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Those lucky Japanese gamers will be seeing Mario Kart Wii on April 10, but until then we have some juicy, new information for you to feast your eyes on:

It seems that the control scheme in Mario Kart Wii will be far more versatile than what we first expected. Players can choose from a variety of control schemes, which include using the Wii Remote with the included "Wii Wheel", using the Wii Remote and Nunchuk together, utilizing the Classic Controller, and Nintendo have even went as far as adding GameCube controller support. All sounds very similar to the upcoming Super Smash Bros. Brawl, and this may be the intention.

According to a Nintendo interview with IGN, the Wii Wheel combination will require the highest learning curve, due to having to get used to the "dead zone" of the wheel. For those of you who don't know what the "dead zone" is, it's the point in which turning your steering wheel doesn't result in the character turning on screen.

Gone is the old "in-out" motions that used to drive us crazy in powerslides, and in comes the new system which will involve holding down a trigger button (presumably "B" in the Wii Wheel combination) just as normal. The longer you hold the button will determine how much of a boost you get from the drift. You can also get boost power by performing tricks mid-air, or by perfoming a wheelie on a motorcycle. These are both done by flicking up on your Wii remote. How to perfom tricks on other controllers is yet to be seen.

Are there new power-ups? But of course! One of the most interesting is the new POW Block, which is placed above an opponents head after utilization. The opponent must then jump and hit the block in a rhythmic motion to deactivate it, or else they will get squashed! Another, unnamed power-up, is described as a rain cloud which allows you to boost for a long period of time but punishes you if you overuse it. It will also transfer to another kart if you come in contact with another player.

Also, to help you escape from enemy shells and other attacks, a weapons a hazard indicator will be included. The hazard will warn you of incoming fire through the Wii Remote speaker, perhaps in a radar "blip-blip" fashion.

Finally a game that allows for proper use of the Mii avatar since Wii Sports! Mario Kart Wii will allow you to race your own Mii characters in-game, a long-awaited feature. Stats can be tracked through the "Mario Kart Channel", which is an in-game feature, but could be available for Wii menu download in future.


You want track info? We've got it right here on WiiLoaded!

From Double Dash, we will be seeing the "Peach Beach" and "Waluigi Stadium" courses (this reporter would like to display his admiration for Baby Park if he could).

"Yoshi Falls" and "Delfino Square" will we imported from the critically-acclaimed Mario Kart DS.

"Mario Raceway" and the ever annoying "Sherbet Land" stages are coming from the Mario Kart 64 corner.

The "Shy Guy Beach" level is taken straight from the Game Boy Advance classic Mario Kart Super Circuit.

Finally, "Ghost Valley 2" will be arriving in from Super Mario Kart!


All-in-all, I hope you will agree, a very impressive update.


Written By: Aaron Hastings

portal bump

mhhhhhhhhhh... juicy
but still nothing to make my mouth water...

I want, I want! I'll be playing Brawl for a long time to come after it hits though so I'm in no hurry.

Ooooooh, just hearing the words 'MarioKart Wii' makes me bubble with excitement! The online for this game is going to be awesome!

*starts to drool whilst dreaming about it*

Are you saying you have to turn the Wii wheel the whole 90 degrees just turn, or are you talking about after the 90 degrees when it doesn't turn at all?

Want to see more of Mario Kart Wii? Then feast your eyes on all 76 screen shots here.

I just hope they don't gimp online battle.

Well judging by games like Need For Speed Carbon, you'll have to turn it about 45 degrees left or right. There's a bout 5-10 degrees of a "dead zone" in the middle where the car doesn't turn

Oh, I know what you, because I have both Carbon and Pro Street, so if Mario Kart is the same as Carbon and Pro Street for steering, i'ma gonna be kicking some butt!

I have played Carbon, I wasn't very impressed with the controls. They felt clunky...

I am psyched for this game to come out. I loved double dash and I hope this will be even better.

I think I am the only person in the World who is comfortable with the steering wheel, I can steer and race pretty comfortably with it, it's very easy to use.

I will give it a shot.

Nah, don't even try, it's not worth, most people who try the first time with the wheel never get used to it because they have always used the analog stick, but since Carbon has been my first real raceing game, i'm used to the wheel because that's what I first used to race with.

I don't think it will phase me that much. I think my only problem will be turning it too much.

Well you don't have to use the Wii wheel, you can use the GC controler.