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E3 '07: Mario Kart Wii Trailer Impressions

Nintendo pulls the veil off of its newest installment of the Mario Kart franchise.

137 Comments

At Nintendo's E3 07 press conference this morning, the company dropped a bomb that all Mario Kart fans have been anticipating for some time: the debut of the franchise on the Wii. During Reggie Fils-Aime's presentation, he unveiled the new entry via a trailer that showed off some gameplay.

Click to enlarge!
Click to enlarge!

Immediately, the new Mario Kart strikes one, at least visually, as being highly reminiscent of what was seen in Mario Kart: Double Dash!! for the GameCube, though it's a bit sharper overall. Several memorable Mario characters were on display driving their respective karts, including the titular hero himself, Luigi, Princess Peach, Toad, Yoshi, and Baby Mario. The footage of the game was limited, mostly showing quick cuts of the various racers darting around a variety of tracks that seemed wholly appropriate for the franchise. One notable point in the trailer was that the dual-character component of Double Dash!! was absent here. Each character was riding solo on his or her respective kart.

But bigger than any of the above were two other announcements. One was the announcement that this new iteration of Mario Kart would feature full online support, and the second was the projected release date of early next year. We'll be sure to bring you more on Mario Kart Wii as it becomes available.

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schwass

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There are two games i am really excited about. Mario Kart Wii & Super Smash Bros. Brawl Brawl isn't out in Australia Yet :(

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kcwsk8

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when will this game come out i got excited when i saw Q1 but then it changed to Q2 i hope it wont be a disappointment

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dj_jesus

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ohhhhhhh myyyyyyyyyy goooooooooooooddddd I love mario cart i cant wait for it to come out im gonna buy smash bros first though :D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:

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duckshoe

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I must say, however, that playing Double Dash with young children was extremely enjoyable. I will miss that two-player peripheral, but I get a sneaking suspicion that Nintendo picked up on that, considering the popularity with all ages.

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swissusadude

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This along with Super Smash Bros. Brawl are on my top list for games I plan to buy

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TheMinority16

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really looking forward to this game.

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waZelda

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Personally I found MK 64 better than Double Dash. I think it is great that they go back to single kart.

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daysanew

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Can't wait, I loved double dash and this looks like it will be more fun.

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kcweezkid

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can't wait. come out soon please.

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Weemanrulez

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Mario kart 64 was my fav being the one game I played the most as a child and the ds version was beast too Ooooh how I envy the one with the lightning GRRR!!! just hope this game keeps the elements of the old games but with a few new additions without going too far and wrecking a masterpiece.

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deactivated-64b7010800769

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Dang, I gotta get this. Glad I have a Wii.

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nickythenewt21

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I thought it was supposed to come out in January. Hopefully it comes out soon.

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so_hai

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I'm sick of playing this game in the same format though - I wish they would add a new dimension to the gameplay, or some new modes that weren't so item-heavy. We don't need another Mariokart DS.

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KriobaKeys

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I really can't wait for this game to come out, the graphics looks so polished and solid,and the new cars look awsome!

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Wallii

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MK ds was very sweet i think the best in series of MK but i really have grate expectation on this, i can't wait

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waZelda

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I hope this is an improvment in the series and that there is a lot of new features and cooler courses. I certainly hope that it is not just double dash with online support.

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mickstar28

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i can imagine its the stick to turn, a/b to acclerate/break and diff throwing motions to launch shells and ****

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Corrupted19

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I am really fed up with this game. The release dat says Q1 of 2008. That could be in a few weeks or months. If it does come out in a few weeks or even the first quarter shouldnt we have just a little more information then 3 screenshots. I mean, brawl has been pushed back a dozen times but at least they give us tons of information. I would just like to know more about this game and when its going to be released. Ten bucks says it gets pushed back just like brawl. Dissapointing

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lilkikerman4450

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i hope this game is a mix of double dash and mario kart 64 ds but with new tracks!!! and maybe some new characters

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angelg2

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I hope This game is not like Mario Kart Double dash. I am hoping that its the same features as the mario kart for gameboy Advance.

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kylegoncalves

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cant wait for this game!!

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LinkFAN333

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Man i want this game!

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Darkhawk_64

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best game ever!

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lucasbadong

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racing with the wii steering wheel is actually easyer than you would expect. You would think that the controls would be clunky like those steering wheels for other consols, but it actually has really good controls

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toxicsludge56

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i cant wait

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jazziey

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...Who cares about graphics on this game. Its going to be the best just like all the other ones

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cfett199

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For racing games, graphics should not be in focus, for the developer or the player, since its to fast paced to make any difference in what you see in the environment. MK has never gone wrong and with online, it will be just as good if not better than its WiFi enabled prequel, MK DS. One thing that may not be so comforting will the the whole Wiimote turning it like a wheel thing since this will really be a restraint cuz i don't think i can go two hours steering a wheel like crazy while holding it up but hey, guess that part of the challenge

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busterburg91

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Mario Kart for the Wii?!?!?! That's gonna be sweet!

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Luwker

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The only MK game to ever let me down was the GBA one, and even then it wasn't much of a disappointment, it was good, but not MK good. Like the guy below said, MK is pratically certainty of a good game.

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glitch-x911

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Yay mario kart!

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roll450

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W00T mario Kart with this time more online race options and more people to race with.

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webbut

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Everyone should be looking forward to this game Nintendo never steers us in the wrong direction with mario kart

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musicman748

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I hope this mario kart has like every track and charcter from all the mario kart games and as long as the online is like Mario Kart DS i know this game is going to ROCK!

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deactivated-5c417b73d1ba4

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Whoa, not bad. I thought they were needlessly skimping on the graphics because up-close it's not that shiny and pretty, but in shot 3 of 3, you get that cool panorama view of that massive canyon and pipe track. Not shabby.

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wiirdawgs

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kooll lets just hope it's not a port of double dash with a wheel and online

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mushroom_idol

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this looks like a really cool game. i really want to get it when it comes out. it has a lot of my favorite characters!

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StephenBassford

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WOW this looks like ti will be amazing

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whacker40

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i hope the online lives up to standards. i live in aus, and the only wifi compatable game out here is mario strikers. while it is a great game online, nintendo needs more GOOD online games for the wii.

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fon1988

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Hmmm, the game looks awesome! For those of you complaining about the steering wheel..umm there is a simple soloution. Don't. Use. It.

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Drakierocks

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I think the steeering wheel will be annoying to be honest because you have to hold it up all the time...:(

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trunksjimmy71

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Wait so its going to be one person driving? aww Im gonna miss two people in one kart

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DeadBullet

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Hmmmmmm, something tells me this game is gonna get a low score, wish Im wrong.

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stanley2011

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looks cooool

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SURFDUDEBOY

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yes! i am goingg to pre order this! i'm even more ecxited about this than metriod!!!!!! but not brawl or galaxy, I WANT STEERING WHEEL!

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adamjasonfrance

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i so so so hope there is more depth than double dash, i couldnt believe how quick that game got tiersome when mario kart 64 was timeless fun. i suggest more tracks, more tropies, more complications, and new goals.

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ss4lawrence

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i cant wait, this is a must get for me!

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Peaches1347

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awsome a new mario kart i can own my friends and family on and...around the world maybe sum1where out there, there is a better player than me =*(

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AJAY_MCFC

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Can't wait

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kfd_05

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i'm going to get this

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xtiansk8

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i gotta get the game man

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