Mario Kart Wii NYC launch: Mario + Priestley = BFF

by Majed Athab { Apr 28th 2008 at 4:15PM }

Click for high-resolution version

At the Nintendo World Store on Saturday, Mario and has-been heartthrob Jason Priestley combined forces to promote Mario Kart Wii. It was an unconventional union with perfect ties: Two products of the early 90s (90210 debuted in the fall of 1990, Mario Kart two years later) with a passion for racing. However, Priestley wasn't the only pseudo-star wearing a smug smile, as Gossip Girl's Chace Crawford made a surprise appearance to appease the crowd of young debutantes, while their mothers snuck photo ops with their old crush. Mario, of course, remained the most popular persona of the afternoon. After all, who could deny the charm of that adorable mustache?

For pics of the debaucherous after party (was Peach really not wearing any ... !) you'll have to try TMZ -- we were just there for the family-friendly festivities, where young and old challenged one another for racing supremacy. 250 lucky attendees were able to purchase the game early, while everyone had the opportunity to enter a tournament and go hands-on with the Wii Wheel. The top three tourney racers went on to challenge Priestley for a chance to win a Wii and copy of Mario Kart. Of course, there was only one winner: Nazareth (was it divine intervention?). The champion received his brand new system and game, a high-five from Mario, and all-important bragging rights. (So much for Priestley's experience on the race track.)

Other highlights from the Nintendo World Store party? Best Mario Kart t-shirt ever. So, cruise through the rest of our photo gallery below and then be sure to check out Game Daily's interview with Jason Priestley. Is the man a gamer? Find out.

Gallery: Mario Kart Wii Launch Party

Tags: mario, mario-kart, mario-kart-wii, nintendo-world-store

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Fernando Rocker @ Apr 28th 2008 4:21PM

I heart Mario Kart =p

TheOverlord#2 can has Mario Karts?(MK:2578-3517-9859) @ Apr 28th 2008 6:30PM

You and your ass faced Mii!
Will you add me?
You can e-mail me it if you want.( gamefreak1693@aol.com )

Fernando Rocker @ Apr 28th 2008 7:04PM

=p

Let me send my FC to your mail... I just added yours.

Fernando Rocker @ Apr 28th 2008 7:07PM

Mine is 4940-5840-6181

jorojoserojas @ Apr 29th 2008 4:14AM

Ok Fernando, I've added you to my MKWii Friends. I need more!

samfish @ Apr 28th 2008 4:24PM

I have a question...does this game substitute CPU players names with people on your Friend List? Or was I coincidentally playing two people I have on my Friend List in a random match last night?

Fernando Rocker @ Apr 28th 2008 4:30PM

The most probably is that they joined your game. By the way, I sent a Friend Request with my code. Send me yours.

Vegnagun bwf @ Apr 28th 2008 4:31PM

Samfish, you were at the party?

Mr Khan @ Apr 28th 2008 4:34PM

Yeah, you just click "Meet Up" and it'll hook you into the game, whether you're in a friend match or a random bout

It's online integration done right. I need to get around to sending out invites, but my new laptop is here, and setting it up takes precedence

Cesaria (MKW:2621-2994-1376) @ Apr 28th 2008 9:21PM

samfish, what's your MKWii code? Add me. Oh, and you never added me to Brawl! *frustration!*

samfish @ Apr 28th 2008 10:40PM

I added you in Brawl. I don't think we've seen each other online yet, is all.
...unless I'm doing something wrong. I haven't seen like 65% of the people on my list online. Most of them are still unconfirmed. AM I doing something wrong?

I'll add you in Mario Kart Wii later tonight before I go to bed along with Fernando and a few others.

samfish @ Apr 28th 2008 10:48PM

Oops, and my Mario Kart code is 2535-4011-8919

samfish @ Apr 29th 2008 12:48AM

OK, I added you.

Nigeria - MK: 0430-8491-9123 @ Apr 28th 2008 4:25PM

Mario is clearly impressed by the size of Jason's balls.

samfish @ Apr 28th 2008 4:27PM

Mama mia! That's a bigga meata balls!

Mr Khan @ Apr 28th 2008 6:19PM

The blond woman right behind Mario's head is clearly interested too...

TheOverlord#2 can has Mario Karts?(MK:2578-3517-9859) @ Apr 28th 2008 6:37PM

Mr Khan, add me?(Need your FC though)

So is the police man behind Mario's hat.

Mr Khan @ Apr 28th 2008 7:13PM

on Mario Kart, ahh. I never got your console FC, and i don't have my actual MKWii FC memorized, cuz i've just been sending invites

TheOverlord#2 can has Mario Karts?(MK:2578-3517-9859) @ Apr 28th 2008 7:41PM

Oh, I don't have your Wii FC either. Mine is: 8018-2176-8438-9468
But, it'd be easier if you added me then wrote your FC down then just told me it. :D
Which ever way is fine by me though.

kikaroh @ Apr 28th 2008 4:31PM

did anyone notice that the macs are running a windows app?

waves @ Apr 28th 2008 4:56PM

Yeah, Macs have been able to run Windows in a variety of ways (natively or under fast emulation) since they switched over to the intel platform.

eldee @ Apr 28th 2008 6:26PM

welcome to 2008, we've been waiting for you.

Lifted 0ne 4l9 (NDF) (MSDF) MKWii 0903-3125-3021 @ Apr 28th 2008 4:37PM

great game but they definitely fucked up battle mode, I mean playing as teams would be cool as an option but being forced to play teams with no everyone for themselves is retarded, battle mode is my favorite mode too :(, at least the racing is the best its ever been.

ThePremierAssassin @ Apr 28th 2008 4:54PM

Jason is obviously hoping Mario will help him out down below with his special plumbing skills...

WiiFTW @ Apr 28th 2008 5:42PM

*insert sexual innuendo regarding Mario and Jason awkwardly glancing at each other's lower body*

I am the epitome of hilarity.

Orionsaint @ Apr 28th 2008 6:09PM

It's funny though how by just changing the background image. It changes the meaning of the pic.

http://img138.imageshack.us/img138/9560/gumbawarstz1.jpg

TheOverlord#2 can has Mario Karts?(MK:2578-3517-9859) @ Apr 28th 2008 7:58PM

This calls for a contest!

Zsavior @ Apr 29th 2008 1:51AM

Swan is going to kick both their asses.

Jfk Aok @ Apr 28th 2008 6:10PM

Thanks for the nightmares, joystiq

eldee @ Apr 28th 2008 6:25PM

JP looks like he's sizing mario up for some butt-lovin

njbeetle @ Apr 28th 2008 6:50PM

Jason Priestly was in the video for Roy Orbison's "I Drove All Night" which was on the Nintendo album "White Knuckle Scorin'".

Curtis the Claw:XBL - supapaypamawio @ Apr 28th 2008 6:52PM

I went to this and it was awesome!

Cesaria (MKW:2621-2994-1376) @ Apr 28th 2008 9:01PM

I wanna show that blonde behind Mario my final smash.

K31taro @ Apr 28th 2008 10:13PM

i was there and have tons of photos plus a video of Mario dancing!

klitorisaurus @ Apr 29th 2008 12:00AM

If you're gonna use a washed up actor to promote a hit video game shouldn't you at least use a washed up actor from video game based movie? Hell! How about using Bob Hoskins or John Leguizamo from the old Super Mario Brothers Movie? Anything but Priestly. Total Douche Tool