Mario's latest Go-Kart racer delivers with decent graphics, wacky music, revamped stages and excellent online.
Mario Kart Wii just does that. It doesn't bring a whole lot of new ideas into the racing fray, but it implements each of its newer and classic ideas in an appropriate matter. Along with its well-implemented ideas, it also keeps the basics of what makes a game good, intact. Allow me to categorize this.....
Graphics: Cut my tongue if I've ever said this on a forum before. This looks good......when you compare this to other Wii games. It's no Super Smash Bros Brawl, Metroid Prime 3, or Super Mario Galaxy...but it certainly sets a good standard for how a Wii game should look. Modern day textures fill the screen. Bright outlines detail each Mario Character. Trails follow fire, bullet bills, koopa shells and the like making the game have a more Action feel to it.
Sounds: Just what you would expect from any Mario game. Some songs may get annoying or seem like a Last-Second deal...but then there's some songs that simply have you humming them along in their catchy glory. Without spoiling too much, I will say that Rainbow Road song is still intact and retains its epic feel it's kept throughout the series. As for the characters, not much changes here. All the characters, even the newer ones, keep their same voices and grunts that they always have used in the beloved games.
Entertainment and Control: The first Wii game to implement a new Wii controller that successfully utilizes it with great accuracy. Thanks Nintendo. As for the fun of this game...the new maps, characters, and weapons never change the old formula for better or worse. The series didn't need too much work...this game didn't have to provide any work to make itself greater then the other Mario Karts. Despite the online component, which works very well, it's still the great, addictive, exciting fun that you expect from a Mario Kart.
Overall: With modern-day graphics, interesting Mario sounds and songs, and the same control and fun you'd expect from Mario Kart makes this game a must buy for any Wii owner who wishes to have a family-friendly Koopa Shelled fun fest.