• Hey Guest. Check out your NeoGAF Wrapped 2025 results here!

Mario Kart 8 : new trailer

I think drawing any comparison between the U and the new next gen consoles is unwarranted. Both the PS4 and the XB1 offer much more compelling software lineups just months after launch, and they've got a steady stream of games for the remainder of the year. It's the complete opposite of the U's year one situation.

It's not exactly the same (especially in terms of the future lineup), but "complete opposite" I don't think is a very accurate characterization for most people. For example the few people I know with PS4s haven't touched them in several weeks and have gone back to PS3 or PC for the time being (these particular people weren't interested in Second Son). And it's not just anecdotal. If you've been here any length of time, you'll know that sentiment is very comment on gaf, along with the sentiment that RIGHT NOW Wii U's lineup is more compelling than PS4bone (albeit it needed a year's headstart to get there). There's very little in terms of exclusives right now.
 
Which is disappointing since I actually expected Tetris from a game called Mario Kart 8.

Anti-gravity not adding much is such a dumb comment I wasn't even going to say anything. But since someone is kinda backing them up here, let me point out that the anti-gravity mechanic clearly allowed the MK team to be 100x more inventive with their course design.
Course design being something very important in an arcade racing game. But leave it to Kotaku to downplay it. Awful site is consistently awful.

If you look at the last few entries, each of them added something which seems purely gimmicky, with almost no consequence to the gameplay. Motorcycles, gliding/under water, and now anti grav hover wheels. I guess they add visual variety, but ultimately they change nothing, and I guess I want just a little something more out of it.

For example, I would love to see them straight up go for plane races. Diddy Kong Racing style. Little old fashioned bi-planes! Likewise. What about little speed boats on water? Having to deal with waves, or power ups that increase the wake behind your boat. I'd eat that up!

So I see they're trying to change it up just slightly, but I feel like they could take it just a little bit further, and make the game feel truly fresh. I'll be buying this game day one, because it looks gorgeous and well, just because, but man, if they offered the real planes or boat races, I'd be giddy with excitement.
 
If you look at the last few entries, each of them added something which seems purely gimmicky, with almost no consequence to the gameplay. Motorcycles, gliding/under water, and now anti grav hover wheels. I guess they add visual variety, but ultimately they change nothing, and I guess I want just a little something more out of it.

For example, I would love to see them straight up go for plane races. Diddy Kong Racing style. Little old fashioned bi-planes! Likewise. What about little speed boats on water? Having to deal with waves, or power ups that increase the wake behind your boat. I'd eat that up!

So I see they're trying to change it up just slightly, but I feel like they could take it just a little bit further, and make the game feel truly fresh. I'll be buying this game day one, because it looks gorgeous and I well, just because, but man, if they offered the real planes or boat races, I'd be giddy with excitement.
Your argument is hypocritical. You can't say, for example, that underwater gameplay "adds nothing" and is purely "visual variety" when it actually changed the speed, the way the karts and items handle, and allow control in more of a three dimensional space, and yet say karting on the surface in a different-skinned vehicle, with boosts on waves or whatever, is "more than just a gimmick".

Besides, it's Mario KART. It's a kart racer.
 
Looks like the boomerang bounces off objects. Gonna be mayhem in tracks like toad's turnpike and narrow roads with barriers.

i1aLfXClW3VfE.gif


More gif goodness

iM3wIR6VmImkI.gif


i0COpfNy7oQki.gif
 
Your argument is hypocritical. You can't say, for example, that underwater gameplay "adds nothing" and is purely "visual variety" when it actually changed the speed, the way the karts and items handle, and allow control in more of a three dimensional space, and yet say karting on the surface in a different-skinned vehicle, with boosts on waves or whatever, as "more than just a gimmick".

Besides, it's Mario KART. It's a kart racer.

I don't think it's hypocritical at all. Yes, the karts felt slightly different under water, but those sections last about 5-10 seconds. Hardly enough time to really matter. I'm suggesting entire levels on the water, where you can introduce wave physics, which would truly change up the gameplay. Same goes for flying races, where they could introduce wind effects and related power ups.

As for your "karts" comment. No one seemed to complain when the motorcycles showed up, even though I thought they made no sense. Might as well just take it further IMO.
 
I don't think it's hypocritical at all. Yes, the karts felt slightly different under water, but those sections last about 5-10 seconds. Hardly enough time to really matter. I'm suggesting entire levels on the water, where you can introduce wave physics, which would truly change up the gameplay. Same goes for flying races, where they could introduce wind effects and related power ups.

As for your "karts" comment. No one seemed to complain when the motorcycles showed up, even though I thought they made no sense. Might as well just take it further IMO.

Doesn't the Sonic game already do that? And didn't they do it out of the necessity of differentiating themselves from THE Kart game series everyone dreads to compete with?
Mario Kart basically created the genre. I'd rather see them continue to polish and be creative within the classic Kart racing framework, than going after the "me too" games that as of late are trying harder not to be so similar.
There is a lot to improve and introduce without having to dilute the essence of the series.

Just buy Sonic Racing Transformed. Its also on Wii U.
 
I don't think it's hypocritical at all. Yes, the karts felt slightly different under water, but those sections last about 5-10 seconds. Hardly enough time to really matter. I'm suggesting entire levels on the water, where you can introduce wave physics, which would truly change up the gameplay. Same goes for flying races, where they could introduce wind effects and related power ups.

As for your "karts" comment. No one seemed to complain when the motorcycles showed up, even though I thought they made no sense. Might as well just take it further IMO.

You pretty much want Mario Kart to turn into Sonic Racing Transformed. I would actually have no problem with that as I love SRT (amazing game), but I don't think it would be wise for Nintendo to straight up copy another game. To be fair, SRT is basically Diddy Kong Racing, so it isn't exactly original either. :P

I am curious on how Nintendo is going to top this game as far as track design goes. These are, by far, the best looking and most interesting tracks in the series. If they remove anti-grav for MK9, I just think the track design will get so boring again. I hope they keep it.
 
Doesn't the Sonic game already do that? And didn't they do it out of the necessity of differentiating themselves from THE Kart game series everyone dreads to compete with?

It was actually done before in Diddy Kong Racing. Though in DKR there wasn't a transformation mechanic, though some levels were designed to include different routes for each vehicle.
 
Doesn't the Sonic game already do that? And didn't they do it out of the necessity of differentiating themselves from THE Kart game series everyone dreads to compete with?
Mario Kart basically created the genre. I'd rather see them continue to polish and be creative within the classic Kart racing framework, than going after the "me too" games that as of late are trying harder not to be so similar.
There is a lot to improve and introduce without having to dilute the essence of the series.

Just buy Sonic Racing Transformed. Its also on Wii U.

You pretty much want Mario Kart to turn into Sonic Racing Transformed. I would actually have no problem with that as I love SRT (amazing game), but I don't think it would be wise for Nintendo to straight up copy another game. To be fair, SRT is basically Diddy Kong Racing, so it isn't exactly original either. :P

I am curious on how Nintendo is going to top this game as far as track design goes. These are, by far, the best looking and most interesting tracks in the series. If they remove anti-grav for MK9, I just think the track design will get so boring again. I hope they keep it.

I never played SRT, but did that have any water or air physics, because I think that could be the big differentiator if Nintendo nailed it.
 
I never played SRT, but did that have any water or air physics, because I think that could be the big differentiator if Nintendo nailed it.

Yep, the boats and planes handle very differently from karts . You should give it a go - it's basically what you are wanting. It's a fantastic kart racer.
 
I can't help but think of what Pokken might look like now...

ibselVzcGIp1Ki.gif


Gotta wait till E3 i guess, although i gotta say SSB4 isn't being done any favors visually when compared to MK8 and the inevitable Pokken comparisons that will pop up if and when it is revealed.
 
Yep, the boats and planes handle very differently from karts . You should give it a go - it's basically what you are wanting. It's a fantastic kart racer.

Yeah, but play the PC version if possible. The console versions run at 30 FPS, and there are times when it dips below that.

I can't help but think of what Pokken might look like now...

People don't really think this is coming, right? This has to be a joke post.
 
I never played SRT, but did that have any water or air physics, because I think that could be the big differentiator if Nintendo nailed it.
Yes, on both accounts. Though I think SRT would've been a better game it did not have air segments.
 
As for your "karts" comment. No one seemed to complain when the motorcycles showed up, even though I thought they made no sense. Might as well just take it further IMO.

I assume you do understand though the difference between an optional vehicle and a radical (and not optional) change in a game's structure.

And the motorcycles are perfectly fine:
13665238644_fce3fcf961_o.gif
 
http://youtu.be/eU7X9oMip30?t=1m40s

Looking at the Kotaku video I noticed once the player finishes Moo Moo Meadows and the Cloudtop track in the top left hand corner is a small star with 5/6 and 6/6 on it. What could this be for? It can't be for the track number in that grand prix since there's only four in each. Perhaps some sort of extra mission for each stage?

Sort of achievements maybe, like in Nintendo Land or Wii Sports Club, with Miiverse sharing? That would be nice.

1396793940-mk8-star-counter-upper-left-corner-plus-button.jpg


I don't think it's hypocritical at all. Yes, the karts felt slightly different under water, but those sections last about 5-10 seconds. Hardly enough time to really matter.

There are tracks like Cheep Cheep Lagoon or Wario Shipyard where the majority is spent underwater. Look, your suggestion has already been implemented, 3 years ago! So much for people asking for new features when they're already there, lol. Absolutely ridiculous.
 
I think drawing any comparison between the U and the new next gen consoles is unwarranted. Both the PS4 and the XB1 offer much more compelling software lineups just months after launch, and they've got a steady stream of games for the remainder of the year. It's the complete opposite of the U's year one situation.

Personally, I don't agree with this at all. I don't have an X1 and don't plan on getting one, so I'm just looking at the PS4. And multiplats/indies don't do anything for me since I can get most of them them on PC. Granted PS+ is great and I get nice games from that. But there isn't a lot there for me aside from The Witness and maybe the Order. Meanwhile, Nintendo has tons of exclusives that look great coming in the next year or so
 
Speaking of Bikes am i the only one who dislikes that they've unless i missed something pretty much become a cosmetic choice. Is there even any reason to have them now?
 
Yeah, but play the PC version if possible. The console versions run at 30 FPS, and there are times when it dips below that.

Oh for sure, the PC version is definitely the best one. Not just in performance, but the PC version kept getting patches and free characters for a while there.
 
Speaking of Bikes am i the only one who dislikes that they've unless i missed something pretty much become a cosmetic choice. Is there even any reason to have them now?

Well that depends, bikes could do wheelies in Mario Kart Wii which karts couldn't do so they had a distinct tactical usage on straights. Wheelies basically gave you a speed-boost at the expense of control for a short duration.
 
Speaking of Bikes am i the only one who dislikes that they've unless i missed something pretty much become a cosmetic choice. Is there even any reason to have them now?

Options/popularity more than anything. Atlease they're even with karts unlike wii lol.
 
Speaking of Bikes am i the only one who dislikes that they've unless i missed something pretty much become a cosmetic choice. Is there even any reason to have them now?

• They probably have different stats (in MKWii they already were in general slower and lighter than karts – I'm talking about the BASE STATS here, they were superior due to their inward drifts & wheelies)
• They probably have a thinner hitbox
• Some bikes seem to have a hybrid inward/outward drift, something we haven't seen on any kart yet: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MK1J1O13Ddk&hd=1&t=2s (Metal Mario)
 
Bikes will allow you to go through narrow paths more easily. Karts will have more weight and be able to knock characters easily.
 
Well that depends, bikes could do wheelies in Mario Kart Wii which karts couldn't do so they had a distinct tactical usage on straights.

Considering the entire anti grav mechanic couldn't they simply stop bikes from doing wheelies in an anti grav section (Which would make sense since the wheels turn sideways anyway). Essentially forcing the player to choose potential shortcuts/speed boost vs wheelie boosts in straightaway's.

As opposed to this blanket removal that makes them essentially pointless to have in the first place.
 
Gotta wait till E3 i guess, although i gotta say SSB4 isn't being done any favors visually when compared to MK8 and the inevitable Pokken comparisons that will pop up if and when it is revealed.


It's only because the Smash team and Sakurai wants SSB4 to run at native 1080p resolution at 60fps.
 
I think drawing any comparison between the U and the new next gen consoles is unwarranted. Both the PS4 and the XB1 offer much more compelling software lineups just months after launch, and they've got a steady stream of games for the remainder of the year. It's the complete opposite of the U's year one situation.



To be fair, I think they're right. If you strip away the visuals, which I adore, it is just another Mario Kart.

Debatable. Most of these games are on pc and cheaper too...theres currently not much on these consoles that make them worthwhile if youre not into triple a shooters...that can be played on pc...
 
I think drawing any comparison between the U and the new next gen consoles is unwarranted. Both the PS4 and the XB1 offer much more compelling software lineups just months after launch, and they've got a steady stream of games for the remainder of the year. It's the complete opposite of the U's year one situation.


all the amazing exclusives for the xbox one and ps4 like, erm, infamous and erm ryse




To be fair, I think they're right. If you strip away the visuals, which I adore, it is just another Mario Kart.

you could say that about a lot of game series
 
Bikes can't do wheelies at will in MK8. It's just a animation when they use a Mushroom/boost.

That is really good to hear, because I was always trying to use bikes in MKwii because I knew they were better, but I never really could master them like other people obviously did.

One thing I saw in the footage recently that does have me a bit bummed out in MK8 is that I saw it's 12 racers again....I just don't feel that's a good number for Mario Kart. The amount of items that can get thrown around with that many racers is one of the things that I felt made MKWii feel like complete chaos. MK7 felt so much more balanced because it was taken back down to 8 racers.
 
That is really good to hear, because I was always trying to use bikes in MKwii because I knew they were better, but I never really could master them like other people obviously did.

"Better." That's easily stopped by getting better at the game. Don't stoop to handicap combinations (like Metal Mario / B Dasher / Red Monster tires in Mario Kart 7), as it's much more satisfying to win without them...
 
This is gonna be my first Mario Kart game since 64. So that's... 18 years since I played the last entry in the series. I hope i'm in for a bit of a shock.
 
"Better." That's easily stopped by getting better at the game. Don't stoop to handicap combinations (like Metal Mario / B Dasher / Red Monster tires in Mario Kart 7), as it's much more satisfying to win without them...

A shame the accelleration stat not working correctly in 7 usually makes it better to go for all out speed but yeah beating MM users is satifing lol.
 
Considering the entire anti grav mechanic couldn't they simply stop bikes from doing wheelies in an anti grav section (Which would make sense since the wheels turn sideways anyway). Essentially forcing the player to choose potential shortcuts/speed boost vs wheelie boosts in straightaway's.

As opposed to this blanket removal that makes them essentially pointless to have in the first place.

Hmm that's a good idea I wonder how Nintendo will handle this :o Your idea makes alot of sense and sounds balanced. My friends and me basically neglect karts in MK Wii since we are a good deal faster with bikes however I had no idea that karts in general were faster o.o
 
ibselVzcGIp1Ki.gif


Gotta wait till E3 i guess, although i gotta say SSB4 isn't being done any favors visually when compared to MK8 and the inevitable Pokken comparisons that will pop up if and when it is revealed.

SSB4 and "Pokkén" will likely be accomplishing different things, respective for them to be different types of (fighting) games entirely.


Not to mention Hoshino (of Namco's Project Soul) apparently tweeted about the event where this concept shot was revealed, but then said tweet was deleted shortly afterward.

I wouldn't be surprised if Zelda Musou and "Pokkén" both stand as examples of how Nintendo is much more willing to open the floodgates with collabs of this sort.
 

But no way would they make a pokemon fighting, espacially with a name as rediculous as...

Yeah, except for the trademark. ;)

Hmmm. I still have doubts about it, personally I think it's another stadium game.

It's only because the Smash team and Sakurai wants SSB4 to run at native 1080p resolution at 60fps.

Don't forget that it also has to be able to run on the 3DS, at a stable 60 FPS no less. They probably had to cut down on the complexity of the models and effects to do that.
 
Top Bottom