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[shaowebb]

......what?
I'm pretty sure nearly every game in the series since Mario Kart 64 has these

Nope. Nothing as pure as Block Fort or Double Deck has come about. Stages end up filled with crap or are just made too big and turn into a circle jerk of people too far apart to get those same clutch fights that happened from before. New Block Fort was a disgrace on Wii because it pretty well summed up most all problems. Blocks were too big meaning you couldn't lay trip lines of bananas across them for strategic trapping of players. Stage had pits. Lanes were too wide and couldn't be flooded with ricochets to pressure folks at all.

Just a pure stage is all I need. Size is something I should have mentioned I guess as it plays a HUGE factor in the pressure and positioning strategies of old Battle Mode. Too big means folks just run around and never get forced into a real confrontation or any hair pin dodging and THAT was what made MK64 battlemode so fucking hype.

A new stage design that might work is a circle with colored portals on the walls. Drive through one color on the left wall and come out the same color portal on the wall across from it. Make it a double deckish size stage and the middle of the circle is an area covered in pillars to cut through to try and take out shells that are chasing you. Fire shells into portals to create a shooting gallery. Lots of intensity and you can sneak attack plus force conflict into the middle of the stage. Put a small spiral ramp inside it to carry you to a second level above the middle so folks can do drift chases while shooting and so they can do the old double deck dive off the top dodging to avoid folks only to end up back in the shooting gallery (similar to how it went if you had properly laid double deck with greenshells like in the past).

 

[Not75Drops]

I actually want Tilt-a-Kart from DD to be a battle stage just to see how hectic it is with 12 players, even if they increase the size. Luigi's Mansion is the better choice overall though.

Edit: I'm pretty sure Block City from DD was pretty plain and small.

 

[Louis Cyphre]

I don't know if this has been asked before, does anyone think this game will have rubber band A.I.?

 

[PadWarrior]

I don't know if this has been asked before, does anyone think this game will have rubber band A.I.?

Probably seems to be a staple of Mario Kart games, but I still love them.

 

[Davey Cakes]

Why would it not support the Pro Controller? MKWii supported everything under the sun.

As did recent games like Super Mario 3D World.

Mario Kart is going to support everything.

 

[MatthewB92]

Will Yoshi Canyon (I think?) with all the holes from 64 be in it ? Has it ever been a retro track ?

Was in mk:ds.

 

[Oidisco]

Was in mk:ds.

You're thinking of a different stage. Yoshi Valley (or whatever it was called) has never been a retro track

 

[Zeyphersan]

Two thoughts reading that OP (great one, btw):

1. Ground Blue Shell? Oh shit.
2. Yessssss, Music Park makes a return!

 

[Not75Drops]

Are Toad Harbour, The Koopaling track and Tick-Tock Clock the only tracks so far that we know what cup they're in?

 

[Graphics Horse]

Are Toad Harbour, The Koopaling track and Tick-Tock Clock the only tracks so far that we know what cup they're in?

I'd have to trawl through hours of Gamexplain videos to answer that, but I was thinking more than that were known. I'm assuming the 4 main courses they haven't shown will all be in the Special Cup though.

 

[Not75Drops]

I'd have to trawl through hours of Gamexplain videos to answer that. I'm assuming the 4 main courses they haven't shown will all be in the Special Cup though.

Yeah I'm guessing it's Bowser's Castle, Rainbow Road and two unknown ones. Seems like they released too much too quickly (similar to the Pokemon XY situation) although I can't remember how much was shown for MK Wii pre-release. I remember that MK7's entire track list was playable at an event before it released.

 

[Tom Nook Sawyer]

Are Toad Harbour, The Koopaling track and Tick-Tock Clock the only tracks so far that we know what cup they're in?

IIRC, Gamexplain pointed out that Sunshine Airport is also in the Star Cup.

 

[Kurtofan]

I mean, there's still a lot of Retro tracks to show and some nitro karts were barely shown, the game does come out in about 3 months.

 

[ShockingAlberto]

You know

I think they should stop doing Retro Tracks except as DLC.

They should still have the same number of courses, but they should all be new and people can buy retro ones a la carte. I just don't feel excited to hear about what Retro tracks will be in.

 

[Graphics Horse]

You know

I think they should stop doing Retro Tracks except as DLC.

They should still have the same number of courses, but they should all be new and people can buy retro ones a la carte. I just don't feel excited to hear about what Retro tracks will be in.

Nah, I pretty much disagree with selling levels in any multiplayer games, give everyone the same tracks to race on without splitting the userbase.
With the likely exception of the 3DS tracks, most of the other remakes should be different enough to the originals to be worth including.

 

[Tom Nook Sawyer]

You know

I think they should stop doing Retro Tracks except as DLC.

They should still have the same number of courses, but they should all be new and people can buy retro ones a la carte. I just don't feel excited to hear about what Retro tracks will be in.

Well, I'm pretty sure the reason they include the Retro tracks is because they're much easier to implement seeing as most of the design work is done. So it's not like they can design 16 new tracks at the same cost as 16 Retro ones.

But even if they only included 4-8 more new ones, I'd be on-board with your idea. And I'd love if they offered more than just 16 Retro courses for download.

 

[maxcriden]

You know

I think they should stop doing Retro Tracks except as DLC.

They should still have the same number of courses, but they should all be new and people can buy retro ones a la carte. I just don't feel excited to hear about what Retro tracks will be in.

Sure, you mean except for Banshee Boardwalk!

 

[uncleniccius]

It would be daft if it wasn't, they should go the MKWii route of supporting everything! Hopefully including the classic controller, which seems to get spotty support on Wii U (was in Mario 3D World yet not Pikmin 3, NSMBU or DKC:TF...)

Agreed, but why didn't they confirm it back then? Mario Kart is a game that NEEDS pro controller support, I would consider not picking it up if they didn't support it.

 

[PotionBleue]

Agreed, but why didn't they confirm it back then? Mario Kart is a game that NEEDS pro controller support, I would consider not picking it up if they didn't support it.

Well they didn't mention it explicity but considering what Konno said, I guess the game will support everything:

Wii U Developer Direct - Mario Kart 8 @E3 2013
“Basically, the game will support all controllers, like the games in the series did before”

 

[Atilac]

Does this game work with just a wiimote?
EDIT: I think this was answered, so NVM,

 

[Tom Nook Sawyer]

Does this game work with just a wiimote?
EDIT: I think this was answered, so NVM,

Yes, the E3 demo had the second player using a Wii Remote

 

[Kurtofan]

I'm sad they didn't post any pictures this week.

 

[BigEvilTurtle]

Do we know how the Spiny Shell behaves in this game? I hope it's like Mario Kart 64...

 

[Atilac]

Yes, the E3 demo had the second player using a Wii Remote

SWEET!!!

 

[Berordn]

Do we know how the Spiny Shell behaves in this game? I hope it's like Mario Kart 64...

All signs point to MK7's incarnation.

 

[BigEvilTurtle]

All signs point to MK7's incarnation.

What signs?

 

[Tom Nook Sawyer]

Do we know how the Spiny Shell behaves in this game? I hope it's like Mario Kart 64...

We don't officially, but by the lack of wings, it seems it'll behave just like in 7, taking out anyone in its path before taking to the sky for first place

What signs?

Its official artwork

 

[Not75Drops]

Actually thinking about it now, I'm guessing Bone Dry Runes will be in the Special Cup and one of the unrevealed tracks is a Luigi track. The last unrevealed track could be DK based seeing as Sweet Sweet Canyon looks like it's shared by Peach, Daisy and the babies.

 

[ffdgh]

Actually thinking about it now, I'm guessing Bone Dry Runes will be in the Special Cup and one of the unrevealed tracks is a Luigi track. The last unrevealed track could be DK based seeing as Sweet Sweet Canyon looks like it's shared by Peach, Daisy and the babies.

We haven't gotten our usual ice track yet but I could see it being a dk stage via tropical freeze.

 

[Fandangox]

I went to pre-order this game today and the guy at gamestop didn't even know this was a Wii U exclusive, he thought there was a 3DS version.

 

[Tom Nook Sawyer]

We haven't gotten our usual ice track yet but I could see it being a dk stage via tropical freeze.

That's my hope! Some seriously cool potential there

 

[BigEvilTurtle]

We don't officially, but by the lack of wings, it seems it'll behave just like in 7, taking out anyone in its path before taking to the sky for first place



Its official artwork

I own Mario Kart 7 but haven't played it yet. I don't know how the Spiny Shell works in 7. How does it differ from Mario Kart 64's? Just the aerial takeoff toward the end and the explosion?

 

[Tom Nook Sawyer]

I own Mario Kart 7 but haven't played it yet. I don't know how the Spiny Shell works in 7. How does it differ from Mario Kart 64's? Just the aerial takeoff toward the end and the explosion?

Yep, it's just like 64's except it takes to the air when it gets close to 1st, then explodes

 

[BigEvilTurtle]

Yep, it's just like 64's except it takes to the air when it gets close to 1st, then explodes

That's cool. Makes it much less unfair to the person in first since it can hit any player (I guess the explosion makes it a little unfair but eh).

 

[ffdgh]

I own Mario Kart 7 but haven't played it yet. I don't know how the Spiny Shell works in 7. How does it differ from Mario Kart 64's? Just the aerial takeoff toward the end and the explosion?

It's a mix of the 64 version and the DD/DS/Wii version.

Basically it hits anyone on the track on it's way to first then starts flying towards first and explodes on impact hitting anyone in the blast radius.

Oh beaten.

 

[Graphics Horse]

Actually thinking about it now, I'm guessing Bone Dry Runes will be in the Special Cup and one of the unrevealed tracks is a Luigi track. The last unrevealed track could be DK based seeing as Sweet Sweet Canyon looks like it's shared by Peach, Daisy and the babies.

Twisted mansion is the closest you'll get to a Luigi circuit.

 

[atr0cious]

Nope. Nothing as pure as Block Fort or Double Deck has come about. Stages end up filled with crap or are just made too big and turn into a circle jerk of people too far apart to get those same clutch fights that happened from before. New Block Fort was a disgrace on Wii because it pretty well summed up most all problems. Blocks were too big meaning you couldn't lay trip lines of bananas across them for strategic trapping of players. Stage had pits. Lanes were too wide and couldn't be flooded with ricochets to pressure folks at all.

Just a pure stage is all I need. Size is something I should have mentioned I guess as it plays a HUGE factor in the pressure and positioning strategies of old Battle Mode. Too big means folks just run around and never get forced into a real confrontation or any hair pin dodging and THAT was what made MK64 battlemode so fucking hype.

A new stage design that might work is a circle with colored portals on the walls. Drive through one color on the left wall and come out the same color portal on the wall across from it. Make it a double deckish size stage and the middle of the circle is an area covered in pillars to cut through to try and take out shells that are chasing you. Fire shells into portals to create a shooting gallery. Lots of intensity and you can sneak attack plus force conflict into the middle of the stage. Put a small spiral ramp inside it to carry you to a second level above the middle so folks can do drift chases while shooting and so they can do the old double deck dive off the top dodging to avoid folks only to end up back in the shooting gallery (similar to how it went if you had properly laid double deck with greenshells like in the past).

Your best bet is getting some MiiVerse campaign going and trying to get their attention, at least for DLC.

 

[Tom Nook Sawyer]

Twisted mansion is the closest you'll get to a Luigi circuit.

Now that you mention it, it's too bad we're not getting an LM2-themed track, particularly as there is precedent for that.

 

[PotionBleue]

I own Mario Kart 7 but haven't played it yet. I don't know how the Spiny Shell works in 7. How does it differ from Mario Kart 64's? Just the aerial takeoff toward the end and the explosion?

Unlike in MK64 you can't drag it behind you to free up your item slot and you can't use it to protect you like a regular shell or banana.

Now that you mention it, it's too bad we're not getting an LM2-themed track, particularly as there is precedent for that.

Don't forget we haven't seen yet any battle arena or retro battle arena

 

[Graphics Horse]

We haven't gotten our usual ice track yet but I could see it being a dk stage via tropical freeze.

We already had a snow one on DS and Wii why not.
What about a new Rosalina course? They could play with gravity and planetoids a bit more like 3DS rainbow road.

 

[Tom Nook Sawyer]

Don't forget we haven't seen yet any battle arena or retro battle arena

Yeah, but unless they fix Battle Mode, it'd be a waste

 

[ShadowElliot]

Come on, I hope Dry Bones makes a return! I was disappointed he wasn't in MK7...

 

[BigEvilTurtle]

Come on, I hope Dry Bones makes a return! I was disappointed he wasn't in MK7...

Yeah, he's my favorite Mario Kart character!

 

[The Dutch Slayer]

Played it 3 times now and its fantastic, love the steering and I really hope the power slide stays as smooth as it was a few months ago.

I really really really hope that the online will be great then I'm going to love it a lot I think.

 

[SmackAttack]

Come on, I hope Dry Bones makes a return! I was disappointed he wasn't in MK7...

He wasn't in MK7? Haven't played it yet but yeah that's disappointing. Here's hoping he's back for 8.

 

[PadWarrior]

We know of 24 characters so far, I wonder how many more will be added. I do wish Nintendo would give more info on online and other modes. So secretive.

 

[Graphics Horse]

He wasn't in MK7? .

Nope, had to make room for metal mario.
I hate dry bones, but not as much as I hate fucking Metal Mario.

 

[Currygan]

Huh I never realized that. Do they have any reason behind this, or is it just to get people to buy their other consoles?

well, it's kinda the same reason every single hardware /software dev has used since the birth of videogames

 

[SoraanTribal]

As much as I am excited for MK8, I'm a little concerned about the possible lack of modes. Mario Kart 7 was SO barebones. After playing Sonic Racing Transformed, I'd love a Career mode like that with various events to do besides racing. Even Mario Kart DS had extra/optional missions you could do outside of the races and battle mode which was why I was a bit disappointed with MK7.

 

[JaseMath]

As much as I am excited for MK8, I'm a little concerned about the possible lack of modes. Mario Kart 7 was SO barebones. After playing Sonic Racing Transformed, I'd love a Career mode like that with various events to do besides racing. Even Mario Kart DS had extra/optional missions you could do outside of the races and battle mode which was why I was a bit disappointed with MK7.

SRT kind of blew my mind; the sheer variety in courses and events had me enjoying a kart racer in ways I hadn't since Diddy Kong Racing. Mario Kart looks really lacking in comparison and the anti-gravity hook doesn't look like it'll add much other than the novelty of corkscrews and loops. I hope I'm proven wrong...I really want to love a MK again.