'Mario Kart Wii' combines new features, classic favorites
By Michelle Davey, Staff Writer
May 15, 2008 | noon
You are cruising along down the road, enjoying the large, leafy trees and maneuvering expertly around those fireballs in the road. Wait, fireballs? Bam! You are hit with a pesky, red turtle shell, and five other drivers jostle you in their hurry to the finish line. This isn't a pleasant Sunday drive -- it's "Mario Kart Wii".
The latest reincarnation of Nintendo’s classic racing game manages to capture the spirit of previous versions (especially the well loved N64 game) while making its own mark on the gaming world. Old favorites are given new life and new features are abundant, making the game an essential buy not only for "Mario Kart" fans but for any Wii owner’s library.
The standard game options are still available. Up to four players can race one another in the various different race and battle courses. One player options include Time Trials and the Grand Prix, which should be played to unlock new courses, characters and vehicles.
There are some changes, too. Instead of the standard eight riders, there are now 12 racers jostling for position on the track. Similarly, 12 players fight on the battle courses, with six on each team. Also, three and four player games are played with the full 12 racers, instead of just the three or four individuals on the course.
The game includes 16 new courses and 16 revamped courses from the older versions of the game. The new courses are stunning and exhilarating to play and include floors that wobble, giant mushroom trampolines and motocross-style jumps and ramps. The 16 classic courses have been given fresh life, and loyal players will find them more colorful and easier to maneuver.
Perhaps the most important new edition will surprise many fans: motorcycles! Players can choose from a variety of motorcycles, and the two-wheeled rides bring a new dimension to racing. Acceleration and handling are different from the classic karts, and experienced players must learn how to use these new vehicles.
Other new features include additional items. The prize boxes are filled with classic items, such as the turtle shells, shrinking lightning bolts and star power boosts. New items make the race even more interesting and include turning into a bullet bill that speeds quickly through the course and the mega-mushroom that grows the character to huge proportions, enabling a player to crush anyone in his or her path.
Some other new features are subtle but really enhance game play from previous versions. Much like NASCAR racers, "Mario Kart" players can now take advantage of the draft, and riding behind another racer for a while gives the player a boost.
Also, characters no longer sit statically in their karts but will turn around when another racer comes from behind or pump a fist in celebration when taking out another player. A warning system has also been installed so that a player knows when a red turtle shell or another threat is coming from behind.
Drift is a significant factor and easier to handle than in previous games. Players use the brake on wide turns, and if they hold the slide long enough, they are rewarded with a small boost. Players can also do tricks in mid-air, either by hitting the d-pad or flicking the Wii remote up. The tricks, like the drift, give a small speed boost.
The Wii is known for its innovative, motion-censored controllers, and "Mario Kart Wii" does not disappoint. Included with the game is a white plastic wheel in which players can insert the Wii remote. Players then move the wheel like they would at the wheel of an actual car and the character moves accordingly. The wheel’s motion is very sensitive, and players will generally find themselves careening off of a ledge if they do not get the turns just right.
The mini-speakers on each Wii remote are expertly used, too. Individual character sounds and warning bells are heard through the player's own speakers, bringing the game right into the player's personal space and making it that much more real.
Nintendo is quite generous with the game controller options for "Mario Kart Wii.” Besides the wheel, players can use the Wii remote and connected nunchuck, the Classic Controller or even the faithful Gamecube controller. All these options make it easy for a player to find a method that works and to make game play that much more fun. For beginners, the Gamecube controller might be the easiest to handle, but the wheel can be a fun experiment for anyone.
Racers can chose to play as one of a variety of classic Nintendo characters from three different weight classes: lightweight, middleweight and heavyweight. In typical "Mario Kart" fashion, the character you chose impacts your game significantly.
The light division, which includes Baby Mario and Toad, is better at accelerating and handling on the track but is easily mauled by the bigger players. Heavyweights, like Bowser and Donkey Kong, are slow to accelerate and turn but can quickly dispatch a smaller character. The middle division, which includes Mario, Luigi and Peach, is of average ability, making for a balanced ride.
As an added bonus, players can select to play as their Mii counterparts. Mii’s, for anyone who has been stuck in a Wii-deprived cave, are personalized characters designed by Wii players. A Mii’s weight class is determined by the weight and height selected during the Mii’s creation. Mii’s are also infused throughout the game, and the familiar faces of your friends and family can be seen on billboards and signs through the race tracks.
Once the character is chosen, it is time to select a vehicle. Different cars and motorcycles are available for the various weight classes, and each vehicle’s abilities are measured. The measurements include speed, acceleration, handling and other stats.
For experienced players, choosing a character and vehicle is a careful and thoughtful task. Riders can take advantage of weight class and vehicle abilities. Choosing a heavyweight character, for example, means that the player sacrifices acceleration and handling-- but if the player chooses a kart with these abilities enhanced, the ride is more balanced.
The game is fun for beginners, too. The reliable standard kart and the new standard motorcycle are two vehicles that can be chosen by any player, both of which make for a very balanced ride regardless of weight class and vehicle abilities. By using a middleweight character and the standard kart, beginners can get a feel for the game before testing out the various other choices.
Anyone familiar with "Mario Kart" knows that it is a game best played in a group, and the newest version is no exception. Playing solo is good for practice or unlocking new features, but the true joy in "Mario Kart" comes from the social aspect. Few games are as fun, or as competitive, as this game can be between good friends.
Title: "Mario Kart Wii"
Publisher: Nintendo
Genre: Racing
Console: Wii
Number of Players: 1-4
Rating: E for Everyone
Speakeasy Rating: A+
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