Pre- Countdown Timer

The Pre-race Countdown Timer (Also known as Pre-Battle Countdown Timer or Countdown Timer) is a special feature from the Mario Kart series that involves Lakitu, his Start Signal, and a timer that counts down from 2 in the 1st 3 games (3 in later games) to the official start of the race/battle. The race/battle officially starts when the signal turns green or when the word GO! appears on the game screen (START! in Double Dash!! and DS).

Depending on which Mario Kart game you're playing, which game mode you're using, and which track or arena you're racing or battling on, the sequence changes from game to game. (For example: In this picture shown to the right, if you're playing Mario Kart Wii and you're racing on Luigi Circuit, then the official countdown sequence for this game is: 3, 2, 1... GO!)

Another example: If you're playing Mario Kart: Super Circuit shown to the left and the course is Rainbow Road, then Ready, Set... GO! is the sequence.

Special Ability for the Player
During that time, the player must rev up the engine on the kart or bike and if you time it just right, you can perform a Rocket Start or a Double Dash!! (Again, depending on the game). For Mario Kart DS and Mario Kart Wii if the player starts to accelerate as the 2 starts to go away you will be given a slight boost that will help you at the start of this race.

Official Sequence

 * Super Mario Kart to Mario Kart: Super Circuit: Ready, Set... GO! (Also known as: On Your Marks, Get Set... GO!)
 * Mario Kart: Double Dash!! and Mario Kart DS: 3, 2, 1... Start!
 * Mario Kart Arcade GP to Mario Kart Wii: 3, 2, 1... GO!