Mario Kart 8 – Get-Together #3

Today I held my third Mario Kart 8 get-together. Since the release of DLC Pack 1, I’ve been using Link and his bike, the Master Cycle. When I opened the lobby this afternoon, I was joined by Khalid188, Poizon (Mike), Meli, and Ash.

Cup #1

The first cup started out with N64 Rainbow Road: I did awful and came in last place, while Ash picked up the win. The next track was the regular version of Rainbow Road. Khalid188 won this time, and I got 4th place. The third course was the Electrodome, which is one of my favorite (and best) tracks. Wendy joined in here, so we had six racers. I was in 2nd place headed into the last turn, but Meli zoomed past me and I finished in third. Ash won the race. The final race of the first cup was GBA Mario Circuit. Khalid188 won the race, and I finished in 4th. The final standings for the first cup were:

  1. Ash – 22 points
  2. Khalid188 – 19 points
  3. Meli – 12 points
  4. Poizon – 11 points
  5. Jeff – 10 points
  6. Wendy – 2 points
Link racing in Electrodome in Mario Kart 8.Cup #2

The second cup started out in Toad Harbor. Khalid won the race; I made lots of mistakes and finished in 5th. Twisted Mansion was the next course. I benefited from some lucky power-up grabs–a few invincibility stars to be more specific–and I did well. I was actually in 2nd place as I crossed the finish line, just barely beating out Khalid188, who was using a Bullet Bill. But the game apparently saw things differently, and it awarded 2nd place to Khalid while I had to settle for third.

DS Tick-Tock Clock was next, and it was a close, frantic race. At the end, I hit Khalid (who was winning) with a red shell, and Poizon and I overtook him right before the finish line. The cup finished off with Bowser’s Castle. Here, I was in 2nd place going into the final turn, but then I got hit by a Bullet Bill and finished in 4th. Here are the final standings:

  1. Ash – 22 points
  2. Khalid188 – 18 points
  3. Poizon – 17 points
  4. Jeff – 14 points
  5. Meli – 13 points
  6. Wendy – 4 points

Here is a gameplay video of the second cup:

Cup #3

We had some turnover after the 2nd cup: Khalid, Meli, and Wendy all left. But Jose and Danny joined in, so we had five racers. The first course of this cup was Sunshine Airport. I was actually in the lead for most of the race, but I got overtaken in the final lap and finished third. Next up was N64 Royal Raceway. I was in third place heading into the final turn, but a Bullet Bill hit me and I ended up in last place. The next two tracks were Rainbow Road and SNES Donut Plains 3. In both of them, I finished in third behind Ash and Poizon. The final standings were:

  1. Ash – 22 points
  2. Poizon – 16 points
  3. Jeff – 10 points
  4. Jose – 10 points
  5. Danny – 6 points
Link about to be hit by a Bullet Bill in Mario Kart 8.Link falling after getting hit by a Bullet Bill in Mario Kart 8 (MK8).Cup #4

Jose and Danny left after the third cup, so we were down to just three racers for the fourth cup. Here, we raced in Wii Moo Moo Meadows, 3DS Music Park, Cloudtop Cruise, and Mount Wario. Ash dominated here, winning all four races. Poizon and I each got second place twice to finished tied. Here are the final standings:

  1. Ash – 16 points
  2. Jeff – 6 points
  3. Poizon – 6 points

After that, everyone left. The get-together fizzled out just one hour after it began. But I had a good time, so thank you to everyone who came. See you next time!

NES Remix Pack Impressions

I received NES Remix Pack (for Wii U) as a Christmas present. It’s a combo pack of NES Remix and NES Remix 2 (which were previously only available in the eShop) together on one Wii U disc. From the title screen, you can choose which one you want to play. I would have preferred if they were all integrated into one interface, but it’s not a big deal switching from one to the other.

Each game provides a collection of old-school challenges taken from classic NES games. Many of the challenges only take a few seconds, but they’re often presented one after the other in quick succession. In that respect, it’s reminiscent of Wario Ware.

NES Remix Pack Title Screen

NES Remix features many earlier NES games, starting out with Donkey Kong, Donkey Kong Jr., Mario Bros., Excitebike, Balloon Fight, and Super Mario Bros. NES Remix 2 has some later NES games: Super Mario Bros. 2, Super Mario Bros. 3, Dr. Mario, Kirby’s Adventure, and Wario’s Woods. Other games can be unlocked as you progress through the game; I’ve already unlocked Punch-Out, and I’m looking forward to seeing more.

There are several challenges from each game, and they start out very simple. For example, you may need to jump over three barrels in Donkey Kong or do a wheelie in Excitebike. Even if you’re not familiar with a certain NES game, you’re taught what to do one step at a time. There are also short demo videos that show how each game is played, in case you have trouble getting the hang of things. Of course, the challenges gradually get harder as you advance to higher levels.

But the highlight of the game is the remix stages. The remix stages may take elements from one game and place them into another, or it may add completely new challenges. For example, Kirby may need to collect coins in a Mario level, or you may need to race on an Excitebike track in the dark. Each challenge has a time limit, and you can earn 1-3 stars depending on how fast you complete the task.

nrp-ebI’ve spent nearly two hours with NES Remix Pack so far, and I’m not blown away or anything, but I am enjoying my time with the game. I particularly like seeing each new spin on the existing NES games, although the regular (non-remixed) challenges feel a bit like filler. And you’ll have to clear a number of regular challenges before you can unlock each new remix level. Granted, these challenges don’t take long to clear (especially if you’re familiar with the game already), but I wish the remixes made up the bulk of the gameplay.

nrp-kirbyBetween challenges, you may see some general hints displayed. But some of these “tips” are just common sense. Really, Nintendo?

tipOne other note. I know Miiverse can be helpful and fun at times. But I’ve long questioned why Nintendo feels a need to actively display other people’s comments within a game. I mean, is this really necessary?

nrp-boogersI’ll be playing much more of NES Remix Pack in the coming weeks. I’ll be sure to post a review when I’m done with it.

Buy NES Remix Pack at Amazon.com

Update: I just wanted to add a picture of the NES Remix Pack disc. It looks like a NES cartridge.

nesremixdiscUpdate #2: I’ve posted a gameplay video of NES Remix Pack.

Mario Kart 8 – DLC Pack #1

DLC Pack #1 (also known as the Legend of Zelda pack) is now available for Mario Kart 8 on Wii U. It includes three new characters: Link, Tanooki Mario, and Cat Peach. Four new vehicles are also included: The B Dasher, Tanooki Kart, Link’s Master Cycle, and the Blue Falcon from F-Zero. But the highlight (for me, at least), is the addition of eight new tracks–which make up two grand prix cups, the Egg Cup and the Triforce Cup. Here are my first impressions:

Egg Cup

mk8-eggcupGCN Yoshi Circuit: This is a returning track from Mario Kart: Double Dash on Nintendo GameCube. The track is literally shaped like Yoshi. There are very few straightaways here, it’s almost constant turning. It’s a decent track, but not my favorite.

Excitebike Arena: This track is based on the NES classic Excitebike, which also had a remake on Wii. The course is almost the complete opposite of Yoshi Circuit: It’s all straightaways except for the two necessary hairpins at each end. The interesting part is that the location of the ramps and speed boosts is random, and will change each time you play (except in time trials). Even though I like hearing the classic Excitebike songs again, I’m not sure this is a good match for a Mario Kart game.

Dragon Driftway: The entire course takes place in/on a Chinese dragon’s body. The course uses anti-gravity mode for virtually the entire track–everything but the very beginning and end of each lap. I enjoyed this track more than the first two tracks.

Mute City: The Egg Cup saved the best for last, with this futuristic F-Zero track. As you might expect, it uses anti-gravity mode for the entire duration of the course. There are lots of twists and turns, and ample speed boosts–this really feels like an F-Zero track. The energy fields, which would normally restore your health in an F-Zero game, will replenish your coins here. Nice touch. This track is really making me want a new F-Zero game for Wii U.

Triforce Cup

Mario Kart 8: Triforce Cup

Wii Wario’s Gold Mine: This was one of the better tracks in Mario Kart Wii, so I’m glad to see it make a return in Mario Kart 8. Part of the track takes place in anti-gravity mode, but it still feels pretty much the same as it did on Wii.

SNES Rainbow Road: The original Rainbow Road has returned, in all of its colorful, borderless glory. The thwomps now cause ripples in the track, so you have to be extra careful not to be thrown from the course. This track also appeared in Mario Kart 7, so I can imagine that MK7 players might think it’s too soon to see it again. But personally, I haven’t played Mario Kart 7, so I’m quite happy to see its return.

Ice Ice Outpost: The icon for this track shows a yellow Toad and a green Toad. The course takes place around icebergs, even going inside of some. The course splits into two paths–one yellow and one green. They go different routes, rejoin, and split again. Why not call it Lemon Lime Twist instead? It’s an enjoyable track.

Hyrule Circuit: The Triforce cup finishes up with this Legend of Zelda themed track. Here, coins are replaced with rupees and piranha plants are replaced with Deku Babas (the similar-looking creatures from the Zelda games). Inside the castle, you need to hit three switches to open up a shortcut that lets you jump by/through the Master Sword. Hitting them all can be tricky at times, but I’m sure it gets easier with practice. This is a fun track, especially for Zelda fans.

mk8-hyrule

Overall, I’d say the Triforce Cup is the stronger of the two cups, although Mute City is probably the best track from this DLC pack. I’m enjoying playing as Link on his Master Cycle. The controls are nice and tight, and there’s a very good chance I’m going to make Link my regular character (sorry Waluigi).

Here is a gameplay video of the Triforce Cup:

DLC Pack #1 is available for $7.99 to Mario Kart 8 players, and I recommend it. Even though I was hoping a “Zelda pack” would have more than one Zelda-themed track, the pack adds new life to Mario Kart 8 and it’s well worth the money.

Read my Mario Kart 8 Review – Buy Mario Kart 8 at Amazon.com