July 11, 2007 10:04 AM PDT

'Mario Kart' coming to the Wii with online play

by Will Greenwald
  • Font size
  • Print
  • 4 comments

It's not the most surprising announcement at E3, but it certainly is one of the most anticipated by Nintendo fans. Nintendo just announced Mario Kart Wii. Nintendo's seminal arcade racer is finally bringing its shell-slinging, kart-driving action to the Wii. While Nintendo has been pretty quiet about Mario Kart Wii, it's safe to say that the game will let you play as Mario, Luigi, Yoshi, or any other number of Nintendo characters across a number of Mario-themed tracks. At Nintendo's press conference today, Nintendo of America President Reggie Fils-Aime cryptically said, "More racers mean more fun. Stay tuned." Nintendo will probably unveil more playable characters and features in Mario Kart Wii as time goes by, like it has done with Super Smash Bros. Brawl. Perhaps Samus Aran or Link will be getting into their own karts this time around.

Gameplay details might be vague, but Nintendo has confirmed a very important feature of the game: Mario Kart Wii will be online. Last year's Mario Kart DS offered online multiplayer racing for the Nintendo DS, but this will be the first time a console version of Mario Kart goes online. Like other online Wii titles and features, Mario Kart Wii will use the system's Wi-Fi connection to scour the Internet for rival racers. Nintendo hasn't stated whether or not Mario Kart Wii will use the same cumbersome friend code system other online Nintendo games have used, but it's a pretty safe bet.

Mario Kart Wii will ship the first quarter of 2008, and will come with its own steering wheel accessory you can slip your Wiimote into before driving.

Recent posts from Crave
Magellan releases its own overpriced iPhone cradle
Mitsubishi's bar serves up best TV sound
Need for Speed shifts onto the iPhone, again
Yotaro the crying baby-bot teaches parenting skills
This coffee mug stirs itself
Tax prep preview: Which DIY app is right for you?
Digital City 63: 'Avatar,' 3D PS3, CES, oh my!
Vestalife Firefly isn't as cutsie the name implies
Add a Comment (Log in or register) (4 Comments)
  • prev
  • 1
  • next
Mario Kart rules!!!
by hardrockguru July 11, 2007 10:49 AM PDT
I can't wait!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Reply to this comment
ZOMG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
by EyeThought July 11, 2007 1:59 PM PDT
Sweetness, someone kill me now.
Reply to this comment
Holy *beep*!!!
by 4honor July 11, 2007 2:25 PM PDT
This is freaking sweet! I loved Mario Kart 64, the double dash was a little too complicated, but if they could just take the 64 version online, that would be awesome! I can't wait! Where is the pre-order button?
Reply to this comment
Minor error in this article...
by bawkbawkboo1 July 12, 2007 9:43 PM PDT
CNET wrote: " Last year's Mario Kart DS offered online multiplayer racing for
the Nintendo DS, but this will be the first time a console version of Mario Kart
goes online."

This is completely random, but I just remebered that debacle that was Mario
Kart Double Dash's online feature. The gamecube IS a console, and
technically it was playable online with 4 people. It used that Gamecube
accessory that connected to the bottom of the console an provided a Local
Area Network port:

http://www.amazon.com/Nintendo-GCN-Broadband-Adapter-Gamecube/
dp/B000L409N8/ref=sr_1_27/002-6641843-1849652?ie=UTF8&s=musical-
instruments&qid=1184301625&sr=8-27

So this is a minor flaw in your article. I know that the online was basically
unplayable though.
Reply to this comment
(4 Comments)
  • prev
  • 1
  • next
advertisement
advertisement

About Crave

The name says it all. Crave is our blog about gorgeous gadgets and other crushworthy stuff. If you would like to contact Crave with a tip or comment, please write to: crave@cnet.com

Add this feed to your online news reader

Crave topics

Behind the scenes: NORAD's Santa tracker

For decades, the defense group has let you follow the Christmas Eve travels of the jolly old elf. These days, technology is playing a bigger role than ever.

Intel redesigns Atom chip for Netbooks

The chipmaker officially announces the next generation of its popular Atom CPUs for Netbooks, the N450, weeks before the CES trade show.