CoG Mario Kart 7 Thread

[KamaItachi]

With the game a scant week away, it's time to get the hype train rolling on this one.

Early reviews have started coming in, and they're very good.

CVG 9.4/10 (http://www.computerandvideogames.com/327462/reviews/mario-kart-7-review/?page=1)But you'll realise long before you take your place at the back of the Special Cup grid that this is a racer that trades on verve and wonderment. Think of MK 7 as the Mario Galaxy of the roads; a racer with the fertile imagination of a child's mind, and the attention span to boot.

Eurogamer 8/10 (http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2011-11-25-mario-kart-7-review) The 3D is a treat, benefiting from the technology's more comfortable application in games that travel into the screen rather than across it. Likewise, Mario Kart 7 is a handheld technical marvel, going toe-to-toe with the Wii title for graphical vibrancy, texture and detail.

ONM:93 (http://www.officialnintendomagazine.co.uk/32868/mario-kart-7-review/)Fortunately, the new courses revolve around the new air and sea sections in such a coherent way that they never feel tacked-on or superfluous. The additional diversions have given Nintendo's design team much more to play with, and Mario Kart 7's set of courses is the richest and densest crop yet.

More intriguing are the Friends/Opponents and Communities options. The former keeps track of your record against everyone on your friends list, notching up a 'victory' if you finish ahead of them and a 'defeat' every time you don't. It also retains this data on everyone you've faced online recently (whether you're friends or not), and gives you the option of joining their next race if you're particularly keen to overturn the agony of a last minute defeat

I thought we could use this as a general discussion thread as well as matchmaking. Mario Kart 7 also gives you the option of setting up your own communites (http://gamesites.nintendo.com.au/mario-kart-7/networkplay/index.php) allowing you to use a single set up code for multiple players to get together and play, without the need for exchanging friend codes 1-1.

Release dates for those interested:

Japan: Dec 1st
EU: Dec 2
AUS: Dec 3
US: Dec 4

CoG community group:
51-2303-7009-7332 -150cc- all items

[Ravenlock]

It's out in a week?!

Shit. :p

[Blue]

Comes out on my birthday. I'm glad that at (almost) 31, I can walk into a store and purchase Mario Kart with confidence and my own money. Though I'm a little sad I have to buy myself a present, but you can't win 'em all.

[KamaItachi]

Just updated with a new review.

[Blue]

Thanks to Pinchy's kindness in the console thread, I have this pre-ordered and I await its arrival.

[Ravenlock]

I've got $15 at Best Buy that is clearly going towards this next week.

[quidmonkey]

Very pumped. Bought my 3DS for this. MKDS is the best version so far, here's to topping it.

[Ravenlock]

The Gametrailers Review (http://www.gametrailers.com/video/review-mario-kart-7/724422?xrs=synd_twitter) has me pretty damn hyped.

[KamaItachi]

Some seem to be down on it for not doing enough new things. I'm not too down on that, since I'd be happy enough with just a higher fidelity version of MKDS. MK7 has that, with analogue steering and better online features.

[JayVe]

Analog steering alone will make this a worthwhile upgrade to MKDS.

[KamaItachi]

Got my copy today. Been going through single to unlock parts/characters and had a go at online.

So far I like the new tracks and the additions to the older ones open up a ton of new options. Good to see some of Double Dash tracks getting some love.

Online so far, works flawlessly. Silky smooth, with 8 players running at a sweet 60FPS. I actually forgot I was playing against real people on a couple of occasions.

Anyone up for a community setting? There's not a ton of flexibility, really, it's just setting your speed and general item rules (all items, Shells only, mushrooms, no items etc..)so we can easily set up a few for those who want to play a couple of different ways.

[Ravenlock]

Really looking forward to picking it up tomorrow. See you fools on the racetrack. ;)

P.S. Everyone in this thread has already done so, but newcomers, if you haven't, go drop your friend code on us in the Friend Code thread (http://www.colonyofgamers.com/cogforums/showthread.php?t=22155).

[Ravenlock]

It's a shame that you have to lock down community settings.

I guess I'd be up for at least 100 and 150cc All Items communities. Seems like everybody can create them, which is convenient but also havoc if we don't manage it. ;)

[KamaItachi]

CoG community group 51-2303-7009-7332 150cc all items

I think we should stick to just the one for now, but if people start having preferences we can look at adding more. But we don't want to fracture the play group right off the bat.

[quidmonkey]

Ow, my hand! 3DS is too damn small.

I like it, but still no item selection and a gimped slide. Playing through the retro stages makes me realize how much I dislike MKW. Oh, and lightning is hateful - much, much worse than blue shells.

3D is awesome. Netcode is excellent. First-person mode is great. Unlocking items/karts is screwy. I do like many of the new tracks, although fuck Rainbow Road.

One new tweak I've noticed is that if you hop right when you leave the lip of a ramp, you'll get a speed boost.

CoG Community joined!

[Ravenlock]

Holy shit, dude. :p I was once alright at Mario Kart.

That was pathetic. Practice needed.

[quidmonkey]

Holy shit, dude. :p I was once alright at Mario Kart.

That was pathetic. Practice needed.

Nah. You did great! Talk about serendipitous. No sooner did I login to the Community, and Ravenlock joined! Thanks for the races!

[KamaItachi]

Balls, I'm stuck playing single at work :(

[Blue]

Looks like mine will be delivered on Tuesday. Bah. I have my fingers crossed it'll come tomorrow but I'm not hopeful - will post when it does.

[Ravenlock]

I'm sitting online in the community room for a bit in case anybody wants to race tonight.

[quidmonkey]

Raven & I await more players!

[Ravenlock]

Gah! Communication error'd.

I sent you friend requests on XBLA and Steam so we could chat beyond the pre-set messages. (I hate those things.) Might be back on in a bit, or we'll just pick it up again another night.

Good racing! I'm glad I managed to re-acquire a bit of my skill in single player practice. ;)

[quidmonkey]

Great stuff! Which kart you using? It's damn speedy. Note to self: never use Bolt Buggy with Monster treads & a lightweight!

[Ravenlock]

That was the Barrel Train. One of the first unlocks. Wood Wheels, standard sail.

The first time we matched up I was just using standard everything. Not making that mistake against you again. ;)

[quidmonkey]

That was the Barrel Train. One of the first unlocks. Wood Wheels, standard sail.

I have neither the Barrel Train nor the Wood Wheels, but then again, maybe I should play 50cc & 100cc. All I know is, that kart is faster than anything I have. I can't catch you on a straightaway!

[Ravenlock]

Yeah, I'm crawling through 50 and 100 first, I'm sure it was in there that I got it.

[KamaItachi]

Man, I think this might be the first Kart game where Bowser is actually usefull. There's enough boosting potential to offset the slow acceleration and he's got enough weight that he doesn't skate around like a fish.

[JayVe]

You guys are making me really want this. Sadly, I don't think I'll be able to play. Currently the only Internet connection I have is through my phone, and the ping to the USA is awful. I doubt that will change any time in the next few months.

Maybe if people are still playing in April, I'll be able to get in on the action.

[Ravenlock]

Just finished 3-starring all the 50CC cups in single player.

There isn't a single track in this game I don't like. And several of the classic ones are better than they've ever been, thanks to the addition of stuff like aerial / underwater sections, jump boosting (this alone makes Airship Fortress a whole new course I think), and just neat ambient stuff. I love how the thwomps distort the track in SNES Rainbow Road. I love the 3D leaves floating around in Maple Treeway.

It's fucking brilliant. I still love you, Mario Kart DS, but they may have done you one better. Between this and Super Mario 3D Land, the 3DS has absolutely justified its existence, even considering that I bought it before the price drop.

On to 100 and 150!

[Joshkdmw]

I'll be on tonight for some sweet kart lovin'.

[Mike Kelehan]

Perhaps we should have a Mario Kart night, like TF2 Thursday, where we all join the group at a certain time? I vote Wednesdays at 6pm PST/9pm EST, but that's just off the top of my head to get things started.

[Blue]

I'll have mine tomorrow so I'd be down. I'm awful at MK, but I can make the rest of you look amazing.

[Mike Kelehan]

I'm finding it a little better with 3D off. It really helps with Mario Land and Pilotwings, but in Mario Kart, all it does it make me refocus at times, without adding any real gameplay advantage.

[Ravenlock]

I agree that it doesn't add a gameplay advantage... but man, swooping around with the wings in 3D just feels so fucking cool. :p

[Ravenlock]

I'm online in the community room, if anybody feels like a race.

[KamaItachi]

Just finished 3-starring all the 50CC cups in single player.

There isn't a single track in this game I don't like. And several of the classic ones are better than they've ever been, thanks to the addition of stuff like aerial / underwater sections, jump boosting (this alone makes Airship Fortress a whole new course I think), and just neat ambient stuff. I love how the thwomps distort the track in SNES Rainbow Road. I love the 3D leaves floating around in Maple Treeway.

It's fucking brilliant. I still love you, Mario Kart DS, but they may have done you one better. Between this and Super Mario 3D Land, the 3DS has absolutely justified its existence, even considering that I bought it before the price drop.

On to 100 and 150!

Finding it hard to disagree with anything you've said. There's so many options now in each of the tracks, hidden little things and alternative pathways, even the old ones feel spruced up and new thanks to easier options for speedbursts from drifts and jump boosting.

Plus NO SNAKING!

[JayVe]

NO SNAKING!You just made me one happy camper! :D

[Urizen]

The wife has a couple work-related dinner this week, so while early evening generally isn't a good time for the DaX household, this might be my only long window to lay waste to you fools.

I'll try to be between 6 and 9 PT most nights is week.

[Joshkdmw]

Anyone else notice the tags up in this thread?

[quidmonkey]

The wife has a couple work-related dinner this week, so while early evening generally isn't a good time for the DaX household, this might be my only long window to lay waste to you fools.

I'll try to be between 6 and 9 PT most nights is week.

When we playing tonight?

[Blue]

Balls - so, even though I paid for one day shipping from Amazon (figured it would arrive yesterday and when not, surely today), it's apparently not coming until tomorrow so I won't likely be in for matchmaking then.

Any idea if a refund on that sort of thing is possible? Had I known the shipping time wouldn't have been an actual one-day thing, I wouldn't have ponied up for it.

[Tayaya]

Buying this today.... been eyeballing it all weekend but never got a chance to go to the store and get it.

[quidmonkey]

w00t! The Egg kart is back!

After another solid night with this, I'm ready to say it's a toss up between MKDS and MK7 on which is the best.

I continue to find new lanes & shortcuts as I race and the track design is all around solid. I do wish sparks started flying a smidge sooner during the drift. Right now the drift feels nerfed. I also dislike the underwater - it fucks with the flow; although as Ravenlock mentioned, a stage like Daisy Cruiser is better for it.

I hit 800 coins. I have all the characters (some interesting choices) and a good selection of karts. I'm ready for some more online, if anyone is game tonight, say around 10:30 pm EST.

[Mike Kelehan]

w00t! The Egg kart is back!

After another solid night with this, I'm ready to say it's a toss up between MKDS and MK7 on which is the best.

I continue to find new lanes & shortcuts as I race and the track design is all around solid. I do wish sparks started flying a smidge sooner during the drift. Right now the drift feels nerfed. I also dislike the underwater - it fucks with the flow; although as Ravenlock mentioned, a stage like Daisy Cruiser is better for it.

I hit 800 coins. I have all the characters (some interesting choices) and a good selection of karts. I'm ready for some more online, if anyone is game tonight, say around 10:30 pm EST.

I agree that it's between this and MKDS. I'm kind of leaning towards this, only because the snaking mechanic completely changed high level MKDS play. I also agree that there are some interesting choices for hidden characters, and it kind of makes me think that perhaps a Nintendo All-Star Kart is in order. Link and Samus, or Wiggler and Queen Bee?

Oh man, how cool would Samus's kart be?

[quidmonkey]

I agree that it's between this and MKDS. I'm kind of leaning towards this, only because the snaking mechanic completely changed high level MKDS play. I also agree that there are some interesting choices for hidden characters, and it kind of makes me think that perhaps a Nintendo All-Star Kart is in order. Link and Samus, or Wiggler and Queen Bee?

Oh man, how cool would Samus's kart be?

That be no kart, that's a Gunship!!

I wish Nintendo would reveal all the hidden variables for karts & characters. I know karts have about a dozen stats, and I have a hunch that characters affect items.

[Blue]

Just got it. Loving it thus far (just did two of the cups so I'm early on) but I'm finding my thumb starting to cramp like two races in and I'm having difficulty finding a comfortable position.

[Urizen]

sorry, soldiers.

I caught nasty bug and was under heavy benadryl last night. I'm liking this game a lot. Double Dash is actually still my favorite right now, but this might beat it soon. DD gets extra points for doing reverse tracks instead of mirror mode.

Here is the complete list of unlockables (http://www.wiinintendo.net/2011/11/29/mario-kart-7-unlockables-tips-tricks-cheats/).

Also, you guys need to invest in this:

http://www.girlgamersuk.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/GRIP-2.jpg

Amazon (http://www.amazon.com/Nintendo-3DS-Hand-Grip/dp/B004MKN3YE/ref=sr_1_1?s=videogames&ie=UTF8&qid=1323294936&sr=1-1)

I never play my system with the grip off.

[Ravenlock]

I like the look of the grip, but sadly I'm pretty sure it wouldn't work with the Nyko battery pack I've got on there (2X battery life).

Nyko can come out with one that does fit any time they like, though, and I'd pick one up.

[KamaItachi]

sorry, soldiers.

I caught nasty bug and was under heavy benadryl last night. I'm liking this game a lot. Double Dash is actually still my favorite right now, but this might beat it soon. DD gets extra points for doing reverse tracks instead of mirror mode.

Here is the complete list of unlockables (http://www.wiinintendo.net/2011/11/29/mario-kart-7-unlockables-tips-tricks-cheats/).


I want to punch whoever figured out how to snake.

So badly

[Mike Kelehan]

I'm waiting for a Circle Pad Pro with a battery built in.

[Mike Kelehan]

I want to punch whoever figured out how to snake.

So badly

Don't worry about it. There are very few places where that's practical. It's not like MKDS where you could do it all the time.

[Ravenlock]

I want to punch whoever figured out how to snake.

So badly

Wait, so there's snaking now?

Motherfucker.

[Joshkdmw]

Wait, so there's snaking now?

Motherfucker.

Game over, man. FUCK this shit.

[Blue]

As a casual MK player: what's snaking? Also, is there a way at all to avoid blue shells or are you just hosed? I feel like they're pretty rampant and I don't know if that's normal. I'm getting hit by one at least once a race, and it's happened up to four times in a single race which is unnecessary.

[Ravenlock]

The best strategy for blue shells is either to be so far ahead that they don't ruin your lead, or to make sure you're right next to someone else when it explodes so they take multiple people out at once. There's no escaping them except by luck.

Snaking is rapidly shifting from right to left slides to get a near-constant boost. In MKDS, it completely unbalanced the game because once people learned how to do it you COULDN'T win in multiplayer unless you did it every time. It's "legit" in that it isn't cheating - the game mechanics let you do it - but IMO it makes the gameplay flat and monotonous, and it sapped all the fun out of multiplayer MKDS for me.

[KamaItachi]

As a casual MK player: what's snaking? Also, is there a way at all to avoid blue shells or are you just hosed? I feel like they're pretty rampant and I don't know if that's normal. I'm getting hit by one at least once a race, and it's happened up to four times in a single race which is unnecessary.

If you time it Juuuuuuust right you can actually boost out from under it with a mushroom. It's really split second timing, and I've only pulled it off once or twice, but it's possible.

As for Snaking, I think Mike's right, it'll be a very select number of places that it'll be feasible. I don't see it having too major an impact on the day to day...


... hopefully.

[Blue]

The best strategy for blue shells is either to be so far ahead that they don't ruin your lead, or to make sure you're right next to someone else when it explodes so they take multiple people out at once. There's no escaping them except by luck.

Snaking is rapidly shifting from right to left slides to get a near-constant boost. In MKDS, it completely unbalanced the game because once people learned how to do it you COULDN'T win in multiplayer unless you did it every time. It's "legit" in that it isn't cheating - the game mechanics let you do it - but IMO it makes the gameplay flat and monotonous, and it sapped all the fun out of multiplayer MKDS for me.

If you time it Juuuuuuust right you can actually boost out from under it with a mushroom. It's really split second timing, and I've only pulled it off once or twice, but it's possible.

As for Snaking, I think Mike's right, it'll be a very select number of places that it'll be feasible. I don't see it having too major an impact on the day to day...


... hopefully.

Thanks and thanks! I just wrapped the 50cc tracks and the entire thing is great save for a few minor gripes. Assumed snaking was one of those things the advanced kids did that I just never got around to trying :).

[Urizen]

I'm OK with snaking. It's legit in my book. Damn hard to do it just right. You still need to do everything else fairly well to do well at the races. When you have two players snaking against each other, it makes for one hell of a race.

My A-game in Double Dash looked something like this:

gOCpXDIHSPE

If you watch the staff ghosts on some of their races, they are doing some of the same stuff. Snaking didn't become a bad word until DS. I think I need to spend more time with that game.

That said, I'm happy to not snake all the same.

[muddi900]

I'm waiting for a Circle Pad Pro with a battery built in.

I am waiting for a 3DS with Circle Pad Pro built in

[quidmonkey]

I <3 snaking. It did require practice, but once you mastered it, it made both MKDD & MKDS deeper. Hell, in MKDS, blue shells didn't matter. You could consistently be half a lap ahead of the computer.

I echo the comments here on MK7 snaking. From my experience, it's situational. Drifting is now triggered by steering into the turn, so to snake you have to oversteer, which makes your lanes all sorts of wonky.

EDIT

Has anyone found a good heavyweight kart? I'm looking for something similar to the ROB-BLS from MKDS, which is objectively, the best kart ever!

[Ravenlock]

I guess my problem with snaking - at least in MKDS - is that it became a requirement for competitive play, because aside from blind luck (and rarely even then) a non-snaker could not beat someone who was snaking, period. It wasn't a strategy, it was a win button. You either learned to do it or you lost.

Which is fine, I learned to do it decently well, but I don't necessarily want every race of Mario Kart to be a highly technical white-knuckle affair. That isn't always fun. Once it became impossible to play without using it, I simply wanted to play less.

[Blue]

Honestly, that's one of the reason I don't do much MP. It stops being fun and laid back and while I'm all for competitive, snaking sounds less interesting.

[JayVe]

Using snaking to be a half-lap ahead makes it seem broken... which it was.

-from webOS

[quidmonkey]

I guess my problem with snaking - at least in MKDS - is that it became a requirement for competitive play, because aside from blind luck (and rarely even then) a non-snaker could not beat someone who was snaking, period. It wasn't a strategy, it was a win button. You either learned to do it or you lost.

Which is fine, I learned to do it decently well, but I don't necessarily want every race of Mario Kart to be a highly technical white-knuckle affair. That isn't always fun. Once it became impossible to play without using it, I simply wanted to play less.

I get that! I'm there with you, and it's fascinating that snaking causes such visceral responses. On one hand, MK gets criticized for being Ninty's pseudo-random generator: snaking is the answer to that - it breaks the gameplay down to skill. On the other hand, those who dislike snaking embrace MK's randomness and say it's what makes MK MK!

[Urizen]

People need to get online right now!!

[quidmonkey]

People need to get online right now!!

I agree. All these peeps saying they wanna play, but nobody shows!

Great matches tonight Uri. I look forward to our next race.

[KamaItachi]

Bah, I would but I'm at work.

[Tayaya]

Still haven't bought my copy. Been a busy week with things going crazy at work (worked a 14 hour shift one day, 10 the next, etc). Hopefully this weekend, and hopefully people will stop trying to figure out fucking snaking soon!

[KamaItachi]

Still haven't bought my copy. Been a busy week with things going crazy at work (worked a 14 hour shift one day, 10 the next, etc). Hopefully this weekend, and hopefully people will stop trying to figure out fucking snaking soon!

I've been in a few matches with snaking, I genuinely don't think it actually helps. There's no boost, since it's reliant on time and actually steering into the turn, like MKW, so all you get is someone flopping around the racetrack actively getting in the way of your shells.

[Joshkdmw]

I've been in a few matches with snaking, I genuinely don't think it actually helps. There's no boost, since it's reliant on time and actually steering into the turn, like MKW, so all you get is someone flopping around the racetrack actively getting in the way of your shells.

I noticed the same thing. I tried to snake, but the delay it takes to build blue sparks, coupled with the 'turning-into-the-skid factor' makes it far less practical, and arguably less efficient than just going straight.

[quidmonkey]

The Maka Wuhu Glitch:

lP9CUkyxBg4

[Ravenlock]

<sigh> Well, there's something everyone will now have to do if they want to compete.

I wonder if Nintendo can release game-specific patches on 3DS. Anybody know? They've put out stuff for Dead or Alive Dimensions, I know.

[Blue]

I'm just about done with the 100 tracks - I've 3 Starred all of them except for the last which is sitting at 2 Stars. Inevitably, I somehow get hosed by a blue shell and I lose all of my coins and things then go south and I rage quit. So... yeah.

[Tayaya]

Finally got this one last week, using the gift card I got from target after buying a 3DS for my girlfriend.

I'm liking it a bunch so far. All I've done is cleared all the tracks on 50cc just to give them all a quick tour and get the unlock ball rolling. It's a lot of fun and I like the gameplay a lot more than Mario Kart DS and Mario Kart Wii. Even with everyone here raving about it I was still thinking in my head "but it's just more Mario Kart...." and almost didn't buy it.

Can't wait to hit up the harder difficulties, and catch some people online that wanna play!

[Urizen]

3-starred all through 100cc over a week ago, but getting any 3-stars in 150cc seems impossible. Also puzzled by the ghosts imported via SpotPass. Who are these people? Is it random? Is it Staff Ghosts?

[Ravenlock]

Yeah, 150cc is fucking me up trying to get 3 stars. I'm pretty sure I'm just gonna need to luck into them. None of the karts I have access to at this point can keep up with the AI racers - they just fly off the starting line and until I start getting items I can't even keep pace.

[Blue]

Yeah I've 3 starred 100cc now and 150 is brutal. At this point I'm just unlocking characters and coin collecting to get kart parts rather than trying to get 3 stars. Thinking I may need to "level up" in a manner and get some better pieces before that happens.

[Ravenlock]

Man, Mario Kart makes me curse like no other series of games ever has or ever will.

Motherfucking lighting.

[Blue]

I somehow get jacked with lightning while flying through the air and over a pit every single time.

[Ravenlock]

Rainbow Road on 150cc makes me want to murder everything.

All of them. Toad, and Donkey Kong, and Rosalina, and her family, and her friends, and her pets, all dead.

...Now to go try it again. :p

[quidmonkey]

I recommend the Red Monster wheels for tackling 150cc. Don't be fooled by the low handling, you can turn on a dime with them. If you got either, go Egg1 or Koopa Clown as your Kart - it's a great combo of speed/acceleration - and with the turning ability of Red Monster, you'll be set. I'd also say mid-weight Racer for the equal parts speed & acceleration.

This chart is a great reference (http://www.gamefaqs.com/3ds/997822-mario-kart-7/faqs/63500).

I'd haven't played for a week, but I want some more multi! Anyone game for a few matches tonight? I'm also game for getting into time trials if there's interest.

[Ravenlock]

That chart was obviously a huge amount of work, but I don't understand his numbers. He's got stuff on there that the game never gives you numbers for (like "Land" "Sea" and "Sky" values for speed), which I assume means he was just guessing based on his experience? And he breaks down the character differences at the top, but doesn't record how they impact the different kart configurations. I guess you're just meant to infer that.

Thanks for linking it, but it just makes me want to make my own. :p

[quidmonkey]

He may be grabbing them from the Prima Guide. I believe Prima's got a good rep for getting stats directly from devs.

Going by the totals, the best build would be Featherweight, Cloud-9, Wooden and Super/Beast/Gold Glider. I'll have to try that when I get home.

[quidmonkey]

Welp. I tried Toad, Cloud 9, Wooden & Flower Glider, and barely 3-starred the Mushroom Cup with it. It's heavy on the acceleration, but low on speed. It's also amazing underwater, but I think I'll only break it out occasionally.

[Joshkdmw]

I run Shy guy, B dasher, red monster, and paraglider. I live roflstomping those ghosts I get in spotpass.

[KamaItachi]

I used to run Rosalina, Cloud 9, normal/wooden wheels and the regular Paraglider. while I could grip the road like an Asian hooker, I never got the speed to really pass the AI by any decent margin. On Bowser's Castle and Rainbow road, I was unstoppable, but with anything that had a decent stretch, I just couldn't last.

I think I'm going to have to go back and work on my setup.

[Ravenlock]

Just triple starred 150CC Special Cup. I am a goddamned champion. :D

Yoshi, Birthday Girl, Mushroom Wheels, Swooper Glider.

[Tayaya]

What are the requirements for getting 3-stars? I have yet to finish in anything but 1st against the AI. I rarely ever go off the track, and still I'm only able to get 2 stars on 50cc Special Cup and anything above that.

Also - I cannot for the life of me find the timing for this game's rocket start. Kind of annoying, but not game breaking against the AI.

[Ravenlock]

No idea. I just triple-starred 150CC Mushroom, but then double-starred 150CC Flower, winning all races in both, and I thought I raced better in Flower.

[KamaItachi]

What are the requirements for getting 3-stars? I have yet to finish in anything but 1st against the AI. I rarely ever go off the track, and still I'm only able to get 2 stars on 50cc Special Cup and anything above that.

Also - I cannot for the life of me find the timing for this game's rocket start. Kind of annoying, but not game breaking against the AI.

I find I can get it about 99% of the time waiting a heartbeat after the 2 appears.

As for triple staring.. I don't know, but I can get a feeling by the second race if I'm going to get it for that cup. I'm pretty sure you not only have to win, but get decent times for the races. I did much better in the 100/150cc races when I swapped out handling for speed.

[Joshkdmw]

I find that hitting the gas precisely as the second tone ends gets me rocket start every time.

[quidmonkey]

It's time-based for sure, but general consensus is that it's also performance-based:


Don't Fall Off the Track
Avoid Shells & Bananas
Drift & Boost as Much as Possible

[Ravenlock]

<Sigh> I wish Nintendo would redesign the way single player Mario Kart works. I really do.

I have fun with it, but it's so fucking frustrating to get through three races in a cup and then have something completely random that you couldn't avoid ruin your progress in the fourth race and make you do it all over again.

In a multiplayer game, those shenanigans are fun and make Mario Kart what it is, because one of your friends pulling a ridiculous upset at the last second to win the race is still fun, even if it costs you the win, and you know it might be you next time. When it's the AI doing it, though, it just feels like you've been dicked over for no reason, and essentially there's a randomizer determining whether you will or won't win the race. You can race the same track equally well 6 times and win 2 and lose 4 through no fault of your own.

I don't know if taking things like the blue shell and lightning out of single player would fix it, but it might help. Those items almost never benefit the player (because if you're a competent racer you're not far enough back in the pack to need them) and cause 90% of the "this is bullshit" rage, since if you're in first you're basically guaranteed to be hit with both of them and can't defend against them at all.

TL;DR - I know, I know. Kart gonna Kart.

[Tayaya]

I find that hitting the gas precisely as the second tone ends gets me rocket start every time.

I'm trying way too late then - I've been trying everywhere between the start of the "1" tone and the launch. Never tried between the "2" and the "1." I'll have to give that a go later.

[Mike Kelehan]

It's time-based for sure, but general consensus is that it's also performance-based:


Don't Fall Off the Track
Avoid Shells & Bananas
Drift & Boost as Much as Possible


Also, I heard you lose points for going off road while not covered by a mushroom or starman. Total amount of time in first place might have something to do with it, too.

[Mike Kelehan]

<Sigh> I wish Nintendo would redesign the way single player Mario Kart works. I really do.

I have fun with it, but it's so fucking frustrating to get through three races in a cup and then have something completely random that you couldn't avoid ruin your progress in the fourth race and make you do it all over again.

In a multiplayer game, those shenanigans are fun and make Mario Kart what it is, because one of your friends pulling a ridiculous upset at the last second to win the race is still fun, even if it costs you the win, and you know it might be you next time. When it's the AI doing it, though, it just feels like you've been dicked over for no reason, and essentially there's a randomizer determining whether you will or won't win the race. You can race the same track equally well 6 times and win 2 and lose 4 through no fault of your own.

I don't know if taking things like the blue shell and lightning out of single player would fix it, but it might help. Those items almost never benefit the player (because if you're a competent racer you're not far enough back in the pack to need them) and cause 90% of the "this is bullshit" rage, since if you're in first you're basically guaranteed to be hit with both of them and can't defend against them at all.

TL;DR - I know, I know. Kart gonna Kart.

This is something I thought about while I was first playing this game, and ultimately decided that taking lightning and blue shells out of the single player wouldn't be the best approach. It depends on how you look at single player. Is it:

A) Practice for multiplayer, or
B) A game in and of itself?

I think that, really, it's A. Now that you can play online, the multiplayer is always available to you, and single player just exists to get you ready for it. Removing anything from it that would take it further away from the multiplayer rules would get in the way of that. There are blue shell related skills that help in multiplayer, and you wouldn't have any of them. Dropping in second when you see someone is holding a blue shell, getting close to someone else to get them in the blast, that sort of thing.

But, what if you want a more skill-based experience? Time trials. Thanks to Spot Pass, your SD card is now filled with ghost data. You can select "Seven Ghosts" and race against ghosts that have times close to your best time for that track, and get all the thrill of the race without any randomness at all. You can also see where your best time falls in a constantly updated bell curve. You'll have nobody to blame but yourself if you don't win. And, when you do, hit Seven Ghosts again, and you'll race ghosts closer to your new time.

[Ravenlock]

It depends on how you look at single player. Is it:

A) Practice for multiplayer, or
B) A game in and of itself?

I think that, really, it's A. Now that you can play online, the multiplayer is always available to you, and single player just exists to get you ready for it. Removing anything from it that would take it further away from the multiplayer rules would get in the way of that. There are blue shell related skills that help in multiplayer, and you wouldn't have any of them. Dropping in second when you see someone is holding a blue shell, getting close to someone else to get them in the blast, that sort of thing.

Sure, but multiplayer unlocks are stuck behind single player progress. So you're forced to deal with the single player randomization bullshit even if you'd rather just play multi, in order to unlock characters. I agree that letting coins govern kart unlocks mitigates this a bit, since you can earn those in multiplayer.

But, what if you want a more skill-based experience? Time trials. Thanks to Spot Pass, your SD card is now filled with ghost data. You can select "Seven Ghosts" and race against ghosts that have times close to your best time for that track, and get all the thrill of the race without any randomness at all. You can also see where your best time falls in a constantly updated bell curve. You'll have nobody to blame but yourself if you don't win. And, when you do, hit Seven Ghosts again, and you'll race ghosts closer to your new time.

This is a good point. I haven't played Time Trials yet, and I should.

[KamaItachi]

Spotpass ghost trials are great. I've probably spent as much time on those than the main GP mode. Short enough for the train commute and helps with trying out Kart setups.

[Mike Kelehan]

Sure, but multiplayer unlocks are stuck behind single player progress. So you're forced to deal with the single player randomization bullshit even if you'd rather just play multi, in order to unlock characters. I agree that letting coins govern kart unlocks mitigates this a bit, since you can earn those in multiplayer.

It's true, but the characters are really just cosmetic. The kart customization options are the only important thing, and they're nice enough to let you get them with any mode you want.

[quidmonkey]

This is one of the reasons why I love snaking: item bullshit. And Mike, characters are not cosmetic. Speed, acceleration, drafting & weight are all based on your character's weight class.

[Mike Kelehan]

And Mike, characters are not cosmetic. Speed, acceleration, drafting & weight are all based on your character's weight class.

And all weight classes are available from the start.

[Dorkandproudofit]

I had to post this ASAP.

I was on Neo Bowser City in first place on the second lap when a blue shell starts coming my way. In a moment of distraction, I drive right off the track just as it gets to me, so it just keeps going.

As I continue on, I keep hearing the "blue shell alarm" sound, wondering what the fuck is going on. At the beginning of the final lap, I get hit by the blue shell.

Not a blue shell.

The blue shell.

As in, it went past me, traveled AROUND THE ENTIRE TRACK, AND CAME BACK TO ME.

Goddamn those things are persistent.

[JayVe]

I had to post this ASAP.

I was on Neo Bowser City in first place on the second lap when a blue shell starts coming my way. In a moment of distraction, I drive right off the track just as it gets to me, so it just keeps going.

As I continue on, I keep hearing the "blue shell alarm" sound, wondering what the fuck is going on. At the beginning of the final lap, I get hit by the blue shell.

Not a blue shell.

The blue shell.

As in, it went past me, traveled AROUND THE ENTIRE TRACK, AND CAME BACK TO ME.

Goddamn those things are persistent.

Once you are a marked man, there is no cheating Death.

Final Destination, Kart style.

[KamaItachi]

Now you need you get your Friend Code in with the rest of us and sign up for the community. Games have been a tad thin on the ground.

[JayVe]

Now you need you get your Friend Code in with the rest of us and sign up for the community. Games have been a tad thin on the ground.

I still don't have the game. It isn't in stores here.

[Dorkandproudofit]

The game has been patched--they closed off all shortcut exploits! Also, since the patch is required for online play, you will never have to worry about jackasses cutting off half the track in Maka Wuhu.

[quidmonkey]

The game has been patched--they closed off all shortcut exploits! Also, since the patch is required for online play, you will never have to worry about jackasses cutting off half the track in Maka Wuhu.

I could break out the Kartilage again.