| Mario Kart Wii has been released recently for the | | | | you should also stunt jump whenever you jump, and |
| Nintendo Wii, and opinion is divided on whether it's | | | | if you are racing on a motorbike, wheelie as often as |
| the best yet, or rather overcomplicated and | | | | possible. Also, make sure you hit the power ups. |
| frustrating. One area of the game that's completely | | | | Online racing is more about powerups than offline |
| undeniable in it's brilliance is the online mode, where | | | | racing, as such there's very little chance of taking an |
| you race up to twelve other racers online. Everybody | | | | unassailable lead throughout the race. |
| wants to win, of course, but there are some | | | | Become a Blue Shell Bomber |
| excellent players | | | | If you are leading, you have one thing to fear - Blue |
| | | | Shells. The Blue Shells will automatically hit you with an |
| Don't Handicap Yourself Before You Even Start | | | | explosion causing you to lose around 5 seconds. And |
| It's best to use offline mode to get a feel for the | | | | there's nothing much you can do to stop it. Luckily, |
| game as a whole, plus unlock a few of the extra | | | | you are given plenty of warning, so what I try and |
| characters and karts. Once you feel confident | | | | do is stop, slow down, and take out as many of |
| (general consensus suggests beating at least the | | | | your opponents as possible. Drive with the A button |
| 100cc level cups before venturing online), then go | | | | (if you're using most steering methods) held down |
| online, but remember how you played offline. | | | | when you become aware of it and aim to eliminate |
| The courses are all the same, so pick one you like | | | | as many of your opponents as possible. Sure, you'll |
| before you start - don't go random. Of course, it | | | | drop down a few places, but at least you won't be |
| may not get voted to race on it, but at least you | | | | miles behind when you recover. |
| stand at the least a 1 in 12 chance of racing on it. | | | | Second Is The New First |
| Pick a character and kart you are familiar with, and | | | | With that said, it is far easier to do the classic Mario |
| also a kart that plays to your style. | | | | Kart tactic of remaining in second up until the last |
| By 100cc class, you should also be playing in manual | | | | corner then overtake. The choice of weapons you |
| mode. | | | | get in first is terrible, so if you are to lead from the |
| Take Advantage of Everything | | | | front, pull away and fast before you get attacked by |
| There are plenty of places to safely get speed | | | | the Blue Shells. |
| boosts without golden mushrooming everywhere. | | | | With all that said, the most important thing is to have |
| Corners are a great place to drift and you need to | | | | fun. Playing your fellow human and beating them is a |
| hold the drift for as long as possible (generally until | | | | wonderfully satisfactory feeling in this game, and you |
| you are straight on the straight you are drifting into), | | | | have a real sense of achievement. I'll see you online! |