Mario Kart Wii boxed, logo'd

130 Comments by James Ransom-Wiley Feb 15th 2008 3:00PM
Filed under: Nintendo Wii, Driving

If the official Mario Kart Wii box art tells us anything, it's that we won't be waltzing out of the local game store with a standard-issue game case tucked neatly into our back pocket. No, we'll be lugging around an actual box -- and for what? The Wii Wheel. We can't imagine Nintendo's gonna charge extra for this 2-cent hunk of plastic, but it's the inconvenience that irks us: another box to break down, another prop cluttering the coffee table. What say we round these wheels up and send 'em on a one-way rocket to the sun!

Gallery: Mario Kart Wii

[Via Official Nintendo Press Room]

Tags: box-art, mario-kart, mario-kart-wii, wii-wheel

(Page 1) Reader Comments

Russell: Feb 15th 2008; 3:04PM

i still cant find a wii on store shelves

Jhongerkong: Feb 15th 2008; 5:25PM

I found like 6 Wiis at the Loblaws near my house.

A DS on the other hand...

Tarvus Domicus: Feb 15th 2008; 3:05PM

I'm still waiting for Excite Truck 2.

flameofdoom666: Feb 15th 2008; 3:06PM

With DK bongo blast, Mario Kart Wii, and the eventually F-Zero- don't hold your breath for it!

The Artist formally known as Jesus: Feb 15th 2008; 3:06PM

Please tell me we don't have to use the Wii Wheel to steer

flameofdoom666: Feb 15th 2008; 3:07PM

It comes with it, and you are 'supposed' to use it, but I don't see why you HAVE to. Just don't put it in the Wii Wheel.

Fernando Rocker: Feb 15th 2008; 3:22PM

You can use the Gamecube controller too.

FOXHOUND: Feb 15th 2008; 3:25PM

Nope. Use the Wii Wheel to "blue shell" your friends in the lead playing in the room with you. DEATH BY UNNECESSARY PLASTIC. >:O

Fernando Rocker: Feb 15th 2008; 3:36PM

That pics are very old... the graphics dont look like that.

You can see new images here, scans... you can even use your Mii! =)

http://www.portalnintendo.net/2008/02/mario-kart-wii-imgenes-scans-wii.html

Mike: Feb 16th 2008; 1:55AM

the pics on that site look even worse...I can't believe those are really the graphics of a current game system...there is no excuse, no excuse.

Mr.ESC: Feb 15th 2008; 3:07PM

That's one lame boxart,anyone could do the same in photoshop.

Where's the color?,Where is the background? also where is Sonic?

required: Feb 15th 2008; 3:09PM

http://www.amazon.com/Keenway-13701-Driving-Fun/dp/B000IGC1SA

Mr.ESC: Feb 15th 2008; 3:14PM

Let me be the one to disappoint you.

That toy is for kids from 18 months to 3 years that means no wheel for you required.

BPM VII: Crisis Core: Feb 15th 2008; 3:38PM

This box needs more Samus.

FidliousWong: Feb 15th 2008; 3:49PM

Frankly, Boxart isn't Nintendo's strongest point. I mean, look at Twilight Princess... look closely. There is a sharp edge between the two heads...

Fernando Rocker: Feb 15th 2008; 3:53PM

Look the cover of the DS version:

http://www.euroconsolas.com/euroconsolas/spain/images/g_DSCAMAK.jpg

And look how the game was received... very good reviews, excellent sales.

Martez: Feb 15th 2008; 4:07PM

Anyone can do anything in Photoshop.

mundox: Feb 15th 2008; 4:15PM

What software do you think they use to do those? paint?

samfish: Feb 15th 2008; 4:33PM

"This box needs more Samus."

Nintendo just needs to swallow their pride and make every Super Smash.

Super Smash Kart
Super Smash Tennis
Super Smash Golf
*SUPER SMASH BROS RPG*
Super Smash Bikini Bash
etc.

Mr Khan: Feb 15th 2008; 4:41PM

You want Bikini Wario?

ooooh-kay....

samfish: Feb 15th 2008; 5:00PM

What? You don't find moobs sexy?

dsub: Feb 15th 2008; 10:34PM

Umm, I think Nintendo swallowed there pride along time ago when they decided that every time they'd release a console for all eternity, it would contain these exact games:

-a mario/luigi game of some sort
-a zelda game
-a metroid game
-a smash bros. game
- and for the remainder of the consoles life cycle they just release 3 or 4 more Mario Party games, and a Mario Sports game for every sport known to man.
-repeat.

Burnt Meatloaf: Feb 16th 2008; 6:00AM

It has Mario on the cover. That's all that matters, right?

David: Feb 17th 2008; 12:44PM

Do Microsoft or Sony not rehash their franchises too? You'll also find that Sony in particular does this as often or more than Nintendo. How many Ratchet and Clank main games are there? Nintendo has one or two more main entries in the Mario series with what, a ten year head start? Try matching Buzz! games against Mario Party, there are some games that you can cookie cut for each holiday season. Each company cashes in on their franchises, and each creates exciting new IPs (perhaps not enough).

required: Feb 15th 2008; 3:07PM

The Wii just keeps cracking me up. Kind of like 1970s era moonboots.

Raikage Apple freaking DF (Wii FC 5508 0487 4434 0992): Feb 15th 2008; 4:52PM

Yeah those are Flippin' Sweet!

giantenemycrab: Feb 15th 2008; 3:07PM

A little bland, don't ya think Nintendo? It looks like anti-virus software box art.

Mr.ESC: Feb 15th 2008; 3:11PM

Well thinking about it Mario Kart Ds cover wasn't exactly one of the best.At least Nintendo included Luigi in this one.

Moofree: Feb 15th 2008; 3:42PM

Anti-virus software? You're thinking of Dr. Mario.

Crono (NDF - Knight of the Old School): Feb 15th 2008; 4:18PM

OMFG DR. MARIO ANTI-VIRUS CONFIRMED!!!

Donald: Feb 15th 2008; 6:00PM

I'd buy* it

*zomg torrent plz

Saria the Cat: Feb 18th 2008; 2:27AM

Agreed. I never thought bad box art could make a Mario Kart game look unappealing, but I guess it can. Seriously, it's like box art for the Wii peripheral, with loose reference to a game one might play with it.

McWeen: Feb 15th 2008; 3:10PM

If you have to play this game with motion controls I am definitely going to skip it.

Fernando Rocker: Feb 15th 2008; 3:21PM

You can use the Gamecube controller too.

Jon: Feb 15th 2008; 3:22PM

Thank god for that.

Jack: Feb 15th 2008; 3:33PM

Ay Fernando, you got linkage? I know you're pretty good with it usually.

Fernando Rocker: Feb 15th 2008; 3:38PM

Check the Wiki entry, at the right... Input Methods

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mario_Kart_Wii

And they confirmed that in the Famitsu magazine.

Joshua: Feb 16th 2008; 1:28PM

Yes! Thank you, Nintendo! Brawl, Mario Kart...These games don't need motion controls.

And Fernando, why did you change your icon? It's going to take a while to adjust. Haha...

lwnexgen: Feb 15th 2008; 3:10PM

I don't think this one is a two cent hunk of plastic. There are clearly buttons on the back, which indicates some sort of circuitry and wiimote integration.

Perhaps stop and think before making unsubstantiated claims in your posts? Some of us like to get info BEFORE you start cluttering things up with your not-always-accurate "commentary."

Player1: Feb 15th 2008; 3:16PM

Umm, the buttons are just the wiimote's B button sticking through. That is all. It's really just a plastic wheel. But personally I don't mind it. I enjoy the wii zappers more than shooting with just the wiimote, and I'm sure I'd enjoy using the wheel instead of just pretending the wiimote is one. Though they should totally have non-motion contols as well. Blue sparks baby!

shadowchaoscontrol: Feb 15th 2008; 3:16PM

that is to help press the b button

Curtis: Feb 15th 2008; 3:20PM

@lwnexgen

Perhaps stop and think before making unsubstantiated claims in your posts? Some of us like to get info BEFORE you start cluttering things up with your not-always-accurate "commentary."

...

how ironic

Jack: Feb 15th 2008; 4:12PM

Irony today, is beautiful.

Donald: Feb 15th 2008; 3:12PM

As long as one of the retro tracks is Waluigi Pinball, it's awwwwwwwright

Fatass of Kickassness: Feb 15th 2008; 4:05PM

Waluigi Pinball is indeed win. Easily has the best music in the entire series. Watch out for Brawl; Waluigi Pinball is one of the many, many music tracks in the game.

DiddlyKong: Feb 15th 2008; 3:14PM

How do you fit a Wii game in your pocket. You must still be wearing those JNCO jeans.

baby sea tuna: Feb 15th 2008; 3:23PM

Hell, you could fit the whole damn Wii in the pocket of those things! Do they even still make JNCOs?!

Jonathan Tran: Feb 15th 2008; 3:32PM

I used to be able to fit 2 bottles of wine in the back of those jeans.

NATO_Duke: Feb 15th 2008; 4:15PM

You deserve more +1's for that reference.

Richard: Feb 15th 2008; 9:57PM

Or maybe he just doesn't wear women's jeans, as the kids so love to do these days. You should be able to fit a DVD case in the pocket of any regular pair of pants.

(That said, I loved the throwback to the JNCOs.)

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