"Mario Kart Wii" Talkback (Spoilers)

[Dogasu]

So I picked up the game today. Can't remember the last time I've bought a game on release day.

The wheel actually works pretty well. You use the 2 button to accelerate and the D-pad to fire off your weapons. The only thing that bothers me about it, as predicted, is the feeling that the wheel really should be mounted to something. For the most part it's OK, but your forearms do get tired after a little while because your body's trying to compensate for the lack of any sort of wheel mount.

Graphically, the game looks a lot better than Double Dash. I couldn't really tell on the online videos, but when you look at the game on a full-sized TV, the graphical superiority of this game is quite clear. The Wii-only stages are brimming with life, and the old school stages (all of which have been graphically updated to Wii standards) look great as well.

Music-wise, nothing's really stood out to me other than the remixes of the old school songs. Hearing the SNES Ghost Valley 2 music re orchestrated, for example, brings back memories of how great some of the old school tracks in Smash Bros Brawl sound. That's a very good thing.

My favorite of the new stages so far are Toad Factory and Coconut Mall. Toad Factory has you driving around conveyor belts and pulleys while Coconut Mall has you drive through a shopping mall and then, later, a parking lot where Mii drivers get in your way as they try to park their cars. Fun stuff. The new Rainbow Road stage is GORGEOUS, but it's so frustratingly difficult that it'll make you want to throw your Wii Remote into the TV.

Item-wise...I keep getting the same bananas and green shells over and over again. So that's annoying. However, I did get a lightning cloud once that seems to zap any enemy within range. The Blooper that shoots ink all over the screen from the DS game is back, and a new item, the POW block, makes you spin out if you don't perform a little hop at the right time.

One neat feature is that when an item like a red shell or a blue shell is about to hit you, a little warning noise comes out the speaker of the Wii Remote to alert you (in addition to the visual you got in the other games). Pretty cool.

So far, I've played all 32 stages on 50cc mode and have unlocked two characters (King Boo and Diddy Kong) as well as a number of new carts. Tomorrow I'll try my hand at 100cc.

[mookie75]

It came out today? I guess I didn't realize we were so close to the release date. I suppose if I actually had a Wii I would pay closer attention, but I haven't managed to get my hands on one yet.

There's one thing I'm dying to know. Did the game come in an actual game case, or was it just a paper slip case? I know that it's the game that matters, but I'm still curious. :anime:

[Desensitized]

I heard snaking is back, is that true?

[BigLouMan20]

From what I've heard you can snake, but it doesn't pay off since you only get one boost. No continuing boost like before. I just hope the online is better than Smash Bros.

[Desensitized]

Awesome, I hated having snaking races. It'd be nice to just focus on normal play.

[IanC]

Its out in Japan and EU. Still got a few weeks in the US and Aus :)

Im just happy that made it so much easier to add friend codes to your roster - if they are already in your Wii address book you can send them a special message which lets them add your FC and then sends a message back to add their FC to your roster.

Plus you dont have to set up friends only games anymore, you can jump in to a race your friend is in (as long as there is room) from the friends roster.

Oh and full 12 player races are frantic online. Battle mode, not so much, but its still fun!



I've unlocked myself (my Mii.). It decides whether you would be a light, medium or heavy character by how fat your Mii is.... im heavy :sweat:

[mookie75]

Its out in Japan and EU. Still got a few weeks in the US and Aus :)


Ahhh, I didn't pay attention to where the original poster was from. I thought it was still a few weeks away.

[Demonic Raven]

Already a really horrible (http://gonintendo.com/?p=40093) glitch (http://boards.gamefaqs.com/gfaqs/genmessage.php?board=942008&topic=42520607) has been discovered, and it makes it possible for one to get a 0:00:00 (or something very close) in Time Trials. Stellar coding, Nintendo!

Blah, if some kind of fix doesn't come out, it will basically spoil the online Time Trial Ghost Data thing entirely.

[Desensitized]

Crap. Well we all know how long it takes Nintendo to fix things wrong with their games. :sad:

[IanC]

Well when i checked this afternoon those times were gone.

Hope Ninty banned their Wii IDs from posting times too! :)

[Jave]

Well, what do you know, Nintendo did fix this. According to someone on GameFAQs, when you go over 6 minutes on Time Trail, you get a notice that you can't save a Ghost.

[Desensitized]

I can't believe they solved the problem so fast.

[BigLouMan20]

Wow, this is unexpected. Does this mean Mario Kart Wii will not suffer the same fate as the DS version?

[IanC]

so does that mean they PATCHED a Wii game?

Oh and the Ghost Challenge feature is pretty cool. Send a ghost to a friend to race against, if he beats it he can send his ghost back to you right away. Ive got at least one sent back to me apparently (he said he thrashed my SNES MArio Circuit 3 time)

[Dogasu]

Updated impressions, in no particular order:

After doing all of 50cc with the Wii Handle, I decided to try 100cc with the Wii Remote and Nunchuck combination. And it works SO much better. While the wheel isn't terrible, you don't have as much control over your actions as you do with the joystick. I can say, with confidence, that almost nobody who plays the game online will be using the Wii Handle.

I've unlocked Karon (Dry Bones) and the Mii. The voice the game gave my Mii is this hilariously over-the-top voice that reminds me of all those stereotypical Americans you see in Japanese cartoons.

The AI in 150cc is really getting on my nerves. A typical race will have me being in first place for at least half the thing. Then, all of a sudden, I get hit by a red shell. Then, before I can recover from that, someone with Star power hits me and knocks me off a cliff. Then, Lakitu drops me down on top of a banana. I drive for a few seconds and am hit by someone with the Bullet Bill powerup. Before I know it, I'm in 12th place with less than half a lap to go.

This wouldn't be so frustrating if it didn't happen in every other race. It really seems like winning in 150cc is based more on luck than anything because you WILL get hit by a relentless barrage of items.

[sdp]

here is a video comparing Double Dash with MK Wii and the difference is notable, I found it impressive since I didn't find Galaxy that much better than Sunshine in the comparison videos.
http://www.videogamer.com/videos/player.html?vid=1824&playlistid=1823

[IanC]

Mirror Mode is the worst :mad:

[Icer]

Blue turtle shells are game breakers to me, it really takes the fun out of the game. From what I've seen it looks like online races have it enabled so I'm going to skip this.

[Strollymonster]

Something worth noting if people are planning on getting this...GameStop is offering an additional 25% value on trade-ins if they're put towards getting this game (as well as some other games for other platforms).

It's a really nice deal. I traded in Galaxy, Melee, and Double Dash and had enough credit to get Okami and $35 towards Kart.

Just something for you all to be aware of.

[mookie75]

Blue turtle shells are game breakers to me, it really takes the fun out of the game. From what I've seen it looks like online races have it enabled so I'm going to skip this.

If it's any consolation, the ign review of the UK version claims that the blue shells appear less frequently than in previous games.

I just learned to accept the blue shells. Yes, they've robbed me of a victory a few times against the computer, but that's part of the Mario Kart experience. I think that's why I like the often unpopular Double Dash so much. It had a steering engine that I was able to master to the point that I could get hit with a blue shell and still usually pull off a victory. The SNES and N64 karts feel like shopping carts with busted wheels in comparison. :D

[Dogasu]

Blue turtle shells are game breakers to me, it really takes the fun out of the game.

My favorite race was when a blue shell hit me...while I was in second place. And the first place person was way ahead of me.

:sad:

I think the most abundant item in this game is lightning bolts. I swear I get hit with one at least two times per race, which means I get my held items knocked out of me that often as well. Frustrating.


I'll have to check when I get home, but I think you can turn some items off in online mode.

[IanC]

If first place has gone past the finish line the blue shell goes after 2nd. And so on.

You can avoid a blue shell IF you speed up at the right moment. Use/hit a mushroom, or when your on a ramp.

Of course in first its unlikely you will get a mushroom, but there be might be one on the floor to hit.

[Dogasu]

The thing was...I was only in the second lap. It was a programming error or a glitch or something.

[BigLouMan20]

1up's Video Review http://www.gamevideos.com/video/id/18573

IGN's review (containing Video Review) http://wii.ign.com/articles/868/868012p1.html

[Desensitized]

It's interesting that in the 1uP review one of them loves it while the other hates it. Reminds me of the reaction to Double Dash overall.

I wonder if it can top Double Dash or DS, though. Guess I'll have to wait until next week.

[Eddy]

The 1Up guy that hates it confuses me. Mario Kart has always been a game that "anyone can pick up and play it". He complains about the items, which have always been in Mario Kart, and he praises the new racetracks and says the online works great, but says he hates the game.

[Desensitized]

He's probably mad they took out snaking.

Not like snaking took skill or anything, but it's the only real complaint I heard.

[BigLouMan20]

GameTrailers review is up http://www.gametrailers.com/player/33246.html

I'm starting to get worried now.:sad:

[Tash]

My favorite race was when a blue shell hit me...while I was in second place. And the first place person was way ahead of me.
Some of the Mario Kart games have a glitch where certain points of certain courses count as "behind" other parts. (it's most obvious in 64, were you'd sometimes randomly fall into second or third place for a few seconds) My guess is that you just happened to be at one of those parts.

[Desensitized]

GameTrailers review is up http://www.gametrailers.com/player/33246.html

I'm starting to get worried now.:sad:
Wow, people are actually whining about no snaking now? Geez, it's Mario Kart. Skill never came before luck when it came to winning. Who cares if the n00bs can keep up with the vets?

The rubberband AI should be proof of that. Luck > Skill.

In my group of friends, I was always in 1st, so it'll be nice to have my other friends have a bit more of a chance to beat me now.

Also, check out this comment from a Gametrailers user:


This is the first review here on Gametrailers.com that I disagree with. Considering how many of the Wii versions tweaks were left out in this review, the complaint about the lack of snaking is truly unfound.

If you look at any of the world records, none of the tracks are completed with any drift-variation. It's all about understanding the layout and timing of obstacles and curves along the track. Busting wheelies at every chance, and knowing where the occasional short-cut lies.

How come the Grand Prix star system wasn't mentioned? You mention hidden depth but leave out how intricate the starting boost is to execute.

Well, one may rant and no one can deny that a luck factor is present, but no soccer-mom or granny will ever beat me.Seems fine to me.

[Eddy]

Snaking didn't even become popular until Mario Kart DS. Sure, it was there in Mario Kart 64, but how many people do you know that actually did that?

I'm happy snaking as been removed, personally. I could snake in Mario Kart DS but I hated doing it because it felt like I was doing a time trial, leaving behind those who couldn't snake. The game became boring.

I can't believe all the complaints I'm seeing about the neck-in-neck driving, the insane items, and that the game is something that can be played by anyone. That's the way it has been since Super Mario Kart. I guess these people have forgotten what Mario Kart is all about.

[IanC]

Some of the online reviews ive read are quite frankly stupid.

Especially moaning about the lack of snaking. Snaking RUINED Mario Kart DS online for me, so im really glad its gone from MK Wii.

Meh. Stupid reviews.


Finally beat Mirror Mode today. I caught Toad trying to catch me in a blue shell explosion in SNES Mario Circuit 3. He stopped dead just after the corner with the blue shell closing in on him. Luckily i took the corner wide and sped past him :D

Oddly i found Special Cup easier than Lightning Cup in Mirror, completely the opposite of the other speeds. Rainbow Road Mirrored was still really hard though....

Oh and the end credit music is way too catchy. (the second part of the credits, when it goes to prerecorded footage, not the real time part)

edit - EGM. Mario Kart Wii - B+, C+, C
Good: A few great new tracks and powerups
Bad: Dumbed-down gameplay, predictable design

From http://gonintendo.com/?p=41343

Dumbed Down gameplay? Agggghhhhh. Please don't say they think "removing snaking" = dumbing down. :yawn:

[Demonic Raven]

US Commercials. (http://youtube.com/watch?v=K_HOMVConcM)

Oh....oh my.....

[Andrew T. Hingson]

US Commercials. (http://youtube.com/watch?v=K_HOMVConcM)

Oh....oh my.....

Well those were scary but at least it wasn't one of the usual Nintendo Wii commericals. I wish Smash Bros. got something unique too.

People that say removing Snaking and Wavedashing in Mario Kart and Smash Bros. respectively makes them worse than MKDS and Melee are just mad because they got good at using them and managed to woop their friends and now they're worried they wont be able to do so without them. If they're truly a skilled player they'll learn to adapt. If they don't want to then there's no one stopping them from playing MKDS and Melee.

EDIT:

I bought it. Auto powerslide does simply the gameplay a bit but you can choose to whether or not you want to activate the power slide yourself or if you want it to powerslide automatically.

I gotta say though, I'm not really "wowed" by it so far but I've only played a little bit. But I'm sure I'll be playing it plenty for years to come because Mario Kart online without snaking sounds great to me.

I'm not quite sold on team based battle mode on paper but I'll give it a try before I say it was a bad idea or not.

[Demonic Raven]

Got it, of course!

The first thing I tried was playing with the Wii Wheel. Uh......the sheer speed at which I switched back to playing with the Gamecube controller should have broke a couple of sound barriers. :sweat:

Sorry, I couldn't even get a decent drift boost using it, and I kept going off the track. The motion steering felt clunky compared to a normal joystick or d-pad. I'll pass.

I love the new drifting, although I'm still getting used to it. Even though it charges automatically now, it ends up charging faster if you hold to the inside of your slide.

Of course, you have to do tricks wherever possible. You can't just give up a free boost! The tricks are nice, as long as you can stand the characters voice.

Must....unlock.....Dry Bones....

[Tanooki]

Got it, of course!

The first thing I tried was playing with the Wii Wheel. Uh......the sheer speed at which I switched back to playing with the Gamecube controller should have broke a couple of sound barriers. :sweat:

Sorry, I couldn't even get a decent drift boost using it, and I kept going off the track. The motion steering felt clunky compared to a normal joystick or d-pad. I'll pass.

I love the new drifting, although I'm still getting used to it. Even though it charges automatically now, it ends up charging faster if you hold to the inside of your slide.

Of course, you have to do tricks wherever possible. You can't just give up a free boost! The tricks are nice, as long as you can stand the characters voice.

Must....unlock.....Dry Bones....took some getting used to, but i actually really like the wheel. feels almost natural when you really get into the game. i'll probably still use my trusty wavebird when i get into heated competitions with friends though

just a reminder, if you post your friend code in here, be sure to add it into the friend code database as well! my code is already in there but i'll put it in here too in case people want to root around for competition

nolan
4854-6833-3547

[Draft]

US Commercials. (http://youtube.com/watch?v=K_HOMVConcM)

Oh....oh my.....

Wow. These are pretty bad. Even for Nintendo standards (Wii Want to Play is now tolerable to me after watching these)

[DarthGonzo]

Can I ask what kind of commercials people were expecting out of a game featuring Italian plumbers and baby dinosaurs driving go-karts around cute, colorful environment?

I don't see anything wrong with these commercials. What does everyone want, dramatic music, special effects and dark tones?

:confused::confused:

[Demonic Raven]

Raven: 4296-3382-3565

[IanC]

I prefer the Wii Wheel.

Remember if you already have someones Wii ID just pop into the MArio Kart Channel and chose the "Invite a friend using Wii ID" option (or whatever its called. Bottom option.)

[Desensitized]

Can I ask what kind of commercials people were expecting out of a game featuring Italian plumbers and baby dinosaurs driving go-karts around cute, colorful environment?

I don't see anything wrong with these commercials. What does everyone want, dramatic music, special effects and dark tones?

:confused::confused:
I actually lol'd at them. I don't see a problem at all, I thought they were actually funny.

[Punisher]

Can I ask what kind of commercials people were expecting out of a game featuring Italian plumbers and baby dinosaurs driving go-karts around cute, colorful environment?

I don't see anything wrong with these commercials. What does everyone want, dramatic music, special effects and dark tones?

:confused::confused:Is it so hard to make a good commerical? We know Nintendo's done it before (http://youtube.com/watch?v=UvljN9ycqLg), having a cowboy shout at me doesn't really make me want to go buy the game.

[Bryangst]

The commercials were fine. Only thing that caught me off guard was a cowboy advertising the game. Otherwise, again, they were fine. Definitely a step away from the "Wii would like to play" ads, which were getting tiring anyway.

Either way, I will be buying the game today. I skipped Double Dash because I didn't care to play anything after Melee. This does look pretty good though.

[Desensitized]

I bought my copy online, so who knows when I'll get it. When I do I'll be sure to post my code again.

[Andrew T. Hingson]

Playing with the wheel feels pretty natural to me but my arms get a bit tired when I do it.

Automatic drift with it allows you to use the B button (which is quite big when in the shell) to use your items rather than the directional arrows.

I haven't been able to hold items while using the Wiimote though and that is quite bothersome.

Playing with the controller though...

When I did automatic drift it pretty much never activated.

I gotta say, in single player mode this one feels duller than Mario Kart DS and Mario Kart Double Dash but hopefully some multiplayer will make me enjoy the game more.

Also, why is brake, drift and hop all the same button? Even Mario Kart Super Circuit had a button each for hop/drift and brake. I guess I didn't often use brake but it's something you should always have in a racing game so having it share function with hop is was a really poor choice.

[CartoonSage]

So, are we exchanging Friend Codes now?

here's mine: 068856572948 Name Dave

I freakin' love the Wii wheel btw.

[Andrew T. Hingson]

Sure why not?

4382-2363-0097

Be sure to post this in the friendcodes thread too though. That's where most people find people to play with.

[IanC]

d-pad left/right lets you hold items behind you using the remote.

[SirLemming]

I am in favor of the Wii Wheel. It felt awkward at first, but I got used to it and now I like it. I don't think anyone will ever claim to get better scores with it as opposed to a Wavebird, but it just might be more fun.

[Andrew T. Hingson]

d-pad left/right lets you hold items behind you using the remote.

Good to know.

I kinda suck with the wheel currently but it's growing on me. However to enjoy the online play for the moment I switched back to the controller. And let me say, this is a far more satisfying online game than Mario Kart DS. More people play in each race for one thing but eliminating snaking makes the playing field as even as it should be.

People who can snake in MKDS mop the floor against most anyone who either can't do it or can't do it well. No matter how many items you throw at them they keep their lead. With this one you can certainly excel over the other players at taking corners and making good use of your tricks but it doesn't punish the players who don't abuse the game mechanics and in turn keeps the races a lot more entertaining even when you're loosing.

Another thing I like is the good items don't seem to barrage you as often as they did in Double Dash and MKDS. So while the occasional blue shell does throw off your game you don't end up getting pelted by multiple blue shells in a row.

They also offer you ways to be very strategic with your items. Though that hasn't changed a great deal from the previous games they've managed to throw together everything that worked with item placement so far (except for Double Dash's extra item slot) in order to allow you to get a lot of uses out of your items. So a particularly skilled player will be able to use items to their advantage over resorting to snaking.

So rest assured folks even if the controls feel odd and the single player is a bit dull the multiplayer is Mario Kart at it's finest.

So far the online seems flawless. I haven't had a buffer issue yet (unlike Smash Bros. which has too many by far). And finding opponents in this is a great deal easier than it was on Mario Kart DS or Smash Bros. for that matter. There's nowhere near the wait to find someone to play with. And each race can add or subtract players without causing a notable delay. This is how online games should play.

[Draft]

I'm dissapointed

Wii Wheel is hard for me to use (Then again, I don't know how to drive, so that isn't much of a suprise), Gamecube seems harder to use than Double Dash (Which I pwned in), 50CC was incredibly easy on the 1st cup until the Mushroom Stage where I kept falling off because it took me until the 3rd lap to learn how to make the kart jump on the mushrooms again and then I got hit with a blue shell in 2nd place. Not to mention the levels aren't too great so far IMO (Then again, i've only played 3 new tracks and 1 DS one, which I found harder on the big screen than on the DS)

Anyone know how to get the y button on the gamecube to take items? Much easier than the L button

Edit: Forgot some

After playing, I realized why I always play games with the DS off, the music and what the characters say is annoying and repetitive. The selection screen seems pretty dull in my opinion, and it's hard to read the stats on the cars too. Also, there is a very small selection of karts to choose from. I know there were at least 9 in Mario Kart DS, so why not for this one? Overall, I feel like I will regret buying this game until I get some friends and play it with them

[Desensitized]

Does the game have custom controls like Smash Bros.? Because I'll be using the classic controller, so I need to know how well it'll work.

[Mynd Hed]

Is it so hard to make a good commerical? We know Nintendo's done it before (http://youtube.com/watch?v=UvljN9ycqLg), having a cowboy shout at me doesn't really make me want to go buy the game.

Yeah, but for every one of those, there's at least three of these. (http://youtube.com/watch?v=Z7FN5B02YEo) (-: In any case I somehow doubt that their target audience for those commercials is people on Internet message boards who already spend an inordinate amount of time discussing Nintendo products anyway. (-:

Picked it up today. I find it to be pretty much par for the course with Nintendo first-party releases these days: good, but more of the same. Good points: snaking is thankfully a thing of the past, the new courses are fantastic in design, and the online actually approaches usability. Bad points: Larger games are nice, but more people on the course plus more items that affect everyone on the course means that you often find yourself getting absolutely beaten down with items. I think it would've helped if they'd made items like the lightning bolt, pow block, squid, and blue shell a rarer occurrence.

Oh, and the motion controls are fun... until you go back to the analog stick for five minutes and remember what good, tight controls feel like.

[Jave]

Music question: Is the music in the old redesigned tracks remixes of the originals or brand-new music? Also, are the remixed Kart tracks featured in Brawl in here as well?

[SirLemming]

Another good thing about the wheel is the bullet bill powerup -- it's very exhilirating when you're using the wheel. I can't imagine it being as fun with the regular controller. The one complaint I have is the wrist strap -- it seems to get in the way sometimes with the wheel. And you certainly can't wear it, even though they tell you to. That's about as practical as that "thread the wrist strap through the nunchuk plug" crap.


Music question: Is the music in the old redesigned tracks remixes of the originals or brand-new music? Also, are the remixed Kart tracks featured in Brawl in here as well?

I've played the SNES Mario Kart the most so I'm not sure about the other retro stages, but what I can tell you is the SNES battle mode stage does indeed have a slightly enhanced version of the classic battle music -- which I freaked about. And the SNES Ghost house stage has a somewhat remixed version of that theme (sounds sort of N64-ish).

[CartoonSage]

OK so I switched to the gamecube controller when I got to the Special cup. It's fun but the screwup percentage goes way down when your using a GC controller but I was wondering is there any way to do tricks while using it?

[Demonic Raven]

Man, online is so sweet. After I registered CartoonSage, I was instantly able to join into the game he was playing in. Why couldn't Brawl have it this good?

[SNS]

OK so I switched to the gamecube controller when I got to the Special cup. It's fun but the screwup percentage goes way down when your using a GC controller but I was wondering is there any way to do tricks while using it?

You have to use the D Pad for the tricks with the GameCube controller (same thing for the Classic controller).

[mookie75]

Is it so hard to make a good commerical? We know Nintendo's done it before (http://youtube.com/watch?v=UvljN9ycqLg), having a cowboy shout at me doesn't really make me want to go buy the game.


How many times have you really made the decision whether or not to buy a game based solely on its commercial? When you come right down to it, most video game ads don't spend much time on the air and they fade into obscurity very quickly. There aren't many commercials like the old rapping Zelda ad for the NES that manage to stick in our memories year after year. At least this one gave me a few laughs while it was here.

That Smash commercial gave me some laughs as well, but I would hardly call it an excellent example of video game advertising.

[CartoonSage]

Man, online is so sweet. After I registered CartoonSage, I was instantly able to join into the game he was playing in. Why couldn't Brawl have it this good?

I know man, not to mention you can invite people from your Wii console friend roster and automatically add them. ALL Wii games should work like this.

[Desensitized]

You guys aren't helping the wait. :sweat:

[CartoonSage]

You guys aren't helping the wait. :sweat:

You don't have it yet? what's the holdup?

[Desensitized]

I got it online, so I have to wait for it.

[Icer]

Blue turtle shells are game breakers to me, it really takes the fun out of the game. From what I've seen it looks like online races have it enabled so I'm going to skip this.Ahh, I didnt listen to myself. I went ahead and bought it. So far, its not bad. The online is by far the best Nintendo has done for online gaming, I'm impressed given the restraints they have (friend codes, no voice). It makes me wish they had delayed Brawl to copy Mario Kart's online service, since it is much more well done.

[Eddy]

Money is tight right now so I won't be picking this up for another week or so when my next paycheck comes it.

Can't wait to get it though.

[Bryangst]

My Friend Code:
The Rios - 1633-4601-0421

I've got you both added, Sketch and CartoonSage. Just let me know if/when you register me.

Oh man. This game is so good. I was a bit skeptical about the Wii Wheel at first, but it turns the wheel ain't so bad. It's kind of nice. I plan on breaking out the Classic Controller soon to give that a try. Too bad I don't have a Wavebird anymore. Might be a good investment pretty soon.

Anyway. Like I said, so good. After popping it in, I did a time trial and decided competing online would be fun. And it is. Racing online is pretty smooth, too. But after winning a few rounds, losing a couple, I started the Grand Prix. Playing through some of my favorite old tracks, updated graphics and all, is such a blast.

I wish we had the option of turning items on and off, like with Smash Bros.. The blue shells really suck. It's because it almost always knocks you out of 1st, but it is just really annoying when you're on a roll. And the Bloopers just love me. They smack me almost constantly during a race. Those, however, make the race a bit more interesting. Not being able to see entirely where you are going is kind of fun.

So far I am happy with the purchase. The Wii Wheel is growing on me, which is nice. I really didn't want to pick up the game and hate the accessory that ships with it. Anyway, back to playing. Hope to race you all online soon!

[Strollymonster]

Something that's been bugging me...how can the game tell that you're using the Wii Wheel? The controller isn't actually connected to it, and it doesn't have any electronic output that I can see.

[Andrew T. Hingson]

I'm dissapointed

Wii Wheel is hard for me to use (Then again, I don't know how to drive, so that isn't much of a suprise), Gamecube seems harder to use than Double Dash (Which I pwned in), 50CC was incredibly easy on the 1st cup until the Mushroom Stage where I kept falling off because it took me until the 3rd lap to learn how to make the kart jump on the mushrooms again and then I got hit with a blue shell in 2nd place. Not to mention the levels aren't too great so far IMO (Then again, i've only played 3 new tracks and 1 DS one, which I found harder on the big screen than on the DS)

Anyone know how to get the y button on the gamecube to take items? Much easier than the L button

Edit: Forgot some

After playing, I realized why I always play games with the DS off, the music and what the characters say is annoying and repetitive. The selection screen seems pretty dull in my opinion, and it's hard to read the stats on the cars too. Also, there is a very small selection of karts to choose from. I know there were at least 9 in Mario Kart DS, so why not for this one? Overall, I feel like I will regret buying this game until I get some friends and play it with them

I understand your dissapointment but go play it online if you can because that's more than satisifying.

[Chaotix12345]

Something that's been bugging me...how can the game tell that you're using the Wii Wheel? The controller isn't actually connected to it, and it doesn't have any electronic output that I can see.Any time the wii-mote is wirelessly connected to mario kart wii without the nunchuck,it's immediatly counted as using the wii wheel.

[SirLemming]

My one other complaint -- a bigger one this time -- is the fact that you can't copy your saved data onto an SD card. In other words, it's stuck on your own Wii console, just like SSB Brawl (as far as I can tell). Why are they imposing that limit? It's really stupid, especially considering how much the Wii is supposed to encourage multiplayer in all its forms. You should be able to bring your Wiimote and/or SD card to a friend's house or some other place that has a Wii and play with your unlocked characters & stages.

[TKnHappyNess]

I've only unlocked two characters so far: King Boo and Rosalina (through my Mario Galaxy save file). I do find some of the online battles a little unfair especially if one team has more members than the other. I was in one this morning where it was me against 3 guys on the same team. Now how is that considered fair? I was confused with the mini-turbos at first since I was so used to wiggling the stick or the D-Pad (for MKDS) back and forth, and thought it was the same until I found out you just use the B button, which is hard since it's on the left side and I was used to the R button on the others.

[SNS]

This is my code

4210-4397-8510

[Matthew Williams]

Just got the game, and started playing through the 50CC mode.

I love Mario Kart. I've liked all the past games, even Double Dash (why that gets a bad rap is beyond me). And I'm typically not the type of gamer who gets very angry easily.

I just hurled the Wiimote and Wheel at my television. This game is not fun.

[IanC]

Also, there is a very small selection of karts to choose from.

Erm how far are you in beating the cups?

Theres quite a few unlockables....



For the wrist strap getting in the way when using the wheel, i wrap it around the middle part. Gets it out of the way nicely.

Oh and if you are getting angry at 50cc... woo betide your TV when you get to Mirror Mode.

[Mynd Hed]

Just got the game, and started playing through the 50CC mode.

I love Mario Kart. I've liked all the past games, even Double Dash (why that gets a bad rap is beyond me). And I'm typically not the type of gamer who gets very angry easily.

I just hurled the Wiimote and Wheel at my television. This game is not fun.

Step 1: Remove Wiimote from Wheel.

Step 2: Put Wheel in garbage can.

Step 3: Attach Nunchuck to Wiimote OR attach Classic Controller to Wiimote OR plug GCN controller into Wii.

Step 4: Start having fun.

[SuperPhillip]

Item warfare is way too cheap this go around.

It's much worse than DS or Double Dash-- even in the darn 50cc.

It's still fun, but I don't see myself going for better grades. There's just too much luck involved.

[Kazuya Prower]

In case anyone wants to add me:
Andy: 4081-5909-6480

PM me when you add this.

[DarthGonzo]

Here's my friend code, in case anyone is interested:

Mike: 0774-4685-9908

[Matthew Williams]

It's not the wheel that's giving me problems. I actually kinda LIKE it, truth be told, although I can see how nunchuk/wiimote works better. My problem isn't with control.

It's more the fact that they made the AI entirely too cheap this time. I've only played on 50cc so far, and even here it's impossible to take the lead and keep it without being hit by a blue shell/red shell/POW block/uberitem. Especially when you're near the end.

To me, for some reason, it's not fun - it's a chore. I think this one might be heading to GameStop...

[Eddy]

The AI in Mario Kart has always been cheap...

Besides, it's the multiplayer that should make you keep the game. The singleplayer is nothing compared to Mario Kart's multiplayer.

[Desensitized]

Yeah, this and Brawl are all about the online and multiplayer.

My copy shipped today, I should have it and be swearing excessively before the end of the week. :D

[Mynd Hed]

Yeah, your opinions regarding the game are your own, but if you have the means to get your Wii online, I'd highly recommend at least trying the online service before going the Gamestop route with it. It doesn't entirely solve the problems that are frustrating you, but it mitigates them. It's true that items are still cheap, but there's no AI to rubberband at you, and there's a neat points system that means that you don't always have to come in first to feel like you're making progress.

If you give online its fair shot and still don't feel like the game's worth your time, then I guess to Gamestop it is. I agree that the balance issues are troubling, I just don't personally feel they're entirely gamebreaking is all.

[Adam Tyner]

It's more the fact that they made the AI entirely too cheap this time. I've only played on 50cc so far, and even here it's impossible to take the lead and keep it without being hit by a blue shell/red shell/POW block/uberitem. Especially when you're near the end.It's impossible to take the lead and not be attacked unrelentingly, but I played through all 8 circuits on 50cc last night, placing first in all but a tiny handful of races and finishing first overall in each of the circuits. That was my first time through as well. I'm really not that much of a gamer, so it's definitely possible to pull that off.

I'm pretty smitten with the game so far.

[Andrew T. Hingson]

It's not the wheel that's giving me problems. I actually kinda LIKE it, truth be told, although I can see how nunchuk/wiimote works better. My problem isn't with control.

It's more the fact that they made the AI entirely too cheap this time. I've only played on 50cc so far, and even here it's impossible to take the lead and keep it without being hit by a blue shell/red shell/POW block/uberitem. Especially when you're near the end.

To me, for some reason, it's not fun - it's a chore. I think this one might be heading to GameStop...

Go online with it if you can. I found playing GP a chore as well but online multiplayer is tons of good times.

Also... Rainbow Road on this game is Rainbow Road on crack acid. It's so freak'n crazy.

[SirLemming]

I'm not trying to be annoying, but for the sake of statistics I just want to add that I'm someone who's only extensively played the original Mario Kart and isn't a huge racing game afficionado... and on Sunday, which is the only chance I've had to play so far, I used the Wii Wheel to beat the first 5 cups (3 new, 2 retro) of the 50cc Grand Prix at home and the first 2 again on the Wii they have at church, scoring 1st or 2nd place in each. I didn't have to re-try any race (though I managed to place below 3rd once or twice), and I had a lot of fun doing it. Take that for what you will.

[Eddy]

Jave, you sent me a Mario Kart invite but I don't have Mario Kart yet. D:

I'll probably pick it up next week though.

[IanC]

The AI in Mario Kart has always been cheap...


Yeah. Personally, i found MK64 to have the cheapest AI.

I swear something odd happened today when me and my dad (don't laugh) were playing online - he suddenly shot up to 2nd and when the race finished the number of players in the next race text said 3 players. Have no idea what happened - network burp?

[Desensitized]

Jave, you sent me a Mario Kart invite but I don't have Mario Kart yet. D:

I'll probably pick it up next week though.
Me too. :sweat:

Then my friend calls me and tells me he's gonna go buy it.

You guys aren't making the wait easier, I tells ya!

[Quacktoon]

Sorry... but what's snaking? Never even heard of it.

[Desensitized]

Snaking is basically doing mini-turbos on a straight road.

[LazyReaper]

I've been playing this since Sunday, and so far I'm liking it a lot. The online is much better and lag free than Brawl. The wheel is interesting. It took a few races to get used to, but now it's easy to play with. I also found that going to manual for drift mode is much more fun, so get off automatic if that's all you've been trying.

Here is my code if anyone is interested: 4081-5921-4196

I'll add this in the stickied thread as well. Just PM me so that I'll know to add you back.


-Aximlli-

[Tanooki]

i think this is the first time i've every sufficiently yelled at my tv. i feel ashamed now, though, since it's not my tv's fault. it's the fault of the game. seriously. 150cc kills me. i'm cruising along in first, 20 feet from the finish and then i get hit by a green shell. yeah. not a blue shell or even a red shell. a green shell. of course, i'm spinning out so much and tumbling over and over so all 11 karts that WERE half a track behind me have no crossed the finish line before i even recover

wish the wifi wasn't so bogged down so i could play online

[G1Ravage]

I haven't been able to connect online at all.

[Desensitized]

My friend told me the same. Also, Brawl has been very messed up with online today as well.

Something's up.

[Jave]

Javier: 1246-9183-0847

I've added everyone in this thread so far. Wait until we race 'cause you'll be biting my dust. ;)

[G1Ravage]

Mario Kart Wii:

Jason: 3222-6057-0763

[Desensitized]

Got it!

4725-8462-2610.

I'll be adding everyone in this thread!

EDIT: I'm J and Ness, by the way. Yes I created a Ness Mii.

[CartoonSage]

Alright Balloon battle, Right now!! who's interested?

[Dogasu]

i think this is the first time i've every sufficiently yelled at my tv. i feel ashamed now, though, since it's not my tv's fault. it's the fault of the game. seriously. 150cc kills me. i'm cruising along in first, 20 feet from the finish and then i get hit by a green shell. yeah. not a blue shell or even a red shell. a green shell. of course, i'm spinning out so much and tumbling over and over so all 11 karts that WERE half a track behind me have no crossed the finish line before i even recover

Yeah, that's 150cc for ya. I've unlocked Mirror Mode but have heard that it's even worse than 150cc in that respect, so I've been focusing on unlocking other stuff instead.

The thing to remember is to do tricks and to drift whenever you possibly can. Those little speed boosts are pretty much essential if you want any chance against the cheap-as-hell AI in this game.

[Demonic Raven]

I already beat all of the cups. I am now focusing (when I have the time) on getting star ranks, of which I already have quite a few 1 and 2 star ranks scattered around. No threes at all yet, which is a bit scary.....they're probably a real ***** to get.

I still have a few characters and karts/bikes to unlock. I need to work on unlocking more Expert Staff Ghosts, I think.

For my online VS score, I'm nearing 7000 last time I checked. If I had more time, that score would be a bit more impressive.

[SuperPhillip]

Here's my Wii code, MK code, and AIM handle.

Phil | Wii: 6272 2957 6185 8250 | MK: 1461-6605-2552 | AIM:superphillip32

PM me to add me and I add you. Add me if you'd like. I'd like to have a group of nightly races with folks from here and other boards. Have to organize that to meet on one place though...

[Desensitized]

Yeah, getting together 12 people sure would be fun.


Alright Balloon battle, Right now!! who's interested?That was sweet. I still can't believe you beat us 2 on 1. Battle mode sure beats the pants off Double Dash's.

I also noticed you joined the group I was racing in before, that was really cool. Were you Koopa Troopa?

[SuperPhillip]

Hey, friends, the first competition is online and ready to go!

It's a VS race on Mario Circuit. Apparently the chained Chain Chomp is no longer tied up! You can play as many times as you want to get the best time.

[CartoonSage]

Yeah, getting together 12 people sure would be fun.

That was sweet. I still can't believe you beat us 2 on 1. Battle mode sure beats the pants off Double Dash's.

I also noticed you joined the group I was racing in before, that was really cool. Were you Koopa Troopa?

Yeah, I was. Honestly, I can't believe I pulled that of in so many games, sometimes I scare myself.

[Andrew T. Hingson]

Finally got to play all the tracks. There is some cuuuuuuuuuuuurazy stuff in thsi game. Maple Tree, Moonlight Highway, the Volcano stage, the new Bowsers's Castle and the previously mentioned Rainbow Road on crack acid. Speaking of which... I would have had gold on 50cc Special Cup if it weren't for me falling off the edge twice at the end of Rainbow Road's final lap but I barely got nudged to silver after getting first on the other 3 tracks. That's just infuriating and it was only 50cc which makes me worried about how bothersome doing 100cc, 150cc and Mirror Cup will be.

That new Bowser's Castle is in one word... EPIC. And it even starts the audio track with a throw back to the NES Bowser's castle music. Gotta love that. But the track itself is full of plenty of interesting sights including a huge fireball shooting Bowsser statue and some very nasty lava pits.

My only gripes with the classic stage selection are the absense of the following Koopa Troopa Beach (SNES or N64 would have been great but I really mostly wanted the music) and they should have replaced Peach Gardens and the desert stage from DS with Waluigi Pinball and the SMB3 Airship stage or Luigi's Mansion (or both). The desert especially wasn't worth while given Dry Dry Ruins puts it to shame. And what's the deal with all those Mario Circuit varations? N64, SNES and GCN... Really 2 of those would have been sufficient... and I just plain can't stand that Ghost House even though it was one of the easier Ghost House SNES tracks in retrospect.

But enough stage nitpicks... The selection is darn good and full of variety.

Let's talk about other things... like controls.

I'm free wheel'n now. I find the wheel allows me to make much sharper turns with incredible ease. I always undershoot my turns with a control stick. The wheel makes hairpin turns a snap. I screamed around the SNES Mario Circuit 3 far better than I could have on the SNES version or any other version for that matter. It really does work great and it feels great too. No more falling off DK Moutain for me. Even the last turn is super easy to pull off... maybe a bit too easy but it doesn't make things boring that's for sure.

Still a bit of a responce issue reguarding tricks but I guess that may be a timing issue on my part. Pulling off a trick sure can be satisfying though. Doing most any of them makes me want to scream out "COWABUNGA"... seriously.

I HATE the AI in this game. They're just plain mean. Even so... they don't seem to pelt me with as many blue shells as the AI in MKDS did. That's appreciated but they're still jackasses through and through. I generally stay in first (haven't even played 150cc yet though) but their constant barrage of items is quite annoying. Not really more so than other Mario Kart games but I can understand why some reviewers would frown upon the game in that reguard.

I fully reccommend playing on manuel because auto-drift doesn't seem to be very responsive. You're much better off doing it yourself.

So... good times so far and now that I have a better grasp of all the levels available and I can play with the wheel, I think the online gameplay will be even better.

Some of you TZers from 2002 and shortly beyond might recall my old user name Hyper Luigi. Well I must say it was pretty awesome to see my Mii essentially dressed up as Luigi replacing the Luigi statue on Luigi Raceway during the credits sequence. Very awesome indeed.

[IanC]

Hey, friends, the first competition is online and ready to go!

It's a VS race on Mario Circuit. Apparently the chained Chain Chomp is no longer tied up! You can play as many times as you want to get the best time.

Yeah its certainly... different! Unfortunately WFC is down for MK Wii at the moment so you cant upload your time.... Thought it was my changing of our WiFi security settings that did that, but nope its Nintendos problem *sigh*

[email2003]

I think the most fun I'm having with this game is the online. I think Nintendo did a awesome job in making the WiFi function on Mario Kart work smoothly. I haven't had one game that has lagged yet.

[G1Ravage]

I played some worldwide matches the other night. We had three from the U.S., one from Canada, one from the U.K., one from Belgium, one from The Netherlands, one from France, and three from Japan. Lag was nonexistant.

[IanC]

Quick note, above when i said WFC was down for MK Wii it turned out it was down for all Wii WFC games. Didn't hit me that Medal of Honor Heroes 2 isnt really a WFC game....

WFC came back online around 3 PM UK time, or thereabouts. :sweat:

Oh and damn my ranking is back under 7000 again :(

[Desensitized]

It's not that the AI barrages me with items that irks me, it's that when I get knocked to last and grab an item it's something like a banana or a mushroom. IN LAST.

THAT'S what annoys me.

[Demonic Raven]

I believe I have all FCs posted so far registered.

1st Tournament current best time - 1:52:597. Not too shabby.

[TKnHappyNess]

Nintendojo has a thing on Mario Kart Wii, and there is one thing that we can all agree on.


Now when I play as Koopa Troopa, I get hit by a Blue Shell, a POW Block, a Red Shell, and a Lightning Bolt all in a matter of seconds. It's not so much that this isn't fair as that it's simply overkill. Only one of those four things should be happening at any given time.

That has happened to me multiple times, and this was just the 50cc. On the later tracks like Rainbow Road, the AI is ruthless with items and tactics. I just want to say those guys are cheap.

[Desensitized]

Yeah, it's cheap. I was hit by a blue shell, lightning, and two red shells right at the finish line once.

The worst is being stuck in last place on Rainbow Road and only getting mushrooms.

[G1Ravage]

Yeah, it's cheap. I was hit by a blue shell, lightning, and two red shells right at the finish line once.

The worst is being stuck in last place on Rainbow Road and only getting mushrooms.

On the other side of the spectrum, I was stuck in 8th place on GCN Peach Beach, until about halfway through the course on the last lap, I picked up a multi-boost mushroom, and boosted my way into first place and won.

[Jave]

I love this game. The Online is fantastic. You only have to wait a short time between races and there's no lag at all. Fantastic.

My Mii's a heavyweight. Means I get to ride the Twinkle Star. Which is awesome.

So far I've unlocked King Boo, Diddy Kong, Rosalina, Dry Bones, Funky Kong, Birdo, Baby Luigi, and Mii A. The rest are going to take a while to get, but it'll be worth.

[Desensitized]

I created a Ness Mii. :sweat:

Yes, I'm that much of a nerd. There were too many Toads so I wanted to distinguish myself.

[RAINMAN]

Does anyone think it`s crazy for Nintendo to release this game the same week of GTA4? I`m no GTA fan but I`m not clueless to how populare that series is? :sweat:

[SirLemming]

Does anyone think it`s crazy for Nintendo to release this game the same week of GTA4? I`m no GTA fan but I`m not clueless to how populare that series is? :sweat:
I think it's one of those cases where they're both so popular that it doesn't matter when they're released.

[CartoonSage]

I made a discovery today.

Automatic makes driving a LOT better.

When I got this game and jumped into the Grand Prix, I chose my character (Koopa Troopa) and was then prompt to choose between two options: Automatic and Manual. Being the egotistical MK veteran I was I chose Manual because I thought Auto was for n00bs. after a long up hill grind through all the cups and modes I noticed on the time trial rankings that my peers were getting times that I couldn't dream to get and now I know why, Automatic. I murdered so many of my times using this mode of racing. Bowser's Castle? Man I struggled when I finally beat the staff ghost on that track, then I made the switch to Auto and beat it, I crashed three times and I STILL beat it! I was in Awe this morning.

Am I the last to discover this?

The only thing about auto that bugs me is that all those years of perfecting my power slide technique have now been crushed by this revelation. Not to mention that it really makes the whole "handling" stat for carts/bikes utterly pointless.

So, who else uses Auto?

[Andrew T. Hingson]

I've used manuel because my attempts at auto didn't work out very well from what I could tell but maybe I've misjudged it.

[Desensitized]

That's strange. Even when I play online I do better with karts on manual. Yet, against CPUs, I'm better with the bike. Maybe I'll try automatic, too.

[IanC]

My friend got a lot better times with manual than i can with auto. Yet in races it doesnt seem to matter.

Talking of getting hit by items at the wrong moment - while online earlier (in a 12 player race on DS Delfino Square) at the last corner I got hit (while in first) by a blue shell, then lightning, THEN a green shell (!) and i still limped past the line in first :sweat:

[Jave]

Funky Kong is crazy. CRAZY. His screams are so loud and insane they even cover the music. "ALL RIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIGHT!!!"

BTW, I've unlocked around 10 expert ghosts using Rosalina and Funky Kong. The heavyweights seem to be the best in Time Trail, since they have the best Top Speed, and while their acceleration sucks, you're not supposed to bump into anything to get good times in Time Trail.

Toad Factory rocks.

[Quacktoon]

Hold on, Funky Kong is an unlockable character? I wasn't aware.

[SAMaine]

Yeah, so is Dry Bowser!

[Behonkiss]

Friend Code is 4554-0540-6544. I'll add everyone.

[Desensitized]

Raven! Those were some close races! Except in Waluigi Stadium when I got hit with EVERYTHING...

It came down to the finish line both times.

[Draft]

After playing with my friend, my opinion changed on Mario Kart

I still feel it's more cheap than DD, like when me and my friend were neck and neck on the last part of GCN Peach Beach thing, and my friend sped ahead of me with no powerup and won (Time difference was literally 2 thousandths apart).

Now to figure out what my Wii # is so everyone can beat me over and over again

[Desensitized]

Who's 'player'? We only got to play one match, then when I checked my friend list he disappeared.

[mookie75]

I should run out and pick this up this weekend. I'm coming in fashionably late for the Brawl party, but I could still get here in time for the height of the Mario Kart fun.

As if I needed an excuse to buy a Mario Kart game anyway.... :D

[IanC]

I still feel it's more cheap than DD, like when me and my friend were neck and neck on the last part of GCN Peach Beach thing, and my friend sped ahead of me with no powerup and won (Time difference was literally 2 thousandths apart).


That's slipstreaming. Best place to take advantage of it is those sort of situations.

[Quacktoon]

Just bought the game and I love it! Now I have to play Star Cup which I just unlocked.

[SuperPhillip]

Did anyone add me? I didn't get any PMs. I cry. :'(

I have time trial times I can send! Yes!


Just bought the game and I love it! Now I have to play Star Cup which I just unlocked.

Best cup in the game imo.

[TKnHappyNess]

Screw unlocking the expert ghosts since the staff ghosts are so cheap.

[Bryangst]

Did anyone add me? I didn't get any PMs. I cry. :'(I got you added and PM'd. But more than half of the people I registered that registered me still gives me the "?" instead of showing a Mii.

[Desensitized]

I got you added and PM'd. But more than half of the people I registered that registered me still gives me the "?" instead of showing a Mii.
Same here. Did everyone add me?

For some reason Dave and that guy called 'player' no longer have their picture up on my friend list. I didn't delete anybody, so what's up? :confused:

[Jave]

Unlocked Toadette yesterday and I just unlocked Daisy.

The good: Daisy no longer shouts "I AM DAISY!!"

The bad: She still has THE SAME VOICE.

[SNS]

Same here. Did everyone add me?

For some reason Dave and that guy called 'player' no longer have their picture up on my friend list. I didn't delete anybody, so what's up? :confused:

"Player" was likely me since I was using a Mii with that name for the past few days. Don't know why it would disappear from the friend code list though since I added everyone's code except the most recent one (which I haven't had a chance to add yet).

[Desensitized]

"Player" was likely me since I was using a Mii with that name for the past few days. Don't know why it would disappear from the friend code list though since I added everyone's code except the most recent one (which I haven't had a chance to add yet).Ok, you're back. It just changed the Mii it shows, same as Dave's Mii.

Edit: Anyone going on tonight? Some of you guys are hard to identify by your Miis so it's hard to tell if I'm playing you or not.

[Jave]

Now that I think about it, Rosalina being a heavyweight makes perfect sense. Living almost all her life in space, she becomes more dense when she goes back to Earth. It's just gravity doing its job. :anime:

[Bryangst]

Edit: Anyone going on tonight? Some of you guys are hard to identify by your Miis so it's hard to tell if I'm playing you or not.Yeah, I'm thinking I might make a copy of my Mii and change the name to be something similar to what I use here. It generally is pretty nice to have atleast some idea of who you're playing against.

I might be on tonight. Just got home from watching Iron Man, so I have to post comments about it at various places and get the new X-Box 360 set up somewhere. But if we're both on at the same time I'll hit you up and race.

[Desensitized]

That was a nice 1 on 1 race, Jave. Very rarely do I ever get to do a 2 person race.

Edit: So, uh, how did I unlock Funky? I haven't played any time trials except the first 4 and that was a few days ago...

[TKnHappyNess]

Now that I think about it, Rosalina being a heavyweight makes perfect sense. Living almost all her life in space, she becomes more dense when she goes back to Earth. It's just gravity doing its job. :anime:

Rosalina's a heavyweight because of her true size from Galaxy. Look at how big she is compared to Mario. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UkoTXYagJOo

[IanC]

Screw unlocking the expert ghosts since the staff ghosts are so cheap.

I haven't found any of the normal staff ghosts hard to beat. In fact i even beat some of there times when doing Ghost Races via the MK Channel (you only have to beat the time, not the ghost for the Expert ghost to unlock. BTW the expert versions replace the normal version.)

[Quacktoon]

I'm a little dissapointed in the the first two tracks of Special Cup. They're not that amazing to me. Bowser's Castle and Rainbow Road completely make up for it though! I can post my FC later, although no one probably cares.

[Desensitized]

I'm stuck on Special Cup mirror mode. I'm fine until I get to Bowser's Castle, then I get destroyed by an onslaught of items. I only have Toadette left to unlock, and I guess some karts.

[Jave]

I got my first 3-Star Rank today when I replayed Star on 50cc. I used Rosalina and the Standard Bike and came out first in all four races.

It seems the most deciding factor is staying in 1st place most of the time. Getting hit doesn't seem to be much of a problem unless it pushes you back tremendously. I got hit by 6 Blue Shells and still got the 3-star rank. I also went off road a few times, but never fell off the stages.

[Demonic Raven]

I got my first 3-Star Rank today when I replayed Star on 50cc. I used Rosalina and the Standard Bike and came out first in all four races.

It seems the most deciding factor is staying in 1st place most of the time. Getting hit doesn't seem to be much of a problem unless it pushes you back tremendously. I got hit by 6 Blue Shells and still got the 3-star rank. I also went off road a few times, but never fell off the stages.I also got my first 3-star the other day (in 100 CC), but so far it was my only one. I also finally got my 1-star rank icon! :D

It's all about getting a good time on the courses. Not falling off the stage, not going off-road, and not hitting walls and obstacles is great , but I've been able to get star ranks even when I did those things.

Rule of thumb: if you get 60 points (first on every track in a cup), you're practically guaranteed at least a 1-star. If you get less, expect to possibly drop down into the letter ranks depending on how much you screwed up during the races.

Getting 2 or 3 stars demands near perfection and at least 1st on 3 of the races, but there is leeway. For example, on that three-star rank I got I fell off the stage once...from hitting a fake item box.....that I dropped myself. :sweat:

It's an uphill battle, but I got a 3-star rank icon in MKDS, so I'll probably achieve it eventually.

[Desensitized]

What is with the AI? One race I'll be dominating and they'll do nothing at all, then the next I'll be dominating then hit with about 5 different things at once (ON THE LAST LAP, NEAR THE END)... It's so aggravating.

[SirLemming]

After formally introducing the game to my siblings, I have one more gripe:

I think I'm going to miss local every-man-for-himself battle mode. The team system is good for online multiplayer, and the botmatch team battles in local mode do have a certain large-scale war appeal to them, but I really wish you could just, you know, NOT have bots, or at least only have one bot to balance the teams if you're doing 3-player. (Of course, this would also entail removing the time limit and going by last-man-standing rules -- which isn't hard to program at all.)

I guess most of the new battle stages are designed to be a bit too large for just 4 players, but I think Thwomp Desert and the Chain Chomp one could work pretty well... and of course, the retro stages.

I dunno. Just seems like something that would have been really easy to include, and something that would boost the "party game" appeal, since that's one of the things Wii is so specifically designed for. I guess this gives me a reason to get Double Dash... and hence another reason to get Wavebirds.

[IanC]

I prefer the retro battle stages to the new ones. The SNES and GBA ones in particular :D

Although i do like Funky Coliseum.

[sdp]

People seem to be enjoying this game, I knew I should have picked it up. I'm still somewhat unsure if I want to fork full price when I can pick up various backlog titles for the same price.

[mookie75]

After formally introducing the game to my siblings, I have one more gripe:

I think I'm going to miss local every-man-for-himself battle mode. The team system is good for online multiplayer, and the botmatch team battles in local mode do have a certain large-scale war appeal to them, but I really wish you could just, you know, NOT have bots, or at least only have one bot to balance the teams if you're doing 3-player. (Of course, this would also entail removing the time limit and going by last-man-standing rules -- which isn't hard to program at all.)

I guess most of the new battle stages are designed to be a bit too large for just 4 players, but I think Thwomp Desert and the Chain Chomp one could work pretty well... and of course, the retro stages.

I dunno. Just seems like something that would have been really easy to include, and something that would boost the "party game" appeal, since that's one of the things Wii is so specifically designed for. I guess this gives me a reason to get Double Dash... and hence another reason to get Wavebirds.

I loved racing in Double Dash, but I never really liked the Battle stages. They seemed to have the opposite problem of the stages in Mario Kart Wii: They were too confined for my tastes.

[Tanooki]

have gold in every single cup except mirror special cup. i can get first on the first three tracks but always end up getting screwed on rainbow road

by the way, i have added everyone who put their friend codes in the friend code thread. if you want to race against me, you're going to have to add me too

[Desensitized]

Finally! Gold star in every cup and done mirror mode. All that's left is time trials and then to play some of you online.

[Scirel]

Is it just me or does Lightning come WAAAAAAY too often? Seriously, it's guaranteed to happen at least once a lap for me.

In DS the Blue shells were the problem, now they only come up twice a race, but here, lightning is rediculously common. I remember in SNES I never even knew it existed until someone told me.

[Bryangst]

Is it just me or does Lightning come WAAAAAAY too often? Seriously, it's guaranteed to happen at least once a lap for me.

In DS the Blue shells were the problem, now they only come up twice a race, but here, lightning is rediculously common. I remember in SNES I never even knew it existed until someone told me.It's not so much the lightning as it is Bloopers and POW's for me. But Bloopers are way fun, they make the game way more interesting. POW's on the other hand, have annoyed me since I got the game.

[G1Ravage]

I've added everyone. Waiting for others' registration.

I've changed my License name to G1Ravage, to make it easier for people to know who I am.

[Mynd Hed]

It's not so much the lightning as it is Bloopers and POW's for me. But Bloopers are way fun, they make the game way more interesting. POW's on the other hand, have annoyed me since I got the game.

Supposedly you can avoid POWs if you hop at the right time, but I've never been able to get the timing correct.

[IanC]

Or if you hit a jump a the right point. Of course you have to be near a jump in the first place!

[Desensitized]

Wow, 'Phil' has the time trial records totally locked up. I think I only beat him once (and only slightly).

I still need Mii Outfit B, but I can't remember which time trial I need to unlock the expert ghost on. :sweat:

But at least I have every character and vehicle.

[Jave]

Actually, there's a Mii Outfit C to be unlocked as well, according to GameFAQs.

Achieve 15,000 points in Online Mode

[Bryangst]

Or if you hit a jump a the right point. Of course you have to be near a jump in the first place!That is about one of my favorite parts of the Mushroom Gorge. The course is pretty much jumps at every turn, so it's rare to actually get hit by a POW.

[SuperPhillip]

Actually, there's a Mii Outfit C to be unlocked as well, according to GameFAQs.

Achieve 15,000 points in Online Mode

I think that's false. There's no mention of it in the official players guide.

[Desensitized]

Also, I think the max points are 9999.

[SuperPhillip]

Here is my Mario Kart Wii review.

http://z3.invisionfree.com/SuperPhillip_Central/index.php?showtopic=420

Do you agree? :confused:

[mookie75]

I picked this up today. So far I like it, and the wheel only annoyed me a little bit when I was trying to do some online play. However, I think it's too soon to blame the wheel since I'm still getting used to it and the online system of course selection (which I think is great) was putting me in a lot of courses I hadn't raced on before. I think the highest I ranked was 5th and I played around online for an hour or so. :o

This might be the first game that I'll actually enjoy playing online. It's nice and anonymous and I don't feel like too much of a loser when I don't win since I'm only one of 11 people that didn't win. :p

I'll probably harvest friend codes from this thread and add some people, so once I get my own code I'll let you all know what it is.

Oh yeah....and my first race on WFC? Rainbow Road. After playing the game for less than an hour. Yeah, I didn't do too well on that one.


EDIT: Ok, I've added everyone that has posted their friend code so far. Feel free to add me back. My number is 2020 0347 3804.

[SuperPhillip]

Wow, 'Phil' has the time trial records totally locked up. I think I only beat him once (and only slightly).

I still need Mii Outfit B, but I can't remember which time trial I need to unlock the expert ghost on. :sweat:

But at least I have every character and vehicle.

Towards the end I just phoned it in. I just wanted the two new characters. :D

[CartoonSage]

Hey yall, cowboy Jed says "look at da footage"

lol!

http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=83caWI008-8

[G1Ravage]

I'm getting fed up with the online mode.

I'm no rookie when it comes to Mario Kart, but I wouldn't call myself an expert, either.

The other day, I met up with a friend online, and we participated in a number of Regional matches. I placed 5th or above in every race, and my rating shot up from 5100 to around 6200. My steering wheel icon turned a goldish color. I was thrilled.

Since that day, I've placed 4th or lower in every match since. Lots of matches. I'm down to 5600. I just can't win. I fight my way into 2nd place, maintain that through part of the race, and then get hit by one thing, and end up back in 8th. Everyone behind gets bullet bills and super stars to fight their way past me. All I get are mushrooms, which are useless on certain courses. Or, I'll get a multi-boost mushroom, and before I can make use of it, someone else fires off a POW or a lightening bolt, and I lose whatever item I had. I've lost three races by being in 4th place, and RIGHT before the finish line, getting struck by a random green shell or a bomb, and ending up in 6th or 7th before I can cross the line.

Twice, when attempting to play Battle online, I ended up in a 2-on-1 fight, with me being the 1. In the Balloon Battle, I squeaked out a victory against two Japanese players. But when I went 1-on-2 in a coin match, I got my ass handed to me. Seriously, how can you compete in a coin match when you're outnumbered like that? The game shouldn't start a match unless the teams are even.

Three questions:

1) Does stopping the roulette of items increase or decrease your chances of getting a decent item? Or does it simply give you an item faster than waiting for it to stop on its own?

2) What determines your rating change after a match? I've been in matches where the 1st place winner went +68, and the 2nd place guy went +105. Or the 5th place guy went -5, and the 6th place guy went +3.

3) What does the steering wheel color or star next to your name represent?

[Desensitized]

What character/vehicle combo are you using? I find, even when I get item-overkill'd, that I can catch up really fast afterwards because my bike has good acceleration and speed. I usually end up in the top 3 unless the overkill is REALLY bad.

1) I find stopping the roulette just gives you your item faster, I don't think it affects what you get. (Although, I got a bob-omb in 2nd once... That was weird)

2) The rating seems to depend on the points of your opponents to yourself. If you beat someone with, say 9999 points and you have 1000, your rating will shoot up. If you beat someone slightly lower/the same as you, you don't get much.

3) The steering wheel means you're using the Wii wheel, and gold wii wheel means you use it a lot. If you have a star, that means you have at least a star in all your ratings for GP mode. It goes up to 3 stars.

Also, battle sucks with 3 people. You should have backed out and rejoined again. Nothing less fun than two on one fights.

[G1Ravage]

I'm using Wario with the Off-Roader kart.

Are you able to back out of unfortunate Battle matchups? By the time it sticks you with the matchups, it's usually too late.

I was playing some Worldwide matches just now, and was able to push my rating back over 6000. Still, I'm wondering if lag difference between Wiis is causing race result discrepencies.

On a Coconut Mall race (one of my favorite courses), I was in 1st for most of the match, right up to the finish line. As I boosted around the final corner to the finish line, there was nobody visible on my screen, but I could hear someone approaching. I crossed the finish line, with my screen saying I was in first, and I couldn't see anybody else when I hit the line. But once I crossed the line, I saw another player was literally right behind me. When we went to the results, I was 2nd. I was in shock.

Also, just now I ended up in a "mirror-mode" race on Moonview Highway. I haven't unlocked the Mirror Mode yet, but I guess if somebody who *has* unlocked it selects it, and the lottery chooses it, we all get to play.

Amongst the group of people I was racing with this morning, was one guy with a rating over 8500. He was using Funky Kong on a bike, and was placing 1st in every single race by quite a large margin.

Oh yeah, has anyone else experienced a glitch where you're in an online race, and all of a sudden everyone else disappears, the match suddenly ends, you go to the results screen, and it says you placed 1st, and you get the appropriate number of points? That's happened twice so far. And I really got the points, too. Does that mean the others lost points, as the results screen showed? Or does everyone place "1st" when this occurs? I get a message saying everyone was disconnected.

And how come I'm not finding anybody from here online? I've got three pages of people who haven't registered me yet, and those that have, are never on. I don't even recognize anybody's names on there, except for Raven, of course.

[SNS]

Oh yeah, has anyone else experienced a glitch where you're in an online race, and all of a sudden everyone else disappears, the match suddenly ends, you go to the results screen, and it says you placed 1st, and you get the appropriate number of points? That's happened twice so far. And I really got the points, too. Does that mean the others lost points, as the results screen showed? Or does everyone place "1st" when this occurs? I get a message saying everyone was disconnected.

No but I had a weird glitch once where everyone stopped moving or disappeared (their icons were still on the map, just not moving) then I could continue racing by myself until I was going to start the third lap & the game froze. It was on Moonview Highway BTW.

[IanC]

Mirror mode is randomly chosen in online mode. Not sure of the exact probability, but its less than 100cc or 150cc been chosen for sure.

[Desensitized]

Yeah, we had a random mirror mode Rainbow Road once. I was in first by quite a large margin on that one.

I had this weird glitch in a battle mode where about three other people stayed perfectly still and couldn't be hit. Then random people kept disappearing from the screen until I was the only one left. I got first place, despite the race ending up a 3 on 1 at one point. I guess everyone dropped out.

Funky Kong is the best heavyweight in the game, I believe has been established. I never use heavyweights, but for Time Trials, Funky Kong on the Bowser Bike (Flamerunner) gets the job done. He doesn't do me too good online, though, so I stick with my lightweights.

[mookie75]

I finally had some friend races that I was actually aware of. I don't know if you realized it or not, G1Ravage, but I joined in on your regional races this evening. I only came in 1st once, but most of them weren't too bad. I really think Nintendo should have put some little symbol by people's names so you know they are on your friend roster. Up until tonight, I had been wondering where the mysterious 2 wins and 4 losses that the game said I had against friends had come from, but now I see that people could have easily snuck in and out without me realizing it.

I think a little smiley face or something would be great....then you could pick them out of the crowd easier when you have a green shell! :evil:

I've been thoroughly enjoying this game. I'm still surprised at how much I've been using the online feature. I haven't even started 150cc because I've been too busy either going for star ratings on 50cc and 100cc -- I've got double stars on all the 50cc cups now! -- or playing worldwide races (and usually getting beaten very soundly).

Perhaps I'll see it more when I get to 150cc, but so far I'm not seeing how the items are any more cheap than they were in previous installments. Sure, I've been hit by a string of items now and then, but I've also pulled off several first places finishes against the computer only because the computer got screwed over by a red or blue shell. :p



So.....who's still at 100% use of the Wii Wheel? *raises hand* :D

[Mynd Hed]

After playing some local multiplayer the other day, I've got to say that team mode is the way to play this game. The balance issues associated with items all but disappear when only half the players' items affect you. It just sucks that you can't play team mode online....

[G1Ravage]

I finally had some friend races that I was actually aware of. I don't know if you realized it or not, G1Ravage, but I joined in on your regional races this evening. I only came in 1st once, but most of them weren't too bad. I really think Nintendo should have put some little symbol by people's names so you know they are on your friend roster. Up until tonight, I had been wondering where the mysterious 2 wins and 4 losses that the game said I had against friends had come from, but now I see that people could have easily snuck in and out without me realizing it.

What's your Mario Kart name? I initially was playing Regional with my friend/co-worker John, and then later on, was quietly joined by my ex and her fiancee from the same Wii.

There should be some sort of notification when a Friend joins or leaves a match. And warning ahead of time that your Friend is leaving after a race, so you can follow without being forced to play the next race.

[G1Ravage]

After playing some local multiplayer the other day, I've got to say that team mode is the way to play this game. The balance issues associated with items all but disappear when only half the players' items affect you. It just sucks that you can't play team mode online....

You can Team Battle online.

[mookie75]

What's your Mario Kart name? I initially was playing Regional with my friend/co-worker John, and then later on, was quietly joined by my ex and her fiancee from the same Wii.

There should be some sort of notification when a Friend joins or leaves a match. And warning ahead of time that your Friend is leaving after a race, so you can follow without being forced to play the next race.

My screen name was Marc. I was a Dry Bones in a Cheep Cheep car at the time....my super-sized form may or may not have squashed you after a jump in the GCN Mario Circuit course. I think I came down on several people, but I'm not sure if you were in there at the time. :p

I'm was probably there for roughly an hour total.

I agree. They needed something so you can tell when you have a friend in the race with you.

[IanC]

Im still at 100% wheel use. Haven't even tried any other control options.

[G1Ravage]

I only use the Wii Wheel as well.

The other day I played an online match against a player named AVGN from the west coast. The Mii was a great representation of the Nerd himself.

Whether or not it was actually him, I dunno. Anyone can make up a name and a Mii and use it.

[Eddy]

I only use the Wii Wheel as well.

The other day I played an online match against a player named AVGN from the west coast. The Mii was a great representation of the Nerd himself.

Whether or not it was actually him, I dunno. Anyone can make up a name and a Mii and use it.
Pretty sure it wasn't him. I think James lives over on the East coast near New Jersey.

Oh, and I finally got Mario Kart, guys. My friend code is 3222-6386-5416.

[CartoonSage]

OK, so has EVERYONE gotten bored of this game already? Cause NO ONE is ever on. Same goes for my friends at GT.

[Desensitized]

I keep looking at the MKWii channel, seeing no one on, and then I go back to Brawl. :sweat:

[G1Ravage]

I play every single night.

Has anyone ever thought somebody else in the race might be cheating somehow? I've seen a few things happen to make me suspect as such.

In one instance, I've seen people just ahead of me fall off the track, only to suddenly appear a little further ahead as if they never fell off. When I fall off, I know it takes a good five to eight seconds before I can continue.

Tonight, I was playing in a Regional race with a player named "batman". I clearly finished ahead of him on multiple races, yet on the final results, he almost always placed ahead of me. I noticed there was an unusually long pause between the end of the race and the final results screen when this occurred. Once I crossed the finish in CLEAR 2nd place, with my friend John behind me in 3rd, and no one else near us. The final results had batman in 2nd, me in 5th, and John in 6th. After batman left our group, things seemed to return to normal.

[mookie75]

I've been playing for most of every night since I got the game (except Thursday nights, when I have other places to be). Granted, I don't spend all that time on WFC, but I usually find plenty of time for online races. So far I only have four people that have actually reciprocated my friend request, and of those I think G1Ravage is the only one I've caught online.

I finally saw someone online who had three stars by their name. Knowing what that means, I have to say that it is both impressive and a little pathetic... :p I mean, how much time and how many races would it take before the game would allow you to do that well on every race? I mean, this is Mario Kart. You don't achieve perfection by skill alone. You hone the skill, and then you patiently wait for the game to show pity on you and let you have a flawless race here and there. :sweat:

Anyway, I'll probably get a few more weeks out of this one before I get bored. I still haven't touched 150cc, so I haven't even unlocked everything yet.

[SuperPhillip]

No one added me for super happy fun Mario Kart time, so Philly cried.

He plays Boom Blox now.
If you want to race, AIM me.

[Desensitized]

No one added me for super happy fun Mario Kart time, so Philly cried.

He plays Boom Blox now.
If you want to race, AIM me.
I added you! I added everyone here.

I just never see anyone on so I go back to Brawl. Though I guess I'll go back to playing with strangers and hoping someone I can recognize joins. :p

EDIT: Maybe we should pick a date and have a 'TZ night' where someone opens a room and keeps it open while the rest of us can come and go as we please. I've been in a room with Dave (CartoonSage) and that worked pretty well, it would be cool to have more people. And I'd love to play against 11 other people from here.

[Demonic Raven]

The second tournament is officially up. On GBA Battle Course 3, you must go through 10 hoops. Along the way are item boxes all containing a single boost within. Fairly standard stuff.

The catch is...Wii Wheel only! Well, it's the catch for me anyway. *sigh*

So far, my best time is 1:11:918.

[Tanooki]

i've added a good chunk of you. some of you later entrants haven't been added yet since i've recently moved and don't have my wii connected to the net yet, but you will be added eventually. still, doesn't really bug me that i don't play you guys online. to me, playing any of you is the same as playing some random person in the world. the exception is that we can talk about the race after we're done

can't say i'm bored with the game yet. if i get bored with a game, i tend to still play it but then shut it off after five minutes (such as with smash bros). with mario kart, i at least play through 2 or 3 cups before i turn it off, just to see if i get lucky enough to obtain a star ranking in those few tracks i haven't done it in

[SNS]

In one instance, I've seen people just ahead of me fall off the track, only to suddenly appear a little further ahead as if they never fell off. When I fall off, I know it takes a good five to eight seconds before I can continue.

Yeah I have seen that happen. Also people going off road, then they disappear & reappear on track in about one second (& when I say off road I don't mean the kind where you get pulled by Lakitu if you go too far, I mean the kind where you are just on grass & will crash into a wall if you keep going further).

[CartoonSage]

So, how exactiallly do you get BR/VR points? It seems ever race/battle even if i come in first in every match I get like +3 points or something while someone below me gets +70 points or higher! I don't get it.

[Jave]

So, how exactiallly do you get BR/VR points? It seems ever race/battle even if i come in first in every match I get like +3 points or something while someone below me gets +70 points or higher! I don't get it.That's because the points system is handicaped. Someone who is low on points will get tons of points for coming out first, and may get points even if it comes out in the lower half in the race results. Someone with lots of points will pretty much battle for NOT losing points, forcing him to place 1st or 2nd on every race.

So, if the scouter says your point level is over 9000, don't expect getting a hundred points for coming out first. Heck, don't even expect twenty.

[CartoonSage]

So, if the scouter says your point level is over 9000, don't expect getting a hundred points for coming out first. Heck, don't even expect twenty.

I really should have seen this coming, but I didn't.:D

[Tanooki]

nothing's unlocked by getting stars in all the mirror mode retro cups? lame

only four cups to go until i get the star ranking. too bad it's the star and special cups in 150cc and mirror mode...

[Desensitized]

I just had the best battle match online. It was me against two other people on the SNES Battle Course and I dominated them.

They chased me, I stopped and used the mega mushroom and revered and they backed up as well. Creating a reverse chase. They couldn't even hit me because for some reason I was getting good items like a CPU in mirror mode. It also helped that I made tight turns to destroy their red shells.

Although in the last 30 seconds they just quit, giving me the win. :D

[mookie75]

I just had the best battle match online. It was me against two other people on the SNES Battle Course and I dominated them.

They chased me, I stopped and used the mega mushroom and revered and they backed up as well. Creating a reverse chase. They couldn't even hit me because for some reason I was getting good items like a CPU in mirror mode. It also helped that I made tight turns to destroy their red shells.

Although in the last 30 seconds they just quit, giving me the win. :D

I love hitting the brakes with the mega mushroom. I did that once in the mansion stage (I forget the exact name at the moment) because I saw someone come around the corner right behind me. I activated the mushroom, hit the brakes and then enjoyed the nice crash. :p

I had another good moment during the coin game on Delfino Pier. As many of us know, everyone usually rushes up to the new areas once they open up. Well, this last time I stayed down below and kept collecting the coins that kept appearing. I had 15 or so by the time the race was over.

[Mynd Hed]

Random thought-- does Daisy's "Ha ha" when she hits another character with an item remind anyone else of Nelson?

[Jave]

Random thought-- does Daisy's "Ha ha" when she hits another character with an item remind anyone else of Nelson?...

...

It does NOW.

But here's something weird. When you're playing as one of the Baby characters, and Wario goes past you and says "Yeah, baby!", that's just... yeah...

BTW, my best time in the second tournament is 1:11.530

[IanC]

Im glad Daisy doesn't say "Hi i'm Daisy!" anymore.

[Jave]

Well, people are cheating AGAIN (http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=186863) on Time Trial.

I knew some of those times were kinda dodgy...

[mookie75]

Has anybody been trying to beat the "staff ghosts" on the time trials in order to unlock the "fast staff ghosts?" I've got nine left to beat. Is it just me, or was the normal ghost on Yoshi Falls noticeably more difficult to beat than most of the others? I mean really noticeably. When I first started out, I couldn't even believe that I'd finish ahead of him, much less shave a few seconds off his time. In the end I prevailed, but damn....

Maybe I'm just bad at driving through waterfalls.... :p

[Tanooki]

Has anybody been trying to beat the "staff ghosts" on the time trials in order to unlock the "fast staff ghosts?" I've got nine left to beat. Is it just me, or was the normal ghost on Yoshi Falls noticeably more difficult to beat than most of the others? I mean really noticeably. When I first started out, I couldn't even believe that I'd finish ahead of him, much less shave a few seconds off his time. In the end I prevailed, but damn....

Maybe I'm just bad at driving through waterfalls.... :p
i don't even think i went through the waterfalls... k. maybe the first one off my starting boost, but after that i stuck to the wall for the most part

but, yeah, i did a lot of the time trials today and unlocked the medium kart associated with getting 24 staff ghosts. forgot what it's called, but i'll stick with my dolphin dasher and super blooper, thanks

[mookie75]

i don't even think i went through the waterfalls... k. maybe the first one off my starting boost, but after that i stuck to the wall for the most part

but, yeah, i did a lot of the time trials today and unlocked the medium kart associated with getting 24 staff ghosts. forgot what it's called, but i'll stick with my dolphin dasher and super blooper, thanks

Yeah, I got that one too. I forget the name as well, but I tried it tonight and it looks impressive, but doesn't handle that well for me. I still haven't found anything in the medium class that can pull me away from the Super Blooper. Is the Dolphin Dasher a bike? I'm not sure if I have that one or not. I've grown to like the Cheep Cheep kart in the small class -- not necessarily because it's the best small kart, but because it's cute and looks like one of those toy cars that you pull back to wind it up and then let 'er rip. Just put Toadette or Baby Peach in there and you can overload everyone on cuteness. :anime:

I was playing some WFC races tonight and I've decided that the most gratifying accomplishment for me in this game is when I pull off a 1st place in one of those races and it's because I drove like a demon (not because I got a good item at just the right time, or someone else got hit with a good item just at the right time). Those are still pretty rare for me, but they sure are sweet. :p

[Eddy]

Has anyone else added my friend code? Because so far I only see Jave and a whole bunch of question marks.

[DarthGonzo]

Yeah I've noticed that too. About a third of the people from TZ that I've registered don't seem to have added me for whatever reason. I've been playing the game for a few hours the past few nights and I haven't noticed any active friends.

[mookie75]

Eddy: I haven't added you yet, but I'll do that next time I'm on since I currently have only five TZers that have reciprocated my friend request.

DarthGonzo: I added you awhile back. I'm not sure if you're one of the five that are on my list, but I think you aren't...

Everyone else: I added a dozen or so people a couple weeks back. If you got a PM from me telling me you were added, then you were added.


Once again, my friend code is 2020 0347 3804.

[Demonic Raven]

Has anyone else added my friend code? Because so far I only see Jave and a whole bunch of question marks.I just registered you. I'm assuming you're "Ant Girl"?

[Daxdiv]

Has anyone else added my friend code? Because so far I only see Jave and a whole bunch of question marks.

I have your code register, but I haven't touched the Wii in a few days, and I sort of been delaying my playing of Mario Kart Wii for some reason.

[Eddy]

I just registered you. I'm assuming you're "Ant Girl"?
Yep, that's me. I'm not a girl but I wanted to use my Ant Girl Mii for my playable Mii. It was originally myself but they made the Mii of me sound like some sort of demonic baby so I quickly changed Miis.

[Desensitized]

I added everyone in this thread... I don't know what to tell you.

[Jave]

http://www.penny-arcade.com/images/2008/20080425.jpg

[Nel]

Finally bought the game today. After getting royally pissed at the computer's tendency to launch shell after shell of various colors at me, I tried out Wifi. I'm loving that aspect. Sometimes I come in first place, sometimes last. Knowing there's real people out there and that the computer isn't involved in my losing makes it a much more satisfying experience.:D

Race me in Rainbow Road though, and I guarantee I'll come in last. Kind of embarrassing since I'm the one person who kept voting for it.:sweat:

[Desensitized]

If anyone wants to race, I'm going on now. :sweat:

[G1Ravage]

Has anyone else added my friend code? Because so far I only see Jave and a whole bunch of question marks.

I completely forgot to add you. I just did.

The following Friend Codes have not yet registered me back:

4382-2363-0097
0344-9690-5460
0688-5657-2948
4081-5921-4196

Here's my Mario Kart number again: 3222-6057-0763

[G1Ravage]

If anyone wants to race, I'm going on now. :sweat:

You're J from Canada? I'm on my way....

[Eddy]

If anyone's up for it, I just opened up a room. (EDIT: Nevermind, closed the room.)

Also, I've come to the conclusion that Shy Guy Beach sucks.

[TKnHappyNess]

Anyone have a complete list of the Expert Ghosts' names so I can find out which ones I've unlocked and which ones I have yet to?

[Desensitized]

You're J from Canada? I'm on my way....
Tis me. I hate Luigi Circuit. Some great races, though. I just got destroyed on Luigi Circuit and Peach Beach.


Also, I've come to the conclusion that Shy Guy Beach sucks.That too.


If anyone's up for it, I just opened up a room. (EDIT: Nevermind, closed the room.)Crap, missed it.

[mookie75]

Also, I've come to the conclusion that Shy Guy Beach sucks.

I like that one. Even though I run into crabs.....and get blown up by cannonballs......... :shrug:

I had a great Time Trial run in that track ruined because a cannonball landed right on top of me. Now that was a good shot!

[TKnHappyNess]

I like that one. Even though I run into crabs.....and get blown up by cannonballs......... :shrug:

I had a great Time Trial run in that track ruined because a cannonball landed right on top of me. Now that was a good shot!

Just do what the world champion (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-x4G7i38w6E) did for it: Use a vehicle with a high off-road ranking and stick to the shallow waters.

[SNS]

and stick to the shallow waters.

Speaking of which, anyone find it dumb how you fall through the deep water in this game & Mario Kart DS like it's a bottomless pit? Why didn't they make it like it was in Super Mario Kart & Mario Kart Super Circuit, where you are underwater & can move around slowly (if you take too long though, Lakitu will pull you out)?

[Nel]

I'm finding that the only downside of Wifi here is the people's constant voting for Rainbow Road as the track we race on. There are other tracks, it doesn't ALWAYS have to be a race on Rainbow Road (plus I suck on Rainbow Road, lol).

[Tanooki]

I'm finding that the only downside of Wifi here is the people's constant voting for Rainbow Road as the track we race on. There are other tracks, it doesn't ALWAYS have to be a race on Rainbow Road (plus I suck on Rainbow Road, lol).whenever i go online, people want to race one of three tracks-

1. coconut mall
2. snes ghost valley
3. luigi circuit

[Palin Dromos]

Folks might be interested to hear that Nintendo is sending out email requests to gamers about taking a Mario Kart Wii survey. I got one yesterday.
It's mostly rating various elements and statements on a scale of 1 to 10 or 1 to 5. Asking where you heard about the game and bought it. Why you bought it and which other Mario Kart games you own.
It even has a section where you can write out what you really like about the game.
However there is no section where you can explicitly state what you would change about the game. That's mainly why I'm posting, since I had thought there would be a section like that, but there wasn't.
So if anyone else takes the survey you may want to try slipping suggestions into the "What I like About the game" section. I.E. 'I like the team based battle on WiFi, but I miss the free-for-all battle in local multiplayer.' Or some such thing.

The survey seems to be sent out to people who have "My Nintendo " accounts and probably to those who registered the game at Nintendo.com.

There was a question as to whether you would by a sequel to Mario Kart Wii, so they are definetly already looking to the next game.

[TKnHappyNess]

If they do have a sequel, they need more SNES tracks in there. 2 is not enough. It's just proof that they're lazy when it comes to redoing 2D tracks into 3D since there were also 2 GBA tracks. All the other games had 4 represented.

[Daxdiv]

If they make yet another Mario Kart for the Wii, what I want from them is the following two from my experience from playing

1. NO MORE BABIES- Why are we getting so many babies, is there a baby boom going on in the Mushroom kingdom

2. All the Race Tracks- If possible, I would like to see all the race tracks from all the games on one disc. Of course throw some new ones in there so it doesn't look like

3. Better graphics- It looks more like a GameCube game port in that department.

[TKnHappyNess]

The only games that have the most tracks are the SNES and GBA games. They each had 20 to start with, while the others have only 16, with the 16 others being retro tracks for the DS and Wii games. I'm not counting the SNES tracks on Super Circuit.

[Desensitized]

I've got a room open right now. Crono is in there with me, though he just took a 3 minutes break. Anybody interested?

[CartoonSage]

Ya, c'mon! join up! 2 people isn't enough.

[Eddy]

I'm on my way if you guys are still there.

[Tanooki]

i'd join but either i don't see the room or desensitized hasn't added me or i haven't added him

researching it now

EDIT: nevermind. room is closed apparently

EDIT 2: k. now i got the message that a room was open (it was colored purple?) but when i went to join, i got a message saying i couldn't. anybody have an idea as to what's happening?

[mookie75]

Has anyone else been having occasional problems connecting to the WFC with Mario Kart? There have been a few times in recent nights that I couldn't connect, but if I went out to the Wii menu and tested the connection it was fine. I've been assuming it's a Mario Kart server thing (although tonight I think it was an isp thing for awhile...).

[Desensitized]

i'd join but either i don't see the room or desensitized hasn't added me or i haven't added him

researching it now

EDIT: nevermind. room is closed apparently

EDIT 2: k. now i got the message that a room was open (it was colored purple?) but when i went to join, i got a message saying i couldn't. anybody have an idea as to what's happening?If we're in a match, the room is closed. You can't enter until it reopens after the match is done. Kinda annoying, I know.

Good races, everyone. It was pretty tight there. I went from first to last several times.

[Eddy]

I'm still kicking myself over that race at Rainbow Road. I was in first, the finish line was RIGHT in front of me but, at the last second, I slip and fall off the stage.

I went from first to fifth.

[Tanooki]

i like how anything can happen when you're facing friends online. we all know everyone else's tricks, so there's no real surprises. makes for some interesting match ups. i went from tying for last in the first set of races to getting first in the second set

[Jave]

I'm still kicking myself over that race at Rainbow Road. I was in first, the finish line was RIGHT in front of me but, at the last second, I slip and fall off the stage.

I went from first to fifth.Those were some fun races, though. It was great finally having a big race against all of you guys.

It was even more fun because I won. :anime:

[Desensitized]

FUNKY STADIUM!

...
My favorite part of the races was the fact people were actually hit by my bananas and green shells. I always seem to miss with those in normal matches.

[Eddy]

FUNKY STADIUM!
FUNKY STADIUM!
FUNKY STADIUM!
FUNKY STADIUM!

I still haven't really figured out who I'm "best" with. Though I'm quite fond of Rosalina in the Shooting Star.

[Demonic Raven]

...that "Funky Stadium!" crap was all my fault. I don't even like that stage, it's too big! Yet, I still rallied support just by spamming the message. :sweat:

Can we all agree on one thing? Boosts don't help on Rainbow Road. I swear, I got like ten Golden Mushrooms in one race...it wasn't pretty.

[CartoonSage]

...that "Funky Stadium!" crap was all my fault. I don't even like that stage, it's too big! Yet, I still rallied support just by spamming the message. :sweat:

Can we all agree on one thing? Boosts don't help on Rainbow Road. I swear, I got like ten Golden Mushrooms in one race...it wasn't pretty.

No, they make things WORSE for me. I got a million of those frickin' things and you lose significant control, especially when there's lots of turns, oh yeah! And falling off the edge is always a threat aswell.

[Eddy]

Can we all agree on one thing? Boosts don't help on Rainbow Road. I swear, I got like ten Golden Mushrooms in one race...it wasn't pretty.
I use powerslide boosts all the time at Rainbow Road. Mushrooms can actually aid at one of the turns as it helps you skip the turn completely and jump over it. It's just pretty tricky to time and, if you miss, you're screwed.

Also, I managed to miss a blue shell that someone fired at one of our Rainbow Road races. It was right behind me, I freaked out, and used my item I had at the time, which was a mushroom, and I managed to escape the explosion! Needless to say I felt quite awesome.

[Desensitized]

Also, I managed to miss a blue shell that someone fired at one of our Rainbow Road races. It was right behind me, I freaked out, and used my item I had at the time, which was a mushroom, and I managed to escape the explosion! Needless to say I felt quite awesome.Figures, the ONE time I get a blue shell. :sweat:

It seems very few items are really useful on Rainbow Road aside from Lightning when someone goes off a jump.



............. Funky Stadium!

[Tanooki]

it's pretty much a given that if i'm on your team for battlemode, you're going to lose :sweat:

I'M USING MY WII WHEEL!

[IanC]

Has anyone else been having occasional problems connecting to the WFC with Mario Kart? There have been a few times in recent nights that I couldn't connect, but if I went out to the Wii menu and tested the connection it was fine. I've been assuming it's a Mario Kart server thing (although tonight I think it was an isp thing for awhile...).

I have ahd that happen once or twice. Usually its Wii WFC thats down (DS WFC games still work)

[mookie75]

Well, I finally manage to get gold trophies in every cup. I'm not exactly sure how, but I even managed to get a single star rating on Mirror Mode Special Cup. I'll consider that a good thing since it means I don't have to revisit it if I go for stars on all cups (at least, not if I'm going for only one star). The funny thing is, I only got an A grade on Mirror Mode Lightning Cup even though I got a much better score and simply drove better all around. This ranking system really is fickle sometimes.

I also unlocked the final "fast" staff ghost last night. I have to give some thanks to Eddy for inadvertently helping me beat the Rainbow Road ghost. I'd never even considered using a mushroom to jump over a gap in any portion of that track, but that's how I eventually shaved some seconds after my time. I'm skeptical regarding whether or not I'd have beaten that ghost by enough seconds without doing that. For those who are wondering what gap I jumped over, it's that first big turn after you go past the two circular holes in the middle of the track. The track turns one direction, and then the other immediately after, but I used the mushroom to jump over the pit and land just before the second turn. It was a pain in the butt to get the timing and trajectory right, but in the end I was able to do it three times in one race (although I'm sure I couldn't do that every time :sweat:).

I know I still have some things to unlock, but I'm not sure I have the energy to go for a star rating on every cup.....

[SuperPhillip]

http://gonintendo.com/?p=44150#comments

Next tournament is a boss battle against Topman from SMG! :D

[Jave]

Tournament #3 is up! Push the Topman Team off the Giant Platform!

Best time: 00:49.681

[Demonic Raven]

00.36.058

Wow...that level looked like it was straight out of Galaxy! This was one heck of an event..I wasn't expecting anything like this!