The 'Shroom:Issue LI/MK:WTC

Mario Kart: Wheel Tips Corner by

Welcome, Mario Karters, to Mario Kart: Wheel Tips Corner. Your friend Coincollector is here again to tell you the tip of the month... oops, sorry, there won't be any tips this month. But don't worry, you won't leave this page with a blank mind because I've got big news for you, Mario Kart-lovers. I have to say that this month has been very interesting, because at long last we have seen Nintendo's new console, the Wii U. Yup, at E3 this year the big N unveiled its new console that makes the first step to the upcoming generation of consoles, and despite that its name is sort of lame (it's we with a you - not they), the console comes with the very interesting concept of a traditional controller that has a touch screen and the ability to play HD games - at last!

But that's not the most important thing topic actually. The biggest news is the info about the new Mario Kart for the Nintendo 3DS. Nintendo showed new footage from the game, and what I've seen from the videos, this game really surprises me. First, the game is developed largely by Retro Studios (known for making other popular Nintendo games like Metroid Prime and Donkey Kong Country Returns) and second, the gameplay that this game is going to offer. Mario and his friends once more take the karts for fun races around the Mushroom Kingdom, but this time, they won't be driving on land, but now they will be flying through the sky and even underwater. And how? you say. Well, now the karts have gliders and propellers that turn these vehicles into planes and submarines, allowing these vehicles to test the new courses that were prepared for their new tools. Some courses were revealed, yet they don't have names. What I'm very sure is that once again the retro courses will make their appearance in this game too. Among the confirmed retro courses are Luigi's Mansion, Airship Fortress, both from Mario Kart DS and Maple Treeway from Mario Kart Wii. Another interesting feature seen in this new Mario Kart is that now you can personalize your kart in the style you like (goodbye lame pre-set vehicles). By changing the body of the kart, the wheels and the accesory they use, like the glider, you can get your desired vehicle with aspects that make it different from the other karts. By now, from the videos you can only change the look of your vehicle, but maybe changeing the vehicle's parts also implies the change of stats like speed, accel, weight, etc. Unlike its predecessor, Mario Kart Wii, the Mario Kart for 3DS will return to eight racers per race. Even the item list will be significantly simpler than the latest Mario Kart games, apparently removing some items like the Mega Mushroom, the POW Block and also the ill-famed Thunder Cloud. The last interesting thing in Mario Kart for 3DS is that Coins reappear in the courses. Since Super Mario Kart for SNES and Mario Kart Super Circuit for Game Boy Advance, the coins make another return to the races in the Mario Kart games. So far, the only thing I know is that most of them appear in all the courses, and the racers must collect them, although their real role in the game is still unknown. In the past Mario Games where they appeared prominantly, coins give you extra speed to your vehicle, but it seems that in this new Mario Kart, the coins may take another function. Maybe they are now the key to unlocking elements, like new parts for your kart, for example. With these new features, this Mario Kart may become the most radical Mario racing game so far, proposing new ways to drive and use your vehicles, not to mention the possible new gameplay that this game will offer. However, there is a possibility that this may change sooner or later, and many of these will be turned into beta elements, being replaced by fresher ideas then. The game is expected to be released by the end of 2011 with other various Mario games about to come in 2011 too.

See you next time guys, and remember to look both ways before crossing the road because Mario Kart for 3DS is approaching and I'll be able to talk more about this new game in the future, and even the next Mario Kart for the Wii U!