Mario Kart Wii

[Warbie]

I told myself I wasn't going to pick this up after reading the Edge review. They basically slated it for betraying its karting roots in favour of a more party game experience - which it has - and for sacrificing split screen game modes (they have properly ****ed up Battle Mode) for online play. So, the tracks are twice as wide and powerups play a bigger role than ever before, and the pixel perfect racing lines of the snes orignal (which have been slowly diluted through MK64 to DD) have finally been replaced by Wacky Racers. As much as all this pisses me off (there's a part of me that is screaming inside), as a party game MK Wii seems to kicks ass. Using the wheel, while harder and not as precise as analogue, is far more fun that I thought it'd be. I can't see myself using anything else. The lonely tracks which seem far too easy to naviagte in single player, come alive online when there's 11 other karts/bikes going at it head to head. It's fun in the way we've come to expect from the Wii - completely accessible and light hearted. Tonight i'll be playing with 5 or 6 mates (using voice comms over Live - Wii360 ftw) and I expect it to be awesome.

In conclusion - a mixture of disappointment and pleasant surprise. I'd have prefered a return to the tight racing of the original, but am not going to turn down such multiplayer goodness. Online works wonderfully btw.

 

[Mr Stabby]

What happened to battle mode? If it's wrecked I might not buy it anymore.

 

[Warbie]

It is atrocious. 2 teams of 6 face off and battle it out to see who can get the most of points (balloons burst) within the time limit. There doesn't appear to be a penalty to losing your 3 balloons - when they all burst you spawn again with a new set - and the whole affair sems rather slow, random and pointless. This is by far the biggest let down for me, especially considering how well the game works online.

 

[VictimOfScience]

Oh man, I cannot wait to pick this one up. Should keep me very happy until GTA IV. :E

Thank you for your candid words--I shall not be deluded. :thumbs:

 

[Stigmata]

Won't be picking this up.

 

[StardogChampion]

I might get it. I have some money to burn and also just got a wireless modem, so no messing about with dongles.

 

[Crushenator 500]

I have it, it's fantastic

I've played it with a wavebird and the wiiwheel, it was easier to control with the wavebird (it felt a lot like DD which ive played rather a lot of), but the wiiwheel was probably more fun

I can see myself pumping many hours into this

 

[Sheepo]

Wait, so there isn't a regular split screen battlemode at all, just this team nonsense?

Is team battle just online or not? I will be upset if they're is no 4 player, no cpu, splitscreen

 

[Warbie]

No regular battlemode and AI will always fill the spots untill all 12 filled :/

Bag of shite.

 

[Reginald]

It is atrocious. 2 teams of 6 face off and battle it out to see who can get the most of points (balloons burst) within the time limit. There doesn't appear to be a penalty to losing your 3 balloons - when they all burst you spawn again with a new set - and the whole affair sems rather slow, random and pointless. This is by far the biggest let down for me, especially considering how well the game works online.

*vomits violently all over Nintendo's offices*

That's basically what they just did to one of my favourite multiplayer experiences ever after all.

Saves me ?40.

 

[Nabobalis]

Man I need money and fast. GO some many games to play. But its a shame that they seem to have ruined certain aspects of the game. Will have to judge when I eventually get the game.

 

[Nibwoddle]

I don't really consider this a letdown because almost all of the new tracks are awesome, as well as the fact that they included Funky Kong. FUNKY KONG! Dry Bowser also looks pretty cool. And motorbikes. And 12 racers.

 

[Warbie]

Is nobody else playing this then?

Despite the death of Battle Mode, this really is a cracking game. The wheel is excellent and alone has rejuvinated the the series for me. Combine this with being able to play as your Mii and it feels like you're there, throwing yourself round corners and flipping Mario the bird as you slide by. Online is great with mates and you can download ghost data from people all over the world to practise against.

 

[AmishSlayer]

It doesn't come out for the US until the 27th. For once you guys in Europe to enjoy an earlier release date

 

[Reginald]

I am still of completely two minds. I want to get No More Heroes first. And GTAIV before that. I probably will end up getting it though. It'd be the first Mario Kart game I'd miss out on ever if I didn't. (Apart from the Japan-only GP series, which deserve a western conversion to consoles)