One of the first things is that I didn't really read the instructions! Mostly, I was interested in the controls, and those looked pretty simple on the small booklet that came inside the game case (Were those supposed to be the "instructions"?). I guess my biggest reaction to the control scheme would be, why the Z triggers, instead of using shoulder buttons for items or drifting? It's been a while since I played any of the other games, but I'm also wondering what the item button has been in the past.
Title Screen: A pretty simple image, right? I think I liked the music, but the Wii game might actually have a better soundtrack for the menu screens?
Graphics: Well, the menus are crisp, but I'm not sure if the art style will grow on me. The first "race" for me was actually a time trial, and on the Mario track (the first one from Mushroom Cup). I liked that pretty well. It seems as if it could be running at a smooth 60 frames per second, but did I notice some jerkiness a few times? A weird added effect for me would be those "tire marks" that appear when you skid/drift around a corner. It's kind of a nice touch, but they're so bright that I was almost distracted by them.
Characters, Karts: One strange thing about playing the game now is how it updated right away to version 4.1. Therefore, I don't know what the game played like back in version 1.0, 2.0, or the rest. For me, the character selection screen seems to have 30 or 36 spots? There are some characters where I can see them, but I don't think they're part of the game (yet). Rather, there's an eShop icon (almost looking like a padlock in your web browser). Since I bought the Deluxe Wii U set with Mario Kart already installed (this was playing from the disc, with the digital game moved to a hard drive that's connected to the system, but not powered up/plugged in), I should have some kind of code for buying the DLC. I wouldn't even mind paying full price for a game of this quality.
The only characters I've used so far were Mario, Luigi, and Peach. All of them kept winning in whatever mode I tried, so it was hard to differentiate between them. I noticed how the blue of Mario's eyes almost seems exaggerated. Peach might look the same as in the Wii version (I doubt I played as her very often). She has the ponytail, instead of looking like a princess.
I sort of wish at least one game in this series might tell you, "THESE ARE THE ALL-AROUND CHARACTERS." Here are the lightweights. Then, what makes them different? Here are the heavy players. Mario is usually balanced in every area. Is there a way to import a Mii, because it's hard to picture a Mii logo appearing on my screen. After I beat one Grand Prix at 50cc, it unlocked Roy (Koopa) from near the bottom of the grid. I read on Miiverse how the unlocks might happen randomly.
The karts and bikes are weird this time, because it's not even like there are only a few options (as if five or six on Wii was "a few"?). Then, what are the statistics of each vehicle? Did I miss something, or does it not tell you? Are the wheels for show, or should you assume that a few of them would work better in races with "off-road" areas? I swear that I picked off-road tires for Peach in battle mode, but she still slowed down on parts of the sand (away from the paved track) in the desert stage. Is that supposed to happen, no matter what? I forget now if she still moved kind of fast in the rougher sand.
Game Modes: I started on Time Trial. My focus was just to have some "clean" races (minimal crashes). It's hard to tell how I rank, since I didn't choose to create a ghost, upload a ghost, or one of the other options.
In Grand Prix, my only experience so far was 50cc Mushroom Cup with Mario and the default Kart combination (standard, standard wheels, triangle glider). I know it's not my first "Mario Kart" game, and that's the lowest difficulty level, but it was hard to tell that I was in a race with other drivers! From the start of the first race, I used the boost to move up the standings. After I took first place, I don't even remember being challenged or seeing another driver. If they did throw something from behind me, I was dragging a green shell or maybe a banana peel for protection.
In the second race, it was almost the same thing. I can't remember having to jockey for position at all. I may have been hit with the blue shell there, but it didn't make a difference.
Those two tracks were slightly familiar from time trial mode. Then, I went to a totally new area ("Sweet Sweet" something?). I can picture getting hit from behind a few times and dropping to maybe 2nd or 3rd place. By the final lap, it was back to not knowing if anyone else was on the track. I think I also got the horn item for the first time, but there was no opportunity to use it, and then the lightning probably took it away.
The fourth race was also new - something with Thwomp. They never made contact with me. A blue shell did, and I got briefly passed again, but I think that was still on the second lap. By the third lap, it felt familiar, with just driving my race and avoiding mistakes.
Difficulty/AI: I guess it's too early to tell? I have no idea what kind of items are in the game, because a first place driver only seems to get green shells and banana peels (similar to the Wii game). I've been hit by blue shells, so they must exist. Lightning was there. The things I don't know about would be invincible, mega mushroom, turbo/"spammable" mushroom, Bullet Bill, fake item boxes, ...
I think it was my very first time playing battle mode (no teams, and the CPUs were set to "normal" difficulty), on Donut Plains 3, and Luigi got a score of 13. I haven't come close to that score in any other battle rounds.
Differences from other games: This might be an area where reading the instructions would help? I knew about the new horn item. I've used a boomerang in the battle mode. You can't "double dip" with items this time around? What I mean is, if you're dragging a shell or a banana peel, I still see that in the item box, and it won't let me pick up anything else. I'm pretty sure that's the case, rather than just getting two of the same item (because the item area is empty once you release your shell/peel?).
When was battle mode ever fought on regular tracks where you could go forwards or reverse without a penalty? Weren't there usually specialized arenas?
One thing that almost DEVASTATED me about Grand Prix (I hope that's not sarcasm or being too dramatic) was, NO PODIUM CUTSCENE?!! I've only played about four of these games, all on consoles. From the beginning, there was the podium, and you did something to open a bottle (pop the cork?), which hit that fish thing from the Mario stages where they keep floating up into the air. I forget if the fish was still there on the Wii, but regardless of the mode (except maybe Time Trial), it used to show the celebration with your character getting a trophy. That was so awkward to possibly be missing from this game. They still show a gawdy trophy, but not much that links it to your character. Then, do the standings say whether you won a Cup at 50cc, mirror, etc? These are just weird details to leave out when they added new features like the replay system.
Lakitu is a driver now? But he's still dangling the traffic light, which is kind of confusing? I guess sometimes Mario was a player and the referee in "Mario Tennis" (or at least announcing his own matches)? Lakitu usually floats on a cloud. As a driver, does he lose the cloud? How would that make sense?
I think I noticed some more neat effects, like how there are droplets on your screen coming out of the water.
Speaking of which, what's up with the areas where your tires do the thing that reminds me of the Delorean time machine from "Back to the Future"? That might not be new to the series (since I haven't played "Mario Kart 7" for comparison), but I tried to figure out why running over this bluish strip makes it so you're hovering, even in areas that look like solid ground. Underwater, I kind of understood.
Gliding was new for me (except for playing the demo years ago), but I've seen it in "Mario Kart 7."
Tracks: I almost forgot this part! There should be 48 tracks in this game, and I'm not sure if the ones for battle mode are ever used in the other parts of the game. At most, I've only driven in 11 areas, which isn't even 1/4 of what's available. The sad thing is, what I've seen so far wasn't very difficult with the turns and such. I'm hoping that's just because of Mushroom Cup? I doubt they want to overwhelm you in the first Grand Prix, but the only serious obstacles I saw were the Thwomps. Maybe in the water park, some weird blimp shows up in the middle of the track, but it's like I'd have to hit that on purpose to think of it as an obstacle. The candy area, too, had some cones maybe, that weren't getting in my way.
Overall: Basically, a really incomplete and mixed review so far. I think it could become my favorite Kart, except for something as simple as SHOWING THAT YOU WON, and who finished second or third.
I still have so many questions, like if it's possible to do tricks when you go over a ramp (the D-pad wasn't working for that).
There's "Mario Kart TV" that they added, but they left out something like a victory scene? I don't even like that the clips are maybe five seconds long, and then cutting to something else that's "out of context," and jumping around too much.
I should have 14 of the amiibo that unlock racing suits, but no idea how you import a Mii into the game (to actually, you know, wear the suits). "Super Smash Bros." didn't make the Mii function obvious, either! You have to go into customize a fighter?
I have a link to the "Shop" (if that's what it says) and a red exclamation point, but it's only advertising some Mercedes Benz vehicles. What if I don't want that free content? They don't make it obvious how you get past those screens without agreeing to download the extra cars.
I also haven't really seen a bunch of alternate paths or "shortcuts" yet, which are almost a staple of these games.
Have to get to bed soon. I might not be able to play again until my birthday. Hopefully I would've read the manual before that play session!
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WWE 2K18 ROSTER & MATCH TYPES | ||||
If you see multiple of the same name, it just means different versions that can be in the ring together. Names highlighted in blue are Cruiserweights | ||||
1 Up Man Adam Cole Aerostar Aiden English AJ Styles Akam Akira Tozawa Albert Aleister Black Alexander Wolfe Andrade "Cien" Almas Andre The Giant Angelo Dawkins Animal Apollo Crews Ariya Daivari Arnold T101 Austin Aries B Brian Blair Bam Bam Bigelow Baron Corbin Barron Blade Batista '10 Beautiful Bobby Eaton Big Boss Man '91 Big Boss Man '99 Big Cass Big E Big Show Big Show '00 Bo Dallas Bobby Fish Bobby Roode Booker T Braun Strowman Bray Wyatt Bret Hart '97 Bret Hart '98 Brian Kendrick British Bulldog Brock Lesnar Brutus Beefcake Bryan Danielson Buddy Roberts Butch Cactus Jack '92 Cactus Jack '98 Captain Jobber Cedric Alexander Cesaro Chad Gable Chris Jericho |
Chris Jericho '00 Christian Col Sanders Cole Quinn Curt Hawkins Curtis Axel Daniel Bryan Dark Link Darren Young Dash Wilder DDP '92 DDP '98 Dean Ambrose Dennis Condrey Diesel Doc Louis Dolph Ziggler Donatello Drago Drew Gulak Drew McIntyre Dude Love Dusty Rhodes Earthquake Eddie Guerrero Edge El Mago Elias Enzo Amore Epico Colon Eric Young Erick Rowan Fandango Finn Balor Finn Balor Demon The Godfather Goldberg Goldust Gorgeous George Gran Metalik Greg Valentine Hawk Heath Slater Hideo Itami Hurricane Jack Gallagher Jake Roberts Jason Jordan JBL Jeff Hardy Jey Uso Jim Brunzell |
Jim Neidhart Jimmy Garvin Jimmy Uso Jinder Mahal John Cena John Cena '06 John Cena '10 Johnny Gargano The Joker Kalisto Kane Kane '98 Karl Anderson Kassius Ohno Kerry Von Erich Kevin Nash Kevin Owens Kevin Von Erich Killian Dain King Cuerno King Feck Kofi Kingston Konnor Kurt Angle '01 Kurt Angle '06 Kyle O'Reilly Larry Zbysko Lars Sullivan Leonardo Lex Luger Lince Dorado Link Little Mac Luigi Luke Luke Gallows Luke Harper Mankind Mario Mark Henry Matt Hardy Michael Hayes Michaelangelo The Miz Mojo Rawley Montez Ford Mortis Mr.205 Live Mr. McMahon Mr. Perfect Mustafa Ali Necroplasm |
Neville Nick Miller No Way Jose Noam Dar Noob Saibot Oney Locan Optimus Prime Otis Dozovic Papa Shango Pentagon Jr Pete Dunne Primo Colon Prince Puma R-Truth Randy Orton Randy Savage Raphael Razor Ramon Reptile Retro Rick Rey Fenix Rey Mysterio Rezar Rhyno Ric Flair '88 Ric Flair '91 Rich Swann Rick Martel Rick Rude Ricky Morton Ricky Steamboat '91 Ricky Steamboat '94 Rikishi Rob Van Dam '06 Robert Gibson The Rock The Rock '01 Roddy Piper Roderick Strong Roman Reigns Rusev Sami Zayn Samoa Joe Sawyer Fulton Scorpion Scott Dawson Scott Hall Seth Rollins Shane McMahon Shane Thorne Shao Khan Shawn Michaels '97 |
Shawn Michaels '98 Sheamus Shelton Benjamin Shinsuke Nakamura Sin Cara Snoop Dogg Stan Lane Starman Steve Austin '97 Sting Sting '88 Sting '91 Sting '98 Sting '99 Stormtrooper Stunning Steve Austin Subzero MKX Superman Sycho Sid Tatanka Tatsumi Fujinami Ted DiBiase TehJew22 Titus O'Neil TJP Tommaso Ciampa Tony Nese Triple H Triple H '01 Triple H '98 Tucker Knight Tye Dillinger Tyler Bate Tyler Breeze Typhoon Tyson Kidd Ultimate Warrior Ultimo Dragon Undertaker (Classic) The Undertaker Undertaker '00 Vader Vampiro Velveteen Dream Venom Viktor Voltron Waluigi Wario William Regal Xavier Woods Zack Ryder |
WOMEN | ||||
Alexa Bliss Alicia Fox Alundra Blayze Asuka Bayley Becky Lynch Beth Phoenix Bianca Belair Billie Kay Brie Bella Cammy Carmella Charlotte Chun Li Dana Brooke Ember Moon Emma Ivelise Velez |
Ivory Jacqueline Jade Kairi Sane Kharma Kitana Lana Lita Liv Morgan Mandy Rose Mariposa Maryse Mickie James Mileena Naomi Natalya Nia Jax |
Nikki Bella Nikki Cross Paige Peyton Royce Ronda Rousey Ruby Riot Sarah Logan Sasha Banks Sexy Star Shayna Baszler Sonya Blade Sonya Deville Stephanie McMahon Summer Rae Tamina Taya Valkyrie Trish Stratus Wii Fit Trainer | ||
VALETS & MANAGERS Anyone above can be a "manager" plus... | ||||
Bobby Heenan Lana |
Mr. McMahon Paul Ellering Paul Heyman |
Stephanie McMahon Ted DiBiase | ||
MATCH TYPES | ||||
*** ONE ON ONE *** Normal |
*** TRIPLE THREAT *** Normal |
*** FATAL 4 WAY *** Normal |
*** TWO ON TWO *** Normal *** 8-MAN *** Tag Team |
*** 6-MAN *** Tag Team *** HANDICAP *** One on Two Tag |
MATCH MODIFIERS | ||||
Pin & Submission Both, Pin, Submit, Off 2 Out of 3 Falls Iron Man |
Over the Top Rope On, Off K.O. Last Man Standing |
Perform Finisher to Win On, Off First Blood Climb out of Cage (Cage Match Only) DQ |
Rope Break (Automatic) On, Off Ring Out Elimination |
Falls Count Anywhere On, Off Time Limit Entrance Interval (Chamber/Rumble) |
SUPER SMASH BROS. ROSTER & SETTINGS | |||
Akira Alph Austin Powers Bayonetta Bob Ross Bowser Bowser Jr Burger King Captain Falcon Charizard Charlie Brown Chuck Norris Cloud Col Sanders Corrin Dark Pit Diddy Kong Donkey Kong Dr. Mario Dracula Drew Carey |
Duck Hunt Dumbledore Falco Fox Ganondorf Greninja Iggy Jr Ike Jacky Jigglypuff Joker King Dedede Kirby Larry Jr Lemmy Jr Link Little Mac Lucario Lucas Lucina Lucy Ludwig Jr |
Luigi Majora Mario Marth Mega Man Meta Knight Mewtwo Morton Jr Mr. Game & Watch Mr. Miyagi Ness Olimar Pac-Man Palutena Peach Peppermint Patty Pikachu Pit Popeye R.O.B. Retro Rick Robin |
Rosalina & Luma Roy Roy Jr Ryu Samus Sheik Shulk Snoop Dog Sonic Steve Urkel TehJew22 Toon Link Villager Wario Weird Al Wendy Jr Wii Fit Trainer Yoshi Zelda Zero Zerosuit Samus |
BATTLE TYPES TIME BATTLE: All characters battle for a set amount of time scoring one point per KO and LOSING one point each time they are KO'ed. STOCK BATTLE: All characters have a set number of lives and when they run out, they're done. When combined with a time limit whomever has more lives left when time runs out wins. COIN BATTLE: For 2-4 characters ONLY! Coins are knocked out of characters as they battle. After a fixed time limit whomever has the most coins wins. SETTINGS TIME LIMIT: Can be from 1 to 15 minutes. |