Mario Kart Wii

true Game: Mario Kart Wii Genre: Kart Racer Platform: Nintendo Wii <img src="/contributed/1209580626cf3L66e6GU.jpg" width="400" height="400"> I’ve always considered myself a big fan of the Mario Kart series, but when I really think about it, what I’m really a fan of is the first game in the franchise, the 16-bit SNES gem. Mario Kart 64 fell a little short for me due to my dislike of the controller, and somehow I missed out on Double Dash entirely, as well as the two handheld installments that came out. However, now my Mario Kart fandom is back in full force, and it’s all because of Mario Kart Wii. If you’ve ever played a Mario Kart game before, you already know the drill. Mario and his friends compete against each other, or in teams, on zany race courses, many of which are environments from previous Mario platformers. Of course, Battle Mode has also made another appearance if you get a little tired of straight racing. In addition to 16 remade courses from previous Kart titles, there are 16 brand-new tracks, and plenty of characters and vehicles to enjoy. While this isn’t exactly redefining the Mario Kart formula in any way, there’s more than enough new content to make the game feel fresh. <img src="/contributed/1209580303lSmQuQNEMj.jpg"> Like Super Smash Bros. Brawl, Mario Kart Wii gives the player several options as far as controls go. The game comes packaged with the Wii Wheel, in which you can place your remote and use it like an arcade-style steering wheel. This was personally my favorite method of control. It works well, and just adds a uniquely new level of fun to the game that the previous games did not have. However, if you are not a fan of the Wheel (or don’t want to pay $14.99 for a second one), worry not; the Wii remote-and-nunchuk combo also works great, as does using a Gamecube or Classic Controller. Basically, as long as you’re not using the remote solo, you’re all set. I was hoping that this game would be up to the graphical level that Super Mario Galaxy and Twilight Princess proved that the Wii could achieve, but it’s not quite there. Still, it does look pretty, with the bright array of colors that should be expected from any game with the word “Mario” in the title. Technical limitations aside, I loved seeing some of the classic tracks from every previous Mario Kart game on the Wii, especially those from the original game. <img src="/contributed/1209580268Jl7lHC1vbX.jpg"> I also loved the amount of options you have as a player. At the start of the game, there are a good number of courses, vehicles, and racers available, with even more to be unlocked. The addition of motorbikes to the mix just means even more alternatives to keep the gameplay being new and fun. Although controlling a bike isn’t that much different than driving a kart, the extra tricks the player can pull off for a short burst of speed just adds another level of challenge to the game. As far as online play goes, Mario Kart Wii pretty much triumphs over most other Wii titles. Sure, it’s still no Xbox Live, and friends codes certainly are annoying, but this game definitely makes the most of what it has when it comes to Nintendo’s subpar online service. Finding a race online could not be simpler, and in my experience, I didn’t have any problems with lag or any other issues to speak of. It would be nice to have voice chat if I was racing with my friends, but since I couldn’t care less about trash-talking to complete strangers while we raced, it didn’t bother me too much. Overall, this is a great online achievement for the Wii. <img src="/contributed/1209580318LgoVQgTkj4.jpg"> Of course, not everything about this game is completely loveable. There are now up to twelve racers on the track at a time, which seems like an improvement, in theory. In reality, however, it can lead to a crowded racing area and some definite frustration. A big part of Mario Kart has always been about using various power-ups to either enhance yourself or hinder others, but it feels like the attacks are being used far too much and in too unforgiving a manner with twelve players in a race. Some of the new items are neat and quirky, like a squid squirting ink on your screen so that your vision is partially impaired. However, others—you know who I’m referring to, blue shell of doom that automatically destroys whoever is in the lead—just seem brutally unfair, as if you’re being punished for being in first place. I have no problem with some friendly competition, and I certainly welcome a challenge, but there should be a better balance. There were times (and yes, I counted) when I was in first place and got hit with literally 8-10 attacks in a row. It just gets a little overwhelming. Despite Mario Kart Wii’s shortcomings, it’s an incredibly fun game that just about every Wii owner should have. Between the local and online multiplayer, as well as the plethora of single-player challenges available, this is the kind of game that has a ton of replay value. No, it’s not an overhaul, but it is an extremely solid entry in the series that lives up to the Mario Kart name. <img src="/contributed/1209581510nhv1FjrdaB.jpg">   <a href="http://www.gamerankings.com"><img src="/contributed/12049090913D6uenyIJz.jpg" width="111" height="42"></a><a href="http://www.metacritic.com/games"><img src="/contributed/1204909164Gepk74pXtB.jpg" width="154" height="51"></a>   Related Articles: <a href="/gamer/sarah/news/article/new_mario_kart_gameplay_footage/">New Mario Kart Gameplay Footage</a> <a href="/gamer/coop/news/article/mario_kart_wii_went_through_many_wheels/">Mario Kart Wii Went Through Many Wheels</a> <a href="/gamer/sarah/news/article/mario_kart_wii_intro_video/">Mario Kart Wii Intro Video</a> review

2008-04-30T14:54:17-04:00

Game: Mario Kart Wii Genre: Kart Racer Platform: Nintendo Wii <img src="/contributed/1209580626cf3L66e6GU.jpg" width="400" height="400" /> I’ve always considered myself a big fan of the Mario Kart series, but when I really think about it, what I’m really a fan of is the first game in the franchise, the 16-bit SNES gem. Mario Kart 64 fell a little short for me due to my dislike of the controller, and somehow I missed out on Double Dash entirely, as well as the two handheld installments that came out. However, now my Mario Kart fandom is back in full force, and it’s all because of Mario Kart Wii. If you’ve ever played a Mario Kart game before, you already know the drill. Mario and his friends compete against each other, or in teams, on zany race courses, many of which are environments from previous Mario platformers. Of course, Battle Mode has also made another appearance if you get a little tired of straight racing. In addition to 16 remade courses from previous Kart titles, there are 16 brand-new tracks, and plenty of characters and vehicles to enjoy. While this isn’t exactly redefining the Mario Kart formula in any way, there’s more than enough new content to make the game feel fresh. <img src="/contributed/1209580303lSmQuQNEMj.jpg" /> Like Super Smash Bros. Brawl, Mario Kart Wii gives the player several options as far as controls go. The game comes packaged with the Wii Wheel, in which you can place your remote and use it like an arcade-style steering wheel. This was personally my favorite method of control. It works well, and just adds a uniquely new level of fun to the game that the previous games did not have. However, if you are not a fan of the Wheel (or don’t want to pay $14.99 for a second one), worry not; the Wii remote-and-nunchuk combo also works great, as does using a Gamecube or Classic Controller. Basically, as long as you’re not using the remote solo, you’re all set. I was hoping that this game would be up to the graphical level that Super Mario Galaxy and Twilight Princess proved that the Wii could achieve, but it’s not quite there. Still, it does look pretty, with the bright array of colors that should be expected from any game with the word “Mario” in the title. Technical limitations aside, I loved seeing some of the classic tracks from every previous Mario Kart game on the Wii, especially those from the original game. <img src="/contributed/1209580268Jl7lHC1vbX.jpg" /> I also loved the amount of options you have as a player. At the start of the game, there are a good number of courses, vehicles, and racers available, with even more to be unlocked. The addition of motorbikes to the mix just means even more alternatives to keep the gameplay being new and fun. Although controlling a bike isn’t that much different than driving a kart, the extra tricks the player can pull off for a short burst of speed just adds another level of challenge to the game. As far as online play goes, Mario Kart Wii pretty much triumphs over most other Wii titles. Sure, it’s still no Xbox Live, and friends codes certainly are annoying, but this game definitely makes the most of what it has when it comes to Nintendo’s subpar online service. Finding a race online could not be simpler, and in my experience, I didn’t have any problems with lag or any other issues to speak of. It would be nice to have voice chat if I was racing with my friends, but since I couldn’t care less about trash-talking to complete strangers while we raced, it didn’t bother me too much. Overall, this is a great online achievement for the Wii. <img src="/contributed/1209580318LgoVQgTkj4.jpg" /> Of course, not everything about this game is completely loveable. There are now up to twelve racers on the track at a time, which seems like an improvement, in theory. In reality, however, it can lead to a crowded racing area and some definite frustration. A big part of Mario Kart has always been about using various power-ups to either enhance yourself or hinder others, but it feels like the attacks are being used far too much and in too unforgiving a manner with twelve players in a race. Some of the new items are neat and quirky, like a squid squirting ink on your screen so that your vision is partially impaired. However, others—you know who I’m referring to, blue shell of doom that automatically destroys whoever is in the lead—just seem brutally unfair, as if you’re being punished for being in first place. I have no problem with some friendly competition, and I certainly welcome a challenge, but there should be a better balance. There were times (and yes, I counted) when I was in first place and got hit with literally 8-10 attacks in a row. It just gets a little overwhelming. Despite Mario Kart Wii’s shortcomings, it’s an incredibly fun game that just about every Wii owner should have. Between the local and online multiplayer, as well as the plethora of single-player challenges available, this is the kind of game that has a ton of replay value. No, it’s not an overhaul, but it is an extremely solid entry in the series that lives up to the Mario Kart name. <img src="/contributed/1209581510nhv1FjrdaB.jpg" />   <a href="http://www.gamerankings.com"><img src="/contributed/12049090913D6uenyIJz.jpg" width="111" height="42" /></a><a href="http://www.metacritic.com/games"><img src="/contributed/1204909164Gepk74pXtB.jpg" width="154" height="51" /></a>   Related Articles: <a href="/gamer/sarah/news/article/new_mario_kart_gameplay_footage/">New Mario Kart Gameplay Footage</a> <a href="/gamer/coop/news/article/mario_kart_wii_went_through_many_wheels/">Mario Kart Wii Went Through Many Wheels</a> <a href="/gamer/sarah/news/article/mario_kart_wii_intro_video/">Mario Kart Wii Intro Video</a>

8159

3355

2008-04-30T17:10:57-04:00

2008-04-30T14:54:17-04:00

9789

8.0

mario_kart_wii published Get Behind the Wheel Mario Kart Wii - Wii

2009-03-02T14:32:34-05:00

763