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IGN Review: Mario Kart Wii - "one of the best console Karts in years"

April 20, 2008 in Reviews comments 29

While European gamers have been enjoying Mario Kart Wii for weeks now, us North American gamers have to wait until April 27 to play the game. The wait will be worth it though, as IGN describes Mario Kart Wii as "one of the best console Karts in years".

IGN praises the online play as being the best Nintendo online effort ever, even trumping Smash Bros. Brawl. The graphics are charming and polished, and run at a smooth 60 FPS. All in all, Mario Kart Wii is a must-have for all Wii owners.

The thing is, none of these complaints stop me from enjoying Kart Wii. In fact, it's still a great racer that oozes Nintendo charm and polish in most areas. And it represents the single biggest step into the online arena for the company, which has dragged its feet where connectivity is concerned. There is no racing revolution here, but if you grew up and loved the Kart experience, you're going to love the Wii game, too -- and you're going to be playing online for months to come.
TwilightPrince via wii.ign.com »
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  • 1
    Storm Apr 21, 08
    That's great and all, but I'm choosing GTA IV over this. I doubt it's better than the original, Super Mario Kart...ok, it likely is better, but still, I'll get this within the coming weeks, no rush here.
  • 0
    chautemoc Apr 21, 08
    I heard somewhere this was pretty crap. Who knows though until you play it..hehe.
    • 2
      Xenctuary* Apr 21, 08
      It's actually pretty decent, surprisingly! I've thoroughly enjoyed it so far.
      • 0
        chautemoc Apr 21, 08
        EDGE gave it a 60, they didnt like the changes or something. Everyone else digs it. Im sure its pretty good.
  • 0
    Twisted Apr 21, 08
    Yay. I really can't wait to get this game, damn I wish I had it now. It'll be great when it comes out, the Wii Wheel looks awesome.
  • 1
    jmac353 Apr 21, 08
    Yeah, because the kart racing genre is so saturated with games this is some kind of feat.

    Mario Kart is basically the only freaking game in the genre.
    • 0
      TwilightPrince Apr 21, 08
      I'm pretty sure they're just trying to say that MKWii is the best console Mario Kart since the original Super Mario Kart.
      • 1
        jmac353 Apr 21, 08
        I find that supremely hard to believe since Double Dash was *bleep*ing excellent.
        • 0
          TwilightPrince Apr 21, 08
          Actually, Double Dash is the lowest rated Mario Kart game in the entire series.

          And I also think it was the worst. Too gimmicky.
    • 1
      StarJet Apr 21, 08
      quote
      Mario Kart is basically the only freaking game in the genre.
      Let me see... Jak X : Combat Racing, Crash Team Racing... What are those then?
      • 1
        jmac353 Apr 21, 08
        Exactly. You prove my point. No competition at all. You see what I'm saying?
        • 0
          StarJet Apr 21, 08
          Well, CTR > Mario Kart IMO. Mario Kart is selling so well because loads of Mario fanboys are buying it.
        • 5
          jmac353 Apr 21, 08
          To each their own, but Mario Kart is definitely the better game.
        • 0
          Moonrise Apr 21, 08
          Crash Team Racing was better than Mario Kart Double Dash, but not Mario Kart 64 (IMO). Of course, that's just the original CTR and since then there really hasn't been any competition...at all.
  • -3
    Final Blade Apr 21, 08
    Talk about a bad time for a Release date seeming how GTA4 is coming out and its going to overshadow in sales to this game.

    GTA4 > MKWii

    I can't see anyone choosing a mario kart game over GTA4.
    • 2
      Storm Apr 21, 08
      Well there's:

      1. People who only have a Wii.
      2. People who dislike GTA games.
      3. People who are long-time Mario or Mario Kart fans.
      4. People who want to try out the Wii-Wheel.
      5. People who are rich and buy all major games on release date (MKWii comes out before GTAIV, after all).
      • 0
        black doom Apr 21, 08
        I am European and Storm's first three, mainly first two, suit me perfectly, I would expect that they are not an uncommon gaming group in America. It will be interesting to compare the games sales though.
        • 0
          Storm Apr 21, 08
          Sure would, but the difference is that GTA is on PS3 and 360, MKWii only on the Wii, so either way, it looks like GTA will have higher sales.
        • 0
          black doom Apr 21, 08
          Storm for some reason I don't have the option to reply to you directly (technically I am responding to myself) but I just want to say good point. But then again the 'once lost' gamers that make up a large chunk of 'casual' audience could very easily have an awful lot of Mario Kart fans who can play it again in it.
    • 0
      BradSK Apr 21, 08
      Disagreed. I am so hyped about GTA IV, but I'll still find time to play MKWii, because it's a great game. Maybe it has something to do with the European release, but still I won't give up on it totally after GTA IV.
  • 0
    Slumpy monkey Apr 21, 08
    Its true. This game is a blast 2 player.
  • 0
    Remino52 Apr 21, 08
    Hopefully I can get it the first day it comes out back at home but I doubt it.Thank god it is a sunday.
    • 0
      Storm Apr 21, 08
      Speaking of which, what the hell is Nintendo thinking? First Brawl, now Mario Kart Wii, being released...on a Sunday? Why not a Thursday or something, would be better for the school kids, closer to the weekend, more time to play it.
      • 0
        TwilightPrince Apr 21, 08
        It's much better then the usual Monday/Tuesday release dates. I'd rather play it all day Sunday, rather then go after classes on Tuesday and pick it up.
        • 0
          Storm Apr 21, 08
          Yeah, with way more crowds on Sunday, too. I think Thursday's the best bet for release dates, but that's just me.
  • 1
    iLLmatic Apr 21, 08
    One of the best console karts in years..? Compared to what?
  • 0
    xegaldis Apr 22, 08
    i agree. i love this game and tbh, it's the only game keeping me from selling my nintendo wii.

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