Nintendo’s Mario Kart is one of the most popular multiplayer games of all time, instantly playable by newcomers, yet offering advanced features such as a “corner turbo” to more serious gamers.
As well as Mario Kart Wii, which can be played with the Wii remote, with or without a steering wheel attachment, there are other versions of the game that can be played on the console.
Mario Kart Wii - Mario Kart Racing Game
Mario Kart Wii was the first version of the racing game with added motion control, giving players the ability to steer using the Wii remote, and one of the most popular and best Nintendo Wii games Long-term fans of the Mario Kart series also have the option of using the classic controller to control their cart the traditional way.
Mario Kart Wii also added some other new features, the most notable being online play, which gives gamers the chance to race against people all over the world via their internet connection.
Perhaps most controversially, Mario Kart Wii added the option of racing around the tracks using bikes. Some fans of Mario Kart believe it is possible to negotiate the tracks a lot faster on the bikes and therefore see using the bike in online races as “cheating.”
The other new addition to Mario Kart Wii is the ability to perform stunts on the carts and bikes using the Wii remote. The game features exciting new tracks such as “Coconut Mall” and a selection of retro tracks from previous Mario Kart games.
Mario Kart – Double Dash
Mario Kart Double Dash was released in 2003 for the Nintendo Gamecube, but can be played on the Nintendo Wii, which is backwards compatible with Gamecube games. Players need to purchase Gamecube controllers, which plug directly into the Wii, in order to play the game.
Mario Kart Double Dash was received with mixed feelings by some “hardcore” gamers who felt it was too easy compared to past games in the series, but it is still a highly enjoyable multiplayer game around typically bright-coloured Nintendo tracks.
The key gameplay difference in Mario Kart Double Dash was that two game characters shared each cart – one in control of steering and the other firing weapons. This added a rather different game mechanic to all the other games in the series.
Mario Kart on Wii Virtual Console - Mario Kart Games Online
The Wii Virtual Console allows older “retro” games to be downloaded direct to the console via the internet and two additional Mario Kart games are available via this service.
Mario Kart 64, originally released for the Nintendo 64 console, may seem somewhat basic by today’s standards but is still a classic multiplayer game, with memorable tracks such as “Moo Moo Farm” and “Toad’s Turnpike,” where the carts share the track with large vehicles.
Gamers wishing to experience the game that started the series can download the original Mario Kart game, released back in 1997 on the Super Nintendo / Super Famicom.
Over a decade later, the graphics look primitive (as would be expected) but this does not take away from the playability, which is still superb many years later.
The original Mario Kart has smaller and tighter tracks and has more emphasis on skilful driving around the tracks than on the use of weapons and power-ups.
Fans of Mario Kart Wii are recommended to try all of these fabulous games, especially the original Mario Kart, in order to experience how this hugely popular series began.
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Ben Taylor - Ben is an aspiring travel writer, competent cook, Microsoft certified techno-geek, music obsessive, and recent migrant from rainy London ...
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