Wii Warm Up: Karting
Who's getting it (or got it already)? What are your initial impressions? Have you played online?
And, folks in Europe and Japan (and even Australia!), have you noticed a difference in online play? Has it been lagging more since North American players joined that fray, or are things still smooth? Have you been schooling a lot of Mario Kart Wii "noobs" in races and battles?
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
I Love Bowser @ Apr 27th 2008 10:40AM
The Americans are here - and they bring LAG. Upgrade your budget connections guys. I can't download my porn and play Mario Kart at the same time no more. I like to multitask. You're messing with my multitasking. Stop lagging up the Kart.
Patrick @ Apr 27th 2008 10:40AM
I hate to say this, but I'm not getting Mario Kart Wii (or at least today). I can only afford to get one game right now, and I chose GTAIV over Mario Kart (sorry Nintendo). Now if GTAIV was on the Wii, I would definately got that over the 360 one. But I am planning on renting it in 20 min at Blockbuster when they open. Who knows, I might fall in love and get Mario Kart Wii instead.
Brento @ Apr 27th 2008 7:05PM
Must suck to still have little money in life. I got plenty and I'm getting both! And I'm even getting the collector's edition GTAIV only because I can cause I got the money! And for what it's worth I bought SNES Mario Kart & GTAIII the very first day they both came out so Im not just a guy blowing money folllowing trends.
Patrick @ Apr 27th 2008 7:42PM
Dude stfu, stop being a dick. I'm 15 and I don't have job (and can't get one) and my parents don't spoil me. Besides this Mario Kart doesn't look THAT good. My friend is buying and I will judge when I play with him. Besides I never cared about the collector's edition of games...just seem like extra money for some crap. But seriously, why such the dick head attitude?
TheWarlock @ Apr 27th 2008 7:53PM
"Must suck to still have little money in life. I got plenty and I'm getting both! And I'm even getting the collector's edition GTAIV only because I can cause I got the money!"
THAT didn't sound like you were a complete douche bag at all[sarcasm]... goodness Brento, not all of us are 30+ year olds with jobs and money [take into consideration 15 year olds].
Brento @ Apr 28th 2008 7:08AM
Duuuuuuuuuuuude. Get out there and start mowing lawns to earn yourself some scratch. Maybe you need to put those pesky videogames away and learn it's time to carry your own weight in this world. Sitting up in your bedroom eating cheetoz isn't cutting it anymore. You need to stop resenting your Uncle Brento and take this advice.
Patrick @ Apr 28th 2008 8:15AM
From a different "Patrick"...
At 15, you're a wee young to be playing GTAIV anyway.
TheWarlock @ Apr 28th 2008 11:19AM
In a certain sense, Brento is right. But the way that he acknowledged him was sorta... jerk-ish? Just don't be so cocky all the time with your truckloads of money and trophy wife women.
Patrick @ Apr 28th 2008 4:06PM
To the other Patrick, no, and I think anyone who thinks that is really just kind of stupid. I mean, why shouldn't I play GTAIV? I have been exposed to WAY WAY WAY more crude stuff than that already. I am 15, I know video games from real life. And back to "uncle Brento," I do mow lawns. In fact, that is how I got my money for GTAIV. But it is just getting into the months for mowing lawns, and my first time to mow this year was last weekend to get my money. I don't think you understand, I do what I can to get money. I even referee soccer (which I have never even played) for about $5 an hour, if not less. And I can only do those on weekends, which is also when I mow lawns. So don't tell me I am not doing anything, because I am. Also, I doubt you are too rich of a man yourself, you just have enough for a couple video games, which isn't much when you have a job.
Roto13 @ Apr 27th 2008 10:43AM
I've never been a really big fan of Mario Kart, but I'm sure someone I know will get it and I'll play it at their place.
Don't ask me why I own three Mario Kart games, though. :P
TheWarlock @ Apr 27th 2008 11:47AM
[Oh Jesus, let it come] Why do you own three Kart games if you're not really a big fan? Just askin' is all.
Roto13 @ Apr 27th 2008 1:33PM
Well I got Mario Kart 64 (VC version) because I had a friend staying with me for a while and he loved it, so I bought it. I got the first Mario Kart with a bunch of other SNES games for a few dollars, so it kind of came with a set. I got Mario Kart DS... well, honestly, I got it because I wanted to try an online DS game and it was the first one available. I must have played online a grand total of, like, five times. xP
The Stig @ Apr 27th 2008 10:50AM
Ok I have one complaint so far with the ranking system:
You cannot filter results based on kart/bike. I want to attempt time trial records on a certain model and know where I stand among others of the same make. No can do.
Tyler @ Apr 27th 2008 11:00AM
I'll get kart when I'm damn ready to.
TheWarlock @ Apr 27th 2008 11:44AM
I second that vote!
TheWarlock @ Apr 27th 2008 11:44AM
I second that vote!
Go1denchi1d @ Apr 27th 2008 11:02AM
I'm just waiting for TRU to open up. I'm planning to get Mario Kart and Geometry Wars. I do need to get some wheels as well. Man, gaming is expensive!
michael @ Apr 27th 2008 11:11AM
heading to gamestop in 50 minutes when it opens (at 9 here).
iMeh @ Apr 27th 2008 11:21AM
I'm waiting for Amazon.com to deliver mine. I have a backlog of games I need to play anyway...(Okami and God of War II for the moment.)
Metal_Link @ Apr 27th 2008 11:40AM
I'm waiting on reactions to the online modes. See, I will buy MKWii strictly for online gaming, and if it's no good like Brawl, then there's no point in buying it.
Go1denchi1d @ Apr 27th 2008 11:56AM
That's pretty ridiculous but you do make a good point. I hope the online is as good as they say it is.
murray b @ Apr 27th 2008 2:50PM
I've found online to be wonderful. no lag at all. Plays just like the person is right next to me, unlike Brawl which a few times has been like playing in slow motion.
Jeremy @ Apr 28th 2008 12:47AM
No problems at all online. Also it has the best online system yet for the Wii. You can automatically add people from your Wii address book with out having to send them a message with your friend code. No lag and quick connections.
TheWarlock @ Apr 27th 2008 11:42AM
Even though being the huge Nintendo fanboy that I am, I'm going to wait and see if it really is all that great. [points at double dash] You know? Just wanna see if it's as good as everyone else said it was.
Rich @ Apr 27th 2008 11:42AM
Like Go1denchi1d above, I'm waiting till 10am for TRU to open to pick up Mario Kart and Geometry Wars. I was debating over whether my 50% off game would be Geometry Wars or PES2008, but ultimately decided on GW.
Peter @ Apr 27th 2008 11:54AM
I picked it a copy at a local 24-hour Wal-Mart at 1 a.m. last night (this morning?) and played three matches with my brother-in-law before he crashed for the night.
I haven't played it online yet, but likely will later today to try it out.
Go1denchi1d @ Apr 27th 2008 11:57AM
I had the same problem. I flipped a coin and it said to get PES2008. I still opted for Geometry Wars :-)
AshStampede @ Apr 27th 2008 11:59AM
why do NA get mario kart so quickly when europe still has no release date for brawl. Wasn't nintendo's logic they would give mario kart to europe first to ease the pain (which it doesn't). Well as it stands once brawl is released I wil pick up both games second hand now so that nintendo gets no profit from me.
Metal_Link @ Apr 27th 2008 12:11PM
Brawl is actually set for June 27th in Europe. This was announced earlier last week along with WiiWare's announcement for Europe. ...And maybe WiiFit too.
AshStampede @ Apr 27th 2008 1:33PM
no it hasn't offical website still has tbc, http://www.nintendo.co.uk/NOE/en_GB/games/wii/super_smash_bros_brawl_2785.html
at work we have no release date still, as i work in a game shop, wii fit was out friday btw
Chris @ Apr 27th 2008 12:00PM
Picked it up at midnight at a GameStop in my neighborhood here in NYC -- I hadn't pre-ordered, but they had mercy on me and sold me one anyway. Am still finishing the retro courses on 50cc, but so far I'm still in the "getting used to it" phase. The new powerslide mechanics especially are difficult, and don't ask me why they saw fit to alter my beloved muscle-memory Gamecube control scheme. But the wheel is a little bit more fun than expected -- dunno if it'll be my primary controller, but it's more than usable.
Haven't taken it online yet, my WiFi connection downstairs blows. I played one match of Brawl online with a friend and it was a nightmare; I don't want to inflict that kind of lag on strangers!
Metal_Link @ Apr 27th 2008 12:13PM
Actually, Brawl's online mode has been painful to everyone....
The Stig @ Apr 27th 2008 12:24PM
I've had no lag with 12-player matches in Worldwide mode, with players all over the globe. It's wild, it's hectic, it's rushed but it's absurdly fun.
The ranking system I've already discussed earlier, could have been better. I like the ghost download option, plus the ability to send game-code invitations to people already on your console-code friendlist. So when your friends break down and get their copy of the game, they can click the invite from their Wii messageboard and automatically add you, and I'd assume visa-versa.
Memo @ Apr 27th 2008 1:15PM
I got mine last night at midnight at Wal-Mart! Greatest place on earth if you want an immediate game the second it comes out. Great game! Online was awesome. My wife and I could not stop playing until we were about to fall asleep. The Wii wheel is hard to play with and hard to get used to but still fun nontheless. We both played with the classic controller and it got easier but it is still a very fun game to play. There was no lag and online was so easy! If you can, get it. One of the best games of the year!
phenylketonurics @ Apr 27th 2008 1:39PM
Midnight launch at Gamestop. Brilliant game in that the PLAYING it is insanely fun but I grandly despise the wheel controllers. Seriously, I feel we're still quite a few years from solid technology in that department. But power sliding (once you figure it out) comes second nature and the items are just plain groovy.
Fun stuff; can't wait to get back on after my parents take a break.
Timdogg @ Apr 27th 2008 1:39PM
Picked mine up last night at midnight. Online was a blast. it is fast from track to track, and easy to do!!! I have been only playing with the whell so far, and I like it a lot! I am incredibily glad that I have this game in hand already.
Officially my favorite Wii game thus far!
spyker @ Apr 27th 2008 1:48PM
I got it this morning. Pretty solid racer. It has the best online out of all the Nintendo Wi-Fi games.
Jon @ Apr 27th 2008 2:28PM
Outside my local Wallymart at 7:30 (website said opened at 7, actually opened at 8 - grrrr).
I was the first person into the Electronics dept... they had an entire shelf of Kart boxes and another cardboard box of them behind the counter that he hadn't unpacked yet. As I was leaving the 2nd person arrived & picked up a copy too.
Doesn't seem laggy online but then I'm playing regional matches.
I have a love/hate relationship with it... it's a lot of fun but the ability to go from 1st to last in 10 seconds still annoys me.
I'm pretty much a beginner though... my ranking went up to 5600 when it was all total newbs online, then the experts started arriving and I slid all the way back to 5100!
Q-Kid-Kyle @ Apr 27th 2008 3:11PM
well, i was planning on winning it here, but thatdidn't happen. My cousin had his b-day 2day, and got money for a wii game. He's gonna get Mario Kart Wii, soI will try it at his house. sadly, he has no online. If i like it, I gotta get a job so i can buy it. I want the wiiL with that game! teeheehee
Logan @ Apr 27th 2008 3:43PM
Anyone think the Wii Wheel is a waste of time? I'm all for the nunchuk and wiimote.
Gewurztraminer says: R.O.B. is the last Cylon! @ Apr 27th 2008 10:33PM
I've found the wheel to be fun, but I play better with the GCN controller. I'm still going to stick with the wheel on- and offline for awhile. Until I get sick of losing, that is.
Monterey @ Apr 27th 2008 3:46PM
I got it this morning at Fred Meyer's here in AK, my internet connection sucks too much for online play, though. I opted to just beat my girlfriend a few times (racing). So far the nunchuk/remote control feels crazy intuitive for me, though my girlfriend, who doesn't usually play videogames, would be right on my tail with the wheel every time. Anybody else test their wheel out on new gamers?
jason @ Apr 27th 2008 4:27PM
bought it this morning @ gamestop.
impressions of the game: nothing new, more of the same. that's not a bad thing because it's extremely fun. just nothing groundbreaking.
the wii wheel is a waste of $$ though. it's neat for about 30 seconds, until you try using the nunchuck + wiimote and see how infinitely better it is. wii wheel has no precision. you can get by, but it's seriously so much better using a regular controller.
wiiomatic @ Apr 27th 2008 6:02PM
I bought MK and three more wheels ( now I have four) at sam's club last night, and it was incredibly fun. I enjoyed the game, the wheels (the B button feels good to press) and overall it was a great game. now I just have to figure out some tricks to do in midair on the snowy halfpipe level (AWESOME TRACK!!!)
-jEns- @ Apr 27th 2008 6:11PM
bought at gamestop this afternoon they had about a dozen on teh shelves...it was time to dust off the old wii...the wheel is a lot of fun but like reviews and other users have said the wiimote+nunchuk is the best control scheme...
Moose @ Apr 27th 2008 6:19PM
I've given it maybe two hours of play so far.
I like that they didn't try to reinvent the wheel (no pun intended) with a great franchise. Speaking of the wheel, it is better than I expected but I found myself switching back to the GC controller after a few series.
I wish they'd left the GC controls the same. I keep instinctively pressing X and getting the camera instead of shooting my item. Not a big deal, though. Drifting also takes a bit of getting used to vs the older games.
Love the tricks. Definitely adds a new dimension to the game without trying too hard. Haven't tried the bikes or online yet. Going to tonight, though.
Overall, seems like more of the same. A great, fun game that I can play for 5 minutes or 5 hours. Just what I've been waiting for.
Shelb @ Apr 27th 2008 6:54PM
So far it has been a lot of fun. The bikes are awesome and online play has been completely smooth. Wheel isn't that great, much easier to use the nunchuk option. Anyone gonna play online tonight? Here's my FC: 5370-0798-7077
Keith @ Apr 27th 2008 8:35PM
Shelb, I'll be around tonight if you want to add me as a friend. I've added you.
My FC is 4124-5389-2248.
If anyone else wants to exchange friend codes. Add a comment!
Jeff @ Apr 27th 2008 7:42PM
I'm absolutely in love with MKWii! The online VS mode has been an absolute blast.. just put in a 4 hour session and every race was exciting. I used the "regional" option and I did not experience any lag at all that I noticed. Everything was smooth as butter, and I had some fierce competition! I fared well though.. out of the generally 10-12 people, I averaged 3rd and 4th most the time (with the occasional foray into the depths). I even won a couple here and there :) VERY FUN to play online!
srabadan @ Apr 27th 2008 7:42PM
LOVE THE GAME,
I got Brawl on Launch day, played it for a week or so and haven't touched it. I feel like I'll be playing this for months.
Wife and I have only used the wheels so far and they are ok, probably meant more for the wii sports crowd.
Online is great they are on the right track, filling up a whole race of 12 ppl took less than a minute both times and the racing was smooth I did get a failure to connect twice but I chalked it up to busy servers on release day.
It has a lot in common with double dash but I like that one a lot too. Does it seem a little slower to anybody else? We were thinking that the game was a little slower or that maybe the tracks were a little wider.
Anyway, awesome game certainly not a waste of cash.