Mario Kart Wii Update

[Crossblades]

IGN: Mario Kart Update

With Smash Bros. at last out (in Japan, at least), Nintendo appears to have penciled in Mario Kart as its next big title. We're assuming that much, considering the unexpected blowout on the game in the latest issue of Famitsu.

The Wii installment of the cart racer that started it all looks like it's going to have lots of variety. Famitsu reveals a total of 32 courses, with 16 remakes of old courses, and 16 completely new courses. New courses include Mario Circuit, Momo Country, Kinopio Factory, DK Snowboard Cross, Coconuts Mall, Kinoko Canyon, and Luigi Circuit.

Some of these courses will put a new feature of the karts to use: mid-air tricks! Karts and bikes are both capable of performing actions and tricks in the air. Get a trick just right, and your cart will perform a dash upon landing.

In addition to a ton of content, Mario Kart Wii will have some serious multiplayer options. The game will include Wi-Fi based play for up to 12 players. You'll be able to select to play against players from throughout the world, players in your country, and players on your friend list.

As part of the new network mode, Nintendo will be making use of the Wii's Channel interface in yet another unique way. We're not sure of the specifics, but it seems that you'll be able to install a Mario Kart Channel to your Wii hub to view world rankings as well as your own records.

Going along with the Wi-Fi multiplayer play, Nintendo will be giving players a means of customizing the game. You'll be able to make your very own Mii ride a bike or kart, adding that bit of you to online races.

The online mode will also expand the single player fun. The game will offer downloadable ghost data, so you can play against some of the best players.

Not big on the whole internet thing? In addition to the Wi-Fi play, the game will also let players play together the old fashioned way: through split screen for up to four.

With this Famitsu blowout just hitting Japan, we expect the Nintendo marketing machine to start getting into gear and remind everyone why Mario Kart is so great. If, as a part of that initiative, we get a chance to sample the Wii installment in advance, you can be sure we'll let you know.

[Marshall Banana]

I love racing as Bowser, and I hope that there is a course in which we can run over Toads in the next installment of Mario Kart!

[KentaRawr!]

I wonder if we'll be seeing the Kart-Selection systems from Mario Kart DS and Double Dash.

[Crossblades]

I wonder if we'll be seeing the Kart-Selection systems from Mario Kart DS and Double Dash.

Well in this version you have an option of playing with a bike or a kart, so I'd have to say yeah

[Evastio]

Oooh, racing as Miis will be fun. I hope you'll be able to customize the Miis' kart stats as if they're custom characters.

I also hope that they don't get rid of too many characters (like Koopa Troopa who was my best character in the original).

[Rase]

This is all well and good, but I'll want to see how this plays first. I must admit I'm still skeptical about the controls (wiggling your hands back and forth to power slide may get old fast). Still, I trust Nintendo enough to not royally screw over a major franchise like this.

[NeoCracker]

This is about the only Racer I enjoy.

So I am highly estatic about it.
Makes me feel like a little school girl again.

[JKTrix]

More images

[Marshall Banana]

Bowser is huge!

Smash 'em, Bowser!

[Evastio]

So does this one also have Snake in it?

Seriously though, one time I had this weird dream where Snake was in the next Mario Party game. Hopefully, they won't be sticking any third party characters this time.

[Rase]

You never know.

[Evastio]

Oh.

I guess there are worse characters.

[Shoeberto]

I really hope these shots are early, 'cause the graphics are pretty bad right now.

I know it shouldn't be a big deal, but considering the visual polish Nintendo have been putting on all of their other recent games, jagged characters, blocky levels and low-res textures just seem disappointing.

[Crossblades]

Nintendo confirms NA release date

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Nintendo of America today made the surprising announcement that Mario Kart Wii is set for a stateside release this April. April 27 to be precise. Previously, NOA suggested that Kart Wii might arrive after the May debut of Wii Fit, but apparently that is not the case.

"Mario Kart for Wii transforms one of our most popular franchises into a race that every member of the family can enjoy," said Cammie Dunaway, NOA's executive vice president of sales and marketing. "Driving work the Wii Wheel could not be more natural, and this is one place where speeding is encouraged."

Mario Kart Wii comes packaged with the Wii Wheel. In addition to a wide selection of new tracks and vehicles, the title features a 12-player online component and compatibility with multiple different controller configurations.

We'll have more on the game soon.

[Breine]

I'm currently addicted to Mario Kart: Double Dash, and the fact that I don't have a Wii so that I can play this Mario Kart Wii when it comes out really bugs me.