Mario Kart Sales King of 2008

[Emabulator]

MCV is reporting (http://www.mcvuk.com/news/33116/Mario-Kart-worlds-biggest-seller-in-08) Mario Kart was the world's biggest selling game for 2008, moving 8.94 million copies. Wii Fit came in second with 8.31 million sold, followed by Grand Theft Auto IV, which racked up 7.29 million sales.

Nintendo dominated the list of the world’s biggest selling games of 2008 – with Mario Kart beating out titles such as Wii Fit and GTA IV to become the most popular game of the year.

Mario Kart Wii sold a total of 8.94 million units in 2008 according to recent findings from Top Global Markets, an integrated monthly report from leading providers of consumer and retail information in the video games industry, The NPD Group, GfK Chart-Track Limited and Enterbrain, Inc.

The title sold five million in the US, 2 million in Japan and 1.94 million in the UK

[Zander]

All I could think of while I played the Wii Mario Kart was "Why does this not seem as fun as Double Dash?". I still don't know why.

[CapnBob]

All I could think of while I played the Wii Mario Kart was "Why does this not seem as fun as Double Dash?". I still don't know why.

That's a very good question, maybe we can help by finding out more about you. Were you smoking crack at the time? Did you also think Two Worlds was a much better game than Oblivion? How many times were you dropped on your head as a child?

[Syl]

I honestly didn't care much for Mario Kart Wii either; the tracks were far too wide. That doesn't seem like much of a problem; but it really removed the sense of speed. I'm also getting tired of the "win based upon item pickup" type of game that mario kart has become.

I may also just be jaded and wanting a new F-Zero. =(

[Zander]

That's a very good question, maybe we can help by finding out more about you. Were you smoking crack at the time? Did you also think Two Worlds was a much better game than Oblivion? How many times were you dropped on your head as a child?

I'm not alone in my opinion, it's actually quite common. Is this always your first reaction to those who don't think as you do?

[DarkDaY]

I'm not alone in my opinion, it's actually quite common. Is this always your first reaction to those who don't think as you do?


I felt it was a step back as well, still fun but just not the same.
That seems to be the order of business this gen for Nintendo, they loose me but gain millions of moms in the long run, from a business perspective its perfect. From my end it kinda sucks and even hurts a little, miss the old franchises.

[Kadoo]

I'm not a big fan either. I just can't seem to get to into it and the wii is my only console. I played the original and the 64 versions a lot. I can definitely see the appeal though but it's not for me.

[Zaro]

This is a very good Mario Kart. The online is solid with 12 players, being able to play online splitscreen is fantastic, some tournament are fun. The game can be better but i really like it.

I don't think Mario was too much "win based upon item pickup", except when i loose ;)

[CapnBob]

I'm not alone in my opinion, it's actually quite common. Is this always your first reaction to those who don't think as you do?

Well, when they think double dash isn't easily the worst of the Mario Kart series, then yes. The track design is mostly terrible (simplistic with few interesting path choices or else risky shortcuts that don't really reward you if you successfully take them), the character-specific items are either useless or broken, the battle mode courses are stripped down into mostly empty arenas, you can't hop, there's no drafting, and the powerslide/speed boost system is nerfed to the point that it can't compensate for other players' items.

If anything, double dash is more reliant on getting lucky with items to win than in the Wii version or any other version. Other than the dual-character bit, it's the most stripped-down and least skill-based rendition of the game.

[RUSKULL]

Well basically what makes MK Wii is the online. It's so easy to get 12 players playing from around the world, so really they should have just called it Mario Kart Online.

I personally feel where they lacked was in the presentation. Might sound weird, but if some don't know why they're not so into it, it's because the game itself doesn't appear to be as into it as say, MK:DD was. Adding to this lack of excitement was (IMO) the damn lame voices. What the hell happened here? I never had an issue about the voices before, but this is like wrong sounding muppets (obscure?).

Regardless, I can still pick it up now and I'm sure I'll still have fun.

[Froggy]

Well, when they think double dash isn't easily the worst of the Mario Kart series, then yes. The track design is mostly terrible (simplistic with few interesting path choices or else risky shortcuts that don't really reward you if you successfully take them), the character-specific items are either useless or broken, the battle mode courses are stripped down into mostly empty arenas, you can't hop, there's no drafting, and the powerslide/speed boost system is nerfed to the point that it can't compensate for other players' items.

If anything, double dash is more reliant on getting lucky with items to win than in the Wii version or any other version. Other than the dual-character bit, it's the most stripped-down and least skill-based rendition of the game.

I believe the exact opposite of what you just said. In Double Dash, it's all about the blue sparks. No skill, no win. In Wii, I lose to my moron friends all the time, and they're in automatic mode! It's spread thin so anyone can win. You know, the Wii business model. Ask anyone.

[Silverbaine]

mario kart sales king of 08? yea probably cause people thought it would be a good game. I played it once WAY to easy.

[Zaro]

Sorry Froggy but your moron friends are better than you if they always won ;)

[TeeCakes]

MK Wii>MK (SNES)>MK64>MK:DD

Learn it. Live it.

[TeeCakes]

MK:DD

The title is such a joke you can't even abbreviate it without the unintended smiley!!

[Zander]

If anything, double dash is more reliant on getting lucky with items to win than in the Wii version or any other version.

I think we were playing 2 totally different games then.

[no wii]

I was just upset mario kart wii had taken out snaking . If I am going to be hit by blue shells then I want a big lead on the 5 year old I am playing against . no real skill to learn with MK wii . but if you want a game with a level playing field for everyone . mk wii is it . (( i dont own it . i just play the little kids that have it during family events))

mario kart ds is my favorite mario kart game .

[Froggy]

Sorry Froggy but your moron friends are better than you if they always won ;)

Well, I consider that a possibility as well.

[MalcolmM]

I also prefer Double Dash. I've only played about half the tracks in Mario Kart Wii, can't motivate myself to finish the game.

Taking out the 2 player grand prix mode was a big part of not liking the Wii version. I have no interest in on-line play, I played all the previous versions with a friend. As others have said, the wider tracks aren't as fun.

My Wii mostly sits unused since I finished Mario Galaxy. The only game I play now is Williams pinball hall of fame, great game except for the poor Wii graphics.

[ElPresidente]

Yay... surely this will give Nintendo all the ammunition they need to start working on original IPs instead of just rehashing the old library to make up for gigantic gaps in the Wii lineup.

Oh.

Wait.

No it won't.

Anyone else feel like an abused wife going back to her abusive husband every time they buy a Nintendo console?

P.S. Capn Bob... Oblivion is an exercise in brightly coloured mediocrity. Two Worlds isn't better, it is just as mediocre. :)

[CapnBob]

I believe the exact opposite of what you just said. In Double Dash, it's all about the blue sparks. No skill, no win. In Wii, I lose to my moron friends all the time, and they're in automatic mode! It's spread thin so anyone can win. You know, the Wii business model. Ask anyone.

The blue sparks were a minor entry skill, once everyone has that skill everyone's even again. The Wii version's more robust time/arc-based power boosts are deceptive in that they're easier to achieve but require more skill to master. Between those and the track design, the emphasis is pulled away from the simple "who can do a power slide at all" and shifted back to "who can time them properly AND take corners well AND find the optimal travel lines."

People suddenly don't do as well in this game and don't realize it's because they've totally overlooked how much more depth and strategy there is to master in this one than the previous games, they just see that they can't snake and they keep getting killed by item barrages so they decide it's a step back from the shallower Double-dash. It's easier to blame the game than own up to your lack of skill.

A couple of tips:

Learn how to corner tightly. It's a lot more important now.
Drafting can help you more than powersliding, but it's more risky.
powerslide boosting helps a LOT if you use it wisely, but it can hurt you if you haven't mastered it. Try it on a straightaway or too small of a curve and you end up increasing the distance you have to travel, negating the value of your speed boost entirely.
The most obvious shortcuts aren't necessarily the best ones if you have a mushroom.
Item barrages aren't a big deal if you're already half a lap ahead. This should always be possible against the computer.
Almost any weapon used against you in first can be dodged or defended against. Blue Shells can be evaded with a well-timed mushroom, and I personally love it when people try to use the Pow block on me. I can evade it without an item and chances are good that it'll make the 5 people behind me drop any items they're holding.

[ElektroDragon]

That's a very good question, maybe we can help by finding out more about you. Were you smoking crack at the time? Did you also think Two Worlds was a much better game than Oblivion? How many times were you dropped on your head as a child?

Two Worlds is a much better game than Oblivion if you value classic RPGs with number crunching, variety in scenery and items, and aren't a baby who cries when they get trounced in one hit by high level monsters. Which is how it SHOULD be. In the real world, things don't stoop to my level just because I'm not skilled or experienced enough to handle them.

[ElPresidente]

Power to Oblivion detractors! We will be heard!!! :D

[CapnBob]

Wow. A forum full of people who think Double dash was great and Two Worlds was awesome. Anyone want to profess love for Vampire Rain? How about Perfect Dark Zero? Wii Music, anyone?

[ElPresidente]

One person has given Two Worlds a thumbs up. I'm just pointing out that Oblivion is the RPG equivalent of an Adam Sandler movie. :)