Strengths: Ability to use Remote like a steering wheel. Still being able to use the classic controller or even a gamecube controller for the game.
Weakness: None so far.
This game exceeds my expectations that I had before the release. I would recommend this game to any person that has liked previous versions of Mario Kart. Nindendo has done it again.
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This is a fantastic game, I wouldn't pay above retail for it (as of this writing, demand is huge vs supply), but it is a solid addition to the wii library. Online racing works beautifully without lag. And while friend codes are annoying and only having preset text messages to send make it feel quiet, it is great to race online.
When playing the computer, it can seem that a race can be won or lost on a single item, but after logging online racing time, items or not, the good racers win more often than bad racers- skill is rewarded.
That said, when racing online with splitscreen, I would have liked both racers to use their profiles. And when playing 2p tournament, it would have been nice to make things unlockable as in double dash. Also, there are so many great courses from the previous games, and I know everyone has their favorites, but I think there were better choices that could have been made.
I have held mario 64 as my favorite racer, and like the course designs better (as well as item selection and skill vs item breakdown), but the solid online plays make mario kart wii the best in the series. Easily.
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Mario Kart Wii might be the best game in the series yet, even if only due to the fantastic online implementation. Allowing you to race friends and strangers at any time, with up to 12 people per race, fun is always at your fingertips. While some of the powerups and hazards are more annoying than necessary (blue shells in particular), making many race results dependent on luck more than skill, this even matching makes most matches intense.
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Strengths: FUN for ALL AGES! Up to 4 home players. Able to play others on-line. Many tracks.
Weakness: NONE!
Its a game best for gatherings w/ friends/family because you can play upto 4 people at once (assuming you have 4 Wiimotes). The online capability is a nice plus if you are playing by yourself and want some human challengers. You can also play your 4 home players w/ other players online. Bottom line, FUN, FUN, FUN! If you get this, I'm sure you'll come to see what I mean.
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Strengths: Online play with both friends and random people. It has many options for driving styles, which include the wii-mote and nunchuck, the Gamecube controller, or you can use a driving wheel.
Weakness: Online play may be somewhat "laggy" but other than that, nothing.
If you are a Nintendo fan who has loved the Mario Kart's in the past, you need to pick this up whether it be for you, your kids, or a friend, this is a must buy!!!
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Strengths: The addition of bikes and online racing is great.
Weakness: I have not found any.
In Mario Kart Wii offline and online players get to choose a character, a vehicle and a few courses. Try to beat the opposition through skillful driving and using those classic power-ups. The addition of motorbikes is most welcomed. Mario Kart Wii is a solid game which offers excellent gameplay. Red shells will fly, turbo boosts will pop and you'll have a lot of fun ruling the roads of the Mushroom Kingdom. Mario Kart Wii is a must have game for any Nintendo Wii owner.
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Strengths: Online gameplay, variety of controller choices, and bikes.
Weakness: The Wii Wheel takes some time to get used to. Graphics could be better.
Mario Kart Wii follows the long tradition of previous Mario Kart titles by giving you the heroes and villains from the Mario games racing it out go kart style with many devious weapons at their disposal. The addition of the Wii Motion controls and the Wii Wheel for steering will take some time to get used to but it does and a new layer of that racing feeling as you turn the wheel to steer. Online play and a lot of courses give great replay value to Mario Kart as you can go up against friends online to see who is the fastest. The addition of motorbikes adds a new twist but many fans will probably stick to their favorite characters and Karts like they are familiar with. If you own a Wii, Mario Kart Wii will make a great addition to your gaming library.
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Strengths: Able to play friends/family over the Internet! Great fun!
Weakness: I should handicap players with lesser ability.
We spend several hours a week playing this game. We play our family in Washington state and on the other side of St Louis. We lose, but still have fun doing so! This is a lot of fun to play. It's great for all ages, however, don't play your grand kids...you will lose every time!
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Strengths: 12 Player Online, including online battle mode, a first for the series. The Wii Wheel is a freebie. Great Multiplayer Fun! You can use your favorite Mii as a driver!
Weakness: Wii Wheel is a novelty. Great for new players but most may want to consider sticking to a more standard control scheme.
Mario Kart Wii continues the tradition of quality that Nintendo is known for in all their software and in the Mario Kart series as well. 32 courses: 16 new and 16 from previous kart games; all are amazing, but some are better than others.
Quite simply some of the most fun you'll have with your Wii.
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Strengths: 4 players, play across the internet, comes with steering wheel
Weakness: none
Great game! Fun to play and can play with up to four people! I never played the others in this series, so I don't have anything to compare it to, but this version is awesome. I would highly recommend it to people of all ages. I would recommend the steering wheel for play. The game comes with one steering wheel, but others can be purchased. You have to remove the jacket from the remote before putting it in the steering wheel, so if you switch back and forth between games that use the remote, it can be a little bit of a pain to remove/install the jacket, but it's worth it.
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Strengths: great multiplayer, very fun game play, can be enjoyed by everyone, plenty tracks
Weakness: graphics aren’t that great
I’ve always enjoyed the Mario Kart series and this game did not disappoint. All the memories and things I enjoyed about previous titles are back in Nintendo’s latest installment. The addition of online multiplayer adds much more playability to this game. I no longer have to wait to play with friends as I can just connect online and have a blast playing competitively with strangers. The graphics aren’t looking so hot, but the Wii wasn’t meant to be a graphical powerhouse. Lastly, the vast amount of tracks makes this game that much more enjoyable. I absolutely recommend this game to anyone that enjoyed previous Mario Kart games.
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Strengths: Huge number of courses and great online play. Motorcycles provide a great alternative to go-karts.
Weakness: I have not found any weaknesses.
Whether offline or on, players choose a character, a vehicle and a set of courses and try to beat the opposition through skillful driving and the use of classic power-ups. It is fun to play with four people locally. The online play works amazingly well. When you go online you can use your friend code or find a random game for you to join and you can race with up to 12 people. Mario Kart Wii is a must have title for anybody with a Nintendo Wii.
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Mario Kart is a great family game with support for up to 4 players using the Wii remote locally. Online gameplay is very playable with no observable lag. There are many courses to choose from. Besides karts, there are motocycles to play. The game is bundled with one steering wheel in which you can mount your Wii remote. It does add a new level of fun using the wheel.
This game is easily among the top games that my family would choose to play together to have a fun, enjoyable time.
Strengths: The classic Nintendo franchise makes a fine debut on the Wii
Weakness: None
I'm not one of those hardcore Nintendo fans who likes to put down Mario Kart Double Dash - the last console Mario Kart game that came out for the Gamecube in 2003. I thought it was an excellent game that remains a classic today. However, Mario Kart Wii takes the series to the next level with the same excellent gameplay but the added benefit of online play. Of course there is also the obligatory motion control (you steer the remote using the included plastic wheel accessory - or just steer the remote by itself) but I found that the least interesting aspect of the game. I prefer to play with as before - but using the nunchuk controller for steering. If you use the Wii remote/nunchuk combo you do get to perform tricks using a flick of the Wii remote and this works well enough as a very minor addition of motion control. It is this trick system which is one of the true new additions to the game, though. When going over a jump you can flick the remote to start a trick and you will get a speed boost upon landing. The second change is even bigger - you can now ride motorcycles. The same trick system can be used on jumps but you can also perform wheelies for a speed boost (at the expense of steering). And of course the final addition is a huge one: online play. You can race against friends (yes, you will have to enter their game-specific friend code but there is a way to send an invite to someone on your Wii's friend list so that is at least a small shortcut). But you can also just jump into a world-wide race against anyone. These are surprisingly lag-free and are a great deal of fun. So, while the core gameplay is classic Mario Kart (racing on relatively short tracks and nailing the other players with all sorts of attacks that you pick up from ? boxes) the added features for this version make it the definitive console Mario Kart experience. This is simply a must-own game for any Wii owner.
Strengths: Classic Mario Kart gameplay, flawless (in my experience) online play
Weakness: Some odd course choices for the retro courses
Another Nintendo system, another Mario Kart. The series has not drastically changed in its many iterations, but this is very much of case of "if it's not broke, don't fix it". The motion controls (even the admittedly gimmicky Wii Wheel) are very well implemented, and it is a blast to play with four people locally and see everyone quite literally lean into the turn. The new bikes are also a welcome addition, as instead of being an afterthought, there is sufficient risk/reward to choosing them that bike/kart combo races are still fun. A lot of items are still cheap (Blue Turtle Shell), and there is the unfortunate addition of a new item that when you get it, speeds you up, but if you don't bump another player in time to pass it off, zaps and shrinks you. The problem is that there are many instances where you will be in a solid first place, and get this item. There's nobody to tag to pass it off to! I also wish they would have chosen the retro courses a little more carefully (do we really want 3D incarnations of the GBA tracks?). Still, I rate this a solid second place to DS, which is in my opinion the pinnacle of the series.
Strengths: Fun to play with Wii Wheel. Many new characters, tracks, and now there's bikes too. Online play is great and works really well.
Weakness: Cannot play two players to one car like double dash (Gamecube version).
I have been excited for this game since I heard they were going to make it. My fiance and I both loved double dash. When I heard it was going to be single karts- i.e. everyone has to drive their own and there are no backseat riders like Double Dash, I was really dissapointed. I am terrible at driving in Double Dash so we beat the game with me riding back seat.
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With this version, there are many new characters. We only have two unlocked. One of the characters in a character from Super Mario Galaxy that I found out we unlocked by having a savefile of the game. There are also motorbikes, which I like driving more than karts. You can choose between manual (holding the button and drifting yourself- you still get speed boosts, but this time you get the boost by holding the button and you do not have to move the gamepad back and forth) or automatic (drifts corners for you without having to hold the button, however you do not get speed boosts). You can do tricks by jerking the wii wheel up as you go off a ramp or large bump. The tricks give you a small boost of speed when you land. You still gain speed driving behind someone like the DS version as well.
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Some things that have changed are being able to drag items behind your kart. You have to hold the button to drag the item. You can no longer drop it behind you and forget about it. Also when you grab three shells, you can make them spin around your kart and grab another item, but you must use the shells before you can use the other item. At least I haven't found a way around that, but it's possible I am incorrect.
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As soon as we got the game (and purchased 2 additional wheels to use), the first thing we did was go online to play. The online play works amazingly well. When you connect it finds a game for you to join and you can race with up to 12 people. Depending on the time of day, there's usually at least 5 people playing and I've played a few games with 11 others and was surprised there was no lag. When you play online you get to choose your kart (or bike) and character and vote for a track (or have it pick a random track). The system then goes through the list of votes and randomly stops on one. The one downside of online play is that many people choose the same 2 or 3 tracks over and over. This is rather frustrating when you have to race on Mushroom Gorge for the 5th time.
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Moving onto the regular gameplay- it looks like there is a lot of stuff to unlock. Way more than what was in double dash. The unlockables are a little more difficult to do as well. In the GameCube version, everytime you won a cup you would get a new item. This time you have to do things such as unlock staff ghosts, win Wi-Fi matches (or do something similar to make it fair to people without Wi-Fi), and win cups. There's also the battle mode like the previous Mario Kart games.
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One other fun addition I feel I should mention is the Mario Kart online challenges where you are given a task to complete and then you can submit your time and see how you rank amongst other players. It seems like every week or two we get a Wii message saying there is a new one.
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I really like this game, despite not being able to play backseat rider. Because of this I had to learn to drive and I find it a lot easier than Double Dash. The Wii wheel makes it feel really smooth and it's easier to steer than I expected. In fact, many times I do a lot better than my fiance- I think possibly because he's used to driving in Double Dash with the gamecube controller. I would defenetly recommend this game to anybody. Even our two-and-a-half year old has a blast trying to drive. Because of the online play, the game is still a lot of fun even after you complete the regular gameplay and beat all the cups- which I foresee taking quite some time. Tracks like Moonview Highway where there's cars everywhere, and the new Rainbow Road, will keep you on your toes.
I love this game so much. But i am not good at it yet, i will have to take more time playing the game. But, so far it is good. Everyone will love it like me.
Strengths: New Wii Wheel control scheme is fun, supports gamecube controllers for Mario Kart veterans, online functionality, new bikes add a twist to kart and character strategy
Weakness: Bikes can be a bit overpowered vs. karts, Co-op Grand Prix was removed
Mario Kart Wii is simply one of the must-own games for the Wii. Alongside the blockbuster Mario Galaxy and Super Smash Bros. Brawl games, MKWii fits right in and fills a missing niche in the Wii library. Overall, the formula is basically the same going back from the original Mario Kart on the SNES up until the recent DS version. The introduction of bikes and tricks add even more fun to the equation along with new power-ups like the Mega-Mushroom and POW block. Skeptical players might dismiss the Wii Wheel, but after a few races it becomes very intuitive and interactive.
Strengths: Online play is so much fun. Lot of tracks available
Weakness: Not much different in gameplay with previous versions
This is one of my most played games on Wii. You can have hours of fun running all those races with Nintendo characters. Besides the characters, You also see lot of locations specific to them.
The real shining part of the game is online where you can race against local players or even against international player. No lag whatsoever & the fact that there is no voice chat actually makes it more fun, with no foul mouthed stuff spoiling a good game.
The fun never ceases even in single player where the difficulty is pretty well laid out. You start easy but it gradually keeps getting tougher as you race in higher "cc" categories.
For controls - I have only tried the wheel & it works great. The graphics & sound are great.
If you own previous Mario Kart games & were expecting a lot of new content, you may be a little dissappointed. But overall, this is not a game to be missed.
Bestcovery experts have rated the Mario Kart with Wheel as a best pick for the Best Wii Racing Game. This product has also been rated as a best pick for the Best Wii Party Game and Best Wii Family Game. Bestcovery's experts recommend the best products and services for a particular need based on extensive research and evaluations. Click below to see Bestcovery's full review of this product.
Mario Kart Wii is the sixth installment of the Mario Kart series of racing games, and the sequel to Mario Kart: Double Dash!! for the GameCube. All copies of Mario Kart Wii will ship with a Wii Wheel accessory that houses a Wiimote for a more intuitive way to steer your kart. Mario Kart Wii was released on April 11th, 2008 in Europe and was released in North America on April 27th, 2008 for $50....
Testseek.com has collected 63 expert reviews for Mario Kart and the average expert rating is 84 of 100. The average score reflects the expert community’s view on this product. Click below and use Testseek.com to see all ratings, product awards and conclusions.
Great Game like usual
Strengths: Ability to use Remote like a steering wheel. Still being able to use the classic controller or even a gamecube controller for the game.
Weakness: None so far.
This game exceeds my expectations that I had before the release. I would recommend this game to any person that has liked previous versions of Mario Kart. Nindendo has done it again.
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