Six ways to build a better Mario Kart

**Valigarmander** · 12-07-2011, 11:18 AM

Six Ways to Build a Better Mario Kart from 1UP.com

I love Mario Kart, but this article does bring up a few good points. I like the Diddy Kong Racing point, because I've always loved adventure modes in racing games.

What do you think?

Microphone_Kirby · 12-07-2011, 12:42 PM

The "six ways":

Lots of shortcuts: Doesn't Mario Kart already have a bunch of shortcuts? Many which require items, but shortcuts still.

Items which improve on the fly: I like the idea of making the coins able to instantly improve items when you get a certain amount.

A story mode that features some sort of "map": I loved this about Diddy Kong Racing, wasting time riding or flying around the landscape. I think it's an awesome Idea for Mario Kart. Granted I don't mind merely "racing in Cups" as well.

(Deeper that MK7) Customization: That's fine, but personally I don't care.

Dynamic course changes: I remember a few courses in the Mario Kart series that already have this, but they're rather MINOR changes. They're asking for MAJOR dynamic changes, which I would LOVE.

Super Smash Kart: Yes. That is all.

Random User · 12-07-2011, 07:36 PM

Can't say I disagree. I haven't even really bothered look at Mario Kart 7 to be honest, because I figured it would be fairly similar to other Mario Kart games I've played. Heck, Mario Kart Wii was just a compilation of stages from other games. I'd love if Nintendo added just one of these ideas at the very least. It'd be fresh and not feel too repetitive.

Dizzy · 12-07-2011, 07:38 PM

Make Mario Kart more like DKR? Yes, please.

***Marilink*** · 12-07-2011, 08:43 PM

I agree with a lot of the points on the list, but I nevertheless love my Mario Kart to death.

CuccoLady · 12-08-2011, 01:44 AM

One thing I do like about Mario Kart is that most of the stages allow you to go off-course and explore. I mean, it won't win you the game or anything, but I spent hours upon hours doing Time Trials on MK64 and driving around Peach's castle/stalking the train in the Kalamari Desert. I think that's in the same vein as shortcuts-- less linear tracks would definitely be an improvement.

I agree with most of these [except the customization which I really don't care about], actually.

Mario Kart will still be my favorite racing series. Forever. I love DKR but MK trumps it. <3

Chaos Deviot · 12-08-2011, 09:26 AM

Shortcuts: I liked them in Mario Kart 64. They were less item-based and more search-based. That's what I want. If you need to get a certain item for it, you're depending on luck for the shortcut, not skill.

Items: Sounds neat, but I never completely liked the coin idea either. If you want changes to them, how about balancing them a bit? Like making the Blue Shell not stupidly powerful. Seriously, MK64 version. That's powerful but freakin' as balanced as a Game Breaker can get.

Story Mode: A more robust one could be interesting. It's a racing game, so it doesn't bother me TOO much.

Customized Racers: Not completely needed, to be honest. Unless they want to use a Mii for that. Having specific stats like in MKDS really does work well. I think some series work fine with custom racers, but this one has enough unique characters to shine on its own.

Tracks that change: Lordy yes. Every track can either have stuff happen specifically during each new lap, or it could be randomized. They have it a bit like with Bowser's Castle and Twomps. But they could do more. Like having a different path each lap, stuff like that.

Super Smash Kart: Good excuse to get in characters that haven't normally made it into Smash Bros. Tingle, Ridley, etc. Plus, playing as R.O.B. again.

12-07-2011, 11:18 AM	#1
Valigarmander The Bee's Knees Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: The land of rain and trees (Oregon) Gender: Posts: 29,755 Thanks: 1,649 Thanked 5,701 Times in 2,581 Posts Blog Entries: 20	Six ways to build a better Mario Kart Six Ways to Build a Better Mario Kart from 1UP.com I love Mario Kart, but this article does bring up a few good points. I like the Diddy Kong Racing point, because I've always loved adventure modes in racing games. What do you think?

12-07-2011, 12:42 PM	#2
Microphone_Kirby Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: None of your business. Gender: Posts: 7,155 Thanks: 559 Thanked 225 Times in 181 Posts Blog Entries: 6	The "six ways": Lots of shortcuts: Doesn't Mario Kart already have a bunch of shortcuts? Many which require items, but shortcuts still. Items which improve on the fly: I like the idea of making the coins able to instantly improve items when you get a certain amount. A story mode that features some sort of "map": I loved this about Diddy Kong Racing, wasting time riding or flying around the landscape. I think it's an awesome Idea for Mario Kart. Granted I don't mind merely "racing in Cups" as well. (Deeper that MK7) Customization: That's fine, but personally I don't care. Dynamic course changes: I remember a few courses in the Mario Kart series that already have this, but they're rather MINOR changes. They're asking for MAJOR dynamic changes, which I would LOVE. Super Smash Kart: Yes. That is all.

12-07-2011, 07:36 PM	#3
Random User Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Equestrian Republic of Spanglidesh Gender: Posts: 3,562 Thanks: 321 Thanked 195 Times in 143 Posts Blog Entries: 4	Can't say I disagree. I haven't even really bothered look at Mario Kart 7 to be honest, because I figured it would be fairly similar to other Mario Kart games I've played. Heck, Mario Kart Wii was just a compilation of stages from other games. I'd love if Nintendo added just one of these ideas at the very least. It'd be fresh and not feel too repetitive.

12-07-2011, 07:38 PM	#4
Dizzy Podiaphobe Join Date: Oct 2007 Gender: Posts: 19,359 Thanks: 1,764 Thanked 1,162 Times in 805 Posts Blog Entries: 116	Make Mario Kart more like DKR? Yes, please.

12-07-2011, 08:43 PM	#5
*Marilink* Gotta catch 'em all! Supermod! Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Location, Location. Gender: Posts: 29,118 Thanks: 2,536 Thanked 1,823 Times in 1,008 Posts	I agree with a lot of the points on the list, but I nevertheless love my Mario Kart to death.

12-08-2011, 01:44 AM	#6
CuccoLady Anime and Cartoons Mod Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: THIS LOCATION REMINDS ME OF A PUZZLE, LUKE Gender: Posts: 9,077 Thanks: 2,825 Thanked 1,222 Times in 822 Posts	One thing I do like about Mario Kart is that most of the stages allow you to go off-course and explore. I mean, it won't win you the game or anything, but I spent hours upon hours doing Time Trials on MK64 and driving around Peach's castle/stalking the train in the Kalamari Desert. I think that's in the same vein as shortcuts-- less linear tracks would definitely be an improvement. I agree with most of these [except the customization which I really don't care about], actually. Mario Kart will still be my favorite racing series. Forever. I love DKR but MK trumps it. <3

12-08-2011, 09:26 AM	#7
Chaos Deviot The Betrayer Join Date: May 2004 Location: Mt. Moon Gender: Posts: 1,813 Thanks: 171 Thanked 52 Times in 49 Posts Blog Entries: 1	Shortcuts: I liked them in Mario Kart 64. They were less item-based and more search-based. That's what I want. If you need to get a certain item for it, you're depending on luck for the shortcut, not skill. Items: Sounds neat, but I never completely liked the coin idea either. If you want changes to them, how about balancing them a bit? Like making the Blue Shell not stupidly powerful. Seriously, MK64 version. That's powerful but freakin' as balanced as a Game Breaker can get. Story Mode: A more robust one could be interesting. It's a racing game, so it doesn't bother me TOO much. Customized Racers: Not completely needed, to be honest. Unless they want to use a Mii for that. Having specific stats like in MKDS really does work well. I think some series work fine with custom racers, but this one has enough unique characters to shine on its own. Tracks that change: Lordy yes. Every track can either have stuff happen specifically during each new lap, or it could be randomized. They have it a bit like with Bowser's Castle and Twomps. But they could do more. Like having a different path each lap, stuff like that. Super Smash Kart: Good excuse to get in characters that haven't normally made it into Smash Bros. Tingle, Ridley, etc. Plus, playing as R.O.B. again.