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  Mario Kart Wii
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A Fan FavoriteNo one was surprised when Nintendo announced that a new Mario Kart was in development and would be released on the Wii. After all the Mario Kart franchise is one of the most beloved in gaming. Released on the Super Nintendo, Nintendo 64, Game Boy Advance, the Gamecube and the DS, it has developed into the premier kart racer in video games. The premise behind Mario Kart is a simple one; take familiar characters from the Mario universe and have them race on go-karts around crazy tracks based on familiar locals in the Mario universe. All the tracks are littered with power-ups which can boost your speed, make you invincible or cause headaches for your opponents. The biggest draw to the game has been its simplistic idea and controls, which allows almost everyone the ability to just pick up and play. New WaysThis simplicity was taken out of the Gamecube version, Mario Kart: Double Dash, and while generally regarded as a good game was never fully embraced by the fans. Double Dash introduced a second person on your kart and added a complexity not seen in previous games. With this new release Nintendo, much like it did with Super Mario Galaxy, has decided to strip out the complexities and return to what made Mario Kart fun in the first place. Mario Kart Wii will feature two control schemes. One will be for veterans of the series and allows for the more complex maneuvers that have always been available, while the other will focus on a more casual approach. With its build in motion control functionality the Wii is equipped to evolve the series in an entirely new direction as well. Say hello to the Wii wheel. The Wii Wheel is a steering wheel accessory that will enable players to actually drive their cart using the wheel and the motion control for the Wii. This new, less complex way of controlling your cart will allow fans new and old alike to take to the raceways and hopefully enjoy it even more. More Bells and WhistlesThe controls aren’t the only pieces of Mario Kart getting an overhaul though. Based on what we’ve seen, Mario Kart Wii will be on the same visual level that both Super Mario Galaxy and Super Smash Bros. Brawl have attained. You can look forward to Mario Kart retaining the cartoony look of the previous games but with a more crisp graphical quality. One that may leave you feeling like you are playing a well drawn cartoon. In addition to improved graphics, you can be sure that there will be a host of new characters and tracks adding to an already impressive list. You may be saying to yourself, improved graphics, new racers and tracks, what is this an iteration of Madden? So you want something new, something the series has never really done before? How about online play? Mario Kart Wii will feature up to 12 racers online in both racing and the ever popular battle mode. Sure, Mario Kart DS had online play but Mario Kart Wii is going to expand upon that infrastructure and attempt to blow your socks off. I myself am still somewhat hesitant to get on the Nintendo Online bandwagon as they have yet to really prove that they can hit it right. But with Super Smash Bros. Brawl looking so promising, maybe they can pull it off for Mario Kart Wii as well. Retain the FunRegardless of rumored features and all the new bells and whistles Mario Kart Wii will needs to retain the fun factor that previous versions have had. There is nothing quite like sitting down with a group of friends, racing around a crazy course, making insane jumps and dodging koopa shells. If Mario Kart Wii can retain that fun factor, fans of the series will have nothing to worry about. |
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| At a glance |
| If Mario Kart Wii can retain that fun factor, fans of the series will have nothing to worry about. |