The Rank A mansion from Luigi's Mansion can be seen in the background of Luigi Circuit.

Console Cameo: There's a battle course that takes place on a Nintendo GameCube.

Hacks of Mario Kart Wii reveal that they were once considered for inclusion in that game, but since they didn't the absence has been upheld to this day.

Chuck Cunningham Syndrome: Petey Piranha and Koopa Paratroopa have not appeared in any Mario Kart games since.

That is, until Mario Kart Wii, which includes her and a Baby Daisy.

Cheerful Child: Toadette, who made her debut in this game.

Cartoon Juggling: Some characters, when holding onto Double or Triple Shells or Mushrooms, will juggle them in one hand, whether they're driving ◊ or in the backseat ◊.

However, a lighter kart will end up bouncing off a heavier kart instead.

A heavier kart will shove a lighter kart out of the way if the receiving kart is going too slowly or holding still.

A Mushroom boost allows you to steal an item from a kart that you ram while going at high speed.

It was unofficially brought back in Mario Kart 7 through an internet custom group, and then Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. This game is also the first one to have 'Bob-omb Battle', which is where karts would attack each other with nothing but Bob-ombs. Saint Elimine will appear if you link up the bonus disk to your Blazing Blade copy to get her to give you items.

Canon Foreigner: An unusual example that doesn't happen in the main game itself.

The Cameo: Donkey Kong, Jr., of all choices, appears as one of the crowd members of Waluigi Stadium.

The Bus Came Back: Koopa Troopa, one of the playable racers from the original Super Mario Kart, returns after being missing from 64 and Super Circuit.

Bottomless Pit Rescue Service: Lakitu fishes racers out of pits, water, lava, or any other hazard which may be sitting under the tracks.

This essentially turns most races between two human players into 'whoever picks the Koopas wins'. While they're certainly not as unique as the other characters' special items, they're by far the most useful, and they show up nearly as often as regular shells to boot.

Unlike other games in the series where anyone could get them, Triple Shells are limited only to these two (and King Boo and Petey Piranha).

Boring, but Practical: Koopa Troopa and Koopa Paratroopa's unique items are Triple Green or Red Shells.

Big Boo's Haunt: Used on the battle course 'Luigi's Mansion'.

Super mario kart double dash