Fresh from the GDC some new info regarding the control styles for Mario Kart Wii have hit as well as a few screens (which can be seen here). According to reports, the game will still make use of the steering wheel peripheral shown at last year's E3, but it won't be the only way in which to enjoy the game. Apparently you'll also be able to use the Nunchuk and Wii Remote combo, the Classic Controller and even a GameCube controller.

Other info comes in a few changes to the race mechanic in that you'll no longer boost out of power-slides with a button combination at the end, now it will result in how long you can hold your power-slide. Equally when launching off jumps shaking the Wii Remote will make you perform tricks which will also result in a boost when landing.

Classes remain at 50cc, 100cc and 150cc, however, these are distributed throughout the vehicle modes as exclusive race classes. So, 50cc is exclusive to Karts while 100cc is exclusive to motorbikes. 150cc will be a mixture of both.

Nintendo are still maintaining you'll be able to race as your Mii character as well and stats will, as you would expect, be tracked via online leaderboards with mention of a Mario Kart Wii Channel possibly appearing in the near future after the game's release.

Due to launch in Japan in April, Mario Kart Wii joins Super Smash Bros. Brawl as another must-have Wii title for Wii owners. We'll give you more updates on both of these games as it becomes available (and relevant).

so sweet

cant wait for this, although im a little dodgy on wii controllers for steering wheels (even with the super dodgy wheel peripheral)

mite just get a game cube controller for it;

Does look awesome!!!

see these sort of racing games are cool, not that s*** that tries to be realistic

Except for the part where the bulls*** blue shell is still included. God I hate that thing.

That was one of my biggest concerns, being stuck having to use the new wheel, would much prefer old style controllers. Anyway, looking forward to playing this.

btw, haven't those screenshots been around for a while now? There's a bunch of new ones here.

Except for the part where the bulls*** blue shell is still included. God I hate that thing.

Not sure about the Gamecube version but on the DS you can actually avoid them but it is tricky to do, you just need to go into a powerslide and when the sparks are red, press jump just as the blue shell strikes... timing has to be spot on but it does work. Since you can't jump in the GC version, I'm not sure if there's another way around it.

last edited by Nailbomb at 20:25:37 20/Feb/08

Is that a Supra Luigi is stuntin' ?

On a serious note. Can a Wii be used on an LCD monitor at all?

On a serious note. Can a Wii be used on an LCD monitor at all?

Yeah I'd say so, play-asia sell VGA adapters.

edit: slightly off topic, but I'm totally getting a couple of these when play asia start selling them.

last edited by Nailbomb at 21:30:09 20/Feb/08

Isn't the classical controller just the Snes controller with 2 joysticks?

and a Z button

Other info comes in a few changes to the race mechanic in that you'll no longer boost out of power-slides with a button combination at the end, now it will result in how long you can hold your power-slide.

Hopefully they get this right... the powerslides in Double Dash were perfect.

They better have a standard control system, because MK requires precise movements... not something the s***ty Wiimote steering wheel device can do.

boost changes sound good. don't understand th class changes, have to wait and see.

They're changing the power slide mechanics to prevent exploiters who would boost down straights by flicking their kart from side to side.

edit: spelling

last edited by Lynx at 11:06:39 21/Feb/08

This will be game of the year.

They're changing the power slide mechanics to prevent exploiters who would boast down straights by flicking their kart from side to side.

???

That was the basis of being leet at Mario Kart... it's what made the game sooo fun.

I used to love getting 10+ turbos on a single corner in Double Dash.

Diddy Kong Racing didn't have boosts (just constant slide) and that game absolutely f***ing ruled so here's hoping.

Euro release date has been set for April 11, hopefully we'll see the game in Aus about the same time.

in Excite Truck

...really sucked.

bit of noob question looking at play-asia website...

what type do i get the japan version or the us? does it matter?