Mario Kart Wii-Some

[BreakABone]

IGN has posted the first online review of the game. (yay for having to be up at 6 am )

The online portion of the game for the most part sounds to be the most fleshed out online game for the Wii yet. Between this and Smash, Nintendo needs to create some type of unified online interface or channel.

But we will. The solid framerate is an obvious first, and it's followed by a quick and charming interface. Once online you can check for friends (small icons will instantly tell you if they're on before even going into the "friends" section), but can also get with 11 other racers in worldwide or regional play almost instantly. When in-game, a wheel icon displays for any racers using Nintendo's shell, but a golden wheel, the first step of Kart obsession, we might add, will show up if you've played the majority of your Wii experience with tilt control. Also in-game are star icons if you've earned higher than an A on every cup at every skill level in single player, with star, double star, and triple star being the possible "bragging rights" options out there. Then there's the point system that works with racing and battling separately, basically acting like a reverse ranking where the goal is to win races and drive up your total score from the starting 5,000 to well beyond 10k, which basically replaces the conventional GP scoring in single player mode, and acts as the system for matchmaking like-leveled players.


Online is even better than off. This one raises the bar for Wi-Fi on Wii.
It sounds like we're just listing features, but these are all high points to the online experience. Friend codes or no friend codes, Nintendo has taken a huge leap into the world of online with Mario Kart Wii, and has rivaled what Xbox Live does in a few simple ways. Coming late to a game will let you view the racers in progress like a live replay, and the Mario Kart Channel (usable without having the disc in) will let you view online friends, with a click of their Mii sending you on-deck into the match, automatically teaming you with them if there are spots available, and if it's indeed a team-based online match. Snaking is also out of the game, which already makes it a much better interactive world, and Nintendo even boots you from games if you attempt to drive in reverse and screw up other racers. We'll complain about the company's "big brother" attitude with friend codes and the like, but it's sure nice to have a fast, fun online experience without the drama that comes with going live.

The final score is a 8.5
Looks like Penguin will be getting his driver's license once again in the Mario World.

http://wii.ign.com/articles/868/868012p3.html

[Angrist]

Not bad, considering they were pretty sceptical of the offline game.

I've never been a Kart fan, so I'm not getting this.

[-alpha-]

Wow....it may just be me, but this hasn't generated NEARLY the same amount of hype that double dash did. This is actually the first time I've heard of it. If I had a wii, I'd definately pick it up.

[Bond]

The score doesn't really seem to match the text of the review. After reading the review I thought it'd get at least a 9.0.

[thatmariolover]

Originally Posted by Bond

The score doesn't really seem to match the text of the review. After reading the review I thought it'd get at least a 9.0.

It's not worth a 9. I would probably give it a 7.5 or 8.0. I've got the PAL import and it's definitely not all that. It's good, don't get me wrong, but it's a pale reflection of the DS game.

[Dyne]

Is the 8.5 just because IGN felt bad about giving 7.9 to the last one?

I still do believe the Gamecube one only deserves 7.9 so if they truly rated this higher then I might as well look into it.

[Typhoid]

Game ratings piss me off.
Everything is a B or an A.

[BreakABone]

Originally Posted by Dyne

Is the 8.5 just because IGN felt bad about giving 7.9 to the last one?

I still do believe the Gamecube one only deserves 7.9 so if they truly rated this higher then I might as well look into it.

I love Double Dash.
And if they felt that was only worth a 7.9 and this an 8.5
Well then this game shall be heavenly for me.
I doubt it though since removed some of DD's better features IMO.

[GameMaster]

I can't say any Mario Kart game ever succeeded the joy brought to me by Mario Kart 64.

It could be I'm older. It could be that it was my very first N64 game and the graphics were so amazing. It could be the fond memories of battle mode at birthday parties and sleep overs.

I'll never know for sure.

And while I hate to be the cynic, I'm certain this won't hold the same wide-eyed wonder over me that the beloved N64 incarnation did.

I've got a Target gift card that needs spending though so I'll give it a whirl most likely.

P.S. Are you any of you guys still playing Smash? I never see any of you online.

[Jason1]

Originally Posted by GameMaster

P.S. Are you any of you guys still playing Smash? I never see any of you online.

I will be playing it alot more once I get done with school in 3 weeks. We had some internet problems recently and I had to disconnect my wireless router. Hopefully I'll hook it back up again soon though.

[Dyne]

I never really play Smash online. I always get laggy people. And I know it's not my fault. But I guess I'd be willing to try again in the future.

[Jason1]

Originally Posted by Dyne

I never really play Smash online. I always get laggy people. And I know it's not my fault. But I guess I'd be willing to try again in the future.

Yea, I think everyone is having that problem. I wonder how much it is peoples connections...I wonder if its more server issues on Nintendo's side.

That being said the few times I have played with friends I have had much more luck.

[Yoda9864]

I will most definitely be getting Mario Kart. It's one of me and my friends' biggest party games.

[BreakABone]

Originally Posted by Typhoid

Game ratings piss me off.
Everything is a B or an A.

Maybe everything is really an A or B.....

Anyhow 1up reviewed Mario Kart its a B +

http://www.gamevideos.com/video/id/18573

[manasecret]