Game · Medium risk
Is Mario Kart safe for your child?
Age guide
6+
We advise Mario Kart from age 6 and up. Overall risk 4/10 (medium risk).
- 5-8
- Younger players will enjoy the vibrant characters and simple controls in Mario Kart, often using the Smart Steering and Auto-Accelerate options to stay on track and focus on the fun of racing.
- 9-12
- Children in this age group will likely engage with the Grand Prix mode, aiming to unlock new characters and kart parts, and may start exploring online races against friends or global competitors.
- 13-15
- Teenagers often delve into the competitive aspects of Mario Kart, mastering advanced techniques like drift boosts and item management to improve their online ranking and challenge others in Battle Mode.
- 16+
- Older players might participate in community tournaments or focus on perfecting their time trial records, leveraging deep knowledge of track shortcuts and character/kart combinations for optimal performance.
Mario Kart is a popular kart racing game series featuring characters from the Super Mario franchise. Players race against each other using power-ups and items to gain an advantage.
- Age guide
- 6+
- Overall risk
- 4/10
- Violence
- 2/10
- Toxic behaviour
- 3/10
- Stranger contact
- 4/10
- Addiction risk
- 7/10
- Language
- 1/10
- Influence
- 2/10
What parents should know
Mario Kart is a family-friendly racing game with no in-app purchases or direct chat features, making it inherently safer than many online titles. The primary parental concern is managing screen time and ensuring a balanced approach to competitive play. Its focus on local multiplayer also offers excellent opportunities for shared family entertainment.
What to do about Mario Kart
Free with a Parentwise account. The age-by-age verdict needs your child's age, which is why it lives behind the account.
- The age-by-age verdict
What we advise for under 8, 8-12 and 13+ - our age guide for Mario Kart is 6+, and the answer changes with your child's age. - The one setting to change tonight
The exact Mario Kart setting that cuts the most risk, with the steps to find it. - What to say
Word-for-word openers for talking about Mario Kart without a row. - Red flags to watch for
The signals in Mario Kart that mean it is time to step in.
Mario Kart age rating and parents guide: common questions
What age rating is Mario Kart?
Parentwise puts Mario Kart at 6+. We advise Mario Kart from age 6 and up. Overall risk 4/10 (medium risk). Violence scores 2/10, language 1/10, stranger contact 4/10 and addiction risk 7/10.
Can a 10 year old play Mario Kart?
Yes, 10 is at or above the age we advise for Mario Kart (6+). Children in this age group will likely engage with the Grand Prix mode, aiming to unlock new characters and kart parts, and may start exploring online races against friends or global competitors.
Can a 12 year old play Mario Kart?
Yes, 12 is at or above the age we advise for Mario Kart (6+). Children in this age group will likely engage with the Grand Prix mode, aiming to unlock new characters and kart parts, and may start exploring online races against friends or global competitors.
Can a 13 year old play Mario Kart?
Yes, 13 is at or above the age we advise for Mario Kart (6+). Teenagers often delve into the competitive aspects of Mario Kart, mastering advanced techniques like drift boosts and item management to improve their online ranking and challenge others in Battle Mode.
Is Mario Kart appropriate for kids?
Mario Kart is a family-friendly racing game with no in-app purchases or direct chat features, making it inherently safer than many online titles. Parentwise rates Mario Kart overall as medium risk (4/10), with stranger contact at 4/10 and addiction risk at 7/10.
Is Mario Kart family friendly?
Mario Kart sits in the middle: fine with settings changed and an occasional check-in. The primary parental concern is managing screen time and ensuring a balanced approach to competitive play.
Mario Kart parents guide: what should a parent know first?
Mario Kart is a family-friendly racing game with no in-app purchases or direct chat features, making it inherently safer than many online titles. The parts that most often catch parents out are stranger contact (4/10) and how hard it pulls for more time (7/10).
Is Mario Kart safe for kids?
We advise Mario Kart from age 6 and up. Overall risk 4/10 (medium risk). The primary parental concern is managing screen time and ensuring a balanced approach to competitive play.
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Release and popularity data comes in part from RAWG, TVMaze (CC BY-SA) and Wikidata (CC0). Safety guidance is written by Parentwise.