Mario Kart Wii just doesn't cut it compared to it's old counterpart Double Dash.
To be honest people, I've played every single Mario Kart, ranging from the SNES, 64, GBA, GC, DS and now the Wii, and I must say I am hardly impressed with what Nintendo has offered in this game.
I'll say it right now to save myself time, Double Dash was better. Heck, even the DS version was better, and I hated it because I was horrible at snaking.
But what makes this version so bad?
Well to start off, the Grand Prix is no longer available in multiplayer mode, meaning you have to chose your tracks and go from there instead of the classic Double Dash standard of All Cup with your friends.
Mentioning Double Dash has also reminded me of the Co-Op feature that was implemented, though Mario Kart Wii offers Team Based racing similiar to the DS version, it was not enough to win me over compared to the great memories I've had with my friends clawing each other in the air, and duking it out on the tracks.
Did I mention snaking? Yes I did. Nintendo decided to make things easier for new racers by not implenting a drift button like older Mario Kart, instead you push the analog or steer hard either right or left to drift, now while this seems easier, it doesn't really help at most times. Rather, it's frustrating when you drift when you don't want to, and don't drift when you want it. When I've played Double Dash, controlling when you drift is crucial to a victory in a race.
Now some of the neat things they've added were bikes, but by adding bikes, how is it Mario Kart? Might as well call it Mario Vehicle Racing and add trucks next time. Heck, instead of racing on circuit tracks, they race in a dirt terrain, like the Grand Canyon, oh wait that's MotorStorm. While the cool stunt tricks are neat to do, they're not much to add awesomness to this game.
Another feature is the online component. However with my experience of GT5, racing online can get frustrating with lag, glitches etc. Fun, but like Brawl, lag can really kill the momentum of winning a single race.
Though the wheel was included, it doesn't add much but a shape so you can get a sense of driving. Personally I wouldn't even recommend the wheel, you'd be better off with the GC controller. Because if you've played Mario Party 8, we all know Wii remote sideways does not work well with driving, and the wheel doesn't help it either.