Kevin's Watch

Happened to 'pop' in to a store on the weekend and saw the new Mario Kart on a Wii system set up, so with 5 year old daughter in hand, I gave it a go.
Now, firstly, I am one of those (rare?) people that thinks the N64 Mario Kart was one of the top 5 party games of all time. So when I gave this one a try I was skeptical.
HA! it was fantastic! Steering the car by 'steering' the remote was great and had a good feel. I can't wait to try it with the added wheel they give you! And the game itself was ol' Mario Kart fun! And in the breifest of time playing it I could see some adds and improvelments.
A definate must for those like me who love silly fun!

Wiiiiii!

The online is great, but nothing can replace the joy I had playing friends on the N64 version in battle mode.

My only problem is that the courses aren't that inspiring. It just feels very same-y--like I'm playing the N64 version with better lighting. They even had a freaking Moo Moo Farm track! Come on, Nintendo--you made Mario Galaxy!

I played some of it the other week and actually ended up winning the 150cc after a whole evening of trying. The odd thing is that my friends were complaining about how hard the game was if you used the wheel attachment, but as soon as I picked it up I started beating the times they'd set using the pad. I think smoothness is very important with the wheel, it's like they've actually given some thought to how go karts are really driven!

My only real complaint about the whole thing was the weapons, as there are so many of them that staying in the lead becomes a real lottery. At least they've got rid of the AI auto catch up from the earlier games, but it's still entirely possible to be out in front, be hit by a blue shell, then a shrinking thing and run over, then get hit by something else and end up last. From the off I could've won the 150cc cups, but it's such a lottery that it took several attempts.

I think that is part of what made the game so interesting ... that in Mario Kart the last place guy COULD come back (with a stretch of luck) ... it happened many times in the 64 version .. i don't extect anything different here.
When you are playing with a bunch of people there is always one person who is sooo much better than others (whether they are a better 'driver', know the tracks better, whatever) this is the way to always make things interesting for everyone.
Generally I am teh best 'skilled' driver in racing games, but this helps even the playing field.

I like it.

I'm warming to it, because I've been winning more races than losing. And yeah, Mario Kart has never been a fair game, exactly. Banana peels, tortoise shells...pure fun.

I donno, I played it for a bit but I wasn't too impressed. I went right back to playing Brawl.

I'll give it a second chance soon.-jay

Wiiii! I love this. Just got it yesterday and started playing. Yep, pretty much as fun as the last version --- with added stuff. Now you may like the added stuff or not, but it's classic Kart.
Some of the extras i am finding a little unnessessary at the early stage, but the racing is fun and the battle modes look interesting...

my wife got in to it right awy ... having that steeing wheel is so cool .. have to get another ...!

And teh races are with 12, count 'em, TWELVE cars! freek'n cool!
more from me later...

Well, I caved in and bought this game a few days ago. The online was too exciting.

My Mario Kart Wii code:

2535-4471-1914
Dave

If I'm on your Friend list, you can track me down during a race and join the game.

i have to get Wi Fi!!!!!

Usivius...

LF explained that there is some sort of USB adapter for about $40 that sends a low power wireless signal from your computer to your Wii. That's the route I plan to go eventually.

There's wirless and there's also wired connection.

Wired is actually faster + cheaper than wireless. All you need is to connect the product to your comp, then plug a wire from it to the Wii (an Ethernet cable, I believe). Again, best buy, but if you own a DS (which I did, at one time), you will want the Wi-Fi.

LF...where is the port on the Wii for a wired connection? We looked and looked for one...

It's the USB port, on the back. Very thin slot.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=sYXhyrXQVmA&feature=related

This video should help.

My wife and I tried this the a few weeks back when we were at a friend's house for dinner. She absolutely LOVED it!! Now she wants to buy one super-bad. I saw one in the store the other day, and was really tempted to get it... but eventually I passed on it....

after plunking down $250 for the console, I'd have to "shell" out another $80 for the Mario Cart bundle, and I really wouldn't be happy unless I got Metroid and Zelda, so about $500 later.....

...not today. Maybe tomorrow....