Wii owners will be able to get their hands on the latest iteration of the classic Nintendo gaming series Mario Kart on April 27, Nintendo announced yesterday.

The game will come with a "Wii Wheel" peripheral (think the hunk of crap that came with Excite Truck) so those who wish to may get their imaginary drive on. Alternate control support is also available.

The title will feature online play (such as it is on the Wii) for up to 12 drivers, and will have 32 courses (some are simply rehashed from earlier titles) from which to choose. There will be Mii integration, so you'll have the chance use your particular Mini You in the game, which is marginally cool.

There will be no smack talk aside from preset phrases of Nintendo's choosing. (LAMELAMELAMELAME!!)

But, if you're a fan of the series, and you're looking for the same old MK style of fun, you won't be disappointed.

...Wii wheel Wii wheel rock you...sorry, I had to.

Tags : mario : Mario Kart : Mario Kart Wii : Nintendo : release date : Wii : Wii Wheel

Comments

By: Corrine

On: 10:15 Mar 12th, 2008
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It was supposed to come out the second of April, it's been delayed? Boo. That's just crap. I'm not excited about this at all. :P

By: Evren

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On: 11:18 Mar 12th, 2008
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I swear I've heard people in America that already have it.
Am I going insane then? O_o

By: boa

On: 11:28 Mar 12th, 2008
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Same here, I've had at least two people tell me that their US friends have the game. I am now confused.

As for the date, all I can say is lucky US, poor Europe. Again....

By: Magus

On: 12:20 Mar 12th, 2008
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I'm getting this game, no matter how much Chance tries to knock it down into the mud. I doubt I'll really care about the wheel that comes along with it. I'll most likely be using the alternate control schemes.

By: ApplesauceNinja

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On: 09:26 Mar 12th, 2008
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Magus, I wasn't trying to knock the game into the mud. Quite the contrary,
I've always kind of liked the MK series. I just contend that Nintendo could
have done so much more with this iteration. The only thing I think is truly
lame about this game is the preset phrases instead of allowing players a way
to engage in real time voice chat.

Ditch that and the stupid beyond belief friend code system, and this title
could have really shone brightly. I still think this title will be a lot of fun.
I just think the Big N needs to get their s**t together about its online
components.

By: boa

On: 08:02 Mar 13th, 2008
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They need to be uber child safe though, remember.

By: Magus

On: 10:36 Mar 13th, 2008
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ApplesauceNinja;44817

Magus, I wasn't trying to knock the game into the mud. Quite the contrary,
I've always kind of liked the MK series. I just contend that Nintendo could
have done so much more with this iteration. The only thing I think is truly
lame about this game is the preset phrases instead of allowing players a way
to engage in real time voice chat.

Ditch that and the stupid beyond belief friend code system, and this title
could have really shone brightly. I still think this title will be a lot of fun.
I just think the Big N needs to get their s**t together about its online
components.

So people should be wearing those stupid headsets? Like when playing XBL? What's the point?

By: Dragonfly

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On: 06:40 Mar 13th, 2008
Online

Shakuya;44785

I swear I've heard people in America that already have it.
Am I going insane then? O_o

boa;44791

Same here, I've had at least two people tell me that their US friends have the game. I am now confused.

As for the date, all I can say is lucky US, poor Europe. Again....

Whoever told you that is talking crap. It's definately not out in the US yet.

Magus;44851

So people should be wearing those stupid headsets? Like when playing XBL? What's the point?

So you can talk to people while playing the game? And because people usually play games with their friends, and don't want to feel like they're in an isolated room by themselves while playing the game online?

It's a bit strange creating online games where you can't even communicate with the other players. It's also pretty difficult to play most online games without vocal communication, especially cooperative ones.

I have to agree with chance. The game looks like it'll be good, but it reeks of... just not trying. And the wheel just looks stupid novelty value.

By: Magus

On: 09:24 Mar 15th, 2008
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Michael;44888

I have to agree with chance. The game looks like it'll be good, but it reeks of... just not trying. And the wheel just looks stupid novelty value.

Alot of the Wii is stupid novelty value.

By: ApplesauceNinja

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On: 10:03 Mar 15th, 2008
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It's not that I'm a huge fan of the headset, but as Michael said, it is nice
to be able to chat with your friends while playing online. Sony is actually
coming up with a novel way of communicating without a headset.

There is a version of the PS3 Camera coming down the pike that has a built
in mic that contains four speakers spread into some sort of array that allows
for the user to hear and be heard with no problem whatsoever. You simply
speak. That's all. No headsets required.

If it weren't for the fact that I don't want cameras on any of my consoles,
especially the online ones, I'd snap this thing up in a hurry. I'm a bit paranoid
about turning my console into a glorified cctv.

I know for a fact that the US government uses laptop cams and Onstar
and the like to spy on its citizens. Why make the job any easier for them?

But, back to the point at hand...I think it's arse ridiculous that Nintendo doesn't allow voice chat on the Wii. Inexplicably, they have it for the
DS, so I don't get their logic at all.

Do I love the headset? No. But, it's the best thing going for voice chat
at the moment.

By: Magus

On: 09:33 Mar 17th, 2008
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Since the DS and Wii can communicate, why not just use the DS mic/headset thing for the DS on the Wii. Something Nintendo can pick up on.

By: Dragonfly

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On: 09:38 Mar 17th, 2008
Online

Magus;44941

Alot of the Wii is stupid novelty value.

Yes it is, and it's the "novelty value" games I don't care for.

I would just like to think that Mario Kart is one of the franchises that isn't just "novelty value". If they can build a solid gaming experience without novelty with Mario Sunshine and Super Smash Bros. Brawl, they can do it with Mario Kart Wii.

Magus;45067

Since the DS and Wii can communicate, why not just use the DS mic/headset thing for the DS on the Wii. Something Nintendo can pick up on.

Because Nintendo are incredibly uptight about internet security. They're promoting themselves as an all inclusive family company, which means they're going to do everything to avoid the kind of controversy that comes with internet social interaction at all costs.

Sadly, that means all online Wii games will be little more than faceless versus battles.

By: Magus

On: 09:46 Mar 17th, 2008
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Michael;45071

Because Nintendo are incredibly uptight about internet security. They're promoting themselves as an all inclusive family company, which means they're going to do everything to avoid the kind of controversy that comes with internet social interaction at all costs.

Sadly, that means all online Wii games will be little more than faceless versus battles.

"Oh noes! Mah babeh's meetin' people on tha intarwebz! Now I will zue Nintendo'n fora miljion bucks! They be hearnin' her talk and everythin'"

Despite the Whiil being a part of this package, I'm still hoping Mario Kart Wii is going to be a great game. I just wish they hadn't recycled so many of the tracks. Come up with something new, please!