With Super Smash Bros. Brawl finally out, the next game Nintendo plans to bring out this year is MarioKart Wii!
With the latest issue of Nintendo Power having a 10 page spread of the game, I can give you quite the lowdown on what's going on.
Now, I am sure that the first thing on EVERYONE'S mind is how well the Wiimote will work and if there are alternatives. Well, let me start off by saying that Nintendo is working hard to ensuring that the basic turn control isn't as sensitive as it has been in past racing games. (ExciteTruck is a fine example of just how sensitive it was.) In an attempt to make it easier, MarioKart Wii will come with the Wii Wheel periphial. NP states that this combination makes it and so that it's more like driving a real car. They also state that it's not difficult, just different and takes some getting used to. As for alternatives, MarioKart Wii is being made to host all 4 controllers. So, if you find the Wii Wheel too hard, you can always go with Wiimote + Nunchuck, Classic Controller or GameCube Controller.
Now with that out of the way, let's get to the finer details. The next question I'm sure people will ask is, "What makes this one different from the others?"
Well, MarioKart Wii is going back to one charcter per kart. However, it's not just karts that will be in this game. Each of the 18 charcters (12 to start and 6 to unlock.) has not only their own kart to choose from, but you can also go with a muscle car (which you see in many games like the Froza or Crusin' series.) or mortorcycle. Each works in different ways and has their own individual uses. With the muscle car, you can perform mid-air tricks that can give you a boost when performed correctly. As for the mortorcycle, you can pull off wheelies to move faster than the other vechiles. However, to balance out the cheap speed a motorcycle pulls off when doing a wheelie, it is more difficult to turn when performing such a trick.
Not only are there 3 different vechiles to choose from, but ALL 12 charcters that are at the start will participate at the same time. This means 12 different places you could end up in and tons more items to handle at the same time. (Especially on final laps where the track is more than likely littered with hazards to dodge.)
Also, classic courses have been recreated. The old courses have been given graphical 3D upgrades. They even represent a few from DS are presented. Which ones are they? I'll leave that for you to find out.
Also, this game features on-line multiplayer. So you'll be able to challenge your friends across the world.
As with any new MarioKart game, new weapons have been added. Mega Mushroom makes you big, the Pow Block makes ALL other cars come to a complete stop, and the Lightning Cloud makes you speed up before shrinking you. (Though players with good timing can bump another car at just the right moment for someone else to recieve the curse instead.)
The final thing that's different is that this is the game where a new charcter makes their big debute. Try to find it from the list:
Baby Mario
Baby Peach
Bowser
Donkey Kong
Koopa Troopa
Luigi
Mario
Peach
Toad
Waluigi
Wario
Yoshi
+6 Hidden Charcters
+Unlockable Mii
This is all I shall reveal for now. However, I've got to admit that even this amount is alot to take in. Better start getting good at the game because when it comes out, get ready for racing against the world.
