The Mario Kart franchise is back, and it’s just as strong as ever. Whether or not that’s a good thing, is completely left up to you and your tolerance for repeat offenders. Mario Kart has been around since 1992, and with the Wii version, has 6 official titles under its belt. Of this bunch, is the all inclusive, critically acclaimed adaptation for the N64 which easily falls into the Top 10 category of every gamers’ “Best of All Time” categories. If not, it’s not too far off. However, repetition seems to be the main blue print of this franchise, with very few exceptions along the way. On the GameCube we saw karts dual wield riders and make the action twice as fun and strategic based on who you choose. Finally for the Wii, we have added in motion control which is probably the only true draw to this game.
I looked online, I read a lot of other opinions and asked around, and it appears I am the only one who has any negative connotations towards this game and I guess that’s a good thing because that’s exactly why you’re reading this, aren’t yah? I love the Mario Kart franchise and truly believe it’s a man cave classic amongst friends, much like Super Smash Bros. for the N64, which always calls for a good time. However, I only think I’ll keep this game as close as my nearest six pack of booze. Yes, the game has added motion controls that allow you to feel like you’re driving the kart yourself and surprisingly it is quite responsive to the sensor bar. But once you get past the gimmick of steering, it really just goes nowhere. Other than that there are no other significant changes that makes this game stand out on its own in its franchise, and sadly it’s a rare miss for Nintendo.
What I didn’t like was the fact that we have the exact same racing classes, exact same cups and tournaments to race, and finally the exact same tracks we’ve already conquered. I was almost instantly bored as it has come to a point where I’ve already done this before that the motion controls aren’t suffice enough to keep me drawn in. Not to mention, the Nintendo Wii isn’t quite leading the charge with graphics, to be frank…the Nintendo Wii is the Khloe Kardashian of the next gen consoles when it comes to the graphics department. The other two are just so much more appetizing to look at. So in this respect, the levels and tracks we race seem almost painfully similar to those on the GameCube.
The only true savior of this game is the motion control, but again, how long will that gimmick last? It’s cool to feel like you’re truly driving a Mario Kart, but alas, it is just not enough. Maybe to the kids and young adults, this game will remain a classic to them but that’s because they didn’t grow up on the originals like us. This is where the six packs come in. Mario Kart for the Wii has the limitless potential for the unique drinking games you can create while playing with your friends. After a few hours you can barely keep your Koopa Troopa on the track without falling off, and then you’re trying to convince your pals you’re good to drive home. It’s a good measuring stick. “Trembo keeps winning, he’s good to drive! Let’s hit up Taco Bell!” Well officer, if it wasn’t for those damned blue shells, I would’ve won every race.
Mario Kart for the Wii will remain a top sales item in the Wii department as its draw to the masses is still apparent, especially among the kids and is another classic family tradition to add you’re “Game Night” routines. But other than that, the true gamer will just bore themselves of this title and move on. Then again, the true gamers really even aren’t the Wii to begin with.
For a lot of people, Mario Kart Wii was their introduction to the franchise, and what a terrific introduction they had.
Major 2023 game anniversaries include The World Ends With You, Mario Kart Wii, and The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker, among many others
Nintendo has provided a sales update on Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, and it's confirmed that the game has now outsold Mario Kart Wii.
Always remember Polygon's take on MK 8 and how it would end up being worse selling entry in franchise history. Oof. MK 8 deluxe is going to have one hell of a holiday. You know that Switch bundle is coming back.
Baffles me that they haven't made any new dlc for this, and yet they focus on the mobile game smh
I can only imagine that the Mario Kart devs have been hard at work on the follow-up to 8, hence why it got no dlc.
We can only assume that they'll show something next year if they are working on the next game. With the way Ninty has been announcing games close to their release they don't leave room for any leaked info
Its not like its the same developer. The one working on the mobile game isnt even a Nintendo developer
I grew up playing Mario Kart on the SNES and feel outside of the N64 they have got worse and worse in each incarnation. The game no longer rewards any level of skill and just gives awesome weapons to anyone who is in 8th so they win. I suppose this is another victim of Nintendo's games for everyone idea and the increase on casual games I think the track design has gone way down hill also, the bouncy mushrooms one makes me want to kill myself on every lap.