What is the name of the racing series that is a spinoff of "Super Mario Brothers"?

The beloved racing series that features characters from the "Super Mario Brothers" universe is called Mario Kart. This iconic franchise, developed and published by Nintendo, began with Super Mario Kart, which was released for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES) in 1992. It quickly became a critical and commercial success, establishing itself as a cornerstone of the kart racing genre.

The origins of Mario Kart are quite interesting, tracing back to a desire to create a two-player racing game following the single-player F-Zero. Developers at Nintendo experimented with a prototype featuring generic characters in overalls. However, upon inserting Mario into one of the karts, the team found it looked much better, leading to the decision to incorporate characters and elements from the Super Mario universe. The game utilized the SNES's "Mode 7" graphics, which allowed for the illusion of 3D environments, a groundbreaking technical achievement for its time.

Mario Kart's enduring popularity stems from its engaging gameplay that combines competitive racing with unpredictable item-based combat. Features like the power-slide mechanic, which allowed players direct control over drifting, and the ingenious item system that provided power-ups to even out races, revolutionized the racing game landscape. The series is credited with inventing the kart racing subgenre and has consistently delivered excellent experiences, influencing countless other titles and becoming a defining multiplayer experience for many gamers.