Higher, further, faster - now in Version 2.0

But if we go only one on the game itself. Well, who would have thought? Ironically, Mario Kart - simply called the latest offshoot Mario Kart 8 - shows what the Wii U can do. Well, almost ... but from the optics, it is the prettiest Nintendo game so far and it runs in single player even in the 1080s resolution with 60 frames per second (which it is upscaled 720p). Better late than never, one would almost say ... if there was not even the neglected gamepad.

The gameplay remains the series faithfully and are focusing even more on its infancy. Should read: race are at the forefront, the bare war latter part is bypassed almost sent.
That is certainly not that the known items are missing. No they are back on board and there are some innovations. The most important thing here: you can finally fend blue tank not only with super stars or any spirits, but also a "whistle", which sound waves can also hurl surrounding opponent off balance.
Fortunately, however, we should not be so often bother with these tanks because of Itemeinsatz seems to have become really throttled and it really comes more to the ride itself. Unfortunately, the curse and blessing, because you should be angry caught several items even know what just may still happen, then there is a chance at catching up again clearly only driving skills and thus like a long way off.

Biggest change in the game is the Gravity gimmick. Similar to F-Zero, Extreme G and Co can now leave the craziest track structure. And there is not only the world on the head but also the physics, because where has brought a bump for outbraking he brings in the Gravity-sections an extra boost. This, however, also the opponents, so you have to use this feature skillfully and not just a whirlwind.
Right here you realize once again that it comes to clever tactics when driving than to targeted Itemeinsatz for happiness principle. And this decision makes Mario Kart 8 really a fantastic branch of the series.

But as already mentioned also makes the game look a real tight. Here you can say in all honesty that the game has the same effect as Mario Kart 64 then: A downright new dimension.
A big compliment goes out to the graphics department because there are so many lovely details to discover that often a slow-motion replay is not sufficient to capture all along the course or at the driver animations. Grandiose!
The ancient routes of SNES on GameBoy, N64 and Co to be proud of - are even so great reworked part that they look downright as new buildings.

The music follows on seamlessly, because it was - you can hardly believe also - recorded really right music and not only digital music from the synthesizer. Many a piece really benefited enormously and the new compositions also have one or two catchy tune up their sleeve. The Mario Kart Big Band - as she calls herself - has here really created a masterpiece, like then, the music of Mario Galaxy!
The sound is adequate. Engines sound like they should, and the typical "Juhu" calls move on solid ground.

The controller is optimized for all the input devices of the Wii U. Who does not want to control via gamepad, which can take the Wiimote, or the Procon Troller. As should thus be something for everyone. Where we enter already here in the somewhat questionable things from the game.

The gamepad is used Unnutz once more. It can be used as a steering wheel and touch screen, the player can honk. Otherwise, the card is on the gamepad as outsourced, the TV screen is thus cleared scary and that's good for the graphics ... but ... why you can not on the gamepad as the 2-player mode a Players screen display on and the other just on TV? The pad is streaming here very unimpressed the vertical (!) Split Screen. MEH! Missed opportunity. But! Nintendo has taken the criticism and with the aforementioned update of August you can now display the map on the TV screen.

The grid of drivers may also not quite fallen, because the characters are very monotonous. The Koopalinge include a great bonus but the variation will suffer - but almost all somehow similar. Also, there are now felt even more babies as Baby Rosalina. Dry Bones (bone dry), or Diddy were deleted. Very bad!

A mode is not really turned out well - the Battle mode. Where formerly raced through individual arenas to destroy the balloons of the enemy, you go now from some of the normal routes. A real hunt like here not arise, but it feels like a normal race. Even a wasted chance.

This Schnitzer would not need it and that's what the integration of the gamepad rankles me the creeps. WHEN shows Nintendo because really this new way to play ... in major titles !? With Mario Kart 8 not anyway. But it draws the otherwise ingenious product not in the basement, but underpinned skilfully kind with this a flat tire, that is still a home for quality software. And that's Mario Kart 8 full, when it comes to the game as such.

Since the August update to version 2.0 has underpinned the quality of Nintendo and again. Criticism of the fans has been eliminated in parts. As already mentioned, there is another card that is visible on the TV, after the race the next race will be selected automatically, so you do not only switch back from the highlights and there are, for example, now in the main menu Statistics, in which you earned coins can see and other things. As a little goodie already three new cars are added, however, about which one can argue anything. It is namely to advertise Mercedes, which is why you get two classic pieces of silver (including silver Feil), but also the new Mercedes GLA. The latter seems a bit out of place in the race, but the cars get in free with the update, so no negative criticism from me.

But that still is not enough, because you can already pre-order the new two Bundles Store menu. Either individually for each 8 euros, or together for 12 Euro. The chief attraction is: Each Bundle adds three new characters, several new vehicles and two new cups with 8 tracks to do so. With two bundles so you get to 6 new drivers and 16 new routes. Funny this is the fact that for the first time embarking on the stationary consoles figures from outside the world of Mario. Link from the Zelda series brings an immediate Triforce Cup with and the villagers, as well as Isabelle from Animal Crossing also bring their own cup - the Animal Crossing Cup. The exact routes have not yet been published, but with these two updates is Mario Kart 8 of the most extensive branch of the series to date and the already fantastic game is skillfully kept fresh.

But perhaps that's even a hint, hint that you want to show what you can do with any Amiibos that yes end of the year to start? After all, one should Amiibos, so Nintendo's answer to Skylanders and Infinity, so in many games, including Mario Kart can use? Let's see which forms takes the.

Online Play and Mario Kart TV I have not (yet) tried. If necessary, here follows an addendum, because after all, it sounds very tempting items - in the style of Smash Brothers - to switch off in online mode. That can really only positive values, but it will certainly be one or the other match was abandoned when a player does not want to lose. So I think that I will give the mode times a chance to movies, but will probably once again remain mostly at social "right at home" games.

Does it need a conclusion? Buy the easy part, because it is the flagship title at all (for now) and just fun, fun, fun! With the upcoming DLC ​​for fair bundle price of 12 euros is also again an almost completely new Mario Kart inflicted with 16 routes and Nintendo is strengthening the position of additional content that you do not need the benefit in the main game, but simply a game expand. I went with a grin on all four cheeks and with two thumbs-up - despite defects Gamepad use - then again in the arena and let smoke the tires! Most recommended !!!