Guide Note

For the first time in the series, Mario Kart Wii features motorcycle as playable vehicles. For all three weight categories (Heavy, Medium and Light), there are five different motorcycles. Each motorcycle has its own strengths and weaknesses, varying from great handling to great acceleration. By default, each weight category has two different motorcycles available for play -- one standard cycle and one designer cycle. As players win cups in 50cc, 100cc, 150cc and Mirror mode, more cycles are unlocked. Cycles have a different play style than the karts in the game. Cycles can only produce blue turbos (short boosts), as opposed to karts, which can produce blue turbos and red turbos (longer boosts). However, cycles can do wheelies, which provide a boost without having to do a mini turbo.

Initially, players can only use cycles in 50cc and 150cc modes. When a player passes the 100cc cups, players can then use cycles on that mode by pressing "Start" on the mode selection screen. Players can also use cycles in Mirror Mode, but they must pass all of the cups in 50cc, 100cc and 150cc first.

Fast Facts

1. Developer: Nintendo
2. Genre: Racing
3. Successor to Mario Kart DS
4. Includes motorbikes and support for up to twelve racers
5. Features online battles with characters from prior Mario games
6. Will be packed in with the recently announced Wii Wheel
7. Uses Nintendo's free online service: Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection
8. Release Date: April 27, 2008

Background

Mario Kart Wii is a kart racing video game developed and published by Nintendo for the Wii. It was first announced at E3 2007 in Los Angeles. Each copy of the game is packaged with a Wii Wheel, designed to house the Wii Remote in a way that allows more intuitive and conventional steering.