Video games have changed a lot over the past four decades. We’ve moved from 8-bit pixel representations to full-fledged 3D animated movie-like graphics. Visuals aren’t the only area where games have evolved, though. Since the beginning, several titles such as Uncharted, Crysis, Grand Theft Auto, Mario Kartand more have really changed the way people consume games by developing concepts and features that developers still use today.
One of those features is ghosting that allows players to record their best times in time trial modes and review them to get better. These time trial ghosts also help players analyze other champions and their record gameplay to see how they can improve.
9 Super Mario Galaxy – Cosmic Mario
Over the years, many video games have shown time trial ghosts, but only a few titles have made them iconic. One of those games is the best platformer on the Wii, Super Mario Galaxy. The popular Nintendo title appeared in 2007 and quickly became a must-have for their motion-based video game console.
Super Mario Galaxy featured fun gameplay, which didn’t use the concept of old Mario games, but instead didn’t use the power of the console to bring out something new. The action-adventure title also featured a nice time trial mode, where players saw the Cosmic Mario ghost for the first time.
8 Diddy Kong Racing – TT
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Diddy Kong Racing is a 1997 Nintendo game that failed to reach the success point of other popular racing games. However, it did stand out because it is one of the few titles with a secondary character as the main character. Diddy Kong is a fictional monkey from the 1994 cult classic Donkey Kong Country.
Since then, he has become quite an iconic character in the franchise and often reappears in games such as Super Mario Party, Mario Party: Star Rushand more. Diddy Kong Racing also includes other iconic characters, such as the time trial ghost TT
7 Sonic & Sega All-Stars Racing – Speed Star
Sonic & Sega All-Stars Racing is a 2010 kart racing game that came out on a plethora of platforms including Nintendo Wii, Sony PlayStation 3, Microsoft Xbox 360, Nintendo DS, Windows, Mac OS X, Arcade, iOS, Android and more. The game is Sega’s attempt to take on Nintendo’s popular racing game, Mario Kart, but with its own set of characters such as Sonic, Banjo & Kazooie, Dr. Eggman, Shadow, Tails, Knuckles, Amy, etc.
In the same vein as other titles on the list, Sonic & Sega All-Stars Racing has a time trial mode where Sonic’s legendary vehicle Speed Star stands out as the time trial ghost.
6 TrackMania – CarSport
TrackMania is probably the most unique racing game in today’s gaming stratosphere. The game is popular because it stands out compared to other games such as: Need for speed or Forza Horizonwhere the vehicle is more important than the race itself.
In TrackMania, the goal of the player is to master specific tracks and get the best timeout regardless of the vehicle. Ubisoft’s racing game relies more on timing and reflexes than any other title on the list. The most iconic car in TrackMania is CarSport, also the most recognizable time trial ghost in it.
5 Kirby Super Star – Star
Nintendo is responsible for building many iconic video game franchises, such as: Super Mario, Metroid, The Legend of Zelda, and more. However, they also made some great video games that don’t get as much recognition as the others. One of those titles is Kirby Super Star which originally came out on Super Nintendo Entertainment System in 1996.
Nintendo later re-released the action platform game on the Nintendo DS in 2008, which became quite a success with over two million sales. In the core, Kirby Super Star is an anthology game that offers different old and new modes. One such feature is the Gourmet Race, where players encounter the amazing star-shaped time trial spirit.
4 Crash Team Racing – Nefarious Tropy
Like Sega and Nintendo, Sony also tried to build a kart racing game with their own characters. The result was: Crash Team Racing, which originally came out exclusively for PlayStation in 1999. Sony’s Kart racer was part of the popular Crash Bandicoot franchisee.
It featured characters such as Crash, Dr. Neo Cortex, Tiny Tiger, Coco Bandicoot, Dingodile, Polar, Nitros Oxide, Penta Penguin and more. However, the only character that stood out was antagonist Nefarious Tropy (aka Dr. N. Tropy), who became iconic for being the game’s time trial spirit.
3 MotoGP 21 – Wayne Gardner’s Honda NSR-500-1992
MotoGP titles are probably the most authentic motorcycle racing simulation games on the market. However, MotoGP 21 takes realism to a new level by building immersive gameplay and “the most authentic racing experience on two wheels”. The latest game of the series deals with the 2021 season of the main motorcycle event.
It allows players to control their management career and join the official teams that make sure MotoGP special. Because the game is so detailed, it includes real-life tracks, areas and bikes. One such bike is Wayne Michael Gardner, a legendary Honda NSR-500-1992, who can also be a time trial spirit.
2 Sonic Generations – Doppelganger Sonic
Sonic Generations is an action-adventure platformer that originally came out in November 2011. It is a ten-year-old title that is widely available on platforms such as PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Windows, and Nintendo 3DS. Sega’s classic Sonic title wasn’t the best in the franchise, but it offered players a lot of new things by harnessing the power of old consoles.
The game had more than eight levels, seven familiar bosses, and dozens of new skills and techniques to master. Sonic Generations also offered a race mode in which Sonic’s doppelgänger would play the role of the time trial ghost.
1 Mario Kart 8 Deluxe – Gold Mario & Gold Standard Kart
Finally, there is the most iconic title on the list with the hugely popular time trial spirit. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is the latest game in the main series and features some of the most nostalgic characters. It has Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach, Princess Daisy, Rosalina, Yoshi, Toad, Koopa Troopa, Shy Guy, Toadette, King Boo, and a dozen more.
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe also includes unique staff spirits for various time trial races. However, the one that stands out is Gold Mario, who appears on the track, Mario Kart Stadium.
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