Mario Kart - In Mario Kart, the characters from the Mario series of video games get together and race go-karts around a variety of tracks. Players can obtain random items by driving through (or over in Super Mario Kart) question mark blocks, which can be used for either defense, offense or by powering up the engine for a short amount of time (boost). Each Mario Kart game hosts several gameplay modes, which can be played in both singleplayer and multiplayer. In Time Trial the goal is to achieve the fastest time in the selected track. Players are usually given three mushrooms (speed boosts) which they can use any time during the trial. (There are exceptions, though. In SMK, players receive no items, in MKDD, players only receive two, and in MKDS 1-3 mushrooms are given depending on the selected vehicle's Item stat). Once a record is set, the game saves a ghost, a replay of the set record, to compete against. In Mario Kart 64, Mario Kart: Double Dash!!, and Mario Kart DS, the developers put in their own 'Staff Ghosts' for the player to race against. They must be unlocked by achieving a certain time which differs on each track. In Mario Kart Super Circuit and Mario Kart DS, it is also possible to download a ghost from friends. In Mario Kart DS, two ghosts (the player's own, and a friend's) can be saved. In Grand Prix, the Mario characters compete against each other in a themed Cup. There are usually four Cups: Mushroom Cup, Flower Cup, Star Cup and Special Cup.