theRepublic said: Einsam_Delphin said: theRepublic said: People actually liked Double Dash? I think it is the worst of all the console Mario Karts. I actually kind of liked the two driver mechanic, but I hated the way the karts drove and the tracks didn't do anything to redeem the game from that basic problem. What did you find wrong with the driving? That's one of the most praised about things in the game, and Mario Karts in general really. Perhaps you just didn't give yourself enough time to get use to the controls n stuff? I unlocked everything or just about everything in the game, so I doubt it is the amount of time I played. Compared to Super Mario Kart, Mario Kart 64, Diddy Kong Racing, and now Mario Kart Wii, I thought the driving seemed...sloppy.  I can't think of another way to describe it.  My two favorite racing games are MKWii and Diddy Kong Racing, by the way.

The handling couldn't have been that bad if you continued playing it that much hehe. But anywho, I can't really use that as a point against MKDD as it seems you don't like it's controls simply because it's different, which doesn't equate to bad. Every game has different controls afterall, so unless it has unresponsive or too sensitive controls or reasons like that, you can't use that as a reason for one game being better than the other. You may not like DD's controls, which is perfectly fine, but that just means you like other MKs more than it, not that they're better. I'll have to point out again that this thread is about which game is overall better, not which is your favorite.

Einsam_Delphin said: @S.Peelman: Whaaa!? Wind Waker n SMS were awesome! Despite looking different, they retained the same core gameplay their respective series are known for, but eh, I guess I have to remind myself that not everyone has to like a game no matter how awesome it is.

Let me first say, that '(one of my) least favorite' in the context of Zelda games still means it's better than most other non-Zelda games .

That said, Wind Waker wasn't Ocarina or Majora's Mask. Sunshine wasn't 64.

About Sunshine, again, a good game, but can't hold a candle to it's flawless predecessor. 64's level design was way more intuitive and much more imaginative. FLUDD was also a letdown, cleaning up stuff and hovering from platform to platform felt childish (not that I cower away from 'childishness') and often as the 'easy' way out compared to the inventive techniques you'd often use in Mario 64. The levels where FLUDD was taken away were by far my favorites. Luckily, Nintendo got 3D Mario right again with Galaxy.

Wind Waker is still an excellent game, like I said, and I will get the HD remake day one. I don't mind the graphics, actually think it held up very well over the decade. Also, the does have one of the best, if not the best, soundtracks of the series and therefore of any game. From the bonus ochestra disc that came with Skyward Sword, the WW Medley is my favorite to listen to. However, I personally do feel the gameplay was a major step back from the smooth and perfectly paced Ocarina of Time and Majora's Mask. Wind Waker contains too much 'uselessness', on top of the low amount of dungeons. Those dungeons aren't very long to boot and also don't have the most original and innovative designs of the series. Bosses included. Also, it is the easiest Zelda game by far and the most interesting item it added to the universe was the Deku Leaf.

I said the 6th gen was mediocre all around, because besides these GameCube games, the GameBoy Advance was a let down too (and my #2 console of choice that gen bit the dust way too soon). Such a step down from the N64 and the GameBoy.

To start with Mario Kart, none of the tracks interested me and some even annoyed me (like Sky Garden and Luigi Raceway). Control with a D-pad wasn't the best thing either. It did however start the nice tradition of retro tracks, which is good. Super Circuit is even one of the few original games I have on GBA. Which leads to another major problem. The GBA doesn't have it's definitive Mario game, and those I have are remakes from the NES and SNES eras. Granted, those are some of the best games ever made (Super Mario Bros. 3 and Yoshi's Island) so I wasn't complaining. However, it does cement the GBA as a 'remake-machine'. A decade later, I do realize that I seriously missed out on Metroid and Fire Emblem on GBA though because after playing Fusion and Sacred Stones on 3DS, I have to say those are excellent games.

Lastly, the GBA had a couple of Zelda games. Minish Cap, Four Swords and the GameCube, I'd almost forget it, had Four Swords Adventures. Minish Cap is extremely short, and you're better off getting the A Link to the Past port (again, not an original title for GBA). The dungeons are even shorter than Wind Waker's and it's just as easy. It also doesn't look very good graphically and the story is maybe the worst of all the Zelda games, barring Four Swords. All these three rank among the lowest in my favorite Zelda list. Wind Waker was the bright light amongst these even when it's inferior to the N64 games, and Link's Awakening on GB. Luckily, like Mario, Nintendo got it's act together somewhat with Twilight Princess, Skyward Sword and the DS games. Though Phantom Hourglass is mediocre too, I still like it more than the GBA entries.

Bit of a rant, which wasn't the plan, but there you go. Long story short; 5th Gen > 7th Gen >>> 6th Gen .

^Thanks for the life story lol. I can agree with some of that, though other parts I disagree with but eh that's ok right! We all have our favorites afterall. Personally I don't have a favorite console generation as each gen has games that are my favorites of their respective series, such as OoT, SMS, and SSBB.

Einsam_Delphin said: MikeRox said: Double dash was the last great Mario Kart for me. I spent so many hours playing it at uni. The 2 driver mechanic really worked a treat letting you strategize a bit. But it also had fantastic multiplayer that was skill based. Later Mario karts became a lot more luck based. Especially the abomination that was Mario kart Wii. Mario Kart DS was also a lot of fun but Mario Kart 7 just feels really by the numbers. But with how rushed it was to stop the 3DS tanking I guess that was to be expected. Here's hoping the inevitable Mario Kart U comes back to form. Though Nintendo... 60fps is a must, even in split screen! This is a big part of where Mario Kart Wii faltered. Along with being a lot more luck and less skill based, it just didn't feel as tight in split screen. Whut? MK7 is definitely more skill based! Just look at the item selections! MKWii was immensely luck based this much is true, what with it having the most busted items and 12 Karts. A brilliant idea that was! (Though I still had a great time with the game.)

Double Dash had a hidden layer of depth in weapon usage with the 2 character setup that just made it a more competitive game for me.

Holding weapons in battle mode by switching characters was a stroke of genius. Initially I was wtf at having 2 charas but after several hundred intense hours at university playing this in battle mode. It was a master stroke! Add in 60fps 4 player split screen and it remains the definitive Mario Kart experience. I'm old school and don't rate online gaming much.

Mario Kart 7 tears me up inside because unlike Mario Kart Wii which was for me broken by design/a desire from Nintendo to turn it into a "party" game.

 

Mario Kart 7 ticked all the boxes. But that was all it did. Much like NSMB Wii U also does. As a die hard Mario Kart fan from as close to day 1 as a PAL gamer could get I find it heart breaking that for me the magic is gone. I hope the Wii U very will change things. But I think for me Double Dash was the peak. I can't fault Mario Kart 7, its just too safe and formulaic for mW.

 

As much as Nintendo got stick in the Game cube days, it was for changing things too much. At least Mario Galaxy 2 still had that Nintendo magic for me :)

the handling and physics are the best on a MK game so far

MK7 may have the best online (for you; I thought MKW was better for joining friends) but MKDD had LAN. And being in the same room is way more awesome than online gaming. (it was new back then; handheld LAN sessions are too common now ;))
DD also felt very polished (Wii and 7 felt a little beta imo, Wii even having weird menus and remastered music) and really good karters were able to pull away from the lot. That way tournaments were lots of fun because you could really see who'd make it through to the finals and learn something. In Wii most players can keep going with the good ones if they don't fail too hard. The items in DD were balanced in a better way and the tracks were more fun. The game felt faster (due to wideness of the tracks etc.) but controlable.

In the end, I don't see any difference between "best" and "most favourite". The best is what people like the most. If someone loves playing online they will pick Wii or 7. If someone loves retro/2D they will pick SMK and say MKSC is cool as well. etc.

7 for me was just picking the right kart and wheels, learning the glider tricks, staying behind on 2nd or 3rd and winning overall. Pretty boring.

It is the worst, but still an awesome game. MK Wii was a great step in the right direction, but didn't reach the highs of MK64.

MikeRox said: Einsam_Delphin said: MikeRox said: Double dash was the last great Mario Kart for me. I spent so many hours playing it at uni. The 2 driver mechanic really worked a treat letting you strategize a bit. But it also had fantastic multiplayer that was skill based. Later Mario karts became a lot more luck based. Especially the abomination that was Mario kart Wii. Mario Kart DS was also a lot of fun but Mario Kart 7 just feels really by the numbers. But with how rushed it was to stop the 3DS tanking I guess that was to be expected. Here's hoping the inevitable Mario Kart U comes back to form. Though Nintendo... 60fps is a must, even in split screen! This is a big part of where Mario Kart Wii faltered. Along with being a lot more luck and less skill based, it just didn't feel as tight in split screen. Whut? MK7 is definitely more skill based! Just look at the item selections! MKWii was immensely luck based this much is true, what with it having the most busted items and 12 Karts. A brilliant idea that was! (Though I still had a great time with the game.) Double Dash had a hidden layer of depth in weapon usage with the 2 character setup that just made it a more competitive game for me. Holding weapons in battle mode by switching characters was a stroke of genius. Initially I was wtf at having 2 charas but after several hundred intense hours at university playing this in battle mode. It was a master stroke! Add in 60fps 4 player split screen and it remains the definitive Mario Kart experience. I'm old school and don't rate online gaming much. Mario Kart 7 tears me up inside because unlike Mario Kart Wii which was for me broken by design/a desire from Nintendo to turn it into a "party" game.   Mario Kart 7 ticked all the boxes. But that was all it did. Much like NSMB Wii U also does. As a die hard Mario Kart fan from as close to day 1 as a PAL gamer could get I find it heart breaking that for me the magic is gone. I hope the Wii U very will change things. But I think for me Double Dash was the peak. I can't fault Mario Kart 7, its just too safe and formulaic for mW.   As much as Nintendo got stick in the Game cube days, it was for changing things too much. At least Mario Galaxy 2 still had that Nintendo magic for me :)

Yeah already jotted down the added depth dual karts adds. Idk how many fps MK7 runs at, but it's definitely smooth all the time. Obviously MK7 doesn't have 4 player split screen, but that's due to the system it's on being a handheld which has it's own unique advantages like playing anywhere an enabling all 8 karts to have human players. I didn't mention any of this stuff since it's more console v.s. handheld and I'd say their advantages cancel out. Also I think you're confusing magic with nostalgia. :P

For 3 reasons: The specials, which gives characters a reason to be chosen, the music (which is the best among all Mario Kart versions) and the great tracks design. It also had the best multiplayer features for battles, multiplayer was a blast on MKDD. I didn't feel like it was that great on Mario Kart Wii, the battle courses were just plain confusing and too big. Also, the physics were really awesome, way better than in Mario Kart Wii or 7.

Ostro said: MK7 may have the best online (for you; I thought MKW was better for joining friends) but MKDD had LAN. And being in the same room is way more awesome than online gaming. (it was new back then; handheld LAN sessions are too common now ;)) DD also felt very polished (Wii and 7 felt a little beta imo, Wii even having weird menus and remastered music) and really good karters were able to pull away from the lot. That way tournaments were lots of fun because you could really see who'd make it through to the finals and learn something. In Wii most players can keep going with the good ones if they don't fail too hard. The items in DD were balanced in a better way and the tracks were more fun. The game felt faster (due to wideness of the tracks etc.) but controlable. In the end, I don't see any difference between "best" and "most favourite". The best is what people like the most. If someone loves playing online they will pick Wii or 7. If someone loves retro/2D they will pick SMK and say MKSC is cool as well. etc. 7 for me was just picking the right kart and wheels, learning the glider tricks, staying behind on 2nd or 3rd and winning overall. Pretty boring.

I don't see what's hard about seeing that your friend is online and then clicking the join button, but regardless, the fact is MK7 has online whereas DD doesn't. Having online multiplayer adds much replay value to any game regardless of your personal situation (bad friends, no friends, out of reach friends, etc.), so it's a huge plus to any game. Sorry I don't know what LAN is (explains plz!), but MK7 also has local multiplayer where you can be in the same room, despite contrary belief. :L

Really good Karters can pull away from the lot in any MK game really, but with sensible items and dynamic tracks in MK7, a good karter is more likely to not only pull away from the pack but maintain the lead aswell. Plus, the second screen let's ya see when Blue Shells (and any type of opposition really) are about to be launched so you can adjust n prepare for it (dropping back in 2nd, dumping the item your dragging behind you, etc.).

You can like anything n everything, but not everything can the best, so yes there most certainly is a difference.