Source: videogamesblogger.com

What are the best-selling games in America, Japan, and Europe (UK, France, Germany) this week? Thanks to Amazon online sales data here are the games that are the most popular now.

Nintendo Wii
North America: 1. Wii Fit (Nintendo), 2. Mario Kart Wii (Nintendo), 3. Wii Play (Nintendo), 4. Wii Music (Nintendo), 5. Lego Star Wars: The Complete Saga (LucasArts).

Japan: 1. Shape Boxing: Wii Enjoy Diet! (Rocket Company), 2. Wii Fit (Nintendo), 3. Mario Kart Wii (Nintendo), 4. Wii Music (Nintendo), 5. Wii Sports (Nintendo).

Europe: 1. Mario Kart Wii (Nintendo), 2. Wii Play (Nintendo), 3. Wii Fit (Nintendo), 4. Carnival: Fun Fair Games (2K Games), 5. FIFA 09 All-Play (Electronic Arts).

Xbox 360
North America: 1. Gears of War 2 (Microsoft), 2. Gears of War 2 Limited Edition (Microsoft), 3. Star Wars: The Force Unleashed (LucasArts), 4. Fallout 3 (Bethesda), 5 Fable II (Microsoft).

Japan: 1. Grand Theft Auto IV (Capcom), 2. Tales of Vesperia (Namco), 3. Ace Combat 6: Fires of Liberation – Platinum Collection (Namco), 4. Assassin’s Creed – Platinum Collection (Ubisoft), 5. The Idolm@ster – Platinum Collection (Namco).

Europe: 1. Gears of War 2 (Microsoft), 2. FIFA 09 (Electronic Arts), 3. Fable II (Microsoft), 4. Gears Of War 2 Limited Collectors Edition (Microsoft), 5. Grand Theft Auto IV (Rockstar).

PlayStation 3
North America: 1. Resistance 2 (Sony), 2. LittleBigPlanet (Sony), 3. Resistance: Fall Of Man (Sony), 4. Fallout 3 (Bethesda), 5. Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots (Konami).

Japan: 1. Grand Theft Auto IV (Capcom), 2. LittleBigPlanet (Sony), 3. Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots – Special Edition (Konami), 4. Tears to Tiara: Kakan no Daichi – Limited Edition (Aqua Plus), 5. Valkyria Chronicles (Sega).

Europe: 1. FIFA 09 (Electronic Arts), 2. LittleBigPlanet (Sony), 3. Grand Theft Auto IV (Rockstar), 4. Fallout 3 (Bethesda), 5. James Bond 007: Quantum of Solace (Activision).

PlayStation 2
North America: 1. Jak 3 (Sony), 2. Lego Batman (Warner Bros.), 3. Rock Band Special Edition (MTV Games), 4. Madden NFL 09 (Electronic Arts), 5. Guitar Hero: World Tour (Activision).

Japan: 1. Devil Summoner: Raido Kuzunoha vs. King Abaddon – Plus Edition (Atlus), 2. Tales of the Abyss – Best of Collection (Namco), 3. Wrestling Angels: Survivor 2 – Special Edition (First Try), 4. Devil Summoner: Raido Kuzunoha vs. King Abaddon (Atlus), 5. Hokuouki (Idea Factory).

Europe: 1. FIFA 09 (Electronic Arts), 2. Lego Batman: The Videogame (Warner Bros.), 3. Pro Evolution Soccer 2009 (Konami), 4. WWE Smackdown vs. Raw 2009 (THQ), 5. SingStar Singalong with Disney (Sony).

PC
North America: 1. Fallout 3 (Bethesda), 2. Spore (Electronic Arts), 3. Richard Garriott’s Tabula Rasa (NCsoft), 4. World of Warcraft Battlechest (Blizzard), 5. Command & Conquer: Red Alert 3 (Electronic Arts).

Japan: 1. Chaos;Head (Nitro Plus), 2. Ginga Eiyuu Densetsu (Bandai Namco), 3. Clannad: Full Voice (Key), 4. Final Fantasy XI: The Vana’diel Collection (Square Enix), 5. Monster Hunter Frontier Online Season 3.0 Premium (E Frontier).

Europe: 1. Command & Conquer: Red Alert 3 (Electronic Arts), 2. Fallout 3 (Bethesda), 3.Far Cry 2 (Ubisoft), 4. Spore (Electronic Arts), 5. The Sims 2: Apartment Life Expansion Pack (Electronic Arts).

Nintendo DS
North America: 1. Mario Kart DS (Nintendo), 2. New Super Mario Bros. (Nintendo), 3. Brain Age: Train Your Brain in Minutes a Day! (Nintendo), 4. Mystery Case Files: MillionHeir (Nintendo), 5. Brain Age 2: More Training in Minutes a Day! (Nintendo).

Japan: 1. Kirby Super Star Ultra (Nintendo), 2. Wagamama Fashion: Girls Mode (Nintendo), 3. Pokemon Platinum (Nintendo), 4. Rhythm Tengoku Gold (Nintendo), 5. Avalon Code – includes original drama CD & materials set (Marvelous).

Europe: 1. Professor Layton and The Curious Village (Nintendo), 2. Dr Kawashima’s Brain Training: How Old Is Your Brain? (Nintendo), 3. More Brain Training (Nintendo), 4. New Super Mario Bros. (Nintendo), 5. Cooking Guide: Can’t Decide What To Eat? (Nintendo).

PlayStation Portable
North America: 1. Syphon Filter: Logan’s Shadow (Sony), 2. Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories (Rockstar), 3. LEGO Batman (Warner Bros.), 4. Star Ocean: First Departure (Square Enix), 5. God of War: Chains of Olympus (Sony).

Japan: 1. Monster Hunter Portable 2nd G – Best of Collection (Capcom), 2. Don’t Be So Bold Just Because You Are Heroes Part 2 (Sony), 3. Valkyrie Profile: Lenneth (Square Enix), 4. Mega Man Powered Up – Best Price! (Capcom), 5. Maplus Portable Navi 2 (Edia).

Europe: 1. FIFA 09 (Electronic Arts), 2. Lego Batman: The Videogame (Warner Bros.), 3. Pro Evolution Soccer 2009 (Konami), 4. God of War: Chains of Olympus (Sony), 5. The Simpsons (Electronic Arts).

Where released, Gears of War 2 debuts #1 on the Xbox 360 charts. Resistance 2 also debuts on top of the PS3 chart. Fallout 3 stays on the number one spot on the PC chart. Wii Fit remains on the healthiest spot on the Wii chart. Jak 3 rears its head on the PS2 chart. Mario Kart DS returns on the DS chart. And lastly another return visitor with Syphon Filter: Logan’s Shadow on the PSP chart.

“Extra! Extra! Read all about it!” A listing of the top 5 sellers per region, for all systems combined.

North America: 1. Wii Fit (Wii), 2. Gears of War 2 (Xbox 360), 3. Mario Kart Wii (Wii), 4. Gears of War 2 Limited Edition (Xbox 360), 5. Wii Play (Wii).

Japan: 1. Kirby Super Star Ultra (DS), 2. Wagamama Fashion: Girls Mode (DS), 3. Grand Theft Auto IV (PS3), 4. Shape Boxing: Wii Enjoy Diet! (Wii), 5. Pokemon Platinum (DS).

Europe: 1. Mario Kart Wii (Wii), 2. Gears of War 2 (Xbox 360), 3. Professor Layton and The Curious Village (DS), 4. Wii Play (Wii), 5. Wii Fit (Wii).

For the full lists go to Amazon’s US, JPN (PC) & UK sites.

Source: videogamesblogger.com

What are the best-selling games in America, Japan, and Europe (UK) this week? Thanks to Amazon online sales data here are the games that are the most popular now.

Nintendo Wii
North America: 1. Mario Kart Wii (Nintendo), 2. Wii Fit (Nintendo), 3. Active Life: Outdoor Challenge (Namco Bandai), 4. Wii Play (Nintendo), 5. Rock Band (Electronic Arts).

Japan: 1. One Piece Unlimited Cruise: Episode 1 (Bandai), 2. Wii Fit (Nintendo), 3. Mario Kart Wii (Nintendo), 4. Wii Sports (Nintendo), 5. Wii Play (Nintendo).

Europe: 1. Wii Fit (Nintendo), 2. Mario Kart Wii (Nintendo), 3. Wii Play (Nintendo), 4. Tiger Woods PGA Tour 09 (Electronic Arts), 5. Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games (Sega).

Xbox 360
North America: 1. Dead Rising (Capcom), 2. Madden NFL 09 (Electronic Arts), 3. Mercenaries 2: World in Flames (EA Games), 4. Halo 3 (Microsoft), 5. Grand Theft Auto IV (Rockstar).

Japan: 1. Infinite Undiscovery (Square Enix), 2. Tales of Vesperia (Namco), 3. Infinite Undiscovery – Limited Edition (Namco Bandai), 4. Viva Pinata 2: Trouble in Paradise (Microsoft), 5. Dead Rising – Platinum Collection (Capcom).

Europe: 1. Mercenaries 2: World in Flames (Electronic Arts), 2. Grand Theft Auto IV (Rockstar), 3. Halo 3 (Microsoft), 4. Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare – Game of the Year Edition (Activision), 5. Tiger Woods PGA Tour 09 (Electronic Arts).

PlayStation 3
North America: 1. Grand Theft Auto IV (Rockstar), 2. Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots (Konami), 3. Madden NFL 09 (Electronic Arts), 4. Gran Turismo 5: Prologue (Sony), 5. Resistance: Fall of Man (Sony).

Japan: 1. Afrika (Sony), 2. Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots – Special Edition (Konami), 3. Battlefield: Bad Company (Electronic Arts), 4. Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots (Konami), 5. Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion – Game of the Year Edition (Bethesda).

Europe: 1. Mercenaries 2: World in Flames (Electronic Arts), 2. Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots (Konami), 3. Grand Theft Auto IV (Rockstar), 4. Tiger Woods PGA Tour 09 (Electronic Arts), 5. Gran Turismo 5 Prologue (Sony).

PlayStation 2
North America: 1. Yakuza 2 (Sega), 2. Rock Band Special Edition (Electronic Arts), 3. Madden NFL 09 (Electronic Arts), 4. TNA Impact! (Midway), 5. God of War II (Sony).

Japan: 1. D.Gray-man: Sousha no Shikaku (Konami), 2. Persona 4 (Atlus), 3. Sega Ages 2500 Series Vol. 33: Fantasy Zone Complete Collection (Sega), 4. Drastic Killer – Special Edition (Banpresto), 5. Sengoku Basara X (Capcom).

Europe: No longer being tracked.

PC
North America: 1. Spore (Electronic Arts), 2. Spore: Galactic Edition (Electronic Arts), 3. The Sims 2: Apartment Life (Electronic Arts), 4. Spore Creature Creator (Electronic Arts), 5. The Orange Box (Electronic Arts).

Japan: 1. Spore (Electronic Arts), 2. Final Fantasy XI: The Vana’diel Collection (Square Enix), 3. Monster Hunter Frontier Online Season 3.0 Premium (E-Frontier), 4. Ragnarok Online Beginner’s Package 2008 (E Frontier), 5. Ragnarok Online Summer Package 2008 (E Frontier).

Europe: 1. Spore (Electronic Arts), 2. Spore Creature Creator (Electronic Arts), 3. The Sims 2: Apartment Life (Electronic Arts), 4. S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Clear Sky (Deep Silver), 5. Microsoft Flight Simulator X: Deluxe Edition (Microsoft).

Nintendo DS
North America: 1. Mario Kart DS (Nintendo), 2. Spore Creatures (Electronic Arts), 3. Mystery Case Files: MillionHeir (Nintendo), 4. New Super Mario Bros. (Nintendo), 5. Brain Age 2 (Nintendo).

Japan: 1. Rhythm Tengoku Gold (Nintendo), 2. KORG DS-10 (AQ Interactive), 3. Dragon Quest V: Hand of the Heavenly Bride (Square Enix), 4. Daigasso! Band Brothers DX (Nintendo), 5. Dokidoki Majo Shinpan! 2 (SNK Playmore).

Europe: 1. Dr. Kawashima’s Brain Training (Nintendo), 2. 42 All-Time Classics (Nintendo), 3. More Brain Training (Nintendo), 4. Scrabble 2007 Edition (Ubisoft), 5. Puzzler Collection (Ubisoft).

PlayStation Portable
North America: 1. Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII (Square Enix), 2. God of War: Chains of Olympus (Sony), 3. Tekken: Dark Resurrection (Namco Bandai), 4. Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories (Rockstar), 5. Madden NFL 09 (Electronic Arts).

Japan: 1. Monster Hunter Portable 2nd G (Capcom), 2. Phantasy Star Portable (Sega), 3. Fate/Tiger Colosseum Upper – Megamori Box (Capcom), 4. Don’t Be So Bold Just Because You Are Heroes – Best Of PSP Edition (Sony), 5. Maplus: Portable Navi 2 (Edia).

Europe: 1. God of War: Chains of Olympus (Sony), 2. Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII (Square Enix), 3. Lego Indiana Jones (LucasArts), 4. Call of Duty: Roads to Victory (Activision), 5. FIFA 08 (Electronic Arts).

Mario Kart Wii races back to the first place on the Wii chart. After a price drop to $20, Dead Rising “rises” to the top of the Xbox 360 chart. Grand Theft Auto IV remains on the top of the PS3 chart. Yakuza 2 debuts in first place on the PS2 charts. Spore debuts globally on #1 in the PC top 5. Mario Kart DS returns to first place on the DS chart. Lastly Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII remains high on the PSP chart. — For the full lists go to Amazon’s US, JPN (PC) & UK sites.

Source: videogamesblogger.com

What are the best-selling games in America, Japan, and Europe (UK) this week? Thanks to Amazon online sales data here are the games that are the most popular now.

Nintendo Wii
North America: 1. Mario Kart Wii (Nintendo), 2. Wii Play (Nintendo), 3. Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock Bundle (Activision), 4. Super Smash Bros. Brawl (Nintendo), 5. Super Mario Galaxy (Nintendo).

Japan: 1. Mario Kart Wii (Nintendo), 2. Link no Bowgun Training + Wii Zapper (Nintendo), 3. Wii Fit (Nintendo), 4. Wii Sports (Nintendo), 5. Dairantou Smash Brothers X (Nintendo).

Europe: 1. Mario Kart Wii (Nintendo), 2. Wii Fit (Nintendo), 3. Wii Play (Nintendo), 4. Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games (Sega), 5. Pro Evolution Soccer 2008 (Konami).

Xbox 360
North America: 1. Grand Theft Auto IV (Rockstar), 2. Grand Theft Auto IV — Special Edition (Rockstar), 3. Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare — Game of the Year Edition (Activision), 4. Assassin’s Creed (Ubisoft), 5. Rock Band Special Edition (MTV Games).

Japan: 1. Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Vegas 2 (Ubisoft), 2. The Idolm@ster: Live for You! (Namco), 3. Frontlines: Fuel of War (THQ Japan), 4. Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare (Activision), 5. The Idolm@ster — Xbox 360 Platinum Collection (Namco).

Europe: 1. Grand Theft Auto IV (Rockstar), 2. Halo 3 (Microsoft), 3. Grand Theft Auto IV — Special Edition (Rockstar), 4. Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Vegas 2 (Ubisoft), 5. The Orange Box (EA Games).

PlayStation 3
North America: 1. Grand Theft Auto IV (Rockstar), 2. Grand Theft Auto IV — Special Edition (Rockstar), 3. Assassin’s Creed (Ubisoft), 4. Gran Turismo 5 Prologue (SCEA), 5. Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare (Activision).

Japan: 1. Senjou no Valkyria — Limited Box (Sega), 2. Armored Core: For Answer (From Software), 3. Ryu ga Gotoku Kenzan! (Sega), 4. Senjou no Valkyria (Sega), 5. Pro Yakyuu Spirits 5 (Konami).

Europe: 1. Grand Theft Auto IV (Rockstar), 2. Gran Turismo 5 Prologue (SCEE), 3. Grand Theft Auto IV — Special Edition (Rockstar), 4. Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare (Activision), 5. Assassin’s Creed (Ubisoft).

PlayStation 2
North America: 1. Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 3 FES (Atlus), 2. Shin Megami Tensei: Nocturne (Atlus), 3. Rock Band Special Edition (MTV Games), 4. God of War II (SCEA), 5. Metal Gear Solid: The Essential Collection (Konami).

Japan: 1. Musou Orochi: Maou Sairin (Koei), 2. Pro Yakyuu Spirits 5 (Konami), 3. Mana-Khemia: Gakuen no Renkinjutsushi-tachi — Gust Best Price (Gust), 4. Code Geass: Hangyaku no Lelouch – Lost Colors (Bandai), 5. Okami — PlayStation 2 The Best (Capcom).

Europe: 1. SingStar Summer Party (SCEE), 2. Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock Bundle (Activision), 3. Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas (Rockstar), 4. FIFA 08 (EA Sports), 5. WWE SmackDown! vs. RAW 2008 (THQ).

PC
North America: 1. World of Warcraft: Battle Chest (Blizzard), 2. Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare (Activision), 3. The Sims 2: Kitchen & Bath Interior Design Stuff (EA Games), 4. Assassin’s Creed: Director’s Cut Edition (Ubisoft), 5. SimCity 4 Deluxe Edition (EA Games).

Japan: 1. Chaos;Head (Nitro Plus), 2. Vocaloid 2 Character Vocal Series 01: Hatsune Miku (Crypton Future Media), 3. Clannad Full Voice (Key), 4. Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare (Activision), 5. Little Busters! (KEY).

Europe: 1. Assassin’s Creed: Director’s Cut Edition (Ubisoft), 2. The Sims 2: Kitchen & Bath Interior Design Stuff (EA Games), 3. World of Warcraft: The Burning Crusade (Blizzard), 4. The Sims 2 (EA Games), 5. Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare (Activision).

Nintendo DS
North America: 1. Mario Kart DS (Nintendo), 2. Brain Age 2 (Nintendo), 3. Professor Layton and the Curious Village (Nintendo), 4. New Super Mario Bros. (Nintendo), 5. Brain Age (Nintendo).

Japan: 1. DS Bimoji Training (Nintendo), 2. Emblem of Gundam (Bandai), 3. VitaminX Evolution (D3 Publisher), 4. SimCity DS 2 (EA Games), 5. Meccha! Taiko no Tatsujin DS: 7-tsu no Shima no Daibouken (Namco).

Europe: 1. Dr. Kawashima’s Brain Training (Nintendo), 2. Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games (Sega), 3. 42 All-Time Classics (Nintendo), 4. More Brain Training (Nintendo), 5. Sight Training (Nintendo).

PlayStation Portable
North America: 1. Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII (Square Enix), 2. God of War: Chains of Olympus (SCEA), 3. Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories (Rockstar), 4. SNK Arcade Classics Volume 1 (SNK Playmore), 5. Patapon (SCEA).

Japan: 1. Monster Hunter Portable 2nd G (Capcom), 2. Nippon no Asoko de (SCEI), 3. Maplus Portable Navi 2 (Edia), 4. Star Ocean: The Second Evolution (Square Enix), 5. Minna no Chizu 3 (Zenrin).

Europe: 1. Pro Evolution Soccer 2008 (Konami), 2. Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories (Rockstar), 3. God of War: Chains of Olympus (SCEA), 4. Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories (Rockstar), 5. FIFA 08 (EA Sports).

Mario Kart Wii debuts on number one in the Wii chart. Grand Theft Auto IV debuts on number one on both the Xbox 360 and PS3 charts. Persona 3 FES remains at the top of the PS2 chart. World of Warcraft: Battle Chest retuns to the PC top spot after another “deal of the day” discount. Mario Kart DS returns high on the DS chart after renewed interest in the franchise. And lastly Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII remains on a first place on the PSP list. — More analysis at Gamasutra.

Source: videogamesblogger.com

With Mario Kart Wii’s launch date of 11 April in Europe and April 15 in America & Canada fast approaching, Wii owners are gearing up for the racing experience. While the game introduces a slew of new features across the board, perhaps most eagerly awaited are its online options, which take the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection action found in Mario Kart DS to a whole new level.

In Mario Kart Wii you can go online via Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection by yourself or together with a friend playing on the same Wii console. You can directly jump into online races with random players Worldwide, or opt for Continental if you prefer a challenge closer to home.

Then you will be placed in a new group of people looking for a match, or you will join an existing group. When the latter happens you will become a spectator of that group’s race currently in progress, as you wait for your turn to hit the track. You’ll be able to battle or race online with up to 12 players [in racing, and up to 8 players in battle] on the circuits of the Mushroom Kingdom simultaneously.

After swapping Friend Codes with other players, you will also be able to see how many of your mates are online, and choose to Create a Room or select Join Friend to gather in a room with your friends before you start your engines. Once inside a room, the globe familiar from the Forecast Channel will highlight the location of all players present. This is where you can text chat with your friends by making a selection from dozens of predefined messages, letting you suggest exactly which kind of race you want to play: from Battle to Grand Prix, and from Team play to your circuit of choice!! The Host then decides the race settings, but the track selection is based on the votes of all players combined.

Mario Kart Wii also allows you to install the Mario Kart Channel on your Wii console. This Channel lets you check up on a host of options without the need of inserting the Mario Kart Wii disc into your system.

The Ranking option lets you see your statistics for each track and compare your results to those of your Friends and other players worldwide, represented by their Miis. You’ll have the option of racing against the Ghosts of the best players, or improving your results gradually by taking on the Ghosts of rivals whose times are only slightly better than yours. Players can choose whether they want to share their Time Trial Ghosts with the rest of the world, allowing you to match your skills against the cream of the crop whenever you want.

Another all-new feature of this Channel are the Competitions, where Nintendo will on a regular basis invite players to speedy challenges similar to the Missions of Mario Kart DS. The Channel also allows you to check your ranking in running Competitions as well as Time Trials!! You can also go here to register Friends and see if any of them are currently online. — Via NOE

Source: videogamesblogger.com

Mario Kart Wii will allow the classic Battle Modes to be played online with up to 8 players! The above screenshot has revealed this. The online Race Modes allows for up to 12 players, but that would likely be a bit too hectic for the Battle Modes. Mario Kart Wii’s release date in Europe is April 11th and in America it’s April 15th, 2008.

While I’m already sold on the game (no doubt I’ll like one of the five Mario Kart Wii control methods), the only thing I need to know is if the online Battle Mode will include all old maps? Especially Block Fort is required.

In further news, Nintendo has revealed there will be no voice- or text chat during multiplayer. However, “you can create rooms for friends to join and even text chat while you’re waiting for other racers.” But even this before-and-after-playing communication seems limited to a selection of predetermined phrases.

Kind of silly they won’t allow a microphone peripheral on the Wii and support it, especially since they did add voice chat support to Pokemon Diamond and Pearl’s online battle mode. I’ll probably end up using Skype to “talk” to Astro while racing or battling him. — Via Wiifanboy

Source: videogamesblogger.com

Mario Kart Wii has a European release date on 11 April 2008! That’s one day after the Japanese April 10th launch of Nintendo’s racing game. Pricing is expected to be around £40 or €50. No other country’s launch dates have been revealed yet. Mario Kart’s Wii debut will support five different control options: Wii Wheel, Wii Remote turned on its side, Wii Remote and Nunchuk combination, Classic Controller and even Nintendo GameCube controller.

Impressive new racing options include:
Mario Kart Wii will boast 16 new tracks and 16 classic tracks, new characters (like Koopa Troopa and the option to race as your Mii), weapons (Mega Mushroom from New Super Mario Bros. turns karts into giants, the POW block from Mario Bros. stuns other racers with shockwaves, and a Lightening Cloud item gives you temporary super speed), and vehicles (bikes that are more maneuverable than the karts, but can more easily be bumped around).

In the single player Grand Prix mode, 50CC is comprised of kart-only races, 100CC is bikes-only, and 150CC lets both lose together. More traditional multiplayer modes also return, with a raft of options available for up to four players. There’s also a Wi-Fi mode allowing 12 players to race simultaneously and you can even use two-player local split-screen in combination with online play. The title will launch alongside the Mario Kart Channel.

Snaking it OUT in Mario Kart Wii, the boost power builds automatically during a successful powerslide, and the longer you hold it the more boost you’ll get out of it. As soon as you let go of the powerslide trigger (the button on the back of the steering wheel controller) your kart will jolt forward with a surge of energy. No more waggling the stick/control pad back and forth to generate boosts this time around.

Source: videogamesblogger.com

Mario Kart Wii is expected to debut in Japan on April 10th, 2008. This bodes well for a worldwide release in April, since Mario Kart: Double Dash on GameCube was released in America, Canada, Europe and Australia within two weeks after the Japanese launch. The Japanese gaming magazine Famitsu covers the game in their latest issue. Let’s list the course and other details they talk about:

* You’ll be able to make your very own Mii ride a bike or kart, playing as your Mii adds more personality to online races (see above screenshot).
* There’s a total of 32 courses, with 16 remakes of old courses, and 16 completely new courses.
* Some of these courses in the cup mode will put a new feature of the karts to use: mid-air tricks! Karts and bikes are both capable of performing actions and tricks in the air like a “wheelie”. Get a trick just right, and your cart will perform a dash upon landing.

* The game will include Wi-Fi based online play for up to 12 players. You’ll be able to select to play against players from throughout the world, players in your country, and players on your friend list (see above screenshot). This screenshot also shows a green A button and a red B button, which might indicate GameCube controller support.
* You’ll be able to install a Mario Kart Channel to your Wii hub to view world rankings, online leagues, as well as your own records.
* The online mode will also expand the single player fun. The game will offer downloadable ghost data (time attack scores), so you can play against some of the best players. These time attack scores will have their own online ranking too.
* Of course there’s still the option for local multiplayer via split screen for up to four players.

Here’s a list of the new and remade courses revealed so far:

NEW:
“Mushroom Cup”
Luigi Circuit
Moo Moo Country
Mushroom Canyon
Toad Factory

“Flower Cup”
Mario Circuit – Figure-8 with underpass
Coconuts Mall
DK Snowboard Cross
Wario Mines

OLD:
“Shell Cup”
GC Peach Beach
DS Yoshi Falls
SNES Ghost Swamp 2
N64 Mario Circuit

“Banana Cup”
N64 Sherbert Land
GBA Hey Ho Beach
DS Monty Town
GC Waluigi Stadium

You can view screenshots from all these stages by clicking on the thumbnail Famitsu scans to the right of the list. — Via Neogaf

Source: videogamesblogger.com

At the Nintendo Fall Press Conference 2007 in Japan, the company’s President Satoru Iwata said that the online multiplayer in Mario Kart Wii will be three times bigger than in Mario Kart DS by allowing 12 online racers to compete, and hinting at a more streamlined matchmaking process.

A gameplay presentation was given for new features in Mario Kart Wii that’s set for release in spring 2008. Mario and company can now hitch a ride on some speedy bikes and flip out with stunts in their karts!