Mario Kart Wii brings back the great gameplay from the old games AND are adding some new ideas in to make a classic.
The Review
Gameplay: 9.4/10
I really do enjoy what this game has brought to the Wii. It features a grand prix mode, time trial mode, and a battle mode. Battle and racing modes can also be played online with anyone in the world. It is a blast to play against British people who stink at the game but got it because it happened to be in a store near them. Also, they added the Mii to the game, along with certain cars depending on the Mii's characteristics and personality traits. I also like them bringing back most of the characters. I also like the speed characters in this game (Yoshi, Diddy Kong, and the Babies) for their acceleration and dependibility on the final decision for the places of each racer. The only new character I'm excited about is Rosalina, because it's nice to get a little love from the Super Mario Galaxy game. Also, she resembles a mix between Peach and Daisy, and a little of Wario with her competitive racing skills. I'm
okay with Baby Peach, just because she was in Mario and Luigi: Partners in Time, and Yoshi Island DS, and I liked her roles in that game. She brings a nice, sweet, but dragster type racing ablity to the table; she also attracts the litle girls who play Mario Kart Wii even more. The characters that I don't like are Koopa Troopa and Baby Daisy. First off, the use Koopa Troopa shells as items in the gameplay itself, so why have Koopa Troopa? It's like Mario throwing Marios out onto the field to hit other opponents' karts. It just doesn't seem right to me. Also, has anyone heard of Baby Daisy? It's just too many babies. She's pretty much Baby Peach with brown hair and a yellow dress. I was never a fan of Daisy herself because she seemed to much like a clone of Peach. Also, where is Baby Luigi? Get rid of Baby Daisy, because Baby Luigi was a classic racer, my favorite in fact. At least he's been in video games before.
Other than some errors to my eyes, you gotta love the stages. Going with the retro stages from each previous Mario Kart game was a great idea. I also like the new stages like DK Summit, Cocnut Mall, but most of all, Koopa Cape. They also feature cheat short-cuts to give the sly racing type an advantage.
Also, I liked when they added the Bullet Bill and the Super Mushroom to the game, but the Blooper Squirt covers a little part of the screen, so that has pretty much no effect whatsoever.
Controls: 9.8/10
I am excited for Mario Kart Wii for introducing the Wii Wheel to the game. Doing that brings a "life-like" simulation of being the driving character in the game itself. It particularly maps out the road for you, too. I also like how they feature power-ups that are coming behind you and that are close, so it gives the driver an edge. Also, thank goodness for the different camera angles to see what is behind you. The driving techniques of MKW are superb. You can go with the Wheel or the classic gamecube controller with this one. The AI of this game is great. In one instant of you turning you turn on the game. I just wish they had a jump button so you could hop over opponents i they are going slower than you are.
Sound: 10/10
I have okay hearing, but I can hear this game just fine. On my TV, I don't need to put the volume above 10 for me to hear this game clearly and efficiently. The music in this game is great, and it is moving so much to where the point I don't want to play the game, except listen to the music itself on the loading screens.
Graphics: 9.8/10
The graphics are the best on the Wii. They are clear, colorful, and full of quality and efficiancy. Even without reading glasses, I can see the screen perfectly. Well done Nintendo!
Difficulty: 10/10
The difficulty of this game is just right (as you see below) and is that for any age of people playing the game. The game also goes into a lot of depth and brings out the true driver in you.
Fun: 9.5/10
This game is fun!. From the online play to the grand prix mode, the time trial mode, and the racing and battle modes, this game won't let you down! It's also fun to beat your allies or rivals in a classic nerve-racking game. It also makes me want to keep playing until my arms fall off.
Review Score: 9.75/10
GameSpot Rounded Score: 9.5/10
Grade: A
Two Words: Superb Multiplayer