Mario Kart. I shouldn't really have to describe the game since by this point out should be kind of an institution. It's been around since the SNES and has had an iteration on every Nintendo console and handheld since then (save for the Virtual Boy but that doesn't really count). I own and have played each one except for the one on 3DS, solely because it would probably be the only game I would own on that system and I don't know if it's worth it for one game, even if that game is Mario Kart. So how does this one, the eighth one in the series stack up? It's the best one yet, save for one glaring issue.
What's new?
The question on most everyone's minds is what this game brings to the table. I'll try to talk about the ones that affect the game the most.
1. Anti-gravity - in certain sections of the track you can now race up walls, kind of like FZero. It opens up a whole different way of playing.
2. Super Horn - they actually introduced a weapon that can counter the blue shell. The problem? It's just as scarce.
3. Glider - not really a game changer by any means. Definitely not as cool as the planes in Sonic All-Star Racing Transformed or even Diddy Kong Racing but still useful when interacting with shells or the lightning bolt.
4. Underwater - you can now drive underwater. The karts control a little different. Coolest part? The music changes to sound more muffled.
5. Customizations - in addition to picking the character and type of vehicle, you can customize your glider and your tires which changes how the kart handles and overall performance.
What I liked
1. The handling - control is crucial in this game and fortunately it handles like the proverbial dream. Everything is intuitive and responsive and it feels tight, unlike the Wii version which sometimes felt like it would slip. Let it be known that I played on the pro pad and gamepad not with a Wii wheel or Wiimote so I'm not sure how those would compare.
2. New levels - there is seriously some great track design here. Koopa's Castle and Toad Harbor are big standouts for me.
3. Redone tracks - I like how they redid tracks to take advantage of the gliding and anti-gravity. Plus the re-scored music sounds amazing now that they're orchestral. The N64 Rainbow Road is my favorite.
4. Return of Coins - remember how in the original Mario Kart you collected coins to help you go faster? It's back. While the speed boost is minuscule, it is there. Suddenly the weight of your character matters much more because of this.
5. 1080p graphics - this is a gorgeous game. While I've never been a graphics whore, I can easily say this is the best the series has looked. There are birds that fly about, snow flakes that fall, and flashing lights all over the place. Small details that really make the world come alive. Like when you start the race on Toad Harbor and there is a light mist over the track.
What I didn't like
1. Battle mode - this is the glaring issue I mentioned earlier. Why did they simply use tracks from the Grand Prix instead of actual battle arenas? It just feels like a race where people go in both directions and too much time goes by where you might not see anyone because the tracks are so long. Bad move Nintendo.
2. Doesn't really make use of the gamepad - it can be your map, double your TV screen, or be your horn. That's it. I can't even use it as a dedicated screen in multiplayer like in Sonic All-Star Racing? Seriously? At least I can use it for off TV play.
3. Cannot hold weapons and pick up new ones - so you can't drag a shell behind you and pick up another weapon, thereby giving you two weapons at a time. I can see where it makes the game more fair but it's weird after having a couple games that allowed it.
In Conclusion
I love the game. It feels like the culmination of what Mario Kart is. It's got the coins from the SNES, the hop from the N64, the drifting and drafting from the Wii, plus a host of new features. The only real issue is the disappointing battle mode. The game is fun. Reminds me of my college days. There is a very simple not that comes out of playing games like this and honestly, no other kart game does it better. Sonic was the closest a 3rd party got but there's no denying that Mario is still king.
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