Mario Kart, street cred, and Nintendo's Wi-Fi Connection

by Blake Snow { Nov 23rd 2005 at 11:45AM }

Over a week now since its release and I still can't put down Mario Kart DS. It might not be everyone's cup of tea, but it sure has been getting good vibes overall (GR composite is 92%), including a whopping 10/10 review from Slashdot. Is this the kind of street cred Nintendo needs to shed its kiddy image and make the Revolution a success, or does it even matter?

Kiddy or not, Mario Kart DS is a blast to play. On top of that, in only a few minutes, with no wires or connection fees, you can duke it out with up to four players from anywhere in the world. Slashdot writes: "The ease and fluidity with which you can be racing other gamers from the comfort of your cozy WAP is enough to make even the most jaded technology aficionado pause." It's that easy.

Granted, this is only one of two currently playable games on the free network, so Nintendo has their work cut out for them (think Phantasy Star Online for the GameCube). But with Nintendo's Wi-Fi adoption rate of 45%, signs point to this easily becoming Nintendo's version of Xbox Live during the next-generation. Sure they've had their mishaps in that past, but the company is looking less and less niche by the minute.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

White Rose Duelist @ Dec 18th 2005 9:02PM

My only criticism is that they need to deal with people who disconnect when they are about to lose. Right now it just ends the game, with no change to the W/L record.

Sean @ Dec 18th 2005 9:02PM

While reading this, I played MarioKart.

PickyPants @ Dec 18th 2005 9:02PM

"Is this the kind of street cred Nintendo needs to shed it�s kiddy image and make the Revolution a success, or does it even matter?"

No it doesn't.
The best thing about idiot "gamers" and their worry about the "coolness" of Nintendo is their complete uselessness to the company.

Nintendo will succeed without trying to get this "cred" because they consistantly make engaging and entertaining software. All the idiots will have their terrible games and unoriginal rehashes, and Nintendo won't give two sh*ts about them.

It's great.

PJ @ Dec 18th 2005 9:02PM

Mario Kart DS makes me want to buy a DS (especially now that Target is selling them for $99). But, I just dropped over $500 bones for my 360 plus 3 games. There's no way I am springing for Mario Kart right now. The game looks awesome though......./PJ reflects on great memories from Mario Kart for the N64.....

Spence @ Dec 18th 2005 9:02PM

"Is this the kind of street cred Nintendo needs to shed it�s kiddy image and make the Revolution a success, or does it even matter?"

Again, no.

Nintendo has learnt, and written a list of priorities for next gen. and it is working, the forums I visit are full of people running around with love for this console.

Everything is set except one thing, the games.. and that's coming along nicely.

ZeroCorpse @ Dec 18th 2005 9:02PM

I like Mario Kart. It's OK, but it's still the same old Mario Kart we played on the SNES, so I wonder how much of these glowing reviews were based on the dreaded Nintendo Nostalgia Factor (tm) that the big N seems to be playing on quite a lot lately?

Yeah. It's WiFi. So were a bunch of racing titles on the PSP. Nobody got this excited over those, so why the sudden joy over online play in a racing title we've all played before?

It's a solid game, but Mario Kart DS is not anything new or innovative. It's selling for way more than it's worth, but Nintendo has become the master of playing off gen-Y kids' nostalgic feelings and re-selling them old NES/SNES games in shiny new packages. Don't feel bad- They got my generation with the Namco Museums, Midway Classics, Atari Anthologies, and Intellivision waste-of-$20 packages. We're all succeptible to nostalgia when gaming! Just don't let the shiny, happy feelings you have for your bygone days as a kid playing Mario Kart gloss over the fact that Mario Kart is not new, not innovative in any way, and not doing anything that hasn't already been done on other systems. It's no second coming of Nintendo; It's just an amped-up trip down memory lane.

Memory lane is fun. Just don't lose sight of the future.

mat @ Dec 18th 2005 9:02PM

Nintendo needs street cred? For Cripes sake they paved the damn street!

nick @ Dec 18th 2005 9:02PM

Nintendo makes games I want to play. They always will.

mental @ Dec 18th 2005 9:02PM

Picky pants, you read my mind. Adult gamers dont care about the "image" that comes with a console. They care about fun games and value. Nintendo offers both without question which is why I think they will continue to make money in this highly competitive market place. I'm consistantly pleased at how many gamers over the age of 25 (like myself) are big nintendo fans. The only persons worried about the image a console has are children and early teens who are all paranoid what their peers think and want to look "grown up". Whereas most grown ups want to feel like kids again! If you're worried about what others think about your game/console of choice, then you are probably pretty young.

chalice @ Dec 18th 2005 9:02PM

"Yeah. It's WiFi. So were a bunch of racing titles on the PSP. Nobody got this excited over those, so why the sudden joy over online play in a racing title we've all played before?"

Ummm. Because they sucked?

Jay @ Dec 18th 2005 9:02PM

Zerocorpse; I agree Mario Kart DS is just a 'best of' compilation of Mario Kart games but hey. I never played the Snes game. I CANNOT play the GBA game. I loved the N64 but didn't really play it much. The cube Mario Kart is the only one I really played. So nostalgia is out the window for me.

I love it because it's plain and simple, WiFi is a dream and this could possibly be the greatest multiplayer ever. Whats that about the PSP? Yes it has that infrastructure mode and why hasn't that got any cred? because, like it was said here before, its crap. Its like comparing a budget Korean MP3 player to the iPod. the iPod does everything it has to do simply, with no hassle or problems. Sure its not feature laden but it doesn't need to be. it just works. and works it does. with 45% of Mario Kart users going online. I'd love to see some PSP online figures. more so when they start to charge for the online service.

nick @ Dec 18th 2005 9:02PM

#5 Wrong.

Lots of new stuff in MK DS, from the Wifi to the new items to the Missions to R.O.B. to the Retro tracks all gusssied up, etc.

Get the game and play it. You'll have loads of fun.

I promise.

Embassy @ Dec 18th 2005 9:02PM

having mariokart version 6584 will not draw any new customers nor will it add any " street cred" ...becuase nintendo isnt doing anything new....this is mariokart...if mariokart didnt bring them any street cred in the past after the snes version..then why wud it 10 years later..??..the people who play nintendo will continue to play and defend them until death..the people who grew out of it still have no legit reason to convert BACK to the big n from younger days...maybe the rev will change this ...maybe not...but MK DS definately wont...

Bloo @ Dec 18th 2005 9:02PM

"gloss over the fact that Mario Kart is not new, not innovative in any way, and not doing anything that hasn't already been done on other systems"

Not new? 16 NEW tracks with NEW characters. NEW online play which is INNOVATIVE. NEW and INNOVATIVE mission modes. NEW weapons. A NEW way to race against the programmers of the game. NEW and INNOVATIVE local wireless play with one cartridge. The WiFi PSP games are local only, did you know that? What's been done on other systems can't be put in your pocket, taken to McDonalds, and played against other people from around the world. It appears you don't have a PSP or DS and are completely uninformed.

mike @ Dec 18th 2005 9:02PM

Nintendo makes games I want to play. They always will.
--

Hilarious.. I was reading Thurrotts review of 360, and as he's going through the launch lineup.. THE LAUNCH LINEUP.. he's already bored with the repetitiveness of the titles..

"Oh great. Another racing game."

Seriously, Nintendo is the only one with the guts to hit the brakes and turn the car around. I LOVE the DS and I'm pretty convinced at this point that the Revolution will really put some FUN back into videogames, especially for people like me, who think that gaming, is really not that interesting these days.

popo @ Dec 18th 2005 9:02PM

"Yeah. It's WiFi. So were a bunch of racing titles on the PSP"

What PSP racing games let you race people around the world via WI-FI for free? I thought most PSP racing games were strictly AD-HOC multiplayer. I could be wront but if I'm write then zerocorpse is pretty dumb.

Spence @ Dec 18th 2005 9:02PM

Kids we really need to grow up, the PSP and nintendo DS are completely different devices, the PSP is a multimedia device, media is the priority, movies, music photos and games, the nintendo DS plays games.

Stop trying to compare them? does it really matter? originally I thought the PSP was a wicked bit of kit.. and to a certain extent I still do, but I can't afford a console without many top notch game titles (that appeal to ME)

End of the day the PSP and DS have different target audiences, if you want to be a real scientist you would compare game reviews, hardware costs, sales from around the world. Than merely what some kid says on an article..

Jeez grow up, I can't believe you people will be voting in a year or two.

Tesla @ Dec 18th 2005 9:02PM

The game itself is great. The Wireless online is severely lacking. Watered down (not all the tracks and no trailing powerups) VS play only is not a whole lot in my opinion. I'd easily trade that for Battle Mode online.

At least they allowed for CPU players in the Battle Modes. Thank goodness they included the real Block Fort. Also, the Missions are a pretty neat addition as well.

Zell @ Dec 18th 2005 9:02PM

I have to agree with PickyPants. I, personally, have honestly never had a problem with Nintendo's image. I could say it's because I'm 25 and I don't have to impress anyone, least of all with which consoles or games I play, but I didn't care much in high school either. Ultimately, YOU choose your friends.

(Damn, I sound like an old man already)

Matters @ Dec 18th 2005 9:02PM

The review is based on FUN FACTOR. I bet you don't complain about GTA3: Another Boring City 4 getting high reviews even though it's the same game with nothing new. There have been almost as many remakes of GTA3(4++), GT(4 goign on more) and MORE remakes of Tony Hawk(shit I lost count). So what is your point?

I've played as much Mario Kart as anybody but it's been a few years (Double Dash sucked) and this is by far the best Mario Kart ever made. It's fucking fun. I use to play the hell out of this game on the N64/SNES and it's STILL FUN on the DS. Not only that there is A LOT more content in this Mario Kart compared to previous versions. Online play might not be as good as it could have been but that doesn't take away from how fun this game is AT ALL.

Like it or not the game just plain rocks. You act like there isn't 15 other games on the DS that are exactly as you described. New and Innovative. Tell me how many games are there like that on the PSP? By far there are more new and innovative games for the DS than not.

Does every game Nintendo makes from here until the end of the world have to new and innovative to be fun? They're doing a better job than most companies. Lets take a look (again) at uhmmm.. FF, Tony Hawk, GTA, GT, Metal Gear, ANY FPS game.. Uhmmmm Seriously almost every popular game out now is a fucking rehash of something that was old and boring YEARS AGO. (with a handful of exceptions).

We all know it's going to be boring remakes of existing games that sell next gen consoles. Almost every game out for the XBox except Kameo is a sequel. PGR3? NFS? Tony Hawk? Madden? Halo3(not out yet but you get the picture). Why does everybody want the PS3 so bad? Another FF game? Another GTA game? Another GT game?

Get over your self.

I played Mario Kart to the point that it was boring too but it's almost like a new experience playing it again on my DS. I could care less if it isn't new or innovative I've got plenty of new and innovative games on my DS 1 FUN sequel isn't going to hurt me any.

Eric @ Dec 18th 2005 9:02PM

I love the Wifi in Kart, but (#1) is absolutely right; the next title needs to be heavy-handed with those who disconnect mid-race. I'd also like Nintendo to set up their own friend code sharing network. WiTendoFi is rad, but there's definitely lots of room for improvements.

Zach @ Dec 18th 2005 9:02PM

The Nintendo DS is currently the most exciting video game system out.

Xbox 360 may overtake it, but the DS is rocking everyone else in the industry right now. If they release a version of Advance Wars with WiFi play, we can just call an end to the console war... the winner will be Nintendo DS.

victor @ Dec 18th 2005 9:02PM

#1, according to NOA, when you disconnect you get as many losses equal to the people that were in that game with you. (ex: you were racing against 3 people and drop out. Your record now shows 3 losses) I think it's a pretty brilliant method.

Scott @ Dec 18th 2005 9:02PM

I played the game over at a friends place and I was impressed by how easy it was to connect and play. He mentioned that he's seen a few people use exploits to win a race, such as zig-zaging on a strait-away to get mutliple drifting boosts. Should be interesting to see how the big N adresses online exploits that ruin gameplay and other gameplay bugs. It's not like they can release a patch...

nick @ Dec 18th 2005 9:02PM

Mario Kart's WiFi is just first step. Could there be improvements? Heck, yeah, but I'm content with what I've got now. I fully expect Nintendo to get the kinks worked out with Metroid Prime Hunters.

And, yeah, the DS is the best system out now, no doubt. What a lovely little thing it is.

nick @ Dec 18th 2005 9:02PM

22 -

Zigzagging ("snaking") is part of the game, not some cheat or exploit.

21 -

And, yeah, the three hits you get for dropping out is a fine punishment. It keeps me in the game...

victor @ Dec 18th 2005 9:02PM

#22 what you are referring to is "snaking" and it's not an exploit. it is in the instruction manual (powersliding boost) and it's just that some people are better at it than others players. practice, and you can get good at it too!

Snap @ Dec 18th 2005 9:02PM

"My only criticism is that they need to deal with people who disconnect when they are about to lose. Right now it just ends the game, with no change to the W/L record."

Actually, if you d/c you can receive up to 3 losses. Depends on how many races you've lost prior to the disconnect.

Matt @ Dec 18th 2005 9:02PM

I cant wait till I get my DS but sadly im gonna have to wait till Christmas probably. But oh what a glorious day it will be once I have that DS in my hands haha.

Eric @ Dec 18th 2005 9:02PM

21, 24, 26:
Nice, I didn't realize that info about the disconnect penalty either. Good find.

robotplague @ Dec 18th 2005 9:02PM

My only complaint would be being able to chat with other players after the match is complete. I know they're trying to keep it kid friendly and don't want to expose kids to the inevitable jackasses that will say stupid stuff. But that will add a whole new level of social interaction that most online games already have. I kind of feel slightly cheated without that ability.

sauer @ Dec 18th 2005 9:02PM

Wether you want to argue that Mario Kart DS or any other Nintendo game is a rehash is pointless. Yes there have been several Mario Kart games, but that doesn't make an inch of difference when the gameplay remains so tight and so perfect you can't put it down. There is no better battle racing game then Mario Kart. There have been many many tries by other companies. That's why Nintendo games are so good, because they are solid gameplay experiences that continute to entertain. Even if we've played it before.

The same can be said about almost every franchise. What was the real difference between Alex Kidd in Miracle World and Super Mario Bros? Both were platformers. One had better graphics (Kidd), which one had better gameplay?
Ill give you a few more examples:
castlevania
Madden and just about every EA game
Tony Hawk
Halo
All of these games have sequels that aren't too diffierent from their original concepts. However they remain fun experiences due to the excellent gameplay.

As far as the significance of the PSP online mode. Id rather play Mario Kart online then any other game on the PSP. Nintendo fans have been asking for this for a long time. Mario Kart is the ultimate multi-player game, and online (even without features) proves it. can't wait for Smash Brothers

ok im done.

Pants @ Dec 18th 2005 9:02PM

I'll be buying a 360 in Europe next week, but at the moment I am far more envious of Mario Kart:DS which seems to offer far more entertaining m/play than anything currently on the 360.

Consider the fact that the best fps game on the 360 (CoD2) allows 8 (laggy) players at one time and not 32 or 64 (as its PC counterpart) and yet a nice little handheld can provide 4 players of *superb* gaming m/play and the choice seems to swing more towards the DS.

I just hope that I can hold off buying a DS for a few more weeks, or I might be forced to postpone the 360 until next year ... .. why is Nintendo so good at springing back to life!

dbpigeon @ Dec 18th 2005 9:02PM

I have had mkds for a while and would have to say it and mk double dash are the funnest racing games i have ever played. And i haven't even gone online yet.

Jago @ Dec 18th 2005 9:02PM

"Yeah. It's WiFi. So were a bunch of racing titles on the PSP. Nobody got this excited over those, so why the sudden joy over online play in a racing title we've all played before?"

To my knowledge, NONE of the PSP racers are actually wifi where I can connect to my wireless connection at home and then play anyone in the world. The only game I have seen that is actually TRUE wifi is MLB. The game looks nice but hardly anyone plays it online and it lags big time if you don't have a full solid connection.

If anyone can add what other PSP games are infrastructure wifi (aka TRUE wifi) then please tell me. Wipeout, Ridge Racer and Burnout could have been awesome online games but they blew it...*sigh*

White Rose Duelist @ Dec 18th 2005 9:02PM

I was not aware of that. Giving losses to people who drop out is good, but giving W's to people who don't is better.

ckirkman @ Dec 18th 2005 9:02PM

I had been holding off on the DS for awhile, but it looks as though it's time to take the plunge. I've gotten my money's worth out of my GameBoy and now that I didn't snag a 360, I'm taking that money and giving it to Nintendo.

ZeroCorpse @ Dec 18th 2005 9:02PM

Twisted Metal was playable in Infrastructure mode, against anybody in the world online, and that's just one.

New tracks and characters doesn't make it a new game. It's the same game with a new coat of paint.

I didn't say it was bad. I like it. I'm just saying it's nothing new.

ReyBrujo @ Dec 18th 2005 9:02PM

I own a DS since almost 6 months, and I am quite happy. Just today I arrived to the last Advance Wars: Dual Strike mission (in the normal mode, mean you) with only S. Kirby Canvas Curse is FUN with uppercase. I also have Lost in Blue and Trace Memory, but one is too repetitive and the other too easy. Nintendogs is very good, but it is not exactly my type of game (I cannot stand "leaving" the dog alone for a couple of days). I haven't yet opened Lunar Dragon Song and Meteos, and soon I will be getting my three copies of Mario Kart DS from Amazon (since I can't buy the USB connector because Nintendo does not allow international credit cards, we will just play it with the local wifi).

I only own the SNES version of Mario Kart (hey! We play it on weekends still!), and expect this DS version to be at least as good.

I bought the DS to do something in the 2 hours and a half I need to travel from job to home by bus. I sit down, turn it on, play, have fun, and when I lift my eyes I am less than 5 minutes away.

It does what I expected it to do: play fun games.

Some people love EA games. There is nothing more repetitive for me, but people love them. Let them with have their 5m polygons per nose and their new texture for the sockets. I prefer fun before graphics.

Zo? @ Dec 18th 2005 9:02PM

"New tracks and characters doesn't make it a new game. It's the same game with a new coat of paint."

And the example you had just elluded to prior to this as a game that PSP takes online IS new?

I don't get how people can make this complaint about Nintendo franchises and then run off and play their Splinter Cells or Jak and Daxters or Twisted Metals. You name the system, about 80% of the shit on it is not new intellectual property. Yet you all play that rehashed bullsh*t without complaint.

At least Nintendo rehashes remain fun and come to somehow feel new almost every time 'round.

Nimoshi @ Dec 18th 2005 9:02PM

I travel 30 miles to the nearest Mcdonalds to play this everytime I am able to. How can you not like this game? Is there ANYTHING wrong with it?

YOu think Nintendo didnt learn their lesson about being "kiddie"? Just look at "Where do babies come from?" Coming out for the DS...

ledorky @ Dec 18th 2005 9:02PM

Yeah I don't get what these people say dissing Nintendo for "not offering anything new" yet you look at their fav console (be it PSP, PS2, Xbox), it's the same old rehashed crap.
Oh look, it's Socom. Whoopee. Slightly "new" modes of play, "new" sandboxes. The same old sh*t accusations they pile on Nintendo.
Dexter's "new" game? Please. Twisted Metal played the same as the PS1/Ps2 version. Playing online was laggy as hell (MLB was even worse). Yes, I own both titles and stopped playing online due to the overall suckiness of the experience. I hope socom will be a different experience. Yes the PSP owns all in the portable world if you're into generic multimedia (it's pretty average in all ways but graphical gaming power but does a lot of average things in one portable package) but a gaming god it is not. How many GTA's do we go thru before they really do something innovative? Yeah it's GTA3 in the palm of your hand. Oh but is it any different. "But but it's GTA3 in the palm of your hand!" Does it feel any different? "Weren't you listening?! It's GTA3 in the palm of your hand!" I've had this conversation with so many folks who diss Nintendo for offering up so many Marios (never mind the fact Miyamoto has been careful that major additions to gameplay have been added per title) don't see a worse trend in the "top" titles for their system but in their chosen systems/frachise's games, only a new coat of paint.
What's gaming about that people forget? FUN.
Yeah Nintendo dropped the ball with the N64 and Gamecube but they're doing a heckuva lot of good with the GBA and now the DS and soon the Revolution. I guess people outgrow "fun".