Well, Nintendo scores again, Mario Kart 8 is a refiner with visually stunning graphics, amazing car sounds, and of course, everything except a few parts. I always love Mario Kart and while I may have spent some time on Mario Kart 7, this is a must have for the Wii U owners. Now let's go over all the little things about what makes Mario Kart 8 a huge package.
Design:
Given the way to new tweaks and changes such as graphical improvement, Mario Kart 8 is a step up from the previous installments. Every single track is varied from the Wreck It Ralph inspired Sweet Sweet Canyon track, to the down the mountain race of Mount Wario. There were some abysmal tracks too like Dry Dry Ruins and of course, Dry Dry Desert. Besides these and a few bland retro tracks, the developers felt like they took their time with the amazing track designs that we all know and love. Some may complain that they're too small, but it makes for very close matches.
9.25/10
Controls:
When I was at my cousins house in Irvine, I always wanted to go into her room and play together some good old-fashioned Mario Kart Wii. That addictive game still brought me into 6 years of that game. Yet it was luck based, the items were overpowered, and of course, I was forced to play with the Wii Wheel. I didn't really like the Wii Wheel in MKWii and I also didn't like the gyroscopic controls in 7, but the control variation in MK8 definitely adds up into many ways to play. You can play with the Wiimote with or without motion, the pro controller, the classic controller, and the gamepad with or without using tilt. The smooth grip makes the racing more realistic. I could feel the bumpy clouds of cloudtop cruise, to sliding across ice in Sherbet Land. While I STILL didn't like the implementation of tilt controls and the function of the gamepad, it varies in tightness by vehicle combination, and of course, multiple controller options.
8.75/10
Visuals:
Simply Beautiful. Enough said. Nah, I'm just kidding. This game is highly polished with the littlest of the little details that I can't help but love and adore in full HD at 60 FPS. I could see characters wet, fireballs looking like real fire, and of course, beautiful footage when running in slow-mo. While I prefer 3D World's artwork instead of this, the sheer visuals more than makes up for it.
10/10
Sounds:
Same as the visuals, if offers a full variety of fully orchestrated music and some non orchestrated music. And the real car sounds are definitely a treat to hear from the old tune Mercedes to a kart noise from a standard kart too.
10/10
Replay value:
Game Informer and Alto1st, you might be mad at me, but I just think it just doesn't offer a lot here. Yes there was an exceptional online service, the local multiplayer service definitely brings up a party, but besides the record breaking number of tracks, there ain't a lot to do. But if you do invite a couple of your friends to your house, it's a pretty sweet deal. The online is amazing. Definitely improved the online from seven and it is running smooth there. If you have none of these, you'll probably most likely going to quit. And yes, battle mode is abysmal. I'll do love that they got back the last man standing, but the way that it's now in tracks feels frustrating and an insult to me. But it's solid gold replay if you get a bunch of friends.
7.5/10
Conclusion:
Mario Kart 8 is a return to one of Nintendo's most beloved franchises and it's just as lovely as ever. The visuals are so gorgeous, the soundtrack is impressive, and the designs are the best I've seen in a long time. Battle mode may be notorious, but overall, Nintendo should feel proud of themselves. [A-]
Design: 9.25/10
Gameplay: 8/10
Presentation: 10/10
Overall: 9/10