This year has been great for the Nintendo Wii. We’ve already seen the release of “Super Smash Brothers Brawl,” which most hardcore gamers have yet to put down. Even though I’m a fan of “Smash,” I was eagerly awaiting the release of “Mario Kart Wii.” Being the big “Mario Kart” fan that I am, I woke up early to pick up the game. What awaited me was the best console version of “Mario Kart” I’ve experienced in years.
“Mario Kart” has always been a game that is about providing a fun multiplayer experience. This version is more accessible than ever with four different control options. The wheel is an excellent option for casual gamers. It h Wias its shortcomings – it isn’t as responsive as the other control options in hairpin turns, and it doesn’t always work when you shake it to perform a speed boost – but it should be a fun option when playing with friends and family. Competitive gamers probably should stick with the other three options: the Classic Controller, the Gamecube Controller and the Wii Remote/Nunchuk Combo.
The new iteration of “Mario Kart” features 32 courses: 16 new and 16 from previous “Mario Kart” games. The old courses are fan favorites from the SNES, N64, DS, GBA and Gamecube iterations of “Mario Kart.” Most of them are highly enjoyable and have been given a 3D makeover. New ramps have been added for tricks, and the courses have been expanded to accommodate 12 racers. These new courses feature half-pipes, crumbling terrain, underwater tunnels and an excellent “Mario Galaxy”-themed Rainbow Road. Racing on these courses with new power-ups, motorcycles, four additional racers and the ability to do stunts is a blast. The new power-ups are creative additions to the game’s already massive arsenal – there is a mega mushroom that allows you to plow through enemies, a lightning cloud that gives you a speed boost or can shrink you if you don’t hand it off to someone at the right time, and a POW block that makes your opponents spin out.
A classic mode that “Mario Kart” fans are well aware of is Battle Mode. This edition of “Mario Kart” features five new courses that are well-designed, as well as five fan favorites from previous games in the series. The new Battle Mode divides players into two teams of six players. This mode is fun when playing solely with human opponents, but it is fairly chaotic when playing the computer players. There are only two modes: Balloon Battle and Coin Battle, so fans of modes from previous games, such as Capture the Shine, are out of luck.
The best aspect of “Mario Kart Wii” is the online play. For the first time, Nintendo has got online play right. Unlike Smash, Mario Kart has no lag issues, even when playing with 12 players from across the world. This game has excellent replay value because of the wealth of online modes. The only downside is that Nintendo failed yet again to include voice chat. So if you like to trash talk, you’ll have to stick to real-life friends.
“Mario Kart” is a series where there is no clear favorite. Everyone has a preferred version, whether it is the original SNES installment or the portable DS game. Regardless of what game is your favorite, I recommend picking up “Mario Kart Wii” for the innovative new courses, excellent online play and highly accessible gameplay.