Mario Kart Rubber band AI Wii doesn't live up to expectation!!!!
~Intro~
Mario has been karting around different arenas for quite some time. Following the delightfully delicious Mario Kart DS, I naturally assumed that Mario Kart Wii would be better than the DS version. Though MKW has been improved slightly but still hasn't steered passed the kiddy starting line. In fact, due to some modifications to be mentioned later the game has actually lost its hardcore appeal.
The newest improvement comes in Mario and company ability to saddle up and ride a variety of bikes. Though, the variety of bikes are original, they don't provide enough variety to change the dynamics of gameplay. They do fit within the Kart universe but they might as well be karts.
~Graphics~
Technically, MKW is nothing more than a glorified GameCube game. At least Mario Galaxy and Metroid Prime 3 gave the illusion that it's beyond the reach of the cube. MKW looks like a GameCube launch title, environments are limited and pretty low res. Character models look blocky during close ups, featuring the classic 90s big triangles and squares as arms and heads.
Artistically, MKW provides a vibrant array of colorful environments that fit nicely within their respected worlds. The usual suspects have gathered: Donkey kong, bowser and even Rosaline from Super Mario Galaxy makes an appearance. Mii's make an appearance though the addition of arms makes them look unusual.
~Features~
What this game lacks in graphical appeal and core game mechanics is made up in available content. Of course, MKW comes equipped with Grand Prix, Time Trial, Mirror mode: where all eight cups are mirrored in a different manner, versus mode both local and online. The shallow gameplay does slightly decrease the appeal of these modes since running through the grand Prix is a cake walk and playing online is only going to satisfy your thirst for a bit. Content-wise MKW is worth every penny; if only Nintendo invested more time refining the graphics and gameplay and less time creating those disappointing wheels peripherals.
The last major feature added to the kart universe is online play. Surprisingly, Nintendo did a relatively decent job of implementing this much needed feature. First and oh so important was the elimination of horrid lag. Super Smash Brothers Brawl had some of the worst lag known to man. Given this was Nintendo's first attempt at online gaming within a genre that requires pin-point timing, I can somewhat forgive their horrible implementation. Luckly, MKW does a fantastic job of handling the online experience. The coolest ability has to be the addition of installing a Wii channel to check out the leaderboards or dive right into the game. Unfortunately, the god awful friend code system still exist but what can you do about Nintendo's stubborn ways. Hopefully, MKW is a starting point for Nintendo's online structure.
~Gameplay~
Unfortunately, it seems that Mario kart has changed in recent iterations, minus the DS version for the worst. Double dash's gameplay wasn't bad; the addition of two characters on one kart was pretty creative but didn't end up being tremendously fun. MKW has taken a swerve off course by turning each race into a game of chance as oppose to any actual skill. The reason comes in the elimination of snaking. This is when a player turbo boost throughout the entire level. Eliminating snaking is great when you tailor your game towards casual gamers. The problem being the individiuals that held Mario Kart to be as competitive as it is fun will quickly realize that the only "skill" has been removed. This is great if you wish to challenge your grandma to Mario kart and most likely lose...LAME!!
The biggest addition to gameplay should have come in the introduction of bikes. Unfortunately, bikes handle exactly the same as karts. The difference being bikes don't have two levels of boost. Instead, a wheelie can be popped at anytime to increase the bikes overall acceleration. The downside being a decrease in handling; sadly gameplay has taken to couple steps down the totem pole of evolution. This genetic defect provides no real incentive to use.
Let me describe the add-on peripheral in the simplest way I know how: "Not so good!!" I've been a long time Nintendo fan so I've seen Nintendo phone in on their peripherals before. I'd have to say that this wheel is by far the cheapest peripheral ever created by Nintendo's beautiful hands. Not only does holding the wheel feel extremely awkward, using it in a game will actually cripple your already limited chance of winning. Again, sorry for the stream of puke remarks throughout this review, but this game is so obviously tailored towards causal gamers. I have yet to meet a long time kart fan that actually likes the wheel.
~Sound~
Like most side Mario games the sound effects are a mixed bag of great nostalgic appeal as well as easy listening melodies that ooze Nintendo creativity.
~Conclusion~
Mario Kart Wii is easily the worst version of Mario kart; yes even worst than double dash. One of the major additions were bikes which really don't change anything gameplay wise. The major tweak in gameplay was eliminating snaking which in my opinion was easily the worst decision ever in the history of Mario Kart. We all know that it doesn't really take much skill to master Mario kart. The only real skill involved in the series was being able to snake through entire levels. Sure it alienated causal gamers and felt a bit cheap but it was the only real skill involved in the series.
I understand that the WII is geared towards everyone which would explain why snaking was removed, but the removal of snaking digs deeper into my soul. It shows that Nintendo is willing to toss aside their hardcore audience to make up in causal gamers. This game signifies what I always feared the Wii would do: dumb down flagship titles to the point were no skill is involved. (Look at Wii Music and tell me I'm lying) Nintendo is willing to sell out the consumer base that made it popular to try and get your grandmother to play games...lame, lame, lame!! This is only the beginning; mark my words, more flagship titles will being to go the way of Mario Kart and eliminate any skill involved, which will reduce those games to nothing more than a glorified button masher or in this case swing masher.
~Gameplay - 5.5 ~
The removal of snaking has eliminated the little skill that separated the men from the boys. The addition of bikes though nice didn't change anything.
~Sound - 9.0 ~
Sound effects are solid as always and background music fits every stage perfectly!!
~Graphics - 5.0 ~
The graphics are garbage and seem like a slap to the face to all Wii owners, since no effort was placed into giving them the "next gen" treatment...wasted opportunity!!
~Features - 9.5 ~
The best online structure so far for any wii game, leaderboards, lag free experience provides a wealth of value.
Overall - 7.25
Mario has been karting around different arenas for quite some time. Following the delightfully delicious Mario Kart DS, I naturally assumed that Mario Kart Wii would be better than the DS version. Though MKW has been improved slightly but still hasn't steered passed the kiddy starting line. In fact, due to some modifications to be mentioned later the game has actually lost its hardcore appeal.
The newest improvement comes in Mario and company ability to saddle up and ride a variety of bikes. Though, the variety of bikes are original, they don't provide enough variety to change the dynamics of gameplay. They do fit within the Kart universe but they might as well be karts.
~Graphics~
Technically, MKW is nothing more than a glorified GameCube game. At least Mario Galaxy and Metroid Prime 3 gave the illusion that it's beyond the reach of the cube. MKW looks like a GameCube launch title, environments are limited and pretty low res. Character models look blocky during close ups, featuring the classic 90s big triangles and squares as arms and heads.
Artistically, MKW provides a vibrant array of colorful environments that fit nicely within their respected worlds. The usual suspects have gathered: Donkey kong, bowser and even Rosaline from Super Mario Galaxy makes an appearance. Mii's make an appearance though the addition of arms makes them look unusual.
~Features~
What this game lacks in graphical appeal and core game mechanics is made up in available content. Of course, MKW comes equipped with Grand Prix, Time Trial, Mirror mode: where all eight cups are mirrored in a different manner, versus mode both local and online. The shallow gameplay does slightly decrease the appeal of these modes since running through the grand Prix is a cake walk and playing online is only going to satisfy your thirst for a bit. Content-wise MKW is worth every penny; if only Nintendo invested more time refining the graphics and gameplay and less time creating those disappointing wheels peripherals.
The last major feature added to the kart universe is online play. Surprisingly, Nintendo did a relatively decent job of implementing this much needed feature. First and oh so important was the elimination of horrid lag. Super Smash Brothers Brawl had some of the worst lag known to man. Given this was Nintendo's first attempt at online gaming within a genre that requires pin-point timing, I can somewhat forgive their horrible implementation. Luckly, MKW does a fantastic job of handling the online experience. The coolest ability has to be the addition of installing a Wii channel to check out the leaderboards or dive right into the game. Unfortunately, the god awful friend code system still exist but what can you do about Nintendo's stubborn ways. Hopefully, MKW is a starting point for Nintendo's online structure.
~Gameplay~
Unfortunately, it seems that Mario kart has changed in recent iterations, minus the DS version for the worst. Double dash's gameplay wasn't bad; the addition of two characters on one kart was pretty creative but didn't end up being tremendously fun. MKW has taken a swerve off course by turning each race into a game of chance as oppose to any actual skill. The reason comes in the elimination of snaking. This is when a player turbo boost throughout the entire level. Eliminating snaking is great when you tailor your game towards casual gamers. The problem being the individiuals that held Mario Kart to be as competitive as it is fun will quickly realize that the only "skill" has been removed. This is great if you wish to challenge your grandma to Mario kart and most likely lose...LAME!!
The biggest addition to gameplay should have come in the introduction of bikes. Unfortunately, bikes handle exactly the same as karts. The difference being bikes don't have two levels of boost. Instead, a wheelie can be popped at anytime to increase the bikes overall acceleration. The downside being a decrease in handling; sadly gameplay has taken to couple steps down the totem pole of evolution. This genetic defect provides no real incentive to use.
Let me describe the add-on peripheral in the simplest way I know how: "Not so good!!" I've been a long time Nintendo fan so I've seen Nintendo phone in on their peripherals before. I'd have to say that this wheel is by far the cheapest peripheral ever created by Nintendo's beautiful hands. Not only does holding the wheel feel extremely awkward, using it in a game will actually cripple your already limited chance of winning. Again, sorry for the stream of puke remarks throughout this review, but this game is so obviously tailored towards causal gamers. I have yet to meet a long time kart fan that actually likes the wheel.
~Sound~
Like most side Mario games the sound effects are a mixed bag of great nostalgic appeal as well as easy listening melodies that ooze Nintendo creativity.
~Conclusion~
Mario Kart Wii is easily the worst version of Mario kart; yes even worst than double dash. One of the major additions were bikes which really don't change anything gameplay wise. The major tweak in gameplay was eliminating snaking which in my opinion was easily the worst decision ever in the history of Mario Kart. We all know that it doesn't really take much skill to master Mario kart. The only real skill involved in the series was being able to snake through entire levels. Sure it alienated causal gamers and felt a bit cheap but it was the only real skill involved in the series.
I understand that the WII is geared towards everyone which would explain why snaking was removed, but the removal of snaking digs deeper into my soul. It shows that Nintendo is willing to toss aside their hardcore audience to make up in causal gamers. This game signifies what I always feared the Wii would do: dumb down flagship titles to the point were no skill is involved. (Look at Wii Music and tell me I'm lying) Nintendo is willing to sell out the consumer base that made it popular to try and get your grandmother to play games...lame, lame, lame!! This is only the beginning; mark my words, more flagship titles will being to go the way of Mario Kart and eliminate any skill involved, which will reduce those games to nothing more than a glorified button masher or in this case swing masher.
~Gameplay - 5.5 ~
The removal of snaking has eliminated the little skill that separated the men from the boys. The addition of bikes though nice didn't change anything.
~Sound - 9.0 ~
Sound effects are solid as always and background music fits every stage perfectly!!
~Graphics - 5.0 ~
The graphics are garbage and seem like a slap to the face to all Wii owners, since no effort was placed into giving them the "next gen" treatment...wasted opportunity!!
~Features - 9.5 ~
The best online structure so far for any wii game, leaderboards, lag free experience provides a wealth of value.
Overall - 7.25
