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Despite its humble origins, the Mario Kart series has proven to be one of Nintendo’s most enduring and captivating franchises. Since its debut on Super NES, a new iteration has appeared on every subsequent Nintendo console, and with it a new wrinkle added to the series’ formula, be it co-operative racing (as in the underrated GameCube entry, Mario Kart: Double Dash!!) or customizable karts (as in 3DS’s Mario Kart 7). The latest installment, Mario Kart 8 (which arrives in North America and Europe this Friday), looks to continue this trend by introducing a clutch of new items and all-new anti-gravity tracks to the gameplay, making it one of the most anticipated releases of the year.
With less than a week remaining until Mario Kart 8 races into stores, we thought it would only be fitting to devote our latest issue to all things Mario Kart. So this week, the Nintendojo staff will be taking a look at the seminal racing series, from the impact it’s had on console sales to the various ways in which it’s evolved over the years. Whether or not Mario Kart 8 will be the saving grace Nintendo needs to rejuvenate Wii U sales is open to debate, but one thing is for certain: Wii U owners have a wild ride ahead of them. See you at the finish line.
Enjoy,
Kevin
Volume 2, Issue 6: Start Your Engines
Sunday
- Track of the Week: Neo Bowser City (Mario Kart 7) by Kyle England
Do you crave speed? As if you had a need?
Monday
- Poll: Favorite Mario Kart by Kevin Knezevic
Which Mario Kart game do you like best?
Tuesday
- State of the Art: The Mario Kart Connection by Andy Hoover
The king of kart racing is also a great tool for measuring console success. - News by Marc Deschamps
Wednesday
- The Evolution of Mario Kart by Mel Turnquist
As with all good things in gaming, each Mario Kart has done something to keep the series fresh even to this day. - News by Anthony Pershkin
Thursday
- Retro Scope: F-Zero GX by Sam Stewart
With anti-gravity tracks making their way into Mario Kart, Sam looks back on Nintendo’s other anti-gravity racer. - News by Jon Stevens
Friday
- Versus! Mario Kart Roster by Anthony Vigna and Robert Marrujo
Anthony and Robert debate about having characters from other series join the race. - News by Kevin Knezevic
Saturday
- Week: End Game: On 05.31.2014
We have a feeling the staff will be doing a lot of racing this weekend…
Coming Up Next Issue…
Volume 2, Issue 7: Lost in Translation
A tribute to the games that never made it overseas.
