The Wii has been the subject of many a criticism. From it's really, REALLY bad name, to it's 'questionable' control methods. Yet, it's also the top selling console, and is nigh impossible to find in stores. And now that Mario Kart Wii has been released, it will probably sell even more.
Before I continue though, I have to address the name... What were they thinking?! I can understand Super Mario Kart (SNES), Mario Kart: Double Dash! (GCN) or even Mario Kart 64 (N64), but Mario Kart Wii? That's like making Halo 3, and naming it Halo 360. Or calling FFXIII Final Fantasy PS3. If the Wii wasn't such a ridiculous name, there'd be NO way Nintendo could get away with this crap.
Now, onto the review.
The game is, at first glance, unchanged from it's early days. You drive around in a little kart, throwing everything imaginable at your opponents to win the race. You drift, powerslide, and jump your way to victory, and it's a very good formula for a very good game. And with the Mario Kart series' latest iteration, it comes with a few changes.
Firstly, and most noticeably, the game comes with the "Wii Wheel". Basically, it's a shell for your Wii-Mote that is shaped like a steering wheel, and it's supposed to make Mario Kart more realistic (that in itself is laughable). And amazingly, it does it's job really well; steering with it is responsive (you turn by, intuitively, turning the wheel), sensitive, and it brings a new edge to competitive multiplayer.
Of course, if you're not feeling up for a Wii Wheel smackdown, then you can go with any other control scheme available. From the Wii-Mote+Nunchuck, to the Classic controller, or even the GCN controller.
Lastly, bikes and tricks have been added. Bikes, while basically serving as karts, bring a few new elements of play to the Mario Kart table. You can wheelie if you get a decent stretch of track by yanking the Wii Wheel up (or pressing Up on the D-Pad on alternate control schemes), which gives you a small boost of speed. If you're rammed into mid-wheelie however, your character will flail around on his bike for a few precious moments, losing speed and control of the bike. It's also a pain in the ass when you attempt a wheelie with the Wii Wheel, and the game thinks you're trying to turn instead. Tricks are really where the game takes it up the ass though. Although fairly easy to do with a Wii Wheel or any other controller (merely lift up the Wii Wheel as you leave a ramp, or press any direction on the D-Pad), many times you turn just before you leave the ground. This usually leads to your character careening off track into something fairly hazardous. Like lava. Or poop. Or... Both...
Yet, the game has it's charms at times. The grand prix is fun to play through, if not a bit frustrating, and multiplayer is a blast. The game, especially when played with the Wii Wheel, also can feel very frantic, in a good way. Like dodging oncoming traffic in Burnout and emerging unscathed.
The real turn-on for most Wii owners however is the online capabilities. There, you can play with up to 12 people per match, from either around the world or from your continent. There is virtually no lag, and it's a great way to measure up how good you really are. Especially when you win with the Wii Wheel.
All in all, although it can be very frustrating, I love the game. It's addictive and charming, and you get a real sense of nostalgia playing on the older courses available. The online will keep you playing for months (or even years), and the Wii Wheel is great with any Wii driving/racing game. A must-buy for anyone with a Wii and wifi, and it's highly recommended for anyone else.
Before I continue though, I have to address the name... What were they thinking?! I can understand Super Mario Kart (SNES), Mario Kart: Double Dash! (GCN) or even Mario Kart 64 (N64), but Mario Kart Wii? That's like making Halo 3, and naming it Halo 360. Or calling FFXIII Final Fantasy PS3. If the Wii wasn't such a ridiculous name, there'd be NO way Nintendo could get away with this crap.
Now, onto the review.
The game is, at first glance, unchanged from it's early days. You drive around in a little kart, throwing everything imaginable at your opponents to win the race. You drift, powerslide, and jump your way to victory, and it's a very good formula for a very good game. And with the Mario Kart series' latest iteration, it comes with a few changes.
Firstly, and most noticeably, the game comes with the "Wii Wheel". Basically, it's a shell for your Wii-Mote that is shaped like a steering wheel, and it's supposed to make Mario Kart more realistic (that in itself is laughable). And amazingly, it does it's job really well; steering with it is responsive (you turn by, intuitively, turning the wheel), sensitive, and it brings a new edge to competitive multiplayer.
Of course, if you're not feeling up for a Wii Wheel smackdown, then you can go with any other control scheme available. From the Wii-Mote+Nunchuck, to the Classic controller, or even the GCN controller.
Lastly, bikes and tricks have been added. Bikes, while basically serving as karts, bring a few new elements of play to the Mario Kart table. You can wheelie if you get a decent stretch of track by yanking the Wii Wheel up (or pressing Up on the D-Pad on alternate control schemes), which gives you a small boost of speed. If you're rammed into mid-wheelie however, your character will flail around on his bike for a few precious moments, losing speed and control of the bike. It's also a pain in the ass when you attempt a wheelie with the Wii Wheel, and the game thinks you're trying to turn instead. Tricks are really where the game takes it up the ass though. Although fairly easy to do with a Wii Wheel or any other controller (merely lift up the Wii Wheel as you leave a ramp, or press any direction on the D-Pad), many times you turn just before you leave the ground. This usually leads to your character careening off track into something fairly hazardous. Like lava. Or poop. Or... Both...
Yet, the game has it's charms at times. The grand prix is fun to play through, if not a bit frustrating, and multiplayer is a blast. The game, especially when played with the Wii Wheel, also can feel very frantic, in a good way. Like dodging oncoming traffic in Burnout and emerging unscathed.
The real turn-on for most Wii owners however is the online capabilities. There, you can play with up to 12 people per match, from either around the world or from your continent. There is virtually no lag, and it's a great way to measure up how good you really are. Especially when you win with the Wii Wheel.
All in all, although it can be very frustrating, I love the game. It's addictive and charming, and you get a real sense of nostalgia playing on the older courses available. The online will keep you playing for months (or even years), and the Wii Wheel is great with any Wii driving/racing game. A must-buy for anyone with a Wii and wifi, and it's highly recommended for anyone else.
