Full Review for Mario Kart Wii by pokefreak934

Introduction

The newest addition to the series of MarioKart titles, the Wii game definitely doesn't disappoint. Possibly one of the best games out there for this platform, MarioKart Wii is fun, exciting, simple to learn but with many different elements. Race the clock, computers, friends, or players from around the world. Tired of racing? Battle mode has two different games to try. Use a bike or a kart, and select from multiple characters - more of which unlock as you progress. Race to increase your WFC ranking online. Learn the shortest and fastest routes through 32 different courses, and if you can beat them all? Try them flipped!

Graphics

This game's graphics are the best MarioKart graphics so far. The characters, karts and bikes, action, and courses all look amazing. Courses brought back from other games are refined to maximum quality. New courses to the Wii game are treats for the eyes, filled with visual aspects that may end up distracting you from the road! You may even notice some familiar faces scattered around...

The action of the game is portrayed flawlessly. Even online, it moves at pace and with the utmost quality. The vehicle's movement matches yours perfectly, and items create special visual effects, like the new addition of a blooper that sprays your screen with ink, cutting your visibility.

Sound

The sound is amazing, simple as that. The tunes that play as you race reflect the course, speeding up the tempo for the final lap. They are the classic Mario-type songs that you will still find yourself humming two weeks later.

As for the actual vehicles, the karts and bikes revv like in real life, and bumps and crashes sound perfect. The sound effects from the course, like honking trucks on Moonview Highway or the tumbling of boulders down the side of DK Mountain, all draw you into the environment. Special sounds like those from items or speed boosts as you do a trick during a jump all add to the overall effect.

All the sounds in this game are clear and bring you into the action.

Gameplay

Choose a character, bike or kart, and a course, and then ready-set-go! Use the Wii Wheel to increase the fun as you turn your wheel to move the steering wheel of the vehicle, exactly mirroring your motions. MarioKart Wii is a fast-paced, action-filled game, a lot more entertaining than most racing games because of the unpredictable items and courses, which can change the outcome of a race in a heartbeat. Sabotage your rivals with shells, fake item boxes, and bananas like the good old days, or destroy everything in your path with exciting new items like Bullet Bill. Is it a race, or is it war???

The main goal of the game is to earn gold trophies in each of the "grand prix" races, which consist of four separate races and total your points for your place in each one. Beat them all in karts in 50cc, then move on with bikes in 100cc, and then win in a field open to both. Next, take on the mirror races, where right turns go left and vice versa.

Race multiplayer with friends, against them or together on a team. The controls are easy to learn for a new player, especially using the Wii Wheel.

Bored of the classic race? Race the clock in time trials, and compare your best times to friends' or people around the world. If you're trying to beat another player's time, race their ghost to compare with your own speed.

Two battle games are offered in MarioKart Wii: the classic Balloon Battle and the all-new Coin Runners. In Balloon Battle, try to pop the opposing team's balloons with items, but don't get hit yourself! Collect as many coins as you can in Coin Runners, and try to steal the other team's by hitting them with items. But again, watch your back as others are coming after you!

The final element of MarioKart Wii is online play, WFC. Connect through the Internet, and endless opponents await. Increase your ranking in friend, regional or worldwide competition by winning races or placing higher than your ranking would predict, but be careful not to do poorly or your rank will go down! Compete with friends or family to see who can maintain the highest score, or allow a partner to join you online and help you win the race!

Lastability

You could play this game for weeks without getting bored. It has many different aspects, including 32 different courses for racing (with four different "levels"), and around a dozen for battling. If you don't feel like racing computers, face off with a ghost, friends, or on WFC. Trying to fill up the trophy marks on your driver's license alone can take a while, and increasing your rank online also can entertain for a long time.

This is also one that you can put down for a month or two and then pick up again and get right back into it. You don't have to play it continuously to enjoy it fully. Just make sure you practice before hopping back into WFC!

Overall

This game is a must-have for anyone who enjoys racing games. The Wii Wheel enhances game play so you feel like you're actually driving the kart or bike. The numerous aspects of the game ensure that it won't get boring very fast. Multiplayer also increases the fun as it's a great game to play with friends! Online play is one of the best features of the game, posing a constant challenge from competitive players worldwide, all fighting desperately to defend their rank.

Final Score: 98%