Embargo is up on all Nintendo Media Summit content. Through a mess of WiiFit and Wiiware titles, Mario Kart Wii made a showing complete with online friend matches against Nintendo of Japan. We know Europe and Japan are having a blast with online right now, but US gamers have yet to have a go. IGN Nintendo team had a chance to put the US versions online mode through its paces.
…As far as online performance goes, Mario Kart Wii can boast a flawless 60 frames per second for single player online, and what appears to be a locked (or mostly locked) 30 frames per second for two player online. The single player affair is where the game really shines though, as the experience is extremely smooth, even going as far as to make people passing by ask whether what they were seeing was on or offline at all. We tried it not only at the summit itself, but also at the San Francisco and LA IGN offices, and the experience turned heads. It’s worth a mention that Mario Kart Wii uses the same predictive online system as the DS version, so you’ll see racers popping around at times or reacting late to what you’re seeing, but it’s a sacrifice to save the framerate, so as long as you’re expecting it (and understand that the game isn’t cheating you) it’s still very entertaining…
Be sure to click over to IGN to read their full impressions. This really does look to be a great addition to Wii’s online library (if there is one). Though the graphics aren’t a “huge” upgrade from Double Dash, 60fps is worth the sacrifice. Mario Kart Wii Launches in the US on April 27th.
What do you think? Will Mario Kart Wii’s online pwn?
Um…
Didn’t IGN say that Brawl’s online was practically flawless as well?
Just sayin’….
good, but not flawless, I regularly have problems connecting with friends or vice versa
^ Yeah, I suppose they did. But that was when they thought the bugs would be worked out. Of course that didn’t happen.
In this situation you have MKWii which has been completed and released in other regions, bug-free and ready to roll. IGN’s final take on Brawls Wifi mode didn’t go over that well due to Nintendo’s part.
Either way, it’s a pretty good set of impressions. Check’em out!
@-_Q
I came here to post that very though. I seem to remember the same thing being said about Brawl. I hope Nintendo is ready for the traffic this time around.
It can and does, this game is amazing, i have never had any problems finding a game but there is a slight difference to the ds version as you may sometimes join a lobby that is already in the middle of the race, apart from that it’s perfect, my vs race rating is at 8000+ now, this game is taking over my life and will do until a certain other game gets released over here in good old blighty
Online works much better than I expected! However, the 30 frames per second for two player online is a bit laggy.
I think I’ll rent this game before buying it. I’m having doubts about it.
I’m going to buy it without even thinking about it any further. I’m convinced. Like i keep saying, how bad can they screw up Mario Kart?
I have heard from some sources (GameInformer, specifically, and those guys I trust a bit more than IGN) that the online play is better than Brawl. I’ll take ANY online play better than Brawl.
It’s way better than Brawl. Silky smooth. I haven’t played 2p online, though. Still, I’d rather a consistent 30fps than laggy fluctuations.
Also, I have had no problems connecting with people.
I don’t like the word flawless. Flawless set a certain expectation level and I remember a time when Brawl’s online was referred to as flawless.
I don’t think they have exited me about Nintendo online with Brawl, but maybe this will be O.K. IGN said Brawl online was lag free, but I’ve never played a lag free Brawl match!!!
I just wish the graphics looked like that screenshot above!! The graphics suck in Mario Kart Wii!! shame shame nintendo!!
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