Luigi Circuits

History:

There are several tracks named after Luigi, all appearing in the Mushroom Kingdom. The Track was first designed in 1957 to compete with the earlier Mario Circuit. Luigi was able to purchase rights to remodeling the course in 1989 after winning tremendous amounts of coins scattered around the Kingdom's areas as well as from being one of the only humans in a land full of Mushroom People. His political power at its peak yet still subservient to his out-of-shape brother, Mario, Luigi purchased the rights for his namesake track to be the Opener for the Mushroom Cup in almost all incarnations of Mario Kart.

64:

The prototype Luigi course is the first track in the Mushroom Cup of Mario Kart 64, a trend that continued for every Console Mario Kart game. Being the firs track, the composite Luigi Circuit is two wide curves connected by a long straightaway. There are also usually a shallow gradient, here the road dips as the Karts enter a Brick Tunnel. The only other outstanding feature is the hot air balloon that dips down with an additional item box, said to contain a precious Blue Shell. Luigi, being an average, all-around driver, excels at this course, although it would be difficult or anyone not to.

This track comes back as the initial Retro Track for Mart Kart 7. It remains virtually identical though, not incorporating any of the more recent play developments, although it's notable that it leads off the Retro Cups, perhaps providing a reason why the Original Tracks begin with a Toad Circuit. The Staff Ghost here, naturally, is Luigi. The Normal goes 02:04.317 using the Standard Kart, Slick Wheels, and Super Glider. That's a tough combo but with a friendly, straight track like this there are much better speed options. The Expert upgrades to the Pipe Frame and Parafoil while keeping the same wheels at 01:52.206. Again, there are much faster Karts available on such an straightforward course.

Super Circuit:

The Luigi Super Circuit Course really breaks with tradition. Not only is leading off the Lightning Cup instead of the Mushroom Cup (in the only game wherein the Lightning Cup is not a Bonus Cup), but it abandons its familiar shape for a twisty crazy path through an otherwise unremarkable locale. It's also one of the few Mario Kart courses to feature a weather pattern, it's always rainy on this Luigi Circuit. Is this a sign of Luigi's loneliness and discontent? Likely. It's also clearly bordering farmland, perhaps it has more in common with the Moo Moo Regions than it does with the Circuits that take place in the heart of the Mushroom Kingdom. This also came back as a Retro Course in DS, in which the Staff Ghost is Luigi in the Poltergust 4000 doing a 1:46:581.

Double Dash:

You can see that the GCN course preserved the same basic concept as the Original Luigi Raceway, although it has added boosts along the outside of the wide turns and the straightaway is shared by racers flying towards both ends, which may result in some mayhem. There are some sneaky shortcuts worth some double-item boxes, one of which is guarded by a Chain Chomp. You really get a feel for the Mushroom Kingdom here, with its idyllic plains, intriguing shroom-like architecture and pipe motif. Most Karts would do well in this level, but I'd tend to side with Karts that have a high Top Speed due to the straightaway and the fact that no special handling is necessary to take the wide turns. Luigi's NEW Mansion is also visible on the outskirts on this course. Perhaps Luigi builds his courses on his OWN land, a remarkable trait for his family. Double Dash had secret Staff Ghosts to unlock, this track features a Luigi/Mario Combo in the Red Fire cruising a time of 1:26:277. DS also featured this track in the Retro Circuit and Luigi by himself goes 1:29:759 in the Poltergust 4000.

DS:

There is no Luigi Circuit in DS, likely because Luigi took ownership of the much cooler Luigi's Mansion course. The Mushroom Cup leads off with the Figure-8 Circuit though which is in spirit exactly like the other Luigi Courses. It features only long straightaways and wide turns except instead of sharing the central straightaway it forms into the eponymous Figure-8 instead. It's actually surprising not more Luigi Circuits followed this pretty simple design. It has the slight hills as well. Actually this is exactly a Luigi Circuit in all but name and appearance of a Green-Capped Plumber. Still, its Ghost is Mario in the Standard MR pulling a 1:36:481.

Wii:

The Wii edition broke with the exact layout of the typical Luigi Circuit but it has the same idea. Wide Curves and lots of straightaways. It does retain a slight slope as well as plenty of boosters during its widest curve. It really only loses its symmetry. Luigi has erected a giant statue of himself on this course, surely a sign of his increasing jealousy and hostility towards his fatter yet more popular brother. This is again not a horribly difficult course for any particular driver. There's not a whole lot of Offroad action besides the jump shortcut that may be used for a little boost, and even the worst handling Karts should be able to take these turns. The Normal Ghost is Luigi in the B Dasher Mk 2 at 01:29.670 while the Expert goes 01:19.419 in the Mach Bike.