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Rating: 
-
Another great Mario game. My daughters, husband and I have had a blast racing each other and the other Super Mario Bros. characters in all different types of race tracks. The Wii wheel makes good ole Mom a little more competitive! This is a must have for younger kids and adults. My teenager plays, but likes guitar hero best.
Rating: -
The wheel is slightly difficult to use if you're used to racing with a controller, but otherwise game is great. Many different scenarios, single or multi player, hours of fun.
Rating: -
My grading scale with Wii Games looks like this ...
5 star = A must play. No improvements need to be made. Has replay value (this is very important). I do not give out 5 star reviews open-heartedly. I consider any game worth playing, and owning is a 4 star game (which is may way of saying its 5 stars). But if a game receives 5 stars from me, I am in love.
4 star = Even if its my favorite game for the Wii, I will hand out 4 stars to it cause I can view some improvements to be made. OR it does not have replay value. Either way, it was a game I would prefer over its competition / genre. I like to give any great game 4 stars just so I can leave some room for a potential 5 star game.
3 star = Playable and fun game, I would recommend it but there may be a better alternative (a game that received a 4 star in the same genre)
2 star = Not worth playing. No need to purchase. Much better games out there in the same genre.
1 star = Silly game. A waste of time. No need to bother.
I will go in depth with "Mario Kart Wii" as I have finished the game, and I was an avid player of the 64 version. If you were too then you would understand this review, if not, it may be hard to follow along.
Mario Kart Wii Review = 5 stars (first 5 star Wii game I have given. More reviews to come)
I give this game 5 stars as it is the best game for its genre. It is unique, full of strategy, and replayability. And when compared to the 64 version, great improvements have been made to Mario Kart Wii such that there is no reason why to not give it 5 stars this time around. Lets go in detail about the game ...
Some upgrades from Mario kart 64 ...
+ there are more characters per race. This time there is 12 instead of 8. I like having these larger races. It makes it much funner as computer opponents will use more items making it more challenging, but not too challenging for you. Numerous times computer opponents have helped me out in a win due to their items. the point system is as folows ... 1st = 15 ... 2nd = 12 ... 3rd = 10 ... 4th = 8 ... 5th = 7 ... 6th = 6 ... 7th = 5 ... 8th = 4 ... 9th = 3 ... 10th = 2 ... 11th = 1 ... 12th = 0. Good point system.
+ new items added! All of your originals are there. Some new ones are as follows:
"Bob-omb" (this is a bomb that you throw forwards and it explodes after a few seconds or until somebody runs into it wiping out anybody in the blast). My comments of this new item - second worst item to have in my opinion. They arent good for holding behind you to block a red or green shell cause once something hits it, it blows you up. So throwing it forward is all its good for. And the problem with this is its not entirely accurate. You dont know how far it will be thrown, and once it lands theres a few second wait before it detonates, as you catch up to where it lands it would have already detonated so you are not caught in the blast. The blast itself isnt entirely big. This would be a much better item if it had a larger blast and detonated as soon as it landed. The positive side to this is it can wipe out more than 1 driver (3 red shells though are much prefered). So its not an item that can help get you that first place. You will pick up this item in mid-pack
"Bullet bill" ... remember those bullets shot out of cannons in the Mario games? Well this time you can turn yourself INTO one of them. Bullet Bill is immune to everything and gives you a large speed boost. Kind of like a star but MUCH better! My comments on this item: Bullet Bill is THE best item to have. You will only receive this item when you're in the back of the pack. I've received it in 8th. What he does is put you on course (you dont need to push any buttons, or drive him), he plows through anything, wiping drivers out, and he is VERY fast. Faster than a star or mushroom boost. This is the item that 12th place drivers look for and is a nice improvement from the 64 version as the lightning bolt used to be top choice. Bullet Bill has brought me from 12th into 1st (I should say, 12th into 3rd but I pulled into 1st a few seconds afterwards) on the last lap of the race. So with Bullet Bill now included in this game, ANYBODY has a chance of winning no matter where you are in the pack.
"Blooper" ... the worst item to receive in my opinion. He is a squid that sprays ink on everybodys windshield so they get a bunch of black streaks. When somebody uses a blooper on you, it rarely ever affects the way you drive. You still have some of the screen to see through. Its really only effective if there was a banana along your path. And when you receive a blooper, its hard to tell if it helped you any. You will receive this item mid pack. However, it is a mass effect item effecting all drivers but yourself.
"Mega Mushroom" ... this item turns you into a giant player. It makes you go faster, you plow through anything, and you squish people (they are still able to drive, but at a slower pace). This is not as effective as a Bullet Bill as you still have to drive the cart and you are not as fast. So bumping into a wall slows you down. A mega mushroom is about as effective as a star as you still retain defense from bananas and shells. You will receive this item mid pack.
"POW block" ... these things are annoying! You'll have computer opponents playing these on you all the while. A POW block, once used by an opponent will show up on your screen above your cart and there is about 3 seconds until you wipe out. When you wipe out, you lose any items you had! In fact, these items will spill out on the track. Bananas, shells, and even any mushrooms! Which is pretty neat as if you run into that mushroom laying on the course, it gives you that speed boost. POW blocks are always annoying though when somebody uses one on you. It can send you off track, slow you down (computer opponents tend to have a better acceleration, and you lose your items). You will receive this item mid pack. There is a defense against a POW block however, and that is being in the air. POW block affects anything on the groud. Being in the air is a rare occurence though, you'd have to be at the right place at the right time.
"Lightning Cloud" ... the third worst item to be had. You could also consider it the worst as this is the one item that HURTS you. What this item does is, a cloud hovers above you as soon as you receive it as an item and strikes a lightning bolt down to you giving you a temporary speed boost. After about 10 seconds, it will strike lightning on you and make you small. However, once you have this cloud above you, if you bump into another player, you pass it on to them! =). So it gives you a small speed boost to help you catch up with other players in an attempt to pass the side effect onto them. But if you are unable to pass it, being small isnt fun =(.
+ I like the addition of a 3-second response if a red or blue shell is coming, or if a guy with a star, or bullet bill is behind you. Nice improvement there! You are given a warning as to what to expect.
+ more gravity and stability. For example, in the 64 version of Mario kart, on Rainbow Road in the beginning you would go flying in mid air to land on the track. That doesnt happen here thank god. Your wheels stay on the ground! Additionally, in Bowsers Castle of the 64 version when you are driving down the steps, they would sometimes throw you off side to side. Here on the Wii version, your tires stay close to the ground, you dont bobble like in the 64 version. You stay centered and its a much more smoother drive.
+ Another great improvement they made in this game form the 64 version is when you are small (by a Lightning bolt), you dont get flattened! In the 64 version, a banana, a driver, even a flying bat would flatten you and you would fall down as a feather usually ending up wayyy behind. Once you're small, you just drive slower and if a bigger player runs into you, you spin out.
+ the blue shell (the one that goes after the player in first place) now has wings. The blue shell doesnt ride along the course anymore abling to knock out opponents in its path, but rathere flies over head and gets ONLY the first place driver. I like this addition because in the 64 version, if you had a banana, or a shell hanging on the back you couldnt block a blue shell, you lose your item and you spin out. Pain in the neck. Now you dont have to worry about a blue shell unless you are in first. Additionally, when the blue shell hits the guy in first place, it creates an explosion, so it can affect the second place driver as well. Surprisingly I found a defense against a blue shell. And that was a mushroom. When the blue shell (with wings) catches up to you and is floating above you for a second or two, use the mushroom and it will miss you. However, its not easy having a mushroom in 1st. You dont get any from an item box when in 1st, and if you were in second at the time, Im sure they would have been used to bring you up to that 1st position where the blue shell is headed. I only used that defense once in the entire 14 hours I played lol. Otherwise, when you hear a blue shell comin, you're SOL lol. But a strategy you can do is to brake before you get an item box cause if you get an item spinning, you will lose it. So break before the line of item box's, get hit by the blue shell then itemize a stronger weapon being in mid pack.
+ the Wii version has upgraded to better graphics, its more 3D and colorful. Some levels are also more trickier as opposed to the basic levels in the 64 version. Its right up there with gameplay and technological improvements. There is nothing I miss from the 64 version that this game doesnt offer. Some levels are very pretty and add an element of adventure to the game. What makes a game adventurous to me, is a variety of scenic views. In this game, theres snow, lava, mountains, a rainbow in outer space, a board that looks like autumn (leaves falling and piled on the ground, very pretty). So this game is Strategy, Adventure, Racing, and Action (you're not just cruisin the world in a BMW you're fighting with other opponents at the same time with cool characters). The game is just as good playing singly as you can unlock boards, characters, and karts as well as play time trials and try to get a record on each course. And thats just half the fun when it comes to Multi Players. You can play against anybody in the world having an internet connection.
+ customizeable karts and bikes. You dont have to just ride a kart, you can choose a bike. As you play the game in single mode, you unlock more of these. They are customizeable in such a way that each kart/bike is unique. Some offer better handling, speed, acceleration, drift. I really like this addition to the game. The original cart I was using I noticed I wasnt able to turn corners very well. So I prefer bikes with good drift (easier to turn corners).
+ the Wii Wheel works! Dont explain to me how the wireless capability works or how it is very accurate but I dont have a problem at all with the wii wheel. Additionally, this wheel (by Nintendo) has a plastic opening where the Wii Remote send sits signal. i have heard that in the "sports package" that Wii Wheel does NOT have this.
+ Tricks! Your bike can do a wheelie by tilting the Wii wheel back. By doing a weelie you are able to get a minor speed boost. It has helped me finish the race in a higher position and I use these all the time on straight ways to gain ground. Be careful though as you dont have much control over your bike. As in, you cant turn a corner. Another trick is when you are in the air, move the Wheel around and your guy will do a stunt in the air. Not only does it look cool, but once he lands ... you get a nice speed boost =). So these tricks add additional strategy to the game. Nice improvement here.
+ you're able to drop red shells behind you! This wasnt allowed in the 64 version. In the 64 version, if you're in first and have a red shell it can only be shot forward (useless). Now you can drop it behind you. Also, in the 64 version you werent able to throw forward a fake item box, now you're able to =). I remember complaining years ago when playing the 64 version about this. Now you have any option, forward or backward.
- I am not happy they continue to do this ... when you finish a race, everybody in that order finishes in that order once you cross the line. So if you come in first, and are needing Baby Peach for example to come in at leats third, if she was right behind you, you miraculously drop a green shell in front of the finish line, and she spins out ... she SHOULD have got 3rd, or 4th, but she will be awarded with 2nd =/. Maybe the game designers were unable to continue the AI (artifical intelligence) of them completing the actual race. This drawback, is not a big deal. I dont know if its ever hurt me. But it can go the other way as suppose Princess Peach was in third, the second place guy spins out, he keeps second place.
- I dont like not knowing how to unlock. A lot of game are like this though. Ive completed the game, having a gold trophy in all levels and there are still 2 missing characters. I am not happy about this! I've only played Single "Grand Prix". Would I need to play multiplayer? Time Trial? Versus? That I dont know. I would have to go online for answers.
- when you wipe out, you lose your items. This includes falling off the track. I dont necessarily like this. For example, if you were saving a star or some very useful item you have to beware of a POW block or getting hit by a shell as you will then lose that saved item. I like to save items, like 3 red shells when I'm in first. They provide strong defense and offense. Much better than the usual green shell or bananas you get while in first place lol. Its no biggie, just use the items once you receive them which is the usual case so you can pick up another item box.
Some additional notes ...
... once you beat it in single mode (14 hours) it gives you little reason to play it again. I knwo Im whooped, but I finished it in 5 days. I'm sure I'd still play it again. Its one of those games when you're bored, "I feel like playing Mario kart". There are Time Trials you can experiment with. But what I dont like is exactly the same the first reviewer mentioned. You have to play for 14 hours to unlock things by yourself then when you play multi-player you're the usual first place finisher. The same was true with GoldenEye back on the 64. I used to play that with friends, friends who never played it would have very little chance of beating me or my cousin. But its not a problem cause if you play it long enough with your friends, they'll get the hang of it. Especially with this game as even a noob can beat a pro. Just takes the right items at the right time. So the fun will still remain with all.
... characters still have multiple items like they did in 64 even without getting an item box. For example, Donkey and Diddy Kong will have extra bananas. Waluigi in this game for example was in second place. I was right behind him in third. He gets an item box and immediately shows a banana. I dodge when he drops it and expected him to be out of items. Nope ... he then immediately shows a FAKE item box and drops it. Im like where did that come from! And wouldnt you know 2 seconds later he throws a bob-omb at the first place driver! LOL. So yeah they receive free items, and they tend to be a little more faster than you at times for some reasons. (Maybe its the bike I am driving). But for the record, Waluigi wasnt a competitor throughout this cup. As in, he wasnt the guy that usually gets top 3. So having those extra items isnt the computers way of making sure these characters stay at the top of the pack.
... Computer opponent AI seems to be more smarter. They'll purposely bump into you to push you off the track. Not always though. Happens most in the beginning as everybody is bumping around into each other. But this one race, Donkey Kong, right out of the gate rammed into me 3 or 4 times right after another to push me off the track (happened a few times). They will also try to snag a box they think you're going for. I only noticed this once though. I was on the inside part of the course in third place. 1st place grabbed a box on the inside so I swung to the outside to get one of those boxes, Koopa Troopa swung very quickly to the outside as to prevent me from getting one of those item boxes. And you know what he drove off the track and into water! lol He didnt run into anything, he mirror'd my action of moving outward and I know he did that purposely. I mean how often would the computer AI just freely throw himself off the course like that? lol What bites me though is I got into second and even though he fell off the course, he immediately passed me within 3 seconds! So that was unfair and unrealistic. He was one of the competitor opponents I was racing against to achieve more points than him. So maybe thats how the computer gioves the advantage to some characters.
... 50CC = too easy. I usually finish 5 - 15 seconds ahead of the second place finisher. These races are probably for the kids.
... 100CC = easy / medium. When first playing MarioKart Wii, 100 CC gave me a hard time. I wasnt able to finish 1st in the cup. Eventually they turned into medium as some cases I would tie at the end of the cup, and then they became easy. I am always winning at 100cc now.
... 150CC = medium / hard. This is where the competition is. Its a very good race lets put it that way. You wont always finish in first for that cup. Its the kind of competition you WANT. And I will only play at this level. I consider it somewhat medium because now that I received gold in every cup at every level, 1st place isnt out of reach for me, not even on rainbow road which I consider to be the hardest board (Rainbow Road is on Special Cup). In fact on rainbow Road I was never able to finish higher than 11th. It was the very last race I played to complete the game and was 2 points behind somebody. What I did here on Rainbow Road was use my BRAKE and let up off of the accelerator. So thats the trick to beating this level. You just have to take it carefully and not fall off the track. I finished first and sealed the gold. Thats when the fist pump comes ;). Getting 1st on Rainbow Road was quite the challenge!
... It took 10 - 10.5 hours playing time to receive Gold in every cup. Once doing so, you will unlock a "Mirror Level" which is a 150CC level of every cup. And each race is the opposite. Meaning instead of turning right, you turn left. Its not hard. Some boards you were familiar with, you'll make a wrong turn. Once Mirror Level is unlocked, it took a few more hours to receive Gold in those cups. So total game time for me took about 14 hours. I used (2) new Duracell Rechargeable 2000 milliamp batteries once starting the game and they're still going. I'm testing Rechargeable batteries compared to the rechargeable Nintendo Wii battery. One reviewer mentioned AA rechargeables lasted longer. I would also suggest the AA batteries as you can use them in other electronics if needed. But the reason this game receives 5 stars ... its still playable! Its a multi-player game. In fact, I am wanting to have Wii Parties at my place playing Mario Kart! In addition to beer pong lol. So Mario Kart receives that 5 star status as it is the epicenter of your collection. Who isnt up for a game of driving and chuckin shells at each other? Other popular games like Zelda or Mario Galaxy, Once you beat these 2 games, they're done with (Im not positive on this as I havent played Super Mario Galaxy yet). They become a movie you've already seen. Mario Kart will continue to be played and should continue to be the #1 racing game. And thats where 5 star Fun comes in ... its a game that can make you frustrated, its a game that will make you pump your fist, shout out loud, curse at your friends, and make jokes. 5 stars all the way.
Rating: -
I absolutely love playing games that involving racing and when I saw that you get to use a wheel to play this game I thought that this was perfect. I got this game with the Wii wheel and bought another one of the nintendo wheels separately. For those who complain about the unlocking, it's not that difficult to unlock the extra courses. I normally play this game with another person but when I was alone one day I played for a few hours and unlocked all the courses and a few characters. I didn't take that long and now we can have even more fun with this game. Although the blue shell has become my worst nightmare this game is my favorite game for the Wii. I play this with adults and children and teenagers, all enjoy it. I would put this on your must have list if you are a Wii owner. Just put it in and enjoy it!
Rating: 
-
My wife was somewhat excited to finally check out this game. I'll admit - so was I.
I was impressed at how well the steering worked. Now, renting it, we didn't get a wheel, but I was glad to see that you can hold the wiimote flat - buttons up - and tilt it side to side just as well as you can hold it buttons-facing-you and tilt it. Once I learned this, it became more comfortable to play.
But it didn't become more fun. There seems to be some argument over the value of the game as a single-player. I can say first-hand that we had more fun playing together than either of us did on our own.
Mario Kart Wii just bombards you. You can be sitting in first place, minding your business, just driving along when a Koopa shell hits you. You fly into the air, land on your wheels, your character shakes his head, and WAM - some "POW" block goes off, sending you flying into the air again. You land, shake your head, and WHACK - another character smacks into you, forcing you to wait while the car spins in place - shake your head AGAIN - and finally drive off. You're now last place, and have sat there for probably 10 seconds while shouting "Come on!!!!"
This doesn't happen ALL the time, but you can be confident that when it does, you'll be restarting the race, or quitting altogether. Sometimes you can get out of this - the best (and really only way I've seen so far) is if you're carrying a Koopa shell yourself - you can launch it backwards to thwart off the first attack. However, with the POW block, the ink-squirting squid, and the homing "blue shell" that's been mentioned elsewhere, you're pretty much S.O.L. The only good thing is that with some of the attacks - like the POW block, the lightning bolt - it affects everyone around you. So unless the second place character launched it, you probably won't lose your position. But in general it becomes frustrating, and I don't think that randomly generated "frustration" equates to what some might consider a "challenge."
Now, I don't want to hear any of you Wii-addicts start going on about "Oh you have to have the skill." I've said it once and I'll say it again - you're controlling a little cartoon character in a go-kart by tilting a piece of plastic. There's little skill involved. I drive a 2000 Dodge Viper GTS coupe - I truly understand the art of "driving skills." Mario Kart Wii is nothing like driving a Dodge Viper! :)
I think the game would be fun with a lot of people - when it's more of a free-for-all, and not the computer SEEMING like it gangs up on the human player. But I played it for maybe 2, 3 hours, and I'm done. I won't play it again, and I won't miss it. On a good note, it's presentation, control interface, and playability is better than most Wii games to date. My demerits are more against content and gameplay than anything else. It works very well - it just irritates you in the process!
I won't say skip it. It might be just your cup of tea. Just maybe rent it before you buy. These days, it's very easy to waste money on video games.
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