Slog - Comments on Games: 24 36 Hours Into Mario Kart Wii http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/04/games_24_hours_into_mario_kart_wii It's a sunny day, so my deeper impressions will have to wait (I'll update this post with more later). In the meantime, for those of you Slog gamers wondering whether or not to buy the Mario Kart Wii game that hits stores tomorrow... well, I don't have a resounding recommendation here. On the downside, the game comes off as a rush job--the art design is pitiful, the number of new tracks is sad, and any four-player play runs choppily enough to be a distraction. In the good news dept, though, there's a new karts-versus-bikes element that is balanced and deep,... Copyright 2008 Sun, 27 Apr 2008 01:29:32 -0800 Mon, 28 Apr 2008 16:40:01 -0800 http://www.movabletype.org/?v=3.34 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Comment by Will in Seattle So, basically, we're better off buying Iron Man for the Wii instead?

]]> Will in Seattle http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/04/games_24_hours_into_mario_kart_wii#c1007457 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/04/games_24_hours_into_mario_kart_wii#c1007457 Tech Sat, 26 Apr 2008 14:50:40 -0800 Comment by PopTart Lego Indiana Jones for me. But I love racing games. I used to get so into one we had for the computer that I'd totally mess up the steering wheel controller. My ex had to rig something so that it was strongly clamped down. Good thing I don't really drive that way...much.

]]> PopTart http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/04/games_24_hours_into_mario_kart_wii#c1007466 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/04/games_24_hours_into_mario_kart_wii#c1007466 Tech Sat, 26 Apr 2008 15:37:40 -0800 Comment by Vince The only Kart I'll be putting money into is my car's gas tank. Thanks anyway.

]]> Vince http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/04/games_24_hours_into_mario_kart_wii#c1007470 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/04/games_24_hours_into_mario_kart_wii#c1007470 Tech Sat, 26 Apr 2008 15:54:02 -0800 Comment by stinkbug Pretty much the only driving game I've liked has been S.T.U.N. Runner. But I doubt we'll ever see a Wii version. Mario Kart does nothing for me.

My recent Nintendo world has consisted of:
- more of Brawl, although I wish I had more actual online buddies.
- Williams Pinball Hall of Fame. No super duper graphics, but good physics. If you like pinball then it's a good buy ($30 game, I found it for $20 used at gamestop, woo.)
- Professor Layton for the DS. Anyone who loves solving puzzles must get this. I was so addicted to it that I sadly blew through it in a week.

- two weeks until wii ware
- three weeks until wii fit.

]]> stinkbug http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/04/games_24_hours_into_mario_kart_wii#c1007535 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/04/games_24_hours_into_mario_kart_wii#c1007535 Tech Sat, 26 Apr 2008 23:39:19 -0800 Comment by normal mario cart.

eahh ha ha ha ha

you fucking stupid gay nerd.


you suck.

]]> normal http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/04/games_24_hours_into_mario_kart_wii#c1007542 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/04/games_24_hours_into_mario_kart_wii#c1007542 Tech Sun, 27 Apr 2008 01:22:34 -0800 Comment by Tom X. PDX The last independent clause should have went:

"I look forward to rubbing my, er, nine-hour head start* in your noses.

"*Applies only to those who did not pirate from Liberty Bay already."

]]> Tom X. PDX http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/04/games_24_hours_into_mario_kart_wii#c1007565 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/04/games_24_hours_into_mario_kart_wii#c1007565 Tech Sun, 27 Apr 2008 09:52:48 -0800 Comment by Peter F One of the owners of the company I work for took my team out to lunch a couple of weeks ago and out of the blue he asked how excited we were about the 27th of April. We all kind of looked at each other, confused, and he seemed disappointed in us for not knowing it was the release date for Mario Kart Wii, the way churchgoers are disappointed in me when I don't realize that it's Easter.

]]> Peter F http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/04/games_24_hours_into_mario_kart_wii#c1007569 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/04/games_24_hours_into_mario_kart_wii#c1007569 Tech Sun, 27 Apr 2008 10:26:21 -0800 Comment by Peter F Oh, and speaking of Iron Man, I was just reading someplace that Paramount is worried that GTA4's release will cut into ticket sales next weekend.

]]> Peter F http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/04/games_24_hours_into_mario_kart_wii#c1007570 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/04/games_24_hours_into_mario_kart_wii#c1007570 Tech Sun, 27 Apr 2008 10:27:56 -0800 Comment by sleestak GTAIV is the only game that matters. 2 more days...

]]> sleestak http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/04/games_24_hours_into_mario_kart_wii#c1007575 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/04/games_24_hours_into_mario_kart_wii#c1007575 Tech Sun, 27 Apr 2008 11:35:26 -0800 Comment by Will in Seattle Wii Fit is going to do well.

That said I'm waiting for GTA: V aka GTA: Emerald City ... gotta jack that chopper off of Seattle Grace Hospital and leave those interns hanging!

]]> Will in Seattle http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/04/games_24_hours_into_mario_kart_wii#c1007596 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/04/games_24_hours_into_mario_kart_wii#c1007596 Tech Sun, 27 Apr 2008 13:19:50 -0800 Comment by Will in Seattle @7 - I thought it was Passover ... isn't Easter just Saturnalia dressed up?

]]> Will in Seattle http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/04/games_24_hours_into_mario_kart_wii#c1007597 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/04/games_24_hours_into_mario_kart_wii#c1007597 Tech Sun, 27 Apr 2008 13:21:03 -0800 Comment by lol My girlfriend hates most video games but she loooooooooves Smash Bros Brawl.

]]> lol http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/04/games_24_hours_into_mario_kart_wii#c1007607 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/04/games_24_hours_into_mario_kart_wii#c1007607 Tech Sun, 27 Apr 2008 14:36:59 -0800 Comment by harold I'm surprised you didn't mention anything about the wheel controller. I thought it was just going to be a gimmicky piece of plastic I'd just try a couple races with, but I think it defines the experience. It took a few grand prix's to get the idea down and I'm still pretty rusty with it, but I find the wheel (well, actually the wheel-style control scheme) to be what allures me to the game.

]]> harold http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/04/games_24_hours_into_mario_kart_wii#c1007715 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/04/games_24_hours_into_mario_kart_wii#c1007715 Tech Mon, 28 Apr 2008 08:41:09 -0800 Comment by Mr. Poe Drop the "neener-neener" attitude, it doesn't piss anybody off and it seems to play a significant (?) role in your video game posts.

In related news, I, and another slogger, have already tested GTA IV: twice. It's pretty bland. Like Mario Kart, it's been (since GTA 3) the same game for years now.

]]> Mr. Poe http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/04/games_24_hours_into_mario_kart_wii#c1007724 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/04/games_24_hours_into_mario_kart_wii#c1007724 Tech Mon, 28 Apr 2008 09:00:50 -0800 Comment by Wurm Instead of Paramount being worried about GTAIV, shouldn't they worry about their movie being a pile of shit?

]]> Wurm http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/04/games_24_hours_into_mario_kart_wii#c1007798 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/04/games_24_hours_into_mario_kart_wii#c1007798 Tech Mon, 28 Apr 2008 10:24:29 -0800 Comment by Sam M. @13: I don't think the wheel was a big addition, because Excite Truck already did the same thing on Wii--and did it pretty well, as it's a racer where sloppy steering fits into its "holy crap I'm flying all over the place" sensation. Here, though, my friends and I all stopped using motion control after a few tries. Far too loose and unresponsive for an "action racing" game like this--I die enough as it is with standard control. But it's nice that it's an option, and it doesn't seem worth bashing MKW over, so I didn't mull over it.

]]> Sam M. http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/04/games_24_hours_into_mario_kart_wii#c1007799 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/04/games_24_hours_into_mario_kart_wii#c1007799 Tech Mon, 28 Apr 2008 10:27:00 -0800 Comment by harold Ah I forgot about Excite-truck. I can see MKW not being as exciting playing with the stick controls if you don't need to do the "powerslide waggle" any more. (You don't do the waggle anymore I gather)

I've put about 10 hours into the wheel style and I still end up starting a drift the wrong direction some times. I find the challenge of the control to be what makes this version of Kart more amusing. I can't just aim my kart in a direction and relax the joystick any more. The weapons with the digital pad are a pain though.

]]> harold http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/04/games_24_hours_into_mario_kart_wii#c1007824 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/04/games_24_hours_into_mario_kart_wii#c1007824 Tech Mon, 28 Apr 2008 10:46:46 -0800 Comment by Dougsf Question: Does Wii having any other good shooting games? The one that comes with the console is fun as shit, but all the others seem clunky (Cabelas, that Zelda-themed one, some Duck Hunt spin off where you spend 3 hours training you dog to fetch, etc.) and too involved.

Anything similar to old fashioned Duck Hunt or the hunting games you'd find in arcades?

]]> Dougsf http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/04/games_24_hours_into_mario_kart_wii#c1008146 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/04/games_24_hours_into_mario_kart_wii#c1008146 Tech Mon, 28 Apr 2008 14:36:02 -0800 Comment by Sam M. @18: Not sure what shooting game came with your Wii, unless Wii Sports has a hidden "OVER THE LINE!!" mode in the bowling game. Anyway. The Wii's arcade shooter selection is kinda weak--the best of its games are usually super-short, so you may be better off renting than buying. That said, Sega's got a few of their arcade shooters out--Ghost Squad and House of the Dead 2&3 are fun, but damned short. Then there's Target Terror, which is a shameless rip-off of the old Area 51 gun game... it's pretty dumb, but hey, so was Area 51, and I blew all kinds of quarters on that one back in the day. Strangely, there are no other hunting games on the Wii, and I have no clue why Sega hasn't ported its "extreme" hunting game from the arcades. (Go to Gameworks and you'll see what I mean. YOU SHOOT AT BEARS.)

Metroid Prime 3 and Medal of Honor Heroes 2 for Wii are good first-person shooters as well--aim at the screen whilst adventuring. Certainly not in line with that hunting jones of yours, but you may be pleasantly surprised.

]]> Sam M. http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/04/games_24_hours_into_mario_kart_wii#c1008199 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/04/games_24_hours_into_mario_kart_wii#c1008199 Tech Mon, 28 Apr 2008 15:19:09 -0800 Comment by Dougsf #19 - Thanks for the tips. Wasn't looking for and FPS - it's the inlaw's machine so i'm not certain, but I was referring to the shooting gallery on the Wii sports disc. Looking for something similar to that, or like the Big Game Hunter arcade game, but I think you're right, there's nothing out like that now.

]]> Dougsf http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/04/games_24_hours_into_mario_kart_wii#c1008306 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/04/games_24_hours_into_mario_kart_wii#c1008306 Tech Mon, 28 Apr 2008 16:40:01 -0800