I picked it up at 10:00 a.m. the day of launch and proceeded to play it until 5:00 p.m. the next day, only stopping for bathroom and applesauce breaks. So yes, I have played the game enough to judge it. Just throwing that one out there.
The game's graphics and sound are absolutely amazing, and even with the recent test that confirmed that Mario kart 8 did not run 1080 p, the game still has the same resolution of Battlefield 4 on XBOX One. The sound is live orchestra for the most part, and from the stages to the selection screen, all of the music is absolutely perfect and wonderful to hear over and over and over again.
Grand Prix is your typical Grand Prix, you race four tracks, and win. Pretty simple, huh? Well in Mario Kart 8, the COM racers seem to have gotten a bit harder making getting all 3-star rankings on all of the cups more of a hassle than before, but its all worth it to get that little 3-star icon next to your name when you race online.
Now for the online functions. As Wii U is the only console left to offer free online play, people have said that that leads to poor quality online, and that is certainly not the case here. Every time I've played online, I have not once had a communication error or had any trouble racing smoothly with my friends or strangers. Now for the friends aspect online, you can create a lobby for just your friends, and you do have voice chat, but as soon as the race starts, the voice chat goes out and comes back after the race. Although I do see how listening to your friends shout some colorful words after getting hit by a spiny shell in the 3rd lap wouldn't be very representative of Nintendo's peaceful online scene, I do wish I could talk to my friends during races. But that is my only complaint for online, however I do have just one more complaint. Let's head over to the roster...
As Buzz Lightyear would put it in his internet-famous meme:
And I have to agree with Buzz here. Although Baby Mario and Baby Luigi are actually in Mario games, Baby Peach and Baby Daisy have no right being in any video game. And I was even fine with them until... Baby Rosalina. NOT THAT MANY PEOPLE LIKE ROSALINA, WHY WOULD YOU MAKE A BABY HER? Because Nintendo fucking hates you, that's why. Also, who the hell came up with Pink Gold Peach? Really? Some guy at Nintendo: "Hey, maybe we should bring back Dry Bones! Maybe Diddy Kong?" Some other guy who is hopefully fired now: "Nah. Lets add one more baby character and a Metal Peach... no, wait... PINK GOLD PEACH!" And everyone just agreed with him? Seriously, where is Dry Bones and Diddy Kong? BECAUSE THEY ARE IN GAMES AS WELL. And I love the Koopalings, but I bet Bowser Jr. is pretty upset he was ousted for them...
Overall, the game rocks (minus the stupid roster and the chatless online with friends) and Mario Kart TV is a blast to watch and use. The game's gyro controls are more precise than MK Wii, so it's much more fun to play. The course design is clever and fun to race on, the retro courses all have been perfected and updated to now include flying, underwater, and anti-grav sections of their own. It's really a great game and I really think that all of you should get it. And yes, it is even worth getting a Wii U for. Just promise me something, will you? If you see Baby Peach, Baby Daisy, or Baby Rosalina on the track, please DESTROY THEM for me. Thanks.
Edit: How could I have forgotten those damn coins? P.S. the item balance is awful. If you're first, the majority of your items will be coins, which cannot be used to defend or attack, merely add 2 coins to your coin count. Already at 10 coins? Well then you just got fucked over you fucking bitch. Also, I've been in dead last (12th place) and gotten a green shell and at the same time, 2nd place gets a Crazy Eight, Dear Item god, 2nd place probably needs that star less than I do. But seriously, its really bad. But still a good game. Good day.
Edit again: Item balance is awful fine. There are plenty of instances where people way ahead of you will be gifted with better items than you but such is life. Not game-breaking.
