Mario Kart 7

[Aneres11]

As with everything that Nintendo is doing at the moment, its just half-hearted and forced "ooooh, lets get a new Mario Kart out". MK7 is great for what it is, but its still just Mario Kart. It lacks that special Nintendo sparkle; Skyward Sword is guilty of it, Mario 3D Land too. As great as they all are, they're just not quite right, not quite Nintendo.

 

As positive as I usually am about all things Nintendo, in my eyes 2011 - and so far 2012 - has really redefined what Nintendo is: lazy and incompetent.

 

I totally disagree.

 

Mario Kart I can see the criticism. But I personally think that the new tracks are very good in '7' and I have enjoyed the majority of the retro ones too.

Don't understand why they left the mission mode out but hey, perhaps it was rushed as you say.

 

But what exactly do people want from Mario Kart that it isn't already delivering on? Aside from this whole computer AI stuff what can it possibly do to become fresh and exciting?

Nintendo have tried something different with every Mario Kart game since the N64 version.

They added retro tracks, they added double characters resulting in pretty decent item mixtures and special items, they added a mission mode to the DS version and they added bikes to the Wii version. Now they have added the underwater and glider sections. They even did away with the 'snaking' thing as everyone moaned about it!

Granted they are small things and don't make much of a difference - but they are doing something to change it up each time.

The best online I have seen from Nintendo has also come from Mario Kart.

 

I think people are just getting bored of it, plain and simple. If they were coming out every year I'd understand it, but I look forward to every new Mario Kart game even if it is more of the same. Because for me, it works.

 

As for 3d Land 'lacking Nintendo sparkle'... I'm lost for words. So have this instead:

 

[Hamishmash]

The gameplay is fine and dandy, my problem is the format of the game. 4 tracks, 8 cups, grand prix... we're running out of retro tracks... the fact Mario Kart 7 has retro tracks from Wii is just a bit dull... it's been the same for ages, and battle mode hasn't had any really great levels since the N64 game. I'd like to see more variety in the modes. It's all a bit bare bones in Mario Kart 7. Just the basics. Refined, but small.

[dazzybee]

Yeah dakota, 3D Land is incredible; though I agree with MK7 and to a lesser extent Skyward Sword; 90% of Zelda was increible and 10% - really? Are we really doing this again?!

 

The thing is, Mario Kart is still better than any other racing game on any other console released in years; Mario 3D is better than Rayman however much I love that and 'probably' the best plat former since Galaxy 2 (though I did love DKCR) and Zelda probably one of the best games this generation. Maybe they're not at their revolutionary best, but they can't always be.

 

Saying this, Nintendo do need to give us more rather than the bear minimum which IS what they do most of the time; very rarely do they give us more than we expect. They still have a lot of work to do with regards to their online, but bit by bit they're getting there; they need to pull on the 3rd party franchises but will this ever happen? Vita still appears to be getting more support and look at the relative successes. And nintendo need be brave again on their franchises... They won't. Be we can always hope!

[Fused King]

To me, Mario Kart 7 is just Mario Kart Wii with the bikes removed, 16 new tracks, a few new characters (and awesome ones removed), added glider and underwater gameplay and some simple options for customisation.

 

It really feels way too similar to Mario Kart Wii.

 

And I really never could understand why franchises such as Mario Kart and Smash Bros. can't be cumulative rather than leaving things out which were awesome in the first place (Mewtwo, two on one kart, special items, WALUIGI).

 

I don't know what I want, but these changes just seem too subtle to me.

 

Still, like Dazzybee said, it can't always be revolutionary.

 

I think it all comes down to the fact that I don't like NINTENDO for leaning so incredibly much on Mario and Zelda these days. Especially Mario.

They should just split the company into 4 divisions:

 

1. Focuses on core-classic franchises such as Zelda, Mario and Metroid.
   
2. Focuses on other classic franchises such as Star Fox, F-Zero, Luigi's Mansion and what have you.
   
3. Focuses on casual games.
   
4. Focuses on NEW experiences and NEW franchises.
   

[dazzybee]

I think we get a good dose of all of the above though. I presume you think we get too much of 1 and 3 and not enough of 2 and 4?!

[Jimbob]

To be honest, Mario Kart 7 is so far (i think) the best incarnation of Mario Kart since the Snes days. Don't get me wrong, it does have a few flaws. But it is a great racer. I like the new underwater sections, the gliding and the new tracks. The choice of Retro tracks, some shouldn't be there really (i'm looking at the Wii tracks). They should have added a few more tracks from the original MK, MK-64, MK-DD and MK-DS. Were there 7 Mario Kart game, i can only really think of 6, which are

 

Super Mario Kart

Mario Kart 64

Mario Kart Double Dash

Mario Kart DS

Mario Kart Wii

Mario Kart 3DS (or 7)

 

Can't really think of what the 7th title is to be honest. As i mentioned before, they could re-vamp the retro tracks a little to freshen them up a little, bring them into the modern era as it were. They could add water sections like Wave Race, turning cars into boats as such and racing across the water. Or have water-based tracks. Just a thought to be fair.

[Cube]

You're missing Super Circuit on the GBA. Which is pretty easy to forget, giving it's quality.

[flameboy]

You're missing Super Circuit on the GBA. Which is pretty easy to forget, giving it's quality.

 

i LOVED it!

[Cube]

I played Konami Krazy Racers. Mario Kart simply couldn't match it.

[Jimbob]

You're missing Super Circuit on the GBA. Which is pretty easy to forget, giving it's quality.

 

Oh yeah, completly forgot about that one. So there are 7 titles after all, and you are correct with it being easy to forget, it wasn't that good to fair.

[flameboy]

I played Konami Krazy Racers. Mario Kart simply couldn't match it.

 

Yeah to be fair I remember picking up Konami Krazy Racers at GBA launch or shortly afterwards and it was pretty freaking awesome.

[mcj metroid]

As with everything that Nintendo is doing at the moment, its just half-hearted and forced "ooooh, lets get a new Mario Kart out". MK7 is great for what it is, but its still just Mario Kart. It lacks that special Nintendo sparkle; Skyward Sword is guilty of it, Mario 3D Land too. As great as they all are, they're just not quite right, not quite Nintendo.

 

As positive as I usually am about all things Nintendo, in my eyes 2011 - and so far 2012 - has really redefined what Nintendo is: lazy and incompetent.

 

I very much agree with this. It never used to be this repetitive either. I started falling out of nintendo games about 2 years into the Wii. I still played the DS for a bit, but have thus far found very little reason to switch to the 3ds.

 

There doesn't seem to be that excellent title. Here's example of titles that blew my mind.

 

Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker

Metroid Prime

Super mario galaxy 1 and even 2.

 

The best Nintendo titles are ones that take risks. Sure sometimes it may not work out like starfox adventures, but they tried something different.

 

When was the last time they seriously took a chance? Even skyward sword is playing it safe.

[david.dakota]

There are some definite highlights in MK7; the segmented courses like Wuhu and Rainbow Road are excellent; this should have been used in far more courses. Flying and underwater is just gimmick, Nintendo have ensured that it adds nothing to the gameplay - as soon as you try to utilise the additions as shortcuts you're off-course and drop out of the sky. Online is 5 years out of date. As a whole package, its just not up there.

 

Its a great game, and I suppose that's what counts, but its full of half-ideas and not a finalised product.

[Burny]

When was the last time they seriously took a chance?

 

Wii Sports/Fit/Music, Metroid Other M

 

If "taking a chance" includes supporting titles outside of their usual repertoire, even without having EAD develop them, you can count Xenoblade as a first party project and The Last Story as an outside project.

[RedShell]

List of things that I've hit myself with in MK 7:

 

Bananas

Green Shells

Red Shell (still unsure how I managed that one, but it was online so I'm gonna blame lag. )

Bob-ombs

Fire Flower

 

and today, a new item...

 

Spiny Shell!

 

Was playing online and somehow managed to hold on to a Spiny Shell for the entire race! So I decided, "I'll shoot myself with it!" And I did.

Just as I crossed the finish line... What!? I ain't that mental.

[-Dem0-]

Haha win the race with a bang! Nice!

 

Green Shells

...what can I say, recently I've been getting scolded by Green Shells, I mean I see them bouncing around on the map in the lower screen behind me, and I get that feeling that it's gonna hit me. inevitably it does

 

but what's more annoying is when you throw a green shell at an opponent in front of me, only for it to narrowly miss and then come back and bite me in the ass. Typical.

 

btw, you're sig is AMAZING

 

Avoid the Spiny Shell! AWESOMENESS

Edited January 21, 2012 by -Dem0-

[Hamishmash]

Wh-... Ho-...

 

Is avoiding the blue shell even ... doable? Is it something you can learn or just a fluke?

[flamekid]

Wh-... Ho-...

 

Is avoiding the blue shell even ... doable? Is it something you can learn or just a fluke?

 

I'm pretty sure dodging blue shells in MK7 is the same concept as MKWii, however I'm to believe that the timing has to be more precise in MK7. (A.K.A. using a mushroom at the perfect time to blast your way in front of it!)

 

On a side-note, I went to some SSBB tournament in London last weekend and (god knows how) I managed to play a bit of MK7 for the first time whilst I was there (using someone else's 3DS of course.. I don't have one ). Only played two tracks in the time I had: Melody Motorway and Rainbow Road.

 

Melody Motorway.. is a weird track to play when you don't know any of the controls! I was drifting all over the place and continuously falling off the track. Those piano keys kept throwing me off!

 

Rainbow Road, on the other hand.. I LOVE IT! Only had the opportunity to play Rainbow Road once, but.. just wow. By the time I got to this track I was actually getting used to the controls (surprisingly it only took me 20 minutes to get used to the controls ) and I was managing to do pretty decently if I say so myself! (I've watched MK7 records of this track on YT and decided to try my best at beating one of them.. that's not gonna happen in 1 attempt )

 

Man, I wish I was able to afford a 3DS right now.. MK7 is such an awesome game. More so now that I've actually had the time to play a bit of it!

 

Considering I got used to the controls so quickly.. I feel like I could be amazing at this game if I had actually owned a copy of it myself. Be prepared for me when the time comes.

 

I WANT TO WIN THIS YEAR'S LEAGUE TOO! (For anyone confused, I won the 2011 League )

Edited January 22, 2012 by flamekid

[Beverage]

@Hamishmash in DD, dodging blueys was the norm. Sometimes I'd slip up but I almost always avoided them. In MKW I dodged em a fair amount of times (when I'm on a series of boosts/megashroom)... And I'm sure I've dodged it quite a few times with a normal powerboost drift. Other times were just luck, like powering-up with a star, bulletbill or whatever and of course jumping into a canon or whatever their correct names be.

Other times, diving off track with pride "I'd rather die than to get hit with that shmit!" was my choice.

 

@flamekid I'm definitely confused how 'you' could rape the league, not to mention such ones as Used Bling and Hostmario (Redshell and some others). And I can't even fathom how you can be considered to be on par (or surpass) my rival @Dynamo (who was too afraid to accept my personal challenge).

 

So, flamey, I challenge you on MKW. The game where you seem to be praised.

3 Gp's. Gp1 = Standard Karts. Gp2 = Standard Bikes. Gp3 = Any vehicles/AnyCourse.

As it's 'MY' challenge, GP 1 & 2 will be my skillful tracks to be raced on (all details in PM). And all 3 GP's you WILL use your Mii.

If you win, ANY game from the Wii Shop Channel is yours (VC, WW,.. ANYTHING!). If I win, you buy me a game of my choice (possible that Porn Poker game? )

 

If you accept, PM me.

Oh, if I sense any hacking, you'll have bragging rights but you'll recieve shit-all. So you better be very descreet!

 

Can't stand you fucking reputation! I mean, in all realness, who the actual fuck are you?

[flamekid]

@flamekid I'm definitely confused how 'you' could rape the league, not to mention such ones as Used Bling and Hostmario (Redshell and some others). And I can't even fathom how you can be considered to be on par (or surpass) my rival @Dynamo (who was too afraid to accept my personal challenge).

 

So, flamey, I challenge you on MKW. The game where you seem to be praised.

3 Gp's. Gp1 = Standard Karts. Gp2 = Standard Bikes. Gp3 = Any vehicles/AnyCourse.

As it's 'MY' challenge, GP 1 & 2 will be my skillful tracks to be raced on (all details in PM). And all 3 GP's you WILL use your Mii.

If you win, ANY game from the Wii Shop Channel is yours (VC, WW,.. ANYTHING!). If I win, you buy me a game of my choice (possible that Porn Poker game? )

 

If you accept, PM me.

Oh, if I sense any hacking, you'll have bragging rights but you'll recieve shit-all. So you better be very descreet!

 

Can't stand you fucking reputation! I mean, in all realness, who the actual fuck are you?

 

@Beverage

 

Well I never said I would 'rape' the League for a start, considering I've only played MK7 for a total of 20 minutes since it's release date. Also, my reputation was gained through my solidarity in the League since I joined mid-2010 and I haven't really had many (if at all) bad nights in the League since that join date.

 

On the note of hacking you mentioned, I DO NOT HACK to win. Sure, I've modded my wii to be able to play more tracks than the ones Nintendo provided for us (about 100 more, if I remember correctly) but I've never once used any of those tedious hacks that people use in MKWii to win races. It's just sad.

 

I'll send you a PM regarding your challenge, and it looks like I'm gonna have to show you personally how I gained my reputation in MKWii. You can ask the likes of the League regulars of the previous League (I.E. @Fused King) as to how I gained my reputation if you don't believe me.

Edited January 22, 2012 by flamekid

[RedShell]

Wh-... Ho-...

 

Is avoiding the blue shell even ... doable? Is it something you can learn or just a fluke?

I've avoided quite a lot since playing MK7, over 30 I reckon. Have also been hit by a lot too though, hundreds probably.

Yeah... It's not an easy thing to pull off consistently, but it certainly ain't a fluke either.

 

It's definitely a skill that can be practised and improved upon. But you still need a little bit of luck as well, because obviously you need a mushroom while in first place.

 

Anyway, here's the vid of what's in my sig:

That was done on an offline GP. Avoiding them in the single player mode is pretty straight forward actually, as the CPU really telegraph all of their attacks. Avoiding it online/against human opponents is where it starts to get tricky.

[dazzybee]

@Beverage

 

Well I never said I would 'rape' the League for a start, considering I've only played MK7 for a total of 20 minutes since it's release date. Also, my reputation was gained through my solidarity in the League since I joined mid-2010 and I haven't really had many (if at all) bad nights in the League since that join date.

 

On the note of hacking you mentioned, I DO NOT HACK to win. Sure, I've modded my wii to be able to play more tracks than the ones Nintendo provided for us (about 100 more, if I remember correctly) but I've never once used any of those tedious hacks that people use in MKWii to win races. It's just sad.

 

I'll send you a PM regarding your challenge, and it looks like I'm gonna have to show you personally how I gained my reputation in MKWii. You can ask the likes of the League regulars of the previous League (I.E. @Fused King) as to how I gained my reputation if you don't believe me.

 

Fight fight fight!!!

[Nyubi]

	Audio

 

@flamekid I'm definitely confused how 'you' could rape the league, not to mention such ones as Used Bling and Hostmario (Redshell and some others). And I can't even fathom how you can be considered to be on par (or surpass) my rival @Dynamo (who was too afraid to accept my personal challenge).

 

So, flamey, I challenge you on MKW. The game where you seem to be praised.

3 Gp's. Gp1 = Standard Karts. Gp2 = Standard Bikes. Gp3 = Any vehicles/AnyCourse.

As it's 'MY' challenge, GP 1 & 2 will be my skillful tracks to be raced on (all details in PM). And all 3 GP's you WILL use your Mii.

If you win, ANY game from the Wii Shop Channel is yours (VC, WW,.. ANYTHING!). If I win, you buy me a game of my choice (possible that Porn Poker game? )

 

If you accept, PM me.

Oh, if I sense any hacking, you'll have bragging rights but you'll recieve shit-all. So you better be very descreet!

 

Can't stand you fucking reputation! I mean, in all realness, who the actual fuck are you?

 

@Beverage

 

Well I never said I would 'rape' the League for a start, considering I've only played MK7 for a total of 20 minutes since it's release date. Also, my reputation was gained through my solidarity in the League since I joined mid-2010 and I haven't really had many (if at all) bad nights in the League since that join date.

 

On the note of hacking you mentioned, I DO NOT HACK to win. Sure, I've modded my wii to be able to play more tracks than the ones Nintendo provided for us (about 100 more, if I remember correctly) but I've never once used any of those tedious hacks that people use in MKWii to win races. It's just sad.

 

I'll send you a PM regarding your challenge, and it looks like I'm gonna have to show you personally how I gained my reputation in MKWii. You can ask the likes of the League regulars of the previous League (I.E. @Fused King) as to how I gained my reputation if you don't believe me.

 

Fight fight fight!!!

 

My thoughts exactly!

[Beverage]

@Nyubi and @dazzybee sorry for the commotion and I think me and @flamekid will be mature about this and maybe respect each other for old times sakes. Why should fellow N-Eers continue to fight? Hopefully this will be squashed and the peace & love will remain on these forums.

 

I think flamekid has remembered who I am - Beverage.

I shall humbley await his response of peace...

 

... or our match results can go public which'd enivitably give birth to rivalry!

[dazzybee]

Stuff peace. Keep it going, it's all in jest (isn't it?) and will be interesting to see the outcome!