Kotaku
Fun fact: I'm a total Mario Kart fanboy. For the record: Double Dash is my favourite (I know, I know). So I'm used to watching the Mario Kart series take small, baby-steps forward with each new version. In this case, I was expecting just that. Small steps forward. Mario Kart Wii, however, feels more like a step forward, a shuffle to the side then, after a brief pause, a tentative step back.
Loved
New Courses: Most of the game's new, original tracks are fantastic. Coconuts Mall, Wario Mines and Snowboard Cross all make excellent use of jumps and shortcuts. Certainly more exciting than most of Double Dash's offerings.
Car, Character Depth: Having so many unlockable characters and vehicles is great fanservice. But having vehicles with varied, multiple stats and characteristics is just great service. It's a small touch, but it makes picking the cart or bike that's right for you a cinch.
Bikes: And here I was thinking this was the stupidest addition to the series thus far. The bikes are actually really fun to use, and aside from a few tracks that have a few too many trick jumps, they're quite tastefully incorporated.
It's Still Mario Kart: For all the game's flaws - and as you can see below, there are many - this is still Mario Kart. It's still a blast at parties, you'll still love rushing from sixth to first on the last corner, you'll still scream to the heavens when you drop from first to sixth.
Hated
Online play: OK, so this is the Wiis fault, not the game's, but online play just feels so...impersonal. Mario Kart's a series where multiplayer has traditionally been about shit-talking and good times, not racing some nameless, voiceless opponent. If ever a Nintendo game needed voice-chat, it's this one.
Sterility: I can't quit put my finger on it, but compared to previous MK games the whole thing just feels really...clinical. Maybe even soulless. This is most telling in the dry presentation.
Too Many Karts: I'm sure the idea of having more (there's now 12) racers on the track seemed like a good one while sitting around the design table. And it looks good as a bullet-point on the game's marketing. But for many tracks it just results in too many items flying around and too many (yes, there is such a thing as too many) cheap shots. It it's not broke, why fix it, etc etc.
Item Unbalance: Mario Kart's built around a principle of elasticity. Last can go to first, and first to last. But this time around, it feels like they've gone too far. Thanks to overly-powerful items like Bullet Bill and the return of the fucking blue shell, which as said above are being thrown around by even more racers, you're no longer being challenged for being in first place. You're being punished. Again, if it's not broke, yada yada...
Wii Wheel: Perhaps the game's single biggest let-down, since the new peripheral was all that was keeping this from being, well, a Double Dash 1.5. While it's adequate, it just doesn't work as well as a Nunchuk and Wii Remote.
Look, Mario Kart Wii isn't a bad game. Far from it! I've enjoyed playing it, and I'm sure a ton of new Wii owners, whose last go-around with the series was on the SNES, will have a blast. But you know what? I'm not a new Wii owner. I'm a longtime fan of the series. Safe to say most of you are as well. And I found the unnecessary gameplay tweaks and underwhelming wheel more than a little disappointing. It's still a good game, don't get me wrong, it's just...not as great as you probably thought/hoped it would be.
Mario Kart Wii was developed and published by Nintendo, and was released on April 27. Retails for $49.99. Available on Nintendo Wii. Played singleplayer game to completion. Played 15 online multiplayer matches.
Comments
You're up late, Mr. Plunkett!
Chin up, son.
Haven't the items always been unbalaced?
But still, I'm an MK lover, but I respect this review...well...because it's true...cheers Luke!
As far as the wheel is concerned, I love it. I haven't had any issue winning races online or in single player.
I've been handed more losses due to items (four blue shells in a single lap are lame) than for any lack of control over my kart/bike.
And I guess I don't follow the "trick" argument regarding bikes. Sure there are a LOT of jumps scattered about, but both bikes and karts are capable of doing tricks.
I haven't tried to take a kart up one of the half-pipes yet, but they have their own drawbacks.
Personally I think the karts are at a disadvantage to bikes, seeing as how there's few courses where the 2nd level mini-turbo can be utilized to it's fullest. On the other hand, you can pop a wheelie (and bring it back down in an instant) whenever you feel like it.
I especially agree with the sterility and the overpowered items.
The first time I saw the 2 hour gameplay video and saw the menu screen, even that seemed strangely unfriendly to me.
I played it alone, with friends and online for a few day, unlocked 80% of the stuff and I really have no incentive to keep playing.
I played Mario Kart DD for years and rather play that again, honestly.
Wow, I didn't read the whole review and I'll wait to play it myself to judge, but the fact that a "die hard" such as yourself had negative thoughts on the matter really surprised me. However, since my friend, a true snaring, Metroid loving, foaming at the mouth Nintendo fan doesn't know about this, I'll just let him buy it instead.
"I'm sure a ton of new Wii owners, whose last go-around with the series was on the SNES, will have a blast."
That's my camp. The Wii is the first nintendo console I've owned since my SNES, so things like Brawl and Kart, which others have "meh"'d over after they finally got released, are wholly new experiences for me. Bring it, I say.
(I did get Kart for my DS, but didn't enjoy it much. Snaking made competition online rather pointless, and the controls weren't doing it for me, since a disability makes it hard for me to constantly hold down a trigger button. The WiiWheel is more my speed.)
what about not having local player grand prix!
my gf and i love mario kart, but not being able to beat the game together kind of put a damper on the game.
Yeah I figured that MK would turn out like this, N64 is my all time favorite.
This wasn't mentioned in the review, but I remember hearing about it in the Euro review copies - there is no free for all battle mode, correct? Only teams? Because that would basically make the game worthless to me
Was this written just after a sour online/1player session? Being 1st for the whole race and then getting pounded with items that just feel cheap can be incredibly frustrating. But on another note with consistant good driving, it is possible to place in top 3 most of the time. I played about 10 gmes where some girl (female Mii) came 1st every time!
I know everyone hates the blue shells and bullets and such cause they're not "fair," but to me, that's just a part of Mario Kart. Being able to persevere THROUGH all the shit that gets thrown at you and STILL getting 1st...that makes you a stellar Mario Kart player.
better late than ever. there is more red than blue, i dont know if thats a good thing or not, im going to wait a little later to pick this title up, i dont want to neglect it since im busy with GTAIV and the MGO beta
I'm not a Mario Kart fanboy, yet I've played them all, and Mario Kart Wii is my second favorite game of the series, right behind Mario Kart DS. Even without voice chat, this is the best Nintendo online offering to date and it shows they're stepping up their game.
I couldn't care less that the snaking is gone, boohoo. It's a good game and that's all I was asking for.
Its a new Mario Kart!
I have done everthing there was to be done (SP) on all previous Mario Karts. What would you want more, other then new content? Freeze the time in 1992 and just play Super Mario Kart?!
Wait, thats not a bad idea at all...
Well then this just reinforces my desire for the game while waiting patiently for Amazon to get it to me. I have to admit, I'm one of those odd folks that hates voice chat, so its lack is fine by me. And the fact that Super Mario Kart was my first/last Mario Kart game means this will have the desired impact of being an improvement. If the wheel doesn't pan out, that's ok: I wasn't particularly hopeful about it anyway. The only thing that I wonder now is how I'll deal with a game that has far more pronounced "rubberband AI" then the last Kart game I played.
I can't say I agree much here. I just got MK Wii yesterday and I can't put it down. Probably my favorite of all of the MK so far. DD was alright but my interest was lost fast. MK 64 was my first and probably second fav now from wii version. I love the online play now too...
I thought the online play was the best on Wii yet. You can get into a race in seconds. Also, I'm suprised with your reaction to the Wii Wheel. Most people who I've talked to have found it suprisingly good. Myself included. I've gotten 2nd and 1st in quite a few online games using that wheel.
"shit-talking and good times"
Sincerely cannot remember the last time I've had this with anything related to Nintendo (there was the Evo West SSB: Melee tournament, but let's face it, everyone else at every other game was laughing AT them).
"It's still a good game, don't get me wrong, it's just...not as great as you probably thought/hoped it would be."
Somewhat depressing that I've been seeing this in every "big" Wii game released so far that I would normally care about.
Anyways, good read, and thanks for convincing me to further hold on from purchasing a Wii (the Online Play comment cemented this decision for me).
yeah i hate how they use the catch-up mechanic. i shouldn't get punished for being in 1st.
People need to stop apologizing for liking Double Dash. I too thought it was a lot of fun. Just because there were some out there who didn't like it doesn't mean it was bad for you to like it. Stick up for yourself already!
I thought you already put up a Wii Wheel hate article yesterday?
I think the harsh criticism towards the online play is a little unjustified. Just because it doesn't have a mic where I can hear racist rednecks and 12 year olds screaming noob comments at me, doesn't make it bad.
The fact that the Online play is FREE and works really well, makes it a great experience. Matchmaking is even faster than Halo 3, at times. You can even meet up with your friends!
I wish it did have voice feedback or text feedback for your friends (I feel the impersonal criticism is an issue), but like I said, you can't beat Free. Especially when it's leaps and bounds above Brawl online play.
For the record, I've also been playing Mario Kart since the SNES, watching the game series take baby steps forward with each new iteration.
You say MKWii is a step back for the franchise, well I say Double Dash was a step back and MKWii is the first step forward for the franchise. I've been enjoying this game too much to be healthy and the online play is an absolute blast.
Twelve players is better than eight because it creates a more frantic experience. Who cares if you can't keep first place because of items? Do you want a repeat of time trial mode? I like going back and forth between places because it keeps the races exciting.
I'm afraid I'm going to hate this game. I don't like all the cheap items and this game seems to give them out like free herpes. I wish there was a option to turn of the items or control the amount of blue shells that people can get. One thing that gives me hope is that you think Double Dash is the best Mario Kart. IMO DD is by far the worst so maybe I'll like this Wii Mario Kart:)
OK, this is my first Mario Kart game, so perhaps my n00bitude is not giving me an accurate picture. But:
1) I love the wheel. It felt like the right way to drive in this game from the second I started my first race.
2) It could just be that I have a funny imagination, but after racing people online for awhile, I started attributing personalities to them, and eventually shit talking to my TV at them when they got me or vice-versa.
3) I think the balance is OK. I mean, I got taken down by Bullet Bill just about as much as I took people down with it. The only "ARGH!" moment I had was when I got blue-shelled somewhere between 0.5 and 2 seconds away from the finish line in first place. I almost cried. But then I got right back in and targeted the perpetrator big time the next go around.
I pretty quickly found 4 hours gone from the time I popped the game in until I realized I had to get to sleep. It's definitely a big win for me.
How can you people not like the Wii Wheel?
I actually expected to hate it since I've read everywhere it's just a cheap little piece of plastic but it's actually pretty awesome. It just feels right and having that shape really helps you steer.
I honestly can't think of going back to the Wavebird or Classic Controller after getting good with the wheel.
@Truvill: Letting others make up your decisions in life? Ugh...
Why not try things for yourself? You may come away surprised that you have your own opinions...
If I've gotten anything from all the various MK reviews I've read it's that everyone who calls themselves diehard MK fans are most likely full of shit. It's Mario Kart, it's not to be taken seriously, just have fun, throw the controller at the wall now and then and move on.
A good review. I personally fell you're being a little harsh, but the points are valid. It's still a fun game, and I played it basically for 12 hours with two mates when in came out over here in the UK, and it was one of the best times I've ever had with a game. And the wheel is honestly pretty fun. I'd recommend any Wii owner to pick this up.
This is a solid entry in the series. I definitely dig the new tracks.
And I have to agree that having 12 racers is pure chaos. It seems that whenever you get hit with something though, it's like you're getting gang-banged/trained on.
It gets REALLY frustrating when you're in first the entire time until the last bend of the final lap and you get hit with a blue shell, lightning bolted, red shelled, then repeatedly knocked by the other passing racers. *pulls hair*
Sterility, a funny way to put it, but absolutely true. Seriously, I can't put my finger on it either.
you don't get punished for first as long as you are far enough ahead. If you are right in front of someone, yeah, your going to get bumped somehow... but isn't that was this games all about? Not being another racing game where once your out front, your there for the win... no this is a party game meant for the masses... fanboys really need to stop harping on good things.
So...
Complaint #1 - It won't let me talk shit to strangers on the internet.
Complaint #2 - This non-living game lacks a soul.
Complaint #3 - Too many people who aren't me.
Complaint #4 - Yeah, yeah...everyone hates the blue shell when you're in first place.
Complaint #5 - 1 of the 3 possible control schemes is not to my liking.
Just kidding...Double Dash is my fav too.
Im surprised Luke didnt point out how cheap the AI is in 150cc. I agree with the soulless design and the fact that i cant race grand prix mode with a local friend is pretty sub-par with MK's of yore. Its still a pretty fun game though, even though i hate to admit that the Quacker Bike is by far the best.
"Wii Wheel: Perhaps the game's single biggest let-down, since the new peripheral was all that was keeping this from being, well, a Double Dash 1.5."
Oh how I WISH this was Double Dash 1.5, but how could it be without including team play?
I'm not a racing game buff and only ever play Mario Kart with my friends, so the driver/gunner mechanic in DD never really bothered me. In fact, that mechanic is why we still play DD almost every weekend.
Sadly, I'll never bother buying Mario Kart Wii because it doesn't give me the opportunity to punch my own car off of the track to punish my driver for totally driving between those item boxes.
"Wah wah voice chat wah wah blue shell". That's basically what I've gotten out of this review.
I think another blue(good) point should the inclusion of retro tracks. Being able to play some of my old SNES favorites with the current engine is nice. Besides, even if you've played them before, that means you have 32 tracks on one disk, and that can't be a bad thing.
Some of you guys really think Luke is being "harsh?" On balance it's a very positive review; I wish more Nintendo releases would be appraised this honestly.
@ScottyF311: Yeah, if you're looking for a highly competitive racer, there's better options. Same goes for Smash Bros, there are many fighters more balanced for tournament play. (final destination/no items is completely missing the point of the game in my opinion.)
Great game. Like the Wheel. On-line play is fine and I use TeamSpeak for voice with friends, works great.
Definitely agree with the "sterility" point you mentioned. The nintendo charm doesn't burn as brightly as it does in many of the other titles in the series (IMO).
Also, I find the graphics for the character polygons to be abysmally disappointing. I know the Wii shouldn't be played on a HDTV (at least on a large one), but having done so, the character models at the character select screen appear very jagged...dare I say to N64 standards. The tracks themselves look good, but I was surprised by the character models, especially after witnessing what the Wii is capable of in nintendo's own Super Mario Galaxy.
Those gripes aside, the online rocks. Surely a positive sign that nintendo is getting there amidst the terrifying friend codes.
"what the fuck is this shit? I climbed all these ladders and now at the end, because of a random dice roll, I have to take this chute back to the beginning? ZOMG milton-bradley iz communizt!"
When you hit the summit of an MK game, you're only racing the track, and no bolts, no blocks, no blue is going to change that.
Plunkett, if you complain about blue shells, you're not there. It's just not in you, brother.
As for the clinical presentation and the online play, well, I guess this means you didn't spend any time with MKDS, a subject uncomfortable to broach with gaming journalists who revel in treating portable systems and offerings like Oliver Twist. This isn't Smash--Mario Kart has some dignity--and I prefer the utilitarian presentation. The online interface allows you to exchange friend codes with racers you don't know (!) and the experience is now continuous--no more searching for players.
I don't know man, I hated the WiiWheel after trying it for my first day, then I got used to it, and now I love it.
I agree about the enemies using too many items it spoils the game. I wish they had options to let you enable or disable specific items and the rubber band code.
The blue shell is especially annoying as theres no counter to it at all.
Im all for the rubber band code keeping things tight, but it would be nice to have a cheat free "real" race as an option too.
I do like the wheel though and found it fun to play with.
@HaydenTenno:
It's not a matter of letting others decide for myself, it's the fact that I just so happen to have the same things in mind when it comes to the things I look for in a videogame.
Believe it or not, some things are objective enough that I don't have to play it to know I won't be enjoying it at all.
The game must not have voice chat. Even if alone, you'd be cussing and swearing from mistakes and tackles in the game. Mix that in with a microphone and that's all you'd here in a kids game. Cussing.
Why would anyone play a competitive multiplayer game with catch-up AI?
I didn't like the last few installments of Mario Kart for different reasons but overall I found that I was bored and not really having the fun I had when I played the SNES version. With the wheel bundled with the game and a spare one I bought I'm actually having fun with a Mario Kart again, a lot of fun...and it's easy for my girlfriend to play, enjoy, and beat me sometimes. The wheel makes this game for me.
voice chat sucks. "faggot faggot faggot blue shell faggot faggot faggot POW block faggot faggot faggot". what, you got strategies to go over? this isn't splinter cell.