Mario Kart Wii

[Thrik]

Anyone else got this yet? Am I crazy for writing something like this, or does anyone agree?

[miffy495]

Still not out it North America (man it's weird writing that...) but I've actually been more excited for this game than I ever was for Super Smash Bros Brawl. Mario Kart was the first non-bundled game I got for my SNES, and as such the first game I ever bought. My god did I love it, and the series has always been one of the deciding factors in my total fanboy love for Nintendo. As such, it's a bit saddening for me to see it may not live up to what I was hoping. That won't stop me from picking it up a day or two after launch though, so I'll be resurrecting this thread in a couple of weeks.

[Roderick]

I bought it today, and the steering wheel is absolutely great, I love it, but I'm not yet sure about the game. The motorcycles seem really nice, but their don't seem to be a lot of options. I haven't played it thoroughly yet, so I can't judge properly.

Graphically it's just outright dated. The graphics seem really old by now, and I hate those fuck-ugly non-designed Mii's standing in the crowd. If there's one thing I dislike it's them infesting a game with otherwise good visual design.

But I'll get back to you as soon as I've played more. The wheel is really cool and it works very well!

[Thrik]

Yeah, the wheel is definitely a highlight. I'd like to see that used in some other games.

[Roderick]

The wheel is fantastic, it's basically a choice you have to make in the game right from the start:

Do I want precision or a more exciting and fun way of steering? Do I want to win no matter the cost, or have slightly diminished chances whilst enjoying myself chaotically? Which of these two values mean more to me? Competition or fun? Winning or experiencing? Discover something about yourself: play Mario Kart.

[BooJaka]

I just got it (everywhere's been sold out the last few days. Only managed to get it because I walked into HMV while they were getting a delivery). Took me about three Grand Prix (Prixs?) to get used to the wheel instead of trying to just spam to D Pad but now I love it. Every course I've tried so far is excellent too. Can't wait to crack out the other controllers for some kart-on-kart action.

And yeah, the Mii thing bugs me too

[Ginger]

I couldn't stand the wheel, I only tried it for one race and gave up.

Based on my first impressions this seems a very lazy product, the only new things seem to be Wii controls and bikes (oh and gimped power sliding) I got a strong sense of "been there done that" while playing this title, in way that I didn't get with any of the previous karts.

[toblix]

This thread is hilarious if read as a thread on a cavemen forum.

[Roderick]

HAHAHA

[eljay]

Comedy gold! thanks toblix for pointing that out

[miffy495]

...And I suddenly don't care that Ottawa is pretty much guaranteed to lose the series now. Thanks man, I needed that.

[Scrobbs]

Why do you need the plastic wheel? Can't you just hold the controller horizontally?

[Thrik]

Because holding it horizontally feels like shit.

[Scrobbs]

You should make one out of papier maché then, and paint it

[Thrik]

It comes free with the game...

[Scrobbs]

<--

[miffy495]

Continuing my recent trend of resurrecting threads, why not this one? I just picked it up today (very behind the curve here, but I spent a few months jobless and a couple more penniless, so I'm just getting a taste of having pocket money again and had to wait to buy it) and have a few impressions. As this thread mostly died with the caveman joke (damn funny though it was) I may as well bring it back and try to get it on track.

So, first impressions from a long-time Mario Kart vet:

First off, as many of you said, the wheel is amazing. So smooth, so fluid, so intuitive. The controls are, overall, perfect. The only problem I've had at all is using the d-pad to fire items. I too often reach for the nearest direction, which happens to be down. This will lead to me firing a potentially race-saving red shell behind me rather than into an enemy. Crud.

While we're on the subject of items, one thought kept springing to mind as I played the game. This thought was: Why did I ever bother getting good at Mario Kart? In a 50cc race, I was in first by half a lap and about 10 feet from the finish when I was suddenly slammed by a blue shell, POW block, two red shells, and a lightning bolt. Oh, and this last one sent me falling off the track. Finished the race in 12th. I repeat, this was in 50cc. EASY MODE. What the fuck?

On the other hand, I can easily see how this would be utterly fantastic in multiplayer, provided you can get 4 or more people in a game. The new track design is brilliant too. The mall is a standout for me, as is the one with giant Wigglers roaming the track. I'm very torn about this game. A large part of me wants to love it, but the AI is just so fucking cheap. The controls are fantastic. The graphics, while dated, are still quite pretty. The tracks are great. It's got online, and tons of vehicles. The items are just so amazingly frustrating though.

If anyone has the game and wants to have a spin online, PM me with your friend code and I'll hit you back. I'd really like to see how this one performs online with friends.

[Nick]

Played it at a friends, thought it was awesome, wheel works very well, stayed up till about 4am playing online because of the addictive points system.