Ouch!!!!!!

[The Prince of Darkness]

Hey guys---go read the IGN review of Mario Kart. The guy felt so badly about panning the game that they even included "another take" by a different person. He even called the game perfect for kids. LMFAO!!!!!!

[Rogue Bounty Hunter]

I saw that review. I found it very funny, especially since may consider Nintendo the best developer.

I also played the demo of the game at Gamestop. I want a racing game, but I would rather wait for something like Gran Turismo 4 than get this game.

[The Prince of Darkness]

<div class=\"smallfont\">I saw that review. I found it very funny, especially since may consider Nintendo the best developer.

I also played the demo of the game at Gamestop. I want a racing game, but I would rather wait for something like Gran Turismo 4 than get this game.</div>


Talk about your system wars ammo. All in one review they managed to call the game a cookie cutter rehash and kiddy. I can barely contain myself. The thing is that the usual suspects will say "but gee it is still averaging a 92 on gamerankings." I think that it is very telling that one of the big review sites actually had the balls to say some of the same things in their review that I have been saying about Nintendo for a while now. I can't wait to try the game so I can see for myself just how average it is.

[folken001]

<div class=\"smallfont\"><div class=\"smallfont\"></div>


Talk about your system wars ammo. All in one review they managed to call the game a cookie cutter rehash and kiddy. I can barely contain myself. The thing is that the usual suspects will say "but gee it is still averaging a 92 on gamerankings." I think that it is very telling that one of the big review sites actually had the balls to say some of the same things in their review that I have been saying about Nintendo for a while now. I can't wait to try the game so I can see for myself just how average it is.</div>


I don't know what you guys are complaining about. In mario kart, it is always about stopping your opponent from getting to the fininsh line than acutally race itself. It has been like that and it will be like that in the years to come. I mean it has flower cup, mushroom cup.....come on...what the heck do you really expect?

[Tappy_Tibbons]

Mario Kart is and always will be the best racing series IMHO. I'll take "FUN" over realism any day of the week. Plus, what beats throwing shells at your buddies?

[Spastic Colon Powell]

I got endless hours of play with Mario Kart 64...and just because IGN gave it a fair to average review...7.9 is not a bad score for a game that's just continuing the series with little to no innovation, does not mean that fans of Kart racers are not going to enjoy it. Let's not forget that's only one media outlet so far that's rated it this low...although it's the only somewhat credible outlet that's reviewed the game so far.

If I owned a Gamecube (probably this Christmas), I'd likely pick this one up with little to no hesitation.

[Spastic Colon Powell]

<div class=\"smallfont\">I got endless hours of play with Mario Kart 64...and just because IGN gave it a fair to average review...7.9 is not a bad score for a game that's just continuing the series with little to no innovation, does not mean that fans of Kart racers are not going to enjoy it. Let's not forget that's only one media outlet so far that's rated it this low...although it's the only somewhat credible outlet that's reviewed the game so far.

If I owned a Gamecube (probably this Christmas), I'd likely pick this one up with little to no hesitation.</div>


That IGN ( a site notorious for overrating all big titles ) gave it a score this low is quite odd. I wonder if it's one of their newer editors who hasn't been getting the "give game X a good score" bonus yet.

[trebor]

Talk about your system wars ammo. All in one review they managed to call the game a cookie cutter rehash and kiddy. I can barely contain myself. The thing is that the usual suspects will say &quot;but gee it is still averaging a 92 on gamerankings.&quot; I think that it is very telling that one of the big review sites actually had the balls to say some of the same things in their review that I have been saying about Nintendo for a while now. I can't wait to try the game so I can see for myself just how average it is.

Well, I have to fufill your "usual suspects" role here and say, gee it is still averaging a 92% on gamerankings. IGN was rather harsh, but consider this, they ranked Rebel Strike at a 8.3 (MK scored 7.9), which has been bashed by reviews far more than Mario Kart, so far. So is IGN the definative review source? Somewhat, but not completely.

Other things to keep in mind, Crimson Skies, which is probably the biggest Xbox exclusive title out for the holiday season, right now, has a ranking of 90%, with it's lowest score being a 7/10. MK, on the other hand, has a ranking of 92% with it's lowest score being 7.9.

So, according to the philosophy you have just presented, MK is a better game than Crimson Skies, because the of the review scores.

[The Prince of Darkness]

<div class=\"smallfont\">Well, I have to fufill your "usual suspects" role here and say, gee it is still averaging a 92% on gamerankings. IGN was rather harsh, but consider this, they ranked Rebel Strike at a 8.3 (MK scored 7.9), which has been bashed by reviews far more than Mario Kart, so far. So is IGN the definative review source? Somewhat, but not completely.

Other things to keep in mind, Crimson Skies, which is probably the biggest Xbox exclusive title out for the holiday season, right now, has a ranking of 90%, with it's lowest score being a 7/10. MK, on the other hand, has a ranking of 92% with it's lowest score being 7.9.

So, according to the philosophy you have just presented, MK is a better game than Crimson Skies, because the of the review scores.</div>

Sorry Trebor, but I was not presenting any philosophy. I was merely commenting on the content of a review that I found hilarious. Since I tend to look at the content of a review rather than the score(notice that I purposely did not mention the IGN score in my post) I could really care less about the composite score. If you want to talk about the definative review source then do what I do. Wait until the Gamespot review and then average that with the IGN score.

[Tappy_Tibbons]

when Nintendo goes forward, they actually do a good job. The GBA is a huge hinderance as I will NEVER REBUY a game that is over a decade old for 30$...no way.

[trebor]

Sorry Trebor, but I was not presenting any philosophy. I was merely commenting on the content of a review that I found hilarious. Since I tend to look at the content of a review rather than the score(notice that I purposely did not mention the IGN score in my post) I could really care less about the composite score. If you want to talk about the definative review source then do what I do. Wait until the Gamespot review and then average that with the IGN score.

Sure you did. In your comments about IGN's review, you claimed that it was good "System Wars ammo" - perhaps that isn't a "philosophy", per se, but it is close enough. Besides, like I was saying, it is just one review. Granted, IGN is usually the 1 review source I tend to agree with the most, but they are not the be all end all review source.

[Daman_He_Hate_Me]

It is about time someone(in the review community) stood up and called it like it is. I think after blowing smoke up peoples butt about Mario Sunshine, IGN for whatever reason said let's look at this game for what it is, and not what we wanted it to be.

The game basically offers nothing new over the old franchise, except a gimmick flipping between characters. It does offer LAN support, which is a plus and a surprise coming from Nintendo. I said it yesterday, and i'll say it again, the graphical presentation looks Dreamcastesque to be nice, a step up from the old N64 game, but nothing at all to brag about. Unfortunately, the only good thing this game had going for it was the gameplay, but unfortunately IGN at least thinks the gameplay is only as good, if that, than its predecessor.

It is funny though that they do mention what the rest of the gaming community knows is fact, everyone aside from die-hard Nintendo fans know the GC is suffering in quality titles. And the one shining star in the line-up is basically as much a dude from a critical stand as Brute Force was for MS. I agree with Prince, the only real value you can get from a review score is not from the actual score given. But from what they tell you about the game. Often times the content doesn't even agree with the final score, this is usually the bias factor. I'm happy to see at least one review not give this game a 9 because its the Mario Kart franchise. Hopefully, this will be the start of something. I also noticed that even Gamespot, I think, knocked down Dynasty Warriors4 a bit for not really improving over the third.

This is sad for GC though, its not good when the game is hardly better than the one on N64. It is not good when this is all there is to look forward to in terms of console exclusives on GC this fall. Of course, GC die-hards will deny all of this, and find some way to spin this. As they sit around at home sad telling themselves this game is great. Enjoy your XBOX killer, lol!

[Gadfly2317]

I have seen few reviews at IGN that read so poorly. There were whole passages that, grammatically, sounded like Tarzan, Frankenstein, or "The Game."

And for all the complaining about "lack of innovation" that was in this review, it took the guy four pages to talk about all the features and game-play elements.

This IS a racing game after all. What did the reviewer expect? That we should have Mario carrying his kart in a backpack on a danger-filled trek up the Himalayas dodging Yetis in search of a holy man to place a blessing on the tires and motor? It is freaking RACING!!!. GT3. . . more cars, some more tracks, and some touched up graphics. That's about what we usually get out of racing sequels.

Mario Kart: DD adds co-op racing with two players in a kart, reconfigured weapon arrangementss, new tracks, slick graphics, new characters, excellent multi-player and YES, it still more or less sticks to the formula, which is racing around a track trying to blow the hell out of your friends. Of course this game is better with friends, as are ALL the games in this series.

Reading between the lines, this reviewer was expecting the second coming of christ or something, which I guess is fair enough, since that is indeed what many Nintendo sequels have been (as far as gaming is concerned--Mario 64 anyone?)

Of course, the game will be out soon enough, and we'll all get to judge for ourselves. As it is now, we're seeing most reviewers giving it closer to 90% than this xbot IGN reviewer who felt the need to discuss Crimson Skies of all things in a Mario Kart review.

[Glockstar]

<div class=\"smallfont\">I got endless hours of play with Mario Kart 64...and just because IGN gave it a fair to average review...7.9 is not a bad score for a game that's just continuing the series with little to no innovation, does not mean that fans of Kart racers are not going to enjoy it. Let's not forget that's only one media outlet so far that's rated it this low...although it's the only somewhat credible outlet that's reviewed the game so far.

If I owned a Gamecube (probably this Christmas), I'd likely pick this one up with little to no hesitation.</div>

Why, what did you do with your N64?

Anywho, watch out for Crash Nitro Kart!
I'm gonna go on the record right now, and say that CNK will be the kart game to get this holiday season! (I don't know if it can get any better than Furious Karting, though.)
Check it out...

http://xboxmedia.ign.com/xbox/image/crashnitrokart_042403_460a.jpg

[trebor]

I have seen few reviews at IGN that read so poorly. There were whole passages that, grammatically, sounded like Tarzan, Frankenstein, or &quot;The Game.&quot;

And for all the complaining about &quot;lack of innovation&quot; that was in this review, it took the guy four pages to talk about all the features and game-play elements.

This IS a racing game after all. What did the reviewer expect? That we should have Mario carrying his kart in a backpack on a danger-filled trek up the Himalayas dodging Yetis in search of a holy man to place a blessing on the tires and motor? It is freaking RACING!!!. GT3. . . more cars, some more tracks, and some touched up graphics. That's about what we usually get out of racing sequels.

Mario Kart: DD adds co-op racing with two players in a kart, reconfigured weapon arrangementss, new tracks, slick graphics, new characters, excellent multi-player and YES, it still more or less sticks to the formula, which is racing around a track trying to blow the hell out of your friends. Of course this game is better with friends, as are ALL the games in this series.

Reading between the lines, this reviewer was expecting the second coming of christ or something, which I guess is fair enough, since that is indeed what many Nintendo sequels have been (as far as gaming is concerned--Mario 64 anyone?)

Of course, the game will be out soon enough, and we'll all get to judge for ourselves. As it is now, we're seeing most reviewers giving it closer to 90% than this xbot IGN reviewer who felt the need to discuss Crimson Skies of all things in a Mario Kart review.

Well, I think it's just that the Gamecube just can't win in the eyes of the media, at least the current selection of titles, that is.

Rebel Strike was lynched in reviews because Factor 5 changed the formula with "on-foot" missions, ground vehicles and generally not being a Rogue Leader clone. So when a sequel is taken in a whole new direction, reviewers are unhappy and give it a poor review.

Then there is Mario Kart, in which this IGN article bashes it for being too much like it's predecessors.

So, I wonder, what do these reviewers actually want in a sequel? They are either "too different" or they are "too much of the same".

["The Game"Evolution]

<div class=\"smallfont\">I have seen few reviews at IGN that read so poorly. There were whole passages that, grammatically, sounded like Tarzan, Frankenstein, or "The Game."

And for all the complaining about "lack of innovation" that was in this review, it took the guy four pages to talk about all the features and game-play elements.

This IS a racing game after all. What did the reviewer expect? That we should have Mario carrying his kart in a backpack on a danger-filled trek up the Himalayas dodging Yetis in search of a holy man to place a blessing on the tires and motor? It is freaking RACING!!!. GT3. . . more cars, some more tracks, and some touched up graphics. That's about what we usually get out of racing sequels.

Mario Kart: DD adds co-op racing with two players in a kart, reconfigured weapon arrangementss, new tracks, slick graphics, new characters, excellent multi-player and YES, it still more or less sticks to the formula, which is racing around a track trying to blow the hell out of your friends. Of course this game is better with friends, as are ALL the games in this series.

Reading between the lines, this reviewer was expecting the second coming of christ or something, which I guess is fair enough, since that is indeed what many Nintendo sequels have been (as far as gaming is concerned--Mario 64 anyone?)

Of course, the game will be out soon enough, and we'll all get to judge for ourselves. As it is now, we're seeing most reviewers giving it closer to 90% than this xbot IGN reviewer who felt the need to discuss Crimson Skies of all things in a Mario Kart review.</div>

Basically the reviewer saw what anybody thats played the old N64 classic saw.The same game with a brand new paint job.Nothing really new to brag about here.Yes being able to sit two characters in one car is all good,but is it really anything new? No.Same goes for RS III.Nice to look at,but was it really anything new compared to the RS's of the past? No. So dont blow a gasket because somebody at IGN chose to tell the truth.

If you are going to put a popular franchise on another console the least the developers of the game can do is give us more of the same magic that made the original game a hit,but throw in alot of new and innovative things to make it that much more better.Apparently Nintendo didnt do that with this or RS III.Not to mention neither game really was pushing the GC's power to the limit either.

I mean lets face it with the kind of power that the GC is pushing there is no reason why any of Nintendo's games shouldnt be above and beyond what we've seen from the N64 in the past.

As of now there isnt much on the GC thats proven to be above and beyond what the N64 has brought to the table in the past either.Dont worry Gadfly you'll get over it.I personally would like to commend the reviewer from IGN for having the balls to smack Nintendo in the mouth.

Maybe next time they'll give the videogame world what they want instead of just adding a fresh coat of paint to past games.

[no.1gamer]

Well, I don't know if any of you remember my thread about review scores a week or 2 ago. I commented that most review scores seem suspiciously similar to each other. I wouldn't expect that every game reviewer to play MKDD will like it. So in a way I'm happy to see people voicing their opinion instead of just "going with the flow." I know that you guys are expecting me to defend MKDD to the grave just because it is a Nintendo game and I am one of the biggest GCN fans here. But I'm not so big of a Nintendo fanboy that I'm blinded by reality. I think that Luigi's Mansion is a real crappy game and would probably give it a score somewhere between 60-75%. I'm still willing to bet that MKDD will be a great game and will have other favorable reviews. I think the mention of Crimson Skies did subtract from this reviewers credibility. Super Smash Bros. Melee is a relevant comparison because it's also on the GCN, but why mention a game that only appears on the PC and Xbox and is not a cart racing game?

I hope to see a wider variety of review scores on more games. And keep in mind that many truly great games have critics. Eternal Darkness comes to mind…

[trebor]

Basically the reviewer saw what anybody thats played the old N64 classic saw.The same game with a brand new paint job.Nothing really new to brag about here.Yes being able to sit two characters in one car is all good,but is it really anything new? No.Same goes for RS III.Nice to look at,but was it really anything new compared to the RS's of the past? No. So dont blow a gasket because somebody at IGN chose to tell the truth.Gamers dont mind change.

Actually, fella, RS3 was bashed because of trying new things - the now infamous "on-foot" segments. The multiplayer, ground vehicles, and "on-foot" elements are all new to the series.

So your wrong, apparantly gamers do mind change. Instead of crediting Factor 5 for taking the series in a new direction, or enjoying the awesome AT-ST and Speeder Bike sequences, or the completely fantastic multiplayer portions, it's all "On-foot sucks! Boo hoo. Wah."

So much for your theory.


But at least if you are going to put a popular franchise on another console the least the developers of the game can do is give us more of the same of the original,but throw in alot of things to make it that much better.Apparently Nintendo didnt do that with this or RS III.Not to mention neither game really was pushing the GC's power to the limit either.

I don't even know what the hell you are talking about anymore.

[Darwin]

One paragraph of IGN's review that caught my attention was this:

"This better compatibility with the casual gamer is nice, but simplifying the gameplay has serious repercussions to the Mario Kart fans. You pick up double the items over tracks that haven't increased much in size. This makes placing first in races very random and left to chance. There is no real way to defend against a lighting bolt or the deadly first-place-seeking blue shell. This makes 150cc circuits and multiplayer very frustrating, since the best driver in the world can drop from first to last place if a few nasty items are played. The use of the ghost item is gone, too, which further removes the balance."

It seems very similar to what I'm seeing with the F-zero game that was released recently. Nintendo is not really progressing their old franchises much. But at least F-zero has good/large level designs.

My basic problem with F-zero and the mario kart series is the unballanced gameplay, especially in single player. Huge rubber-banding, 3-lap races, and cheap tactics by the AI means that winning a race involves a significant degree of luck. Yes, there is some skill to driving correctly, but the gamer is not really rewarded for their overall peformance. Get hit by the leader-seeking turtle shell (for which there is no way to defend) in the last lap and your "skill" that you displayed by getting in first is now negated. Incessant ramming by the AI (for which you cannot return the favor) is not ballanced racing.

These types of games are indeed easy to get into and make some great party games. But they lack long-term depth. From what IGN said about Double Dash and from what I've seen in F-zero, neither of these titles are really doing anything new or progressive.

[The Prince of Darkness]

"So your wrong, apparantly gamers do mind change. Instead of crediting Factor 5 for taking the series in a new direction, or enjoying the awesome AT-ST and Speeder Bike sequences, or the completely fantastic multiplayer portions, it's all "On-foot sucks! Boo hoo. Wah." "

Was it a matter of minding the change or that the reviewers felt that the change was implemented poorly? I will take change any day as long as it is implemented properly. It sounds like you are the one that is boo hooing about it.

[Darwin]

<div class=\"smallfont\">
Was it a matter of minding the change or that the reviewers felt that the change was implemented poorly? I will take change any day as long as it is implemented properly. It sounds like you are the one that is boo hooing about it.</div>

Absolutely. Evolution of gameplay, i.e. change, is always good for gamers in the long run. Without it, we would not even have the games we see today. However, if something innovative is put into a game but not implemented well, we cannot praise it.

For example, the newest Tony Hawk game (THUG) has added in the ability to move around on foot (without the skateboard) as well as drive vehicles. New ideas for the series. However, I've rented THUG and this driving aspect is poorly executed. Driving in THUG seems very out of place and doesn't contribute to the overall game. The cars control like crap and the missions involving car driving are weak and pointless. On the other hand, I think the on-foot portion was done fairly well and allows you better access to higher areas and allows you to properly line up your starting point for a run. Two new ideas for a game: one sucks but the other seems to work pretty well.

["The Game"Evolution]

<div class=\"smallfont\">Actually, fella, RS3 was bashed because of trying new things - the now infamous "on-foot" segments. The multiplayer, ground vehicles, and "on-foot" elements are all new to the series.

So your wrong, apparantly gamers do mind change. Instead of crediting Factor 5 for taking the series in a new direction, or enjoying the awesome AT-ST and Speeder Bike sequences, or the completely fantastic multiplayer portions, it's all "On-foot sucks! Boo hoo. Wah."

So much for your theory.



I don't even know what the hell you are talking about anymore.</div>

First off,the developers of RS III should've realized that the on foot missions was not the way to go from the get go.Let us reflect on what made the old Star Wars Games on the SNES so great.Lets see combining the best of platform gaming with the best of action/adventure all together.Another thing that made all three so good is the fact that everything that happened in the Star Wars movies happened in the game.Did RS III follow all 3 movies to the letter? No.Is Luke vs.Darth Vader in the game? No.

Not from the Empire Strikes Back or from Return Of The Jedi.What fun is that? I mean just think if Factor 5 couldve brought all 3 chapters back to life with the power of the GC pushing it to the limit.This game wouldve been a hit.Some of the new additions was fine,but how much of the old Star Wars games was truly left out? A bunch!

If you dont know what I'm saying then thats on you.

[The Prince of Darkness]

<div class=\"smallfont\">One paragraph of IGN's review that caught my attention was this:

"This better compatibility with the casual gamer is nice, but simplifying the gameplay has serious repercussions to the Mario Kart fans. You pick up double the items over tracks that haven't increased much in size. This makes placing first in races very random and left to chance. There is no real way to defend against a lighting bolt or the deadly first-place-seeking blue shell. This makes 150cc circuits and multiplayer very frustrating, since the best driver in the world can drop from first to last place if a few nasty items are played. The use of the ghost item is gone, too, which further removes the balance."

It seems very similar to what I'm seeing with the F-zero game that was released recently. Nintendo is not really progressing their old franchises much. But at least F-zero has good/large level designs.

My basic problem with F-zero and the mario kart series is the unballanced gameplay, especially in single player. Huge rubber-banding, 3-lap races, and cheap tactics by the AI means that winning a race involves a significant degree of luck. Yes, there is some skill to driving correctly, but the gamer is not really rewarded for their overall peformance. Get hit by the leader-seeking turtle shell (for which there is no way to defend) in the last lap and your "skill" that you displayed by getting in first is now negated. Incessant ramming by the AI (for which you cannot return the favor) is not ballanced racing.

These types of games are indeed easy to get into and make some great party games. But they lack long-term depth. From what IGN said about Double Dash and from what I've seen in F-zero, neither of these titles are really doing anything new or progressive.</div>


Exactly and that makes these games excellent "party games" but not much else imo.

[trebor]

Was it a matter of minding the change or that the reviewers felt that the change was implemented poorly? I will take change any day as long as it is implemented properly. It sounds like you are the one that is boo hooing about it.

I think it was a mix of both "minding the change" and the change being implemented poorly.

For one thing, some of the changes (multiplayer and ground vehicles) are implemented properly - but you wouldn't know that based on the reviews, which seem focused on the "on-foot" portions. Or, for that matter, the newer graphics engine, which allowed for more enemies wasn't particularly met with too much enthusiasm - although it should have been.

Trust me, read some reviews to see why I said gamers are "boo hooing" about the "on-foot" portions. They almost sound like the entire game was "on-foot" with no vehicle missions at all, the way they go on and on about it.

p.s. What's up with your quotes not working correctly?

[mass]

Having read the review, I think they were being generous with the final score of 7.9. Unless you're thinking multiplayer, this game looks like a POS, much like Mario Kart 64 was. The AI was bad and cheated like hell in MK64. Uninspired track design, check, just like MK64. Please, somebody explain to me, what makes this game even remotely special. What, two characters in a kart? Can you say, "Gimmick."

Just another nintendo game exploiting its rapidly eroding franchise characters. Geez, it's time to end this, Nintendo before you wind up so horribly out of touch with what's going on in the gaming world, the possiblity of a comeback will be long and gone.

I gotta laugh, man, all these first party killer app titles for the gc, Mario Kart DD, Mario Party 5, Rebel Strike. Who's up for 1080 Avalanche as the next Nintendo savior. No wonder this system is $99. It'd be an outrage to ask any more than that for a gc. Nintendo doesn't miss Rare. Well, they're missing somebody, because this holiday lineup is tanking. It's for kids, you know.

Too bad, cause the gc has some juice, but if all you're going to do is the same old stuff from yesteryear, what's the point of new hardware. Still looking for something for the gc to go along with Viewtiful Joe. Looks like I'll have to wait till next year.

[Gadfly2317]

<div class=\"smallfont\">Having read the review, I think they were being generous with the final score of 7.9. Unless you're thinking multiplayer, this game looks like a POS, much like Mario Kart 64 was. The AI was bad and cheated like hell in MK64. Uninspired track design, check, just like MK64. Please, somebody explain to me, what makes this game even remotely special. What, two characters in a kart? Can you say, "Gimmick."

Just another nintendo game exploiting its rapidly eroding franchise characters. Geez, it's time to end this, Nintendo before you wind up so horribly out of touch with what's going on in the gaming world, the possiblity of a comeback will be long and gone.

I gotta laugh, man, all these first party killer app titles for the gc, Mario Kart DD, Mario Party 5, Rebel Strike. Who's up for 1080 Avalanche as the next Nintendo savior. No wonder this system is $99. It'd be an outrage to ask any more than that for a gc. Nintendo doesn't miss Rare. Well, they're missing somebody, because this holiday lineup is tanking. It's for kids, you know.

Too bad, cause the gc has some juice, but if all you're going to do is the same old stuff from yesteryear, what's the point of new hardware. Still looking for something for the gc to go along with Viewtiful Joe. Looks like I'll have to wait till next year.</div>

Let me clear my head here, with a tremendous yawn. It's only fair, you yawned more than once in your post. And let me agree with you. It would have been nice if everybody had made a more powerful showing this fall/winter.

But at the same time, you're looking for a Savior for Nintendo? It looks about a wash. Unless you're going to throw the well rated Topspin into this; but you've rarely been a hypocrite, and I recall you laughing at the idea of Golf and Tennis games as killer apps. When you get down to it, both systems (aside from a few killer exclusives) are host to some great multi-system titles like Prince of Persia, True Crime, and Beyond Good and Evil, with negligible graphical differences. So yeah, $99 pretty much kicks ass for a lot of consumers looking for next gen "juice" as you put it. Gamecube, as you say, has plenty of juice, being put to good use on more than just Viewtiful Joe, the best game of the last 6 months. Great games, great system, great price. It's no wonder we're seeing total xbox annihilation in Japan, the lead in EU, and even a faster selling cube in the US, rapidly closing the U.S gap.

So go ahead with your biased Mario Kart nitpicking. How many really fun (unrealistic) racing games have rubberbanding AI? I'm sure there are flaws in MK, as with most games. But I'd still be surprised if this wasn't one of the most fun games of the season. That appears to be the concensus of people who've played the games. It seems sycophanitc to be sucking up to this one reviewer just because he confirms your personal bias.

I did like this though:

"Just another nintendo game exploiting its rapidly eroding franchise characters. Geez, it's time to end this, Nintendo before you wind up so horribly out of touch with what's going on in the gaming world,"

So give us your suggestions, master designer. What would you have Nintendo bring us to keep up "with what's going on in the gaming world?" Sorry, but nintendo already went on record ruling out having Mario rape and murder whores. Maybe they could resurrect long absent franchises; you know, the big anticipated hits of the season being PoP and Ninja Gaiden, old games.

I mean, the only new idea's of this generation I've seen have been from Nintendo (or collaborating companies), and we know how much you detest Animal Crossing, Pikmin, and Monkey Ball.

Whoever said we need an Act Raiser sequel had the right idea. New ideas. . . who needs 'em? Certainly not xbots, who have to change their pants everytime new screenshots of Halo II are released.

[Rogue Bounty Hunter]

I wouldn't be surprised if Gamespot gives Mario Kart: Double Dash a score that doesn't even hit the 7s.

[folken001]

<div class=\"smallfont\">I wouldn't be surprised if Gamespot gives Mario Kart: Double Dash a score that doesn't even hit the 7s.</div>

Mario Kart 64 was fun, no? The concept is going to be there in the new MK, why is it that you dislike it so much already without playing? Mass is just angry all the time and no one really take his biase to heart anyway, but you too...? I don't understand....

["The Game"Evolution]

<div class=\"smallfont\"><div class=\"smallfont\"></div>

Mario Kart 64 was fun, no? The concept is going to be there in the new MK, why is it that you dislike it so much already without playing? Mass is just angry all the time and no one really take his biase to heart anyway, but you too...? I don't understand....</div>

A console as powerful as the Gamecube there is no excuse as to why Nintendo did not put a game as fun as Mario Kart online.Same can be said about Super Smash Bros.Melee and F-Zero.Playing Mario Kart on the GC is nothing more than playing MK 64 again with a paint job.

Yes there are a few nice touches added to the game,but the only thing that really goes through GC owners minds is:"How much more fun would this game have been if it was online?" Let me ask you this Folken:Why would Nintendo sign a deal with AOL if they have no intention on making any online games for the GC in the near future?

[mass]

Let me clear my head here, with a tremendous yawn. It's only fair, you yawned more than once in your post. And let me agree with you. It would have been nice if everybody had made a more powerful showing this fall/winter.

But at the same time, you're looking for a Savior for Nintendo? It looks about a wash. Unless you're going to throw the well rated Topspin into this; but you've rarely been a hypocrite, and I recall you laughing at the idea of Golf and Tennis games as killer apps. When you get down to it, both systems (aside from a few killer exclusives) are host to some great multi-system titles like Prince of Persia, True Crime, and Beyond Good and Evil, with negligible graphical differences. So yeah, $99 pretty much kicks ass for a lot of consumers looking for next gen &quot;juice&quot; as you put it. Gamecube, as you say, has plenty of juice, being put to good use on more than just Viewtiful Joe, the best game of the last 6 months. Great games, great system, great price. It's no wonder we're seeing total xbox annihilation in Japan, the lead in EU, and even a faster selling cube in the US, rapidly closing the U.S gap.

So go ahead with your biased Mario Kart nitpicking. How many really fun (unrealistic) racing games have rubberbanding AI? I'm sure there are flaws in MK, as with most games. But I'd still be surprised if this wasn't one of the most fun games of the season. That appears to be the concensus of people who've played the games. It seems sycophanitc to be sucking up to this one reviewer just because he confirms your personal bias.

I did like this though:

&quot;Just another nintendo game exploiting its rapidly eroding franchise characters. Geez, it's time to end this, Nintendo before you wind up so horribly out of touch with what's going on in the gaming world,&quot;

So give us your suggestions, master designer. What would you have Nintendo bring us to keep up &quot;with what's going on in the gaming world?&quot; Sorry, but nintendo already went on record ruling out having Mario rape and murder whores. Maybe they could resurrect long absent franchises; you know, the big anticipated hits of the season being PoP and Ninja Gaiden, old games.

I mean, the only new idea's of this generation I've seen have been from Nintendo (or collaborating companies), and we know how much you detest Animal Crossing, Pikmin, and Monkey Ball.

Whoever said we need an Act Raiser sequel had the right idea. New ideas. . . who needs 'em? Certainly not xbots, who have to change their pants everytime new screenshots of Halo II are released.

Geez, gazoo, every time you post, I have to stifle a yawn. At least MS is putting out platformers, a former, as in past tense, strong suit of Nintendo. No more, see ya, bye. Asta la vista, baby. PS2 once again mops the floor with Nintendo in the platforming area with R&C and Jak and Daxter. What's nintendo the king of anyway these days. Oh, yeah, fun.
:rolleyes:

Nobody makes funner games than Nintendo. Oh, vay! This company is shooting so many blanks, they're going to get arrested for impersonating a former great developer. At least MS is attempting to put out software. Nintendo isn't even doing that. Their output this year is pathetic. Yeah, yeah, I know, quality over quantity mantra. Give it up, there's no quality in tripe like Wario World, Kirby's Air Ride, or Mario Party 5. So what we have is the least quantity and a quality control department asleep at the wheel lately. How can you keep defending the laziest, most arrogant developer in the vid game biz today?

MS has put out Top Spin, Crimson Skies, Amped2 as of late. PGR2 is around the corner, Counterstrike to follow. Links, NHL Rivals, NBA Inside Drive. GBTG isn't much, but it's better than the non-existent platformer courtesy of Nintendo. Hell, gc fans are too stupid to even realize that very little first party nintendo product is actually even from nintendo anymore. Treasure, HAL, Sega all figure prominently in nintendo's first party offerings.

You know gazoo, you're about as out of touch as nintendo is. My favorite part of GTA3 is just cruising around listening to the talk radio station and scoping the goings-on. If you had a clue in the world, you'd realize that violence isn't what sold all those copies of GTA3 and Vice City.

As for Nintendo, start investing money in some ambitious projects you penny pinching bastards, instead of recycling old n64 games. At least when I look at MS and Sony, fail or succeed, at least THEY get it. The cheezy graphics, repetitive midi style muzak, crap presentaion, all too familiar gameplay and level design have got to go. The only reason the cube is selling right now, gazoo, is, it's cheap. That's it. NO killer software is driving sales. Just the price, and that ain't gonna last for long.

You got an xbox now, you gonna wait for the cube of versions of Beyond Good and Evil and Prince of Persia. OR you gonna pick them up for the xbox. Keep telling me how much you love your cube a year from now. If this company doesn't change its ways, they're dead in the water. Sony and MS won't have to do a thing. Nintendo will just fade into obsolesence like so many other companies before it.

["The Game"Evolution]

<div class=\"smallfont\">Geez, gazoo, every time you post, I have to stifle a yawn. At least MS is putting out platformers, a former, as in past tense, strong suit of Nintendo. No more, see ya, bye. Asta la vista, baby. PS2 once again mops the floor with Nintendo in the platforming area with R&C and Jak and Daxter. What's nintendo the king of anyway these days. Oh, yeah, fun.
:rolleyes:

Nobody makes funner games than Nintendo. Oh, vay! This company is shooting so many blanks, they're going to get arrested for impersonating a former great developer. At least MS is attempting to put out software. Nintendo isn't even doing that. Their output this year is pathetic. Yeah, yeah, I know, quality over quantity mantra. Give it up, there's no quality in tripe like Wario World, Kirby's Air Ride, or Mario Party 5. So what we have is the least quantity and a quality control department asleep at the wheel lately. How can you keep defending the laziest, most arrogant developer in the vid game biz today?

MS has put out Top Spin, Crimson Skies, Amped2 as of late. PGR2 is around the corner, Counterstrike to follow. Links, NHL Rivals, NBA Inside Drive. GBTG isn't much, but it's better than the non-existent platformer courtesy of Nintendo. Hell, gc fans are too stupid to even realize that very little first party nintendo product is actually even from nintendo anymore. Treasure, HAL, Sega all figure prominently in nintendo's first party offerings.

You know gazoo, you're about as out of touch as nintendo is. My favorite part of GTA3 is just cruising around listening to the talk radio station and scoping the goings-on. If you had a clue in the world, you'd realize that violence isn't what sold all those copies of GTA3 and Vice City.

As for Nintendo, start investing money in some ambitious projects you penny pinching bastards, instead of recycling old n64 games. At least when I look at MS and Sony, fail or succeed, at least THEY get it. The cheezy graphics, repetitive midi style muzak, crap presentaion, all too familiar gameplay and level design have got to go. The only reason the cube is selling right now, gazoo, is, it's cheap. That's it. NO killer software is driving sales. Just the price, and that ain't gonna last for long.

You got an xbox now, you gonna wait for the cube of versions of Beyond Good and Evil and Prince of Persia. OR you gonna pick them up for the xbox. Keep telling me how much you love your cube a year from now. If this company doesn't change its ways, they're dead in the water. Sony and MS won't have to do a thing. Nintendo will just fade into obsolesence like so many other companies before it.</div>

A little edgy but still a good post.

[Gadfly2317]

<div class=\"smallfont\">Geez, gazoo, every time you post, I have to stifle a yawn. At least MS is putting out platformers, a former, as in past tense, strong suit of Nintendo. No more, see ya, bye. Asta la vista, baby. PS2 once again mops the floor with Nintendo in the platforming area with R&C and Jak and Daxter. What's nintendo the king of anyway these days. Oh, yeah, fun.
:rolleyes:

Nobody makes funner games than Nintendo. Oh, vay! This company is shooting so many blanks, they're going to get arrested for impersonating a former great developer. At least MS is attempting to put out software. Nintendo isn't even doing that. Their output this year is pathetic. Yeah, yeah, I know, quality over quantity mantra. Give it up, there's no quality in tripe like Wario World, Kirby's Air Ride, or Mario Party 5. So what we have is the least quantity and a quality control department asleep at the wheel lately. How can you keep defending the laziest, most arrogant developer in the vid game biz today?

MS has put out Top Spin, Crimson Skies, Amped2 as of late. PGR2 is around the corner, Counterstrike to follow. Links, NHL Rivals, NBA Inside Drive. GBTG isn't much, but it's better than the non-existent platformer courtesy of Nintendo. Hell, gc fans are too stupid to even realize that very little first party nintendo product is actually even from nintendo anymore. Treasure, HAL, Sega all figure prominently in nintendo's first party offerings.

You know gazoo, you're about as out of touch as nintendo is. My favorite part of GTA3 is just cruising around listening to the talk radio station and scoping the goings-on. If you had a clue in the world, you'd realize that violence isn't what sold all those copies of GTA3 and Vice City.

As for Nintendo, start investing money in some ambitious projects you penny pinching bastards, instead of recycling old n64 games. At least when I look at MS and Sony, fail or succeed, at least THEY get it. The cheezy graphics, repetitive midi style muzak, crap presentaion, all too familiar gameplay and level design have got to go. The only reason the cube is selling right now, gazoo, is, it's cheap. That's it. NO killer software is driving sales. Just the price, and that ain't gonna last for long.

You got an xbox now, you gonna wait for the cube of versions of Beyond Good and Evil and Prince of Persia. OR you gonna pick them up for the xbox. Keep telling me how much you love your cube a year from now. If this company doesn't change its ways, they're dead in the water. Sony and MS won't have to do a thing. Nintendo will just fade into obsolesence like so many other companies before it.</div>

My favorite part of Vice City was driving around listening to the radio stations too. Great humor on the talk stations. There is more to this game than violence, but that was a huge part of the hype around this game.

Wait for the cube versions of BG&E and PoP? Aren't they slated for simultaneous launch across all consoles and PC? Anyway, I don't think I'm getting either until probably january. I'm curious to compare the xbox and gc versions; I really do like the wavebird control better and that's more important to me than slight graphical differences. If it is a drastic difference though, I'd definitely go with the xbox version.

Anyway, your main point was why am I defending Nintendo? Mainly, I just think the attacks are misguided, though not entirely mistaken. There are valid criticisms of Nintendo. But the thing is, there are a lot of killer titles on the gamecube, and since the system has no extras, it just plays games, it is really inexpensive and so there's no excuse to miss out. Some of the best games I've ever played are on it, and I don't think gamers should miss out on them. Because I like games like Metroid Prime, Viewtiful Joe, Monkey Ball, and Pikmin, I like to see those games succeed so that developers will continue to take risks and put out cool stuff. And that's why I'm glad to see Nintendo outselling a product backed by the largest monopolist on earth. It's rare anymore to see the little guy win. . . usually its the guy with the most money and the most advertising, not the best product.

[Rogue Bounty Hunter]

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Mario Kart 64 was fun, no? The concept is going to be there in the new MK, why is it that you dislike it so much already without playing? Mass is just angry all the time and no one really take his biase to heart anyway, but you too...? I don't understand....</div>

I've already played the demo for Double Dash. Felt just like MK 64, and I doubt they changed anything from the demo to the final version. That's all the proof I need.

[Rogue Bounty Hunter]

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Wait for the cube versions of BG&E and PoP? Aren't they slated for simultaneous launch across all consoles and PC? Anyway, I don't think I'm getting either until probably january. I'm curious to compare the xbox and gc versions; I really do like the wavebird control better and that's more important to me than slight graphical differences. If it is a drastic difference though, I'd definitely go with the xbox version.

</div>


So far, I have seen the console releases of PoP roll out one console version at a time. The PS2 version is already out, the Xbox version is in stores as of today, the GC version next week. I'm not sure when the PC version is coming out.

As far as BG&E, they should all be in stores at the same time, but I've only seen the PS2 version reviewed, so that may be the only one in stores as of now.

["The Game"Evolution]

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My favorite part of Vice City was driving around listening to the radio stations too. Great humor on the talk stations. There is more to this game than violence, but that was a huge part of the hype around this game.

Wait for the cube versions of BG&E and PoP? Aren't they slated for simultaneous launch across all consoles and PC? Anyway, I don't think I'm getting either until probably january. I'm curious to compare the xbox and gc versions; I really do like the wavebird control better and that's more important to me than slight graphical differences. If it is a drastic difference though, I'd definitely go with the xbox version.

Anyway, your main point was why am I defending Nintendo? Mainly, I just think the attacks are misguided, though not entirely mistaken. There are valid criticisms of Nintendo. But the thing is, there are a lot of killer titles on the gamecube, and since the system has no extras, it just plays games, it is really inexpensive and so there's no excuse to miss out. Some of the best games I've ever played are on it, and I don't think gamers should miss out on them. Because I like games like Metroid Prime, Viewtiful Joe, Monkey Ball, and Pikmin, I like to see those games succeed so that developers will continue to take risks and put out cool stuff. And that's why I'm glad to see Nintendo outselling a product backed by the largest monopolist on earth. It's rare anymore to see the little guy win. . . usually its the guy with the most money and the most advertising, not the best product.</div>

Nintendo and Sony were already established before Bill Gates brought life to the Xbox two years ago.So basicially to borrow your theory Gadfly MS is really the little guys thats going up against the two giants that not only has the most clout in the videogame industry but also has the most money.In addition also does the most advertising.And at times both hasnt always produced the best products themselves over the years.

Your theory,not mine.

[GameLegend]

So what if IGN gives it a 7.9..big deal
Its only one source and only one person reviewed it. Possibly they hold a sort of a grudge against nintendo..
I dont think we go so far to conclude this game as a crappy until we have actually played it.

[Gadfly2317]

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I've already played the demo for Double Dash. Felt just like MK 64, and I doubt they changed anything from the demo to the final version. That's all the proof I need.</div>

I expect it WOULD be a lot like MK64. This isn't a game like Pikmin or Splinter Cell where drastic differences are possible--(Pikmin has been altered drastically in what you can do.) Because this is racing. Racing is pretty much racing: you are in a vehicle, you go around a track, you try to come in first. In the Mario Kart case, coming in first is half the fun, the big thing is blowing the crap out of your friends. It is just a fun game.

All racing games I can think of, the sequels are just more cars, better physics, better graphics, and new tracks. If the core game experience is still fun, then any race fan is going to be happy with it. There just isn't as much room to innovate in this genre. Yet we do see a real twist in the game play in MK: DD. It is disingenuous to call the 2 riders per kart a "gimmick" when it plays a big part of your weapon strategy.

People are nitpicking this game to death with no good reason. It's pulling in extremely high review scores, people that have played it virtually all claim to be having a blast, and it is a good reviewers job to thoroughly point out any weaknesses a game might have, and most games have some. It's pretty telling when xbots only ammunition is that a nintendo game doesn't completely revolutionize the industry or a particular genre. I'd agree, MK: DD is not a gaming revolution, its just a really great, fun game. What a stupid thing to get have a grudge against.

[mass]

My favorite part of Vice City was driving around listening to the radio stations too. Great humor on the talk stations. There is more to this game than violence, but that was a huge part of the hype around this game.

Wait for the cube versions of BG&amp;E and PoP? Aren't they slated for simultaneous launch across all consoles and PC? Anyway, I don't think I'm getting either until probably january. I'm curious to compare the xbox and gc versions; I really do like the wavebird control better and that's more important to me than slight graphical differences. If it is a drastic difference though, I'd definitely go with the xbox version.

Anyway, your main point was why am I defending Nintendo? Mainly, I just think the attacks are misguided, though not entirely mistaken. There are valid criticisms of Nintendo. But the thing is, there are a lot of killer titles on the gamecube, and since the system has no extras, it just plays games, it is really inexpensive and so there's no excuse to miss out. Some of the best games I've ever played are on it, and I don't think gamers should miss out on them. Because I like games like Metroid Prime, Viewtiful Joe, Monkey Ball, and Pikmin, I like to see those games succeed so that developers will continue to take risks and put out cool stuff. And that's why I'm glad to see Nintendo outselling a product backed by the largest monopolist on earth. It's rare anymore to see the little guy win. . . usually its the guy with the most money and the most advertising, not the best product.

Nintendo the little guy? Nintendo was the largest monopolist in the video game business at one time, then they decided they wanted the entire pie to themselves. Thus began the n64 project, codenamed, total control. That's where nintendo sought to keep third parties at bay and make sure their slice was as big as possible.

Nintendo is in the trouble they're in due to disastrous policies they've implemented on high. They made the decision to become a toy company, selling their proprietary nintendo wares, but that strategy is unravelling. It depends entirely on your ability to move first party titles, and except for Zelda this year, they really don't have a big hit.

Yeah, you have to wait for gamecube versions. True Crime for the gc just came out. POP is out early for the ps2. The xbox and gc versions are supposed to be out simultaneously, but I got a feeling the gc version will lag. BG&E will see the gc version a good two weeks later than the xbox version. Doesn't sound like much, but if you're a multi-platfrom owner it kiils any and all hope of nintendo selling the gc copies to them. No sales, no royalties, no money in the bank. Your competition winds up with the dinero. Just another nail in the coffin, so to speak. It could be that third parties are sick of dealing with nintendo's brainswashed masses who'll buy the next mario kart no matter how mediocre the offering and are moving titles away from MK's release date. Whatever the reason, none of it is to nintendo's good.

I'm kind of hoping somebody at nintendo will wake up from that self-induced coma they're in, and realize the house is on fire, and somebody ought to do something before the whole house burns down. Dropping the price on your console is not a solution, it's a band-aid. Where's the software? Kart racer, party game, c'mon if these games came from anybody but nintendo, they'd be laughed out of the industry thinking these are big games. Nintendo's just a big ostrich with its head in the sand waiting to get trampled.

Think about it, how in the world did Sony get so frickin' big and they're just on their second console. Is it sony genius or is it nintendo stupidity?

[mass]

You can now make it double ouch! Gamespot gives MK:DD the same exact score although they seem a little more positive. Here's the summary.

Your nostalgia for past Mario Kart games will likely determine how strongly you take to Double Dash.


Despite the fact that it's still essentially the same game as Super Mario Kart, there is no denying the innate quality of the production of Double Dash. The game looks and moves great, the controls are responsive, and there's a nice variety of gameplay modes available. Still, considering the seven-year gap since Mario Kart 64 was released, it's hard not to be a little disappointed with the limited scope of the game. All of the items on the "things you need to make a Mario Kart game" checklist have been marked off, but the envelope hasn't been pushed, and in some respects, it feels as though Nintendo is just going through the motions. While this might trigger a nice little fit of nostalgia for players who had a blast playing Super Mario Kart in its heyday, it probably won't do much to seduce newer generations of gamers who have more exciting, inventive racing fare to choose from.

Going through the emotions, exactly. That's nintendo to a tee, just going through the motions and they want my bread for warmed over leftovers. Sorry, I think I'll pass on yet another supposed AAA title that's funner than anything on this planet just because it comes from nintendo. When are people going to wake up to the fact that the emporer has no clothes. It makes me wonder what kind of opiates those clowns over at EGM are inhaling when they rated this a near perfect game. It's a kart game, for fricks sake, a kart game we've already seen and played in two previous incarnations. When mario kart came out for the snes, it was a breath of fresh air, and marked the beginning of a new genre. Now, it's stale air, and the genre has been past its prime for a while.

Nintendo just doesn't get it. 1080 Snowboarding is the next ancient franchise to be resurrected. Is there a point or a reason for this game with SSX3 already out. Blue Storm already buried the Wave Race franchise, now they're ready to bury another.

Oh, well, there's always Pokemon Coleseum to save the day. Can hardly wait for the next-gen improvements on that one.

[folken001]

<div class=\"smallfont\">You can now make it double ouch! Gamespot gives MK:DD the same exact score although they seem a little more positive. Here's the summary.

Your nostalgia for past Mario Kart games will likely determine how strongly you take to Double Dash.


Despite the fact that it's still essentially the same game as Super Mario Kart, there is no denying the innate quality of the production of Double Dash. The game looks and moves great, the controls are responsive, and there's a nice variety of gameplay modes available. Still, considering the seven-year gap since Mario Kart 64 was released, it's hard not to be a little disappointed with the limited scope of the game. All of the items on the "things you need to make a Mario Kart game" checklist have been marked off, but the envelope hasn't been pushed, and in some respects, it feels as though Nintendo is just going through the motions. While this might trigger a nice little fit of nostalgia for players who had a blast playing Super Mario Kart in its heyday, it probably won't do much to seduce newer generations of gamers who have more exciting, inventive racing fare to choose from.

Going through the emotions, exactly. That's nintendo to a tee, just going through the motions and they want my bread for warmed over leftovers. Sorry, I think I'll pass on yet another supposed AAA title that's funner than anything on this planet just because it comes from nintendo. When are people going to wake up to the fact that the emporer has no clothes. It makes me wonder what kind of opiates those clowns over at EGM are inhaling when they rated this a near perfect game. It's a kart game, for fricks sake, a kart game we've already seen and played in two previous incarnations. When mario kart came out for the snes, it was a breath of fresh air, and marked the beginning of a new genre. Now, it's stale air, and the genre has been past its prime for a while.

Nintendo just doesn't get it. 1080 Snowboarding is the next ancient franchise to be resurrected. Is there a point or a reason for this game with SSX3 already out. Blue Storm already buried the Wave Race franchise, now they're ready to bury another.

Oh, well, there's always Pokemon Coleseum to save the day. Can hardly wait for the next-gen improvements on that one.</div>

Yea, I kinda agree with you here. There are too many remakes and not enough new games from Nintendo. Let me tell what Nintendo lacks, innovation. That is exactly what M$&Xbox have over Nintendo. For example, MS grab the PC that has been around for years and turn it into a console, The Xbox. Then MS charges for using the DVD rom that comes with it. It gave a new name to a generic FPS and it sold like a hot cake. What is even better? M$ decided to put up a service that has been free with the exception of RPG on PC and charge people 50 bucks a year. Hey some people never have never seen this being done before, think it's new and freaking happy to pay it. Man, MS is sure a innovator. Hell, I wish Nintendo would come up with these next-gen methods to ripping people off in disguise so we can lose our money and yet be damn happy about it!

Gosh, I am so mad at nintendo right now.

[shogun]

Mario Kart isn't my cup of tea.I never intended to get it, and the reviews haven't changed my mind.

I'm suprised...not because the game has been panned by a few critics..nearly every game, no matter how good, gets a few negative reviews. What I find suprising is that certain posters (I'm looking in your direction Mass) after accusing GC owners of jumping on every piece of good news, start cheering the second Double Dash gets a single mediocre review. Wow...some of you peeps reeeally were praying this game would tank. The game has an above-90 average on GR. It takes a LOT of bias to ignore the majority of reviews and only listen to the reviews that tell you what you want to hear. Perhaps us "XBox" haters should look at those sub-70% reviews of DOA...lot of the lower reviews cited the same "redundant" gameplay you guys are saying Double Dash has. Same with Panzer Dragoon. And perhaps Halo is repetitive as Game Informer says it is..."shrug." I suppose XBox owners are lucky that GC players aren't as desperate to discredit their games as they are.

["The Game"Evolution]

<div class=\"smallfont\">Mario Kart isn't my cup of tea.I never intended to get it, and the reviews haven't changed my mind.

I'm suprised...not because the game has been panned by a few critics..nearly every game, no matter how good, gets a few negative reviews. What I find suprising is that certain posters (I'm looking in your direction Mass) after accusing GC owners of jumping on every piece of good news, start cheering the second Double Dash gets a single mediocre review. Wow...some of you peeps reeeally were praying this game would tank. The game has an above-90 average on GR. It takes a LOT of bias to ignore the majority of reviews and only listen to the reviews that tell you what you want to hear. Perhaps us "XBox" haters should look at those sub-70% reviews of DOA...lot of the lower reviews cited the same "redundant" gameplay you guys are saying Double Dash has. Same with Panzer Dragoon. And perhaps Halo is repetitive as Game Informer says it is..."shrug." I suppose XBox owners are lucky that GC players aren't as desperate to discredit their games as they are.</div>

Bottom line is Xbox owners has alot more to cheer about than GC owners.Gamewise Xbox games has been scoring high review scores right along with Nintendo.You cant compare a simple game like Double Dash to an excellent game like Panzer Dragoon Orta.Besides we already know whos the most desperate these days.$99 bucks for a console anyone? Enough said right there.

[folken001]

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Bottom line is Xbox owners has alot more to cheer about than GC owners.Gamewise Xbox games has been scoring high review scores right along with Nintendo.You cant compare a simple game like Double Dash to an excellent game like Panzer Dragoon Orta.Besides we already know whos the most desperate these days.$99 bucks for a console anyone? Enough said right there.</div>

haha, like what? Is it like how you cheered for that bruce lee game which is like one of worst game in history known to mankind? Or how xbots cheered for the mediocre fighter, DOA3? Or the retarded valleyball game that derived from it?

Ha, you guys sure have a lot more to cheer for....because Xbox excels in big varieties of genes, doesn't it? HAHAHAHAHA!

[Fragmastar]

<div class=\"smallfont\">Hey guys---go read the IGN review of Mario Kart. The guy felt so badly about panning the game that they even included "another take" by a different person. He even called the game perfect for kids. LMFAO!!!!!!</div>

There is no such thing as a perfect game for kids.

[The Prince of Darkness]

<div class=\"smallfont\"> I suppose XBox owners are lucky that GC players aren't as desperate to discredit their games as they are.</div>


Come on Shogun you have been around here longer than I have. Therefore, you know that is a bunch of sheet. GC players were the first ones to jump all over those games that you spoke of. The one's that hardly flinch anymore are the PS2 players because there is no need to really defend their system since it is 50 million strong.

[The Prince of Darkness]

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Yea, I kinda agree with you here. There are too many remakes and not enough new games from Nintendo. Let me tell what Nintendo lacks, innovation. That is exactly what M$&Xbox have over Nintendo. For example, MS grab the PC that has been around for years and turn it into a console, The Xbox. Then MS charges for using the DVD rom that comes with it. It gave a new name to a generic FPS and it sold like a hot cake. What is even better? M$ decided to put up a service that has been free with the exception of RPG on PC and charge people 50 bucks a year. Hey some people never have never seen this being done before, think it's new and freaking happy to pay it. Man, MS is sure a innovator. Hell, I wish Nintendo would come up with these next-gen methods to ripping people off in disguise so we can lose our money and yet be damn happy about it!

Gosh, I am so mad at nintendo right now.</div>

Hey Folken---instead of attempting to turn the argument into an argument about MS and the Xbox why not attempt to tell him why he is wrong about Nintendo. Oh that's right---you can't. Your best argument is that Mass is a hater because he expects more out of Nintendo and is sick of kissing their arse. Weak.

[The Buzz]

<div class=\"smallfont\">Having read the review, I think they were being generous with the final score of 7.9. Unless you're thinking multiplayer, this game looks like a POS, much like Mario Kart 64 was. The AI was bad and cheated like hell in MK64. Uninspired track design, check, just like MK64. Please, somebody explain to me, what makes this game even remotely special. What, two characters in a kart? Can you say, "Gimmick."

Just another nintendo game exploiting its rapidly eroding franchise characters. Geez, it's time to end this, Nintendo before you wind up so horribly out of touch with what's going on in the gaming world, the possiblity of a comeback will be long and gone.

I gotta laugh, man, all these first party killer app titles for the gc, Mario Kart DD, Mario Party 5, Rebel Strike. Who's up for 1080 Avalanche as the next Nintendo savior. No wonder this system is $99. It'd be an outrage to ask any more than that for a gc. Nintendo doesn't miss Rare. Well, they're missing somebody, because this holiday lineup is tanking. It's for kids, you know.

Too bad, cause the gc has some juice, but if all you're going to do is the same old stuff from yesteryear, what's the point of new hardware. Still looking for something for the gc to go along with Viewtiful Joe. Looks like I'll have to wait till next year.</div>

I know people bust you mass for being Mr "Negative" and MR "Naysayer"...well SOME do anyway...but now that I look at it you do make a somewhat valid point when you say... "No wonder this system is $99. It'd be an outrage to ask any more than that for a gc."

[meagher72]

$99 for a GC?

Throw in a game (of my choice or a damn good game) and two controllers and I will jump on that deal in a heartbeat

But, I will admit.... I would only buy it as a second machine.....

Nintendo made a grave error when they released the N64.....

Burnt me and many others for the last time.

I am a Playstation man now, and will be as long as Sony stays fair with us.

Sony has earned the top spot.

I really hope Nintendo pulls out of it's slow dive with the next generation of consoles for my own personal sentimental reasons, but it would take a hell of alot for me to jump ship again and go back to Nintendo as my main gaming platform.

Off topic a little perhaps... but hey this is my 50th post... so here it is!

[folken001]

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Hey Folken---instead of attempting to turn the argument into an argument about MS and the Xbox why not attempt to tell him why he is wrong about Nintendo. Oh that's right---you can't. Your best argument is that Mass is a hater because he expects more out of Nintendo and is sick of kissing their arse. Weak.</div>

Hmm... How can I point out why Mass is wrong when I agreed with him?

Read the post?

No one is kissing Nintendo's ass. If anything, even the last place Xbox gets more ass kissing from the community. Look at how some of people on this board sing MS' name to death? Who has been pimping Nintendo's greatness days in and days out? Virtually, there is no one. Don't blame people for getting excited for sequels of great classics. Or, are you xbots just jealous that no other games on Xbox gets same kinda attention other than Halo?

[folken001]

<div class=\"smallfont\"><div class=\"smallfont\"></div>

I know people bust you mass for being Mr "Negative" and MR "Naysayer"...well SOME do anyway...but now that I look at it you do make a somewhat valid point when you say... "No wonder this system is $99. It'd be an outrage to ask any more than that for a gc."</div>

Ha....

Is that why Xbox's price keeps going down consider how much it costs to make one?


Man, you xbots should all go live in Europe or something. Over there, MS gives you a system with 4 games for paying as much as you pay here for a xbox.

["The Game"Evolution]

<div class=\"smallfont\"><div class=\"smallfont\"></div>

Hmm... How can I point out why Mass is wrong when I agreed with him?

Read the post?

No one is kissing Nintendo's ass. If anything, even the last place Xbox gets more ass kissing from the community. Look at how some of people on this board sing MS' name to death? Who has been pimping Nintendo's greatness days in and days out? Virtually, there is no one. Don't blame people for getting excited for sequels of great classics. Or, are you xbots just jealous that no other games on Xbox gets same kinda attention other than Halo?</div>

Of course the Xbox gets more ass kissing from the community.Why? Lets see:You can play online games on the Xbox,you can listen to music on the Xbox,you can copy music tracks on the Xbox,you can watch DVD movies,plays games,great variety of exclusive and multiplatform titles, and has a built in hard drive.

The GC can play games,link up with the GBA,has great exclusive games and a varitey of multiplatform games,and one online game.

There is plenty of reasons to talk about the Xbox gamewise Folken.Lets see True Crime just came out,GTA Bundle pack just came out,Prince Of Persia just came out, and Counter Strike comes out this week.

Not bad for a month Folken.Besides I strongly believe that Mass hates Nintendo as much as you hate MS.Two peas in a pod if you ask me.

Its not Xbots fault that the PS2 nor the GC has an answer for Halo.Or just about anything else on the Xbox.LOL!

[Glockstar]

<div class=\"smallfont\">$99 for a GC?

Throw in a game (of my choice or a damn good game) and two controllers and I will jump on that deal in a heartbeat

But, I will admit.... I would only buy it as a second machine.....

Nintendo made a grave error when they released the N64.....

Burnt me and many others for the last time.

I am a Playstation man now, and will be as long as Sony stays fair with us.

Sony has earned the top spot.

I really hope Nintendo pulls out of it's slow dive with the next generation of consoles for my own personal sentimental reasons, but it would take a hell of alot for me to jump ship again and go back to Nintendo as my main gaming platform.

Off topic a little perhaps... but hey this is my 50th post... so here it is!</div>

No... that was a great post, m72.

Uhh... damn that looks an awful like something The Game would post, doesnt it?!?
*Yech*

I think I'm gonna go wash my keyboard now.

[Allisen1987]

I'm a big girl now, and I got two big TV's! I bought two Gamecubes and two copies of Mario Kart so I can play this game in 2-8 player glory! I'm sick of the bashing. I still havne't gotten my copies of it yet, but I don't expect anything about this game to be a disappointment. It's Mario Kart, and that's why it's kewlies! Toodles.

[The Prince of Darkness]

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Hmm... How can I point out why Mass is wrong when I agreed with him?

Read the post?

No one is kissing Nintendo's ass. If anything, even the last place Xbox gets more ass kissing from the community. Look at how some of people on this board sing MS' name to death? Who has been pimping Nintendo's greatness days in and days out? Virtually, there is no one. Don't blame people for getting excited for sequels of great classics. Or, are you xbots just jealous that no other games on Xbox gets same kinda attention other than Halo?</div>

Hmmmm---so that is your version of a post which is in agreement? Silly me I thought it seemed a little sarcastic. At least that was my take when I READ THE POST. Anyway Folken, if you are going to sit there and tell me that you honestly feel that Nintendo lacks innovation then I am sorry for calling you out.
As far as the major ass kissing of Nintendo that occurs, not only in this community but also in the real world, let me give you a little example. Look at the review scores for Mario Kart. All of them in the 9's except for Gamespot, IGN, and Gamespy. Which coincidently are the only ones that matter imo. What I also find strange is that Nintendo is relying so heavily on this title for the holiday season and all these other sites are giving a game that seems slightly above average scores in the 9's. Do you think that Gamespot, IGN, and Gamespy are wrong here Folken or is there some major ass kissing going on? I don't see Xbox games getting pimped all over the web like that. Look at Crimson Skies. A damn brilliant game that is BARELY getting to that 9.0 level.

[The Prince of Darkness]

<div class=\"smallfont\">I'm a big girl now, and I got two big TV's! I bought two Gamecubes and two copies of Mario Kart so I can play this game in 2-8 player glory! I'm sick of the bashing. I still havne't gotten my copies of it yet, but I don't expect anything about this game to be a disappointment. It's Mario Kart, and that's why it's kewlies! Toodles.</div>


Yeah and a little bird told me that is why the majority of the webites that are giving Mario Kart 9's are actually giving Mario Kart 9's---because "it's Mario Kart, and that's why it's the kewlies" not because it is a great game deserving of such great scores. I could be wrong though.

["The Game"Evolution]

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Yeah and a little bird told me that is why the majority of the webites that are giving Mario Kart 9's are actually giving Mario Kart 9's---because "it's Mario Kart, and that's why it's the kewlies" not because it is a great game deserving of such great scores. I could be wrong though.</div>

Well gamespot didnt give Mario Kart all 9's.Actually it didnt even make an 8. http://www.gamespot.com/gamecube/driving/mariokartdoubledash/index.html

[The Prince of Darkness]

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Well gamespot didnt give Mario Kart all 9's.Actually it didnt even make an 8. http://www.gamespot.com/gamecube/driving/mariokartdoubledash/index.html</div>

I know. IGN, Gamespot,and Gamespy all gave it below 9's. I was just making a point about the Nintendo ass kissing that goes on all over the web.

[no.1gamer]

I think some of you Xbots should stop concentrating on the 2 reviews that rate this game slightly above average, when there are over a dozen that proclaim it to be a great game. Check out Game Zone's review! Here is a quote:

"It's near the end of the year and I've played all of the racing games coming to the 'Cube and none of them, not even F-Zero GX, are as spectacular as Mario Kart: Double Dash!! We're not allowed to make the "Racing Game of the Year" call just yet, nor are we allowed to hint at it, so I won't say anything. But I will say that if you already have Zelda and you can only have one GameCube title this Christmas, it must be Double Dash!! The double exclamation marks are not a misprint – Nintendo wanted to make it clear that this game is doubly good. You could by something else instead, but why would you want to?"

["The Game"Evolution]

<div class=\"smallfont\"><div class=\"smallfont\"></div>

I know. IGN, Gamespot,and Gamespy all gave it below 9's. I was just making a point about the Nintendo ass kissing that goes on all over the web.</div>

At times more than what the GC deserves.

[The Prince of Darkness]

<div class=\"smallfont\">I think some of you Xbots should stop concentrating on the 2 reviews that rate this game slightly above average, when there are over a dozen that proclaim it to be a great game. </div>

Yup---over a dozen websites that I could give a rat's arse about. Sorry Gamer but the only review sites that I will give props to are as follows: Gamespot, IGN, Gamespy, and EGM. So far Mario Kart is 1 for 4 since EGM loved it so much. This is one of the few times that I can recall where IGN and Gamespot both have had similar mediocre scores for a title. Usually IGN rates the game too high and Gamespot rates it too low, so I just average the scores. More often than not I find that method to be correct when I play the game and review it for myself. So have you played the game? How is it?

[trebor]

Yup---over a dozen websites that I could give a rat's arse about. Sorry Gamer but the only review sites that I will give props to are as follows: Gamespot, IGN, Gamespy, and EGM. So far Mario Kart is 1 for 4 since EGM loved it so much. This is one of the few times that I can recall where IGN and Gamespot both have had similar mediocre scores for a title. Usually IGN rates the game too high and Gamespot rates it too low, so I just average the scores. More often than not I find that method to be correct when I play the game and review it for myself. So have you played the game? How is it?

EGM loved MK, that's for sure. But Gamespy loved it too, just read the review, remember - the words? The score of the review is arbitrary to what they actually say about the game, and Gamespy loved it. Plus, they gave it a 4/5 - since when is that a bad score?

So that leaves us with IGN and Gamespot, both of which gave MK less than stellar reviews, but they gave the other kart game this season, Crash Nitro Kart, an even poorer score. So perhaps they just don't like kart racing games anymore? Which begs the question, should one be biased towards a certain game genre and therefore dislike games in that genre if one is reviewing games from said genre?

[The Prince of Darkness]

<div class=\"smallfont\">EGM loved MK, that's for sure. But Gamespy loved it too, just read the review, remember - the words? The score of the review is arbitrary to what they actually say about the game, and Gamespy loved it. Plus, they gave it a 4/5 - since when is that a bad score?

So that leaves us with IGN and Gamespot, both of which gave MK less than stellar reviews, but they gave the other kart game this season, Crash Nitro Kart, an even poorer score. So perhaps they just don't like kart racing games anymore? Which begs the question, should one be biased towards a certain game genre and therefore dislike games in that genre if one is reviewing games from said genre?</div>

I am not sure that it has anything to do with bias towards a particular genre. Especially in the case of the IGN review you could tell that the guy wanted to like the game more than he did, and that he felt bad giving it less than a stellar review. I think that in both reviews the reviewer called it like he saw it---they were pissed that the gameplay elements were pretty much the same as the last version. That is why in my last post to you I said that the only factor that will matter to me is whether there have been enough updates to warrant my purchase. Trebor, imo if you think for one second that a title is not really updated much over the last version then I don't really think that it should score above 90%. I don't care what game or genre it is either. In fact, I will say the same thing about Halo2 if it is not a big upgrade over the last version.

[no.1gamer]

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Yup---over a dozen websites that I could give a rat's arse about. Sorry Gamer but the only review sites that I will give props to are as follows: Gamespot, IGN, Gamespy, and EGM. So far Mario Kart is 1 for 4 since EGM loved it so much. This is one of the few times that I can recall where IGN and Gamespot both have had similar mediocre scores for a title. Usually IGN rates the game too high and Gamespot rates it too low, so I just average the scores. More often than not I find that method to be correct when I play the game and review it for myself. So have you played the game? How is it?</div>

I was simply referring to the reviews there, psycho. I'll let you know how cool it is tomorrow or Thursday! I'm going to pick it up tomorrow. Of course I won't be able to give you a thorough judgment until at least after this weekend which will consist of several hours of multiplayer Mario Kart. No one ever expected this game to be the "end all other racing games," "GOTY for 2003," "definitive GCN game." In fact even calling this game a AAA system seller is a stretch. This is supposed to be a fun game, not the ultimate video gaming experience known to man. This is just a game that offers an incomprehensive level of multiplayer gaming. So let it go. Mario Kart has received mostly great reviews with a few less than favorable ones.

BTW, I also consider Gamepro and (my personable favorite) Game Revolution to be reputable reviewers.

[The Prince of Darkness]

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No one ever expected this game to be the "end all other racing games," "GOTY for 2003," "definitive GCN game." In fact even calling this game a AAA system seller is a stretch. </div>


What do you mean? I can certainly remember many posts from you and your fellow cubers which touted Mario Kart as the anchor of this incredible GC holiday lineup. I would guess that that would mean that you guys thought that Mario Kart was capable of moving systems for the holidays. Now you are backing off and saying that Mario Kart is just meant for fun, and is not really system seller material. Let me ask you one question---do you think that Brute Force was hyped? Well when Brute Force turned out to be less than stellar we had to hear about it pretty hard. Don't kid yourself Gamer, Mario Kart was every bit as hyped. That brings me to one final point---if it is not Mario Kart then what is anchoring the GC holiday lineup? That's right---it is that price drop afterall isn't it?

[no.1gamer]

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What do you mean? I can certainly remember many posts from you and your fellow cubers which touted Mario Kart as the anchor of this incredible GC holiday lineup. I would guess that that would mean that you guys thought that Mario Kart was capable of moving systems for the holidays. Now you are backing off and saying that Mario Kart is just meant for fun, and is not really system seller material. Let me ask you one question---do you think that Brute Force was hyped? Well when Brute Force turned out to be less than stellar we had to hear about it pretty hard. Don't kid yourself Gamer, Mario Kart was every bit as hyped. That brings me to one final point---if it is not Mario Kart then what is anchoring the GC holiday lineup? That's right---it is that price drop afterall isn't it?</div>

Brute Force=78.6%
Mario Kart: Double Dash!!=89.7%

There's a little difference there. If most reviewers rated this game as average as they did with BF, I could understand your comparison. However as I said before this game is still receiving very favorable reviews. I personally never considered this game a "system seller." Although I did (and for the most part still do) consider it a AAA game. Just not on the same level as Metroid Prime, Zelda: Wind Waker, Halo, Grand Theft Auto, etc.. Perhaps it is a system seller, I don't know, I don't work for Nintendo's marketing department. It is however undeniably a great game as evident from the review scores it has received. And I still don't see an Xbox title generating the amount of hype that Mario Kart is. So just let it go.

[The Prince of Darkness]

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Brute Force=78.6%
Mario Kart: Double Dash!!=89.7%

There's a little difference there. If most reviewers rated this game as average as they did with BF, I could understand your comparison. However as I said before this game is still receiving very favorable reviews. I personally never considered this game a "system seller." Although I did (and for the most part still do) consider it a AAA game. Just not on the same level as Metroid Prime, Zelda: Wind Waker, Halo, Grand Theft Auto, etc.. Perhaps it is a system seller, I don't know, I don't work for Nintendo's marketing department. It is however undeniably a great game as evident from the review scores it has received. And I still don't see an Xbox title generating the amount of hype that Mario Kart is. So just let it go.</div>

Halo2, Fable, and to a lesser extent Ninja Gaiden and Conker.

[no.1gamer]

<div class=\"smallfont\"><div class=\"smallfont\"></div>

Halo2, Fable, and to a lesser extent Ninja Gaiden and Conker.</div>

What are you talking about? Those games aren't out yet.

[The Prince of Darkness]

<div class=\"smallfont\"><div class=\"smallfont\"></div>

What are you talking about? Those games aren't out yet.</div>

You said that there were no Xbox games generating the hype that Mario Kart was generating and I gave you some. If you meant games that are out now then you are right. All I know is that in the last 5 weeks the Xbox lineup has been real strong: Crimson Skies, Grabbed By the Ghoulies, Top Spin, Rainbow Six, Counterstrike, and PGR2. There isn't an individual presence that is as strong as Mario Kart among them, but collectively it is stronger than the GC lineup.

[no.1gamer]

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You said that there were no Xbox games generating the hype that Mario Kart was generating and I gave you some. If you meant games that are out now then you are right. All I know is that in the last 5 weeks the Xbox lineup has been real strong: Crimson Skies, Grabbed By the Ghoulies, Top Spin, Rainbow Six, Counterstrike, and PGR2. There isn't an individual presence that is as strong as Mario Kart among them, but collectively it is stronger than the GC lineup.</div>

I would have to say at this point there aren't many more system sellers for any console. Any gamer that has waited until now to buy a console will be looking at Grand Theft Auto, Metroid Prime, Zelda: Wind Waker, Halo etc.. I don't think the new releases hold any more weight than games that have been out for a while now.

["The Game"Evolution]

<div class=\"smallfont\"><div class=\"smallfont\"></div>

Brute Force=78.6%
Mario Kart: Double Dash!!=89.7%

There's a little difference there. If most reviewers rated this game as average as they did with BF, I could understand your comparison. However as I said before this game is still receiving very favorable reviews. I personally never considered this game a "system seller." Although I did (and for the most part still do) consider it a AAA game. Just not on the same level as Metroid Prime, Zelda: Wind Waker, Halo, Grand Theft Auto, etc.. Perhaps it is a system seller, I don't know, I don't work for Nintendo's marketing department. It is however undeniably a great game as evident from the review scores it has received. And I still don't see an Xbox title generating the amount of hype that Mario Kart is. So just let it go.</div>

Mario Kart 90.0% Gamecube
Project Gotham 2 94.1% Xbox

Star Wars Knights Of The Old Republic-94.4% Xbox
Star Wars Rougue Squadron III-76.1% Gamecube

Ikaruga-85.6% Gamecube
Panzer Dragoon Orta-90.1% Xbox

Now thats kicking your ass on a subject.Btw,it appears that PG2 is rated higher than Mario Kart doesnt it? I think so. I win and you lose here g@mer.So if I may borrow your words g@mer:So just let it go.