Nintendo takes Mario Kart for a test drive.

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Nintendo Power has given a short hand on preview of one of the most anticipated games for 2008. Nintendo’s president, Satoru Iwata, gave some details to excited fans back in October when he announced that the title would inculde Nintendo Wi-fi Connection for 12 players, a steering wheel that will allow novices to compete with verteran players and that Mario Kart would be featuring Motorcycles for the first time. Nintendo’s first video of the game showed the ability to pull of stunts like a wheelie on your motorcycle or a 360 spin in the kart, Nintendo Power has confirmed that not only does this look cool but also gives players a reward, although no more can be said at this time due to the game still being an early version.

The title features 16 new courses (based on familiar locations) all with enhanced new visuals. The visuals are by far more deatiled than previous entries in the series which is evident by the detailed charater emotions, rushing water and explosions. Some new items are expected but not yet all confirmed as well as the return of the ever releiable items from the previous games.

As with all games being brought to the wii for the first time the big question is how are the controls? Fortunately the motion controls handle everything the game throws at the player very smoothly. Satoru Iwata has correctly stated “driving a kart will feel perfectly natural to anyone who has ever used a steering wheel.” Nintendo Power elaberated “You hold the Wii remote in both hands with the buttons facing you when you turn the wheel left or right. If you tilt it steeply, you’ll make a sharp turn, a gentle dip will ease you to one side. Buttons control acceleration, braking, and item use”

Theres still months of development to go before the games launch.



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  • http://hullbreachonline.com hullbreach

    Hopefully by 16 new courses they mean either 16 new ones so far or 16 new ones plus some old ones. 16 by itself doesn’t seem like enough in this day and age of dozens of tracks in racing games.

    Either way, I’m getting it!

  • http://shanoboy.com shanoboy

    Yeah, I hope they include the old courses too! That would be great. Make them unlockable so I have something to work for. :)

  • Corey

    That would be cool, all the old ones including 16 new ones, that would be a lot of tracks!

  • MinutesToMidnightLP

    4 cups of 4 tracks is cool but maybe some hidden and retro tracks would be great. Bit anxious of the new controls scheme, but hopefully an IGN hands on will put my mind at rest. Happy Holidays!

  • scullum2001

    every game up to this point has had 16 new tracks, haven’t they? 4 cups X 4 tracks = 16 new tracks. and since MK: Superstar Circuit, they’ve been putting retro tracks in. why would things change now, and they only put a few old/new tracks in?

  • scullum2001

    (that was a response to everyone else — not to the original post)