Another Solid Entry in the Mario Kart Series
As far as the tracks go, there are 16 new tracks and 16 retro tracks, from the other Mario kart entries on snes, GBA, N64, and the DS. The new tracks are well designed, some are a little boring and predictable, however others such as the new version of Rainbow Road, are quite entertaining. The retro tracks were redesigned very well, however some of the choices were rather disappointing, perhaps because I personally didn't like GC DK's Mountain, or DS's Peach Gardens.
The sounds featured in the game are genuine and fit well with the levels. It is also important to note that Nintendo brought back the identical soundtracks for the retro tracks, sealing the classic feeling with the redesigned tracks. The sound effects of the items and racers vehicles also seem to make sense and fit this game well.
As for the actual gameplay, Mario Kart holds up to its predecessors, in good and bad ways. There is still the classic VS mode as well as the battle mode. While the battle mode has only two types of gameplay, the ability to play online and receive a ranking greatly enhances the overall quality of gameplay. The matchmaking process is also very quick, and those who try to ruin or slow down online play are disconnected fairly quickly to sustain the good quality of online play. The ghost racing mode has also returned and is more enjoyable than ever due to the option to race online ghosts other players have created, and the ability to unlock extras by beating the default computer ghosts.
Gone are the character-specific items found in Mario Kart: Double Dash!!, however appearing for the first time are four new items, the bomb, the bullet bill, the thunder cloud, and the POW block. Each of these adds a little variety to the typical items in the Mario Kart series, and allows for an "anybody's race" environment. New flip tricks for both karts and motor bikes and wheelies add an innovative way to gain a boost, and the traditional drift and boost has been enhanced allowing for a small, blue sparking mini turbo, or an orange slightly longer mini turbo. Players are also ranked at the end of cups with both a place ranking and a star ranking, which is based on your overall times for each individual track. Unfortunately, even utilizing these new tricks, driving accurately, and using items in a skilled manner isn't always enough to overcome Mario Kart Wii's largest problem: difficulty.
The first two difficulties, 50cc and 100cc are similar to the same difficulties in the previous Mario Kart entries, fun but overall very easy. 100cc may introduce better competition, however maintaining first place and getting a star ranking is still very possible. Yet, when racing in the 150cc or mirror 150cc cups, the gameplay is cranked from easy-moderate enjoyable, skill based play to challenging, arguably cheap gameplay that often relies on luck to guarantee first place or a star ranking. On 150cc mode the computer players are vigorous in their attempts to hinder your progress. Not only will they accurately bombard you with red shells, green shells and even fake item blocks, but they also tend to use the more powerful items in a ridiculously plentiful and precise ways. I have literally been blue shelled, red shelled, then blue shelled again all within about 10 seconds. What's even more inconceivable is getting blue shelled at precisely the right time to allow me to stop one kart length short of the finish line, allowing me to sink three places due to this incredible timing. It is also important to point out that the cpu's play off of your overall cup ranking, and therefore the one player who has a chance to beat your score will almost always be the player coming in first the moment your luck or skill fails. However, it is possible to win golds with star rankings on these modes, players will simply have to make more attempts and hope luck is on their side.
Looking over the one main flaw of intense difficulty on the highest class of racing, Mario Kart Wii is an impressive package. Not only does it retain the classic Mario Kart feel it also upgrades the series, in turn creating the most fun online game to date for the Nintendo Wii. Online play also increases the replayability to an unlimited amount of time because there is always the goal of maintaining or increasing your ranking. The single player and offline multiplayer are also very well done and make this game a worthwhile purchase even if you do not have access to the online modes. Overall Mario Kart Wii is the best racing game for the Nintendo Wii and one of the best entries in the Mario Kart series.