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GuitarioKart shows us what real guitar heroes are made of
If you've ever hung out with us at Game Night, you probably know that Mario Kart DS is a popular choice among our readers. While we love a round of Mario Kart here and there, we'd probably love it even more if we were able to play it with guitars. And no, we're not talking about Guitar Hero controllers, but real guitars, as seen in the video above. Somehow, these guys have created a mod that let's them control video games (in this case, the original Mario Kart for SNES) by the pitch of their musical instrument. Aside from the fact that the video turns really trippy halfway through with no explanation, it's a pretty cool thing to watch.Check after the break to see the Mortal Kombat guitar battle, which is slightly more entertaining even if it doesn't involve any fatalities.
DS Fanboy presents: Game Night 11/15/07 aftermath
Even with some of us being very late (see: the author of this post), we still managed to get our game on. Races were had in Mario Kart DS and we tasted the utterly horrible, yet very familiar, taste of defeat. Oh well, there is always next week to reclaim our honor as kinda OK at games.Oh, wait, next week is Thanksgiving! Sorry, but we'll have to wait until the following week before getting back to Game Night. It's a holiday and we'll be busy taking various naps fueled by our bellies full of turkey.So, enjoy the holiday and we'll see you guys at Game Night on November 29th!%Poll-5868%
Could Nintendo have ruined Mario Kart?
Over at CVG, they pose a very interesting question: will the inclusion of motorcycles completely ruin Mario Kart? While we'd say the inclusion of bikes may perhaps go against the spirit of the title, we wouldn't go so far as to assume it's such a decision that would ruin the game. Considering we have yet to play it ourselves, we're trying to be open-minded about all of it.But we will agree with them in saying that the GameCube entry Double Dash was lackluster, at best. The game seemed to be making a return to more traditional values, as it were, on the handheld circuit, with the DS game absolutely blowing us away. Now, the Wii game looks like it's going to follow in the footsteps of the GameCube game.Now, as we said, we're not passing judgment prematurely, but we are concerned. Are you not concerned? Or, are you confident Nintendo will knock it out of the park, as they say?
Mario Kart Wii allows for 12-player online racing
Amidst all the Sonic celebration and delay debacle, we seemed to have a missed a crucial bit of info regarding Nintendo's other multiplayer prodigy. As 1UP graciously points out, Satoru Iwata made the formal announcement at Nintendo's Japanese press conference that Mario Kart Wii will support up to 12 players in an online race, making it the largest Mario Kart yet, and the biggest multiplayer effort on Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection so far.According to 1UP, Iwata also stated that Nintendo would attempt to streamline the matchmaking process in Mario Kart Wii. We'll go ahead and put in a "second" for that "no friend codes" request, futile though it may seem.
Mario Kart Wii to support 12-player racing online
With the emergence of bikes in the franchise, it looks like change is the order of the day. And changes are happening, as we finally have confirmation that the title will feature online play for up to 12 participants. While it isn't the 16-player support rumored some time ago, it's still something we're glad to see Nintendo do, considering that their support of their online service has been lukewarm at best.Hints were placed that a more streamlined process regarding finding racers and setting matches up would be utilized, but no word as of the time of this post regarding that. And, we think we join the rest of the sane world in asking Nintendo not to burden us with a string of numbers known as the friend code.
Mario Kart Wii just got a bit less kartish
If you're a Nintendo fan, today has been one hell of a ride. Now, we find out that Mario Kart Wii will feature bikes, contradicting the very game itself (it is kart racing, afterall). Still, variety is the spice of life, so we're not complaining. Well, actually, we'd like to complain just a bit about the release date being bumped back to Spring 2008, but we guess you can't rush greatness. Also, a low quality trailer (via Go Nintendo) can be found past the post break.
DS Fanboy presents: Game Night 9/13/07
This week has been a close race in determining what our theme game will be for tonight. And, if you're a regular here at Game Night, you're likely already forming a picture of what games are running at the top of the pack. So, let's not waste time. Head past the break and get all of the details you need.
DS Fanboy presents: Game Night 9/6/07 aftermath
Last night's Game Night was kind of a bust, we must admit. There wasn't that great a turnout and connection problems plagued the participants. But, hey, that's life; we can't control everything. But, there's always next week to look forward to. And, it's also time to reset the poll, so let's get to it! What should be our theme game for 9/13/07? Pokemon Diamond & Pearl Mario Kart DS Picross DS Planet Puzzle League Clubhouse Games Tetris DS Metroid Prime Hunters
Rumor: Mario Kart Wii to have 16 players online, updated DS tracks
According to some scans found over at the Mario Kart Wii forums, there is a whole slew of features that are set to rock our socks when the game releases. ONM speculates that the game will feature 16-player online functionality, as well as graphically-updated versions of maps from the DS game.Of course, such information couldn't be reported without the whole internet going bananas. And, ONM (with their bucket loads of integrity) had to shoot all of our hopes and dreams to the ground, as they stated that "details printed in Official Nintendo Magazine 21 regarding Mario Kart Wii were healthy speculation on our part and are in no way an official announcement from Nintendo." They further add that they "are sorry if we have mislead anyone. We do not set out to mislead our readers. ONM apologises profusely for any misunderstandings that this has caused."If they didn't intend to mislead their readers, then why would they print the information as fact? Clearly, they think this information is legit, otherwise they wouldn't have printed it. But, then again, it is ONM ...[Thanks, Ian!]
ONM: Mario Kart Wii supports 16 online, includes DS maps [Updated]
We haven't heard much about Mario Kart Wii since it was unveiled at E3. Thanks to one intrepid forum goer with just a scanner and a dream, we now have a little more info on the game from the UK's Official Nintendo Magazine. Apparently MKW will support up to 16 players in a game (does that translate to 16 different characters?) and will be the first in the series to offer Battle Mode online. Oh, and you can now perform stunts in the air. We're not yet sure if we should be troubled by the fact that in addition to some Wii-exclusive maps, "classic DS tracks will be recreated with Wii graphics." We're going to hold off on getting worried until we see how many new tracks are being included. But let's hope for at least half-and-half, eh? Update: According to CVG, Official Nintendo Magazine has released a statement saying, "The details printed in Official Nintendo Magazine 21 regarding Mario Kart Wii were healthy speculation on our part and are in no way an official announcement from Nintendo. We are sorry if we have mislead anyone. We do not set out to mislead our readers. ONM apologizes profusely for any misunderstandings that this has caused." So, did ONM spill a few beans too early, or were they just making stuff up? [Thanks, Ian]
Wii Warm Up: More favorites - Mario edition
Yesterday's topic got us thinking about another awesome game set to come out this year: Super Mario Galaxy. As we're sure you've noticed, there have been a few of these Mario games over the years (and spin-offs!), and each one tends to have something special. Then there are remakes, tie-ins ... Mario Kart, Mario Golf, Mario Tennis ... is there anything the crew can't do? But that isn't the question on the table. The question is: what's your favorite of the Mario games? Since there are so many different types and styles, we won't fuss if you choose a few favorites instead of just one.
DS Fanboy presents: Game Night 8/9/07
For some reason, the iced tea in our glass tastes sweeter, the air seems crisper and we're in a wonderful mood. We wonder why that is? Oh, right, it's Thursday. That means we get to play some games with you all tonight! Awesome!
DSicons come to save the art-impaired
Do you sigh with jealousy when you see someone with a super-hot emblem in Mario Kart, but find yourself stumped when faced with the tiny, pixelated icon box? Then this may be your lucky day, friends, because DSicons is here to save you. You can get anything from the triforce to a hunk of cheese, and DSicons shows you blown-up pictures and just which colors to use so you can do it on your own with their helpful guide. We're pretty attached to the Transmetropolitan-influenced emblem drawn with love by the man of the house, but must admit that the peppermint emblem is pretty snazzy, particularly for someone with our musical tastes. For those of you who really want something special, DSicons also offers custom-designed icons for a fee. If you can imagine it in a 32x32 pixel box, they can draw it for you.[Thanks, soulanger!]
DS Fanboy presents: Game Night 7/2/07 aftermath
Did you folks have fun at Game Night yesterday? We sure did, as not only did we manage to get some Tetris DS in, but also a rather lengthy match of Metroid Prime Hunters. As far as Game Nights go, it was one of the better ones. Yet, there were still some people who just couldn't get in on the action. So, this week, we want you to tell a friend about Game Night and get him or her to commit to attend. If they don't, give us their address and we'll drag them there, kicking and screaming. What should be our theme game for 8/9/07? Metroid Prime Hunters Tetris DS Picross DS Clubhouse Games Mario Kart DS Planet Puzzle League
DS Fanboy presents: Game Night 8/2/07
Relax, the weekend is almost here. And that means that Game Night is almost here, as well. I've been looking forward to this, having had to miss last week's session, so I hope you're prepared to attend. If you are, head past the post break for all of the details. If you aren't, then beg for forgiveness in the comments.
DS Fanboy presents: Game Night 7/26/07 aftermath
Sadly, personal obligations kept me from attending Game Night yesterday. This will not be the case next week, so I anxiously await that day. Until then, let's all sit back, relax, and prepare to enjoy the weekend. And, before you go and enjoy the upcoming days off from responsibility (for most of you, we imagine), why not vote for next week's theme game below? You might notice something different. What should be our theme game for 8/2/07? Planet Puzzle League Pokemon Diamond & Pearl Mario Kart DS Tetris DS Clubhouse Games Picross DS
Mario Kart DS toys at Amazon
Want to take a break from playing Mario Kart DS online? Then play it offline, and on the floor. And by "play Mario Kart" we mean "run Mario into the wall over and over again until he gets lost under your dresser." Mario Kart rules are somewhat more lax in the amateur "not actually playing the real game" circuit, you see.Amazon seller Toyzz has a full set of Mario Kart DS pull-back race cars for $24.99. It includes Mario, Yoshi, Bowser, Wario, Luigi, and Donkey Kong. And you don't even have to go back in time to when these were commercially available, fly to Japan, and try your luck in UFO catchers.[Thanks, Zack!]
E307: Crisp, clear Mario Kart footage from the Nintendo keynote
Whether you saw Reggie's announcement on Mario Kart Wii yesterday or not, odds are that the footage you saw of the game was fuzzy or distant, and that is just plain wrong. Mario Kart is a delicious treat meant to be enjoyed up close, like a fluffy, flaky, French pastry. So of course, when we need a good video, we turn to French gamers -- and Jeux France comes through with some of the best footage from the keynote we've seen so far. Sure, you could watch a blurry clip on YouTube, but this is Mario Kart. You deserve better. Go on over and give it a gander, because we can't embed it here.
E307: Mario Kart Wii spins its wheels through our hearts
Nintendo didn't give us much on Mario Kart Wii, but it's enough. A smattering of sweet screenshots, a peripheral we're uncertain about, and news of online multiplayer is enough to get any good Nintendo fan's heart racing. As for the upcoming wheel ... Mario and Luigi manage to make it look like a blast! But racing is old hat for them -- they've been doing it for years. We can only guess they needed something new to mix things up a little. %Gallery-4772%
Nintendo announces online Wii Mario Kart, Wii Wheel
At Nintendo's E3 press conference today, Reggie Fils-Aime announced the first online-enabled console Mario Kart will come out for the Wii in the first quarter of 2008. Fils-Aime said the game is "not your father's Mario Kart," and hinted that the game will have a large number of characters. He also announced a "Wii Wheel" peripheral which will be packaged with the game and "level the track for beginners." More pictures of both the game and the wheel after the break.
