GDC08: Nintendo sheds more light on Mario Kart Wii

by David Hinkle { Feb 19th 2008 at 11:15AM }

IGN got their lucky, lucky hands on the latest build of Mario Kart Wii recently, taking the time to carefully analyze the differences between this game and the installments of old. Following this, they wrote a five-page preview on the game. We've read the whole thing (omg no wai?!). We're excited.

First of all, each racer now has a plethora of rides to choose from: three karts and three bikes each. These are available from the start of the game. Also, the CC classes return, but with a small twist. The 50CC bracket is for karts only, the 100CC bracket is for bikes only and the 150CC is a mixture of both. IGN notes the difference between the two as the bikes having a tougher time with turns, but being easier to boost with (tip the wheel back to do a wheelie, hold it then zoom off). As for karts, they'll get boosts from powerslides, providing more boost depending on how long the player holds it, eliminating the need to slam on the d-pad to generate these anymore (we're not sure if this means no more snaking or not). Stunts will also provide boosts, allowing a player to perform a mid-air stunt off of a jump and shoot off once they land on the track.

Gallery: Mario Kart Wii

The playable characters in the demo build included Baby Mario, Baby Peach, Toad, Koopa, Mario, Luigi, Yoshi, Princess Peach, Wario, Waluigi, Donkey Kong, and Bowser. There weren't any kind of locked character slots, however IGN noted the character selection screen seemed kind of open and might have some hidden folk to unlock come time for final release. We wouldn't be surprised. Also, Nintendo confirmed that you can in fact race as a Mii, however the demo build did not have that incorporated (we wonder how many times we're going to have to race Hitler online?).

As for the track situation, there were 8 older tracks unlocked for use in the demo: Peach Beach and Waluigi Stadium from Mario Kart Double Dash, Yoshi Falls and Delfino Square from Mario Kart DS, Mario Raceway and Sherbet Land from Mario Kart 64, Shy Guy Beach from Mario Kart Advance, and Ghost Valley 2 from Super Mario Kart. On top of that, 8 of the new tracks designed for the game were also available, including Luigi Circuit, Moo Moo Meadows, Mushroom Gorge, Toad's Factory, Mario Circuit, Coconut Mall, DK Summit, and Wario's Gold Mine. Not a bad selection for a press demo, if you ask us!

Now, onto the good stuff: online play. As previously reported, the game will allow 12-player online racing. What's great about this is you can hop online alone, or you can have a friend join you through your Wii. Also included in the game's online feature set is the Mario Kart Channel, an in-game feed of the leaderboards and other pertinent information relative to the game. This will also allow players to download and upload ghost data , as well as tournaments and weekly challenges. Sounds fun!

Overall, there is a lot of information to digest here. This game's scope is going to be much larger than anything we're used to in the franchise. And, for that, we're extremely happy.

Tags: gdc08, gdc08fanboy, mario-kart, mario-kart-wii, mariokart, mariokartwii, preview

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

WhatIsThatThing @ Feb 19th 2008 11:46AM

Tournaments and weekly challenges? Awesome!

John B. @ Feb 19th 2008 3:07PM

Replay value ahoy

Co @ Feb 19th 2008 11:55AM

I'm gonna go change my underwear now.

Jason @ Feb 19th 2008 12:09PM

I sure hope that isnt the actual box art!

vidGuy @ Feb 19th 2008 1:12PM

It is, and I think it's the best Mario Kart boxart yet.

hvnlysoldr @ Feb 19th 2008 2:48PM

It comes with the Wii Whiil remember. Just hope like with Wii Play there's a DVD case in there.

Shadow31 @ Feb 19th 2008 12:22PM

Now why doesn't Brawl have an extra channel of goodies? *stomps away, mumbling*

Don Day @ Feb 19th 2008 12:29PM

I can't frigging wait for this. Brawl and MK makes this a great year.

Ha! I called the multiple control schemes and the waggle functionality last time MK Wii was discussed. Damn I'm good. Sounds like they nerfed snaking too.

religiousjedi @ Feb 19th 2008 12:47PM

I've never been a fan of the Mario Kart series (Mario belongs on the platform, not on the race track/baseball field/game board/etc.)(and oh yeah...F-Zero ftw!!!!!!).

Still, this one is sounding very promising.

KidSqueek @ Feb 19th 2008 12:49PM

i never played any mario kart games before. maybe because the wii is my first nintendo system since the snes =x but this game sure sounds mighty attractive.

Co @ Feb 19th 2008 1:42PM

You download Mario Kart 64 off the virtual Console and you download it RIGHT NOW!

Gerwurztraminer @ Feb 19th 2008 12:50PM

What, no Baby Luigi?

Mike D @ Feb 19th 2008 1:26PM

Well looks like I'm set till at least the fall.

Jensonb @ Feb 19th 2008 4:14PM

They have GOT to open up the Mario Kart channel as a website. And give us Mario Kart cards to put in sigs showing best times, wins and so on.

Perverted @ Feb 19th 2008 2:24PM

Wait I'm I reading that wrong or did you say 2 player online through one Wii? If that's true MK Wii FTFW!!!!!
12 player online......mario kart....no snaking.....
Simplified yet more content keeps the 25% traditional Console fans happy and hopefully means the 65% casual crowd can pick up and play. 10%=other.

Co @ Feb 19th 2008 3:11PM

25%?? I'd say its more 40/60, prehaps 50/50. ALOT of core gamers I know have a Wii, some exclusivly.

mrtea @ Feb 19th 2008 4:33PM

Has a release date been announced, yet?

Dudeman22 @ Feb 19th 2008 4:47PM

Now howz about some video footage IGN?

Brello @ Feb 19th 2008 5:50PM

Now if only Nintendo would release a Wavebird in wii-colors for me to play it with. Make it happen!

Mr Khan @ Feb 19th 2008 5:53PM

It seems like Nintendo is slowly getting its online act together. Brawl failed with the lack of online record-keeping, but has its DLC service and co-op functions, Mario Kart Wii has everything that should be standard in an online game

An odd contrast to the feature-barren Mario Kart DS, that's for sure.

TheOverlord#2 @ Feb 20th 2008 4:29PM

I missed the part where Brawl got DLC...

RosuNamikaze @ Feb 26th 2008 1:26PM

think i've heard of Brawl DLC a few times..

but i'm not exactly sure what we're able to get?
is this referring to the downloadable custom stages? if it's that then fair enough.. or is there anything else?..

room for opening it to downloadable characters/stages/soundtracks? doubt it, i wish hah :(

but could somebody enlighten me nonetheless? :)