kart Toad Standard Kart packaging Mario Kart Toad Standard Kart front detail Mario Kart Toad Standard Kart pedals Mario Kart Toad Standard Kart engine Mario Kart Toad Standard Kart chassis Mario Kart Toad Standard Kart rear

 
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Background

For Mario Kart 8 and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, the Standard Kart was redesigned to have more rounded bodywork and smaller engine block, similar to the design used in Mario Kart Arcade GP DX. It maintained its balanced specs, although those specs were different between the games. The Mario Kart 8 version had above average air speed and traction with below average acceleration and anti-gravity handling, while in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe version had increased acceleration, Mini-Turbo, anti-gravity speed, ground handling and anti-gravity handling at the expense of decreased traction and air speed.

 

Packaging

Unsurprising for a car sold under the Hot Wheels banner, the Kart is packaged on a traditional blister card. The blister is shaped to hold the wheels and lower sides of the car, allowing for enough space above for whichever character is driving. The cardback is slightly larger than the typical 1/64 diecast card, measuring 5½" (14cm) across and 6½" (16.5cm) tall. A large image of Mario, Luigi, and Bowser racing in their respective Karts takes up most of the background, but a large image of Toad and his name in a yellow band running up the right edge of the card immediately identify the character and make it much easier to search pegs to find a particular character in the store. The Hot Wheels logo appears at the top and bottom left corners, the Mattel bullet in the bottom right, and just below the Mario Kart title is a 2020 Toy of the Year Award badge. The back of the card has co-sells (Toadette, Blue Yoshi, Toad, Shy Guy, Dry Bones, Mario, Cat Peach, and Donkey Kong) and the requisite legal information. For a simple cardback, its designed well and very eye-catching, just don't expect to put it back in the blister if you want to take it out.

 

Casting/Paint

Mattel was obviously going to get a lot of mileage out of this design, so its nice to see that they did some very nice work with it. The design is simple, but clean with a nice tight fit between the diecast metal base and white plastic upper. The base and wheel hubs are painted yellow, while the front and side panels are painted blue. The engine block is a separate piece and appears to be black painted metal, with soft plastic exhaust pipes cast to match the block. They have yellow plastic tips, and the seat is a separate piece of rigid black plastic. Toad's icon is printed (slightly off-center) in the blue field on the nose, and a red taillight is painted on the tail.

Toad is attached to the seat with a large and obvious square plug. His paint and molding aren't quite as sharp as the Kart, with a visible seam up both sides of his body and around the circumference of his cap, but he still looks pretty good. That is, until you get to the steering wheel. In an effort to ensure the character is holding the wheel properly, the steering wheel is cast as part of his hands. Unfortunately, this makes for a disturbing fleshy pink steering wheel and column. They really should have added one more paint app in there.

 

Features/Accessories

No real features, but as I was reviewing it I noticed that the low center of gravity, short wheelbase, and Hot Wheels axles make it roll smooth and fast. If you wanted something for a Hot Wheels playset that ran like the devil, this ought to do it.

 

Accuracy

Not only is it a good replica of the Standard Kart, it's good enough to exactly place it in the history of Mario Kart. Mattel even created a new set of four-slot big & little wheels to replicate the look from the game. While this series is most often referred to as "1/64 scale," as with previous releases that really just means that it fits on tracks designed for that scale. Given Toad's size, the Kart is much closer to 1/24 scale.

 

Overall

I liked this a lot more than I thought I would. It's a fun little car, well built, and looks good. If you're interested in adding some Mario Kart vehicles to your collection, this is a great place to start.

 

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