The awesome, enjoyable experience you get from playing Mario Kart Wii will make you want to play it again and again.
The main event of the game is the Grand Prix in the single player. There are three modes in the Grand Prix: the first one is the 50cc, that only races karts, and is a great level for beginner players and those new to the Mario Kart series. The second one is 100cc that races karts and bikes, and is recommended for veteran players and those who are familiar to the Mario Kart universe. And, last but not the least, is the 150cc, recommended for the expert players who have extensive experience in the Mario Kart universe. Any gamer can choose a mode that he/she prefers and familiarize themselves with the modes of their choosing.
You can choose to about 8 different cup races in the Grand Prix, and each cup race has 4 three-lap races that the player must race through to win 1st place. But it's not that easy. The player has to finish each race with points, and with enough points can they determine how they rack up based on what place they got in each race. For example, a player can achieve a maximum of 60 points in all 4 races (which means 15 points if 1st place each race), and if the player has the top points, they win the 1st place trophy for that particular cup race, and will be determined how they did in that cup race (E, D, C, B, A, or an amount of stars).
There are about 32 different tracks to choose from, and some are familiar ones to those who have played the previous Mario Kart games. It's also a great way to reminisce and race at the old tracks as well. There are about 24 different characters (those include Mario of course) to choose from, and some of them have to be unlocked in a certain way in the game, mostly in the Grand Prix. Each character also has their default set of vehicles that the player can choose from, with three different weight classes. Some karts and bikes can be unlocked throughout the game as well.
There are also other modes besides the Grand Prix to choose from. In the Time Trials, you have to finish at the shortest time possible. There is even a Versus mode if you feel like taking on real players instead of computer-controlled ones. Up to four players can play in this mode. What's even more fun and entertaining is the Battle mode. Balloon mode and Coin Runner are the two types of battle you can choose from. Each is set in a time limit to see which team can collect more coins or pop less balloons (in other words, avoid getting hit) than the other team.
Multiplayer mode is what makes Mario Kart Wii even more exciting than it already is. You can use the Wi-Fi connection to play against players in your region, friends, or even worldwide. You can join any game type anywhere, anytime. As you win races and battles, you rack up points that add to you online stats (you start at 5000 each). There are also tournaments in the Mario Kart Wii Channel that players can join and compete for first place records or at least make it in the Top 10 finalists. You can also race ghosts for fun and make your Mario Kart online experience absolutely enjoyable.
The superb, sharp controls, in addition to using the Wii Wheel will not disappoint the player. You don't have to worry or be frustrated about it because the controls will sit well with the player, giving the player a much more satisfied and less frustrating playing experience. You still would find yourself having fun even though sometimes you lose control of your vehicle because you attempted to make Bowser flip a hundred times in mid-air, and you didn't stick the landing.
Other controls, like accelerating and deccelerating, or even using projectile weapons are convenient for the player, because they're right in front of you. You can perform a trick in mid-air and unleash lightning or the Blue Shell on opposing racers and manage to turn just in time to prevent falling to an endless pit, all possible without putting much effort in doing so. It's all in a push of a button. You do not even have to go through the trouble of looking at your wheel to press a particular button and distract the gameplay experience. Drifting and mini-turbos can also add more skill to your racing abilities. The difficulty is nothing to worry about. It is just right for any player who come to play this game, and makes go-kart racing much more fun, even though you're not a fan or not familiar of the Mario Kart series.
Graphics still look as great and as it did on the DS. The improvement with the lighting effects is big, and the environmental features were done well. Even the shine reflections on the characters's costumes and vehicles look great. The crowds and the statues/monuments are filled and replaced by your system's Miis.
Sound effects in the game were done nicely. The cheering of the crowds almost sound believable. The roar of the engines, tire skids, horn honks from other vehicles and crashes add excitement to the experience, almost as if you feel that you're in the driver's seat yourself. You can't help but laugh sometimes when Mario remarks, "Mamma mia!" or even what the characters do and say when they win or lose a race, because that's what makes the Nintendo characters appealing and fun. The music is also great, with some musical score that started from the previous Mario Kart games. The upbeat, kiddie feel to the music definitely fits the game's atmosphere just right. For example, when the music speeds up when you hit the final lap and becomes more dramatic, giving you that exciting, tense feeling that you just know you have to win this race.
To sum it all up, Mario Kart Wii is an outstanding experience too good to pass up. Mario Kart has not changed much, but that's what makes the series more lovable than it already is. With its lengthy, enjoyable single player campaign, add more with multiplayer and thoroughly integrated online features, it will keep you entertained for a long time. The awesome experience you get from playing it is absolutely worth it.