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If you like Mario Kart, you'll love this!
This is a lot of fun. If you enjoy Mario Kart, you'll love it. Great graphics, sound, and play which take the series to a new level.

The best part for me is the interactive element of it. Not only the controls, but the fact that you can play people from around the world, if you have an online connection...and it's free!

MarioKart Wii not for everyone
I have to concur with most of the negative and positive feedback for this item.

The positive:If you're looking for online play then this is the game for you. For all Mario Kart DS online players, this game will be an improvement but not by much.

The negative:If you're not looking for online play your options are limited. Like previous reviews have already mentioned this game lacks options as far as competing in the Grand Prix races and free for all in Battle Mode. Also during the Grand Prix the AI randomness becomes obviously and overwhelmingly difficult on the final lap, at times making go to 1st to 12th in a matter of seconds.

As far as the remotes I have only played with the wheel and wii-mote/nunchuck and found that the wheel had very little control.

im shocked
this game will rocket you skyhigh its soooo cool how you get to race on the tracks from the others like the tracks from snes,n64,gba,ds,gc,and the new ones. also the traditional rainbow road(hard as always)its cool how you turn cause you turn the wii remote left or right to turn so unique its just awesome BUY THIS GAME!!!!

A Wii Must-Have
Your Wii library will not be complete without this incredible racing game. The wii wheel works ok with this game, but i prefer the remote and nunchuk. Many people have problems with oversteering, but my problem was the button controls. I didn't like having to stretch my tiny thumbs into the center of the wheel to press certain buttons. It also doesn't make you feel like you are a playing a traditional mariokart game. Graphic-wise this game is beautiful and has bright colors. The gameplay here is truly outstanding, especially with the ability to do awesome tricks in the air. It has easy pick-up-and-play controls (if you use the remote and nunchuk) and gameplay for casual players, but is challenging enough to keep hardcores coming back for more.

Compared to the other Mariokarts, this game is better than them all except for mariokart Ds in my opinion. If you didn't like Mariokart DD than don't let that prevent you from buying this game- I didn't get into Mariokart Wii and I am addicted to this one!! The only problem with this game would be the lack of uniquity compared to the other Mariokarts. For example, those who have played Mariokart Ds and 64 will notice that the track Moo Moo Valley is just a remake of Moo Moo Farm with a few extras added in. Also, Mariokart DD fans will realize that Dry Dry Canyon is too similar to Dry Dry Desert. Of course there are a few new and creative courses like Coconut mall and Toad's Factory, but there is still almost too much of the same.

Anyway, the unlockables in this game aren't that great. The are not bad, but no one was begging for characters like Funky Kong to be in the line up. However, I was excited to see King Boo and Rosalina in the game. The unlockable bikes and karts are awesome!

If you have never played a Mariokart game yet you should because they are all a ton of fun, and there isn't a better place to start than here. Even people who aren't fans of the racing genre will probably like this game. With flawless controls and fun gameplay, you can't got wrong with buying this one!

Items, Items, Items
All right, let me first say that this game is fun. It's really fun. The tracks are inventive, there's tons more content than previous MK games, and everything runs smoothly in a very enjoyable atmosphere.

That being said, there is one huge fault with this game. The Mario Kart series has a reputation for having a "rubber band" effect with items. That is, the worse you're doing in a race, the better your chance of getting a very helpful item, where people who are doing exceptionally well in a race will get less useful items. Great in theory, since it levels the playing field, but Mario Kart Wii goes too far. The items the last place players get are way too powerful, and all are impossible or nearly impossible to counter. Lightning strikes, blue shells, POW blocks. I guarantee you'll deal with them in every single race. This would be fine if there was an option to disable certain items, or change the frequency with which they occur in game, but there isn't, so you're kind of stuck. It doesn't help that the computer tends to gang up on you. I've been hit by a blue shell, and while I'm still spinning, hit by two or three red shells, and then slip from 1st place to 10th or 11th. It's frustrating to not be able to affect or control it at all, you're stuck with it.

Aside from that, the game, in every way, lives up to its hype. I don't mean to say the item issue ruins the game, but it mars an otherwise perfect racing game. I would recommend this game more towards casual gamers like myself than hardcore players, who might find the item shift a bit too favorable to luck rather than skill. It's a minor annoyance, so try not to let it ruin the Mario Kart experience, because Nintendo has really put together a solid effort.