Nintendo announced this morning that the next installment in the Mario Kart Series, Mario Kart Wii, is set to be released in Europe on April 11th 2008.
Press release
Feb. 20, 2008 –Make sure you put your foot down and go go go, as the next installment in the iconic Mario Kart series; Mario Kart Wii is just around the corner and zooming towards its launch across Europe on April 11th 2008.
Mario Kart Wii comes bundled with a new and intuitive accessory - the Wii Wheel, which makes it one of the most accessible Mario Kart games to date and allows complete novices to compete with ease and comfort, ensuring no one is left in the dust. For those more familiar to Mario Kart and who are now afraid of getting smoked by their newcomer grandparents using the Wii Wheel, rest assured, Nintendo has you covered! Mario Kart Wii supports five different control options: Wii Wheel, Wii Remote turned on its side, Wii Remote and Nunchuk combination, Classic Controller and even Nintendo GameCube controller. So there’s bound to be a configuration that fits everyone’s experience, level and style.
Combining all the much-loved features from the series, Mario Kart Wii also sees a whole host of stunning new tracks, characters, weapons and vehicles. Those however looking for world ranking domination can take on up to 11 players simultaneously worldwide using the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection service which will offer them the chance to race other players across the globe in a nail-biting contest of speed and skill! Prefer to keep the rivalry a little closer to home? Try the Multiplayer Mode, in which up to four people will be able to challenge each other in the comfort of their own living room, bringing the on screen excitement into a whole new dimension.
Laurent Fischer, Managing Director of Marketing & PR of Nintendo of Europe states, “Mario Kart Wii is an eagerly anticipated launch for Europe and we are confident that all those who have enjoyed playing previous Mario Kart games, in particular the Nintendo DS version will be pleased and looking forward to its arrival. Mario Kart Wii encompasses the core spirit of Mario Kart: an incredibly rich and deep gameplay experience that provides never ending fun. And with the Wii Wheel, every member of the whole family will feel comfortable to join in and experience kart racing regardless of whether they are a karting champion or a complete new beginner” he adds “With the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection service also allowing friends and family to compete around the globe, we are confident that Mario Kart fans won’t be left disappointed with this installment exclusively on Wii”.
Mario and all his much loved pals are planning to make a spectacular return in this definitive version of Mario Kart, providing the most action-packed, adrenaline-filled racing fun ever seen in the series. Players will have to master a host of 16 exciting new tracks in addition to 16 classic tracks from previous Mario Kart games.
For the first time ever players will have the option of racing with karts or a brand new mode of transport – Bikes. Using bikes as your chosen method will offer up some interesting and different gameplay possibilities such as carrying out a “wheelie”, which in turn will give you a small boost that could be crucial and make that all important difference at the finishing line.
Players will also be able to hit the road as their own personalized Mii caricatures in addition to many classic and even some never-before seen characters in Mario Kart games. True to the series, Mario Kart Wii will feature adrenaline pumping racing action, a plethora of power-ups and masses of objects for players to use to slow down their rivals. Also with 10 battle arenas, players are sure to be kept busy between trips around the circuit.
In addition to all this a new Wii Channel, the Mario Kart Channel, will also be launched with Mario Kart Wii. Players will be able to monitor their ranking against others with data compiled from races completed online as well as also access and share Ghost Data to download. Why not see if your friends are playing by checking their status or even better still set up a room in which you can chat to them before a race starts? Players even have the possibility to join in on their friends races in progress as a spectator and jump into the race when the next course launches. Through this channel, users will be exposed to a host of new online features allowing them to join a community of racing fans from all over the world as well as participate in special worldwide events organised by Nintendo.
Stay tuned for more exciting announcements on brand new game features in the near future as Mario Kart Wii prepares to race on shelves across Europe on 11th April 2008 for the estimated retail price of £39.99.
