Backstory:

In 1992, Nintendo released on its SNES system the game Super Mario Kart. People were already used to racers of various sorts like Test Drive, Road Rash, etc... But this one had something different to offer. It was cartoony, semi-3-dimensional, and instead of your traditional John Doe racer, you raced as someone from the Mario Universe. The game was a smash hit, selling over 8 million copies, which at the time was unheard of. Fast forward a few years to the age of the N64. True 3-D, better maps, and more interactive environments are given to its follow-up Mario Kart 64... as well as something the masses would begin to called "rubberband AI"... Years later GameCube comes to the scene, and with better graphics and the concept of team racing Mario Kart Double Dash is released to less than warm reviews (compared to its predecessors). Years later, in 2008, Nintendo (following a HUGE snowballing trend in it's quality of games) releases Mario Kart Wii.

So what's the story in Mario Kart Wii? Pure racing; no story needed. Just make sure that you get ahead of everyone else, and if you're behind anyone, blow the crap outta them.

There are plenty of changes though from its predecessors.

First, there's the new gameplay mechanics. Right out of the box, the game comes with a peripheral racing wheel that your Wii-mote slips into. I will say that the wheel adds a nice touch, you actually get the feel of the racing game better, and the playing field is definitely leveled between amateur and pro. But if the wheel isn't your thing, there are 5 different controller options to choose from: Wheel, Wii-mote, Wii-mote and Chuk, Classic Controller, and yes, even GameCube controller. In the game itself drifting has evolved from the likes of the handheld Mario Karts, always there to provide a speed boost around a blocking foe. Tricks have been added to the game, and though they are not specific, they do add the bonus of a quick boost of speed if done at the right time. Motorcycles are now playable in the 100cc and 150cc races.

Second, the items list has grown tremendously. Among the many added are mushrooms which make your character a giant, impervious to practically anything; and a Bullet Bill, which turns you into a bullet, taking out everything you hit in from of you and making you jump ahead at least 4-5 positions.

Next, the number of racers has changed, and this is BIG. 12 racers now are on the track which makes for a more chaotic, but challenging game. This also helps fill the larger tracks, and makes for a more scattered AI in terms of depth.

And there's no way I could leave out the multiplayer in Wii Kart. The game has NO lag, and very very few connection problems. While the depth of it is kept to racing against strangers from either your region or the world OR racing friends (via Friend Code), the game still delivers with the kind of fun that AI just can't deliver in this day.

Graphics-- While not as "run for its money" as Mario Galaxy, the game still looks pretty, and runs at an uninterrupted (smooth as silk) 60fps with 16:9 support. Nintendo definitely spent some time fine tuning this.

Sound-- Your standard, garden variety Mario Kart music. Nothing fancy, but the song always fights the atmosphere and adds to it. Hardly any voicework besides a taunt here and there. Sound effects are clean, clear and crisp.

Presentation-- Easy to use menus without a lot of flash, but a LOT of style. Mostly rendered stuff without any real sense (or need) for anything more.

Gamplay-- Tight steering, decent mechanics, hardly any learning curve, and "rubberband AI" has been reduced to "You get less powerful items if you're ahead".

Replay-- The multiplayer is fun, and addictive. You'll be amazed at how many hours you can spend on this game never doing the same thing twice. Single player is expanded greatly (comparable to DS version), and co-op modes only get better and better.

Score: 93/100