Well, isn't that "wiggle"ing? I can't say I've heard the word "waggle".
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Well, isn't that "wiggle"ing? I can't say I've heard the word "waggle".
Sounds British.
Or gay.
Main Entry: wag·gle
Pronunciation: 'wa-g&l
Function: verb
Inflected Form(s): wag·gled; wag·gling /-g(&-)li[ng]/
Etymology: frequentative of wag
Date: 1594
transitive senses : to move frequently one way and the other : WAG
intransitive senses : to reel, sway, or move from side to side : WAG
from m-w.com
Thanks, frightning avatar man.Quote:
Originally Posted by dlinn
Well I'll be goddamed.Quote:
Originally Posted by dlinn
Oh, I could gush more. MK: DD is uberfantastic brilliance... can't wait till 11/17 to play it again :(
Specifically, to defeat Dlinn time and time again. Mwa ha ha.
Might also be able to paste the vaguest of 1080 final impressions this week, if I have time to even pick up the controller...
That'd be most appreciated.Quote:
Originally Posted by thray-walsh
let's bet!Quote:
Originally Posted by thray-walsh
whatever guys, once we're online with this one, you're all going down.
i've yet to lose to anyone on the board here at Mario Kart. i've taken down.....6 of you guys.
i am the Mario Kart Master.
undefeated!
Thems fighting words! Sounds like a challenge I'll have to train myself for... :)Quote:
Originally Posted by Lucas Barton
You'll see them again very, very soon.Quote:
Originally Posted by SMBChick
Quote:
Originally Posted by Lucas Barton
I am soooo gonna kick your pansy ass! :)
so not though.
*yawn*
I'll take on all of you. No contest.
Now to look for a goddamned BB adaptor...
Haha I can already see all the heated Mario Kart rivalries beginning to emerge... this game is going to be a blast on so many levels. Can't wait! :)
no, you're all mistaken.
me > joo
Hey man, we'll see. You beat me 2 out of 3 races, but that was on SMK tracks, which are my weakpoint.Quote:
Originally Posted by Lucas Barton
I'm gonna start a time trial thread for all 4 games sometime soon in the score attack forum.
I really need to get over my dislike of the twin cart setup (although that's mainly due to the lame cart designs used for Yoshi and the babies). If someone can show me some decent screenshots (as i've only seen poor quality ones) and let me know if there's a single cart mode (Toad as an unlockable will do though, so I can have a Toad+Koopa Trooper combo) then that will sway me.
Is this a reference to Double Dash or are you talking about Super Mario Advance 4?Quote:
Originally Posted by Steve Badguy
Just curious...
Lucas, you are talking about the Warppipe project for going online, right?
I had a router kicking around somewhere, guess I need to dig it out. Broadband adapter though, maybe I should cancel my prepaid copy of Ninja Gaiden. Hmm, decisions, decisions.
I'll see you on WarpPipe!Quote:
Originally Posted by Lucas Barton
...eventually.
http://www.the-nextlevel.com/board/s...0&postcount=31
already talked about this in the thread....GameSpy is gonna have a xbox live style service for GameCube. free though.
here's the press release.
here's GameSpys Press release...
Quote:
GameSpy To Provide Middleware Tools and Online Service Support for NINTENDO GAMECUBE™ Developers</I>
Complete Middleware/Services Solution Gets Developers Online Quickly, Easily
(Irvine, Calif.) – May 21, 2002. Internet online gaming leader GameSpy Industries today announced its support for the just-announced Nintendo GameCube online gaming initiative. The company, which has become an authorized Nintendo tools provider, will port its middleware and back-end services developer suites for the Nintendo GameCube, for shipment to developers in early July.
GameSpy provides game developers with a collection of middleware tools which, when combined with GameSpy's back-end server infrastructure, enable a low-cost turnkey online gaming solution. GameSpy's tools are easy to integrate and interface-neutral, allowing developers to provide the following functionalities seamlessly within their Nintendo GameCube games:
- In-Game Player Matchmaking Text Chat, Instant Messaging, and Buddy Lists
- Online Competitions and High Score Ladders
- Online Data Storage (for virtual memory card applications)
- Usage and Game Statistics Reporting and Analysis
- Data Transfer to and from the Internet GameSpy's tools greatly reduce the cost and time required for developers to bring their titles online, and to manage the online gaming experience after game launch."Our middleware tools will allow Nintendo developers to add critical online features to their Nintendo GameCube games within a day or two, in most cases," said Mark Surfas, CEO of GameSpy. "But that's just the beginning of what GameSpy provides. We operate the servers, provide the bandwidth, and manage the whole online back-end once the game ships, saving publishers and developers hundreds of thousands in potential hardware, connectivity and staffing costs."GameSpy's technology and back-end services have been powering online gaming experiences for more than five years, across all major next-generation console platforms and all major PC operating systems."By working with GameSpy, we're able to bring our developers proven technology, a fully-outsourced back-end solution, and years of expertise in making the best online experiences for game players." said Jim Merrick, Network Marketing Director, Nintendo of America Inc.Nintendo GameCube developers will be able to purchase GameSpy's Developer Toolbox for $995, which provides complete SDK source code, sample applications, and documentation, in early July, to begin testing code and back-end integration. Pricing for deployment licenses is based on the specific toolkit suites used by the game developer.
For more information on GameSpy's middleware, and to become a GameSpy registered developer, visit www.gamespy.net or send e-mail to devrelations@gamespy.com.
Lucas, hate to say this, but they are only providing the services to interested developers willing to pony up the cash.
I really hoped that Nintendo would do this, but Miyamoto has stated time and time again, that MK is not an online title. If the main man is saying no, it probably means no.
Neither. If you want to avoid any Mario-related spoilers, do not read the sentence below.Quote:
Originally Posted by NoFace
They're in Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga.
sweetness
i must get that now
Whoever you are, you've just caused me to want a game I've had no interest in, whatsoever.Quote:
Originally Posted by Steve Badguy
Thank you.
Hey the spiritual successor to Paper Mario should have everyone interested on it's own, but whatever works I guess ;)
That's pretty cool though. An already good looking game gets better.
I just finished writing the Player's Guide.Quote:
Originally Posted by ChaoofNee
Anyway, I don't want to hijack this thread, so...Mario Kart: Double Dash!! is fantastic! It's easily my favorite game in the series.
So, Steve Badguy, does that mean they WONT be in MK: DD??? :(
Any more hidden characters but Toad that you know of?
I can tell you of a couple more characters.
king poo and a piranha plant guy
how would you rank the 3 mario rpgs, from favorite to least?Quote:
Originally Posted by Steve Badguy
ok, so supposedly here's what the last cup consist of....
it's ever single last level from Mario Kart 64
if that's that the case, then i really hope that they suped up the graphics, atleast ebough to make the levels make sense in the game
That would rule.Quote:
Originally Posted by Lucas Barton
Yet another reason why I'm going to be ignoring my N64. First was SSBM.Quote:
Originally Posted by Lucas Barton
alright dude, there's a reason why i used spoiler tags.
oh, and here's somewhat of a confirmation picture.
http://www.mariokartdoubledash.co.uk...t/PICT0027.jpg
Ack! I wasn't even thinking. I apologize. Here's a picture of a kitten as repayment:
http://www.tummytech.com/tutorials/images/kitty.jpg
I just came in my pants from the Mario & Luigi news.
New movies and they show whole races
http://www.n-gamer.com/modules.php?m...article&id=227
Europe gets a special edition case and 400 star points.
These pics courtesy of Borat over at the Gaming-Age forums.
That rocks
sweet box.
I think that red case looks pretty ass.
Heh. It has directions. I guess Nintendo thinks Europeans are morons.
Looks like is one more LAN Tunneling option now, as the next release of Xlink Messenger will support the GameCube. Planet GameCube has the full article:
http://www.planetgamecube.com/news.c...n=item&id=4809
http://www.eurogamer.net/article.php?article_id=53660
Splendidly written review.
I personally couldn't give just a 9/10 to a game I think is "one of the finest peices of electronic entertainment ever made" but thats just me.
2 weeks from tomorrow.
[Quote:
The cream of Nintendo's development team speaks out on this long awaited 'Cube title
19:00 The Mario Kart series started on the SNES with the manna from heaven that was, uh, Mario Kart, a title which arrived out of the blue and created a new genre all by itself, which has subsequently been flooded from all corners of the market. Since then we've had the ace but just not quite ace enough Mario Kart 64, and a great GBA version. But now, at last on GameCube, it's nearly Double Dash time.
The title garnered some surprisingly hostile press when it appeared at E3, and despite an overwhelmingly positive reaction from people who have played the finished version of the game, [That's us, folks - Ed.] some people are still suspicious.
Is Mario Kart: Double Dash!! the karting title we're all hoping for? Nintendo bigwigs Mr. Sugiyama, Mr. Takahashi and Mr. Mizuki were on hand to answer our queries...
Before we begin the interview, would you like to introduce yourselves?
Sugiyama: I'm the deputy manager at EAD, Software Designing Section, Analysis and Development Department at Nintendo, and I have worked on many projects since I joined Nintendo, starting off with Zelda II: The Adventures of Link on the SNES, Super Mario Kart, Mario Kart 64 and F-Zero GX and also for the Nintendo GameCube, Luigi's Mansion is one of the titles I have worked on.
As for Mario Kart: Double Dash!! that we are going to talk to you about today, I was one of the producers. Thank you.
Takahashi: Hello everybody. I was the game designer for Wave Race 64 on Nintendo 64. I was in Paris for Pokémon Stadium and also was one of the producers for Mario Kart: Double Dash!! Thank you.
Mizuki: My official title is the title section manager at EAD and I generally work as one of the planners. I have worked on several titles in the past, including Pokémon Stadium 2 for Nintendo 64 and Luigi's Mansion for the Nintendo GameCube as an assistant game designer, and now I am the director for Mario Kart: Double Dash!! Thank you.
Okay. Creating a new Mario Kart must be very difficult. Is it hard to find the perfect equilibrium between creating a classic game which reassures the fans, and creating a completely new one which could disrupt the series?
Mizuki: It was a very difficult task; it was never very easy for us to come up with a gameplay feature that would cater to the old fans of the existing Mario Kart series, as well as adding some new features so that fans of classic Mario Kart titles could enjoy it too.
Even harder than that was trying to attract those people that have never played with the series in the past. So I wanted to make it as simple as possible where the gameplay nature is concerned. That was one of the most difficult tasks that I was assigned.
Did the bright colours and simple graphical universe of Mr. Miyamoto limit you at all? Graphically speaking did you feel like bringing something new to this game?
Takahashi: First of all I really don't think that Mr. Miyamoto likes, or forces us to use colourful, simplistic graphics at all. Mr. Miyamoto gives us lots of opinions and accordingly we have to think about the best way to accommodate these different opinions.
In other words, as far as the graphics are concerned, no, there have never been any limitations that Mr. Miyamoto or anybody else has ever put on us. Actually we are given perfect freedom in whatever graphics we want to use.
As the LAN game is an excellent way of playing, have you ever considered the possibility of producing an online mode or else some connectivity with the GBA?
Sugiyama: As you know, the local area network technology is implemented in Mario Kart: Double Dash!! Nintendo will never stop studying and working on the newly emerging technologies. On the other hand, however, current online infrastructures do not allow such rapid-speed gaming to a satisfactory level.
As a matter of fact we have talked about adapting the connectivity with the GBA from a variety of possibilities. However, in the end we came to the conclusion that Mario Kart: Double Dash!! is not suited to any connectivity ideas and we decided not to include that kind of option for the game.
Regarding Mario Kart, could you tell us why Nintendo doesn't innovate more concerning the tracks, and only releases improvements of the existing tracks, which are excellent, but may seem a little monotonous for the old gamers?
Mizuki:Well of course we are coming up with a variety of different courses for Mario Kart. But more importantly we have added the feature so that many people can fight and run against each other in the enjoyable modes.
There have been many new gameplay additions in Mario Kart, but some have also been taken out, for example, the ability to escape the banana and the use of a feather. We'd like to ask how it was decided which gameplay features were kept in and which were removed in Double Dash.
Mr Mizuki: If you are the best veteran Mario Kart driver, you can easily dodge the banana effect all the time. However, it is pretty hard for a novice player to dodge the effect of the banana, and they can easily creep away from the courses.
In other words, the existence of the banana can widen the gap between the ability of the veteran player and the novice player. For Mario Kart: Double Dash!! we wanted to narrow this down and so we removed that element.
And likewise, whenever we think about the ideas for the Mario Kart: Double Dash!! in terms of the ideas aand functions we have implemented in the past games, we have carefully selected the items or features so that the gap between the novice players and veteran players can be narrowed down.
Of course, as you become more familiar with Mario Kart: Double Dash!!, there is room for improvement, but we wanted to narrow down the gap so that even when the novice players and veteran players are playing and fighting against each other, we really wanted both of them to enjoy themselves.
That is the kind of standard we set when we were deciding upon which features to be removed and which features to remain.
After playing the finished game, some Western gamers have suggested that perhaps even the 150cc tracks are too slow. What do you think about this, and how has the reaction been to Double Dash from the Japanese Press?
Sugiyama: First of all, in making Mario Kart, we are not pursuing only the speed, but rather our focus is more on the features so that Mario Kart can be enjoyed by children and adults alike.
Of course whenever you want more speed, you can play games such as F-Zero GX from Nintendo, and I'm sure you are already enjoying this.
And another question that is very interesting, you were asking how the Japanese gaming media are reacting to the speed nature of this specific game. As a matter of fact, I have never heard any complaint from them as far as the speed of the Mario Kart series is concerned.
Have you actually made any changes to Mario Kart in response to the feedback at E3 that was received after its initial showing, or were the improvements that have been found in the final game always intended from the start? And we're referring specifically to the increase in speed and the addition of powersliding.
Mizuki:The feedback we got from this exhibition was very helpful and we took it into consideration. More specifically I was navigating the online news after we had shown Mario Kart at the exhibition and we considered this information.
However, one thing we have to remind ourselves of all the time is the fact that Mario Kart is a game that is not only enjoyed by the adult audiences who are mostly writing their opinions onto the 'Net, but also by those who are too young to subscribe to the online game magazines and so forth.
So while we were keenly listening to these opinions online and some others, we were also having to monitor the system so that we never forgot to get access to the feedback from our younger audience.
We did not only take on the opinions from the online media and the people from the gaming media in general, but also we have had a similar impression from many other monitors we have taken, and that is the reason why speed is actually up in the final version in comparison with the initial version shown at the exhibitions.
As far as the additions are concerned, actually from the beginning we were thinking about implementing some of these features before we had shown the initial version at some of the exhibitions.
But after the show the final analysis was made, not only by listening to the feedback from the exhibition, but also by having the opinions from the monitors, and also we were working on many possible ideas among ourselves, the team members.
Can you tell us precisely what Mr. Miyamoto's role has been in the development of the game?
Takahashi: Mr. Miyamoto is the comprehensive producer or overall producer. In other words he looks at the very big picture of this product. And his responsibilities this time included the decision to implement the local area network ability and also some of the marketing activities like the decision to introduce the game, almost simultaneously, around the world.
Obviously Nintendo had the perfect opportunity to make its mark on the online market by making Mario Kart online, but you didn't. You've already said that was because the game wasn't suited and it was more preferable to do the LAN network.
Does the fact that you decided not to make Mario Kart online say something more about your own personal stance and the company stance on the state of the online market in general?
Sugiyama: Clearly this has nothing to do with company decisions whatsoever. We have thought carefully in terms of the nature of the gameplay and we thought it best not to include the online ability for the Mario Kart: Double Dash!!.
At Nintendo it is the game designers who actually decide the company policy. So it is always the designers' intention and clearly from the play ability consideration that those kind of decision are always made.
When we've spoken to Mr. Miyamoto in the past he mentioned that it was taking a lot of work to decide which direction to take Mario Kart in.
How much decision making did it take for you to decide upon the final idea of having two racers to a kart and were there any other concepts that you threw around before you finally decided upon that one?
Takahashi: The options were either we went ahead with the two characters riding one kart mode, or we went ahead and stuck to the old, existing mode of one character riding on the one kart mode. Actually that kind of discussion was very heated and went on until the last minute.
After the very many heated discussions we decided on number one, the enjoyable look of the tandem mode. And number two, that the playability of the game made it a kind of party game, that a group of people can join together and enjoy themselves.
We took much into consideration and finally we decided that Mario Kart: Double Dash!! should go ahead with a tandem feature.
Which are your favourite characters, site locations and vehicles in Double Dash?
Sugiyama: First of all my favourite character is Yoshi and I like the DK mountain track and I love the Kooper King Kart.
Takahashi: I like Mario and Baby Park Track and I like the Red Fire karts.
Mizuki: I like Daisy, and I like Baby Park Track and I also like the Red Fire Kart.
You already talked about the speed but we'd also like to know about the battle modes?
Mizuki: As far as battle mode is concerned, actually from the very beginning we were thinking about implementing it.
What is your favourite Mario Kart game - the Super Famicom, the N64 or the GBA version?
Sugiyama: I like the Super NES version of Mario Kart best as it is the original Mario Kart game.
Takahashi: I love the Super NES version of Mario Kart too and I have to share the same opinion as Mr. Sugiyama to the reasons why I like it best.
Mizuki: I am also fond of the Super NES version of Mario Kart best. When I look back, that was when I was still starting at college and I played Mario Kart a lot, especially when it came to the battle mode of SNES Mario Kart.
For the split-screen battle, a widescreen video option would have been really useful. Have you ever considered adding a 16:9 video option in the game?
Mr Takahashi: We have taken some consideration into the possibility of a 16:9 video option. However, we thought it best to opt for the best possible way to enjoy the Mario Kart: Double Dash!! in the 4:3 screen size.
You already explained to us about the banana escape move that was removed. I would like to know if it was for the same reason that being able to hold a shell at the rear of the kart was removed, too?
Mizuki: The answer is similar to the one I was referring to regarding the Banana Slip. The veteran player can easily dodge the shell if they can implement it in the back side of the kart, and once again, that can contribute to widening the gap between the veteran players and the novice players.
On the other hand, however, you can manipulate the shell on the banana, then you can actually make a difference by throwing them into the red shell that is thrown by the other kart. All in all we really wanted to create gameplay whereby the novice players and veteran players can enjoy themselves.
Is the broadband link up something that Nintendo is testing with Mario Kart: Double Dash?
Takahashi: Yes, we have actually tested the possibility of broadband.
Did you decide to include Toad at an early stage, or was it because of popular demand?
Mizuki: Actually I wanted to make Toad one of the selectable characters from the beginning but after thinking about Toad's own partner, we couldn't come up with any specific one suitable as a partner for this sort of tandem ride.
What can you tell us about the secret stuff, which can be unlocked in the game?
Mizuki: Of course there are secrets in Mario Kart: Double Dash, but since we have not launched it yet, I have to refrain from mentioning anything specific. Although I have already mentioned something about Toad!
Do you think that the new option for two players, where one shoots and the other one drives, will be welcomed by players who were used to doing both things in the previous game?
Mizuki: This time specifically referring to Mario Kart: Double Dash!!, what we wanted to create was the situation where we can cater to the existing veteran Mario Kart players' needs to a high level.
And at the same time we wanted to introduce interesting features not only to the novice games player, but also to those who have never played any kind of videogames before whatsoever.
More specifically, we did this by introducing them to this kind of tandem mode. If you are the veteran player, or at least if you have ever played a videogame, you can drive the kart by sitting on the front seat of any kart in Mario Kart: Double Dash!!.
And if you are the amateur player who is not confident enough in driving the game, or if you have never played a videogame whatsoever, then you can sit on the rear seat of the kart and all you have to do, it's very simple, just press the button, and you can attack the other karts or other characters.
Even if everybody involved is a veteran player, I really wish, for example, you would engage in the two people versus two people battle. In other words, having kart racing between two karts, by riding on the front and rear seats together.
And then you are going to realise that you are enjoying yourselves, the conversation among yourselves, the ones on the front side and the ones on the rear side are great and I really hope you can try and enjoy yourself, too.
We have all heard that we could play Mario Kart eight-player simultaneously. How does this work?
Mr Sugiyama: We are taking advantage of the local access network mode, or LAN mode offered by GameCube in this specific feature.
More specifically, if you have two 'Cube consoles and if you have two TV systems in your house, in the same room, if these two systems are connected with the LAN, then up to eight players can engage in simultaneous kart racing by splitting the one TV screen into four parts.
That's not the end of the LAN mode. If you use eight GameCubes and eight TVs, by taking advantage of the HUB system and the LAN system too, then up to sixteen players can engage in the so-called attack mode of Double Dash. But please note, 16 players can only play simultaneously when there are two players controlling each cart co-operatively.
What do you think are the best new additions to the Mario Kart universe? And what is your favourite one?
Mizuki:I think I should mention the new battle modes. We have added a couple of the battle modes as new features. One is the new battle mode called Bob-omb Blast! and another one is called Shine Thief. These two new battle modes are very interesting. Fundamentally the rules to these battle modes are pretty simple.
How hard is it to develop a game under the pressure of it being a big name like Mario Kart?
Mizuki: When we were thinking about some of the specific features and specifications for Double Dash, I thought about that myself quite often so that, for example, I had to stay about one hour or so within the Men's Room, just thinking about the new features! [laughs]
Is Mario Kart: Double Dash!! everything you wanted it to be, or were there certain aspects you could not include in the final game?
Sugiyama: I can say that we have been able to put everything we wanted into the game. We left some things out when we finished Mario Kart for the N64, but all these features are now included in Double Dash.
Some things that we could not do with Mario Kart for N64 and have now included in Double Dash are the full polygon graphics for the karts and characters.
And also we have implemented almost perfect dynamism for the car movements. So these kind of features that we wanted to do on N64 are now all realised in Double Dash.
I'm not sure if this is something that we left out for Mario Kart: Double Dash!!, but one of the most asked questions is about the online feature. That kind of online feature was not included in this game, but may be something that we may tackle in future Mario Kart games.
Tell us about the special items.
Sugiyama:Well, depending on which character you are going to use to manipulate your kart, each one of them has special items. Only that character can manipulate these items.
Unlike the previous games, sometimes the items you have got may actually split away from you and also you can grab the opponent's item so that you can take advantage of it in your favour.
Mario Kart: Double Dash!! seems to lean more toward the first part of the series in terms of driving physics. Why is that? And is it a key aspect of Mario Kart for you?
Sugiyama: Some of the key qualities which makes Mario Kart the game it is are that you can take advantage of a variety of different items, and these can be used to decide whether you can win the race or not.
And then you can play with your opponents, head-to-head, by taking advantage of these items. That is one feature that makes Mario Kart special. Another feature is just as was explained earlier, that Mario Kart is a game where veteran players and novice players can both enjoy themselves.
What is your personal relationship towards the different characters in the game and who is your favourite character and why?
Sugiyama: Actually I have a personal attachment to the character of Birdo and another one, which is not the main character, so I'm not aware of the English translation and these two characters were actually the characters that I drew myself, in the days when we were working on the development of the Super Mario Bros. 2.
Takahashi: The character which I feel some personal attachment to is the one and only Mario. You may not notice this, but the new Mario character is the identical character, working wise, as the Mario Golf and Mario Party 5, the very latest Mario Party Game.
And the team, including me, was actually responsible for making this specific character appear in Mario Golf and Mario Party. That is the reason why I have some personal attachment to Mario in Mario Kart: Double Dash!!.
Mizuki: In my case I drew the character 'Peach' appearing in Paper Mario, so that is the reason I like Peach.
Some considered the single chain mode of Mario Kart 64 as a little boring. Do you agree with that, and what have you done to improve this experience in Double Dash? For example, you have now included a lot of unlockable secrets and said you can set your time after the Grand Prix races.
Mizuki: Well we have come up with sixteen tracks but as a matter of fact we considered adding several more courses. But this time we really wanted each one of the courses to become very, very unique and different from all the other courses.
So we have deliberately eliminated those courses which may sound or look like any other courses. Each course is a very special one, different from the other. And when we are looking up other racing games even though some of them may boast a number of different tracks, actually when it comes to the actual background scenery and variety of race tracks, there are many courses which look the same.
We really didn't want that and that is the reason why we have settled with sixteen tracks. And once again, that is because we really wanted to have very unique courses.
Some considered the single-player mode of Mario Kart 64 a little boring. Do you agree with that, and what have you done to improve the single player experience in Double Dash?
Sugiyama: First of all we were working on the N64 to make it a more beefed-up version and as a matter of fact I have never felt that the single-player mode was monotonous at all.
If anybody has ever had a problem with the N64 version, I really don't think that can be a problem with Double Dash now that we are incorporating the more enjoyable tandem mode. So I hope that everybody is going to enjoy themselves.
Could you talk about further plans for the Mario Kart series. Are there going to be other titles on the GCN, or the GBA? And in which way will they differ from what we have seen now?
Takahashi: Now that we have received so many online related questions, I would like to supplement a little bit. First of all, of course all the necessary elements of technology are already there with Double Dash.
Having said that however, no company - including Nintendo - could make a perfect version of Double Dash's gameplay in an online version. We have reached a high level in terms of the headto-head mode and the single-player mode, and those kind of interesting features could never be reproduced if they were put online.
So that's what I wanted to add about the online nature of Mario Kart: Double Dash!! now. In other words, if the infrastructure for online gaming can reach the stage where we can reproduce the perfect joy of Double Dash in head-to-head and single-player online, the would be the time that Mario Kart: Double Dash!! can be played online.
Other than that we cannot comment upon further Mario Kart secrets right now, now that we are just about to release Mario Kart: Double Dash!!and the European people have not yet played it.
OK, but anything more on GameCube, or have we got to wait for the next console?
Mizuki: Everybody has put so much energy into Mario Kart: Double Dash!! and now is the time to take some rest. And after the rest they are going to think about a sequel.
I don't think removing the banana escape narrows the gap between beginners and experts. It doesn't take much skill to press the brake after hitting a banana, but it does take skill to avoid the banana entirely.
If you are such a beginner that you didn't even know about the banana escape, well, then you had no chance of winning in the first place.
Well, It's something that smaller kids may not learn about for a while.
What exactly does your cart partner do: just toss items when you pick them up, or other activities as well?
Your partner can attack nearby opponents as well. (Not sure how it's done). Pushing Z will swap the characters around.Quote:
Originally Posted by RedCoKid
IGN:
http://cube.ign.com/articles/458/458922p1.htmlQuote:
6.0 Presentation
Very little production value. This is very much Mario Kart 64 recreated. It gets the job done, but doesn't dazzle.
7.0 Graphics
Four-player runs at 60 frames per second -- its sweetest asset. Otherwise, just a really colorful, unique and bright title -- very much what you'd expect for Mario Kart.
6.0 Sound
Decidedly average MIDI tunes that fit the level thems, but do little to intrigue. Sound effects are offered up in effective Dolby Pro Logic II.
8.0 Gameplay
Multiplayer is its greatest achievement. Two-player Grand Prix is very entertaining and four-player versus is still a blast. Battle mode, however, has underdelivered.
7.0 Lasting Appeal
A small, predictable trail of unlockable content, but LAN support and the solid multiplayer make this a worthy one.
OVERALL: 7.9
:eek:
Wow, wonder what Thray-Walsh thinks of that.
Wow, that review surprises me. I have a feeling that it's pretty accurate though. I hope I'm wrong.
IGN gives games like Raw a 9.3, if I remember correctly, so I just wait to see what Gamerankings has to say now.Quote:
Originally Posted by elfneedsfood
Why trust one review, when I can just get an average of em all?
Yea, IGN's reviews are ridiculously inflated... which is why this doesn't bode well for Mario Kart at all.Quote:
Originally Posted by Roufuss
I'm hoping that in the end I side with the EGM scores... that IGN review is mighty scary. For them to score it that low, I don't know what to think. Fingers firmly crossed at this point.
Choice cuts from the IGN review:
Quote:
Double Dash!! is an assuredly fun multiplayer racer that only makes small gameplay advances over the already-3D Mario Kart 64. Truly, it is a more graphically impressive version than its predecessor, but it is also a simpler one in some respects...
… the end result in Double Dash is second-rate. It's the kind of cookie-cutter sequel that Nintendo said it didn't want to create. … It is, in fact, a fantastic title for kids.
Double Dash!! is a multiplayer title through-and-through. If you have a lack of friends, whether it's due to your hideous complexion or general disgruntled nature, you have few reasons to own it.
Cooperative-style racing is more of a novelty than anything else, meant to increase the chaos of multiplayer by making you yell at your copilot to effectively switch seats or take shortcuts. Nonetheless, it's still a nice option to have given the general lack of them.
It's a more simply designed racer, and while that's okay for a new audience of children, it does little for the millions of hardcore fans that have grown up. The production values put into Mario Kart: Double Dash are extremely disappointing…
... If you've got a ton of friends that are into the title, you stand to enjoy multiplayer -- but even that may get old faster than you'd like. I only hope that Nintendo pours more production into the sequel and remembers that just because Mario Kart was once designed for the younger crowd, doesn't mean it can't become an everyone title with some complexity to it.
I'll wait until it's out and rent it. The whole "a ton of friends in your house ready to play or the game loses 1/2 its fun" schtick Nintendo loves is beginning to wear thin on me but, we'll see.
Doesn't your entire extended family live in your house with you, or am I getting my ethnic stereotypes confused?Quote:
Originally Posted by Melf
They live in a shack in the backyard. :p
ditto that, my friend.Quote:
Originally Posted by Tonydoo
The demo I played is solid. If they gameplay is true to the demo, baring a bunch of crap courses, this is still probably going to be my GotY (even though it is quasi-rehash).
my intense code of professional ethics keeps me from commenting on IGN's review.
But I will quote a response I saw on another board regarding Fran Mirabella III's take.
"Lol, What crawled up her ass?"
MK DD is fantastic. Buy it. Especially if you have friends.
Eh. Since I tend to dissagree with IGN's reviews (Persona a 7.5? Puh-lease...), this really hasn't stumped my desire to play the game. I looked at the videos and they looked fun to me. I guess when the 17th comes around everybody's questions will be answered...
I know I haven't played Double Dash!!, but how could it only be a 7/10 for lasting appeal? Its got more stuff than any previous game in the series, and those games are some of the most replayable of all time.
What the hell is wrong with the IGN Cube guys? It seems like after years of overhyping Nintendo's games(9.6 for ED, 9.9 for conker) they are trying to gain their credibility back by being too hard on Nintendo's games.
A site as popular as IGN shouldn't be so inconsistent with their reviews. If you read their PN03 review, for instance, its like they go out of their way to find problems with the game. what is so "baffling" about the energy drive button assignments?
I've heard way too many good reports on this game from people who's opinons I value more than the IGN guys to worry after just one dissapointing score.
Yea but theyre busy not working during the day and committing acts of petty thuggery at night.Quote:
Originally Posted by Mzo
Except, of course... that PN03 is a piece of crap.Quote:
Originally Posted by Kinopio
And in this MK DD review, they complain about the extra item button assignment. Seems pretty consistent to me.
Well, in IGN's defense there are several reviewers each with thier own style. As Fran has mentioned, numerous times on the IGN boards, he did not review any of the more recent (inflated) Gamecube releases.
There's a thin line between being a hard ass for no reason other than wanting to look "professional" and giving a game a good score because you like it.
I think the most telling thing about Mario Kart is that several of the IGN editors have commented that the general thought around the office is "ehh" in regards to MK. Fran talks about having a big get together of MK fans at his place and no one really being enthusiastic about the new game.
I think the problem for them may have been this: we can accept launch titles for what they are, even post launch summer titles... but two years after release you'd better be offering something pretty spectacular.
You know, I don't think I'll care about reviews on this say. I'll make my own mind up. As long as they fixed the speed (which seems to be true), and made combat less of a focus (ditto), then I can't think of a better multiplayer game to have for the GC.
Unless you guys know of some people down for golf?
Started playing DD around 10:30, and a half-hour later it was already quarter-to-one.
MK:DD makes life's troubles go away.
Heaven helps us, Nintendo wants you to play games with other people! I understand the issue at hand; afterall, most the games I buy are multiplayer/competitive and the interest from my friends dies after a few months. But what's so bad about trying to get people to sit around and enjoy a game together? We can't all be unsocial trolls, lurking in our dungeons with our games 100% of the time, right?Quote:
Originally Posted by Melf
What the IGN review totally misses is how unfathomably fun the 2-player Co-op mode is. It's so so so very good. It's the reason I'm too hopped up on Kart fever to even go to sleep. If you and a friend don't have absurd amounts of fun playing through 150cc in co-op, your heart is a black, dead void.
IGN's reviews far more often than not tend to coincide with how I would ultimately rank the game, but they are worth ignoring once in awhile. I have simply far too many awesome memories playing Mario Kart and MK 64 with friends and cousins to not pick it up, feeling of rehashment or not.
Just wish the blasted thing could've been online though, a TNL MK DD Racing League would've been just what the doctor ordered :(
At least Fran seems to support every criticism he makes with concrete gameplay examples. You get the feeling that he knew he would draw some shots with a review like that, so he made sure to justify everything.
Now Is this true about LAN play in MK: DD? You can't even select your characters? Hadn't heard that before...
The number-one thing that worries me about that review; they say hardcore fans of the series won't like the simplification of the mechanics, and that those with skill have no real advantage in MK: DD. Item distribution is too random, and it's tough to hang on to first place?Quote:
By kicking the system into LAN mode, you will find a new menu page that allows you to setup the match types and options before the game. Then you just press start and you're on your way -- load times and syncing up are very quick.
The only problem it has is the setup. You aren't given the option to select your characters -- even with as little as two people on seperate TVs.
That's exactly how I felt at E3... Zondaro and I played quite a few rounds of multiplayer and I'd get way out in front for much of the race, but then just felt like a sitting duck. It all seemed to come down to what items you have coming into the home stretch. That was frustrating.
And Fran seems to lament the loss of the hop as much as I do. I want my jump button back!!! :cry:
Fran is a guy's name?
I seriously can't understand IGN's review.
Famitsu gave this game four 9's, 36/40. That's a pretty rare score in Famitsu.
I bought a third cube just so I could play this game. Of course there are other titles, but this was the kicker. There was a sale where I could get MKDD and GC for $190 ... not sure how much Cubes are in the States right now, but this is a pretty good deal in Japan for new.
I would advise anyone to pick up the JPN version right now. My only hold up is that I have only played for about 2 hours. But there seems to be tons of unlockables and the gamplay is fun... even alone.
I don't see how they could rag this title. It's great.
Looks like Nintendo forgot to pay off IGN. :bang:
Kikizo.com also reviewed the game, they gave it better scores but found many of the same problems IGN.com did.
http://games.kikizo.com/reviews/gcn/mariokart_dd.asp
:rolleyes: Have you played it yet?Quote:
Originally Posted by GameFreak
Except for the parts where Fran complains about the game being too similar to Mario Kart 64 and then proceeds to fault Double Dash later in the review for not containing any of the MK64 maps. Seems a bit inconsistent to me.Quote:
Originally Posted by diffusionx
It doesn't matter really. Double Dash could receive 0.0's and F-'s across the board from most major sites/publications, and I'll still buy it.
Agreed.
And I read all the other posts this time... HAPPY NOW??
I was kind of hoping this game could shut up the naysayers around here, but it looks like it's going to add to the bashing if anything. SHAPE UP, NINTENDO!!
*places enormous expectations on Mario & Luigi*
150cc is no punk.Quote:
Originally Posted by Tosh
IGN gave Mario Kart 64 an 8.1, and I clocked atleast 150 hours into that game. So they were off on that one, and I think that trend will continue.
You read all the posts in this massive thread? :oQuote:
Originally Posted by Mzo
Color me impressed. :D
P.S. Mario & Luigi is incredible. You will not be disappointed.
Good review from IGN, i'll be saving my money then. You've got to laugh at the production values though; why isn't the music SSBM standard? This is a big game yet they couldn't be bothered to make any effort here. The graphics are crap too and frankly the carts still look ridiculous.
Because then people like you and Fran would just complain that the music is just a rehash of SSBM's soundtrack.Quote:
Originally Posted by Sidez
Also, the carts are supposed to look ridiculous. Do you expect the Kongs to be driving a Toyota Supra or something?
It seems as though Fran was expecting Mario Turismo instead of a new Mario Kart game.
Seriously, we should all quit looking at IGN as the standard in gaming reviews, even though most of the time they are. I hoped on this game being great, I havent played any demo whatsoever, IGN rated it quasi average and the god damn EB near my house didn't even get it in yet...
All to say, give yourself your own opinion before anything, check ign then check gamerankings. Guess accordingly...
EB probably didn't get it in yet because it ships on the 17th.Quote:
Originally Posted by DjRocca
The demo, you ass. EB's had it for a while.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Hero
I'm all for cool multiplayer modes as long as the single player game doesn't suffer for it. That's mostly what I play, so a game based mostly around multplayer doesn't interest me. Give me both and I'm cool.
Multiplayer alone isn't a selling point for me though.
No, I forgot to mention I live in Quebec, and theyre's a law where every disc must include a French manual, those titles who do not have french manuals may or may not be distributed. Meaning if a store gets warned they're selling games without the useless crap booklets, the store has to find a bunch of excuses so the company can make some.Quote:
Originally Posted by Roufuss
went there this morning and theyres no way of pre ordering Ninja gaiden because namco probably wont make them an extra manual...pathetic.
I think the production values for Nintendo titles in general are subpar.
- No voice acting/voice overs. How much more ass would Metroid Prime have kicked if there had been say... some dialog/voice over at the beginning talking about Samus' history. Even Super Metroid had voice and it was a SNES game!
- Lack of unlockables. This is every game that isn't SSBM. What did Mario Sunshine give you to work for? Oh, sunglasses and a hawaii themed t-shirt. Woo! Wouldn't Pikmin have benifited from something more? Like say mini-Marios?
- Music. They're still using midi music? Jebus. EA hires orcastras(sp)! They have good talent, but it seems that the talent needs the tools. One only needs to look at Halo to see how music can be a positive factor, well worth the money and time it takes.
Nintendo seems to be trying to crank out games faster and cheaper... and they're failing to do so. Cutting corners doesn't save you money, it costs you money.
If you never bought a game because one guy with internet access gave it a 7.9, you might own Tetris, but thats about it.Quote:
Originally Posted by Sidez
I give your reasoning a 3.8
Really, everything will be okay if you just let people say they're not looking forward to Double Dash. You don't have to immediately justify your own excitement for it by telling them they're wrong.
IGN's review pointed out a lot of things about the game that disappoint me. It doesn't matter that it's just one review or that it's IGN, it just matters that if Mario Kart contains the faults they mentioned, then I'm sure I will be let down by it. There is no conspiracy or inside job going on to screw Nintendo just because I'm not looking forward to the game like you are.
Please, Hero, type out a sarcastic, bitter paragraph about how I'm wrong because I'm not looking forward to Mario Kart. Those types of comments weren't repetitive at all the first 500 times you've said them.
Zondaro, Nintendo uses voice overs quite a bit. Remember their usage in the GBA Mario games? Also, Nintendo's games don't really need unlockables, as they tend to be good enough, and offer enough for the player, to be worth your while without them.
Yay! Wahoo! Zoinks! and Wee! are not voiceovers, they are useless, irritating sounds.
The carts looked better when they looked like carts, not like goddamn rolling barrels and eggs and shit. I think I said earlier on this board that this would be a game I would be into if I had GC but damn those carts sure look shitty.Quote:
Originally Posted by Mamoscott
It seems to me as though Fran was expecting a next-generation update of Mario Kart, and what he got was Mario Kart 64 with fruity cars and marginal updates.
You're kidding right? Those fucking "voices" they put in ruined Mario World for me.Quote:
Originally Posted by Jeremy
Um, that was my point. They've put voices in games in the past, and with horrid results to boot. There's no need for them to be in some games, and for those games, it can really hurt the experience.
You guys are a bunch of god damned whiners and its not even out yet.
of course not. i expect them to be in a riced out h2 with 26"s.Quote:
Do you expect the Kongs to be driving a Toyota Supra or something?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Will
Will and Johnpv have nothing better to do than to whine about whiners.
Green has nothing better to do than to whine about them.
You have nothing better to do than to read this post. Loser.
From the sound of it, there's good stuff in one-player. Here's hoping.Quote:
Originally Posted by Melf