Alongside Nintendo's announcement of Super Smash Bros coming to Wii U and 3DS, Mario Kart 8 was the other big surprise of its video presentation on Tuesday morning. Thankfully, Nintendo made it available on the showroom floor to E3 attendees. From what was played, Mario Kart 8 is an accumulation of every entry in the series minus Mario Kart Double Dash.
Series regulars including Mario, Toad and Bowser have the same characteristics that's been standard since the original was released on the SNES so decades ago. Motorbikes return from Mario Kart Wii while Mario Kart 7's hangliders and underwater sections make there way over also. On the surface, much hasn't been changed but there's one new addition that takes the series in an unexpected direction. The addition of Hovercrafts.
Certain parts of tracks actually transform the wheels of a kart inward and makes them hover above ground. This comes with a more dynamic track design that's feels more like a mix between F-Zero and San Francisco Rush. Out of the three tracks on display, each one had multiple driving points and the core racing felt more dynamic. The craziest track, a boo mansion, started in a hallway that bended upside down. After the hallway, a portal took racers underwater and closing with a ramp that deployed the hanglider to the finish line. The best part is that the series signature handling is still accessible and all out fun.
Transition to the Wii U pad wasn't noticeable outside of giving information like a track map and or a huge button that triggers a horn. There is the ability to switch off motion and gamepad controls on the fly. Mario Kart 8 will also support the Wii Remote/Nunchuck combo and Wii Wheel.
Interestingly, it looks like new items haven't been introduced at all though that could be due to being in first place easily for all three races.
Visually, Mario Kart 8 has the series finally heading to the HD generation and is primed to be the best looking Wii U game besides Bayonetta 2. Tracks feel incredibly larger and the lighting is fantastic. All while holding steady at 60fps and at 1080p.
Out of all of Nintendo's E3 offerings, Mario Kart 8 was the strongest. Here's hoping Nintendo comes through on its planned spring 2014 release date.