Mario Kart Wii What’s the premise?
Publisher: Nintendo
Platforms: Wii
Rating: E – Everyone
Game type: Racing
Rating: **** 1/2 (out of five)
Grab a hold of your Wii wheel (and no that’s no a euphemism) and get ready for the green flag to drop as Mario Kart finally makes the move onto Nintendo’s latest system. Using this new device — essentially just a steering wheel-shaped case for your motion-sensitive Wii-mote — you’ll be able to get right into the racing action as you choose from one of two dozen classic characters, a garage full of different vehicles and 32 wild tracks.
This game is most similar to…?
Mario Kart Double Dash!! for GameCube.
Is it suitable for younger gamers?
My nearly five-year-old son is already enraptured by this game. He does, however, get very frustrated by the mischievous tactics of the other racers who insist upon throwing turtle shells and banana peels at his racers.
One player or more?
Like the best Nintendo games, Mario Kart Wii is definitely best when shared, whether in the comfort of your own living room with up to three others, or online, where up to 12 racers can hit the road.
The (not-so) secret to success is…?
This may sound overly simple, but stay on the road. Any other substances, from mud to sand to water will always slow you down and with generally slim margins between finishing first and 12th, staying on the best surface available is a great way to widen the gap.
What’s missing?
A way to dodge those nasty blue turtle shells that knock you off course right when you’re about to cross the finish line. But seriously, as fun and family friendly as this game looks, it’s actually pretty cutthroat and some of the higher levels will challenge even the most veteran Kart racer.
And in the end?
Like all its predecessors, Mario Kart Wii is an instant classic and a must-own game.
