We've been hearing new details about Mario Kart Wii recently, and it's pretty clear that there's going to be some notable tweaks made to the tried-and-trusted formula. Firstly, we should make one thing clear: we are genuinely thrilled about many of these modifications. Online leagues, global rankings, and online multiplayer for up to twelve people is the stuff dreams were made of back in 1991, when Super Mario Kart (above) was soaking up our afternoons like a particularly fun, addictive sponge (and on a tangential note, how well has that game aged?).
But look at some of the other changes being made: we already know about the bikes, but it looks like the game will also include aerial tricks and bike wheelies, introducing some sort of stunt element to the experience. Is this a case of Nintendo over-egging Mario Kart, in the same way that it over-egged Mario Kart: Double Dash!!? There's an awful lot to be excited about when it comes to Mario Kart Wii, but are you Mario Kart traditionalists concerned by some of these new developments, or is it simply too soon to tell?
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
2-07-2008 @ 9:07AM
Ethan Rom said...
I thought I was good at Mario Kart, till I saw this video. WOW!
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2-07-2008 @ 9:27AM
Leeroy said...
Was thinking the exact same thing!!!
Pretty happy with the announced additions to MarioKart so far, 12 player online should be a blast, especially when playing with friends only(although I wish they'd allow us voice comms for freinds games).
Can't wait for this game! The only reason I've kept hold of my Wii to be honest.
2-07-2008 @ 9:08AM
Don Day said...
I am concerned. I do not know how the aerial tricks are going to play in to the whole experience, but I hope it doesn't fuck up and otherwise great experience. Maybe its nothing. No one will really know until more detail are released on the game. I just hope they take out the ability to snake through courses like they had in the DS version. It just wasn't fun. If you wanted to compete online, you had to snake. No other choice. It took something out of the core experience. Plus, it really hurt my thumb.
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2-07-2008 @ 12:47PM
Yertle said...
Snaking was not unique to Mario Kart DS, it could be done all the way back to Mario Kart 64. I'm so sorry you had to be brutally made acquainted with due to WiFi play
2-07-2008 @ 9:16AM
Justin said...
I don't think they should tweek at all. Online is great a very welcome addition, but this game is all about the race and screwing people over with your weapons. Nothing more, Nothing Less.
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2-07-2008 @ 9:40AM
Stewart said...
What was wrong with double-dash? I personally loved that game. The only thing that I noticed that was changed was the two people on a kart, and I thought that was a blast. Anything new that they throw in, I will take it, and love it.
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2-07-2008 @ 3:39PM
Patrick said...
I'm totally with Stewart. Double Dash is a great game, and still my favorite Mario Kart by far. The only gameplay difference I could tell was having to press the "z" button sometimes to switch items. Other than that, it was just good 'ol Mario Kart, but with better tracks. Where's the problem?
2-08-2008 @ 2:20PM
Perry said...
Agreed. MKDD was one of the best in the series. (The original still holds the #1 place in my heart though.)
2-07-2008 @ 9:42AM
Don Day said...
Side note, I just watched the video. Holy shit did Toad get robbed!
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2-07-2008 @ 6:03PM
Cyantre said...
Seriously. I didn't expect that.
2-07-2008 @ 9:43AM
Tesche said...
All the additions, so far, seem to be things that will only affect you if you choose to participate in those elements. It looks as if the game will have new stuff for those who want it, but also the tried and true gameplay for those who crave that "classic" experience....
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2-07-2008 @ 10:07AM
Co said...
I'm still calling shenanigans on the GC controller support. I'm not buyin that one for a second. Nintendo wouldn't do that/hasn't done that outside of SSBB.
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2-07-2008 @ 12:03PM
Don Day said...
There are a few games where you can use the GameCube controller. RE4, Fire Emblem, Mortal Kombat, & Brawl. So it has been, and can be done.
But I forsee some sort of waggle funtionality in this game. Maybe when you do aerial tricks.
2-19-2008 @ 10:44AM
Don Day said...
Totally called it. You shake the Wiimote to do tricks upon becoming airbourne. And you can use the GC controller, Classic controller, and the Wiimote/Nunchuck combo.
2-07-2008 @ 10:07AM
Gerwurztraminer said...
I have to admit, when I first found out that in Double Dash you would have 2 characters per kart, I thought it would ruin the game.
BUT, mechanically speaking, all it does is give you better inventory control. So in that regard, it worked out well.
Nevertheless, I'm back to being hesitant about this "trick" thing, and until I play it for myself to see how it works, I don't like it.
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2-07-2008 @ 10:09AM
TVGenius said...
As long as they don't destroy it, I don't care. Just get it out sometime this year already...
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2-07-2008 @ 10:24AM
Louie said...
So when is Super Mario Kart coming to the VC???
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2-07-2008 @ 1:09PM
the real mii said...
i would expect they would time the snes release shortly before the game comes out to build hype...
2-07-2008 @ 11:09AM
Jon said...
I'm concerned as well. I like the traditional Mario Kart (with no tricks and just items) and i would hate for the game to stray off from its roots.
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2-07-2008 @ 11:28AM
Jared said...
I got the original Super Mario Kart a month or so after it was released all the way back in the early 90's. I was fortunate enough to have a birthday in close proximity. I miss the original. I wish they had come out with a sequel of that quality for the SNES. Not that Mario Kart 64 was bad. It was great too. You just can't beat that first taste, though. Super Mario Kart is the best. Makes me wish my SNES was still operational.
I played DD and didn't like it. I thought some of the tracks seemed short and chincy. The mechanics felt different, too. There were other impressions I had that are now lost in the abyss of my memory, but I just couldn't enjoy it. I hope that Mario Kart Wii is different. Is it going to be a true spiritual successor to the original? Or will it be like DD? I hope it won't betray it's roots. If Mario Kart DS is any indication, it could be much closer. This old gamer can only hope.
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2-07-2008 @ 12:55PM
Hot$auce_Magik said...
I really can't fathom why everyone shits on DD. I've owned and pwned all 3. I can honestly say that DD is by far the best in terms of racing. 64 has it for battle mode, (though to be honest, i didn't give DD much of a shot since 4 player racing is so fun) and the first one gets a lot of street cred for starting the kart genre all together. But in terms of sheer playability, DD is where its at. The controls are very simple. At first you don't have to change guys, the karts don't matter too much and powersliding is un-necessary. As you get better you start to incorporate more of the moves until you eventually master the grand daddy of them all...the mythical blue shell dodge. Its a great game that introduces more and more skills that are necessary to win as it goes. None of the others had that.
Double Dash is the best one, hands down. I'm a little nervous about MKwii but i can guarendamntee it will be fun, regardless of where it falls in the competition of the best mario kart game.
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2-07-2008 @ 3:06PM
Chris said...
I just want some normal kart racing, like the DS version. Simple, yet effective.
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2-07-2008 @ 3:37PM
Chris said...
The additions don't worry me. Nintendo is just broadening the game to have many different ways to play. If you want to race with the Wii Wheel and do tricks and stuff, go ahead. I'll probably stick with the GCN controller (if that's true) and normal karting. I just hope they keep snaking in the game. That is what made Mario Kart DS, in my opinion, one of the best and most addicting games for the DS (I can't decide between MKDS or Elite Beat Agents). I don't care if Nintendo varies from the formula as extra options. As long as they keep the same stuff from the previous games, I'll like it.
And the online seems great. Too bad Brawl won't have this sort of online.
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2-07-2008 @ 5:31PM
Jon said...
Give me a kart and some red shells and I'll take ya out! I don't a need a bike. I only own the SNES version personally. I liked the 64 version, and I've never played Double Dash.
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2-07-2008 @ 5:59PM
Dan K. said...
I owned Mario Kart for the SNES, played it for 64 also, but my favorite is DD. The control smooth, tracks are fun, battle mode pretty good, looks very polished and colorful, you have more items and weight shift abilities. I suppose people who like the extremely simple version would disagree, but I really think DD is the best to date. It's like Smash Bros 64 vs Melee. After playing Melee, going back is way too slow, simple, and polygonal. It's nice to go back to see how things have changed though.
As for MKWii, so far I just don't like how the karts(bikes) look: flimsy
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2-07-2008 @ 6:05PM
Cyantre said...
I personally think they are adding too much. It's suppose to be Super Mario Kart, not Super Mario Racing. They should concentrate there efforts on making a solid new Mario Kart game instead of adding all these seemlingly unneccessary extras. You should have an option to turn snaking on or off, especially in online play.
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2-08-2008 @ 2:17PM
Perry said...
Are the tricks mandatory? If not then what's the big deal?
And I've never understood the internet's dislike of MKDD. In my opinion it far out-shined MK64.
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