'Mario Kart 64' Wii U release date: Game arrives this week

'Mario Kart 64' comes to Wii U this Thursday. Twitter/Nintendo of Europe

Fans will be delighted to know that a Nintendo classic game from the 90's will be given a version intended for a more modern game console.

"Mario Kart 64," the popular Nintendo 64 racing game from 1996, will be arriving to Wii U almost 20 years after its release. According to the Twitter announcement posted by Nintendo of Europe, fans will start their Wii U Virtual Console experience of the game on Thursday, Jan. 21.

While players in Europe are ecstatic about the news, the same thing cannot be said for those in the North American territories.

Nintendo has not issued an announcement on the game's release in North America; it was also not mentioned if the Thursday release date will apply in the said region. However, the game is already available through the original Wii Virtual console.

According to Eurogamer, the game will be available for download for £8.99.

"Mario Kart 64" first came out in Japan in 1996. The following year, it was released in Europe and North America. The game was re-released for its Wii Virtual Console game in 2007.

"Mario Kart 64" can accommodate up to four players and it offers some of the most notable race courses in the game, which include Toad's Turnpike, Moo Moo Farm, and Yoshi Valley.

The game is also best known for the blue version of the Spiny Shell, which many players hated. The spiny shell was notorious for its purpose of targeting racers in the first place, or the player dominating the race, and explodes upon impact.

Those who can't enjoy the upcoming Wii U "Mario Kart 64," will just have to settle for "Mario Kart 8," which is an equally fun racing game.

Still, a lot of North American fans certainly hope that the popular game will be rolled out in their region.

 

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