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Mario Kart Wii

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8.2 User Score:

Generally favorable reviews

Based on 73 critic reviews
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Based on 228 votes
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Game Info

Publisher: Nintendo

Developer: Nintendo

Genre(s): Racing

Players: 12

ESRB Rating: E (Everyone)

Release Date: April 27, 2008

Summary

Mario Kart Wii comes with the intuitive Wii Wheel, which makes it easy for novices to compete against veterans, so no one is left in the dust. And with a broadband hookup to Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection, players can compete with up to 11 other drivers from around the world for racing dominance. The game includes 16 new courses and 16 classic courses from previous Mario Kart games. For the first time ever, players have the option of racing with either karts or motorbikes. Players can also hit the road as their personalized Mii caricatures in addition to the handful of classic Nintendo characters found in the game. True to the series, the game features tons of racing, plenty of power-ups and oodles of objects for players to use to slow down other drivers. And 10 battle arenas keep players busy between trips around the circuit. Mario Kart Wii supports four different control options: Wii Remote with or without the Wii Wheel, Wii Remote and Nunchuk controller combo, Classic Controller and even the Nintendo GameCube controller. So there's bound to be a configuration that fits everyone's style. Mario Kart Wii launches with a new channel added to the Wii Menu to enhance game play: The Mario Kart Wii Channel. This new channel builds on the online community of Wii owners and lets players compete in tournaments, check worldwide rankings, see when their friends are playing and download ghost data. [Nintendo]

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What The Critics Said

All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...

100

AceGamez

Mario Kart Wii has more variety, more to do, and ultimately more to keep you coming back than any Mario Kart before it (and as a hardcore advocate of the SNES original, I never thought I would find myself saying that); but more than that, it is a flagship title for the Nintendo Wii. Not only is Mario Kart Wii the most important title that will be released on the format this year, but it will stand the test of time as one of the best games the Wii has to offer.

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Cheat Code Central

If anyone tells you they don't like the game, then they probably don't like chocolate, the Superbowl or comedies either. There is so much fun packed into the title that all but the most "alternative" of core gamers are bound to love it.

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GamePro

The refined gameplay, the super slick presentation and the flexible controls all add up to one of the finest racing experiences ever.

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Official Nintendo Magazine UK

A fantastic racer and the best online Nintendo game ever. [Apr 2008, p.58]

Games Master UK

It's the ultimate Mario Kart package rather than the best, but it's still a lot of fun. [Apr 2008, p.47]

Gaming Age

Mario Kart Wii is the penultimate multiplayer experience on the Wii, and a must-own title for anyone serious about gaming.

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GameShark

It's a fast and fun racing game that is easy enough for beginners to pick up and enjoy while still a challenge for veteran players to master. The addition of online play (other than it's not so friendly friends system) and the introduction of the Wii’s motion technology add even more oil to what is already a pretty slick offering.

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Maxi Consolas (Portugal)

Still terribly fun with its competitive online modes and a great use of the Wii Wheel. And at the end of the day, it presents the traditional polished and shiny look of all of Nintendo’s big guns that we simply love. [May 2008]

GameSpy

The offline and online content is extremely entertaining and the pursuit of casual and hardcore karting has never been this much fun.

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Nintendo Power

With more features, modes and multiplayer options than ever before, fans should be revved up to get behind the wheel. [May 2008, p.86]

N-Europe

Don't expect revolutionary new things, but if you're after good clean fun on your Wii with mates or against online opponents - you can't get much better than this.

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IGN UK

Despite initial fears, this is proper Mario Kart, and it's Mario Kart done right. It's fast, it's fun and still one of the best party games ever created. Thanks to some seriously well-implemented online options though, it brings so much more to the table than its forebears, most notably in terms of longevity.

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Pelit (Finland)

Mario Kart Wii against 11 real opponents is intense and exhilarating. Sometimes it's also infuriating but in the end that too is mostly a good thing. Still, something should have been done to the power ups of old. Fire and forget weapons and small chances of escape aren't the best combination. While the multiplayer side shines the single player parts are a let-down. Driving against cheating opponent and being constantly bombarded is frustrating. [May 2008]

Gaming Target

However, Mario Kart Wii is second on the series' podium as it rides alongside the N64 version’s tried-and-true track quality, offers the online play that the 64DD never brought around and sports superior graphics that make its 11-year-old counterpart look very dated on today's big-screen televisions.

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GameZone

The core Mario Kart gameplay remains basically unchanged, but it’s well executed and slightly enhanced by minor tweaks and a variety of control setups. The online mode is the real star here, however.

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NGamer UK

A really solid Mario Kart with a terrific online setup. There's plenty here to make up for the disappointment of local multiplayer, but it does stop short of magnificence.

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DailyGame

The Wii's enormous "casual" gamer base will eat Mario Kart Wii up with its accessible pick-up-and-play controls. Veterans aren't left out either with online play they've been clamoring for well over a decade.

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Game Informer

This is a great game, single- or multiplayer, online or off.

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Da Gameboyz

When everything is taken together Mario Kart is definitely another must buy game for Nintendo’s innovative system.

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Jolt Online Gaming UK

Nintendo have managed to make the Wii-wheel work – something we were very sceptical about – and they’ve managed to bring Mario Kart online play to our TVs. Besides a few niggles with unfair A.I. and some average tracks, this is a valuable addition to the series.

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ZTGameDomain

The most solid, accessible and fun experience console gaming has seen in some time.

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AtomicGamer

Despite some minor flaws, Nintendo's latest take on their classic kart racing series is definitely worth checking out.

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Gamer's Hell

Mario Kart has been around for nearly every Nintendo system, with the Wii's version acting more like a "Greatest Hits" compilation of past racing glory.

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IGN

There are some things that feel completely out of whack though, such as the uncharacteristically cheap AI in 150cc, the lack of voice chat for an extremely social online game, reliance on friend codes, and "everyone's a winner" feeling you get when random items show up and completely turn the game upside down in an instant.

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Console Monster

The Wii Wheel and the wide open online courses all make it a lot less difficult for first time karters.

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PTGamers

Nintendo decided to play it safe and fans of the series certainly won't mind.

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GameSpot

Mario Kart Wii offers varied multiplayer and thoroughly integrated online modes that will keep you coming back for more.

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GamerNode

Perhaps the best in the series. The online is better than Mario Kart DS', and the graphics are the best in the series. The only thing that may deter some players is the obnoxious power of the items.

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Kombo

There are some problems here -- the removal of fully manual power sliding, rubber band AI, overpowered items, no voice chat, overall slowness -- but they're forgivable, for the most part. If you can get over them, Mario Kart is a truly great multiplayer Wii title.

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Play.tm

The package as a whole works well, not because of the packed in wheel, not because of the new content and innovation, but because Nintendo have proved that they understand what it is that makes this series great - the balance between racing and fighting.

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NintendoWorldReport

Mario Kart Wii is ultimately much the same game as Mario Kart DS, but this is forgivable due to its drastically improved online functionality along with some welcome gameplay additions and tweaks.

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GameTrailers

This is the first case of Nintendo not finding a happy medium between accessibility and servicing hardcore players. Yet if you get a group of people together on a Saturday night to play you'll be the only one complaining.

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GamingExcellence

In the end, I'd have to give Nintendo a big pat on the back for this one.

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GameFocus

Mario Kart Wii is a complete game. Of course, the addition of the online mode makes this title a keeper and a must have title for your Wii collection but for unconditional local multiplayer lovers, the offline mode has also received some upgrades and tweaks.

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The Onion (A.V. Club)

The bright, shiny visuals—now available in 480p—and the slide-whistle sound effects will make depressives choke on their Zoloft doses.

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Game Revolution

The weapons can get a little overwhelming and frustrating at times, especially when you’re in the lead (and the frankly unfair brutality of the 150cc-class rubber-banding, curse-evoking A.I.), but most of what’s in place, both old and new, still makes for a romping good time, locally or globally.

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1UP

You'll assuredly have plenty of fun with this, even if Nintendo's play-it-safe, dumb-it-down approach will make many longtime players yearn for something more ambitious and risky.

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GameTap

Mario Kart Wii doesn't stray far from the beaten track, but it has enough going to dazzle first-time MK drivers and a few new upgrades to challenge the long-time Karters, too.

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Destructoid

Newcomers will find a fast-paced, easy-to-play title that relishes in its own ability to capitalize on the wacky approachability and fun of Nintendo’s mascot characters.

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Nintendojo

Mario Kart Wii has many faults. But when it’s good, it’s very, very good, and as long as you have Wi-Fi, it will keep you occupied for many months to come.

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Gamer.nl

Mario Kart Wii is a great new game in the series. It still plays like a dream and is perhaps the most enjoyable game of the last few years. Even the additions of motorcycles, Wii-Wheel and online mode are suprisingly good. Mario Kart Wii even does something which most other games lack: It brings fun.

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PALGN

One thing Mario Kart Wii features a lot of is multiplayer options.

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Cubed3

Mario Kart Wii is definitely up there with the other installments. A fairly limited single player appeal is enhanced by a comprehensive online service and a slightly toned-down but throughly enjoyable and flexible offline multiplayer mode.

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Boomtown

Previous control schemes have always worked well with Mario Kart, and you can still use variations on these by adjusting your options, but the new wheel just feels so intuitive you’ll be wondering why they bothered including them.

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Level7.nu

We're treated to the same formula as we got the last time, with the major addition being the online mode. It’s not much, but since Mario Kart is all about playing together it's enough to make this an entertaining package.

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VideoGamer

An excellent return to form for the series and tremendous fun when played with friends in split-screen or online. The often infuriating Grand Prix mode is likely to polarise gamers though, with some loving the unpredictability of it while others will simply give up after being taken down at the last minute by yet another Spiny Blue Shell.

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Eurogamer

Ultimately, the sheer sensory pleasure of playing Mario Kart Wii - from the charming animations, to the bopping tunes, to the sugar-rush boosting, to the exquisite steering - far overcomes the few concerns we have about it. It still has to be docked a mark for the awkward structure and compromised multiplayer modes - but it's still unreservedly recommended to anyone for whom Mario Kart is a gaming cornerstone.

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DarkZero

Then there is the Wii Wheel peripheral itself, which if you did not already know is just a plastic housing for the Wiimote. I have to admit though it is a well made bit of plastic, and is not only smarter looking than the uninspired Wii Zapper, but also more ergonomic to hold. Unexpectedly it is very easy to use.

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Thunderbolt

Nintendo's draconian online service isn't a reason to dislike Mario Kart Wii in the same way that it's wrong to dislike a really beautiful woman because her husband is a complete tosser...As a Wii owner, we've got the definitive racing game on the console.

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GameDaily

The overuse of power-ups is blatantly ridiculous and the general design hasn't changed much, but Kart is still a riotous romp.

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Gameplayer

A must-own Wii racer that pays multiplayer dividends.

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Gamervision

Between the local and online multiplayer, as well as the plethora of single-player challenges available, this is the kind of game that has a ton of replay value. No, it’s not an overhaul, but it is an extremely solid entry in the series that lives up to the Mario Kart name.

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Zentendo

Mario Kart Wii features an impressive online experience, but falls a bit short in the offline content.

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The New York Times

Fast paced and colorful, Mario is a simple, enormously fun game that can suck up the hours as you continually say, "just one more race."

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Video Game Talk

This game gets a high recommendation for the multiplayer aspect but if you're in a position where you're going to be exploring single player consider this merely recommended.

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Deeko

After all the hype surrounding this game (or lack thereof), Mario Kart Wii is the same game we've been playing over and over again for years now, which either has you jumping up and down with glee or shaking your head in disgust.

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Gameplanet

At sixteen years young, Mario Kart has now made it to the Wii. Whilst fans of the series may lament some of the changes, it generally works well on the new platform. The focus has shifted away from a heavy skill requirement towards simply offering more entertainment.

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Eurogamer Portugal

Mario Kart Wii is exactly what you would expect from this franchise, a solid offer that doesn't offer anything new, yet still manages to retain its appeal. Especially if you manage to get a few friends together to play it or decide to give use to its solid online capabilities.

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GotNext

In spite of a few valid criticisms, Mario Kart Wii is a ton of fun, albeit being the same experience as always wrapped in a different package.

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n-Revolution Magazine UK

It's the most complete Mario Kart package yet. [Issue#22, p.60]

IGN AU

While Mario Kart Wii is an enjoyable sequel we can't help but be a little disappointed that the same level of effort Nintendo put into Mario Galaxy and Smash Bros. isn't mirrored here.

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Console Gameworld

Mario Kart Wii feels recycled and simplified from past installments, but it's saved by a handful of creative and nostalgaic courses and it's excellent 12-player online matches.

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netjak

Mario Kart Wii is fairly fun, although I do have to wonder how much play it will get in single-player mode. In multiplayer, you just have a blast with your friends.

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Worth Playing

At its core, Mario Kart Wii is a simple, accessible title that lends itself to fun-filled evenings with friends on the couch or online games with racers halfway around the world.

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Armchair Empire

In the end, Mario Kart Wii aims for a high level of fun and depending on how new you are to the franchise; it actually manages to do that. There's plenty of room for improvement though.

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Gamer 2.0

With Mario Kart being the epitome of racing franchises for many years, it is sad to see how little the game changes its dry formula and actually takes several leisurely steps at addressing failing issues.

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Hardcore Gamer Magazine

For anyone who has their Wii up and running online, you should definitely take the plunge, because the game's strengths will outweigh its flaws. If you can only play this game offline, however, then unless you're a masochist (or someone psychotic like me, who actually managed to get to the final stage of F-Zero GX’s crazy-hard Story Mode) pass on this; in fact, I'd go so far as to advise you to run in the other direction.

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Electronic Gaming Monthly

While Mario Kart Wii is predictably similar to its predecessors, something has changed with this installment. Something that makes it feel subtly unlike other Mario Karts--and not a change for the better. [June 2008, p.73]

Giant Bomb

Personally, I’m completely tired of getting exactly what I expect.

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Wired

[Mario Kart Wii's Battle Mode] is no longer a last-man-standing contest: Matches now last three minutes each, and if your kart takes too much damage, don't worry! You'll just respawn. Even worse, all battles are now played in teams of two. So while you can still have four human players, they can't all face off against each other -- and what's the point of that?

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games(TM)

It might seem like the most complete Mario Kart experience yet, but in reaching for a wider audience, Nintendo may have lost sight of what made the series great in the first place. [May 2008, p.112]

Edge Magazine

Having sacrificed racing integrity in "Double Dash" to side with social silliness, Nintendo has turned 180 degrees into an awkward halfway house. [May 2008, p.86]

Game Chronicles

Mario Kart boils down to a whole lot of luck and very little skill.

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What Our Users Said

The average user rating for this game is 8.2 (out of 10) based on 228 User Votes

Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

Adam B. gave it an8:
Compared to past Mario Kart games, Wii is nearly identical in terms of gameplay, with the exception of bikes, Miis, and online play. Mii support is great fun and makes online play much more diverse. The online play is nearly lag-free even with 12 players, and races and battles are always intense and fun, but there are a few serious downsides. There's no way to communicate with people online, or add them to your friends. So you're pretty much playing with random people all the time, and it feels like playing CPUs since you can't talk, wave, or perform any other basic type of human interaction. Nintendo constantly demonstrates its utter incompetence when it comes to online functionality. At first I was inclined to attribute the lack of features to the family-friendly nature of the Wii, until I encountered players named "Turdnugget" or who used Hitler and penis-faced Miis in online games. The removal of dual-player karts is also a step down from Double Dash, but the inclusion of tracks from SNES, GBA, N64, and GameCube are a welcome addition. Getting a 3-star overall rating is essentially impossible, so it's honestly baffling why they included it. Even two stars on 150cc tracks requires constantly restarting the 4-race circuit, and a constant stream of blue shells along with the unforgiving and cheap AI will result in controllers broken in frustration. Players going for high scores needn't bother using the overly sensitive and fairly useless motion control feature. Despite the numerous downsides, Nintendo managed to put in a fairly respectable effort that's a lot of fun (in short bursts at least) for gamers of all ages.

Titanium Dragon gave it an8:
Mario Kart Wii is a good game, and is worth purchasing if you own a Wii. Its the latest iteration in the Mario Kart series, and it is a good game. But it isn't a great one, and its flaws rankle. First off, unlike its predecessors, you have to actually unlock the right to play every race. This sucks, because it is annoying not to be able to just jump in wherever. But the bigger issue here is that playing multiplayer -doesn't unlock the races-. So you get the game, plug it in to play with your friends (and you can now play with up to FOUR people vs the computers in the grand-prix type race) and... you can't play any but the first four cups without beating all the cups in single player. This is incredibly frustrating and there's absolutely no good reason for this. The races shouldn't be locked in the first place, and even if they had to be for some reason, there's absolutely no reason whatsoever multiplayer play shouldn't be able to unlock them. Battle Modes are, likewise, inferior; you can no longer do free-for-alls between four players, which were the most fun, and you can't do elimination battle matches anymore, which were also fun - why isn't this still an option, at least? There's no good reason for it. The computers also are very poor at battle mode. The items in this game also suffer from being too swingy. Blue shells are too difficult to avoid and Bullet Bills are just horribly overpowered and completely game-swinging, and frustrating when you're doing well and then suddenly a bullet bill comes up and beats you. Overall the game is a good game - its got good races (though I feel Mario Kart 64 had better courses on the whole) and it is a fun racing game, but there have been better racing games. If you play it alone, you'll probably like it quite a bit, but multiplayer just feels like second fiddle, and as I purchased it for the sole purpose of playing grand prix mode multiplayer, its quite annoying. That said, the time trials are quite cool in this game, as you race against "ghosts" which are previous racers. While this existed previously, you can now download and race against other players as well as the "staff ghosts", which makes it more enjoyable as you can sort of tell how well you're doing. Overall, thumbs up, but not the greatest game ever, let alone the greatest mario kart game ever. Incidentally, the Wii wheel is pretty awkward - you're better off using the controller.

BetA gave it a10:
Mario Kart Wii is possibly my favorite video game as of now because of it's fun, innovative controls, great new race tracks plus some great choices of retro tracks, and improved online play. Some people may say that the game has just come down to luck, but I beg to differ. Many times over, I have beaten the CPUs when getting hit by the blue shell multiple times! However, I suppose the items from the CPUs might still be a problem. I think the CPUs should win with skill, not just items. Believe me when I say that I've been in countless races with other people, involving mostly skill. I do agree that there are a few MINOR problems: 1) No free-for-all battle mode, only teams 2) Manual-drift bikes have an unfair advantage over karts. 3) Terrible Mii voices Otherwise, this is possibly the most fun game I've ever played. I love this game!!

Dare gave it an8:
Most of the time I hate reading user reviews. This game does not deserve a 10. It does not deserve a 0. Get real, folks. This game is really good, but a 10/10 means perfect, and this game isn't perfect.

James D gave it a9:
I give this game a 9 out of 10 because of the BS that happens to you on single player. Blue shell, red shell, blue shell, red red red RED, BLUEEEE!!! But unlocking karts and charactors for maltiplayer is absolutely amazing. You and your friends will not want to stop playing.

J G gave it an8:
Graphics: 10 star variaty: 8 unlockables: 4 single player: 10 multiplaer: 4 I have played Double dash for a long time and liked it a lot. I just got the wii and got Mario Kart Wii. The graphics are awsome as for most wii games. Great variety after unlocking 32 tracks, 8 cirsuints, 90 bikes, 90 karts, and 30 charictars. The The unlockable list is confusing which is why I rated that at 4. Single player is insainley good (better than expected)! Multiplayer is bad in the sense that there is only VS and battle although those are intriacte I think there should be grand prix mode should be in multiplayer like it is on double dash.

J C gave it an8:
I would have to say that anyone expecting "good" graphics in a game should not be judging anything with the word Mario in it. Nintendo puts less emphasis on Graphics and more emphasis on gameplay. Therefore I dont judge nintendo games on graphics. Pros - Unlike other posts, in my belief the items carry substantial pickup, from the Black rocket and the Pow to Star Power and the Red Shell. This alows players, usually punished by top speed to still compete with faster players. COns - However, it seems that if you keep first place for long enoh, the computer will totally wreck you. I have had many a time being within a few carts of the finish line and being overthrown with spied shells, pows and red shells and get put back to 4 to possibly even 9th on one level. However, my 4th place Spike shell gain was rather interesting. Level designs are quite distinct, as there are 16 new levels as well as 16 levels from the old games, including a few from the SNES, which brings back memories. The online function is great, but isnt fair for players who dont play the single player game simply because they have neither the carts or bikes/characters to compete with die hard fans. This puts some players at a full disadvantage. I have to admitthat some of the souds/voices of characters have become childish, but what would be expected from companies that normally be designed for a younger age. I think it is not reasonable to realise that this game was not designed primarily for adults. However, i dont find the single player 150cc as challenging as others have, being as how 6/8 cups resulted in golds on attempt 1 which was rather a dissapointment for me.

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Mario Kart Wii

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