Mario Kart 8

Music Park is a whimsical course that takes place on a winding circuit seemingly floating in space. As you would expect from the name, pretty much everything on this track is music-themed. There is a giant xylophone and piano, as well as huge tambourines that act like Mushroom Trampolines. There are marimba- and vibraphone-themed turns, and walls adorned with musical staffs.

The best part of Music Park is how well it incorporates its theme into its sound design. The different instruments make their own sounds when driven over or passed by, so the soundtrack changes with every massive piano key and tambourine that racers drift and bounce over.

Large creatures called Bouncing Notes can be seen jumping up and down to the rhythm. Anybody who is passing beneath a Bouncing Note when it lands will be flattened and spin out. However, if players are near one of the notes when it hits the ground, they will be launched into the air and can take advantage of the air time with a trick boost. As a side note, with every lap, the music notes bounce faster.

It isn’t just the Bouncing Notes that are enjoying themselves on Music Park. Headbanging Piranha Plants can also be found here, and just like on so many other Mario Kart tracks, they have decided to make a nuisance of themselves. They chomp to the beat as racers drive past, but the circle of light surrounding them signals their biting range – as long as you stay out of the light, they won’t be able to reach you.

Next time, Yoshi’s Valley – an idyllic sanctuary with several interconnected routes twisting and turning through a sprawling canyon.