# Mario Kart Wii: How's It Treating You? **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [May 12, 2008, 3:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mario-kart-wii-hows-it-treating-you/449031 "2008-05-12T15:24:45Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Least\_Original\_User\_Name\_Ever](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e480ec/32.png) [@Least\_Original\_User\_Name\_Ever](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Least_Original_User_Name_Ever)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2008, 3:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mario-kart-wii-hows-it-treating-you/449031/1 "2008-05-12T15:24:45Z")
I’ve got almost everything complete, save for beating the fast staff ghosts and the last three mirror races. Some of those staff ghosts are really hard and I think some cheat. How are you guys doing with it? ---
**Author:** ![Mooch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7bcc69/32.png) [@Mooch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mooch)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2008, 3:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mario-kart-wii-hows-it-treating-you/449031/2 "2008-05-12T15:26:41Z")
I don’t get to play it as often as I’d like, so it’s still kicking my butt. I barely have anything unlocked. Do you still use the wheel? My buddy stopped using it in favor of the wiimote and nunchuck and says it’s much easier to control now. ---
**Author:** ![Least\_Original\_User\_Name\_Ever](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e480ec/32.png) [@Least\_Original\_User\_Name\_Ever](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Least_Original_User_Name_Ever)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2008, 3:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mario-kart-wii-hows-it-treating-you/449031/3 "2008-05-12T15:40:45Z")
I used the wheel the first game and never again after that. Eve the nunchuk seems to have hiccups where it turns you in the opposite direction once or twice, but it’s rare. I’m also pretty convinced that it’s something dumb I’m doing, but I’ve heard others mention it as well. ---
**Author:** ![Asimovian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asimovian/32/172_2.png) [@Asimovian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asimovian)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2008, 3:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mario-kart-wii-hows-it-treating-you/449031/4 "2008-05-12T15:49:27Z")
[QUOTE=Mooch] Do you still use the wheel? My buddy stopped using it in favor of the wiimote and nunchuck and says it’s much easier to control now. [/QUOTE] My wife and I have just barely started with it (we got the game Friday evening), but we’re on opposite sides of the fence when it comes to the controller. I vastly prefer the wheel over the nunchuck. As **LOUNE** mentioned, I’ve had trouble sometimes with the wheel turning me the wrong way, but I’ve figured out that it only happens when I turn the wheel _too_ far. User error. My wife thinks the nunchuck controls are much easier and more responsive. There’s no downside, really. It just means we don’t fight over controllers and we don’t need to buy a second wheel. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Mooch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7bcc69/32.png) [@Mooch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mooch)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2008, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mario-kart-wii-hows-it-treating-you/449031/5 "2008-05-12T16:08:32Z")
So, **Asimovian** , you’re telling me that what I have feared is true. It is not the wheel, but the fact that my skills are toilet being the reason my friend has been creaming me in online play. ---
**Author:** ![Asimovian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asimovian/32/172_2.png) [@Asimovian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asimovian)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2008, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mario-kart-wii-hows-it-treating-you/449031/6 "2008-05-12T16:24:11Z")
[QUOTE=Mooch] So, **Asimovian** , you’re telling me that what I have feared is true. It is not the wheel, but the fact that my skills are toilet being the reason my friend has been creaming me in online play. [/QUOTE] No no! I was just talking about me. In YOUR case, it’s because your wheel is defective. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![ShadowFacts](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shadowfacts/32/2934_2.png) [@ShadowFacts](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShadowFacts)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2008, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mario-kart-wii-hows-it-treating-you/449031/7 "2008-05-12T16:31:38Z")
I also am just getting going. I’ve gotten 1st place in all cups on 50cc, and 1st in mushroom and flower on 100cc (just barely in flower - Wario’s Mine kicks my ass). The best driving grade I’ve gotten is an A, though. I thought I read somewhere that I needed to get at least one star to unlock everything, but I guess that will have to come later. I’m using the wheel, and enjoying it. I don’t do online play, so nothing there. ---
**Author:** ![stolichnaya](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bcef8e/32.png) [@stolichnaya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stolichnaya)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2008, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mario-kart-wii-hows-it-treating-you/449031/8 "2008-05-12T16:46:33Z")
Hey, players… what is the proper timing for the boost off the line? Is it right on “go”? I can’t tell if I am getting it or not, which probably means I am not getting it. ---
**Author:** ![Marjorie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b5ac83/32.png) [@Marjorie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marjorie)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2008, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mario-kart-wii-hows-it-treating-you/449031/9 "2008-05-12T17:03:30Z")
I have completed 50cc and half of the 100cc cups in 1st place, and will probably finish 100cc today. My boyfriend is about halfway through the 150cc cups. I haven’t been playing too many time trials. Mostly we play online together, usually an hour or so before bedtime. Both of us use the wheel exclusively. ---
**Author:** ![Least\_Original\_User\_Name\_Ever](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e480ec/32.png) [@Least\_Original\_User\_Name\_Ever](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Least_Original_User_Name_Ever)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2008, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mario-kart-wii-hows-it-treating-you/449031/10 "2008-05-12T17:21:51Z")
[QUOTE=stolichnaya] Hey, players… what is the proper timing for the boost off the line? Is it right on “go”? I can’t tell if I am getting it or not, which probably means I am not getting it. [/QUOTE] Just after the second light lights up. ---
**Author:** ![garygnu](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/garygnu/32/2924_2.png) [@garygnu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/garygnu)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2008, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mario-kart-wii-hows-it-treating-you/449031/11 "2008-05-12T17:36:58Z")
I haven’t been able to play nearly as much as I’d like. I’m not even done with 50cc yet. I use a Wavebird GameCube controller, and my wife uses the wheel. When I get to the motorcycles, it might be inconvenient to pop a wheelie using that controller, though. According to [this](http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/25/the-definitive-mario-kart-wii-controller-showdown/), the Nunchuk is best with a bike, so I might try that. ---
**Author:** ![Santo\_Rugger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e95f7d/32.png) [@Santo\_Rugger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Santo_Rugger)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2008, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mario-kart-wii-hows-it-treating-you/449031/12 "2008-05-12T17:39:53Z")
[QUOTE=Least Original User Name Ever] Just after the second light lights up. [/QUOTE] I seem to have a bit more luck if I try to time it to when the second light starts to fade, so play around with it a bit in that timeframe. I’ve only played a couple times, but I didn’t like the wheel one bit. ---
**Author:** ![Least\_Original\_User\_Name\_Ever](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e480ec/32.png) [@Least\_Original\_User\_Name\_Ever](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Least_Original_User_Name_Ever)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2008, 5:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mario-kart-wii-hows-it-treating-you/449031/13 "2008-05-12T17:41:21Z")
I used to be a staunch supporter of the karts, but I’ve been all about the bikes recently. I think they might be the better option overall. ---
**Author:** ![ShadowFacts](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shadowfacts/32/2934_2.png) [@ShadowFacts](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShadowFacts)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2008, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mario-kart-wii-hows-it-treating-you/449031/14 "2008-05-12T18:27:35Z")
[QUOTE=Santo Rugger] I seem to have a bit more luck if I try to time it to when the second light starts to fade, so play around with it a bit in that timeframe. I’ve only played a couple times, but I didn’t like the wheel one bit. [/QUOTE] Why didn’t you like the wheel? Not responsive enough? Trouble steering? Just wondering… ---
**Author:** ![Least\_Original\_User\_Name\_Ever](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e480ec/32.png) [@Least\_Original\_User\_Name\_Ever](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Least_Original_User_Name_Ever)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2008, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mario-kart-wii-hows-it-treating-you/449031/15 "2008-05-12T19:13:24Z")
I don’t find the wheel responsive enough. That’s why I don’t like it. ---
**Author:** ![ShadowFacts](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shadowfacts/32/2934_2.png) [@ShadowFacts](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShadowFacts)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2008, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mario-kart-wii-hows-it-treating-you/449031/16 "2008-05-12T19:48:12Z")
[QUOTE=Least Original User Name Ever] I don’t find the wheel responsive enough. That’s why I don’t like it. [/QUOTE] It works for me, but I haven’t tried playing with the nunchuck, so I don’t know if there’s a difference in responsiveness. Unrelated question: how the hell do you hop? I used to hop all the time in the N64 version (last version I played) on levels like the icy one, but when I press 1 on the Wiimote (which it says is brake/hop in the directions), it just brakes. Is it because I’m in automatic or something? Any help appreciated. ---
**Author:** ![Least\_Original\_User\_Name\_Ever](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e480ec/32.png) [@Least\_Original\_User\_Name\_Ever](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Least_Original_User_Name_Ever)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2008, 8:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mario-kart-wii-hows-it-treating-you/449031/17 "2008-05-12T20:00:41Z")
[QUOTE=ShadowFacts] It works for me, but I haven’t tried playing with the nunchuck, so I don’t know if there’s a difference in responsiveness. Unrelated question: how the hell do you hop? I used to hop all the time in the N64 version (last version I played) on levels like the icy one, but when I press 1 on the Wiimote (which it says is brake/hop in the directions), it just brakes. Is it because I’m in automatic or something? Any help appreciated. [/QUOTE] You got it. You’re automatic. You get no hop unless you’re manual. ---
**Author:** ![ShadowFacts](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shadowfacts/32/2934_2.png) [@ShadowFacts](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShadowFacts)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2008, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mario-kart-wii-hows-it-treating-you/449031/18 "2008-05-12T20:31:51Z")
[QUOTE=Least Original User Name Ever] You got it. You’re automatic. You get no hop unless you’re manual. [/QUOTE] Bah, I thought that might be it. Have you played both ways and, if so, do you find manual much harder? ---
**Author:** ![DoctorJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doctorj/32/2904_2.png) [@DoctorJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DoctorJ)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2008, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mario-kart-wii-hows-it-treating-you/449031/19 "2008-05-12T20:50:30Z")
I have gold trophies on all of the 50cc and 100cc Grand Prix circuits, and all of the 150cc except for the last two. The problem on the 150cc is that even if you manage to get out ahead of the pack a little bit, if you so much as brush a wall you get half a dozen cars whizzing by you (and usually into you). I still use the wheel. I may try switching to the nunchuk. ---
**Author:** ![Gukumatz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/74df32/32.png) [@Gukumatz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gukumatz)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2008, 11:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mario-kart-wii-hows-it-treating-you/449031/20 "2008-05-12T23:20:35Z")
I played a few hours the first three days after I got it, and brought in some friends last night to try it out. The conclusion was a big, fat collective _meh_. I really thought they’d try something _different_, ya know? It feels like Mario Kart 64 v1.5. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mario-kart-wii-hows-it-treating-you/449031.md?page=2)