Mario Kart® Wii
Format: Wii™
Launch Date: 04/27/08
ESRB: E (Everyone): Comic Mischief
Game Type: Kart Racing
Accessories: Wii Wheel™ (included)
Players: 1-4 locally or up to 12 on Nintendo® Wi-Fi Connection with up to 2 players locally
Developer: Nintendo

Mario Kart Wii Help Menu
Mario Kart Wii Codes Hints and Shortcuts

Mario Kart Wii GDC 2008 Screenshots

Screenshots

Mario Kart Wii Spring Media Summit Video
Mario Kart Wii Video

Overview

The worldwide race is on with a whole new set of tricks, tracks and ways to play.

The Wii Wheel transforms the Wii Remote™ controller into a steering wheel that feels natural in anyone's hands, while the Wii Remote and Nunchuk™ controller offer a classic control style for the Mario Kart veteran. In either configuration, players can perform speed-boosting tricks with a shake of the Wii Remote.

Players can race as their favorite Nintendo character, or even as themselves! Mario Kart Wii lets players race with their personalized Mii™ characters. And racers will see other Mii characters they have created cheering from the sidelines on some race courses.

Players can compete with up to three friends in their living room. Or challenge up to 11 opponents via Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection in the biggest Mario Kart race yet. All tracks and modes of play are available via Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection, and players can visit the Mario Kart Channel to compete in tournaments, check rankings, see when their friends are playing and download ghost data.

Cruise new tracks and arenas or tour classic courses from Super Mario Kart™, Mario Kart® 64, Mario Kart®: Super Circuit™, Mario Kart®: Double Dash!!™ and Mario Kart® DS. Tired of riding on four wheels? Bust out one of the new motorbikes for special tricks and techniques.

Game storyline:
Drawing on courses and battle arenas from every game in the series – not to mention tons of new ones – the true king of the Mushroom Kingdom racing circuits will finally be crowned.

How to progress through the game:
Place first in Grand Prix circuits or clear skill-based missions to open up increasingly difficult and thrilling circuits. Players can have multiplayer races on any open courses or battle in arenas.

Characters:
Nintendo favorites Mario™, Luigi™, Peach™, Yoshi®, Donkey Kong®, Wario™, Bowser™ and Toad™, plus a host of new faces-including your own! Get into the game and put your Mii™ character behind the wheel.

Special powers/weapons/moves/features:
Whether racing around an obstacle-filled track or battling in an arena, drifting and tossing items are the keys to Mario Kart success. Players can shake the Wii Remote while launching off a ramp to pull off a trick that will temporarily boost their speed. When riding a bike, players can gain additional speed by flicking the Wii Remote up and popping a wheelie.

Control: Mario Kart Wii is compatible with four different control schemes, so players can customize how they want to play:

Wii Remote Controller (with or without Wii Wheel): Steer by tilting the Wii Remote left and right. Or snap the Wii Remote into the Wii Wheel to transform it into a steering wheel for an intuitive, motion-based control scheme.

Nunchuk Controller: Steer with the Control Stick on the Nunchuk and use the Wii Remote to accelerate, perform tricks and drift.

Classic Controller or Nintendo GameCube™ Controller: These two control schemes offer Mario Kart veterans a familiar way to play. Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection: There are two options for races and battles over Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection: up to 12 people via Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection or up to 10 people via Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection with two people playing locally.

Mario Kart Wii info from Nintendo Power Vol 223

A Very Smart

In Nintendo Power Vol 223 Scott P talks about things he saw while playing Mario Kart Wii and here is the most wanted stuff from Page 31 of his article: "Remember the 360 degree that one of the Karts pull off? You'll get a Sweet Reward for doing that.As for the return of Kart must-haves, expect 16 brand-new courses and lots of familiar race locations based on tracks from throughout the series, enhanced with new features, of course, and boasting much greater visual detail than in any previous Kart title.You'll sample this eye candy in the character animations and track elements such as rushing water or exploding fireballs.As for items, expect some big newbies along with the tried- and-true Koopa Shells, bananas, lightning bolts, and varieties of mushrooms.It's to early to comment on all the game modes, but in addition to Grand Prix circuits, a variety of engine classes, and the online multiplayer races, there are sure to be several more challenges.You can also expect a colorful variety of kart styles, as seen in our screenshots.Maybe the biggest question i had before playing the game was how the motion-based control would handle sharp corners and twisting courses.i can sum up the answer with a single word- smoothly.As Mr Iwata stated, driving a kart will feel perfectly natural to anyone who has ever used a steering wheel.You hold the Wii remote in both hands with the buttions facing you (and that's how it will fit into the steering-wheel accessory).Then 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.Buttions control acceleration, braking, and item use.I was blown away by the game's elegance (even the sound was great), and there are several months of development yet to go.We'll reveal much more leading up to the launch. -Scott P."