How Many Characters Are Unlockable In Mario Kart 64?

Mario Kart 64 features a total of eight racers, with half of them available from the start and the rest hidden behind specific achievements. This article provides a definitive count of how many characters are unlockable in Mario Kart 64 and outlines the specific Grand Prix cups required to add Wario, Donkey Kong, Bowser, and Yoshi to your playable roster.

Starting Roster vs. Unlockable Roster

When players first boot up the game, they have immediate access to four characters. These starting racers include Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach, and Toad. To complete the full lineup, players must unlock the remaining four characters. Therefore, there are exactly four unlockable characters in Mario Kart 64.

How to Unlock Each Character

Unlocking the hidden racers requires winning specific cups in the 150cc Grand Prix mode. Each character is tied to a specific cup victory. Once the condition is met, the character becomes available for selection in all game modes.

• Wario: Win the Extra Cup in 150cc Grand Prix.
• Donkey Kong: Win the Lightning Cup in 150cc Grand Prix.
• Bowser: Win the Star Cup in 150cc Grand Prix.
• Yoshi: Win the Flower Cup in 150cc Grand Prix.

Completing the Full Roster

Once all four unlockable characters are added, players gain access to the full weight class variety offered by the game. Wario and Bowser represent the heavy weight class, while Donkey Kong and Yoshi fill out the middle and light categories respectively alongside the starting four. Achieving 100% completion regarding the roster ensures that every track and vehicle combination is available for multiplayer races and time trials.