The best game on the Wii
The latest addition to the long running series finally appears on the Wii with so many new changes that makes the old series seem new again.
GAMEPLAY - 5/5
In MK Wii it makes full use of the Wii's innovative controls by using the remotes tilt-sensitive motions as a steering wheel by using the attachment, also included in the package. Personally I've found this control method the best way to play this game, giving it a more arcade-like feel to it. If that's not for you though, you can use either the remote and nunckuck combo, the Classic controller or an old Gamecube contoller instead. As well as the single player Grand Prix andd Time Trial modes you can play the usual 2-4 player split screen races and battles and you can also take the game online using Nintendo Wi-Fi to battle players around the World, either by yourself or with a friend in the new 2 player online mode. Other new features include 12 racers on the screen at once, as opposed to the usual 8 that it has always been and for the first time in the series there are now motorbikes as well as cars to choose from. As well as the 16 new tracks (8 of which are un-lockable) there are 16 classic tracks from the previous MK games on the SNES, N64, GBA, Gamecube and DS.
GRAPHICS - 5/5
Some of the best I've seen on the Wii so far. Very colourful and very sharp. The classic tracks that were previously in mock-3D on the SNES and GBA have also been converted very nicely.
SOUND - 5/5
Brilliant, catchy tunes at the high quaility that you'd expect from Nintendo. I can't get them out of my head!
LASTABILITY - 5/5
Loads of modes of play and tonnes to unlock, including 4 new cups- 16 new tracks, new characters and being able to play as your Mii. Online play adds endless fun with your friends (using the Friends Codes) or playing people from all over the World, where upto 12 players can compete against each other in one race. There's 16 tracks and 12 characters to start with, so plenty to keep you busy when you first start playing. Having 12 racers on the screen at once also seems a little harder than on the previous games, so lots of practice will be needed if you want to get the gold in all of the cups.
OVERALL - 5/5
This has always been one of the best and most fun racing game series on any console and the Wii version takes everything that has been good from the previous games, made it so much better and added even more excellent new features into the mix. The new control method using the Wii steering wheel is also very fun to use and works really well. I highly recommend this to anyone who owns a Wii and think that this game really shines when playing on multi-player. This is defintiely the most fun game that I've played on the Wii so far. Buy it!
Simply Brilliant, yet slightly flawed
The latest installment of the ever popular Mario Kart series really is a joy to behold. The gameplay is as great as ever, the online functionality is a treat, the sheer variety of tracks, karts and characters make it incredibly long-lasting, and even when you've unlocked everything you'll want to come back for more.
In terms of control methods, the wheel works great as a periphery, especially for beginners and novices, although for total control you can't beat a gamecube pad in my opinion. Also for manual drift mode (only for the pros) it's nigh on impossible with the wheel.
All that said the Artificial Intelligence (AI) is brutal to the point of frustration. In 50cc mode you won't notice much wrong, but past 100cc and onto the 150cc setting and this is where things start to get tricky. You can put in 3 absolutely flawless laps and finish last. You can even time a few banana drops to deflect red shells. You may even reach for the skies when the new POW pick-up spins out your opponents. You will NEVER, NEVER outrun a Blue Shell though, and on the last corner of the last lap you find yourself getting hit and losing the race. This doesn't just happen once however, it happens alarmingly frequently. Also your competitors in the 4 race cup will gladly finish 2nd or 3rd to your 1st places, but on the last race if you get Blue Shelled and finish last you can be sure the same guys who were 2nd and 3rd now finish 1st and 2nd. So YES, this does only happen to you and not the computer opponents! It's a cheap effort at levelling things up for the online play i guess, rather than making an attempt at effective player matching.
Still a tremendous game, but oh how i wish it didn't have that flaw...
If you own a Wii and have friends you really should get this game!
I had been waiting for this game since I first played Mario Kart games for the N64, to have the chance to use a steering wheel on Nintendo courses against my friends. I got this game on the day it came out and played it all weekend on multiplayer and have to say that I have not been dissappionted. Not completely anyway...
The steering is brilliant, easy to use and the most accessible of all Mario Kart titles to date as there is very little to remember and learn regarding the controls, you push up or down to use weapons and keep hold of 2 and steer. Thats it! There is a large number of karts for each character, all unique with levels of handling, speed, stregnth etc and three types of bike for each player too. There are new items to use and you can even play as your own mii when you have unlocked that ability. there are courses to unlock just like the DS version of Mario Kart and also new characters such as Mr. Boo.
The 16 new courses are brilliant and take a while to master which is a good thing as it makes it more exciting and races are also much closer due to the weapons being distributed in favour of those nearer the back but that is a good thing as even races against the computer are competitive. There are 16 retro tracks too, but to me this is one of a few minor issues that stop this game from being a perfect 5 star.
The 16 retro tracks are a bit of a rip off to be honest. The banana cup for example uses 3 DS tracks, some which the DS used as its own retro tracks. These tracks have been updated graphically, but this takes away what would be retro charm, replacing it with what looks like poor rushed tracks.
It is also an expensive game to fully appreciate. you need two wheels to get the minimum enjoyment, one generously a free gift with the game, extra official wheels for £8, expensive for a bit of plastic. to use this you need another wii remote, they cast £30. Thats just for two players so it could actually cost around £120 extra to play 4 players unless your friends bring their own wii remote and wheels. This depends on circumstances outside what is actually a fine game though, and the wii remote costs are understandable taking the advanced tecnologies into consideration.
This is a brilliant game, that was so close to being perfect and its flaws are circumstantial and to be honest i really am nitpicking! It is one of the greatest multiplayer experiences i have ever had, including Halo, Call of Duty and WWE games and deserves to be shared and enjoyed amongst friends and family of all ages, I do believe anybody would love playing this game and can not reccommend it highly enough.
Graphics - 5
Sound - 5
Lifespan - 5
Gameplay - 5
Overall - 95% Brilliant!
About Mario Kart with Wii Wheel (Wii) - Wii Remote Not Included detail
- Amazon Sales Rank: #9 in Computer & Video Games
- Brand: Nintendo
- Model: rvlrrmce
- Published on: 2008-04
- Released on: 2008-04-11
- ESRB Rating: Everyone
- Platform: Nintendo Wii
- Original language: English
- Subtitled in: English, German, French, Italian, Spanish
- Number of items: 1
- Dimensions: 3.00" h x 7.50" w x 8.80" l, 1.10 pounds
Mario Kart with Wii Wheel (Wii) - Wii Remote Not Included Description
Take your place on the starting grid and prepare for high-speed racing action in Mario Kart Wii. Use the Wii Wheel (included) to steer your way round 32 tracks and race against friends to see who is king of the road! You can slow down the opposition or give yourself a handy speed boost by using a variety of helpful items, or pull off spectacular stunts on your way to the finish line. There's even the option of mixing with Mario and co. by racing as your Mii. Get in gear and join a race that everyone can enjoy!