Nintendo made a ton of announcements during E3 2013 and among them was Mario Kart 8 for
the Wii U.
And they didn't just show it off, since we got to play it too.
So you know what that means.
It's time to hook up the old analysis machine to see what secrets all the footage might
be hiding
And with that, let's get started
So right away, we can tell the game is basically a mash-up of the previous 2 Mario Kart games,
carrying over several of the unique features of each one.
Take the Mario Kart 7-style coins scattered along the track for example, which increase
your overall top-speed with each one, and like before you'll max out at 10, or drop
3 if you get hit.
Then there's the return of the hang-glider and underwater sections, also from the 3DS
version
Then from Mario Kart Wii, we have the return of the 12-player races, as opposed to the
usual 8,
In addition, the motorcycles from the Wii version are also back, except in appearance
only as they now handle exactly like the karts
Which means you won't be performing wheelies for a speed boost anymore, though to make
up for this, they can now to access the red 2nd-tier Boost now, just like the karts
Then there are some features return that return from both of the games, such as performing
stunts after going off a jump for a quick speed-boost, as well as the aforementioned
boost-mechanic which is time-based, as opposed to the older Mario Karts where you had to
wiggle the control stick.
So yeah, Mario Kart 8 is basically what you would get if you threw the previous 2 games
into a blender...with one key difference: anti-gravity.
Yep, as you've surely seen by now, the vehicles can now race upside down and all-around in
certain segments, thanks to the new anti-gravity wheels that allow them to cling to certain
sections, allowing for all kinds of crazy layouts, or alternate routes.
And these sections, based on our play-time, always seem to be preceded by a blue anti-gravity
strip, such as with this shortcut in the E3 demo's second course, which clearly marks
the start of it
But besides the fact you can now defy gravity, the gameplay remains basically the same, right
down to going off ramps for some airtime.
Though there is one slight difference: if you ram into someone during an anti-gravity
section, you'll both spin-out, but it seems to have a minimal impact on your driving.
So clearly anti-gravity will play a big role in the game-it was featured in all 3 of the
demo's courses after all.
And even the game's logo is based around it.
See the curvy 8 there?
While it is the 8th main Mario Kart, the logo is also based on the demo's first course,
which itself is based on a Mobius strip.
Ie, a closed surface that consists of only one side, that in this case resembles an 8.
And this design would only be possible with just such an anti-gravity mechanic.
And by the way, did you notice how the actual racetrack itself in the first course is held
up by support beams?
That's a really cool little detail that's almost totally unnecessary in a world where
things often float in mid-air for no apparent reason at all
Now as you might have noticed, we've been referring to the courses only by the order
of their appearance in the demo--and that's for a good reason--they don't have names yet!
At least, most of them don't...
If we take a look at this screenshot from the demo's first course featuring Peach's
castle, we can see the sign here clearly labels the track as Mario Circuit.
Although it may seem odd that Mario's track prominently features Peach's castle, this
is actually consistent with every Mario Kart since Double Dash.
Then there's the fact that both Goombas--though now also in stacked form--and piped-Pirhana
plants also make an appearance, which is also consistent with previous Mario Circuit levels
But there could be something that's inconsistent.
IN almost every Mario Kart game to date, Mario's racetrack appears later in the game, being
featured in the second cup--the Flower Cup--in 6 out of the 8 games, with the only exceptions
being the original Mario Kart which doesn't really count since it had multiple versions
of the same racetracks that appeared throughout the game, and Mario Kart DS, where it appeared
during the Star Cup--which is still toward the middle of the game.
But this time, we actually think Mario's Circuit might be the first one you play in Mario Kart
8.
For one, its simple design lends itself perfectly as an introductory level--especially since
it was also the first level of the demo.
And since the game's logo is based on that same track, it would make sense that it would
show up as the first course in order to set the tone for the entire game.
And then there's the fact that Mario Kart DS's first course was also a figure 8--and
in fact, was even called the Figure-8 Circuit.
So it seems extremly likely that this figure 8 course will also be Mario Kart 8's first
one, which would actually be the first time a Mario's track has started off a Mario Kart
since the original game
But in the interest of looking-waaaaay-too deep into things, there could be one slight
snag with this idea.
You see, up to this point, every other entry in the Mario Kart series has started off with
a Luigi Course.
Specifically, the 2nd, 4th, and 6th ones, being Mario Kart 64, Double Dash, and Mario
Kart Wii version.
And since we're now on the 8th one, that means Mario Kart 8 might just start off that same
way too if it wants to maintain the pattern--of course, that also could be entirely coincidental.
Alright, so if you're not sick of us talking about Mario Circuit yet, there are just a
few tiny details I wanted to point out.
Like the various signs around the course, such as the one for Mario Motors, complete
with a more cartoony version of Mario, reminiscent of the artwork from his 8-bit and 16-bit days.
And did you notice more the more conventional ? Blocks next to the oil cans here?
It's a cool little detail that's easily missed, And in the trailer, we get a good look at
what appears to be a News Truck reporting live from the racetrack
And finally, did you catch the birds that hangout on the racetrack between lulls in
the action?
Okay, we're done with Mario Circuit.
Now let's take a look at the demo's second course, which takes place in a coastal city
highly reminiscent of San Francisco, with its steep hills and cable cars obstacles--though
these ones are being driven by a Koopa Troopa.
And did you notice those cable cars are each themed after a different Mario character,
such as the Mario, Luigi, and Wario ones here?
And if we look at the front, we can even see they have their hats too.
Even the sailboats bordering the track are themed after the racers int he same way.
But despite the overall San Francisco vibe, there's also the statue of Peach out on an
island that looks suspiciously similar to the statue of Liberty in New York.
And the prominence of that statue might also hint that this level very well could be Peach's
course.
And by the way, did you notice this racetrack is filled to the brim with details?
Take the the Galaxy Air sign at the start, complete with a Luma from Mario Galaxy?
Or the nearby DK Burning banner followed by a Super Mario World one, complete with a dolphin
from that game
And then there's the prominent Toad Toy Store building that you can race along in anti-gravity
mode, followed by a Peach & Daisy store front
And finally, we have this ad for Shy Guy Metals - which according to the sign, they've been
at since 1987.
Which is a clever reference to the year that Shy Guy made his debut with the Japan-only
Doki Doki Panic
Then we have the demo's third and final level, which takes place in a Ghost House that features
an underwater anti-gravity section, complete with Bone Fish and a split path, as well as
a hang-gliding section where you have to dodge Boos.
And just before the end, you'll have to watch out for some attacking suits of armor possessed
by--who else--those pesky Boos again.
And did you notice the Karts now have headlights in dark areas?
Cool!
Okay, so that covers the 3 courses in the demo we were able to play, but the trailer
actually reveals snippets of 5 more.
Now 3 of them we've seen before, as they're remakes of Dry Dry Desert from Double Dash,
Music Park from the 3DS--which we can easily tell from the banners here--, and Piranha
Plant Slide also from the 3DS.
And there are no appreciable differences we can tell from these clips, besides the vast
increase in overall visuals.
As for the other two courses revealed in the trainer: well, they're brand new.
One seems to take place in a cliff-side Ruins area, and we can't tell much else from it
besides the fact it'll have a hang-gliding section.
The trailer also revealed a Candy-themed course, but again, there's not much to see besides
tons of candy-based structures like this windmill made out of wafers
But there is one small thing we noticed.
In this picture, the house here appears to have an odd looking insignia above the door.
While it looks like a cookie, it also looks suspiciously similar to the Flower icons that
often represent Daisy, including the ones she wears.
Is it possible we're looking at Daisy's course?
And speaking of Daisy, we know of 12 of the racers so far:
Mario Luigi
Peach Yoshi
Bowser Donkey Kong
Toad Koopa Troopa
Daisy Toadette
Wario Waluigi
And we're guessing there are still some left to be unveiled, considering both Mario kart
7 and Mario Kart Wii had more, with 16 and 24 respectively, not counting the Mii racer.
So we strongly suspect there are at least 4 unannounced racers, and potentially even
more.
But who could they be?
Well, since we saw Mario Galaxy referenced earlier, we'd be very surprising if Rosalina
didn't return, especially seeing as she's the only character to have appeared in both
of the previous games that hasn't yet been confirmed.
Besides the Mii that is, who we also expect is back
And along those same lines, since we saw Shy Guy referenced earlier, there's a chance he's
back too.
Alright, that's enough about the characters--what about the items?
After all, what's a Mario Kart game without them?
While we saw a fair chunk of items with our hands-on time, we can see there are even more
in the game if we slow down this clip of getting an item box.
If we watch it closely, we can see a ton of items cycle through, which includes
Fire Flowers Bananas
Mushroom Triple Mushrooms
Golden Mushroom Triple Bananas
Green Shell Triple Green Shells
Red Shells Triple Red shells
Star Bob-omb
Thunderbolt and Blooper
And on top of all that, the game's producer said in an interview that the Blue Shell will
be back too.
And though he also mentioned the Blue Shell's traits may be tweaked, every other item we've
seen in action all behave as they have in the more recent games--Oh, and you can even
still drag items behind you too.
Unfortunately, they haven't shown any new items yet, but we expect to see at least one
or two new ones, like in past games
And speaking of past games, you've probably noticed by now just how much better the game
looks than before.
If we take a look at this screenshot, you can see Mario's pants even has a textured
look to it now, like actual jeans.
And if we take a look at this picture, you can even spot some super small details, such
as how the wheels now have Mario Kart written on then.
And if we take a look at the bike's engine, we can see it has a ? coin icon as well as
a mushroom just above that
Even the animation has been improved--check out how the racers now glance at each other
as they pass by, which is also a nod to the very first Mario Kart.
Although the character's mouths still don't move when they speak
Okay, we're just about done here, but as usual, there are just a few final details left.
For one, based on our play-time, you can no longer earn a speed-boosting draft by racing
closely behind another racer.
But it is possible it just wasn't implemented in time for the demo.
And along that same topic, every level in the demo was only 2-laps instead of the usual
3.
While this is very likely a demo-only setting, it could hint that you might be able to choose
the amount of laps again for Versus mode, like in Double Dash
Then we got a glimpse of how points are tabulated after every race, and not surprisingly, it's
very similar to Mario Kart Wii's, being as they both have 12 racers.
However, there is a slight different.
While the top 3 positions still earn 15, 12, and 10 points respectively, everyone 4th and
and below earns one point more than they did before.
SO basically, if Daisy here were playing Mario Kart Wii instead, she would have won 0 points
instead of 1.
It shouldn't change much, but maybe the developer just didn't want you to feel bad?
Finally, we have that lovable Lakitu, who still goes to fish you out if you fall into
the water.
But this time, instead of cutting right back to you on the track, the camera actually follows
Lakitu on his journey-which again, is like the original Mario Kart.
And did you notice his shadow actually followed alongside the building in this scene, instead
of just appearing as a small circle directly beneath him?
It's a nice little touch.
that helps demonstrate the Wii U's increased power
And with that, we're done covering everything we could dig up on Mario Kart 8.
As always, let us know if we missed anything by posting in
the comments.