
Despite having a number of genuinely exciting events, the Winter Olympics is also home to a couple of head-scratchers (I watched the men’s slalom with the Wikipedia entry open trying to work out why some skiers were incurring penalties), and some can get kind of repetitive if watched for more than a few minutes at a time. One event I did enjoy watching, though, was the speed skating; those dudes zip around that track–with blades on their feet–at speeds that would probably make me vomit.
But imagine how much more exciting that event would be if participants had access to the full arsenal of weapon items from Nintendo’s Mario Kart racing games? As this hilarious video shows, with some green shells, a handful of banana skins, and the occasional competitor-shrinking lightning bolt, this event could be so much more interesting.
With superb commentary from its makers Michael Shanks and Nicholas Issel, “Sochi 2014: Men’s Speed Skating Double Dash Final” takes place at an icy version of the Baby Park course from Nintendo Gamecube title Mario Kart: Double Dash!! and sees the male skaters pull out every sneaky trick in the book in order to win.
▼ There are green shells
▼Cunningly placed bananas
▼ And even Chain Chomps
I won’t spoil the ending for you, but let’s just say that it involves something that anyone who has played even a couple of games of Mario Kart in their lifetime will know has the power to end friendships and result in broken controllers.
Enjoy!
Fingers crossed for some similar hijinks at the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympics!




Wii U’s Mario Kart 8 shaping up nicely, makes us grin like idiots
Japanese gamers share their most memorable Mario Kart moments
Nintendo Shutting Down Real World Mario Kart Fraud
Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit: Is it as cool as it looks in the trailer?【Review】
Uno Mario Kart is ready to take the action from the track to the cards with cool crossover rule
Silicone testicle covers banned from Japanese sauna following cups being left behind and on shelves
Starbucks Japan unveils new sakura cherry blossom collection for hanami season 2026
Japan’s cherry blossom season predicted to start earlier than we’d thought, especially in Tokyo
Mister Donut unveils new sakura doughnuts for cherry blossom season 2026
Cherry blossom Totoro cake brings pink sakura sweetness to Tokyo this White Day
Studio Ghibli now sells Ursula’s backpack from Kiki’s Delivery Service at its anime shop in Japan
One Piece creator has hidden secret of anime treasure’s identity in chest at bottom of real-world ocean
Japanese government planning higher ticket prices for foreign tourists at Tokyo National Museum
7-Eleven Japan now sells bagels…cooked in bamboo steamers
Is Tokyo Station’s startlingly expensive wagyu bento boxed lunch worth its high price?[Taste test]
Starbucks Japan releases first-ever Hinamatsuri Girls’ Day Frappuccino
Japanese restaurant chain serves Dragon Ball donuts and Senzu Beans this spring
Live-action One Piece’s Luffy teaches Sesame Street’s Elmo a Japanese word for friendship[Video]
Sakura Festival in Chiyoda mixes illuminations, boats, music, and Rilakkuma in the heart of Tokyo
Japan’s craziest burger chain takes menchi katsu to new extreme levels
Viral Japanese cheesecake from Osaka has a lesser known rival called Aunt Wanda
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Foreigners accounting for over 80 percent of off-course skiers needing rescue in Japan’s Hokkaido
Super-salty pizza sends six kids to the hospital in Japan, linguistics blamed
Starbucks Japan unveils new sakura Frappuccino for cherry blossom season 2026
Foreign tourists in Japan will get free Shinkansen tickets to promote regional tourism
The 10 most annoying things foreign tourists do on Japanese trains, according to locals
Take a trip to Japan’s Dododo Land, the most irritating place on Earth
Naruto and Converse team up for new line of shinobi sneakers[Photos]
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
Drunk driving Mario Kart【Experiment】
New Mario Kart Happy Meal toys are racing up to McDonald’s Japan【Video】
Nintendo announces its next mobile app release: Mario Kart Tour!
Trial begins in the case of Mario Kart v. Mari Car
Mario Kart Arcade Grand Prix DX screeching into game centres across Japan this month
Tokyo’s “real-life Mario Kart” go-kart rental company loses lawsuit against Nintendo
Nintendo wins 50-million yen lawsuit against operator of Tokyo “real-life Mario Kart” company
MariCar Mario Kart driver mounts pavement, causes serious damage in Tokyo accident
Tokyo’s new “real-life Mario Karts” make it ridiculously clear they’re unrelated to Nintendo
Play Mario Kart on your living room floor (using robots!) with this awesome motion camera system
Bros? Kart? Party? Japanese gamers pick their top 5 Mario series
Luigi’s ‘death stare’ makes it into Japanese Mario Kart 8 commercial
Burn Rubber with Competition-Spec Mario Kart Erasers
Nintendo taxis?! Peruvian cabs outfitted with Mario Kart 8 setups for rear passengers to play
Mario Kart makes the leap to virtual reality at new Tokyo VR entertainment center【Video】
First look at Universal Studios’ Mario Kart ride, Super Nintendo World’s opening date revealed【Vid】