Mario Kart 8 - Nintendo Wii U

There is a lot of new stuff - good and bad - Mario Kart 8 brings to the series. Having played every Mario Kart game since the SNES, I was really excited for this one. And I'm still mostly still thrilled about it, though I'm disappointed they decided to make some very bad decisions that took away what would have otherwise been a perfect game. What I love: [+] Graphics. FINALLY we get some HD Mario Kart action! It was always so hard playing the AAA first-party titles on the Wii, since they decided against going with the coming HD era. MK Wii was a lot of fun and a great game, but looked terrible on my 55" HDTV. Mario Kart 8 on the other hand looks absolutely gorgeous. [+] The audio. I love all the music, especially the title screen theme which pulls inspiration from the original Super Mario Kart theme, which has a great nostalgia factor to it. All the music tracks and sound effects sound great, especially in 5.1 surround, and helps you become very immersed in the game. [+] Online. Much improved since Mario Kart Wii, probably one of the most fun parts of the game. However, Nintendo still has a long way to go to catch up to the standard online functionality of any modern Xbox or PlayStation game. [+] New items. I like the new boomerang, and I *love* the Super Horn #can destroy blue shells or any other projectile item#. That said, I *hate* the coins. I like them as a gameplay mechanic, and as something you can pick up directly from the course, but not as an item box item. Half the time when you're in first place you'll just get coins, rather than at least a green shell or something that can defend you against attacks. [+] Tracks. They of course did an awesome job at creating new tracks as well as adapting the retro tracks for MK8. You have a lot of variety, from underwater, to space, to the Sugar Rush track from Wreck-it Ralph #okay, it's not officially from there but it's close enough#. And I appreciate that in standard Mario Kart fashion, they included several shortcuts across the maps to mix it up a bit. [+] The highlight reel. It's always fun to take a look at the "highlights" of the race and play back in slow motion the point where you destroyed your friend with a red shell. And the fact that you can save 6 of your favorites to go back to at any time is also pretty cool. [+] Collectible stamps. Adds another layer of replayability to collect all 90 stamps in the game. These can be used in your optional Miiverse posts. But for OCD people like me who just like to 100% the game, they present an extra challenge #requires beating the GPs with each character and beating the staff ghosts on all Time Trial courses#. What I don't like: [-] Default option after the race ends. Instead of mashing A at the end of the race like you're used to, you have to train yourself to take a chill pill and wait for the post-race menu to come up, press down first, then A. Because the default option is to go to the highlight reel instead of starting the next race. A very small nitpick, but still something that slightly bothers me. [-] No overall screen to view game progress. If you've ever played Super Mario 3D World, you'll know what I'm talking about because that game did it better than any other game I've seen before. They had a menu in there that listed out the status of *everything* in the game that you've done, so you have a one-stop place to see how far you are to 100%ing the game. Even MK Wii had a little Driver License menu that showed all your cups beaten, which characters/tracks you use the most, and other various statistics. There is nothing of the sort in MK8 unfortunately. They need to just add a single screen that shows your cup progress, character unlock progress, vehicles/tires/parachutes unlocked progress, stamps collected, staff ghosts beaten, and general offline/online gameplay stats. [-] No post-GP award ceremony. Even though it was only like 15 seconds long and most of the time you skipped it, it was still always fun to see the results of your grand prix in an interesting way. These have been around in every other MK game. In MK8, instead of an award ceremony, it just plays back a few clips of you driving around the courses and shows you your trophy. Boring. It almost makes it feel pointless to spend four races competing but then not get too see the top three winners being rewarded accordingly. Instead it's just: Race over, here's a rotating trophy, back to main menu now. [-] Missing characters. I like that they have 30 characters now, which is more than any other MK game. But they shouldn't have done that at the expense of so many other awesome characters that were previously playable. Because in MK8, FIVE of them are baby characters, and SEVEN of them are the various Bowser Castle bosses #like Iggy, Wendy, etc#. And then out of nowhere they also added "Pink Gold Peach" who is basically a Pink version of Metal Mario? No idea where that came from. So we have 3 Peach characters #normal, baby, pink gold#. And I appreciate the sheer number of characters, but there are so many better ones they could have brought back from previous games, such as: Birdo, Dry Bones, Dry Bowser, Diddy Kong, Funky Kong, King Boo, Paratroopa, Petey Piranha, etc. [-] BATTLE MODE! This is really the big one, the only negative that is really worth deducting a full star for. Battle mode, which was probably my favorite mode in the past, is now useless. Rather than epic arena maps we're used to, like Skyscraper, Big Donut, etc., you can only do battle mode on the normal race tracks. Translation: Completely un-fun. You drive around in circles around the track, take forever to find someone, and when you finally do, they're driving the opposite direction so you have half a second to react. Then you wait again for someone else. You simply can't have a decent battle on a track designed for racing. They are too big, too narrow, and too linear. Please bring back arena maps, Nintendo! I will happily purchase a $10 DLC pack to add these back! Conclusion: I love MK8, easily a must-buy game if you have a Wii U. But why oh why did they have to ruin battle mode? Luckily, I haven't lost all hope yet, since just about everything in my cons list could potentially be fixed through downloadable updates. But will it ever happen? Guess we'll just keep our fingers crossed...

I've been playing Mario Kart since before Mario Kart was a thing. I've owned every single one of the 7 previous entries at one time or another, and I can tell you right here and now, that this is the best Mario Kart game in MANY YEARS, definitely since the N64 and one could argue is the greatest entry of all time. Let me explain why I feel the way that I do. For one, the gameplay is finally balanced to the point it's no longer a bashfest during races. There are now 12 racers instead of the traditional 8, so you'd logically think that would mean more items flying around, but that's not the case. Nintendo has eliminated the "item bullpen" so that players can now ONLY have one item in hand at any given time. This was how the original Mario Kart was balanced, and now, in the 8th iteration, we see a return to form. It's still crazy enough to be fun, but no so extreme that it ruins it for skill-based competition. Second, the game looks gorgeous. This is the first time Mario Kart has ever been seen in full high definition, and it doesn't disappoint. Idk what else to say- it looks great. The framerate is locked at 60fps (unless playing 3/4 player split screen- then it's locked at 30fps), so it's all very smooth play from start to finish. Third, let's get to the video replay integration. The game automatically stores recent races in the Mario Kart TV hub, allowing you to view, edit and upload to Miiverse and You Tube at any time. You can also view highlight reels after every race, as well as edit them by dictating which characters to focus on, what type of action, what kind of sound effects, and how long it should be. You can then post the video directly to the Mario Kart 8 community in Miiverse, as well as Youtube (requires a Google Plus Account). The Miiverse uploads will be displayed as embedded YouTube videos with the option of viewing in normal or high quality. Fourth, the characters, bikes, and customizations are terrific. The entirety of the Koopalings cast makes their first appearance, and adds quite a bit of spice to the roster. I find myself playing with Iggy, Roy and Ludwig almost every race, with a Bower kite as my glider parachute. They're colorul, they're fun, and they're one of THE greatest roster additions to Mario Kart I've ever seen. Just surprised it took 8 games to finally include them! Better late than never, I suppose. Fifth, the controller options are many. No matter how you like to kart, this game has you covered. Like traditional analogues but want the benefit of having a map off-screen to check? Gamepad has you covered. Want to play off-TV while in another room or while watching something else on TV? Gamepad has you covered. Want to feel immersed in the race with motion? Again, gamepad has you covered. Alternatively, you can use a Wiimote and pop it in a Wii Wheel. Like the lightweight feel of a normal controller? Pro Controller it is, then. Used to the standard Wii controls without motion? That's cool- just use a Wiimote and Nunchuk. Oh, you like normal controllers but don't own a Pro Controller? Not to worry- you can still use the Classic Controller Pro plugged into a Wiimote. What can I say- I LOVE the diverse controller options! Most importantly, the game is fun. And I do mean FUN. The tracks are spectacular with anti-gravity (not to mention just PACKED with detail), there's new mechanics like anti-gravity boosts, proper drifting for bikes and ATVs, stunt boosts make a return, and the drifting mechanics can vary widely depending on character, bike and wheels. The game is perfectly balanced in every way, and the courses are well designed with shortcuts and branching pathways. All in all, this is the finest Mario Kart game I've played since I was a young teenager. The ONLY reason I would perhaps not rate this over Mario Kart 64, is how impactful and innovative that game was for it's time. Compared side by side though, it's not even a competition. Mario Kart 8 wins hands down and blindfolded. It's just superior in every way. In every respect. Mario Kart 8 is not only good enough that I recommend buying the game (if you own a Wii U, there is ZERO reason to not have this game in your system right now), it's good enough that I daresay it's worth buying a Wii U for all on it's own. Well why is that, you ask? It's not that this is the first great Wii U game, because it's not (Pikmin 3, Super Mario 3D World, Wonderful 101, Donkey Kong Country Tropical Freeze, Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate, Wii Sports Club, etc...) It's just that this is the first great Wii U game that has indefinite replay value. I'll be playing this game for YEARS to come. YEARS. I may even still be playing it when the next generation of consoles come around. Such is the longevity of Mario Kart. Buy this game.

I preordered this game for all the perks it came with: 70 club Nintendo coins, free game download, $10 buck gas card (although I've never gotten it yet, I'm not sure how to get it actually). Put the game right in and it was everything I expected and more. The Mario Kart series keeps getting better and better. The new anti gravity interested me and I was wondering how that was going to play. I thought it was a great idea, but it seems to not really get too much into anti gravity all too much. The feel of it was just a little off for some reason, but watching the replay of the races makes it look great! I guess I was expecting for it to "feel" like I was going upside down or something or rumble some more or something. Enough, about the anti gravity, the graphics keep getting better and better. I love the way Nintendo has been evolving with all their characters and improving the graphics as they go. The attention to detail with all the characters makes it look realisticly smooth. I get so distracted watching the beautiful background that it ruins how I play. Hopefully, I can get used to it eventually. The customization and characters you can choose from is vastly abundant. Everyone you play with online each has its unique look. It's almost impossible for two players to have the same look. The difficulty of the cpu seems to have gotten a little harder with each new Mario Kart that comes out and this one is no exception. It's almost like each new Mario Kart trains you for the next one that comes out. With the new items it puts a different spin on things. The way the game is designed always seems to be good at keeping the pack together. When you are ahead, you get a barrage of attacks from everyone behind and when you are behind, you get some boosts to keep you in the game. I do enjoy all the possible ways of gaining a boost. They're everywhere! The online play is extremely challenging! Everyone is just so good. It's fun playing with a group of people that keeps the game challenging enough to want to improve yourself. It's almost discouraging for never getting first place, but that doesn't stop me for trying harder. This game is great for a solid 4 stars. Bringing in some of the old courses with a brand new anti gravity twist and the original courses this has to offer will keep you playing for a long time. Especially, if you challenge yourself with people around the world.

This, to me, may be the best Mario Kart I have ever played. The controls are rock solid, I felt like I actually had to do some trial and error to find the right kart/bike/atv combination for me, and the races are even more intense than ever with 12 racers during one race instead of 8. Nothing feels gimmicky (for a Mario Kart game), and even playing Single Player at 150cc provides a pretty good challenge. It's common to get wrecked by 3 or 4 shells in a row, which at first just seemed unfair but provided a good sense of chaos and urgency during the races. The flaws of this game can be overlooked since the game as a whole is incredible, but they are worth mentioning and I hope that some of these will be / can be adjusted via an update. -The screen on the gamepad reflects what's on the screen, not just the player using the gamepad. So if you are playing with 4 people locally, the gamepad shows all 4 screens. It's a minor thing, and yes that player can just look at the TV for a bigger screen, but sometimes when you're holding the Wii U gamepad, you want to lay in a comfortable position and just look at the screen that's in your hands instead. -The map / player places during race / what items players have, are all on the gamepad screen. You have to switch between views to see them. This isn't a big deal if you play mario kart 7 on the 3DS because the map is literally right below the main screen, but when looking at a TV then having to look down at the map is ridiculous. And of course only the player with the gamepad can look at the map. There should be a map either in the middle of the screen when playing multiplayer, or maybe when there is 3 or more players, the bottom right corner should be the map and the gamepad person can just look at that screen. -The items in the game are great, but you can no longer hold an item behind you and pick up another item. Even if you are holding it, it'll say you still have the item and won't let you get another one until you shoot it. This is very different from all other Mario Kart games. It's something that I do not like but can see that it adds a bit more strategy and risk taking to using / getting items. With all of the flaws aside, I am having so much fun with Mario Kart 8. Is itiworth it to buy the Wii U for this game alone? I would say yes, especially since you can get a free game of your choice (Wind Waker, Wii U Party, Pikmin 3, and new Super Mario Bros Wii U). Depending on a bundle you may get, you could potentially have 3 games from the get go. The gameplay is rock solid, you will find a challenge, even if you are experienced, and though the online mode leaves some things to be desired during waiting rooms, the races themselves will leave you frustrated or cheering with victory. Mario Kart 8, get it.

Mario Kart 8 is is an example of why Nintendo fans keep coming back and purchasing Nintendo hardware. It is a must buy for any Wii U owner. MK8 is one of the beautifulest games on the system with the use of player shadowing and visuals that have never been produced on any other MK game before. Online racing means that the replay value for this game is virtual endless, because you'll never know what to expect from human players. This is the first MK game where you can actually sense a grander feeling a speed. The replay cam and editing abilities provide a welcoming break from the karting mayhem that is sure to bring plenty of smiles. However, this game isn't perfect. Instead of having a diverse roster of racers like a Super Smash Bros game Nintendo decided to bog done the roster space with mini versions of popular characters. Nintendo did introduce the koopalings for the first time which is nice, but the roster still just isn't as rewarding as a Nintendo game could be with all the different options available. Playing against the AI will bring the occasional frustrating moment of leading a race the whole way only to be bombarded with multiple red and blue shells on the last lap causing you to fall in 4th place and messing up your would have been 3 star performance on a grand prix. These moments however still present should not hinder you from purchasing on of the best available games on the system. Another disappointment is not being able to hold an item out and having another item waiting in your que i.e. if you are holding a trusty banana behind you to block you can't in this game hit another item box to have an item waiting to use after your banana. This was an attempt to reduce the use of items, but it also takes out quite of bit of strategy that I have come to deploy. Finally, I gave a fair storyline rating because there is no storyline. The star ranking system is a week evaluation system. It seems that Nintendo could come up with some way to reward drivers with different camo attire or unlocking better customizable vehicle parts. Many of the vehicle parts, especially the kite ones, have the same speed ranking which doesn't offer in difference in quality of the race. I am slightly harsh on this game because it is MK8 and Nintendo has had several decades to master this game. I think there is alot of opportunity with DLC options that hopefully Nintendo can transform this game into a great one. Its only good, but it is one of the best good games on the Wii.

This 22-year-old franchise just keeps getting better. For a console that desperately needs a shot in the arm, "Mario Kart 8" couldn't have arrived at a better time for the Wii U. Graphically, it's easily the best looking "Mario Kart" title yet. Partly because of the console's HD graphics horsepower, but also because the designers went above and beyond creating beautiful and challenging tracks for Mario, Luigi, Peach, Bowser and all the other racers in the Mushroom Kingdom. The game audio is also fantastic, featuring totally new tunes and remixed classics for the game's 32 tracks (16 new, 16 from previous releases). The gameplay hasn't changed that much, but it's the new mechanics that make "Mario Kart 8" stand out. The anti-gravity feature is like "Mario Kart 7's" underwater feature ... it engages and disengages automatically, and the driving technique changes appropriately in both cases. Item availability is still biased based on racer position, but the designers answered gamers who wanted to be able to counter the game's nastiest weapon, the Spiny/Blue shell, with the addition of the Super Horn and making it available to racers near the front of the pack. Online play continues with the same basics seen since "Mario Kart DS". Players can play against others from around the world in simple matches, or change up the rules (adding/removing items, for instance), when playing with friends. A fun new online feature is MKTV, Mario Kart TV, where users can choose pre-designed highlight reels from their races and post them directly to YouTube, allowing you to share your favorite moments. The only thing missing from the game, which has been a staple almost from the beginning, are dedicated arenas for the game's multiplayer Battle mode. In "Mario Kart 8", Battles take place on the standard courses, although users have more freedom than when racing in normal modes. So maybe it'll grow on us, but it would have been nice to make Battle arenas at least optional ... but that's what DLC is for, I'm guessing. As to that last point, I would hope Nintendo takes advantage of that and adds in new courses. If they're going to the effort to patch the game to use the upcoming "Amiibo" collectible figures, adding new or fan-requested tracks would keep the fun going well after everything's unlocked.

As a lifelong Mario Kart player, Mario Kart 8 is a fresh and exciting take on the series. The tracks available in the game are wonderfully created with the care of detail only Nintendo can give to its games. Some tracks can make your jaw drop for how great it looks for Nintendo's first Mario Kart game in glorious HD. The controls feel fantastic to drive the characters around as well as the weapon balancing is the best I've witnessed in a Mario Kart game. The added "gravity tires" give the series a new perspective from different angles that makes the racing much more exciting to play. The game offers enough varieties of cars/bikes/ATVs for everyone to choose along with the endless selection of tires and gliders to give the user the vehicle of their dreams. My experience with 12 player online play has been relatively lag free! My only complaint of the game is that battle mode available in these version is not as good as previous entries. Instead of dedicated arenas, players (a maximum of 12) will use the available tracks to use as the "arenas" for the players to battle. It is not as exciting as the tracks tend to be bigger than the regular arenas which can cause a lot of players to wander around the track looking for others to battle. I've had the game since launch and it is definitely worth the full price of the game as it is a beautiful masterpiece full of a wonderful variety of tracks with a ton of vehicles to use and customize. The wealth of multi player options for online and offline play is fantastic. One or two player online play is fast and frantic, with hardly any lag experienced during my play time. Mario Kart TV brings in a new experience to the series and can be a joy to watch the character's faces and emotions when the highlights are playing. While the battle mode was a series staple, it's lack of dedicated arenas shouldn't put a damper on the amount of content available, which in itself is a staggering sum and the available local play for up to four players between friends and family will make the game that much more exciting and worthwhile! I will be playing this game for years and years to come!

The latest entry in the beloved Mario Kart series not only lives up to the hype, it greatly exceeds it. The first you you'll notice are the graphics. They are smooth and in full HD. Also, the game runs at 60 FPS in single and 2-player modes, and a still-crisp 30 FPS in 3 and 4 as well as online. The new courses are fresh and innovative, and many take advantage of the new anti-gravity feature. It's a fun twist on gameplay, and really adds a new element to the strategy. Another fantastic element is the highlight reel that plays after each race. The player is able to customize the replay, and even upload it directly to YouTube. Online play is quick and fun, with little downtime between races. Not being able to chat with the other players between matches is a bit of a letdown, but it is the only way Nintendo is able to regulate the interaction between players and keep it fun and safe for gamers of all ages. The only complaints I have are very minor, nitpicking even. Each racer is only allowed to hold 1 item, so there will be some long stretches where you will go without an item if you're not careful. Also, there as so many small racers on the track due to the inclusion of so many baby characters. If you have the console already, this is a must-own title. If you don't have the Wii U yet, now is the time. There several great titles, and this is the best to date. You can even choose from 1 of 4 free games to download when you register the product through Club Nintendo on Nintendo.com. Overall, this is the best game for the Wii U so far.