Mario Kart World is here with 32 unique tracks, all tied together by a semi-open world hub where players can literally drive from race to race.
It’s a fun twist on the classic formula, and longtime fans are already digging into every track, uncovering hidden details and Easter eggs scattered throughout. But one detail in particular has people talking: the return of Mario Circuit 3.
Yep, Mario Circuit 3 is back again—and that’s not really a surprise at this point. Originally from Super Mario Kart on the SNES, this classic track has now appeared in Mario Kart: Super Circuit, Mario Kart Wii, Mario Kart Tour, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, and now Mario Kart World. In fact, in Mario Kart World, a chunk of the new Mario Circuit course is literally the same as Mario Circuit 3. And some fans think there’s a deeper reason it keeps popping up.
Twitter user and well-known Mario blogger Supper Mario Broth has an interesting theory. According to development files from the original Super Mario Kart, Mario Circuit 3 might’ve been the very first track the devs ever built—meaning it could technically be the first-ever Mario Kart course. That would explain a lot. If that’s true, it makes sense that the devs (even across different generations of the team) keep revisiting it. It’s not just a solid track—it’s the foundation of the whole franchise.
Also Read: Unlocking All Karts in Mario Kart World (And Full Kart Stats)
A Nostalgic Core of the Series
Even though the current team working on Mario Kart World is probably very different from the original SNES devs, the love for Mario Circuit 3 seems to be alive and well. Fans on social media are echoing Supper Mario Broth’s theory, and many are sharing their own fun facts—like how the first custom texture made in Mario Kart Wii was for this exact track.
Players are also comparing Mario Circuit 3 to other iconic, frequently revisited video game locations—like Green Hill Zone from Sonic the Hedgehog or Whispy Woods from Kirby. It’s simple, it’s iconic, and it hits that nostalgic sweet spot just right.
So even if Mario Circuit 3 is just a small part of a larger track in Mario Kart World, its inclusion feels intentional. It’s a respectful nod to the course that helped launch over 30 years of kart-racing chaos. And honestly, what’s a Mario Kart game without a little nostalgia tucked into the corners of the racetrack?
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