Mario Kart 8 review

[gaz@manc]

Arrived today - see my comment in MK8 news thread re code download before you register!

Graphically the game looks great. Visuals aren't the be all and end all of a new release, but it is exciting for me to finally see Mario Kart running in HD. The new anti grav sections help to give new tracks a sense of the dramatic.

I've played through the first 8 new tracks. I wasn't too impressed with Sweet Canyon but all the others I found to be of a high standard. Mario Stadium is a great introduction to the game. I also really enjoyed Thwomp Ruins, Twisted Mansion and Shy Guy Falls. I played one retro cup. I was never a big fan of the Wii version so don't really remember many tracks, but Moo Moo Meadows looked beautiful running in HD with upgraded visuals. Cheep Cheep Beach and Mario Circuit also looked great, and more importantly played well with tweaks made to their design to fit Kart 8. Toads Turnpike was never my favourite Mario Kart 64 track and this upgrade did nothing to change my opinion.

I played on 100cc with little difficulty, the odd badly timed projectile on the last corner would occasionally stop me from getting 1st. The game handles well and plays in a similar manner to Mario Kart 7, which I was a big a fan of. It all runs very smoothly and is a good showcase for Wii U.

I haven't tried online yet. Oh and the soundtrack is fantastic.

[Neon Ignition]

It's very early but any experience of the blue shell? Everything seemed great when I played this last Oct so the blue shell was the last question mark hanging over it but oddly reviews haven't really mentioned it since early previews said Ninty was trying to change it up a bit

[gaz@manc]

In 12 races I was probably hit maybe 5 or 6 times. It didn't hit me every race and if I was hit by a blue shell it only happened the once per race.

[Neon Ignition]

Cool, sounds like they've just reduced the frequency. In MKWii you could practically predict it in every race.

[Daragon]

Well, 50cc really made me work for it. Bloody power ups just as cheap. Last bit on rainbow road retro, blew away a blue shell with the horn only to be driven into and flung over the side ending up in 3rd from first. This still isn't a game of skill sadly, it's one of luck!

[Guts]

Well, 50cc really made me work for it.

This still isn't a game of skill sadly, it's one of luck!

Sounds to me like you just lack the skill part.

[Daragon]

Nope, spent most of each race in first place. Unfortunately it's pretty much the last lap where the cheap happens.

The Ai seems to stick to you like glue as well, no more spending most of the race halfway round the course in front of 2nd place.

[BIG EDD]

What a stunning looking game I must say,looks superb on my Panny plasmalove the handling and anti gravity shifts superb.
Will have to put it on hold from the weekend on as I'm going on holidays shame I couldn't take the Wii U

[Brad]

This is awesome. Everything I wanted from a mario kart. Love all the news courses. Hopefully 150cc will be a challenge because 100cc was a doddle. Won every race first time bar the last one where I got blue shelled at the end of the final lap. I reckon I got blue shelled about half the time but it was usually on lap 2 so,it didn't matter. Moo moo meadows is beautifully reimagined.

[Neon Ignition]

50cc done and dusted, like has been said, excellent tracks and looks to be tons to unlock. Plays perfect on Pro Controller and whilst blue shell is present as usual it hasn't kept me from 100% the first class on first attempt. 50cc didn't seem to bad speed wise either. The game runs fine using the Gamepad as a screen but you do lose quite a fair bit of its visual splendor. First signs are MK8 really pushes the series back on form, see what prolongued play uncovers but so far so amaze.

[dataDave]

Has anyone tried going online with friends yet? How do the lobbies work?

[Brad]

The gamepad is too big and gets uncomfortable really quickly. I used the Wii classic pro in the end. It the analog sticks are too high and have too much travel. Is the wiiu pro controller better in this regard I.e. less travel? Everything has to be perfect for mk!

[Brad]

Played some random peeps online. Worked fine. People know shortcuts already! Couple of times I was sure I'd won only to see I was second. Results didn't show time difference between positions though. Wtf!?

[Neon Ignition]

I've had no trouble with the pro, seems really well suited to the game

[VR46]

Brad I watched a three minute video of 30 shortcuts last night. May have been on nintendolife.com. Will edit in a link when I remember.

EDIT:
IGN it was

http://uk.ign.com/videos/2014/05/29/30-best-shortcuts-in-mario-kart-8

Can't wait to finally play this tonight. Was planning in using the gamepad as I found that fine for Need For Speed but I am having second thoughts now.