Mario Kart3
Preview by Trent Dickerson
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Mario Kart is one of those games you think of when Nintendo unveils a new system,
therefore is should not come as a shock to know that Nintendo is currently working on a Cubed
version of the game. At Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3)2001, Nintendo showed a 7-second clip
of Mario and Luigi racing on a bump-mapped 3D surface void of any curves. There was no
background either, just black. The clip consisted of Mario power-sliding his vehicle past Luigi
and towards the camera. End clip. And the crowd went wild.
Not much is currently known about the game. What is known is that as usual, Nintendo
all-stars such as Mario, Bowser, Donkey Kong, and others will battle it out on the blacktop.
And due to the GameCube's impressive hardware, we already know from the 7-second clip that this
game will have a significant number of technilogical advances over the past 3 games. The higher
amount of polygons will allow for more impressive looking characters and detailed environments.
There even most likely be new weapons and power-ups as well. And of course, as usual, there
will be the traditional four-player support, with possibly some other new type of multiplayer
mode.
It goes without saying that Mario Kart Cubed is not a 2002 title. Hell, we'd be lucky
if it was a 2003 title. EAD is supposedly making the game, which is excellent news for those
who enjoyed Mario Kart 64. Again, because of the 'Cubes power, one can expect large, cartoon-
like environments. And also because of the 'Cube's power, the mutil-player mode will be very
smooth and take advantage of the system's 4 ports. Finally, one can also most likely expect new
characters too. Maybe, just maybe, the Big N will FINALLY give Link his own go-kart. But I
think I speak for everyone when I say let's keep Popo and Nana away from the wheel. Who the
hell knows how that kart would look like.
My Score: N/A
Advantages: Mario Kart franchise takes full advantage of the GameCube's power.
Disadvantages: We probably won't get our hands on this game 'til about 2003, if not 2004.