I just picked it up during lunch. I will be playing this in 4 hours time (when I get home from work).... 
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Mario Kart Wii: What do you think?
- Thread starter Spanky Deluxe
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
Loving the game, but had my first frustration with the game today - I've been getting soundly spanked online, and was finally starting to get a weeee bit better, to the point where I wasn't coming in last online...
Well, I had been in the top 4 or 5 for a few races, and finally won a really (for me) difficult round... and...
The connection was lost to nintendo.
It would have been a boost to my measly score of at least 150 points, possibly more
I have been enjoying the game quite a bit though. I've stepped away from the wheel for a while, until I get a feel for the courses and gameplay - and then I plan on getting back to the wheel. Unfortunately, I for the life of me cannot pop a wheelie repeatedly while using the wheel - I just loose control and start zipping back and forth across the course as I frantically try to flick the wheel... that was the main reason I tried the nunchuck arrangement. Much better to get used to the game with, IMHO...
Well, I had been in the top 4 or 5 for a few races, and finally won a really (for me) difficult round... and...
The connection was lost to nintendo.
It would have been a boost to my measly score of at least 150 points, possibly more
I have been enjoying the game quite a bit though. I've stepped away from the wheel for a while, until I get a feel for the courses and gameplay - and then I plan on getting back to the wheel. Unfortunately, I for the life of me cannot pop a wheelie repeatedly while using the wheel - I just loose control and start zipping back and forth across the course as I frantically try to flick the wheel... that was the main reason I tried the nunchuck arrangement. Much better to get used to the game with, IMHO...
The single player is pretty brutal. The AI is extremely cheap. Good thing this is mostly about multiplayer.
I've only been playing the time trial. Something about playing with the wheel makes me smile. I like games that do that.
I'm avoiding online, because Time Warner where i currently live in South CA, is horrible. I've had them out to repair it, and it still times out too frequently.
I think the cheapest AI, was on the SNES at 150cc. That version would clearly cheat.
<]=)
I'm avoiding online, because Time Warner where i currently live in South CA, is horrible. I've had them out to repair it, and it still times out too frequently.
I think the cheapest AI, was on the SNES at 150cc. That version would clearly cheat.
<]=)
I found myself swearing on the Ghost Track in the shell cup. That track sucks. I can't see crap.
I haven't got frustrated yet, but only because I haven't played it enough.
I chewed on my DS during some really frustrating tracks with MK DS. I'm kind of glad the wheel is there, since it will feel my teeth's wrath instead of the Wiimote.
<]=)
I chewed on my DS during some really frustrating tracks with MK DS. I'm kind of glad the wheel is there, since it will feel my teeth's wrath instead of the Wiimote.
<]=)
I haven't got frustrated yet, but only because I haven't played it enough.
I chewed on my DS during some really frustrating tracks with MK DS. I'm kind of glad the wheel is there, since it will feel my teeth's wrath instead of the Wiimote.
<]=)
I've not got frustrated at all yet, but I've pretty much just played (and beat) 50cc. I've played one circuit in 100cc so far and the bikes control really differently, so it's a little frustrating, but after having done the 50cc and looking back at the fact that the only cup I didn't get 1st in was the first cup because I was learning the motion controls I can see that just learning the feel and timing for the bikes will make it more fun and less frustrating.
This really is a great game though. I'm actually pretty surprised that the media has given it "only" 8-8.5 out of 10 for the most part. They seem to knock the fact that it's "just Mario Kart" and since it's the 6th tiem we've seen this game it's just not as great anymore. This is easily my favorite MK game of the series. They've reinvented arcade racing at home - racing games were fun before, but the arcade ALWAYS had it beat, imo, even if the graphics were better at home and the play more in depth, the controls make the game for a racer, I say.
After seeing how well the Wiimote worked on MK I can EASILY see a developer making a realistic racing sim for the Wii. With the excellent expandability of the controller I would think that including a wheel casing like MK as well as a little set of pedals that plug into the expansion port (it's just two analog buttons, some plastic, and some wiring) could be done in a $59.99 game.
In fact I'd bet on that for 2009...
Pedals? That Balance Board might work since it detects varying levels of pressure.
But I agree, it's the best Mario Kart by far and its just down to the controls. I know a lot of the best racers are using GC controllers but it saps the fun away from it I find. Don't think I could go back to using an analogue stick to control a kart racer now.
But I agree, it's the best Mario Kart by far and its just down to the controls. I know a lot of the best racers are using GC controllers but it saps the fun away from it I find. Don't think I could go back to using an analogue stick to control a kart racer now.
I actually tried using the nunchuck/remote combo and it sucked because steering your drift is so much easier with the wheel. You can start a drift and turn into it to make a sharp turning motion and or away from it to have a longer more sweeping turn, and it's perfectly natural.
As for the balance board - well, it's a $90 peripheral that might be a bit of overkill for a couple of pedals. A hunk of plastic with two analog switches inside would get the job done and the remote would provide the wireless, power, most of the circuitry, and you'd think that if the nunchuck attachment with 3-D motion sensing, an analog stick, and a couple of regular buttons can be sold profitably at $20 that something like this and a wheel shell like MK's should be doable for less than that.
I hope they do a semi-realistic arcade type racer, though. Offroad rally racing would be pretty sweet - maybe the next Collin McRae game (if they're doing more of those after his death)? Adding an over the road, long distance rally using real street maps would actually be sort of fun, too. You could have a pee meter!
With the Wii capable of a bit better than XBox graphics, and looking at a game like PGR on the XBox I think they could have a HUGE HUGE hit on their hands with a good title with MKWii + pedal controls... if the online is as good as MKs I can easily see it being "the new Gran Turismo".
I actually tried using the nunchuck/remote combo and it sucked because steering your drift is so much easier with the wheel. You can start a drift and turn into it to make a sharp turning motion and or away from it to have a longer more sweeping turn, and it's perfectly natural.
As for the balance board - well, it's a $90 peripheral that might be a bit of overkill for a couple of pedals. A hunk of plastic with two analog switches inside would get the job done and the remote would provide the wireless, power, most of the circuitry, and you'd think that if the nunchuck attachment with 3-D motion sensing, an analog stick, and a couple of regular buttons can be sold profitably at $20 that something like this and a wheel shell like MK's should be doable for less than that.
I hope they do a semi-realistic arcade type racer, though. Offroad rally racing would be pretty sweet - maybe the next Collin McRae game (if they're doing more of those after his death)? Adding an over the road, long distance rally using real street maps would actually be sort of fun, too. You could have a pee meter!
With the Wii capable of a bit better than XBox graphics, and looking at a game like PGR on the XBox I think they could have a HUGE HUGE hit on their hands with a good title with MKWii + pedal controls... if the online is as good as MKs I can easily see it being "the new Gran Turismo".
I read, in a review, that the Wii Mote Nunchuck combination works well with the bikes. Which vehicles did you use it with?
I tried it with the karts. I'm just starting to try the bikes and the wheel feels pretty good for those, too, just a different timing and whatnot to master. If I keep sucking at it with the wheel though, I will probably try the nunchuck again, just to unlock karts in the 100cc level, and all the other tracks and characters and karts in that class (you get your Mii as a playable character for winning the final cup in the 100cc class). I don't think that will be the case, though.
I find anything other than the Classic Controller to be awkward, not having owned a GameCube. But I'll probably give the Wheel a try again soon.
So after a few more hours of playing I've finally retrained myself on manual drift with the wheel.
I don't understand all this talk about in order to be good you can't use the wheel.
Why?
What can the 'Cube controller do that the WiiWheel can't? I find it more natural with the wheel, which in turn makes it easier for timing.
I will never be able to go back to an analog stick.
Someone with more time on their hands than me should create a new thread of time trial times. We could have a top ten for each track, and maybe even break it down by controller style and motorcycle or kart.
Of course it would all have to be honor system, so maybe it wouldn't work. Honor system isn't all that reliable on the internet.
I could care less about the other controls....the wheel makes it ten times more fun and I'll use it as I see fit...I can't see myself going back to the sticks but I will try them out this weekend
Bless
Well, having watched the ghost replays of the fastest racers I think it comes down to the ability to just let go of the analog stick once you are on a good line and let it go for a second. The wheel is more prone to very slight movements when you are trying to go straight. Also seems like you can, very slightly, bump yourself off a racing line when tapping a button, maybe.So after a few more hours of playing I've finally retrained myself on manual drift with the wheel.
I don't understand all this talk about in order to be good you can't use the wheel.
Why?
What can the 'Cube controller do that the WiiWheel can't? I find it more natural with the wheel, which in turn makes it easier for timing.
I will never be able to go back to an analog stick.
Someone with more time on their hands than me should create a new thread of time trial times. We could have a top ten for each track, and maybe even break it down by controller style and motorcycle or kart.
Of course it would all have to be honor system, so maybe it wouldn't work. Honor system isn't all that reliable on the internet.
Anyways, I prefer the wheel and I'm much faster with it personally, but only with karts - with bikes I'm not so good with the wheel, and the fastest times seem to be all bikes without the wheel... maybe it's less the wheel and more the wheel+bike doesn't allow for as tight of control, and bike>kart for speed? Dunno... still, way more fun with the wheel. Drifting with the wheel is very natural, and tons of fun.
I think if you add peoples friend code to your system you can look at a friend only leader board, which is basically what you are talking about (except less detail and sorting).
I've had the game since Sunday and at first started out on the Wiimote and Nunchuck setup. I was able to get catch on to the drifting pretty easy and thought the setup was good, then i switched over to the Wheel. So much funner, but for the life of me I can't get the hang of drifting with the Wheel. Am I doing something wrong? Don't you just push 'B'? Or is there someother button I have to push on the Wheel. Please advise as I cannot go back to the 'Mote n 'Chuck.
Great game overall - and surprisingly deep.
Great game overall - and surprisingly deep.
OK, it's easy-peezy. You have to turn the direction you want to drift, even just a tiny bit, then hit and hold B. That will start your drift. Once you are in the drift you can steer your front wheels by turning the wheel. If you turn into your drift you will turn really sharp AND build up boost power for when you let go of the B button. If you turn away from the drift you will still go the direction you are drifting, but it will be more of a straight line angling that way. You don't build turbo power if you are steering away from the drift (or at least you don't build it very fast).
Does that help? Make sure you have drifting set to manual, of course...
Ya, sounds like that's what you were doing. It's a change to the system because it keeps you from snaking (you can't build up boost without making a very hard turn). If you are having trouble try to remember to go into turns way on the outside of the track, start drifting and then steer into it so you end up on the far inside of the track coming out of your turn (and then turn away from your drift and let go of B so you can get your turbo boost without veering off of the road).
Download some of the faster time trial ghosts and just watch them... it'll make more sense.
I've been continuing with the 'chuck combo for the last few days (home sick, with not much else to do...), and I'm continuing with it for 1 reason - I cannot, for the life of me, pop a wheelie on a bike with the wheel. I think I did it once, during which time I lost control and made an immediate right hand turn off the course...
Anyone else having trouble pulling wheelies with the wheel?
Anyone else having trouble pulling wheelies with the wheel?
My problem wasn't popping the wheelie, but stopping the wheelie. Heh.
I'm much better now, but it took me a few races to get good at dropping back down, before it stops on it's own of course.
I'm pretty good with the bike and wheel combo now too. The first time I tried the bike/wheel/manual drift combo was against a ghost which was unfortunate because I was terrible and lost!
Much better now though.