Netferarri
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You wouldn’t think 60 frames per second and high-definition graphics would make a big difference in a series like Mario Kart, but it really does.
At a recent public Best Buy Nintendo E3 preview event, I went hands-on with Mario Kart 8 for a short period of time. One thing is for sure, Mario Kart 8 will be the game that finally gets people to purchase the Wii U. It looks absolutely breath-taking.
Classic courses like Boo’s Haunted Mansion and the ever-familiar Mario Circuit will return, but Mario Kart 8 also spices things up by including wacky anti-gravity sections in new tracks. This new feature is jarring at first because it allows the player to race upside down and on walls. The karts also turn to the side a little bit when in anti-gravity mode. At first this looks and feels a little awkard, but it starts to feel natural after a short period of time.
[video=youtube;NA6CAgv6p6g]http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=NA6CAgv6p6g[/video]
While I didn’t get a change to try it, Mario Kart 8 is set to feature up to 12 players online and, since the Wii U’s online scene is in dire need of more content, this is great to hear.
Players can control their kart using either the Wii U’s GamePad, a Wiimote and Nunchuck, or just a Wiimote. A quick screen tap switches between motion and button-based controllers. I’ve never been a fan of tilt-based controls for any racing title, especially the Mario Kart franchise. I tried it briefly with Mario Kart 8 and it works, but it’s just not for me.
Using actual tactile buttons give you much more control over your kart’s direction. Also, if you’re going to power slide with accuracy, not using motion controls is a necessity.
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Features introduced to the series in Mario Kart 7, like gliders and the ability to drive underwater, will be included in Mario Kart 8. Motorcyles as well as different kart classes are also making a return in Mario Kart 8. Waluigi and Toadette also return.
Interestingly, the track I played through seemed to feature more secret paths than older Mario Kart circuits. Also, the coins that were re-introduced in Mario Kart 7 (another solid entry in the Mario Kart series) are back. Nintendo hasn’t revealed any specifics about this yet, but I imagine all those coins I picked will have some sort of purpose. Just like in Mario Kart 7, they’ll be used to upgrade your Kart.
I’m hoping the online multiplayer clan-like community system that made Mario Kart 7′s online mode so compelling makes its way to the Wii U. It was a great way to extend the game’s life and is still the most comprehensive multiplayer mode Nintendo has ever included in one of their titles.
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Mario Kart 8 is unfortunately set for a 2014 release date so Wii U owners, who I’m sure will be eagerly anticipating this title, still have a while to wait before they can take Mario and friends around the track for another spin.
