If anything could get the Wii U's struggling sales going, it might be the gorgeous Mario Kart 8. Nintendo released a trailer of the game today, and it's one of the most visually attractive, smooth experiences I've seen on any of their systems. There's some classic track remakes, no features and items, and--of course--an all new Rainbow Road course.
The general experience is still very classic Mario Kart at its core, but there are some new additions. The biggest feature is probably the anti-gravity wall and ceiling driving, where your kart automatically converts to a hover device and drives sideways and upside down. Colliding with other karts while in anti-grav mode give you a speed boost, adding a different dynamic to that part of the game.
Other than that main feature, you should know what to expect if you've played other Mario Kart titles (and really, who hasn't?). There are cups to compete in, many different courses, and a variety of Nintendo characters to race as.
Okay, maybe there are a few things you haven't seen if you didn't play the more recent titles--hang gliding, some new items, motor bikes--but even so, you'll be able to pick up and play the game with no trouble. The Wii U gamepad's screen isn't being used for anything vital to the gameplay, either, so the experience won't take much getting used to.
And did I mention it looks fantastic? The still images were one thing, but the game really holds up in motion. The Wii U may not be a graphics powerhouse hardware-wise, but Mario Kart 8 shows how great games can look on the system, especially when combined with a pleasant art style. Watch the trailer below and see for yourself, because it also looks like a lot of fun.
