Since the days of Super Nintendo, Mario Kart has always been the game for those who, in the words of Ricky Bobby, just wanna go fast. You don't have to be a hardcore gamer to throw down some bananas and power slide your way to the top. The latest iteration of the game for the Wii seems to keep this in mind, but still maintains key aspects of Mario Karts past to reel in those who have been playing the game for years. Oh, and this time around, we have an all-new peripheral to shred rubber with: the Wii Wheel.
Back in the day, Mario Kart 64 was more often than not the catalyst for all fights between my younger brothers and me. Despite getting pwned time and time again by Japanese preadolescents on Mario Kart DS Wi-Fi, I'd like to think that I've since honed my racing skills since then. Even so, using the Wii Wheel came as a bit of a shock, as it's exponentially more sensitive than an analog stick. But this makes it a whole lot more fun, too.
You'll recognize a good portion of the game's 32 tracks, because many of them are gussied up versions of classic tracks. After all, what would a new Mario Kart game be without an updated Moo Moo Farm or a Wario Stadium? One of the best updated tracks in the game is the new Rainbow Road, which somehow manages to make veering off into outer space even more terrifying. In fact, the new tracks are so loopy and expansive that you may experience vertigo after bouncing on top of 40-foot tall mushrooms or flying face first down a mineshaft.
winning each cup first place every race on the first try. With
150cc, I can barely maintain first, which is perfectly ok, a
challenge is good. But every single time it comes to a last lap,
I'm nailed with a blue shell 4 seconds before crossing the finish
line and 5 or 6 CPU cross first while my character is still
flailing his arms.