Mario Kart is the most stressful game to play, according to new study

Mario Kart is officially the game that pushes your heart rate into overdrive, new research has revealed.

It's not just Bowser or Princess Peach racing around Koopa Troopa Beach, it's also your pulse at an extra 32.81 per cent over a half hour period, apparently.

The study put experienced games to the test to ascertain what was the most gruelling video game to play.

Players had a go at a multitude of titles including Skyrim, Call of Duty Modern Warfare, Grand Theft Auto, and more.

Researchers used heart rate monitors to test gamer reactions and found that Mario Kart elevated pulses by an average of 21 beats per minute.

That pushed the average resting heart rate from 64 beats per minute to 85 beats per minute.

Wachirawit Iemlerkchai / Alamy

Other games that made it into the top five after everyone's favourite Italian plumber included FIFA (31 per cent increase), Call of Duty Modern Warfare (30 per cent increase), Dark Souls III (28 per cent increase) and Fortnite (27 per cent increase).

Just for the record, a 30 per cent increase in heart rate is the equivalent of going for a brisk walk.

Fintan Costello, Managing Director at BonusFinder who conducted the study, said: "If you are looking for a timeless classic, Mario Kart remains a fan favourite even after three decades."

"What the study highlights is quite remarkable, despite all the newcomers with improved graphics and increased spending, the old Nintendo formula is still irresistible to gamers and nothing can replace the jeopardy of a red shell on the last lap of a race."

He added: "It’s interesting to see in so many of these games, the increase in heart rate is equivalent to doing light exercise, which might explain why it feels like it takes plenty of energy out of those playing them."

On the flip side, several games were found to destress players.

Shinji Ikari/YouTube

Research indicated Animal Crossing, The Sims, and - oddly enough - Skyrim all lowered player heart rates.

Some games lowered heart rates by as much as five per cent, which is interesting for Skyrim considering you play an actual dragon slayer that imbibes the actual souls of the recently killed scaly monsters.

Well, that's enough of an excuse for me.

Consider this as this writer signing off to return to Tamriel to somehow both be a killer werewolf who turned into a vampire that got kicked out of the thieves guild.

Damn you, thieves guild.