Mario Kart will always hold a real special place in my heart. Yes, I know everybody and their grandma loves playing the best racing series ever created, but for me, it means just a little bit more. Mario Kart: Double Dash was Jason’s very first video game.
I don’t remember how old he was, but it must’ve been like three or four years old. We were at my sister-in-law’s house and everybody was playing, including my nephews and brothers-in-law. Jason was always a bit of a shy kid, so it was amazing to see him actively want to play. Sure he couldn’t fully play at that age, but he sat on my lap and would press a button to activate an item.
He became so excited and alive with that one game. In hindsight, you could say it was just what the Dr. Mario ordered. That game opened a whole new world to Jason, and to this day (he turns 11 next month), if you ask him what he wants to be when he grows up, he’ll give you the same exact answer: “A video game maker.”
I love playing all the Mario Karts myself, though I have to admit, I think Ryan (who turns 9 this summer), is probably the best one in our house. He crushes me every time! So I can’t wait for the new Mario Kart 8 for the Wii U coming out May 30. (NOTE: My birthday happens to be on June 2. Just saying…)
There’s a load of new playable characters, tracks and features! Apparently there’s a new anti-gravity feature which lets you race up walls and even upside down! Vertigo, FTW!
What else can you expect from the newest release? Take a look at some of the highlights:
Spin Boost – If you’re racing upside down or on a wall, just bump into another racer or certain track obstacles and you’ll earn yourself a quick speed boost.
The Return of Favorite Characters – It was previously announced that you can actually play all seven of Bowser’s Koopalings for the first time ever, but a few fan-favorite playable characters return this time around including Metal Mario, Lakitu and Shy Guy!
New Items – You still gotta love the mushrooms and turtle shells, but two new items are now added to the mix. First is a Piranha Plant that attaches to the front of your kart. Besides chomping at other characters and obstacles on the track, it gives you a brief speed boost as it lunges forward. The other new item is a Boomerang Flower that lets you stun multiple opponents with just one toss.
16 New Courses – Racers will take on 16 brand-new courses, but you’ll also have the chance to play 16 remixed classic courses that have been updated and redesigned, including Moo Moo Meads (Mario Kart Wii), Toad’s Turnpike (Mario Kart 64) and Donut Plains (Super Mario Kart).
Rock Out – It’s never been done before in a Mario Kart game, but now select courses will features music recorded by live performers! (I’d pay good money for them to include Sammy Hagar’s “I Can’t Drive 55.”)
I for one am super pumped for this release and only fear one thing: the battle over controllers between my kids and their friends when Mario Kart 8 races into our home!
Mario Kart 8 Speeds Into Stores on May 30
thank you for the post cant wait to get it
Would love to try this game
I cannot wait! I love Mario and all the games with him in it 🙂 I am not good at driving games, but maybe with a lot of practice, which I am sure I will get, I will be a force to be reckoned with.
My son grew up play Mario kart and he still loves it. I love it that it is still around.
ive got a few fellas in my family that would love this
Oh my son will love this new game. He loves playing Mario Kart!
I havent played Mario in years and used to just love playing! I didnt even know this was out, and am going to look for it!
MarioKart was one of the first games we bought with our Wii years ago. It was a good game for all of us to play! I was the worst and usually drove into things or off the road. My kids thought it was hysterical!
My son in law and daughter play the heck out of Mario Kart. They love racing the world. They will be so excited that a new one is coming out!
We have a lot of the Original Mario Kart games for Regular Nintendo. We love playing the Mario Cart games and would love to get the new Mario Kart 8. I remember when my son first got his Mario Kart game, him and his friends had so much fun playing for hours. I need to get this awesome game.
Oh wow, so many changes has happened since I last played Mario….sometime in the early 90s:)