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Mario Kart Wii is a video game for the Wii home console and the eighth installment in the Mario Kart series (which also includes both arcade titles). The game comes packaged with a plastic steering wheel known as the Wii Wheel, which the Wii Remote can be inserted into, arguably making the gameplay seem familiar to Mario Kart Arcade GP. However, if the player wishes, they can also use the Wii Remote with the Nunchuk, with the Classic Controller, with the GameCube controller, or just on its side without the shell at all, resembling the control options of Super Smash Bros. Brawl for the Wii. Mario Kart Wii is second most popular game on Nintendo Wii, making it the most popular Mario game on Wii.
Gameplay
Few dramatic changes have occurred in Mario Kart Wii, though there are some. For example, instead of just eight racers on a track at one time, there are now twelve. The players are also able to ride bikes.
The game is the second in the series to include Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection, with the first being Mario Kart DS. However, more options are included, such as the ability to play battle mode online, plus allowing two people in the same room to play with others around the world using the same console. You're also allowed to send and recieve Ghost Data via this service and enter tournaments started by Nintendo.
A number of the items from the previous games are returning, though a total of three items are new to the series. The first includes the Mega Mushroom, which will enlarge the player, which will allow the player to plow over enemies, go over rough terrain without slowing down, going slightly faster than normal, and being able to crash through any obstacles. The next is the lightning cloud, which will give you a short boost. However, if you don't send it to another player within a short time by crashing into them, then the cloud will shrink you. The final item is the POW Block, originating from Mario Bros. on the arcade. This block will spin all players out, though if the user shakes the Wii remote or uses the d-pad (depending on which controller you're using) at the right moment, then he or she'll continue in the same speed he/she was, though still lose all of the items in his possession.
Game modes
The game contains the traditional Grand Prix Mode, Time Trial Mode, Mirror mode, Versus Mode and Battle mode, and also features the ever popular online mode where players can race or battle up to 11 other players around the world. Ghost race will pit the player against a ghost of another player whom is at, roughly, the same skill level as you. In Tournament Mode (known as Competition Mode in Europe), the player will have to beat a timed task such as collecting all of the coins, passing through all the gates, defeating a boss, or an edited VS or Time Trial race (even within a Battle Arena). The aforementioned mode apparently replaces mission mode of Mario Kart DS.
Wii Wheel
When Mario Kart Wii was revealed at E3 of 2007, Reggie Fils-Aime also showed off the Wii Wheel, which would at the game's release come packaged with the game in an enlarged box. The wheel could also be sold separately if one wished to play in a multiplayer match with everyone using wheels.
With the Wii Wheel, the player will have to place the Wii remote inside of it, where it is stationed on its side. During races, the player can twist the wheel left and right to turn in the corresponding directions, similar to how you would in an arcade racing game (or even more specifically - Mario Kart Arcade GP).
If players use the Wii Wheel a lot, then a golden image of the Wii Wheel will be placed next to their avatar while playing online.
Controls
Wii Wheel
- Accelerate: Hold 2 Button.
- Rocket start: Hold 2 Button when Lakitu's traffic light goes middle or when the countdown is 2.
- Steer: Turn Wii Wheel left/right.
- Use item: Click on Control Pad (up/bottom).
- Look behind: Hold A Button.
- Trick: Move the wheel in any direction when on the air.
- Drift: Hold B Button.
- Mini turbo (CAN BE PERFORMED IN MANUAL): Hold B Button.
- Brake: Hold B Button or 1 Button.
- Reverse: Hold B Button or 1 Button.
- Pause: Touch + Button.
- Wheelie (CAN BE PERFORMED WHEN RIDING A BIKE): Move the wheel up.
- Home Menu: Touch Home Button (blue house).
Wii Remote and Nunchuk
- Accelerate: Hold A Button.
- Rocket start: Hold A Button when Lakitu's traffic light goes middle or when the countdown is 2.
- Steer: Move Control Stick (similar to analog stick) left/right.
- Use item: Touch Z Button.
- Look Behind: Hold C Button.
- Trick: Move the remote in any direction when on the air.
- Drift: Hold B Button.
- Reverse: Hold B Button.
- Brake: Hold B Button.
- Pause: Touch + Button.
- Wheelie (CAN BE PERFORMED WHEN RIDING A BIKE): Move the remote in any direction.
- Mini turbo (CAN BE PERFORMED IN MANUAL): Hold B Button.
- Home Menu: Touch Home Button (blue house).
Classic Controller
- Accelerate: Hold A Button.
- Rocket Start: Hold A Button when Lakitu's traffic light goes middle or when the countdown is 2.
- Steer: Move L Stick.
- Use Item: Touch L Button.
- Look behind: Hold X Button or ZR Button.
- Trick: Touch Control Pad in any direction when on the air.
- Drift: Hold B Button or R Button.
- Reverse: Hold B or R Button.
- Brake: Hold B/R Button.
- Pause: Touch + or Start Button.
- Wheelie: (CAN BE PERFORMED WHEN RIDING A BIKE): Press up on Control Pad.
- Mini turbo (CAN BE PERFORMED IN MANUAL): Hold B/R Button.
- HOME menu: Touch blue house button.
Nintendo GameCube Controller
- Accelerate: Hold green A Button.
- Rocket Start: Hold green A Button when Lakitu's traffic light goes middle/when the countdown is 2.
- Steer: Move Control Stick left/right.
- Use item: Touch L Button.
- Look behind: Hold X/Z Button.
- Trick: Press Control Pad in any direction when floating in the air.
- Drift: Hold red B/R Button.
- Reverse: Hold red B/R Button.
- Brake: Hold red B/grey R Button.
- Pause: Click Pause/Start Button.
- Wheelie (CAN BE PERFORMED WHEN RIDING A BIKE): Press up on Control Pad.
- Mini turbo (CAN BE PERFORMED IN MANUAL): Hold red R/B Button.
- Home Menu: You cannot do this.
Play Modes
- Wii Wheel—you can also simply use the Wii Remote without the wheel.
- Gamecube Controller
- Wii Remote and Nunchuk
- Classic Controller
New Features
- Play with the wheel, GameCube controller, Remote/Nunchuck, or the Classic Controller
- DS courses added to the retro courses
- Motorcycles
- The online play introduced in Mario Kart DS is retained
- The return to single-player karts is retained from Mario Kart DS
- 12 racers per race
- wheelies (for bikes)
Characters
Mario Kart Wii consists of 24 Mario characters and two costumed Mii's. Characters include series vets such as Mario and Yoshi and newcomers such as Rosalina and Funky Kong of Galaxy and DK Country fame, respectively, among a multitude of others. While Mario Kart: Double Dash!! introduced the character Toadette, the Wii installment of the popular series introduces a new baby - Baby Daisy. R.O.B. from Mario Kart DS has sadly been removed.
Lightweight
Available from the Start
- Baby Mario - Introduced to the series in Mario Kart: Double Dash!!.
- Baby Peach - First appearance in the series.
- Toad - Introduced to the series in Super Mario Kart.
- Koopa Troopa - Introduced to the series in Super Mario Kart.
Unlockable
- Baby Luigi - Introduced to the series in Mario Kart: Double Dash!!.
- Baby Daisy - First appearance ever
- Toadette - Introduced to the series in Mario Kart: Double Dash!!.
- Dry Bones - Introduced to the series in Mario Kart DS.
Middle Weight
Available from the Start
- Mario - Introduced to the series in Super Mario Kart.
- Luigi - Introduced to the series in Super Mario Kart.
- Peach - Introduced to the series in Super Mario Kart.
- Yoshi - Introduced to the series in Super Mario Kart.
Unlockable
- Princess Daisy - Introduced to the series in Mario Kart: Double Dash!!. Unlocked by getting a gold in the 150cc Special Cup
- Birdo - Introduced to the series in Mario Kart: Double Dash!!. Unlocked by getting Time Trials on 16 different courses
- Diddy Kong - Introduced to the series in Mario Kart: Double Dash!!. Unlocked by getting gold in the 50cc Lightning Cup
- Bowser Jr. - Introduced to the series in Mario Kart: Double Dash!!. Unlocked by earning a 1 Star Rank for all 100cc Retro Grand Prix Cups
Heavy Weight
Available from the Start
- Donkey Kong - Introduced to the series in Mario Kart 64.
- Wario - Introduced to the series in Mario Kart 64.
- Waluigi - Introduced to the series in Mario Kart: Double Dash!!.
- Bowser - Introduced to the series in Super Mario Kart.
Unlockable
- King Boo - Introduced to the series in Mario Kart: Double Dash!!. Unlocked by winning 50cc Star Cup.
- Rosalina - First appearance in the series. Unlocked by having a save file from Super Mario Galaxy and then playing 50 races or by getting a 1 Star Rank for all 150cc Mirror Grand Prix cups.
- Funky Kong - First appearance in the series. Unlocked by unlocking 4 expert staff ghosts.
- Dry Bowser - First appearance in the series. Unlocked by getting 1 Star Rank or higher in the Mushroom, Flower, Star and Special 150cc Grand Prix cups.
Mii
Mii's are unlockable characters. In all, there are two Mii's in the game that are desigined around your avatar. Each one has a separate article of clothing, and the weight of the Mii depends on how large you made him or her in the Mii Channel. Not only do Mii's appear as playable characters, they have many other appearances throughout the game's multitude of stages.
How to unlock
| Name | Tasks |
|---|---|
| Baby Luigi | Defeat 8 expert staff ghost or win 100 WFC races. |
| Baby Daisy | Get star rank for all nitro cups in 50cc. |
| Toadette | Play all courses in Time Trial or win 1000 WFC races. |
| Dry Bones | Win Leaf Cup in 100cc. |
| Daisy | Win Special Cup in 150cc. |
| Birdo | Play half of 32 (16) courses in Time Trial or win 250 WFC races. |
| Diddy Kong | Win all retro cups (win Lightning Cup) in 50cc. |
| Bowser Jr. | Get star rank for all of cups in 100cc. |
| King Boo | Win Star Cup in 50cc. |
| Rosalina | Get save file from Super Mario Galaxy and play 50 races or get star rank for all of cups in mirror mode. |
| Funky Kong | Defeat 4 expert staff ghosts or win 25 WFC (ghost) races. |
| Dry Bowser | Get star rank for all of nitro cups in 150cc. |
| Mii A (blue) |
Win all nitro cups (win Special Cup) in 100c. |
| Mii B (red) | Defeat all 32 expert staff ghosts, win 5000 WFC/ghost races or win over 5100 races and battles. |
Courses
Nitro (new) courses
Retro (old courses)
| Shell Cup | Banana Cup | Leaf Cup | Lightning Cup |
|---|---|---|---|
| GCN Peach Beach | N64 Sherbet Land | DS Desert Hills | SNES Mario Circuit 3 |
| DS Yoshi Falls | GBA Shy Guy Beach | GBA Bowser Castle 3 | DS Peach Gardens |
| SNES Ghost Valley 2 | DS Delfino Square | N64 DK's Jungle Parkway | GCN DK Mountain |
| N64 Mario Raceway | GCN Waluigi Stadium | GCN Mario Circuit | N64 Bowser's Castle |
Battle Arenas
New Arenas
- Block Plaza - A stage with many ramps that take you to a higher elevation, bridges, and statues of characters in the game that eventually drop into pits that become falling hazards.
- Delfino Pier - A stage with water to fall into, with a wooden platform in the center and brick paths on the sides. At a certain point, a bell will ring and a ramp leading to a roof will open, as well as some gates leading into an open area with a water vent that will eventually fill up the room, so it is ideal to drive up the stairs leading to the roof, which has slanted sides and a chimney.
- Funky Stadium - A stadium with many jumps, boost pads, and turnoffs on the side with jump boosts. You will enter off a ramp with boost pads.
- Chain Chomp Wheel - A giant moving roulette wheel with a loose Chain Chomp rolling around the middle. You will enter from a side ramp with boosts and on to the wheel. There is a big golden star shape in the center that you can jump through and pick up item boxes. Sea creatures are seen outside the arena and you can jump off the side boosts to get item boxes.
- Thwomp Desert: A circular stage with a patch of quicksand and a Thwomp in the center that will every so often stomp on the sand, creating ripples throughout stage that make it hard to maneuver through the course. Cacti on the sides are a hazard if ran into.
Reappearing/Retro Arenas
- SNES Battle Course 4
- GBA Battle Course 3
- N64 Skyscraper
- GCN Cookie Land
- DS Twilight House
World Records
Over time, various players from various areas have set world records to each course in the game. Here is a list of the current records (as of June 2, 2015)
| Course | Time | Player Name | Nation | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Luigi Circuit | 01:08.994 | Cole | Canada | December 24, 2014 |
| Moo Moo Meadows | 01:15.840 | Fox | Norway | April 11, 2014 |
| Mushroom Gorge | 00:26.769 | Sam | United Kingdom | February 3, 2015 |
| Toad's Factory | 01:49.784 | Fox | Norway | April 14, 2015 |
| Mario Circuit | 00:53.592 | Guy | United States | January 22, 2015 |
| Coconut Mall | 00:32.346 | Takemi | Japan | May 2, 2013 |
| DK Summit | 01:46.262 | Blake | United States | December 23, 2014 |
| Wario's Gold Mine | 00:32.818 | MrBean | United Kingdom | March 29, 2011 |
| Daisy Circuit | 01:28.962 | Fox | Norway | January 3, 2015 |
| Koopa Cape | 02:19.840 | Totom | France | December 3, 2013 |
| Maple Treeway | 01:58.833 | Demon | United States | November 29, 2013 |
| Grumble Volcano | 0:19.300 | Niyake | Japan | February 24, 2012 |
| Dry Dry Ruins | 01:47.498 | Infi | Japan | May 16, 2014 |
| Moonview Highway | 01:43.333 | Totom | France | February 7, 2015 |
| Bowser's Castle | 02:10.443 | Bom | Japan | September 16, 2014 |
| Rainbow Road | 02:25.257 | kaede | Japan | March 3, 2015 |
| GCN Peach Beach | 01:01.867 | Hunter | United States | May 29, 2015 |
| DS Yoshi Falls | 00:58.970 | Cole | Canada | March 14, 2013 |
| SNES Ghost Valley 2 | 00:51.898 | Axel | Japan | December 10, 2013 |
| N64 Mario Raceway | 01:41.636 | ZRoyal | United States | December 26, 2013 |
| N64 Sherbet Land | 02:04.253 | Sword | United Kingdom | December 28, 2014 |
| GBA Shy Guy Beach | 01:21.667 | Liam | United Kingdom | March 23, 2015 |
| DS Delfino Square | 02:04.860 | Totem | France | May 17, 2015 |
| GCN Waluigi Stadium | 01:48.861 | Totom | France | July 30, 2013 |
| DS Desert Hills | 01:33.732 | Thomas | Netherlands | December 10, 2014 |
| GBA Bowser Castle 3 | 01:58.438 | Doom | United States | June 19, 2013 |
| N64 DK's Jungle Parkway | 02:10.623 | Thomas | Netherlands | April 20, 2014 |
| GCN Mario Circuit | 01:30.798 | Fox | Norway | March 28, 2015 |
| SNES Mario Circuit 3 | 01:18.107 | Tyler | United States | November 21, 2013 |
| DS Peach Gardens | 01:59.485 | Darragh | United Kingdom | May 11, 2015 |
| GCN DK Mountain | 02:01.090 | Troy | United States | January 26, 2015 |
| N64 Bowser's Castle | 02:31.402 | rusoX | Spain | August 1, 2013 |
Competition/Tournament-exclusive Arenas
Karts and Bikes
Things available at start
- Standard Kart S
- Booster Seat a.k.a Baby Booster
- Mini Beast a.k.a Concerto
- Standard Bike S
- Bullet Bike
- Bit Bike a.k.a Nano Bike
- Standard Kart M
- Classic Dragster a.k.a Nostaglia 1
- Wild Wing
- Standard Bike M
- Mach Bike
- Sugarscoot a.k.a. Bon Bon
- Standard Kart L
- Offroader
- Flame Flyer
- Standard Bike L
- Flame Runner a.k.a. Bowser Bike
- Wario Bike
Unlockable stuff
- Cheep Charger
- Tiny Titan a.k.a Rally Romper
- Blue Falcon
- Quacker
- Magikruiser
- Jet Bubble a.k.a Bubble Bike
- Super Blooper a.k.a Turbo Blooper
- Daytripper a.k.a Royal Racer
- Sprinter a.k.a B Dasher Mk. 2
- Zip Zip a.k.a. Rapide
- Nitrocycle a.k.a Sneakster
- Dolphin Dasher
- Piranha Prowler
- Jetsetter a.k.a. Aero Glider
- Honeycoupe a.k.a. Dragonetti
- Shooting Star a.k.a. Twinkle Star
- Spear a.k.a. Torpedo
- Phantom
Unlocking Criteria
| Kart and bike's name | How to Unlock |
|---|---|
| Cheep Charger | Get star rank or more for all 50cc retro cups. |
| Tiny Titan | Defeat 1 expert staff ghost or win 50 WFC races. |
| Blue Falcon | Win Lightning Cup in mirror mode. |
| Quacker | Win Star Cup in 150cc. |
| Magikruiser | Play 8 different courses in Time Trial mode. |
| Jet Bubble | Win Leaf Cup in mirror mode. |
| Super Blooper | Win Leaf Cup in 50cc. |
| Daytripper | Win Leaf Cup in 150cc. |
| Sprinter | Defeat 24 expert staff ghost or win 3000 WFC races. |
| Zip Zip | Win Lightning Cup in 100cc. |
| Sneakster | Get star rank or more in all 100c nitro cups. |
| Dolphin Dasher | Win Star Cup in mirror mode. |
| Piranha Prowler | Win Special Cup in 50cc. |
| Jetsetter | Get star rank or more in all 150cc retro cups. |
| Honeycoupe | Win Lightning Cup in 150cc. |
| Shooting Star | Win Star Cup in 100cc. |
| Spear | Defeat 12 expert staff ghosts. |
| Phantom | Win Special Cup in mirror mode. |
Items
| Name | Image | Ability |
|---|---|---|
| Banana Peel | 
|
When placed on road, the banana peel will make anyone slip on the road and slow down when touched. |
| 3 Banana Peels | 
|
Act as same as single version, except there are 3. When used, bananas will act as a shield at the back of your vechicle. |
| Green Shell | 
|
When used, a green shell will slide on ground and go straight. It has ability to bounce of walls. Anyone who come in contact with the shell will automatically get knocked or flipped over. |
| 3 Green Shells | 
|
Act as same as single version, except there 3. When used, 3 green shells will go around the vechicle, plus shielding and protecting you from most attacks. Can only used one at a time. |
| Red Shell | 
|
Has similar manner to that of green shell, except it chases nearest driver in front of you. |
| 3 Red Shell | 
|
Has same manner as 3 Green Shells, except they chase the nearest oppenent in front of you. |
| Dash Mushroom | 
|
Increases your speed. |
| 3 Dash Mushrooms | 
|
Increases your speed, except there are 3. |
| Fake Item Box | 
|
It's just resembles item box, but it's red and black and will knock you when bumped! |
| Bob-omb | 
|
When thrown, Bob-omb will stay here. After short periods of time, this bomb will explode, and will chuck anyone into the air who are unlucky to get out of his way. |
| Blooper | 
|
This squid animal will spray ink at everyone (only the ones in front of you), plus confusing them by blocking their view. |
| Mega Mushroom | 
|
Makes you super-giant but for limited time, plus increasing your speed and ability to go off-road without any speed loss. Anyone who got touched by giant player will get squashed and flattened. |
| Blue Shell | 
|
When used, a blue shell with its wings and spikes will fly in the air super-fast with its blue lasers. After much flying, the blue shell will aim for the driver in 1st place. After that, the leader will get chucked into the air in the blue explosion. |
| POW Block | File:POW Block (Mario Kart Wii).jpg | When used, POW Block will act as a warning sign in all of your oppenents in front of you. After seeing this 'warning icon', POW Block will make screen shake and release its blue laser. Acts like Banana Peel, but they lose their items and an attack is very powerful. Can be avoided by shaking Wii Remote twice. |
| Thundercloud | 
|
When used, Thundercloud will appear above your head. He will increase your speed by making harmless shock at you. After limited time, when you bump into someone, he will follow them. After that, another player still increase his or her speed, but thundercloud will shrink them. |
| Star | 
|
Makes you invincible. If you hit anyone, while the player is flashing rainbow, then the victim will get knocked over. |
| Lightning | 
|
Shrinks everyone in-front of you, making them slow down. |
| Golden Dash Mushroom | 
|
It does similar effect as Dash Mushroom, except that you can increase speed repeatedly at anytime but with limited time. |
| Bullet Bill | 
|
Transforms you into Bullet Bill, in which he follows the course at incredibly high speed-faster than everything. Anyone who got bumped into him will simply get knocked over. If the player is far away from 1st, Bullet Bill will last longer. But if the player is near 1st, Bullet Bill will immediately vanish. |
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Ghost
Ghosts a.k.a. staff ghost also appears in this game. There are curently over 30 staff ghost. Each of Nintendo's people have Miis. Medium appear at first, but expert ones can be unlocked if the original one is defeated.
Regular
Expert
Trivia
- On menu, there is a music similar to that of Mario Kart DS.
- This is the second most popular Wii game, which means this is the most popular Mario-related video game to be released for Wii.
External links
| Mario Kart games | |
|---|---|
| Consoles games | Super Mario Kart • Mario Kart 64 • Double Dash!! • Mario Kart Wii • Mario Kart 8 (Deluxe (Booster Course Pass)) • Live: Home Circuit |
| Handheld games | Mario Kart: Super Circuit • Mario Kart DS • Mario Kart 7 • Mario Kart Tour |
| Arcade games | Mario Kart Arcade GP • Arcade GP 2 • Arcade GP DX • Arcade GP VR |
| Related | FGP: F-1 Race • FGP II: 3D Hot Rally • F-ZERO |