Mario Kart Wii, Mario Kart Wii, oh when will we get to play you, Mario Kart Wii?
Well, Spring is all that’s really said regarding a North American release date, unfortunately, while Europe has a much more specific April 11th to anticipate. On the other hand, we get to see Brawl two days prior, while they won’t see it until Autumn.
Until then, Games Radar has come through with a bountiful pile of new screens, and from those, much information can be gleaned about the new title.
From what the screens show off, Super NES Mario Kart tracks Ghost Valley and Mario Circuit return, along with Mario Kart 64’s Moo-Moo Ranch, and Peach’s castle looms large in the background of a course that runs through the streets of Toad Town.
Plus, the penguins of Super Mario 64 are back, wondering why you’re driving on their lawn and over their feet.
More peeks at the Mii integration can be seen, and what is theorized as a “Champion Ghost” mode, which is a Time Attack mode on the Mario Kart channel that launches alongside the game, offering access to rankings and online races.
Control options include the Wii Wheel with Wii Remote installed, the Wii Remote by itself, the Classic Controller, GameCube controller, and for the clinically insane, the Wii Remote/Nunchuck combo. Actually, we kid, it might not be as unfavorable as it’s reported to be for Super Smash Bros. Brawl, with whom the game shares its myriad of control schemes.
4-player split-screen returns for local matches, and of course tricks are in play, though GR believes they won’t be integral; rather, they’d be more for show, and perhaps to get a quick speed-boost upon landing.
Nintendo is promising some never-before-seen characters to the series, which is already validated by Baby Peach; GR speculates that while we may not see Solid Snake, maybe Samus will put in an appearance?
As for Sonic, he seems unlikely as well. But then, there have been rumors that say he was slated for Mario Kart: Double Dash!!, but Yuji Naka and the Mario Kart team couldn’t reach an agreement on how he would be implemented. It’s said that Naka insisted Sonic be allowed to run on foot, as he wouldn’t need a car (Sonic Drift notwithstanding, apparently), and of course, that’s just not how Mario Kart is done.
But with Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games and Super Smash Bros. Brawl behind them (and Naka out of SEGA), who can say for sure?
The game is slated to feature 16 new tracks alongside 16 returning classics, and on top of that, 10 Battle Arenas for some balloon-busting action.
But what really sets Mario Kart Wii apart from the games which came before it? Online action, with up to 12 racers from around the world competing for gold.
One screen shows off what appears to be gold coins– whether these are for gradual speed increases as in the very first game, or are simply part of a challenge such as those found in Mario Kart DS, is unknown.
Each racer appears to have a choice of a go-kart, a motorcycle, a more soapbox racer-like/kart hybrid, and even a custom sports car of some type, as can be seen at the top of this page, and maybe even more (motorized strollers, anyone?). The karts appear to be tailored for size, too, as Bowser no longer looks quite so crunched inside the tiny metal frame that comprised the rides of the early days.
What is perhaps a more fitting course for Wario is introduced, in Wario’s Gold Mine, which sees racers zooming along rickety minecart tracks through the mountains; Waluigi appears to have taken over Wario’s stadium, and another stage features the famous giant mushroom-tops which have been around ever since World 4-3 of the original Super Mario Bros.
Other new courses include what appears to be a construction site which features giant bulldozers, whose shovels appear to act as halfpipes of sorts. Another looks like a Mushroom Kingdom shopping mall with traversable escalators.
The year is looking to shape up nicely for fans of Nintendo multiplayer mayhem. Check back with Kombo for more details on this title and when it will be available in America.
