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Force Dynamics 301 driving simulator takes on Super Mario Kart

by Darren Murph, posted Apr 28th 2008 at 4:15PM

While most of the cool kids are off whizzing around courses in Mario Kart Wii, the gurus at Force Dynamics are reminiscing about the one that started it all. Apparently the firm has tweaked its 301 motion platform to actually control the kart in the SNES hit, and the rider's chair even leaps up along with Mario, Peach or any other jumping character you choose. Sure, it's missing those absolutely brain-melting Wii graphics (but not by much, if you catch our drift), but we'd probably take a ride in this over an hour with the Wii Wheel any day. Check out the full video waiting after the break.

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Joystiq goes all out with Mario Kart Wii controller comparison

by Donald Melanson, posted Apr 25th 2008 at 7:36PM

As we're all too well aware, Mario Kart can be serious business for some folks, and Mario Kart Wii will certainly be no exception, which makes the right choice of controller all the more important. Thankfully, our pals at Joystiq have now come through with a meticulous comparison of all five driving options at your disposal. That includes the Wiimote on its own, the Wiimote with Wii Wheel, the Wiimote / nunchuck combo, the Classic Controller, and the tried and true GameCube controller. Somewhat surprisingly, while the GameCube Controller and Classic Controller each helped to put in some solid times, Joystiq actually found the Wiimote / nunchuck combo to the best all around option, with it faring particularly well when using a bike. Lagging far behind, however, was the solo Wiimote (which they recommend to avoid at all costs), although the addition of the Wii Wheel did apparently did help to make things a bit more manageable. Hit up the link below for the full rundown.

Nintendo and MTV film helpful reminder: the Wii Wheel does absolutely nothing

by Paul Miller, posted Mar 19th 2008 at 10:52AM

We know, it's easy to get caught in all the magic that is Mario Kart Wii -- "it's like Smash Bros. but with karts and more banana throwing!" -- but let's not fool ourselves here: that Wii Wheel is potentially the least functional piece of plastic Nintendo has shipped since the Virtual Boy. It apparently took the fine folks at MTV two whole videos to figure this out under the patient tutelage of a Nintendo rep, but while the Wii Wheel can potentially serve as a helpful reminder to hold the Wiimote with the buttons facing you, it adds zero functionality to the equation, and it's only therefore "necessary" for the first 30 seconds of play -- after which it can be tossed to your dog or teething child as a chew toy. Some might appreciate the ratio of turning a full wheel instead of a Wiimote, but we all know the truly hardcore are going to be kicking your ass with their Wavebirds anyways, to the point really is moot. Video is after the break.

[Via Engadget Spanish]

Continue reading Nintendo and MTV film helpful reminder: the Wii Wheel does absolutely nothing

Nintendo packing Wii Wheel with Mario Kart for Wii

by Paul Miller, posted Jul 11th 2007 at 11:39AM

Let's not bandy about here, we're pretty much God's gift to green shell snipes, and hook us up with a few red shells and perhaps a banana or two and you can pretty much kiss your Flower Cup goodbye. Nintendo just announced some extensive online functionality for its upcoming Wii-based Mario Kart title, including an undisclosed amount of "more" online competitors, which is always a plus. Nintendo is also packing a free Wii Wheel with each copy of the game to help ease the newbs into the Kart action. No word on how much the new wheel will cost on its own, but we'll be seeing both it and Mario Kart in the first quarter of 2008. More pics after the break.

Continue reading Nintendo packing Wii Wheel with Mario Kart for Wii

Mario Kart DS hits the meatspace

by Paul Miller, posted Mar 22nd 2007 at 11:43AM

If you've had your fill of tossing virtual turtle shells at hapless virtual victims while racing around a virtual track, you can finally take your favorite Nintendo mascot for a spin around a real life track, thanks to the Nintendo Mario Kart DS Track Race Set. Unfortunately, we're guessing the novelty factor here is going to last for a good five laps or so before you realize that this thing is just as boring as every other slot racing set ever built.

[Via Crave]