techViva Reviews | Mario Kart Wii
The Nintendo Wii’s lack of quality titles is becoming somewhat annoying. According to Game Rankings, there have only been 16 games that have attained a score of 80% or higher. Thankfully, Mario Kart Wii is one of these titles. As with all previous renditions, MK milks the franchise for what its worth: mixing some new tracks with some old favourites, tweaking some settings and adding some new power-ups. That’s not to say MK isn’t worth the $49.99 MSRP - it definitely is for the house-party / lan-party enthusiast. Lets get into the nitty gritty.
Same Old Song and Dance
If you’ve never played a Mario Kart - shame on you. It’s the staple Nintendo racing franchise which features prominent characters beating each other down with a magnitude of weapons for bragging right supremacy. The franchise began in 1992 with Mario Kart on the SNES and, 16 years later, the game still feels the same. That’s not such a bad thing really, but it would have been nice if Big N had at least tried to change it up a bit. The last few games: Mario Kart 64, Mario Kart: Double Dash and Mario Kart Wii all feel like the same game with rehashed tracks and character lists. The franchise horse has been beaten more than a bag of grocery store plums and its time for a change.
Wii Still Love You
Mario Kart Wii is still an enjoyable game. Nintendo’s fanboys and girls will still rush to stores to pick this up regardless of how good or how bad it’s ranked - it’s just scientific fact. Sure half of its 32 total tracks are recycled from other versions. Sure Mario, Luigi and the gang haven’t aged in 16 years. Sure Bowser’s Castle has changed with every game. It’s still an enjoyable game and it still justifies at least a few plays at parties.
What’s In
Power sliding has changed. It’s now easier on the thumbs.
Snaking has been completely eliminated.
Online racing.
Motorcycles. Yes, you can now hop on a bike - if you dare. I wouldn’t recommend it.
Mini-turbo boosts off jumps.
More baby characters. Baby Mario and Baby Luigi needed some company.
What’s Out
Specific super items for characters.
A second rider.
Snaking.
Taunting.
What Needs Tweaks
The biggest problem with Mario Kart Wii is its rubberband AI. Let me give you an example in the form of an anecdote. In 50cc, yes 50cc, I was moments away from the finish line in Peach Beach only to be hit with a blue shell, then a red, and got knocked several times so I couldn’t get any momentum to finish above sixth place. The game is relentless if you’re winning. It’s discouraging. Very discouraging.
Friend code system.
Final Thoughts
Other than a few balance tweaks and the dreaded comeback AI, Mario Kart Wii still delivers an enjoyable party game with plenty of single player depth. Thirty-two tracks, three circuit speeds and lots of unlockables give this game lots of replay value. As one of the three Double Dash fans, I will miss the second kart rider and the huge Bowser shell running through out levels but the easier power sliding makes the game more balanced for novice gamers and much easier on the thumbs. After all, we need our thumbs more than we need bragging rights, right? I didn’t think so.
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