I don't really agree for the most part with the "hated":

-Online play - At least for strangers, I have no desire to hear them... not a drawback. The structure of online play works great compared to MK DS online. The lack of playing structured cups solves the problems. No need to worry about people dropping because you placement is what effects your overall ranking. And then new people will be in for the next race.

-Sterility - There's definitely a new style to the menus, but I like it... it's very polished and functional. Just personal preference I guess.

-Too Many Karts - I thought this was a good change... it makes the races and overall standings in a cup more competitive.

-Item Unbalance - I don't have a problem with the blue shell. It's part of the game. And it's the only first-place punishing item. The people in back just get better stuff so they can catch up, as usual. It'd be no fun if falling off the edge in the first 5 seconds ruined your chances of winning. The items aren't perfect though. I don't really care for the POW block since it's mostly just a lightning bolt clone. Bullet Bill does take you too far forwards sometimes... seems way more generous than that DS version. And I miss the exclusion of character specific items from DD. And some of the items for that matter like the big Bowser shell and the angry banana.

-Wii Wheel - It's not bad, and a lot of people seem fine with it, but I'm also using the remote and nunchuk. I think bikes and online play have a lot to do with making this more than DD 1.5 though.

Now, there are some things that I could complain about... just not those things.

I've played the DD, DS, and Wii versions and like them all. I don't see how so many people seem to hate DD... there's not much difference between it and the other versions.

Mezodon

My biggest problem with the overpowered and frequent items was the fact that now (feel free to correct me if they did this in previous games, I don't recall any) they give you a grade for each circuit, even when you come in first overall and win.

I'm a little obsessive compulsive about this kind of thing, because now I need to have all golds and all A's on every circuit at every difficulty, just to prove how awesome I am. I, however, have found it be outrageously difficult to get A's, because I'm assuming it's based around utterly dominating your opponents (I've gotten first in all four races a few times, only to get a B or a C). This is very hard to do when sitting in first means being crotch-punched by the guy in 12th for 3 laps. I don't have a problem with the blue shell, in moderation, but getting hit 8 times a game is just ludicrous.

Nintendo has always been about punishing the better players in Mario Kart, and I've gotten used to persevering, but it seems in each installment of the game they keep making it easier to lose at the finish line. On SNES the worst you had to deal with was a red shell from second place, now we got Bullet Bill, blue shells, that fucking octopus every 5 seconds, POWs, shrinks, you name it, there's always something fucking you.

Bruce Skillis

Disagree with online play, sterility, and Wii Wheel. This is Nintendo's best online setup so far and I'd be happy to see it implemented in future Wii games even with no voice chat. Maybe you feel the game feels so sterile because there's too much white.

M

Oh crap, I haven't bought this yet because I didn't have the money at the time and now I am feeling a bit uneasy about the purchase. I have been Nintendo all the way since way back and have played all of the MK. Will this really piss me off? Oh well, I'll make my brother buy it, he likes to see me get pist off anyways when I go from first to last.

DarkFestim

@megaStryke:
I'm not required to do anything. Note that I also didn't say there was just quick link up. Standard online play now is not quick link up, why would I assume it was?
I just made a comment on a blog and now I have some kid getting all high and mighty over things. I really enjoy when people like you come out and infer things from nothing. I'm so glad you know everything about me from a few posts I've made.

Demonbird

So, to sum up Nintendo fans' position:

Luke you fuckin' jerk! How dare you include criticism in a review of a Nintendo rehash! You liked Double Dash?! What a loser. You are unqualified to review, play or even think about video games. Go shoot yourself in the face.

Silverbackne

@ raptorsrevenge

"The fact that the Online play is FREE and works really well,"

I do agree no voice chat isn't that bad, but you can't play SSBB online and tell me that nintendo has a great online system. It was so laggy that I was able to stand in front of bowser fully charge my beam and shoot it at him. However, certain games seem more fun online when you have voice chat. CoD4, Halo 3, and PGR are fun because with halo and CoD you can stategize and with PGR you can't taunt, but i guess nintendo wants to prevent a pedophile from using jigglypuff to float around spelling out "come over to my house"

if_deez

@WizarDru: another great post...maybe it's just me, but I already went into Mario Kart Wii knowing Nintendo wasn't going to get all "Live" with the online component. Like I mentioned before, there seems to be some disconnect from common sense in regards to what Mario Kart Wii is and is not. This game is made for everyone and as you said...why would any parent want their kid to sit in front of the tube and let some grown man shit-talk to them? That's a great example of what Mario Kart is not supposed to be and what Nintendo is trying hard to avoid.

Unfortunately, in the need to be "hardcore" and a bit selfish, too many reviewers and gamers are forgetting (again...as you said) that we are not the target audience for these games anymore. We were when we were in our teens, which allows us to still enjoy them from a different/more refined (more mature for some) perspective today but there is an entire generation of young gamers that have never played a Mario Kart.

That's who nintendo aimed this game at and made so that the veterans can still play too with the rookies and all can compete. As I'm typing this I have to say yours is one of the best posts I've read on this topic. Great points all around.

Striderhayasa - Phillyyakk on PSN and Live.

How can you be disappointed when you expect the same thing every time?

over, and over, and over again...

globones

I still say the original for the SNES is the best, only one I ever play with friends.

RTW

@Demonbird: That's not what you said:

"The only thing this has you can expect from an XBL experience is online play. Nothing more."

That sounds like there is absolutely NOTHING other than a quick link-up. You were wrong and you are required to admit it.

People like you look at something like Mario Kart's online setup and say, "Jeeze, maybe they'll actually get it this time." However, in truth, if we are to believe that the Wii is serving as a gateway for the non-gamers to get their feet wet and eventually explore the full spectrum of available gaming technology, it makes more sense to unveil a robust online system little by little to avoid overwhelming consumers. You are just angry because Nintendo isn't worshiping the ground you walk on.

megaStryke

Oh yeah, I really want online play to have voice enabled so I can hear some 12 year old across the country call me a fag just because I threw a red shell at him.
[/sarcasm]

theblackdog

@Demonbird: No one has ever stated that MK:Wii online service was as good as XBL's, as it is the defacto standard for online services. That being said it has much more in common your original statement of "just online play".

nastysquared

No mention on how good the online setup is?

It has no voice chat, I prefer that on a Nintendo game. It would only serve for foul language, and insults on a game designed to be warm, colorful and happy. Since when should any Nintendo franchise have an online voice chat enabled? It would just ruin the experience that Nintendo has been giving us for the past couple decades.

mikevanpwn

Preferences, preferences.

I actually find MKW to be one of my favorite entries into the series, as well as really liking the wii wheel.
So while I don't really feel the same about a lot of what you said you hated about the game, Luke, I can appreciate your input and respect your opinions, because we're all different gamers.

I agree that the new courses are phenomenal though.
Coconut Mall has to be one of my favorite courses, based solely on the fact that the first time I ever played it and I got to the part where the cars drive back and forth to block you, I got hit by one, stopped and looked at the screen, and then just started to laugh because it was fucking Robocop blocking my path.

Awesome.

dantemustdie

And what's with no free for all in the multiplayer? Me and my buddies used to spend countless hours just playing Balloon Battle in Pipe Plaza.

vizual3y3z

@Wolfers: Totally agree. If you can still beat someone playing with Wolf after being bitch-slapped by his landmaster, then THAT is why you play Smash Bros.

ScottyF311

I played it for awhile. My girlfriend is disgusting with the wheel. Pretty crazy. I think this game feels much closer to the DS version of Mario Kart. Also, online worked without a hitch. A Wii first (I'm looking at your Brawl. I haven't forgotten nor is it forgiven.)

Kempatsu

@megaStryke:
All I'm saying is that it isn't Live level of service. It's good, but there is no arguing that it lacks many things xbl has. Arguing over that is a waste of time. It's a step in the right direction for Nintendo. Let's hope they drag themselves further if not all the way to the industry standard with their next try.

Demonbird

@Demonbird: uh...what? MKWii has a lobby system, is very reliable...as reliable online as any great online game I've played on Live or PSN and it has an organized friends list. What it doesn't have is messenging, chat and adding friends to the friends list in-game.

the Mario channel is the example of what Nintendo Wifi should have been at launch for Wii. It's not perfect, but it's damn good for what it does and the Mario Kart channel should be THE standard for any online Wii game from now on.

Striderhayasa - Phillyyakk on PSN and Live.

My only complaint is that if you have the Wii set for 16:9, why the blue hell does it split the game horizontally for split-screen multiplayer?

dry-roasted-peanuts

"Mario Kart's a series where multiplayer has traditionally been about shit-talking and good times, not racing some nameless, voiceless opponent. If ever a Nintendo game needed voice-chat, it's this one."

Maybe on the college campus or in Kotaku's offices, but not in the households of America with kids who are under 12, it hasn't been. This may come as a shock to you, Luke, but this game WASN'T MADE FOR YOU. Sorry, but it wasn't. Nintendo is catering to a broad audience, and while I'm sure they're thrilled that you dropped by, you're not the one buying a Wii Wheel for every member of your family. You're not setting up friend codes to allow your kids and their cousins and your friend's kids and your other friend's kids and some of your kid's classmates to all play together.

Mario Kart Wii commercials aren't running during CSI...they're running on Nickelodeon and lifetime.

And quite honetly, I really don't want you 'shit-talkin' to my kids, dig? When I let my son play Halo 3, I mute the chat...but I'm a game nerd like everyone reading this blog. My sister-in-law or my wife's parents would have NO IDEA how to do that...so Nintendo didn't even bother. That way there's a smaller vector for offense.

The fact of the matter is that this game is written for YOU, it's written for YOU when you were the age you were when you played your FIRST Mario Kart...because for many kids, IT IS.

WizarDru

@Demonbird: Here's why I think YOU don't know what you are talking about:

[www.destructoid.com]

"Nintendo hears a lot of noise about their shoddy online support, and if anything is going to shut up its detractors, it should be Mario Kart Wii. Yes, the appallingly stupid "Friend Code" system is back, but once friends are added, tracking them for online games, going head-to-head with their ghost racers, and tracking stats is a snap. Finding and connecting to random games online was never really an issue for me this past week, which is particularly surprising since the only gamers I was connecting with were overseas and other journalists, since the game hadn't yet shipped to retail. I ran into no problems with dropped games or lag, either, and my online experience was so smooth that I may even choose to ignore the deplorable lack of voice chat in this review. (Wait, I think I just mentioned it, didn't I? OK, I'll leave it at that.)

The game's built in "Mario Kart Channel," which can be installed to the Wii Menu or accessed in-game, is also a pleasant surprise. It acts as an online hub for all things Mario Kart Wii, including leaderboards (local and international), in addition to being a way to see if any of your friends are currently online (along with giving you the option to join them). Although none had been available during my time with the game for review, the channel also promises to be the central location for Nintendo-sponsored Mario Kart Wii online tournaments, which should definitely lend quite a bit to the game's overall longevity."

megaStryke

Each time I read MK, I can't help but think about Mortal Kombat.

I then thought "Ummm, what if we mixed the two to make... Mortal Kart!"

I then realized this is much too obvious a joke, that it MUST have already been made. Googled it, and sure enough, it's been done.

Let this post be a reminder that on the internet, no joke has been original since 2003.

Guizzy

I'm sorry but the whole time reading the review all I could think was Double Dash was your favorite. It's kind of like reading album reviews from someone who's favorite band is Puddle of Mudd or Kenny G or something.

CogSmooch

agree with Luke's list here, but does anyone else miss the personalized weapons? i understand making the golden mushroom universal, but come on, big floppy naner?!?! the huge shell that just crushes bitches on the dk mountain bridge? the chomp chomp that will always end up f@#&*ing you over and send you off the edge....

tpacchia

I played MKWii for about 5 hours at a friend's place yesterday. We went through all the tracks in vs. and did all the battle mode courses.

I can only play the game with a GCN controller. Other control methods work alright but the GCN controller is perfect for me. I remember a previous post about how hard it was to reach for the d-pad to do tricks. Well, sir, you have tiny fingers or something. I can reach it just fine. It's not like you have to steer on jumps so you always have to keep your finger on the analog stick.

Yeah, I've been playing Mario Kart since the SNES as well. Double Dash was one of my favorites due to the strategy involved in picking teams. I thought that Mario Kart DS got it as close to perfect as it could be.

MKWii feels like a prettier MKDS. In that, it's pure MK fun just with a shiny layer. It's not a step backward, it just got a spit shine.

I didn't play online so I can't respond to that but I can understand where you're coming from. The lack of voice in online would ruin that good shit talking Mario Kart attitude. My friend and I certainly were shit talking all day yesterday while playing it.

Phazonmasher

Sorry Luke, but I cant personally agree with many of your complaints. So far the game has been what I hoped for and more for the next MK title.

Oh and so far I am really liking the wii wheel. I thought I would be very dissapointed with the accuracy level of control but it works and it works well for what it is.

yashichi8bit

@Master Saji: yes they have always been unbalanced. So I don't know why this is such a sticking point now. Mario Kart has never been about balance per se...it's always been about keeping the races close so that anyone can we at any given time. People are complaining about the powerups but let's break that down...look at Diddy Kong Racing...which I never believed was better than Mario Kart...ever.

In DKR, if someone gets a good lead...it's over, you'll never catch them on average unless they screw up and crash. That happened too many times when I used to play it. The last lap and you can see the guy is not that far ahead on the map but there isn't a weapon in your arsenal to take him out for the win.

I like the chaotic nature of mario kart. It keeps the races intense and even though you can get banged out at the last second for the loss, it's always anyone's game and those last minute power ups serve everyone at one time or another.

@nastysquared:
exactly. I don;t know what's wrong with some of these reviewers. Either they are lying and never played mario kart or their memories are trash because the things they pick as negatives have always been in the series.

Striderhayasa - Phillyyakk on PSN and Live.

The online play deserves some accolades. It is stable, has ranking, and makes managing friend codes easier than ever before.

Its online is everything Brawl should have been

dekarguy

@nastysquared:
Organized Friend lists, a damn decent messaging system, a much better way to organize games with friends, reliable online play. If you played a game on live you would be able to answer these questions yourself.

Demonbird

Having too many karts is bad?
online is bad im sure without even playing it.
I always loved using many items because there are this times with my cousins in which I am in first place and then a blue shell makes me go to 3rd place and we all laugh, so many items even if unbalanced is fun for me.
Im definetly getting this game, I actually was thinking on not getting it but for unbalanced items im going to get it.

HELLSRIDER

@Demonbird: From what I've read, this game has matchmaking, the ability to download ghost data, future Nintendo-run tournaments, leaderboards, a globe that allows you to see where all your opponents live, and the ability to send out friend request.

How is that different than a lot of the features in Live?

megaStryke

@Demonbird: Please do enlighten to as to what Xbox Live has, aside from voice chat and gamertags, that this online experience doesn't?

nastysquared

I played the first two Kart games into the ground. The SNES version is still my fav. mainly due to fond memories. I took a break after those two only playing the others briefly since I was more of a ps2/xbox fan. Now that I have a Wii and it's one of my main systems along with 360, I thought it was about time to get back into it.

I agree with you when you say it seems soulless. For some reason, it doesn't have the spark or charm that others had. The wheel isn't great at all, I used the chuck/controller combo. And I HATE this damn blue shell everyone has been warning me about.

That being said, the online play, for me, is great. Getting online is quick and easy and the lack of voice chat just totally erases all the little 10 year old babble you hear on Live. I usually play online without the headset so that wasn't a big deal for me. I love the unlockables, but wish there were more customization involved.

Overall, it's a good game, but if you aren't a fan of the series, you won't like it. Play it for the nostalgia factor like I did and you will be pleased.

ttocs

@Wolfers:
This, so many times over. There are so many times I want to just play Smash Brothers for fun's sake with all the "Lulz itamz!" in place.
"What are you, some kind of n00b? Isn't it more fun if everyone just uses Fox, Final Destination, No Items?"
No, there is no sarcasm in this post either. It makes me REALLY sad.

Sticking with talking about Mario Kart, I dislike the items as well but it's nice to play against your really bad friend and have him win sometimes. I mean, I don't wanna lose as much as the next guy - but bashing my friends' faces in with how bad I beat them makes for a lot less playing of whatever game we're playing. Since not everyone has the same amount of time/money to invest in playing a video game to the level of Ninja Master, it's nice to have these random elements in casual play.
That being said, I'm not sure I'll pick up this game because I hardly have any friends that I can play with anymore. We all don't have time(and/or) money to keep up with gaming and I've found that recently I lose interest in gaming if I just play by myself.

Channing

I personally don't agree with you, but I can see where you're coming from.

HaigNC

The wheel is actually a lot better than reviews give it. That is ASSUMING you are using the Wheel that came with it, and not the crappy old one you can get for 5$.

After playing brawl, and other online wii games, I can honestly say that they have improved. I have zero complaints about it.

Lacks a soul?! Please indulge me as to how screaming and laughing at the intensity of the game, from jumping from 12th to 1st, and vice versa, to racing online with players, and saying: "OMFG HAHAHA" every 2 seconds due to epic moments make this game souless!

If Online gaming thought me anything, is that I usually have to put an ignore option on most people when there is voice chat. That comes from experience with CoD4, TF2, and other games. Now, I'd hate to picture people whining online on a game meant for all ages.

Now, the game isn't perfect, but in my opinion, the Wii has no other games that goes up to it's level. Mario Kart Wii has not only exceeded my expectations, it changed my vision of the Wii itself.

Blue shells are cool. Nuff said.

FeatherNET

@megaStryke:
The only thing this has you can expect from an XBL experience is online play. Nothing more.

Mario Kart Wii and disappointment in the same sentence? Who would have imagined?

Demonbird

"I'm not mad I'm just disappointed."

Now the Dismemberment Plan is stuck in my head.

I don't mind.

chinesedentist

I agree with all your good points, and disagree with all your bad points. MKWii is everything I expected and hoped for. Easily the best in the series in my book. And what planet are you on with the Wii Wheel? It works brilliantly, and I (having had the game since the 11th) have yet to feel the need to even try out another control scheme, let alone switch to one.

awkward91

I hate to generalize, but Luke's overall reaction to Mario Kart Wii reminds me VERY much of I how I felt about Mario Galaxy. For me it boils down to the fact that because these games are all sequels of massively successful products I feel as though some care should be taken to make sure that dedicated fans of a series will end up really enjoying them. Instead I feel as though all the emphasis is being placed upon making the transition to the Wiimote and making it as accessible as possible. That's fine, but I keep coming away from the Wii iterations of Nintendo franchises disappointed because they really do feel as though the soul of the experience--what really made it great-- is gone.

It's not that Galaxy or Zelda TP are bad, not at all. It's that the little things that are really important as far as making it a lasting experience for hardcore fans of the series are generally missing. I keep finding myself quitting just a few hours in because they feel like 'more of the same' but missing what I loved most. On top of that, easy opportunities to add in tweaks that I would appreciate (such as the capability to turn off blue shells or decrease the elasticity in Mario Kart) aren't done.

I keep feeling like I *should* love the Wii iterations of my favorite Nintendo franchises, but then I end up apathetic.

crackp1pe

I probably disagree with you so much in this review because I feel that Double Dash was the worst most boring Mario Kart in the series. This new Mario Kart gives me that feeling I had playing the SNES version.

JayDiggler

Being a long time MK fan (no apologies, I like them all), the game is great fun. No problems with the control schemes (I took yesterday's advice and switch to nunchuk, and I like it). I do think that the 12 racers do make for some vicious attacks on first place, especially with the addition of a few more 'hit everyone' items like the POW and the DS's Blooper. But, if you think Mario Kart is a racing game, you are sorely mistaken. Pretty much every Mario Sports game is more about the insanity of it all, with the rules of the sport to hold it together. Strikers is chaos with a soccer ball, and Kart is chaos with a go kart (or bike if you're so inclined). If your worried about spiny shells, play Gran Turismo.

My biggest disappointment though: lack of the co-op Grand Prix. I was looking forward to some co-op with my wife, and we can't. Our substitute: Team VS against my brother and his wife, online. True, it's not playing together on the couch, but it was much smoother than Smash online, with nary a hiccup to be found.

As for soulless? This may be a little thing, but I think the little head tracking they added adds a lot of character to the racers, as they look up at the blue destruction about to be reaped upon them. Enough soul for the whole game? Maybe not. My two cents.

Malthius

I suppose I'll chime in with my two cents. I bought MK Wii on Sunday and have thus far enjoyed it thoroughly.

I played many hours of N64 Kart (although never owned a N64) owned and loved Double Dash and also owned and liked Mario Kart on the DS.

That being said, the rubber band AI is slightly "stronger" in this iteration. However it has always been there, just not as pronounced. That being said I have yet to run into a match (online or local) that has caused me to drop from 1st to 10th or last like some reviews state. Have I dropped a place or two? Sure... but that happens in all Mario Karts from time to time.

A tip for those looking to play. If a blue shell or POW block are coming (you know when they are) be smart, slow down, and let it do it's thing before attempting to hit a jump / huge turn / big obstacle.

nastysquared

Aren't the online features in this game... like... the best Nintendo has put out with? I've been reading all over that aside from the voice chat and friend code issues this game has everything you'd expect from a Live-enabled title.

megaStryke

True MK fan huh? If you think that Mario Kart Double Dash is the best Mario Kart then your review is worthless. For me personally I like MK64, but in general everyone loves the original. But Double Dash? Thats like the worst one out there. MK Wii is way better than Double Dash.

todde7

Why do people complain about the blue shell in multiplayer? You can turn the thing off, you know.

ImBigBob

"Mario Kart's a series where multiplayer has traditionally been about shit-talking and good times, not racing some nameless, voiceless opponent."

Voiceless yes. But not nameless. The player's name shows up before the match and even during racing at certain times. Are you even paying attention to that? The end score also shows names and there Mii's. Sure that might not be like somebody next to you but come on. If you wanted that "next to you" feeling then get a few friends over as I sure never had that feeling even on PC/360 voice chatting as if somebody was right next to me. And personally... I'm glad to not have voice chat during races. I never quite got the affection for all this "shit-talking" online. I rather race then listen to whining players.

You also utterly neglected to say how Mario Kart Wii utterly kicks SSBB in the ass to show how you should do online play! it's not perfect. However It makes SSBB WiFi look like something prehistoric while shooting volcano's of OMG LAG all around. So on a Nintendo WiFi level it's a mayor step forward.

StormdragonBlue

voice chat sucks. "faggot faggot faggot blue shell faggot faggot faggot POW block faggot faggot faggot". what, you got strategies to go over? this isn't splinter cell.

StratfordX

I didn't like the last few installments of Mario Kart for different reasons but overall I found that I was bored and not really having the fun I had when I played the SNES version. With the wheel bundled with the game and a spare one I bought I'm actually having fun with a Mario Kart again, a lot of fun...and it's easy for my girlfriend to play, enjoy, and beat me sometimes. The wheel makes this game for me.

JayDiggler

Why would anyone play a competitive multiplayer game with catch-up AI?

globones

The game must not have voice chat. Even if alone, you'd be cussing and swearing from mistakes and tackles in the game. Mix that in with a microphone and that's all you'd here in a kids game. Cussing.

Mearns

@HaydenTenno:

It's not a matter of letting others decide for myself, it's the fact that I just so happen to have the same things in mind when it comes to the things I look for in a videogame.

Believe it or not, some things are objective enough that I don't have to play it to know I won't be enjoying it at all.

Truvill

I agree about the enemies using too many items it spoils the game. I wish they had options to let you enable or disable specific items and the rubber band code.

The blue shell is especially annoying as theres no counter to it at all.

Im all for the rubber band code keeping things tight, but it would be nice to have a cheat free "real" race as an option too.

I do like the wheel though and found it fun to play with.

Zootalor

I don't know man, I hated the WiiWheel after trying it for my first day, then I got used to it, and now I love it.

Glare

"what the fuck is this shit? I climbed all these ladders and now at the end, because of a random dice roll, I have to take this chute back to the beginning? ZOMG milton-bradley iz communizt!"

When you hit the summit of an MK game, you're only racing the track, and no bolts, no blocks, no blue is going to change that.

Plunkett, if you complain about blue shells, you're not there. It's just not in you, brother.

As for the clinical presentation and the online play, well, I guess this means you didn't spend any time with MKDS, a subject uncomfortable to broach with gaming journalists who revel in treating portable systems and offerings like Oliver Twist. This isn't Smash--Mario Kart has some dignity--and I prefer the utilitarian presentation. The online interface allows you to exchange friend codes with racers you don't know (!) and the experience is now continuous--no more searching for players.

StratfordX

Definitely agree with the "sterility" point you mentioned. The nintendo charm doesn't burn as brightly as it does in many of the other titles in the series (IMO).

Also, I find the graphics for the character polygons to be abysmally disappointing. I know the Wii shouldn't be played on a HDTV (at least on a large one), but having done so, the character models at the character select screen appear very jagged...dare I say to N64 standards. The tracks themselves look good, but I was surprised by the character models, especially after witnessing what the Wii is capable of in nintendo's own Super Mario Galaxy.

Those gripes aside, the online rocks. Surely a positive sign that nintendo is getting there amidst the terrifying friend codes.

lharoon

Great game. Like the Wheel. On-line play is fine and I use TeamSpeak for voice with friends, works great.

RedSkysatNight

@ScottyF311: Yeah, if you're looking for a highly competitive racer, there's better options. Same goes for Smash Bros, there are many fighters more balanced for tournament play. (final destination/no items is completely missing the point of the game in my opinion.)

Wolfers

Some of you guys really think Luke is being "harsh?" On balance it's a very positive review; I wish more Nintendo releases would be appraised this honestly.

Silverbackne

I think another blue(good) point should the inclusion of retro tracks. Being able to play some of my old SNES favorites with the current engine is nice. Besides, even if you've played them before, that means you have 32 tracks on one disk, and that can't be a bad thing.

ninjafetus

"Wah wah voice chat wah wah blue shell". That's basically what I've gotten out of this review.

Mikintosh

"Wii Wheel: Perhaps the game's single biggest let-down, since the new peripheral was all that was keeping this from being, well, a Double Dash 1.5."

Oh how I WISH this was Double Dash 1.5, but how could it be without including team play?

I'm not a racing game buff and only ever play Mario Kart with my friends, so the driver/gunner mechanic in DD never really bothered me. In fact, that mechanic is why we still play DD almost every weekend.

Sadly, I'll never bother buying Mario Kart Wii because it doesn't give me the opportunity to punch my own car off of the track to punish my driver for totally driving between those item boxes.

j00s

Im surprised Luke didnt point out how cheap the AI is in 150cc. I agree with the soulless design and the fact that i cant race grand prix mode with a local friend is pretty sub-par with MK's of yore. Its still a pretty fun game though, even though i hate to admit that the Quacker Bike is by far the best.

Luuey

So...

Complaint #1 - It won't let me talk shit to strangers on the internet.
Complaint #2 - This non-living game lacks a soul.
Complaint #3 - Too many people who aren't me.
Complaint #4 - Yeah, yeah...everyone hates the blue shell when you're in first place.
Complaint #5 - 1 of the 3 possible control schemes is not to my liking.

Just kidding...Double Dash is my fav too.

Arklop

you don't get punished for first as long as you are far enough ahead. If you are right in front of someone, yeah, your going to get bumped somehow... but isn't that was this games all about? Not being another racing game where once your out front, your there for the win... no this is a party game meant for the masses... fanboys really need to stop harping on good things.

WickedOrange

Sterility, a funny way to put it, but absolutely true. Seriously, I can't put my finger on it either.

Wolfers

This is a solid entry in the series. I definitely dig the new tracks.

And I have to agree that having 12 racers is pure chaos. It seems that whenever you get hit with something though, it's like you're getting gang-banged/trained on.

It gets REALLY frustrating when you're in first the entire time until the last bend of the final lap and you get hit with a blue shell, lightning bolted, red shelled, then repeatedly knocked by the other passing racers. *pulls hair*

def PD

A good review. I personally fell you're being a little harsh, but the points are valid. It's still a fun game, and I played it basically for 12 hours with two mates when in came out over here in the UK, and it was one of the best times I've ever had with a game. And the wheel is honestly pretty fun. I'd recommend any Wii owner to pick this up.

Dragonzigg

If I've gotten anything from all the various MK reviews I've read it's that everyone who calls themselves diehard MK fans are most likely full of shit. It's Mario Kart, it's not to be taken seriously, just have fun, throw the controller at the wall now and then and move on.

t0yrobo

@Truvill: Letting others make up your decisions in life? Ugh...

Why not try things for yourself? You may come away surprised that you have your own opinions...

HaydenTenno

How can you people not like the Wii Wheel?

I actually expected to hate it since I've read everywhere it's just a cheap little piece of plastic but it's actually pretty awesome. It just feels right and having that shape really helps you steer.

I honestly can't think of going back to the Wavebird or Classic Controller after getting good with the wheel.

twesterms 2nd

OK, this is my first Mario Kart game, so perhaps my n00bitude is not giving me an accurate picture. But:

1) I love the wheel. It felt like the right way to drive in this game from the second I started my first race.

2) It could just be that I have a funny imagination, but after racing people online for awhile, I started attributing personalities to them, and eventually shit talking to my TV at them when they got me or vice-versa.

3) I think the balance is OK. I mean, I got taken down by Bullet Bill just about as much as I took people down with it. The only "ARGH!" moment I had was when I got blue-shelled somewhere between 0.5 and 2 seconds away from the finish line in first place. I almost cried. But then I got right back in and targeted the perpetrator big time the next go around.

I pretty quickly found 4 hours gone from the time I popped the game in until I realized I had to get to sleep. It's definitely a big win for me.

chucklebuck

For the record, I've also been playing Mario Kart since the SNES, watching the game series take baby steps forward with each new iteration.

You say MKWii is a step back for the franchise, well I say Double Dash was a step back and MKWii is the first step forward for the franchise. I've been enjoying this game too much to be healthy and the online play is an absolute blast.

Twelve players is better than eight because it creates a more frantic experience. Who cares if you can't keep first place because of items? Do you want a repeat of time trial mode? I like going back and forth between places because it keeps the races exciting.

Raian1

I'm afraid I'm going to hate this game. I don't like all the cheap items and this game seems to give them out like free herpes. I wish there was a option to turn of the items or control the amount of blue shells that people can get. One thing that gives me hope is that you think Double Dash is the best Mario Kart. IMO DD is by far the worst so maybe I'll like this Wii Mario Kart:)

silkylove

I thought you already put up a Wii Wheel hate article yesterday?

I think the harsh criticism towards the online play is a little unjustified. Just because it doesn't have a mic where I can hear racist rednecks and 12 year olds screaming noob comments at me, doesn't make it bad.

The fact that the Online play is FREE and works really well, makes it a great experience. Matchmaking is even faster than Halo 3, at times. You can even meet up with your friends!

I wish it did have voice feedback or text feedback for your friends (I feel the impersonal criticism is an issue), but like I said, you can't beat Free. Especially when it's leaps and bounds above Brawl online play.

raptorsrevenge

People need to stop apologizing for liking Double Dash. I too thought it was a lot of fun. Just because there were some out there who didn't like it doesn't mean it was bad for you to like it. Stick up for yourself already!

Cloral

yeah i hate how they use the catch-up mechanic. i shouldn't get punished for being in 1st.

dh4645

"shit-talking and good times"

Sincerely cannot remember the last time I've had this with anything related to Nintendo (there was the Evo West SSB: Melee tournament, but let's face it, everyone else at every other game was laughing AT them).

"It's still a good game, don't get me wrong, it's just...not as great as you probably thought/hoped it would be."

Somewhat depressing that I've been seeing this in every "big" Wii game released so far that I would normally care about.

Anyways, good read, and thanks for convincing me to further hold on from purchasing a Wii (the Online Play comment cemented this decision for me).

Truvill

I thought the online play was the best on Wii yet. You can get into a race in seconds. Also, I'm suprised with your reaction to the Wii Wheel. Most people who I've talked to have found it suprisingly good. Myself included. I've gotten 2nd and 1st in quite a few online games using that wheel.

Shigamado

I can't say I agree much here. I just got MK Wii yesterday and I can't put it down. Probably my favorite of all of the MK so far. DD was alright but my interest was lost fast. MK 64 was my first and probably second fav now from wii version. I love the online play now too...

WickedOrange

Well then this just reinforces my desire for the game while waiting patiently for Amazon to get it to me. I have to admit, I'm one of those odd folks that hates voice chat, so its lack is fine by me. And the fact that Super Mario Kart was my first/last Mario Kart game means this will have the desired impact of being an improvement. If the wheel doesn't pan out, that's ok: I wasn't particularly hopeful about it anyway. The only thing that I wonder now is how I'll deal with a game that has far more pronounced "rubberband AI" then the last Kart game I played.

zebber

Its a new Mario Kart!

I have done everthing there was to be done (SP) on all previous Mario Karts. What would you want more, other then new content? Freeze the time in 1992 and just play Super Mario Kart?!

Wait, thats not a bad idea at all...

Shiryu

I'm not a Mario Kart fanboy, yet I've played them all, and Mario Kart Wii is my second favorite game of the series, right behind Mario Kart DS. Even without voice chat, this is the best Nintendo online offering to date and it shows they're stepping up their game.

I couldn't care less that the snaking is gone, boohoo. It's a good game and that's all I was asking for.

HaydenTenno

better late than ever. there is more red than blue, i dont know if thats a good thing or not, im going to wait a little later to pick this title up, i dont want to neglect it since im busy with GTAIV and the MGO beta

castout

Was this written just after a sour online/1player session? Being 1st for the whole race and then getting pounded with items that just feel cheap can be incredibly frustrating. But on another note with consistant good driving, it is possible to place in top 3 most of the time. I played about 10 gmes where some girl (female Mii) came 1st every time!

Arcadewolf

I know everyone hates the blue shells and bullets and such cause they're not "fair," but to me, that's just a part of Mario Kart. Being able to persevere THROUGH all the shit that gets thrown at you and STILL getting 1st...that makes you a stellar Mario Kart player.

ScottyF311

This wasn't mentioned in the review, but I remember hearing about it in the Euro review copies - there is no free for all battle mode, correct? Only teams? Because that would basically make the game worthless to me

RFX

Yeah I figured that MK would turn out like this, N64 is my all time favorite.

Schoolimangooli

what about not having local player grand prix!

my gf and i love mario kart, but not being able to beat the game together kind of put a damper on the game.

zeropoint.0

"I'm sure a ton of new Wii owners, whose last go-around with the series was on the SNES, will have a blast."

That's my camp. The Wii is the first nintendo console I've owned since my SNES, so things like Brawl and Kart, which others have "meh"'d over after they finally got released, are wholly new experiences for me. Bring it, I say.

(I did get Kart for my DS, but didn't enjoy it much. Snaking made competition online rather pointless, and the controls weren't doing it for me, since a disability makes it hard for me to constantly hold down a trigger button. The WiiWheel is more my speed.)

Twoflower

Wow, I didn't read the whole review and I'll wait to play it myself to judge, but the fact that a "die hard" such as yourself had negative thoughts on the matter really surprised me. However, since my friend, a true snaring, Metroid loving, foaming at the mouth Nintendo fan doesn't know about this, I'll just let him buy it instead.

CaptainMurphy

I especially agree with the sterility and the overpowered items.
The first time I saw the 2 hour gameplay video and saw the menu screen, even that seemed strangely unfriendly to me.
I played it alone, with friends and online for a few day, unlocked 80% of the stuff and I really have no incentive to keep playing.
I played Mario Kart DD for years and rather play that again, honestly.

maxax

As far as the wheel is concerned, I love it. I haven't had any issue winning races online or in single player.

I've been handed more losses due to items (four blue shells in a single lap are lame) than for any lack of control over my kart/bike.

And I guess I don't follow the "trick" argument regarding bikes. Sure there are a LOT of jumps scattered about, but both bikes and karts are capable of doing tricks.

I haven't tried to take a kart up one of the half-pipes yet, but they have their own drawbacks.

Personally I think the karts are at a disadvantage to bikes, seeing as how there's few courses where the 2nd level mini-turbo can be utilized to it's fullest. On the other hand, you can pop a wheelie (and bring it back down in an instant) whenever you feel like it.

TRT-X

Haven't the items always been unbalaced?

But still, I'm an MK lover, but I respect this review...well...because it's true...cheers Luke!

Master Saji

You're up late, Mr. Plunkett!

Chin up, son.

pylon_trooper

@TRT-X: okay, last night I was playing with the group of 11 I mentioned, I was in first place for 3/4 of the race but there were 4 guys on my ass the entire time. I got hit with a blue shell, lightning bolt combo that dropped me to 5th. As we were going into the final stretch, i was able to claw my way back to 3rd. Second place was a Luigi player that was able to fight up to 2nd place from 8th. He saw I had a red turtle shell in the back of my bike and he knew what was coming. If Luigi could have gotten out of the Kart and ran across the finish line the player would have done it. I launched the shell and smacked the guy and he wasn't even 5 feet away from the finish line. I have a baby Peach player (called C. Norris if I remember right. made me LOL) right behind me as I took second place, C.Norris took third and I believe the Luigi player got 4th or 5th.
It was one of the most exciting races I've had with the new MK.

Get creative with yours. I lace the track with traps so when I do get hit hard, I've got banana peels on ramps, fake powerup blocks mixed in with real ones, green turtle shells bouncing around enclosed areas... Have you people forgotten what it's like to booby trap the track to keep first place regardless of what items the other players get? I had half-a-lap leads last night because of those tactics and gains over 1000 points to my ranking.

Also...in regards to the blue shell. I used to bitch about it too on the DS version. Until I realized, once that Shell is coming (which the Wiimote will alert you to it, since we don't have the dual screen) slam on the breaks. anyone that tries to pass you gets caught in the shock wave.
MKDS had some gamers get really creative with dodging weapons and causing others to take damage when they are the target. MKWii is no different. Keep the shells and banana peels behind you for those pesky red shells. Some one spamming a POW block? look for a quick jump...renders it ineffective...lightning cloud getting you down, run into the first slob you see, TAG they're it! There are counters for every weapon in the game except for the lightning and the blue shell. Are the weapons overpowering? sure, but I like the chaotic nature of it because regardless of what powerups you get, you still have to learn the track. I've seen plenty of people get blue shells and lightning and still couldn't get passed 10th place.

Striderhayasa - Phillyyakk on PSN and Live.

@Bruce Skillis: For the record Bruce, you can get up to 3 gold stars as a ranking. There is higher than A...soo...yeah...go crazy...not literally though

As far as this review goes (along side the others I've seen), there seems to be this glorified idea of what Mario Kart used to be. Like some of the other commenters have said, Mario Kart has always been about the mayhem of getting in first place, losing first place, and trying to reclaim your standing. The Mario Kart series has always been designed to challenge and frustrate the player. I've played every iteration of the Mario Kart Series and I honestly think this is the best with MK64 coming in second (block fort battle ftw). As far as the SNES version goes, has anyone gone back and played it recently? The controls are clunky and the items are hard to aim, and the flat tracks make for a really weird, driving-on-paper experience.

As far as online chat goes, like many others, I see no need for it. Trash talking is too big of a problem, and like it has been said before, how a person races does the talking.

On the issues of items, they go both ways. I've had races where I've been hit with two blue shells and a lightning bolt on the first lap. However, I can have been hit by all that, fall back to 10th or even twelfth place, get even just a single mushroom, and if used properly, can be rocketed back into first place. Yes, a well placed mushroom can take you from 10th to first. I've done it.

Now for controller concerns. I like the wii wheel. I don't swear by it, but it's fun to use. It gives Mario Kart a really nice sort of floaty feel while still offering a good deal of control (except when you do tricks). However, when played with the wiimote and nunchuck combo, the gameplay becomes incredibly tight. This mario kart is by far the most responsive, fastest, and frantic kart to date.

I also think that more kart choices is better. It really personalizes the experience. You pick the kart or bike that best suits your racing style.

Also, I'm surprised at how few people have commented on the time trials. In my honest opinion, it's the best time trial set up to date. Sure, you could say "it's time trial, what's to improve?" but with the added functionality of online ghosts, as well at least two Nintendo made personalized ghosts per track and the ability to just watch the ghosts race makes the time trials in this game the best that I have ever seen. I honestly will just download the top ghosts and watch them race so I can learn ways to improve my own game. Maybe look for what they do well and what they could improve on and incorporate that into my racing.

Another thing that amazes me is that no one has commented on the music yet. The soundtrack and even sound effects in this game are amazing! The voices tend to leave a little something to be desired, but I could just sit on a course and listen to the music play. Some of these songs are just as memorable as the MK64 songs, especially Coconut Mall and Rainbow Road. Which reminds me, this Rainbow Road has to be the most brutal Rainbow Road ever conceived in a Mario Kart game.

As for actually playing online I can't comment because my Wii has a bad connection to my in home wireless, and I haven't had a chance to play multiplayer yet. But I can say that this is the first game that I have bought in a while that my dad actually sat down and tried out. The last time he actually tried one of my games was when I was like, 8 years old. I'm 22, so that was a huge deal for me.

I do lament the lack of a multiplayer grand prix. That was one of the things I loved about double dash was the ability to race in grand prix with three other friends and working together to secure the top two positions.

I guess my only other complaint would be the frequency in which the computers seem to get blue shells. I remember (maybe incorrectly) in MK64, getting hit with one, maybe two blue shells a race. And only in the last lap or so. But to get hit with two blue shells in the first lap? That does seem a might excessive. The only plus to the blue shell is that it has an explosion radius that can hit any other racer that's too close to you.

One last word of warning about the blue shell. If you're in second place and the first place person has crossed the finish line, you're the new target for the blue shell. I learned that the hard way last night...

Dyram

I too was looking forward to this game, but after hearing some of the points this review has pointed out, I can wait. I have GTA4 and MGO Beta to keep me busy until possibly picking it up in May.

Maybe I don't even need this game seeing as I also just picked up F-Zero GX for $8 at GS!

nflsonic

i love this game. i love the wheel, i kick butt with it and i like the amount of karts/people/tracks. i had GTA IV and Mariokart on Friday last week ad I played MK more. it's just fun. yes, the items get crazy but you can catch up just as easily as you can get tossed from first so i don't think anything is unfair. me likes.

themissing

Actually, the Blue Shell isn't quite as horrible as you'd think. What a lot of people forget about it, is that unless you're far enough ahead that it won't matter much anyway, you can make use of the blue-shell explosion to prevent those people just behind you from zooming past you.

Just slow down - yes, blasphemy, I know - and make sure that as many people as possible are caught in the blast. The game gives you enough warning that you should be able to catch at least a few people.

What I find annoying by this edition of the blue shell is that once it's locked on to you, it doesn't seem to matter if you drop a place or two before it hits you. I fondly remember screwing second-placers over in earlier editions of the game by hitting the brakes a couple of moments before the blue shell was gonna hit, and watching someone else zoom past me and take the shell to the head instead.

MrPerson

@TRT-X: Wow, I had no idea things lasted longer in first place, that's even more ridiculous. I guess I didn't really have time to notice, I only knew the effects for first place :)

In a 50cc race I did on the first day I got the game, I got a Bullet Bill in 7th place....7th! I went straight to first with a considerable lead. I was pissed, mostly because I didn't feel like I deserved first at that point, because that means anyone can take first from me with one of those things.

Bruce Skillis

How to play mario kart:
Hold the second place. dont get near the 1st player.
on the last lap, wait for the blue shell, then take the lead.
rinse, repeat.
Still, great game :D

Bunn

Still haven't picked this up yet. I'll get to it soon though.

parasiteartist

I played MKWII just last night online to get a feel for it.

Pros:
-Fun and chaotic just the way I like it. My gf's brother's first time playing MK at all and he was able to take 2nd once while online.

-Wii Wheel isn't bad at all. Gives you the feeling you are karting! Button placement are all natural to me. I haven't tried the other controls, but I have played every installment of MK besides DD. The wheel makes it appealing to casual gamers as well as veterans. Something to respark MK in my opinion.

-Online play was great for the most part. No lag even when playing people from Mexico and Japan. Two player online play is also great in my opinion.

Cons:

-I have yet to have played in a 12 man race. It would say 11 then when we start picking and voting tracks it would drop down to 7. I love racing with more people... makes it so 4th place isn't as bad as 12th =)

-I hate how we need another friend code. Luckily mine ends with XXXX-9000-5000. I just wish Nintendo could just use the initial console Code instead of a new one per game. My signature in my forums are now 3 lines longer thanks to Nintendo.

Overall I am very pleased with MKWii. For the money and what you get it is a great party game in my opinion.

Seventh

I disagree with all of the negative points, especially the Wii Wheel.

bonnebonne

Nintendo is in soccer mom country now and there's no turning back.

The online could be better but you get what you pay for.
We use Xbox live and set up a private chat so the online games are still very personal.

I find that the people who ended up losing their first few races are totally dropping the Wheel support when it actually works quite well. They fail to remember that some luck is also needed to win as you are a slave to the random item distribution.

sakipooh

@Demonbird:
you're right, i misread it.

if_deez

The notion that Nintendo punishes players for having some degree of skill is revolting. Why would I want to like, and play a game more than others, if investing time into it just has negative results?

Krytha

Item balance is the reason alone, I will not be buying this. It totally sucked in Double Dash, and I don't want to experience that again.

Nice one Nintendo.

VicViper

Things I loved:
"hot potato" style Thunder Cloud
Blooper
Super Mushroom

Things I disliked:
No shine thief
No jumping
Blue shell
Bullet Bill

phor11

@Bruce Skillis: "but it seems in each installment of the game they keep making it easier to lose at the finish line."

That and they come up with more and more ways of handicapping first place.

Now-a-days the lightning bolt lasts longer the further ahead you were, ink sticks forever...

At least in the DS version you could see what items people had and could keep them honest. I have a hard time believing somebody in the back actually got three Blue Shells in one lap.

I remember those from MK64...and they were RARE even if you were dead friggin' last. Now I've seen them from anywhere starting as "early" as 5th place.

TRT-X

I must say I'm with you on most points Mr Plunkett. The menu does feel eerily sterile, maybe its the fact that the only colour in it is dark blue, and there's hardly any animation. As for the wii-wheel; I'm with ya to be honest. It works... yes, and my mates who've played it agree, until you meet one of the series' inevitable "oh sh*t!" moments and you end up awkwardly perched on the edge of the track of smashing your face into a wall. Once this happens its usually followed by about 30 seconds of frantic arm waving and swearing. Speaking of the swearing, yeah the items are even more annoying than ever before, but frankly, that's what makes the game! The only times I really really mind being blue shell raped is in 1 player mode, and lets face it mario kart is hardly a solotary experience. The evilness of the items is what makes this game fun (multiplayer matches, I put them on 'frantic' just to see what happens) having four people hurling doom and woe at whichever one is winning, stealing places with cheap-shots, your mate swearing his head off when he gets blueshelled-lighteninged-redshelled-blueshelled all in the space of about 6 seconds is perhaps the funniest thing ever! And lets face it mario kart is hardly in the same league as the tourney-style games.

Its evil. And that's why we love it.

Scammeleon

@if_deez:
Maybe you misunderstood, I was in support of XBL. I agree on the muting people in voice chat thing. A lot of people forget that that is a feature.

Demonbird

@ScottyF311: "Being able to persevere THROUGH all the shit that gets thrown at you and STILL getting 1st...that makes you a stellar Mario Kart player."

I had struggled through red shells, lightning bolts, and a blue shell in one lap. I had stayed within the top 2 for the entire race.

I was less in the final straight away and maybe 30 feet from the finish line when I got nailed by both a lightning bolt (which stops you from moving) and then a blue shell (which puts you straight up in the air).

I came in 11th. The only reason I wasn't 12th? The person who had been in 2nd (and thus right behind me) got caught in the blue shell's shockwave.

Remind me again how that means the other 10 racers were better than us two?

The problem with something like the blue shell is that it doesn't do ANYTHING for the person who gets it, because it doesn't hit anybody EXCEPT first. Maybe 2nd and 3rd.

The 64 version of the Blue Shell needs to be brought back. It hits EVERYBODY in it's path to 1st place (if you're in the middle of the level), and then when it makes contact it knocks you around like a normal shell. And while that stunk, you usually had 2 or 3 other people who had got hit along the way, and everybody still had their items so they could make a recovery.

Ever since DD (when it became a nuke) it's been the cheapest of cheap.

Because it not only blows you away, it takes your item. So you're left completely unable to recover from the hit.

That's the problem I've noticed here. EVERYTHING caues you to drop your item now. A shell, a spin out, anything.

So now you get smacked by an item, and then you're left completely stripped of any means of recovering. Which means if you're in the final stretch your screwed (and in online play, this is when most of the cheaper items...blue shells, bullets, etc...get fired)

TRT-X

@Striderhayasa - Phillyyakk on PSN and Live.: I was going based off of SSBB because I haven't bought this game yet, but if it is, awesome! kudos to nintendo wifi.

@Demonbird:
how can possibly call nintendo wifi better than XBL, what some people don't understand is that online play is used to connect to new people and maybe with your friends every now andd then, because if you want to play with your friends they can just come over. I like to play with new people, because in reality, that's how you get better at a game. Also, alot of complaints about XBL voice chat really don't make any sense, especially since you can mute VC if you don't want to hear anyone. XBL may have a fee but you really get what you pay for, and it's costs less than WoW.

if_deez

Many of the problems such as the 12 racers seem to be there for the online mode, which I praise. I personally enjoyed the online mode though voice chat would absolutely be excellent for friends matches, I'd love that. The presentation struck me the worst at the game's boxart which is the opposite of Double Dash's. I did like the menus though as they were nice to navigate, though that Mario font has gone from them (even the courses don't have their own logos anymore).

The online experience is still the best part of it, voice chat or not and the Mario Kart channel is simply great for checking friends and time trial times as if you don't have the disc you can insert it and away you go.

sporkhead

I didn't like Double Dash for some reason. I just couldn't get into it. I loved Mario Kart 64 though. I've played through the 50cc, 100cc and 3/4 of the 150cc of Mario Kart Wii. So far this game feels more like MK64 than any of the other MK's Ive played. So needless to say I really really like MK Wii. I do agree with you on the over usage of the "cheap" items. It seems as though the AI is being completely unfair at times. To go from leading a race to absolute last place in 2 seconds of the finish line is enough to make a grown man cry.(Which I did.I ruined my Super Mario pajamas!) But I can cope with these irritating problems to play another Mario Kart.

BionicCommando1

Battle mode REALLY sucks in this game.

I would be fine with Nintendo regurgitating the same game every few years with new tracks, but don't mess with the game modes we know and love.

shadow300z

I'd say 'sterile and clinical' sums up this version of Mario Kart pretty much perfectly.

It's still a lot of fun, but...it just feels kind of phoned in.

Mr. Fap☆Fap!

100% agreement right there.
Though I'd disagree with the online voice chat since we don't really want hostilities from people we don't know and there's a good chance it could detract from the game itself. I prefer the trash talking when it's from people I know.

Jacktherip

@phrequency: i should also note that using the wii wheel while doing things like holding out an item and looking behind you gets tiring fast.

phrequency

Overall, I like the game. I'm really not a fan of the Wii Wheel. I found it to be too small for my grotesquely huge hands and more or less a gimmicky item. Don't get me wrong, if I'm playing with a group of friends, I'll bite the bullet and use it. If I'm alone however, it's the Gamecube controller for me.

I think the online is a huge step beyond what was given to us in Super Smash Brothers Brawl. That step however, is still way behind the curve as far as Xbox Live goes. I wish I could communicate with other players and add friends without the friend code system.

Dmartin001

Just wanted to add that I strongly agree that the items are unbalanced. I've been more annoyed with the Mario Kart series ever since the blue shell was added.

M

i agree with the steering wheel... kinda wears out my hand faster than using the good ol' game cube controller.

as for online, so far for me (on the wii), this game has been the best online experience (possibly better than mario strikers charged). what made it nice is the fact they put in some work for some stat tracking and the whole ghost races is great too. what

phrequency

@if_deez: that's SSBB...did you play MK online? It's a totally different experience. I played multiple matches with 11 other people with no lag at all. I played online for over two hours and saw lag once and that was at the very end and last for only a second or two. You base Nintendo's entire Wifi on SSBB is not exactly fair. Considering that Mario Strikers and Battlion WarsII run really well online too.

Look, I'm one of the biggest critics of Wii and even I have to admit that Nintendo did a great job on the Mario Kart Channel. It's a feature that delivers a good online component for the target audience that is easy to implement and use and uses the specific features of the Wii. The online play is easy to get into and runs great. It was so good that all 11 people I ran with could have been in the same room.

Striderhayasa - Phillyyakk on PSN and Live.

@megaStryke:
I can't wait till ban monday.

Good job pointing out how I said it wasn't as good as XBL twice. that's really contradictory alright.

Demonbird

@Demonbird: "The only thing this has you can expect from an XBL experience is online play. Nothing more."

VERSUS

"All I'm saying is that it isn't Live level of service. It's good, but there is no arguing that it lacks many things xbl has."

It's good to know that when you get that little star next to your name, it gives you free reign to contradict yourself. I don't know everything about you, but I guess that star also means that YOU know everything about ME.

megaStryke

@shimage: I'm positive that the Wheel comes down to personal preference. I tried it in my first GP's worth of races, and the turning didn't feel responsive enough for my liking, so I set it down.

The GameCube controller worked well, but the Wiimote and Nunchuck are FLAWLESS. I'll give the wheel another shot someday, but right now the Wiimote and Nunchuck are all I need.

spiderweb1986

Man, this game doesn't need voice chat. Mario Kart in generally just causes me to swear, and I don't exactly care to be the reason for people's online experiences deviating from the ESRB rating or anything. :P

kubevubin

Unbalanced?? Have you played Double Dash? DD had the most unbalanced item system ever...Each character had special weapons that would appear 1/2 the time on item box pickups. Troopa would always get red shells and bowser's with the giant shell, total BS. Then there's the damn 2 characters on a kart thing.

And the wheel rocks. Online I'm rarely not in the first 5 spots.

If you want voice chat set up a tape player that loops the F-word and you'll be all set.

blizzardjesus

Dont forget the Battle mode... They've created some whole new totally badass levels to play in- but the fact that its ALWAYS team based- and now theirs RESPAWNING, totally kills the classic feel of the game.

It Could have been the best battle mode of all MK games- but why... WHY do they always have to change the rules up?... Ugh Nintendo... your a fucking drug i swear...

King Seafoam

@Striderhayasa - Phillyyakk on PSN and Live.: "Why are people bitching about this like it's new to the series."

Because each new edition seems to up the handicap more and more. I fully expect the next Mario Kart to include an item that will just turn off the console of whoever's in first.

Or just shock them through the controller, thus rendreing them unable to control their bodily functions...let alone a kart.

Oh I'll still play it, but I'll be sweaing up a storm.

TRT-X

@Bruce Skillis: I noticed it when I was still small and the guy in 2nd suddenly passed me fully grown. ;)

@MrPerson: Trust me, I do that tactic. Except on a lot of courses there's enough space to drive around the guy (because EVERYBODY hears the shell coming, and EVERYBODY knows what the driver's going to try and pull)

@Striderhayasa - Phillyyakk on PSN and Live.: I've had my share of enthralling races. And I don't mind losing a few spots due to an item if the people behind me were able to keep up most of the way.

The ones I don't like are when I'm utterly dominating a race (races where I've got maybe a 10-12 second lead, then get hit with Blue/Blue/Bolt/Star/Bullet and end up 10th within the final stretch.

There's a hard fought and tight race, and then there's just ultimate lame. I'd wager that it's almost 50/50.

I'm usually fighting it out with at least one other person for most of the race, but I hate to see us both get the shaft at the VERY end of it all after having fought so