By skimming IGN it seems like these are the main points.
Only a graphical update from 64
Item Imbalances
Axed Mechanics like Hop
2 Item buttons?
The problem is the same as all series. They only compare it to it's prequels rather than as a individual game.
I've always found IGN to be quite difficult to impress. IMO all those points are quite irrelevant or harsh.
Of course the graphics are an improvement but that's not the only update to the game. Both games feel and play completely differently.
I never noticed any item imbalances. They seemed the same as all the other Mario Karts: Bananas or green shells if you're at the front and better items if you're lagging behind. OK, some characters have exclusive items only they can use but that's part of the strategy behind choosing your drivers.
The way the game plays, the hop isn't really needed. You can still do power slides so what's the problem?
2 item buttons?!! Now they're nit picking. The controller has more buttons than what's needed. Use whatever button is most comfortable.
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I didnt take kindly to DD simply because (I may be being too complex here) but the karts steering was way to "heavy" and I just got annoyed with it.
The courses didnt really appeal to me except for a select few but the multiplayer was fun.
4 friends around playing baby park was frantic but I would have enjoyed it alot more if it had the controls of MK DS or Wii
5.MK64 - Added in the items that screw up the game.
It added the blueshell that was to be feared. Mario Kart Wii has surpassed that now with its POW blocks, squids and other uneeded items like the grey cloud that hits you unless you get rid of it. I prefered the more simple Mario kart days on SNES/N64 were it was more about racing than items, which DD and MK Wii sometimes feel they are all about.
It wasn't the fact there were 2 people that bugged me, it was simply it seemed I was playing Mario kart: Wacky Racers, as opposed to Kart. I like go-karting, not sitting in prams and bullet shaped vehicles, or even ones shaped like barrels. I also found the music and tracks in DD ti be a bit uninspired. Mario Kart Wii is kind of heading in the right direction, but with its excess of items, lack of original tracks (most taken from other MK games) and also the addition of bikes - MK kind of lets me down. Mario Kart here, not Mario Moto-cross. Still, none of the Mario Karts are bad games, the N64 and SNES ones are my favourite though.
No hop (It's part of Mario Kart - it just didn't feel right without it)
The speed - it felt a bit... lacking...
The character specfic items; some characters items were better than others...
(though Mario Kart Wii hasn't even got 2 player Grand Prix)
I disliked the lack of hop too, and yes, the speed seemed slow and what is with Mario Kart Wii lacking 2 player Grand Prix mode? Couldn't they be bothered to put it in?
For me I think DD is when items became item overload on the MK series, and that is still true with the Wii version.
Current adventure games to play and complete to as close to 100% as possible - Okami and Paper Mario 64.
VC games so far: Bonk's Revenge/ F-Zero/ Paper Mario 64/ Super Probotector, F Zero X, Mario World 3
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And after spending lots of time on MK Wii online today, I do not change my mind that MK Wii is item overload, and detracts from the fun. You get punished for being in 1st place with blue shells, pow blocks, bullet bills, the works. Also, whoever put those thundeclouds in this game, need stringing up.
Less items please Nintendo. Can we put the karting aspect in to Mario kart again, as opposed to being attacked at every corner.
Current adventure games to play and complete to as close to 100% as possible - Okami and Paper Mario 64.
VC games so far: Bonk's Revenge/ F-Zero/ Paper Mario 64/ Super Probotector, F Zero X, Mario World 3
Wii friend code: 6513-6403-4254-7050
Add it or be doomed. And let me know if you add it (or you certainley will be doomed)
IMHO, Mariokart 64 was where Nintendo got it the most right, in terms of balance, courses, funky music and all round fun. Fake item boxes, blue shells and the triple shell / skins added to the game, rather than frustrated and imbalanced it. The multiplayer is also best in MK64, in terms of stages and execution.
Nowadays whilst I still rate Mario Kart in all its recent guises as excellent, I agree that the items (most notably bullet bills and the new lightning clouds) are far too overpowered and are cheap wins for those at the back. Winning at Mariokart back in the day was more about skill, but now it seems more to do with luck. Whilst I understand that there needed to be a balance to make games more interesting (rather than you constantly leading by a mile for the whole race), I think Nintendo went too far, the balance of luck and skill felt right in MK64, and has become more skewed the more up to date you get.
Not to mention the uber hidden shortcuts and secret corner turbos! Remember that feeling when you got the Mario Circuit wall jump shortcut right for the first time? Haven't felt that same feeling from a Mario Kart game since. Everything now is just on a plate for you rather than begging to be discovered.
Currently Playing: Mario Kart Wii - Single Player
J-Monkey made me realise I should probably finish the single player at some point seeing as though I've has the game for ages!
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IMHO, Mariokart 64 was where Nintendo got it the most right, in terms of balance, courses, funky music and all round fun. Fake item boxes, blue shells and the triple shell / skins added to the game, rather than frustrated and imbalanced it. The multiplayer is also best in MK64, in terms of stages and execution.
Nowadays whilst I still rate Mario Kart in all its recent guises as excellent, I agree that the items (most notably bullet bills and the new lightning clouds) are far too overpowered and are cheap wins for those at the back. Winning at Mariokart back in the day was more about skill, but now it seems more to do with luck. Whilst I understand that there needed to be a balance to make games more interesting (rather than you constantly leading by a mile for the whole race), I think Nintendo went too far, the balance of luck and skill felt right in MK64, and has become more skewed the more up to date you get.
Not to mention the uber hidden shortcuts and secret corner turbos! Remember that feeling when you got the Mario Circuit wall jump shortcut right for the first time? Haven't felt that same feeling from a Mario Kart game since. Everything now is just on a plate for you rather than begging to be discovered.
I agee. Mario Kart 64 is still my favourite. Mario Kart Wii is better than DD, but the courses as of DD have become so un-kartish. Most levels appear to be suspended 9000 feet in the air, with no barriers, giant wrigglers running around, tracks that move constanltly, tracks that have giant balls of fire rolling directly at the player, and so on. No longer are levels just themed, they actually ATTACK you with constant obscure layouts.
Moonview Highway is a more annoying, less inspired version of Toad's Turpike.
Also, the music, it is the same DD kind of music. Very circus like, not very great. MK64 had much more racable music.
The items simply need sorting out. Remove all these new useless ones. Let me race, not play Mario Kart BRAWL.
Current adventure games to play and complete to as close to 100% as possible - Okami and Paper Mario 64.
VC games so far: Bonk's Revenge/ F-Zero/ Paper Mario 64/ Super Probotector, F Zero X, Mario World 3
Wii friend code: 6513-6403-4254-7050
Add it or be doomed. And let me know if you add it (or you certainley will be doomed)
The only things I didn't like were:
Linear Mode
