Tuesday, March 25, 2008

MarioKart Wii!











Sorry for the long delay!
That's right! MarioKart Wii is just around the corner, so I figured I should give you the latest info on it that I know of.
The new Mariokart is extremely sleek, and it has much more features then its EVER had before. Every part of the small Wii is being put to some use or another, and it all comes out in a wonderful display of amazing gameplay, graphics, EVERYTHING! Extra track detail, character animations and nice new lighting effects make it better looking then ever. But then you have to add the Wii Wheel! Wireless motion control adds great new fun from anywhere in the room! I've also heard that all the menus that you have to maneuver around are infused with that white wii-ness. In this game we go back to singles, making Double Dash!! a collectors item that you NEED to keep! Although having two people is no longer an option, the guys at Nintendo added something new. Every character now has a kart, and a bike. Also an unlockable kart. The bike, is a motorcycle/dirt bike that is slightly slower than the karts, but more maneuverable. Races now include a whopping 12 people!! (Compared to the previous 8) Think about it. 12 people on 150cc chucking items. PURE MAYHEM! Almost ALL the classic items have returned in an arsenal everyone can use. Although I don't think every character has their own special item this time. (Bullet Bill replaces Chain Chomp from Double Dash!!)
NEW CONTROL SCHEME

The Wii wheel is the main part of the game. Even if this feels awkward at first, just take some time and get used to it. Do NOT, repeat, do NOT use the GCN or Classic Controller. It would make the game less fun. The game was designed with this wheel in mind, so it makes it feel a little bit more natural when you actually get out on the track. Yeah, you might be a little bit more used to it, but if you keep at the wheel, you'll get just as good in no time! Keep in mind its natural to oversteer. So be careful, the turning range is about from 10:00 to 2:00. If you go beyond that you might be falling off the course a little big more than wanted.
Yeah, this thing is mostly just a piece of plastic that holds the remote, but it gives you a vantage point, and it also has a nifty little button set up for hitting the b button. It basically has a block over the B Button so you can hit it easily.
NEW CONTROLS
In addition to the wheel, there are a few new control changes and specialties I must point out. First off, it's REALLY easy to accidentally start drifting in the wrong direction. Make sure the wheel (or analog stik) is pointed in the right direction before drifting. Speaking of drifting, there is a new auto drift feature, which will automatically drift around most turns. However, this takes away Mini-turbos that can be earned while drifting. Mini-turbos are also different. Instead of there being two stages of the boost that are charged up by turning right and left in the middle of a drift, just drifting will charge it up. (Sharper turns make it charge faster though) You can also make a mini-boost by starting your engine right as you hit the ground after being picked up after a fall, and by performing tricks.
Another cool thing is that when a Red Shell or Spiny Shell is coming at you, your remote makes the sound effect, not the screen. So now it will be easier to know which of you or your friends actually has the shell behind them.
TRICKS
Tricks are done by pulling up on the wheel right as you go off of a jump that litter tracks (including returning classics) that once done, reward you an automatic mini-turbo boost when you land. This is key to getting best times. There are Small Jumps:



















These are jumps done off of small ramps and bumps found on the track. Or in this case, mushrooms! Can everyone see the pictures okay?



























There are also Half Pipe Jumps. These may seem a little out of the way to get to, but they are REALLY wort the the boost you receive. This is also an example of how they have added trick ramps to older races!






Another type of jump are the Big Jumps:


































Jumps like this are extremely rare and incredibly thrilling. This is just a ramp from Delfino Square DS that you can use for tricks. Look for those too. Another way for a mini-turbo is popping a wheelie while you're on a bike:








This is where the bikes shine.





On straight-aways, bikes can just pop, pop, pop wheelies. Now, in Mariokart DS, there was a technique used by all the greatest racers with the Dry Bones Dry Bomber that would allow you to just keep on drifting while on straight-aways. This is how the best times where scored. Now, even if we have the drifting option, I'm not sure if we will be able to do that again. Speaking of the drifting stats for each karts, there is no more items stats (thank the Lord) that I wasn't sure what it did in the first place. All it really did was give you extra or less mushrooms in Time Trials. Comment if you know another thing that it did. There is another jump that is the medium jump that is found about in medium concentration. I couldn't find screenshots for it though.
GAME MODES










We have Grand Prix for one to two players, battle and vs. for 2-4 players, and Nintendo WFC for racing other players online, and challenging everyone elses ghosts. Missions from DS are not returning, but this picture leads me elsewhere. It reminds me a LOT of some of the missions. Are they returning, or not?
In Grand Prix there are the normal speed classes, 50cc, 100cc, and 150cc. However, only in 100cc and 150cc are bikes allowed. Are they better to the people that created the game?
RACES LINUP
Here is a lineup for all the races!
MUSHROOM CUP










Luigi Circuit is once again the starter circuit that has a lot of boosters around the final turn for a rush like none other!











Moo Moo Meadows has a lot of winding and drifting along the course. I wonder if it could be a throwback to Moo Moo Farms from the N64?











Mushroom Gorge is a bouncing track that allows you to pull off jumps off of the mushrooms, but be sure you won't fall into the chasm below!











Toad's Factory has you drive over conveyor belts and other stuff including moving platforms, making this one of the trickiest new courses!

FLOWER CUP











Mario Circuit is short, with lots of straightaways (go bikes!) and a chain chomp. Watch out!











Coconut Mall has moving escalators, and multiple paths. Try not to get lost!











DK Summit is a challenging Ski Slope like course with a long series of halfpipes for major tricking. Oh, make sure you jump over the deep snowbanks!












Wario Gold Mine is a raging rollercoaster ride. Like Wario Collaseum, there aren't many guide rails to keep you on track. If you want more information, tune back in later.
Your friend in gaming,
CPU12 The Nintendo Freak
Good Luck.

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