i guess my biggest problem is that mario kart 4 just seems too much like mario kart 1 (not including handhelds). i mean, what's the point in releasing sequels once every 5 years if you're never really going to change anything? im a hugh fan of the burnout series and have followed it since installment 1. that series evolved more in 3 years then kart has in 15.

As a fan of Burnout myself, I see your point. You have to understand Nintendo though. They don't innovate very often but when they do, it's a big f'ing innovation. Mario Kart has sort of trudged along on it's path because it never had to translate from 2D to 3D, since the original used that itty bitty 3D emulating chip in the SNES. Metroid, Zelda and Mario made the transition with amazing results, and those games are widely considered to be the biggest innovations of those series since their inceptions into gamedom. Mario Kart will not benefit from that, so expect more minor changes. On the other hand, you are looking at a very polished product, and I believe it will be worth the asking price, coming from a fellow Burnout fan.

^^

oh onyxmeth, always good for some level headed feedback (sarcasm free statement).

Did you see leo-j's forum.

http://www.vgchartz.com/forum/thread.php?id=20368#end

If not imagine playing Mario Kart against someone around the other side of the world. Also battle mode is going to be wifi compatible. Can you imagine 12 people playing battle mode in a 6 on 6 fight.

I just can't get excited about MK from previews. I love MK (and still play MK64 to this day), and I know that I will be addicted to this game when it comes out, but I just can't get excited about it beforehand.

I've always had a hard time getting excited for this series without having the games in my hands so I can play them.

It's the first game in the series to have online battle mode.

It's the first game in the series to have motorcycles, which control differently.

It's the first game in the series to have 12 player races instead of 8.

It's the first game in the series to allow tricks in the air to boost speed.

It is the first game in the series to have 4 control options.

It removed snaking, which is fucking awesome.

It has an assload of characters AND Miis.

It has the most battle stages of any game in the series.

The Ghost of RubangB said: It's the first game in the series to allow tricks in the air to boost speed.

 Did you guys see the video where the track was like a half-pipe? Mario was jumping all over the place and it looked insanely fun.

 Also regarding tilt controls, some sources say they're fantastic. Matt at IGN is the only voice I've heard who said differently. I notice that he didn't have a wheel, though, so perhaps that's the key.

Imthelegend said: Did you see leo-j's forum. http://www.vgchartz.com/forum/thread.php?id=20368#end If not imagine playing Mario Kart against someone around the other side of the world. Also battle mode is going to be wifi compatible. Can you imagine 12 people playing battle mode in a 6 on 6 fight.

 I still don't know. ive been watching those videos and i really can't see why people are getting excited about the graphics.

Really pay close attention to the stages and what do you see? nothing out of the ordinary.... at all.

Every texture is rounded. there is no grass, no leaves on trees, no flowing water, nothing. the world outside your kart (aside from the other racers) is completely dead.

@ghost

some good stuff. but there are a couple things that don't get me "excited for kart." 

exampe: 4 control options? it's mario kart, not rocket science. 1 control scheme has never been an issue before. "go" - check, "brake" - check, "fire weapon" - check. fin.

12 racers over 8. once again, nice, but not something i really wanted. tighter, more controlled races are more to my liking.

the trick system consists of: press button when you go off a ramp. trick happens automatically. 

as for online, i guess that's a wait and see. hopefully nintendo will be able to set up a online community that's quick.... and makes sense.

it sorta reminds me of mario party. a couple additions, a couple tweaks, but for the most part, it's the same old party with the same old flaws that have been around since entry 1.

If you say that the series hasn't evolved from MK(SNES) to MK:DD, you obviously don't know what you're talking about. Period.

A racing game is all about the feeling, the controls - try playing MK (or MK64, for that matter) after some rounds of Double Dash. You will feel like you're navigating a pudding.
The AI thing has improved MASSIVELY. In the original MK and MK64, it's an insult. Computer players suddenly appear right behind you and throw unlimited items at you. In DD and MKDS, that's no longer an issue.
And I think that it's a good thing that you're getting better items once you're falling behind. They usually don't make you #1, just give you a chance to get back into the race. If you're REALLY good, you will win, no matter what items they throw at you.

It's easy: You're not a fan of the series, so why bother? Go play Burnout, you'll probably be happy. I AM a fan, and there's no other racing game I wanna play. I'd even be happy with MK:DD2; I just want some new tracks.

ElRhodeo said: If you say that the series hasn't evolved from MK(SNES) to MK:DD, you obviously don't know what you're talking about. Period. A racing game is all about the feeling, the controls - try playing MK (or MK64, for that matter) after some rounds of Double Dash. You will feel like you're navigating a pudding. The AI thing has improved MASSIVELY. In the original MK and MK64, it's an insult. Computer players suddenly appear right behind you and throw unlimited items at you. In DD and MKDS, that's no longer an issue. And I think that it's a good thing that you're getting better items once you're falling behind. They usually don't make you #1, just give you a chance to get back into the race. If you're REALLY good, you will win, no matter what items they throw at you. It's easy: You're not a fan of the series, so why bother? Go play Burnout, you'll probably be happy. I AM a fan, and there's no other racing game I wanna play. I'd even be happy with MK:DD2; I just want some new tracks.

 fanboy strikes with a fury!

wow buddy, no need to be rude. it's not a flame thread. the point is im having trouble seeing the hype for the game. im sure you could have found it within yourself to send me a response in a polite manner, not some cheap personal attack.