Mario Kart Wii

[Zechs Merquise]

With the rumour circulating over Mario Kart being shown at E3, what would you like to see in a Wii version of Mario Kart?

For me, this is one of my favorite series of all time. I loved it on the SNES, N64 and on the Cube, and I would snap this one up straight away.

Personally, I think this is the online game that the world has been waiting for. I'd like it to be more like Mario Kart on the N64, with real karts (not the GC style ones). I'd like Wii and Classic controls in there also.

[willowtheory]

I agree with you on the karts thing, i'd prefer the real karts as opposed to the GC style ones.

I think online play is essential in this title, it could really give the wii a big online boost, and seems like the perfect title for online play.

I hope they put 2 lots of control methods in the game 2, id love controls like excite for truck this title, that'd rock!

apart from that, im just hoping for lots of tracks and weapons, and the general quality you come to expect from a mario kart title

[Chris the great]

i think id like a mix of DD and DS, take the caracter specific powerups from DD, put in the kart selection and unlockable caracters of DS, some retro courses and alot of new ones, seriously, the typical 16 tracks is kinda a small number.

customizable karts might be a good idea.

[Blue_Ninja0]

Something on the likes of Mario Kart DS, but with a much better online component. It would also be good if they kept the boss battles from the DS.

Oh... and NO SNAKING!!! Nor other exploits, specially if you need to get a tendinitis or other physical damage to win.

[kav82]

Online, more Characters, back to Karts, more tracks and all the previous tracks!

Excite truck style controls! (Dpad - use weapon)

[Cube]

I would personally love a Mario Kart which stole the single player mode (expanded, of course - they could add MKDS style missions to the fray) and weapon system from Diddy Kong Racing , mixed with challenging AI for once.



Failing that, I'd like the weapon system to be related to distance from the person in 1st place, not what position you are.

[mr.wii]

I hope it includes wifi. Now that the Wii is online, Nintendo have no reason not to really.
Maybe adding different Weather into the game v.i.a Forcast Channel is a good idea to.
Day & Night races would be great to!

[mcj metroid]

I say this every time but

I WANT A STORY MODE..or a decent 1 player. it took another company to show nintendo how it should be done.. F-zero gx and i'm looking at sega.

Nintendo have trouble doing both sometimes for reason.

My other demand is obviously on-line play which will happen anyway.

I want no less than 32 tracks either.

[Tellyn]

Downloadable tracks
Track editor
Option to use a Mii as a racer

[Emasher]

Link should make a guest apperance

[mcj metroid]

Ya i thought of link in it. Would it be stupid to have smash bros but in karts?

If you get what i mean?

[Retro_Link]

- Adventure Mode - like DDK's with unlockable characters/bonus levels along the way, boss races etc...
- Downloadable levels.
- Different weather options.
- Online.

Ya i thought of link in it. Would it be stupid to have smash bros but in karts?

If you get what i mean?Wouldn't really be Mario Kart then though, as the series is based on characters/levels from the Mario franchise.

A Super Smash Bros. Racing could make a fantastic new game though!

[Emasher]

MK DS already had mission mode with boss battles

[yesteryeargames]

im pritty sure this will be some home version of mario kart arcade :) possibly with online play too,

[Zelda_Rulez]

I hope you can play tournament mode with multiple players. In Double Dash you could only do that with two players in one kart.

[triforcemario]

*Have a "Create a Kart" mode, which allows you to build your own cart from parts you can buy, download, and parts from previous MK games.
*Downloadable tracks.
*Create a Track mode.
*Use Miis as drivers.
*Online (Of course :P)
*Story mode.

[Alan77]

8 Player Online (None of this 4 player only rubbish)

More (and better/harder) shortcuts than DD - basically a return to N64 style game where you had more freedom around the track and a greater ability to mess up your opponents.

Less emphasis on spectacular weapons, which is where DD fell down in my book.

Custom cups (online) + ability to race more laps etc

[corkcrumbs]

I hope it includes wifi. Now that the Wii is online, Nintendo have no reason not to really.
Maybe adding different Weather into the game v.i.a Forcast Channel is a good idea to.
Day & Night races would be great to!

that's funny and cool

Downloadable tracks
Track editor
Option to use a Mii as a racer

track editor that's cool

i think id like a mix of DD and DS, take the caracter specific powerups from DD, put in the kart selection and unlockable caracters of DS, some retro courses and alot of new ones, seriously, the typical 16 tracks is kinda a small number.

customizable karts might be a good idea.

customizable karts is cool, how about earning specific parts for your kart in story mode "levels" like those in ds, but where the "level" would reflect the kind of part ud earn if completing the "level"...

[mcj metroid]

MK DS already had mission mode with boss battles

Players of crash team racing or to a lesser extend Diddy kong racer know exactly what I mean by STORY MODE.

Mission mode is a start but still not enough.

[BeerMonkey]

they got to put online on this SURELY!!

please not 2 people in a kart again that ruined DD...i didnt like double dash

online mario kart FTW....PLZ

[Jamba]

I hope for something completely surprising. I dunno how but I would just like something a bit different.

[Zechs Merquise]

I reckon it might be a port of Mario Kart Arcade, although I hope it's something a little fresher.

[welsh_gamer]

All tracks avaivable for online play, not just half like in Mario Kart DS.
The ability to trade ghosts with other players.
The ability to chose what kind of controls you would like to use, e.g Wii remote or Classic controller. If there was only one option, I would personally like to see a nunchunk and remote setup, simillar to the one /nando/ described in the VS thread.
The return of the challenges mode from the DS version.
Cheep Cheep presenting you with the cup at the end :grin:

[Mikey]

Longer races with pit stops for damage and tire replacements. A first person view where you can see the wheel would be awesome too.

[Shorty]

I want a lot more speed than in the gamecube game, and some more exciting tracks. I always thought Crash Team Racing did tracks better than Mario Kart, they need to be a bit more dynamic, a bit more interactive, a bit more exciting. Also I want to fling weapons to the side of me using the Wii remote :D

[GMC]

tracks: give us some cool, detailed but cartoony city courses(Diamond City from Wario?); stay away from isle delfino (mario sunshine infected DD too much); some paper mario style courses (postmodern jobs set in the underground levels from mario 1?).

Controls/Handling: Give us some insane f-zero-style gx speed; get rid of snaking; i like excitetruck but think we need less 'floaty' controls.. so nunchuck for steering and wiimote for aiming etc as said above.

music - if its as infuriatingly addictive as the intro tune to DD then i'll be happy.

characters/weapons: no sonic please... this mario kart, not a smash bros get-together; keep favouring the karts at the rear with good powerups... we all hate getting done by a blue shell, but in multiplayer with people that dont have the game themselves, it makes it more fun - just give us a strikers-style option to turn off/customize the appearance of items

oh - on-line too. dont forget that.

[Zechs Merquise]

tracks: give us some cool, detailed but cartoony city courses(Diamond City from Wario?); stay away from isle delfino (mario sunshine infected DD too much); some paper mario style courses (postmodern jobs set in the underground levels from mario 1?).

Controls/Handling: Give us some insane f-zero-style gx speed; get rid of snaking; i like excitetruck but think we need less 'floaty' controls.. so nunchuck for steering and wiimote for aiming etc as said above.

music - if its as infuriatingly addictive as the intro tune to DD then i'll be happy.

characters/weapons: no sonic please... this mario kart, not a smash bros get-together; keep favouring the karts at the rear with good powerups... we all hate getting done by a blue shell, but in multiplayer with people that dont have the game themselves, it makes it more fun - just give us a strikers-style option to turn off/customize the appearance of items

oh - on-line too. dont forget that.

As for tracks, I'd like to stay away from Isle Delfino too, lets have the original Super Mario World locales back please!

[darkjak]

My hopes?
Online multiplayer, a free Mic for ingame conversations, and a selection of karts.
Each character should have different karts, like in DD, and the standard kart should be upgradeable.
Also, when you play online, the servers should enable the admin/host to choose what karts and weapons should be available (so if I want a game with only standard Karts, no bullet bill or blue shell uppgrades, then I can have that arranged).
An adition I'd love would be some kind of level editor. Imagine playing on yer own level.

[Tellyn]

Nice to see people liked my suggestions:

Downloadable tracks
Track editor
Option to use a Mii as a racer

I'm surprised they hadn't been mentioned before.

Also, if the track editor becomes reality:

Sharing tracks with friends through Wi-Fi and being able to receive ones from friends.

[McMad]

This game definately needs to be faster than the slow as hell Double Dash, and tracks with a bit more imagination than Baby Park would be appreaciated.

[Platty]

Mario Kart Online for the wii is one of the main reason why I have a wii.

I hope the rumour is true.

[Mikey]

Honestly, Mario Kart needs some fundamental changes to it's gameplay. It's becoming boring.

Someone mentioned faster gameplay? I agree. I think they should make the game's handling semi realistic while keeping everything like the weapons and whacky courses.

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=xDgpS4kx88s

Like I said, not make it a sim, but make the handling a little more realistic, while keeping everything like the weapons and courses in it.

[Anolis E]

At the very least it must be online and at least as big as the ds version (meaning that it needs at least as many tracks, a mission mode, etc.). An option to turn power boosts on (allowing snaking) or off (disallowing snaking) for multiplayer would be nice too.

[The-Ironflame]

I'd like Normal Karts, No Blue Shells, no snaking, 5-6 player online and more tracks than Double Dash as going through all those tracks only took about 15 mins.

[kiwikid]

Bring back the feather and Ghost house tracks.

[mcj metroid]

As for tracks, I'd like to stay away from Isle Delfino too, lets have the original Super Mario World locales back please!

I really dont think that will happen. Ds and DD both did it. One reference would be nice. Usually every character gets their own track with few exeptions but I hope for some galaxy racing this time.:)

Yes I want world too actually but what could you do?

[nintendo_guy]

You know what I want? More co-op. As in, two people in one kart.

[mcj metroid]

Most people think that was the problem with double dash but it really wasnt.

[nintendo_guy]

Most people think that was the problem with double dash but it really wasnt.

Hell no it wasn't a problem. I, as well as many reviewers, would agree that co-op play on one kart is the best damn thing that ever happened to the series.

[Zechs Merquise]

I really dont think that will happen. Ds and DD both did it. One reference would be nice. Usually every character gets their own track with few exeptions but I hope for some galaxy racing this time.:)

Yes I want world too actually but what could you do?

NOOOO, I want classic tracks, and yeah we need the Ghost house back, as well as a really good Bowser's castle with loads of thwomps!

[RedShell]

I, as well as many reviewers, would agree that co-op play on one kart is the best damn thing that ever happened to the series.I wouldn't. :shakehead

I remember thinking it would be cool when it was first shown, but at the end of the day unless you were the one driving it really wasn't all that fun. Not enough going on with the weapons to make it engaging. If they were to add to that aspect somehow though it could probably work a bit better, but then they'd just be messing with the formula too much again.

I'd prefer MK on Wii to be more traditional, that's why I think the DS version was so good because they made it closer to the SNES version in terms of game play, yet still added some of the newer elements but without going OTT like Double Dash.

My wish list for the Wii version:

8 player online mode with decent lobby system and all tracks and battle mode playable
More customization, like the icon editor from DS, and maybe even a track editor
Loads of classic tracks, all of them even. :heh:
Ability to save and share replay / ghost data via Wii Connect 24
Get Soyo Oka (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soyo_Oka) back to compose the soundtrack! :heart:

[Owen]

It has to be FAST! Thats my main problem with Mario Kart: DD and the DS version, both were to slow!

Online as well of course!

[RedShell]

It has to be FAST! Thats my main problem with Mario Kart: DD and the DS version, both were to slow!

Online as well of course!I thought DS was alright in terms of speed actually, 150cc is pretty nippy. Again I'm back with my conservative views. (sorry) :heh:

But I mean, we have F-Zero for insane speed. :wink:

[corkcrumbs]

If it resembled the snes version in terms of overall gameplay feel, with speed and camera placement, thickness of the race track and such, I'd probably buy it.

It would be cool if some of the tracks were interactive, as in having the ground being made up of circles in some areas that turned, so that ud had to adjust your driving a bit. I guess tracks like bowser caslte is similar in that sense.

[Petey Piranah]

I'd like a Free Driving mode where you are placed in a HUGE environment that seems endless, whether it'd be a city or something and all you do is drive around in your super cool cart. Here there are secret unlockables to be found by say driving in an underground car park and in the last space, there is an item or the lift opens up and inside the lift is another item.

This could act like a Mii Plaza type mode that is online, you drive around and meet other Wii owners. You can make exchanges such as car parts for money among other things and issue challenges for online matches.

[/ nando /]

A strange wish for me: Change the font in the game. I really don't like the font and, althought it isn't at all important, I'd really like to see it changed (mainly the HUD)

Also, I felt the N64 Menus were much better than the GC and DS as it just drew me in more. It's weird, I know :heh:

Anyway, in relation to important aspects of the game, plenty of tracks would be good (over 20 at least) and I would definitely like the 'Isle Delfino' theme to be gone. I much prefer the classic feel of Super Mario Kart and Mario Kart 64. I have felt that all Mario games have been starting to lose that classic feel since the Gamecube era began, which for me is a shame.

I want Item boxes to be yellow with a white question mark on them, like the good old days. (Like 3D Super Mario World blocks on the track) Bring back the feather aswell for use in shortcuts and dodging shells.

Better Characters as drivers: Why did they ever think Petey Pirahna was a good idea? Maybe some people like it, but I don't. Why couldn't they use the Koopa Kids from Super Mario World or something? I think it would be great if they were all 'bosses' in the game as part of an adventure mode and, once you beat them, you unlock them to race as.

As well as an adventure mode, I would like the return of 5 races in a grand prix as opposed to 4. A better battle mode is also a must as they have been useless after the quality of the N64 and SNES versions.

I want a return to the classic go-karts which hold one racer. Making them a little bit faster probably wouldn't hurt either :heh:

Track editor would be great.

Different weather conditions. I want to see rain, show, thunder and lightning. Wind could play a part in a couple of levels to- making it harder to aim green shells, blowing item boxes around making them slightly more difficult to grab and blowing things across the track you need to dodge.

Basically, I want a Mario Kart which has a classic feel with loads of elements from Mario's history.

As for controls, I will copy those from the post I made in the Smash V Mario Kart thread:

I've been thinking all along that it should be a remote/nunchuck set-up with using the remote to physically throw bananas/bombs whilst pointing at the screen to fire green/red shells. The nunchuck's analogue stick could obviously be used to steer and perhaps nudging/shaking it when close to an opponent could be used to steal a weapon by barging into them or to knock them into a carefully placed banana or off the edge of the track.

Hopefully the game won't rely too much on luck either, something which frustrates me in some games, and I definitely hope snaking isn't possible as that would ruin any prospect of online play.

[nintendo_guy]

I wouldn't. :shakehead

I remember thinking it would be cool when it was first shown, but at the end of the day unless you were the one driving it really wasn't all that fun. Not enough going on with the weapons to make it engaging. If they were to add to that aspect somehow though it could probably work a bit better, but then they'd just be messing with the formula too much again.

While I do agree that the whole 2 Player weapon thing should be more engaging, it really wasn't that bad. It depends on what you prefer, actually. I think they should have had an aiming feature to make the multiplayer aspect a bit more solid and compelling. I don't think they'd be messing with the formula too much if they improved it just a little to make it a bit more fun. Perhaps this game will have it both ways, where the player can choose for everyone to have two players in one kart or just one player per kart. We'll just have to see.

[Owen]

I thought DS was alright in terms of speed actually, 150cc is pretty nippy. Again I'm back with my conservative views. (sorry) :heh:

But I mean, we have F-Zero for insane speed. :wink:

See i would 100% agree with you when i first played the DS version, but go back to it and it doesn't seem that fast, to me anyway! :smile:

Anyway your allowed your opinion mate, no worries! You put things in much better ways then alot of people do on here! : peace:

F-Zero speed in Mario Kart would be pretty cool wouldn't it?! :laughing:

[Charlie]

Online is a must, 8 players would be great with the option to do battle, vs or a whole GP. A friends list where you can invite players into your games, they can join half-way through (and watch until the next round) etc.

Loads of tracks, 16 isn't really enough as they aren't very long. 20 decent sized tracks and being able to possibly download more in the future and unlock tracks from old MK games.

As for the controls. I'm thinking using the nunchuk to control your movement, using one of the trigger buttons to powerslide. A to accelerate on the Wiimote and point at the screen where to shoot items and B deploys items. Brake can be demoted to either down on the d-pad or 1 as it's so rarely used anyway.

Widescreen and 480p

[RedShell]

...
Basically, I want a Mario Kart which has a classic feel with loads of elements from Mario's history.I like your way of thinking. http://www.n-europe.com/forum/images/icons/icon14.gif

Perhaps this game will have it both ways, where the player can choose for everyone to have two players in one kart or just one player per kart. We'll just have to see.Yeah, having the choice would be best I think.

F-Zero speed in Mario Kart would be pretty cool wouldn't it?! :laughing::grin: Would certainly be funny.
Maybe they'll include a 200cc mode this time. As speed does seem to be a common concern that a lot of people have with the game.

Widescreen and 480pHell yeah, and DPLII.

[nintendo_guy]

Basically, I want a Mario Kart which has a classic feel with loads of elements from Mario's history.

Give us an SMB3 feel! MKDS had a little bit of that, but I still want more. SMB3 is my favorite game in the series.

[Charlie]

A built-in tournament feaure like SSBM has would be nice for online. Would make me winning the staff championships even easier that it was on the DS version. :)

[/ nando /]

Give us an SMB3 feel! MKDS had a little bit of that, but I still want more. SMB3 is my favorite game in the series.

See, Super Mario World was my favourite. Absolutely brilliant game :yay:

When I think of the classic feel, I reckon it would be great if Yoshi's level was in the style of Yoshi's Island with crayon/pastel designs in the background and track.

Also, maybe not a good idea but just thought of it now: A Paper Mario influenced item where perhaps there is a shortcut that can only be got through by transforming into a little paper aeroplane or something. (actually, thinking about it, I don't really like the idea!)

Most important thing for me though is the classic feel. You all know what I mean.

Also, players should be rewarded by their performance. Obviously you unlock things by winning each Grand Prix, but extra rewards should be present for those players who win every race, giving an incentive to play through GPs again.

[Petey Piranah]

Would this game benefit with the tracks having a formula one style pit stop?

[welsh_gamer]

Would this game benefit with the tracks having a formula one style pit stop?

Not in my opinion. It would slow down the racing! Think that is something you can defintley rule out from the new Mario Kart.

[Cube]

Would this game benefit with the tracks having a formula one style pit stop?


It would convince me to stay away from the game.

[mike-zim]

Not in my opinion. It would slow down the racing! Think that is something you can defintley rule out from the new Mario Kart.

i couldn't agree more.

[/ nando /]

Don't think a pit-stop would benefit MarioKart, but keep making suggestions :heh: Tell us what you would like to see with this pit-stop idea. Would it be interactive? What would cause you to need to make a stop?

Another thing I would like to see is a 'random cup' which maybe you unlock after beating all the cups. Pretty simple idea, just a Grand Prix set-up of 5 tracks which are randomly selected from any of the other cups.

And this was probably already suggested but I'd like to have a VS option which allows you to select which weapons you want to be avaiable in the race, if any at all.

As well as this, I would like to be able to create a multiplayer tournament where you can mix and match races with battle mode. For example, 5 stages:

Stage 1: Race
Stage 2: Battle
Stage 3: Race
Stage 4: Battle
Stage 5: (Randomly Selected) Race

(You get the idea)

Perhaps there could also be varying race types aswell, such as your standard race or a slalom through gates/ checkpoints.

And, here's an over the top suggestion: How would people feel if simple tricks were brought into the game? Like hopping the kart and doing a 360 Spin (which could maybe deflect shells back at the person who fired it who could in turn deflect it back again?) I think this is a bit too much, but I like to hear what people think anyway.

[Smowza]

more speed is definatley needed, i'm not a fan of the 'wacky' karts either. Wii-mote control over weapon shooting might be nice, i'm not a huge fan of excite truck style steering.

[Zechs Merquise]

In my opinion, we need to get back to Mario Kart on the SNES. On that weapons helped, but they didn't allow a crap player to beat a great player. They would make it a lot more interesting when two great players were battling for pole position, but they didn't level the playing field and reduce the game to luck.

I loved Mario Kart 64 and Double Dash, but racing took second place to items in multiplayer. In Mario Kart (SNES) I could lap a poor player by the end of the race, that is unheard of in the other two home console games.

As for speed, Mario Kart needs speed,but it needs fun more, if you want speed get F-ZERO.

As for pit stops and simulation style tuning etc, that would ruin it. If you want F1, buy an F1 game.

I say back to the series' roots!

[Retro_Link]

This game also needs a Free Run Mode!
Where you can just drive the tracks at your leasure without a stupid clock or anything!

[corkcrumbs]

A built-in tournament feaure like SSBM has would be nice for online. Would make me winning the staff championships even easier that it was on the DS version. :)

That's a great idea.

Also, maybe not a good idea but just thought of it now: A Paper Mario influenced item where perhaps there is a shortcut that can only be got through by transforming into a little paper aeroplane or something. (actually, thinking about it, I don't really like the idea!)

I like this idea a lot. Why don't u like it?

[stuwii]

How about different car classes, f1, kart and double dash style

[Gizmo]

In my opinion, we need to get back to Mario Kart on the SNES. On that weapons helped, but they didn't allow a crap player to beat a great player. They would make it a lot more interesting when two great players were battling for pole position, but they didn't level the playing field and reduce the game to luck.

Yeah, that is a serious problem. In DD, my friend would always win with a stack of items on the last lap, despite me being way better than him. In the end I took to "accidentally" crashing or going off course, staying just behind him enough to get the good weapons and storm ahead at the end.

Thats not how you play a racing game :/

[welsh_gamer]

Don't think a pit-stop would benefit MarioKart, but keep making suggestions :heh: Tell us what you would like to see with this pit-stop idea. Would it be interactive? What would cause you to need to make a stop?

Another thing I would like to see is a 'random cup' which maybe you unlock after beating all the cups. Pretty simple idea, just a Grand Prix set-up of 5 tracks which are randomly selected from any of the other cups.

And this was probably already suggested but I'd like to have a VS option which allows you to select which weapons you want to be avaiable in the race, if any at all.

As well as this, I would like to be able to create a multiplayer tournament where you can mix and match races with battle mode. For example, 5 stages:

Stage 1: Race
Stage 2: Battle
Stage 3: Race
Stage 4: Battle
Stage 5: (Randomly Selected) Race

(You get the idea)

Perhaps there could also be varying race types aswell, such as your standard race or a slalom through gates/ checkpoints.

And, here's an over the top suggestion: How would people feel if simple tricks were brought into the game? Like hopping the kart and doing a 360 Spin (which could maybe deflect shells back at the person who fired it who could in turn deflect it back again?) I think this is a bit too much, but I like to hear what people think anyway.

If this pit-stop idea was included, it would possibly be simillar to battle mode, where one you are hit upon three times, you are out of the race. To prevent this from happening you have to go into a pit-stop to be 'fixed'.

Random cup would rule, and it's about time we get to choose what item we want in VS. The blue shell can get a tad annoying sometimes!

The varying races you mentioned will appear in the challenges section, which hopefully we shall recive, after its first apperance in the DS version.

Not sure about the 360spin idea. Seems a bit of a gimmik. Isn't dodging shells a skill in Mario Kart? I would welcome back the way you dodged banana skins from the 64 version tho :)

[dannbrownn]

I would like to see another good round of retro tracks to race like the DS version, i would definitely like to see excite truck controls as well as an option to just use normal controls but only if you want to throw a shell etc you would throw the nunchuck forward or backwards in order to choose which direction your attack goes.

I am quite sure that Nintendo will fetch us another great quality game in this series whatever the controls or features!

[Slaggis]

Can't wait for this game

[mcj metroid]

How about different car classes, f1, kart and double dash style

I agree with this in a way. We should get a choice between double or single karts. I mean why not?

[/ nando /]

Also, maybe not a good idea but just thought of it now: A Paper Mario influenced item where perhaps there is a shortcut that can only be got through by transforming into a little paper aeroplane or something. (actually, thinking about it, I don't really like the idea!)

I like this idea a lot. Why don't u like it?

I'm not sure, it could work I guess but as I have said in many of my previous posts in this thread- I would really like to get the series (and Mario in general) back to it's roots and to bring back that classic feel. Everything seems to have got a bit too 'wacky' now. I want to hear some classic Mario tunes playing in the background, familiar sound effects. Heck, even when the game starts up I want to hear that fantastic Nintendo chime (you know the one.. and if you don't, go stick in Mario Tennis on the N64..)

Bring back Ghost Valley too, with it's holes in the track and stuff. Fantastic tracks in Super Mario Kart..

[Petey Piranah]

I'd like to see the return of some massive tracks such as Rainbow Road and Wario Stadium, along those lines. The tracks were too small in Double Dash...

If this pit-stop idea was included, it would possibly be simillar to battle mode, where one you are hit upon three times, you are out of the race. To prevent this from happening you have to go into a pit-stop to be 'fixed'.

Yes I was thinking something along those lines. You'd have a damage meter and each projectile that makes contact with your cart has a varying degree of damage. E.g. A banana peel would yield less damage, but a star, thunderbolt or blue shell would yield greater damage. While it doesn't necessarily affect your speed, it does make you more vulnerable and makes it riskier to ride out the rest of the race, thus adding that extra degree of challenge. Imagine coming first the entire race, 1st place finish is for the championship, you have limited damage allowance left, and right at the finish line, you are attacked and you retire 1mm from the finish line thus losing the entire cup! As soon as the damage meter goes down to nothing, you are goner, you retire the race and your player makes a classic nintendo one liner remark witha close up of your cart smoking and a pissed off look on your characters face. You finish depending on how many other players retired. Assume two other racers were eliminated and then you. Assuming they still have 8 racers per race, you'd finish 6th in this particular instance.

[GMC]

I'm not sure, it could work I guess but as I have said in many of my previous posts in this thread- I would really like to get the series (and Mario in general) back to it's roots and to bring back that classic feel. Everything seems to have got a bit too 'wacky' now. I want to hear some classic Mario tunes playing in the background, familiar sound effects. Heck, even when the game starts up I want to hear that fantastic Nintendo chime (you know the one.. and if you don't, go stick in Mario Tennis on the N64..)

I agree. I want something that looks like it came from previous mario games. Get some tracks that look like SMB1, 2, 3, World. Get some retro tunes and SFX in there.

In my opinion, we need to get back to Mario Kart on the SNES. On that weapons helped, but they didn't allow a crap player to beat a great player. They would make it a lot more interesting when two great players were battling for pole position, but they didn't level the playing field and reduce the game to luck.

I loved Mario Kart 64 and Double Dash, but racing took second place to items in multiplayer. In Mario Kart (SNES) I could lap a poor player by the end of the race, that is unheard of in the other two home console games.

As for speed, Mario Kart needs speed,but it needs fun more, if you want speed get F-ZERO.


As i said before - we need options. I want to be able to play my mate who doesnt have the game and have a good contest/laugh, but i also want to be able to crank down the items when im playing someone who has the game too. its no fun beating the sh!t out of a novice (for you and the novice), and its no fun having a race against a good player reduced to an item lottery. Give us a slider where we can state the ability of each player (ie. if crap, they get great items, if good, regular items etc), or just give us the options Strikers-style to turn items off etc

I think we need excitetruck-style craziness (the craziness experience in one player, when fast trucks are all over the place crashing and smashing) which involves lots of opponents lots of contact on corners and lots of speed.
If they let us change the settings for races more than they have before, the game could be much more flexible and please more people. You want loads of items - not probs, you want no items and a hardcore race - no probs... just let us choose and we can all have the race we want.
And again... this better be online.

[steggy]

I'd like to see the return of some massive tracks such as Rainbow Road and Wario Stadium, along those lines. The tracks were too small in Double Dash...



Yes I was thinking something along those lines. You'd have a damage meter and each projectile that makes contact with your cart has a varying degree of damage. E.g. A banana peel would yield less damage, but a star, thunderbolt or blue shell would yield greater damage. While it doesn't necessarily affect your speed, it does make you more vulnerable and makes it riskier to ride out the rest of the race, thus adding that extra degree of challenge. Imagine coming first the entire race, 1st place finish is for the championship, you have limited damage allowance left, and right at the finish line, you are attacked and you retire 1mm from the finish line thus losing the entire cup! As soon as the damage meter goes down to nothing, you are goner, you retire the race and your player makes a classic nintendo one liner remark witha close up of your cart smoking and a pissed off look on your characters face. You finish depending on how many other players retired. Assume two other racers were eliminated and then you. Assuming they still have 8 racers per race, you'd finish 6th in this particular instance.

I was thinking this sounds like it might be a good idea, and got to thinking maybe you wouldn't need to stop when pitting in. I.e Lakatu can swing by and give you an extra balloon, but then I got to thinking that this idea could be stepping on F-Zero's shoes a little too much, don't ya think?

[david.dakota]

MK's biggest problem is longevity. Its far too easy to see everything the game has to offer in a few days, if not hours... so more tracks and cups are a necessity. 6 cups, four tracks each.... and I can't see why MK can't do an 'excite' and require a little more than placing in the top 3 or 4 to progress.

I think you could easily pop a story in the game - or at least explain why the racers are racing. Motivation, perhaps one character has to rank above a rival - Mario MUST beat Bowser, etc. Each character could then have a cinematic ending, providing a reason to continue to play.

Controls... lets do something radical. Steering with the nunchuk control stick, while flicking the wiimote will fire off your weapons. A is hop, powerslide by tilting the wiimote and nunchuk. B perhaps a taunt and item stop.

I'd also like to see less cheaty weapons. Why not have 3 coloured blocks... a selection of 4 weapons per colour Red are POWERFUL but heavy items (and slow you down greatly), Yellow are medium in both weight and power, and slow you down only a little. Greens have no effect on your speed but are less powerful. This would help stop gamers, holding back on tripple red shells from 8th place.

[Petey Piranah]

We should copy and paste every single suggestion, form an ultimate list and compare it to the unveiled mario kart at E3 and see whether it meets our desires/expectations.

[nintendo_guy]

This game also needs a Free Run Mode!
Where you can just drive the tracks at your leasure without a stupid clock or anything!

Time Trail was a free run mode. There was a clock, but it doesn't run against you and it doesn't run out of time, so you could basically go anywhere you want. The only problem I had with Time Trail was that stupid damn Lakitu telling me I'm going the wrong way. If I want to go backwards, by God, let me go backwards!

[Zechs Merquise]

Full online mode confirmed, I hope it has leaderboards and permanent stats. I would love to build up a great online profile on that beast!

[Blue_Ninja0]

Meh, they didn't show much of the game. I hope there's some trailers tomorrow, when E3 starts.

[Hellfire]

Meh, they didn't show much of the game. I hope there's some trailers tomorrow, when E3 starts.

I think it's starting today. Well today in USA :P

[Tyson]

It just looked like Double Dash, I didn't even see jumping.

[Smowza]

'not your fathers mario kart' is that supposed to mean mario kart is now more kiddy or am i reading it wrong?

I know we only saw a little clip but it really did look like double dash with DS karts and tracks, hard to tell how fast it will end up either. Steering wheel gives me mixed feelings, will it stop snaking? i'm not sure about playing MK wit a floating wheel :blank:

[david.dakota]

Did Reggie say 'watch this space' for number of players..?

[Konfucius]

'not your fathers mario kart' is that supposed to mean mario kart is now more kiddy or am i reading it wrong?

I thought it was the idea that they changed integral bits of the gameplay.
I assume they have more characters and other karts and weapons.

Why I ask: all I want are the classic karts, no unique abilities and not so many racers that apart from different models some hardly make a difference.

[Ike]

I noticed one of the tracks from the DS game was in the trailer.

[nintendo_guy]

I noticed one of the tracks from the DS game was in the trailer.

Yeah, it was that dreadful Yoshi track. Surely they'll have better tracks when we see more of the game.

[Chris the great]

Did Reggie say 'watch this space' for number of players..?

he did, i counted at least 10 at the starting grid.

personaly, i thought it looked good. i think it has the right idea, karts seem DS style, so you can have a go kart if you want, but you can also have more wacky cars, which i think gives it more or a fun feeling

[Dante]

I noticed one of the tracks from the DS game was in the trailer.

That because all of the tracks are going to be in the Wii version because it looks like revamp version of the DS one.

images
http://ms.nintendo-europe.com/e32007/enGB/images/mariokart_art.jpg
http://ms.nintendo-europe.com/e32007/enGB/images/mariokartwii_sslg1.jpg
http://ms.nintendo-europe.com/e32007/enGB/images/mariokartwii_sslg2.jpg
http://ms.nintendo-europe.com/e32007/enGB/images/mariokartwii_sslg3.jpg
http://ms.nintendo-europe.com/e32007/enGB/images/mariokartwii_sslg4.jpg
http://ms.nintendo-europe.com/e32007/enGB/images/mariokartwii_sslg5.jpg
http://ms.nintendo-europe.com/e32007/enGB/images/mariokartwii_sslg6.jpg

[Alan77]

Little bit underwhelming to be honest. Would have liked a new graphical style rather than just DD all over again...

He said multiple control schemes so would think classic nunchuck+remote combo may get used for snaking racers. Just pray that the game has some depth to it and some decent short-cuts etc unlike DD.

More characters would be good and I think jumping is back - Yoshi jumps on the Yoshi DS track bit...

Noticed some sort of F-Zero style spin from Wario too - not sure about that...

DS version was much better than DD tho so here's hoping....!!

Edit: Looking at the above screens just posted it actually looks pretty nice... and new tracks too... hopefully there will be loads of tracks so a few crap retro ones won't matter as much... I do hate that DS Yoshi Track - so boring.

[Hellfire]

Can't really think of another style for MK, it's not just like DD, DS is like this too.

[James McGeachie]

It would've been nice if there was any kind of visual upgrade at all though. The models in Galaxy and Mario and Sonic have a nice "glow" to them which would've been a cool touch.

I can only assume the visuals were kept somewhat simple in exchange for what seems to be 8 or perhaps 16 (at a huge stretch) player online we're getting, probably at 60fps.

[Mikey]

I think the graphics look excellent personally.

[Zechs Merquise]

I think the graphics look excellent, I think it looks clean, fast and fun. However, I would've prefered normal karts. I also think the steering wheel is pretty crap. Classic controls please.

[Teppo Holmqvist]

I have only one wish, add 200cc.

[Slaggis]

the bottom screen is basically a classic kart, so maybe they all have one like that?

It looks great, can't wait.

edit: :) that ryhmes

[Din]

Mario Kart's always fun. But I can't help but feel a little dissapointed that it looks the same.

[Eddage]

'not your fathers mario kart' is that supposed to mean mario kart is now more kiddy or am i reading it wrong?

I think that was referring to the fact that you no longer have to play multiplayer with your dad (family), you can play against any one else around the world.

I'm liking the look of this, no need to go too fancy with graphics for a game like this and online Battle Mode means that this'll be an instant buy for me!

[mcj metroid]

I wonder what more players is though?

Don't get what he meant.

Dudes this looks fantastic. Looks faster than usual as well. And since we saw that ds stage i think we will get our 32 tracks from remakes of classics again:)

[gaggle64]

I wonder how customisable the cars are? Custom decals are likely of course, but waht about a basic choice of colour schemes or something?

Also those little wheels might be a good idea - if you're twisting the Wii mote while holding it face in it will get a little bit awkward.

[D-Day]

I wonder what more players is though?

Don't get what he meant.

Dudes this looks fantastic. Looks faster than usual as well. And since we saw that ds stage i think we will get our 32 tracks from remakes of classics again:)

Woohoo!!! The remake tracks from the other Mario Karts are just buliding up now. Thats the SNES, 64, Cube, GBA and DS tracks now in the mix for the classics. This probably means more stages than any other Mario Kart too (OK I best not speculate). But it does look faster, it just looks fantastic all-round.

[mcj metroid]

I would say It does mean more tracks. Fzero gx had 30 tracks So I would LOVE 40. With remakes of old tracks i'd hope this to be true. Don't think we will ever get a storymode though:(

Guess it doesn't matter as long as it had awesome multiplayer and on-line.

But perhaps they will expand on the mission mode on ds. Hope so. Not sure about steering wheel though.

I wonder how customisable the cars are? .

I keep saying this but mario kart could learn a lot from f-zero gx. If they implant a system similiar to that i would be happy. Have a shop and perhaps you could earn cash for every race completed. Downloadable parts would make it a plus.

[Smowza]

I have only one wish, add 200cc.

Now that would be mariokart heaven

[DCK]

Bottom line is: you can complain all you want, but this is Mario Kart and it will always be fun. It looks nice, removed the flawed double thingy from Double Dash and it's an online game. This game is a winner for me.

[Zechs Merquise]

The only thing that bugs me is the silly wheel, I hope they do include other controls, ie classic ones as I don;t want to have to buy four wheels to play at home with my mates.

Other than that this looks great. I don't see what people are complaining about the graphics for, they look great.

[Zelda_Rulez]

I don't think the graphics look that great, about the same as Double Dash maybe a bit better. But this'll improve as these are probably shots from an early build.

[The-chosen-one]

damn this game looks good i need lots of money or al those games

[Cube]

The only thing that bugs me is the silly wheel, I hope they do include other controls, ie classic ones as I don;t want to have to buy four wheels to play at home with my mates.


Reggie did say a variety of control schemes...

[Petey Piranah]

I don't care for the graphics in this game personally. It's a game to pass some time. I'm not going to be using it to make a statement or anything like that, just get it to have some Mario Kart fun as i've enjoyed previous entries of the series. I just want it to play well. No Super Monkey Ball race style handling, that mini game was destroyed in Banana Blitz :( Online with battle is great news for me. I just want a selection of unique tracks and have more than one control method and i'm happy.

[Zelda_Rulez]

I remember Reggie saying "We also think more racers means more fun. How many more? Well, stay tuned". They didn't get back to that did they? Does this mean that you can play with a lot more people than usually in Mario Kart?

[Cube]

I remember Reggie saying "We also think more racers means more fun. How many more? Well, stay tuned". They didn't get back to that did they? Does this mean that you can play with a lot more people than usually in Mario Kart?

There's at least 10 in the first bit of the footage.

[darksnowman]

More racers... more fun... Mario Kart could be taking a leaf out of F-Zero's book!

[Kazzahdrane]

I can't get over the fact that apparently no one has ever heard the phrase "this isn't your father's <XYZ>"!

When he says, "This isn't your father's Mario Kart" he means it isn't the same as the previous games and should at least have some noticeable differences (usually improvements but specifically differences). For example, you could easily describe Mario 64 as not being your father's super mario.

It doesn't have anything to do with not playing with your dad, trust me. DadPlay(TM), or "thrashing the old man who can't really play games but likes to show some interest" will still be available in Mario Kart for Wii!

[mcj metroid]

Now that would be mariokart heaven

Play mario kart 64 and it pretty much does that in bowsers castle sometimes.

[Eddage]

I can't get over the fact that apparently no one has ever heard the phrase "this isn't your father's <XYZ>"!


That's cause it's such a shit phrase...

[steggy]

I can't get over the fact that apparently no one has ever heard the phrase "this isn't your father's <XYZ>"!

When he says, "This isn't your father's Mario Kart" he means it isn't the same as the previous games and should at least have some noticeable differences (usually improvements but specifically differences). For example, you could easily describe Mario 64 as not being your father's super mario.

It doesn't have anything to do with not playing with your dad, trust me. DadPlay(TM), or "thrashing the old man who can't really play games but likes to show some interest" will still be available in Mario Kart for Wii!

Phrases are funny like that, if you don't know anyone that uses them, then you don't know them at all. I never knew the phrase "I don't know him, from Adam" until I started going out with my girlfriend. I once knew someone who had never head the phrase "Flogging a dead horse."

[nintendo_guy]

I personally find the Wii Wheel to be very appealing; I suppose this is the answer to this installment's innovativity, just as two people on one kart was the answer to DD's.

[Petey Piranah]

I wonder what Reggie and the gang were thinking after there was a less than stellar reaction to the announcement of Mario Kart Wii and the complaints city galore that have followed?

[T-Bird]

It doesn't matter 'cause you know when it comes out everyone will get it, and love it, and that'll be that. Another success for Nintendo I say!

[nintendo_guy]

I wonder what Reggie and the gang were thinking after there was a less than stellar reaction to the announcement of Mario Kart Wii and the complaints city galore that have followed?

He's probably humiliated. They should have shown a better trailer instead of saying, "this is the new Mario Kart", and then showing a bunch of half-assed clips on HIGHLY nostalgic tracks.

[Zechs Merquise]

Reggie did say a variety of control schemes...

Great, that's what I wanted to hear.

I wonder what Reggie and the gang were thinking after there was a less than stellar reaction to the announcement of Mario Kart Wii and the complaints city galore that have followed?

What complaints? Was the Nintendo Show badly recieved? I'm surprised, because I think the fact that MGS4 was just more prerendered cinematics when SONY really need a big killer app was much more damaging.

[RedShell]

Looking forward to seeing more of this, hopefully we'll get some direct-feed vids by the end of the week.

Visually it seems like a fusion of Double Dash, Arcade GP and DS. Looks great though and I'm glad it's back to a single driver per kart. Here's hoping it'll play like DS but with a much upgraded online mode. If it is 12 players though that’s going to be a right laugh! :grin:

The Wii Wheel is pretty cute too.

[thirtynine.]

There's at least 10 in the first bit of the footage.
I was watching some thing on Gamespot and the ninty dude said its more than you can count on both hands.

[Stefkov]

Looking forward to seeing more of this, hopefully we'll get some direct-feed vids by the end of the week.

Visually it seems like a fusion of Double Dash, Arcade GP and DS. Looks great though and I'm glad it's back to a single driver per kart. Here's hoping it'll play like DS but with a much upgraded online mode. If it is 12 players though that’s going to be a right laugh! :grin:

The Wii Wheel is pretty cute too.
That I hope for aswell. Mario kart is one of the best Mario karts I've played.
I hope for the same but different options and stuff.

[BeerMonkey]

was dissappointed by the footage really all i saw was double dash with different cars.
Hope this one is faster...double dash was crap

[nintendo_guy]

was dissappointed by the footage really all i saw was double dash with different cars.
Hope this one is faster...double dash was crap

Man, such a shame; I agreed with everything you said in this post until you said Double Dash was crap.

[steggy]

I was watching some thing on Gamespot and the ninty dude said its more than you can count on both hands.

If you think back to the price of the Wii and the less than $250 = £249.99 so by that rationale it will be 11. :smile:

[jammy2211]

I wonder what Reggie and the gang were thinking after there was a less than stellar reaction to the announcement of Mario Kart Wii and the complaints city galore that have followed?

After people doubted the DS, Wii Remote, Brain Training Games and NIntendogs they probably took it on the chin ready to once again sell millions of copies and prove every critic wrong.

Although perhaps they turned to alcoholism and plan to jump off a bridge by the end of the night?

[Zechs Merquise]

was dissappointed by the footage really all i saw was double dash with different cars.
Hope this one is faster...double dash was crap

Double Dash was hardly crap, it may not have been what you were looking for, but it was great fun, again I think it would have been a classic had it been online.

[Cookyman]

Despite all the petty whining on here I bet that the majority of naysayers on here will buy Mario Kart as they won't be able to resist the lure of playing on-line.

I for one have been anticipating this game since the Wii was launched and I really don't understand all the moaning about the graphics they look slightly sharper than double dash and the game is running smoothly. There are at least 12 Karts racing this time too whats not to like?

I can't wait - and I'm sure most forum members will feel the same way. Now lets look at how popular Mario Strikers was on here with the tournaments. Mario Kart is gonna be ultra competitive I cant wait for the Mario Kart F1 tournament on here VROOOOOM! :bowdown:

[Saminthehat]

I honestly found nothing wrong with Double Dash, it's my favourite in fact. But anyway, love the look of the wheel, just hope it isn't too expensive.

[Cookyman]

Well if you buy the game it's very cheap as it comes free with the game!

[Saminthehat]

Yeah, but I 'll probably get more than one.

[Smowza]

I will buy it, even thou right now it's not impressed me much. I will always buy Mario Kart :) I just wish it had the look or style of mario galaxy, now that looks sexy as hell.

[jammy2211]

I can't get over the fact that apparently no one has ever heard the phrase "this isn't your father's <XYZ>"!


It's a play on words from the advertising slogan for the N64 Mario Kart (I think?).

The slogan was the same phrase, and was supposedly funny... yeah.

[Stefkov]

Em..screenshots! (http://ms.nintendo-europe.com/e32007/enGB/wii_mariokartwii.html)
It looks to me snaking is witll in place, if not that's a mushroom wario is using in the first image.
http://ms.nintendo-europe.com/e32007/enGB/images/mariokartwii_sslg1.jpg
http://ms.nintendo-europe.com/e32007/enGB/images/mariokartwii_sslg2.jpg
http://ms.nintendo-europe.com/e32007/enGB/images/mariokartwii_sslg3.jpg
First and second track looks like a mining cart place rollercoaster
Third looks like a generic Peach's castle.

[nintendo_guy]

Now that I think on it, this just looks a bit too familiar to me. Nintendo is well-known for always trying something new, but this game hardly looks new to me. I like the addition of the Wii Wheel, but everything else looks unchanged and really quite disappointing.

[Strange Cookie]

this just looks a bit too familiar to me

My sentiments exactly.
There is a snowflake chance in hell I'm not going to pick up this one, but as I ranted about elsewhere, it's "been there, done this", clinically and by the numbers. No fancy wheel-accessoire is going to chance the fact that it'll probably have a Mushroom, Flower and Star-cup (with 50cc, 100cc and 150cc available), with the final course being Rainbow Road. At least DD shook things up a little.

This wouldn't be so bad if Nintendo announced some new stuff for Wii. It has the most (r)evolutionary controls of this generation, if not the history of videogames, yet Nintendo let us play "old" games with Wii-controls tacked on it (Wario Ware and WiiSport being notable exceptions). Oh, and WiiFit doesn't count. To be blunt, at this moment I don't care about any WiiWhatever or another fancy channel. I just want new and fresh games coming from Nintendo.

I want my Metroid, Mario Kart and Mario-fix. But really, Nintendo: some new balls too, please.

Still, one more day to go?

[Cube]

It looks to me snaking is witll in place, if not that's a mushroom wario is using in the first image.

It just looks like a standard powerslide turbo to me - it could now be impossible to snake.

[RedShell]

It just looks like a standard powerslide turbo to me - it could now be impossible to snake.It'd be easy to stop snaking I reckon, all they have to do is include an overheat feature (like the Excite games) whereby you can only do say 3 or 4 mini turbos in quick succession otherwise you overheat and lose your momentum.

That way you'd still be able to boost around corners, but you wouldn’t be able to continually boost on straights.

[flameboy]

It'd be easy to stop snaking I reckon, all they have to do is include an overheat feature (like the Excite games) whereby you can only do say 3 or 4 mini turbos in quick succession otherwise you overheat and lose your momentum.

That way you'd still be able to boost around corners, but you wouldn’t be able to continually boost on straights.

yeah that would be good way of doing it...

I definitly think they will do away with snaking as Reggie said they wanted to level the playing field so first time players can race hardcore gamers.

But like I said in the E3 Podcast (http://www.n-europe.com/news.php?nid=10845) I don't think this will settle well with hardcore gamers who put the effort in and learn the game inside out, wheres the incentive to put the hours in perfecting your game?

[Cube]

wheres the incentive to put the hours in perfecting your game?

You mean 5 mins (the amount of time it takes to learn snaking)?

[RedShell]

But like I said in the E3 Podcast (http://www.n-europe.com/news.php?nid=10845) I don't think this will settle well with hardcore gamers who put the effort in and learn the game inside out, wheres the incentive to put the hours in perfecting your game?Yeah but there will always be some kind of hidden depth to uncover I reckon.
Take Wii Sports for example, anyone can just pick up and play bowling, and when I first started playing it with family and friends that are non-gamers I lost a few games and was like "damn, this has really bridged the gap between experienced players and non-gamers!" But as I played it more and discovered the whole twisting for curve shots ect... I soon became unbeatable, well 99% of the time anyway. :heh:

You mean 5 mins (the amount of time it takes to learn snaking)?But even if you can learn it quickly, it's something that takes a long time to master.

[Zechs Merquise]

I can't believe the level of whinning concerned with this game! It looks graphically better than DD, and better than a LOT of Wii games. It's online and has LAN play, it's got a number of control set ups and it will feature more racers.

There's some real crap on the Wii, stuff that is graphically suited for the N64, cheap cash ins, budget rubbish and cheap ports of old piss poor games. There's plenty to complain about, but this ain't it.

This will be the online game to end all!

[mcj metroid]

exactly There has never been a bad mario kart game and after mario kart ds it can only get better.

[DiemetriX]

Instant buy. No doubt.

[Stefkov]

Thinking back it may just be the corner powerslide they had in double dash. Pressing R and sliding then pulling left then right or something. But there is no R and L button on the Wiimote...which makes me think.

I'm surprised no-ones discussing the tracks seen in the pictures. Or even discussing new items that may be put in. Or new characters.
Where's all this big hype?

[Hellfire]

It's amazing the amount of whining people can get out of a few seconds of video. And graphical ignorance is neat too.

[Cube]

Thinking back it may just be the corner powerslide they had in double dash. Pressing R and sliding then pulling left then right or something. But there is no R and L button on the Wiimote...which makes me think.

The B button, and the same tactic as the 64 and DS versions of the powerslide. D-Pad will probably be used for items, too.

The Wii Wheel has a B button that looks easier to press than the one on the Remote when held sideways.

[flameboy]

Thinking back it may just be the corner powerslide they had in double dash. Pressing R and sliding then pulling left then right or something. But there is no R and L button on the Wiimote...which makes me think.

I'm surprised no-ones discussing the tracks seen in the pictures. Or even discussing new items that may be put in. Or new characters.
Where's all this big hype?

true the arcade versions have a ton of new items wonder if we could see some of them? I wonder if they may put some 3rd party characters in? Like I said before discussed it on the podcast and mussed on the fact that the namco developed arcade games have pac man in them...

[Cube]

I wonder if they may put some 3rd party characters in? Like I said before discussed it on the podcast and mussed on the fact that the namco developed arcade games have pac man in them...

They won't be any 3rd Party characters in the Nintendo developed ones, though.

[flameboy]

They won't be any 3rd Party characters in the Nintendo developed ones, though.

you wouldn't have thought there would be in Smash Bros when that first came out on the N64, it was first a celebration of Nintendo characters and now has branched out...

Also they didn't mention who was developing it instead concerntrating on the wheel, unlikely as it seems it could be done by Namco (although I really do doubt it as it has more in common with double dash than the GP Arcade games)

[ShadowV7]

I played the Mairo Kart arcade game in America,pretty fun but I wasn't a fan of the items so I don't really want those in but then again Namco-Bandai developed it with them so hopefully won't see them :heh:

[Zechs Merquise]

I played the Mairo Kart arcade game in America,pretty fun but I wasn't a fan of the items so I don't really want those in but then again Namco-Bandai developed it with them so hopefully won't see them :heh:

I hope the items don't mean the racing skill is less important in this one.

[corkcrumbs]

Why don't they use toon-shading that Zelda Wind Waker started with and that we now see in Simpsons game and Team Fortress 2?

Why?

Are the different Nintendo subdivisions not sharing experiences, insights, ideas with each other?

Why does Mario Kart Wii more or less just look like Double Dash but with a higher tempo and slightly better graphics?

I'm.. not angry, but I am confuzed... dazed and confuzed.. just like led zeppelin.. bye

[BeerMonkey]

i doubt ill be picking this up to be honest didnt enjoy double dash and this seems like more of the same..

hope in the future im proven wrong and this is faster etc but from the clip im dissappointed

[Hellfire]

i doubt ill be picking this up to be honest didnt enjoy double dash and this seems like more of the same..

hope in the future im proven wrong and this is faster etc but from the clip im dissappointed

Asides from the same style it doesn't look like DD at all.
Even if it were I had no problem cause I loved it, but there's no reason to think it's like DD.

[corkcrumbs]

Asides from the same style it doesn't look like DD at all.
Even if it were I had no problem cause I loved it, but there's no reason to think it's like DD.

no, but still irritating with the goofy karts though :P

no I'm sorry, hey maybe that's what kids like, maybe it adds another dimension to the kart racing that I just haven't understood (aesthetics, aesthetics, aesthetics...)

it's probably great, it probably plays a lot like the ds game which I haven't played, but that's apparently nice...

i want a lot of tight turns and that the racing track is thin just like the snes version is...

[Maiky-NiSuTe]

i think its more like the namco arcade.

http://namcoarcade.com/gamedata/pic_mariokrt_4.jpg

http://www.videogamesblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2006/10/mario-kart-gp-2-arcade.jpg

http://insomnia.ac/reviews/triforce/mariokartarcadegp/screenshot2.jpg

[mcj metroid]

i really can't understand why people are giving this a hard time. When has there ever been a BAD mario kart?

[nintendo_guy]

i really can't understand why people are giving this a hard time. When has there ever been a BAD mario kart?

Apparently, DD. Personally, I thought it was the best game in the series, because it saved the series from being more of the same.

i doubt ill be picking this up to be honest didnt enjoy double dash and this seems like more of the same..

Woah. Now I just disagree with you ENTIRELY. The new Mario Kart looks more like MK: 64 or MK: DS than MK: DD.

[McMad]

Apparently, DD. Personally, I thought it was the best game in the series, because it saved the series from being more of the same.

Please Double Dash was shit because it has the shittest tracks of the series, it was slow as hell and nobody cared about the fact that two people could control the two racers on one Kart because it added nothing to the gameplay, it just divided driving and throwing weapons in half and was executed in a very unimagined way.

[motion]

I thought Double Dash was brilliant personally.

[Slaggis]

I thought Double Dash was brilliant personally.

Seconded, I loved it, and the fact 1 person could do weapons and one drive aswell.

[hobbzinio]

Double Dash was shit to me also, just too slow and the way they changed the karts I just didnt feel... the formula on the 64 version was just too perfect to change...But apart from that, I think every Mario Kart has been classy and I really enjoyed the DS version.

I dont get the flack this is getting either, the graphics look different to Double Dash in my eyes and more arcadey? Lovin the return of the simple big ass karts, cant wait for it

[Blue_Ninja0]

DD was the one i disliked the most between the MK64, DD and the DS one. I'm not sure why but there's something wrong in DD. Maybe the tracks... i don't know.
But it was still lots of fun with 4 players.

[Mikey]

Double Dash was quality, but wasn't the best Mario Kart. I thought the tracks were a bit....meh, a lot of the time. This looks awesome though.

[c0Zm1c]

I think the courses in Double Dash!! range from brilliant to rubbish. It's a really mixed bag.

[immy]

Double Dash is bullshit end of

[DCK]

Double Dash wasn't really shit but it wasn't great for a Mario Kart. I played the hell out of it, but I think all previous editions topped it. The double driver idea didn't work, luck was too big a factor in MP (hope this one is as balanced as DS) the game was slightly too slow and a lot of tracks were bland.

They've got some things too make up for in this game. Personally I'm quite glad they reused Double Dash's style as it was perfect for a Mario Kart game.

[Jimbob]

I liked the style that DD had, so thankfully it looks like it is staying in the new MK. Hopefully, this version of MK won't be so bland like DD was, but more fun like MK-DS was.

[Cube]

luck was too big a factor in MP

At least it wasn't as bad as luck in MK64....last time I player it I won 18 out of 20 races because I was the worst player. Just that I wasn't far behind and got the lightning half way through the final lap every single race.

[Petey Piranah]

i think its more like the namco arcade.

http://namcoarcade.com/gamedata/pic_mariokrt_4.jpg

:laughing: How Bowser is able to drive through those gaps without the wheels getting caught in the gap i'll never know...

[Alan77]

The main problems with DD were that there were no real shortcuts on many of the tracks (nothing like the beach jump or Star tunnel from MK64) and you couldn't really head 'off-track' much at all.

The jump was missing which made it feel a bit crap and if you managed to fuck your opponents up on a big jump, for instance, they got put back on instead of havin to go round again etc, this made it all a bit too 'nice'.

I think DD is just too 'kiddie' really.

MK DS is far superior.

[Wesley]

DD was disappointing on the highest level possible and was the starting point for my love of Nintendo dying.

DD killed my gaming love.

[Hellfire]

Double Dash is bullshit end of

Yes your opinion is God's truth :indeed:
I loved DD, most people hardly gave it any time. For example I never had more fun in multiplayer than in DD, not even on the DS one. The Shine and Bomb mode were brilliant and the 2 player per kart was very fun in multiplayer. Most people played a little 50cc and never gave it any second thought. Not saying it didn't have problems, some tracks sucked and the driving was very loose.

[hobbzinio]

I played every mode and still thought it was fucking shit.

[david.dakota]

http://namcoarcade.com/gamedata/pic_mariokrt_4.jpg

:laughing: How Bowser is able to drive through those gaps without the wheels getting caught in the gap i'll never know...

Glass floor, perhaps?


Double Dash is the weakest link in the MK series, without a doubt. I don't think many can argue otherwise. It has some dudd tracks, and the two-racer mechanic just seems gimicky :shakehead . That said, I still find it enjoyable and thoroughly entertaining - and thats what counts :yay: . Just because its the worst in the series, doesn't necessarily mean its the worse game ever.

[Hellfire]

Double Dash is the weakest link in the MK series, without a doubt. I don't think many can argue otherwise. It has some dudd tracks, and the two-racer mechanic just seems gimicky :shakehead . That said, I still find it enjoyable and thoroughly entertaining - and thats what counts :yay: . Just because its the worst in the series, doesn't necessarily mean its the worse game ever.
I have to say I prefer it to the SNES version, as great as it was back then, the tracks are way too messy and hard to tell where you're going. Asides from that, yeah it's probably the worse, but it's by no means a shit game.

[Maiky-NiSuTe]

i dint like the GBA vertion but it still was a good game. and this game wil be as great as ever!

[KKOB]

I have to say I prefer it to the SNES version, as great as it was back then, the tracks are way too messy and hard to tell where you're going. Asides from that, yeah it's probably the worse, but it's by no means a shit game.

I'd say MK64 was the worst, DD had the extra modes, the gimicky mechanic that worked at changing how you played it. MK DS is without a doubt the best mario kart game yet made.

Seriously, what is with this looking like a gamecubed version of MKDS? The tracks from the announcement vid were from the DS game. Least Yoshi Falls i instantly recognised.

[Zechs Merquise]

As the debate has raged on here to whether DD is good or poor, I went back and played it again today, on the all cup challenge.

All I can say is WOW! It's sooo fun, the graphics are great and the tracks are truly inspired. I loved them all. It's frantic and fun.

To be honest, it's a real gem, the only downside was that it wasn't online so I never got to really explore the multi-player.

[Cube]

Seriously, what is with this looking like a gamecubed version of MKDS? The tracks from the announcement vid were from the DS game. Least Yoshi Falls i instantly recognised.

They also show a brand new version of Mario Circuit and a new track called Wario's Mines.

So, this'll probably have some "classic" tracks, too (hopefully just from 64, DD and DS)

[Hero-of-Time]

I thought MK64 was the worst of the lot. This is probably due to me being in love with Diddy Kong Racings single player mode which was vastly superior to MK64s.

[Cube]

I thought MK64 was the worst of the lot. This is probably due to me being in love with Diddy Kong Racings single player mode which was vastly superior to MK64s.

Yea. Same with the DS version, too. And the GBA version was beaten my Konami's effort.

[Mikey]

Main problem with DD was the cheating CPU, and the unbalanced power ups. Good game otherwise. MKDS is much better mind.

[KKOB]

I would like to see more than the track count they had on DS, mostly playable online, greatly expanded online component, 8 player online incl battle mode(which i think got confirmed). MKDS is the near perfect mario kart game that i love very much. The controls were absolutely perfect and the computer wasn't cheap like in previous versions.

The thing about MK DD is that it feels loose, kinda rubber bandy to play. It's a really good game, and has some really great courses. I like the donkey kong mountain one and the toad trafficy one :D

[Zechs Merquise]

Main problem with DD was the cheating CPU, and the unbalanced power ups. Good game otherwise. MKDS is much better mind.

Well, I did notice the cheating CPU, they were right bastards. Being playing F-ZERO too, they really compliment each other.

[Mikey]

F Zero GX is the shit. Hard game though. Took me years to get around to beating it.

[KKOB]

I was just thinking about picking up F-Zero GX again, it's currently above my tv. Playing the original has whetted my appetite for fast futuristic racers. I just hate the story mode :(

[Stefkov]

I really didn't like F-Zero GX. I started and there was a story and I was like WTF...
The N64 version was great, pick it up. Go on that death match type one, choose the black bull guy. Destroy all the other cars.
Endless fun.

[GMC]

i thought f-zero gx was an amazing game once you got into it, but like stefkov, wasnt a fan of the story mode. it was a pain in the arse.. and some of the challenges were evil! Its a difficult game to dip into after a while of not playing it due to the crazy speed etc. its the flip side of mario kart.

[Maiky-NiSuTe]

GX isnt even near a real F-zero its more like wipe out. F-zero X for me.

BUT LETS GET BACK TO TOPIC

What would be best for mario kart? i think 16 players max and 8 would do just fine by me. (indeed f-zero needs 30 player online. but mario kart simply doesnt!)

[Gaijin von Snikbah]

Mario Kart Double Dash was a bit unfunny in the handling department compared to other games.

[Maiky-NiSuTe]

yeah it was like the game had to mush overstear. the control's were to sensitive.

[Kurtle Squad]

I'm sure this has been said before; but they should call it the Wiil...though that looks crap...-_-

Anway...I think Super Circuit is the weak link (I have not played the SNES original)

[Retro_Link]

I'm sure this has been said before; but they should call it the Wiil...though that looks crap...-_-

Anway...I think Super Circuit is the weak link (I have not played the SNES original)Wiil, not bad!

I liked Super Circuit! had some really great tracks like Sky Garden etc...

[Deathborn]

My favourite is the DS one followed by the Snes one. I only played the N64 episode one time at a friend's home because it was'nt his game. I just remember I found the highway track.

I really hope this game bring something new to the saga but I don't have real hopes. I just hope a huge number of character (and don't allow racers to drive karts other than theirs. It's crappy.) and tracks. Around 40 characters will be good and they can bring back old and rare characters, maybe to make them appear more often if they are popular.

[Gizmo]

N64 one is always my favourite, good memories with the multiplayer we used to have on that. My neighbours, my sister, my dad, everyone played it. The items meant it was decently fair. DD, was not. And I never got into the DS version like I did the N64. Haven't played the SNES one though.

[KKOB]

I want Nintendo to do something with this game to make it significantly better and different to just a Wii version of MK DS. If this happens, and the quality is maintained i'll be happy.

I would like to see a boot load of courses-at least as many as MK DS-More characters/karts than any other MK game and an extra battle mode maybe-also would like to see mission mode remain as it'll be good for casuals to learn the nuances of the game, and for us to pull our hair out on.

[Kurtle Squad]

My favourite is the DS one followed by the Snes one. I only played the N64 episode one time at a friend's home because it was'nt his game. I just remember I found the highway track.

I really hope this game bring something new to the saga but I don't have real hopes. I just hope a huge number of character (and don't allow racers to drive karts other than theirs. It's crappy.) and tracks. Around 40 characters will be good and they can bring back old and rare characters, maybe to make them appear more often if they are popular.

Yeah, espeially since Dry Bones has been destroying the scene.

[Cube]

Yeah, espeially since Dry Bones has been destroying the scene.

How has Dry Bones been ruining anything?

[Kurtle Squad]

How has Dry Bones been ruining anything?

I don't really like him much, it's just a dead Koopa; taking up space where a different character could go.

[Cube]

I don't really like him much, it's just a dead Koopa; taking up space where a different character could go.

ROB was even worse.

[Kurtle Squad]

ROB was even worse.
na:heh:...Just out of place.

[Zechs Merquise]

Look, it's not the number of wacky karts, or the fact that you could select 40 different characters that makes Mario Kart great. it's not a super simulation, it's a fun racer. They can go back to 8 racers for all I care, as long as they nail the gameplay.

[Retro_Link]

Look, it's not the number of wacky karts, or the fact that you could select 40 different characters that makes Mario Kart great. it's not a super simulation, it's a fun racer. They can go back to 8 racers for all I care, as long as they nail the gameplay.I agree! and I actually think they should go back to the 8 classic racers! Though I guess this game will have more than 8 players online, so maybe not!

[Hellfire]

Look, it's not the number of wacky karts, or the fact that you could select 40 different characters that makes Mario Kart great. it's not a super simulation, it's a fun racer. They can go back to 8 racers for all I care, as long as they nail the gameplay.

Are you the same guy as before? Did you go through any life altering experience? Cause lately I've been agreeing with lots of your posts!
Here's to a better future! *cheers*

[Zechs Merquise]

Are you the same guy as before? Did you go through any life altering experience? Cause lately I've been agreeing with lots of your posts!
Here's to a better future! *cheers*

lol, I am the same person. I guess I am just impressed by more of what I see on the Wii. I'm still slamming poor efforts and lazy developers though - just go over to the Nights thread to see that!

Plus, who on earth could dislike Mario Kart??? I mean, it's brilliant. After spending the whole weekend rediscovering DD I don't see why there are any complaints what-so-ever, plus I thought this game looked lovely!

[Deathborn]

Look, it's not the number of wacky karts, or the fact that you could select 40 different characters that makes Mario Kart great. it's not a super simulation, it's a fun racer. They can go back to 8 racers for all I care, as long as they nail the gameplay.

I agree but I 'm not expecting another thing from this game considering Reggie speech. I hope they will refresh the series one day ...

And Dry Bones is made of pure win (like all undeads). ROB sucks.

[Smowza]

Snes mariokart was the best, the speed was great once you got all coined up oh and there was no blue shell so thats a plus in my eyes.
I enjoyed super circuit as it too had a nice sense of speed but the framerate was very choppy at times and some of the tracks seemed out of place to me like the cake type track. But one thing it did have was the speed boost for a good powerslide, this should be implememnted in the Wii version imo.
I didn't really enjoy MK64, i've given it a good chance as i've even bought it off virtual console.
MKDD was ok, a bit slow like MK64 and the whole 2 people concept felt a bit cheap.
MKDS was a good game, i agree with previous posts about funny handling. The whole snaking thing gets on my nerves thou so that kinda ruined online for me.

I'd really like items to be more usefull and fair. The star was an item to be feared in the snes version but now it just doesnt seem as good (more speed might be the answer). Mushrooms have now turned crap, the golden mushroom hardly gets you anywhere when you compare it to the standard mushroom in the original MK. Blue shells just seem to spoil the game more often that not. Red and green shells actually have improved.

[Zechs Merquise]

Snes mariokart was the best, the speed was great once you got all coined up oh and there was no blue shell so thats a plus in my eyes.
I enjoyed super circuit as it too had a nice sense of speed but the framerate was very choppy at times and some of the tracks seemed out of place to me like the cake type track. But one thing it did have was the speed boost for a good powerslide, this should be implememnted in the Wii version imo.
I didn't really enjoy MK64, i've given it a good chance as i've even bought it off virtual console.
MKDD was ok, a bit slow like MK64 and the whole 2 people concept felt a bit cheap.
MKDS was a good game, i agree with previous posts about funny handling. The whole snaking thing gets on my nerves thou so that kinda ruined online for me.

I'd really like items to be more usefull and fair. The star was an item to be feared in the snes version but now it just doesnt seem as good (more speed might be the answer). Mushrooms have now turned crap, the golden mushroom hardly gets you anywhere when you compare it to the standard mushroom in the original MK. Blue shells just seem to spoil the game more often that not. Red and green shells actually have improved.

The only item I dislike is the blue shell. It's too cheap in that there's no avoiding it. I also liked the coinage in the original as a way of building up speed. Very innovative.

[Goron_3]

The only item I dislike is the blue shell. It's too cheap in that there's no avoiding it. I also liked the coinage in the original as a way of building up speed. Very innovative.

You can avoid it in the DS version. Can't remember if you can in DD.

[DanielTimothy]

You can avoid it in the DS version. Can't remember if you can in DD.

Mushroom or a powerslide at the right moment.

[DCK]

With serious skill you could dodge it. Another trick with the blue shell is that when you notice it launches is to brake hard and hope the explosion hits someone else as well.

They should remove it though, it's really cheap.

[DanielTimothy]

It's there to balance out the race more, so whoever is in the lead doesn't too far ahead. I thought that was half the fun of Mario Kart, close frantic races with everyone blowing the crap out of each other. I'd prefer that to lets say, Toad coming first constantly.

[Cube]

The thing I hate with the blue shell is that most of the time, it doesn't help the person using it at all. The point of is just seems to be annoy.

And items should be distance based, not position based.

[Aalborg]

Ahh they will probably let you take out the blue shell.. costum matches and so on

[Charlie]

The blue shell in 64 was pretty good because it could hit other people on its way to the 1st player. On DS it was just as common as any other item, there would be at least one every race. It doesn't actually help the player who fires it at all.

[Cube]

It doesn't actually help the player who fires it at all.

Unless they save it, manage to get to 2nd place, then use it on the last corner.

[Stefkov]

Unless they save it, manage to get to 2nd place, then use it on the last corner.
If I play against someone else, just two players and easy cpu, I save it and get into first. He won't want to over take me.

[EchoDesiato]

If I play against someone else, just two players and easy cpu, I save it and get into first. He won't want to over take me.

You're screwed if someone gets a ghost though.

[Zechs Merquise]

With serious skill you could dodge it. Another trick with the blue shell is that when you notice it launches is to brake hard and hope the explosion hits someone else as well.

They should remove it though, it's really cheap.

I have never managed to dodge a blue shell on DD, the good thing about the DD blue shell was the explosion which would often catch the first, second and sometimes third in a race.

[Smowza]

With serious skill you could dodge it. Another trick with the blue shell is that when you notice it launches is to brake hard and hope the explosion hits someone else as well.

They should remove it though, it's really cheap.

I did do that once in an online MKDS, saved me the win. I remember the guy just held onto it for ages deliberatly waiting to use it on the last corner, i was loving it :laughing: most other times the blue shell just causes annoyance...

....trying to think of a way they could make it more fair, a huge explosion or shockwave is the only solution i can think of but the huge explosion i'm thinking of would probably be way too big! :hmm:

[Stefkov]

You're screwed if someone gets a ghost though.
Funny thing is, no-one has ever gotten a ghost when I've done that.

[pedrocasilva]

CVG preview:

Preview: Mario Kart Wii
Classic tracks! The return of hopping! Online racing! The definitive Nintendo racer is back

Told you, didn't we? But knowing that Mario Kart Wii was going to be announced at Nintendo's E3 press conference didn't make us any less excited.

When it came to the thing actually being revealed - in precisely 30 seconds of mouthwatering footage - we were cheering on the edge of our chairs just like you, gawping at the promising new tracks and classic old ones just like you... squeezing our eyelids shut and wishing that we could be transported ahead to 2008 in order to play it right now, just like you.

Of course, you want to know everything there is to know about Mario Kart Wii. So we've dug away with our info spades to uncover the secrets behind Mario Kart Wii - the characters, the vehicles, the tracks, the items, the online play - and brought the whole lot to you here.

Nintendo's E3 showing couldn't have delivered us a more exciting announcement. Drink it in, and try to come to terms with the fact that if Nintendo's plans work out, you'll be overtaking people on your big telly - online - in less than five months.

THE TREES ARE ALIVE

http://medialib.computerandvideogames.com/screens/screenshot_183897.jpg

No kidding - as with Super Mario Galaxy, Mario's world seems happier than ever. The trees lining Mario Circuit here actually wiggle from side to side - part of the general visual bounciness that sees smoke rising from pipes and tubfuls of gold careering over your head in Wario Mines. The waterfall in Yoshi Falls looking about a bazillion times better than it did on DS, yessir. You can bet that Nintendo's saving the dreamiest tracks for revealing much later: including this generation's optically-overloaded version of Rainbow Road.

HOP-AND-BOOST IS BACK

http://medialib.computerandvideogames.com/screens/screenshot_183885.jpg

Hop! Hop! Hop! Forget Double Dash!!'s tarmac-glued karts. The briefest glimpse of Yoshi pogoing past Luigi proves that the ace jump/skid controls from Kart 64/DS are back. The Wii's 2 button would be the natural fit for it too, and it marks a return to gratifying last-minute foe-slamming, hours spent teasing out secret/glitchy trampolining shortcuts - not to mention boosting your way out of corners with that beautiful blue burst of blowtorch-exhaust.

ANOTHER BLOCK PARTY

http://medialib.computerandvideogames.com/screens/screenshot_183878.jpg

Mario Kart wouldn't be Mario Kart without rainbow-shimmery '?' blocks dotting the tracks, and one section of Wario Mines shows them grouped in typical evil manner - a zig-zag across the track - that's just primed for those teeth-gnashing sliding-right-through-and-missing-them-all moments. Check the box right for the items we know of.

WAIT - WHAT? 12 PLAYERS?

http://medialib.computerandvideogames.com/screens/screenshot_183877.jpg

Yes - it's online. Properly. Race anyone you have a Friend Code for - or, if Mario Kart DS is the template, random worldwiders. Unlike on DS, Battle mode will also be online. And while Reggie told us to "wait and see" how many karters will be racing, the video screen behind him showed a dozen karts on the track! You'll understand if we don't get round to making the magazine any more.

THOSE LITTLE TOUCHES

http://medialib.computerandvideogames.com/screens/screenshot_183887.jpg

Do the characters' heads actually turn to look at the vehicles they've just sent flying bonnet-over-exhaust with a perfectly-timed red shell? Looks that way, judging by Luigi's smug glance at Bowser - and Henman-esque air-punch. Perhaps there'll be Mario Strikers-style 'highlights' bits at the end of the race to really rub it in, too.

PESKY 'PEDESTRIANS'

http://medialib.computerandvideogames.com/screens/screenshot_183889.jpg

Don't blame the Goomba - it is a zebra crossing after all. But do get ready to curse more pesky kart-clattering obstacles than ever: happily bouncing cows at Moo Moo Farm, roving barrels of gold in Wario Mines, and inconveniently-placed treehouses at Yoshi Falls.

SHORTCUT POTENTIAL

http://medialib.computerandvideogames.com/screens/screenshot_183900.jpg

We're such devious gits, we're already planning a Mushroom-aided shortcut behind that lamppost and over the pathway leading past these houses. YouTube is going to be filled with videos of people finding evermore ingenious and unplanned routes over, around and through different bits of scenery. Mario Kart's back all right.

NINTENDO-NOD SCENERY

The tracks are choc-a-block with cutesy Ninty references, such as these NES-sprite lamppost placards (with 'MARIO KART' written like the Nintendo logo). The pipework of Wario Mines makes us wish we could leap out the kart and explore... even if ducking down the green chimneys would get you a singed 'ass' if the smoke's anything to go by.

STUNTS APLENTY

http://medialib.computerandvideogames.com/screens/screenshot_183893.jpg

Check out these screens and you'll see Wario performing the kind of 360-degree spin that will have Excite Truck players' wrists contracting in sympathy. But what's the point? Nintendo's keeping something back from these screenshots: we're predicting that repeated stunts like this - which are bound to involve waggling or rotating the Wii remote - will build up an SSX-esque boost bar that'll do... something. Extra speed maybe, like Mario Kart GBA's coins? Spontaneous powerups appearing in your grasp? We'll see.

So the end of Matthew and Greener's Big Cash Bet over whether Mario Kart Wii would appear at E3 ended how it should: with Greener a full £1.75 richer, and a brand new version of the greatest multiplayer series ever made roaring out of Reggie's triple-screen TV-mothership and into an applauding crowd. And - pick us up off the floor and shake us by our shoulders until we come round - we're getting 12-player online racing and battling. Aren't you glad you bought a Wii now?

So: best Mario Kart ever? Impossible to tell at this stage. But there's an unmistakeable aura of Nintendo returning to the series's standout instalments. In controls, design, items and tracks, Mario's tit-for-tat kart battles on Wii seem to marry the best of Mario Kart 64 and its handheld sibling Mario Kart DS - everyone's favourite MKs - and throw just enough new stuff into the pot to get us rubbing our hands and cackling like crook-nosed witches.

Dash it all

Personally, we loved Double Dash!!, but many didn't. And that was blamed partly on the ditching of the hop-and-skid mechanic of yore. Nintendo haven't just brought the old scheme back - they've thrown in tracks from DD!!, so we can experience that game's exemplary track design with the traditional controls.

The weapons look back to normal too - swapping characters and doubling-up weapons in DD!! was a pain for newcomers; now Mario Kart's back to its accessible best, and there's no excuse for nan not to ditch the Platinum Sudoku for a few blue shells up the ass.

Take it online

And online. After some early tantrums by Nintendo's servers, Mario Strikers Charged proved Wii can work as seamlessly over the 'net as DS - even if the game itself led to Greener putting his face through a window in frustration. With 12 players at a time (and possibly more), Mario Kart will be Nintendo's crown jewel of Wi-Fi - the game that puts Wii on the online map. No doubt there'll be official racing tournaments to keep us on our toes, loads of online leaderboards, and, hopefully, decent matchmaking.

But the really big deal is an online Battle mode - something that we didn't see in Mario Kart DS, and a tongue-dribbling treat for anyone who stayed up late with friends to play pop-the-balloon. Block Fort please, Nintendo. Block Fort.

But here's the best thing about Mario Kart Wii: it absolutely guarantees that all those people who were 'meh' about Wii before will go out and buy one. In some ways it's a better party prospect than Wii Fit - everyone knows it, everyone loves it, and without the double-kart, character-swapping befuddlement of Double Dash!!, it'll only be off-putting for people who've had some kind of debilitating real-life banana/kart tragedy in their past.

So: when, when, when? Rumours point to Mario Kart Wii hitting the US as early as January - and, even though the Nintendo of Europe release schedule has the game down for 2008, there have been continued rumblings about Nintendo's Euro HQ pushing hard to have it ready for Christmas 2007 (a plan that's also being enacted for Wii Fitness). A strange move, seeing as Wii isn't exactly short of big games in the immediate future - but when it comes to Mario Kart, even tomorrow isn't quick enough.Source: http://computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=169996

[Slaggis]

This has suddenly jumped to the top of my most wanted list. Thanks for the preview!

12 player online, single karts and then some classic looking karts. Awesome.

[mcj metroid]

I can't believe poeple doubted this though. Asfter playing the mario gp game I have full confidence A steering wheel would work perfectly with mario kart.

If tracks are been remade we can also pretty much garunted a sweet 32 tracks again. After all they cant go backwards can they?(.yes I know they can)

[Cube]

Well written preview - as expected from NGamer. Still...no new info.

[Dante]

ONM UK Infomation:
Mario Kart:Wii includes 16 player online battle, all the DS tracks and new tracks.

[ShadowV7]

ONM UK Infomation:
Mario Kart:Wii includes 16 player online battle, all the DS tracks and new tracks.

Do you know if the 'battle' means online racing or not? That's a great amount of racing and tracks right there :)

Damn just battle.

http://gonintendo.com/wp-content/photos/DSC00096.JPG

[McMad]

As long as Nintendo make a microphone before this game is released then I don't care whether its only 4 or 16 people online play, talking to your mates while playing a game is half of the fun.

Plus with a Mic I'm able to let people who use a blue shell on me know what I think of them... fucking cheating bastards

[darksnowman]

Plus with a Mic I'm able to let people who use a blue shell on me know what I think of them...

Haha, the thing is though, wouldn't you need to be out in first to have a Blue Shell used on you...?! :heh:

[Tales]

It should be possible. I guess it wasn't possible on DS because of the hardware issues or something like that?

I didn't know about 16 player online. I wonder if that will happen very often. It is almost impossible to play a four player match on MKDS.

[jammy2211]

It should be possible. I guess it wasn't possible on DS because of the hardware issues or something like that?

I didn't know about 16 player online. I wonder if that will happen very often. It is almost impossible to play a four player match on MKDS.

I would reckon so, Mario Strikers was getting 25000 log ins per week a month after release and that's not even that big of a game. Mario Kart will sell much more.

Handheld gaming is never very big on the online thing, I don't personally 'get' online handheld stuff as I thought people would buy it for portability :S. Pokemon works though, but yeah, it'll be fine :).

Unless Smash Bro's is too addictive for everyone lol.

[Ike]

Stunts? Bleagh.

[Emasher]

I just hope it doesn't take forever to find 15 other players.

[ShadowV7]

It should be possible. I guess it wasn't possible on DS because of the hardware issues or something like that?

I didn't know about 16 player online. I wonder if that will happen very often. It is almost impossible to play a four player match on MKDS.

That's cause it was a 'proto-type' so to speak and even though it sucks finding friends, it is much better now for the Wii.

[welsh_gamer]

All DS tracks? Cool! I like all of the new one's on there.

Does 'all DS tracks' also mean that they will includ the retro one's that were on the gamecard too?

[Tales]

Do you think we will ever get 16 N-E members to play together? :P That would be pure awesome.

[mcj metroid]

Am I to believe that ALL the ds tracks are available or just select few?

[welsh_gamer]

Do you think we will ever get 16 N-E members to play together? :P That would be pure awesome.

No doubt there will be some tourney of some kind :heh:

*Puts thinking cap on*

[harribo]

Do you think we will ever get 16 N-E members to play together? :P That would be pure awesome.

I'm pretty certain theres more than enough Wii owners on here to get at least one 16 player game going.

[ShadowV7]

No doubt there will be some tourney of some kind :heh:

*Puts thinking cap on*

Very interesting....

16 players deathmatches will be a hell of a laugh.

[Ashley]

Plus with a Mic I'm able to let people who use a blue shell on me know what I think of them... fucking cheating bastards

Which is probably why it would never happen. People won't exactly shout "you hit me with a blue shell you scallywag!" (well, except maybe me) would they?

Unless they do matches which are dependent upon your parental settings or something...

[steggy]

Do you think we will ever get 16 N-E members to play together? :P That would be pure awesome.

Having seen how difficult it can be to get two people to arrange a time to play MSCF, it may be very difficult.

[Mike]

I'm sure some of this is just speculation from ONM. For example, the 'stunts' thing comes from the fact that you can see Wario's car do a 180 degree turn in mid air in the E3 trailer, and I'm sure the online battle mode is just wishful thinking (though probably very likely) on their part. And what about that article makes people think that all the DS tracks will be online? Again, ONM have probably just spotted that a couple of DS tracks were in the trailer, that''s all.

[Zechs Merquise]

I'm sure some of this is just speculation from ONM. For example, the 'stunts' thing comes from the fact that you can see Wario's car do a 180 degree turn in mid air in the E3 trailer, and I'm sure the online battle mode is just wishful thinking (though probably very likely) on their part. And what about that article makes people think that all the DS tracks will be online? Again, ONM have probably just spotted that a couple of DS tracks were in the trailer, that''s all.

It wouldn't be the first time they came out with a load of B/S!

All I want is classic Mario Kart online with a proper leader board and stats so I can dominate the world lol!

[Gizmo]

Stunts? Bleagh.

This. 01010

[Zechs Merquise]

Stunts? Bleagh.

Yes stunts sound utter dog shit, I don't like the sound of them at all!

[Zelda_Rulez]

I really hope stunts aren't like power moves like in Mario Tennis. They really break up the flow of the game.

[Owen]

Not sure about the stunts actually...i reckon it's a press of a certain button and you do a spin or something...hopefully it's useful in dodging certain attacks or something.

Battle mode online would be great! and 16 players?!

[mcj metroid]

I dont know...what we really need is BOAST POWER:)