College Publisher Test Site

Issue date: 4/15/08 Section: Entertainment

Media Credit: James Lim Gamers at Horton Plaza test drive the Mario Kart Wii. [Click to enlarge]

Nintendo hopes to knockout the competition by releasing one of the biggest games of the year, Mario Kart Wii, fresh off the heels of the third-installment of the uber -popular franchise, Super Smash Bros. Brawl.

What is usually a slow gaming season is now a clash of the titans with blockbuster games kicking off the summer season.

Mario Kart Wii is the sixth installment (counting the handheld versions) of the series and the first to take advantage of the motion-sensing capabilities the Wii offers.

The game comes with a Wii Wheel in which you plug the Wii Remote in sideways and acts as a steering wheel. The button layout is functional the 2 button is your gas, the 1 button is your brake and the B button is used to activate items. Want to turn left? Then just simply move the Wii Wheel in that direction.

The controls are responsive and intuitive, although truth be told, it's a little awkward at first.

In addition to using the Wii Wheel, four other control schemes have been outlined: Wii Remote alone, Wiimote with Nunchuck, Classic Controller, and Gamecube Controller. This has caused some controversy among hardcore Mario Kart fans as Nintendo states that players won't be able to perform some maneuvers and certain moves when using the Classic Controller or Gamecube Controller. Nintendo hasn't commented on what maneuvers it refers to.

Another change to the gameplay is the addition of a second vehicle, a motorcycle. Each character will have a bike you can use if you get tired of the kart gameplay.

This has its advantages and disadvantages as picking a motorcycle will grant you the ability to perform stunts, or tricks that give you turbo boosts, but its also come at a price.

Controlling your character on the bike will be much more difficult and will take some getting used to since turning on the bike will feel a lot more sensitive.

Hardcore Mario Kart players looking for a tougher challenge are drawn to this mode as it gives you a sense of accomplishment if you're able to nail stunts. Noobs need not apply.

Mario Kart Wii is scheduled to pull up to stores everywhere on April 27, 2008.

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