Mario Kart: Double Dash!! First Impressions

[no.1gamer]

Well, I just picked up MKDD today and I have to say that it certainly has lived up to my expectations! This is a great game! It just seems to be nonstop action and fun! I can’t find any noticeable flaws in the game yet! It’s that good. Although the graphics and sound don’t necessarily blow you away they do showcase the power of the Gamecube very nicely. The character animation is great. If you really get clobbered hard enough the character on the back will hang on to the back of the cart for dear life! Every character has different taunts and cries of pain and much more. One of my personal favorites is little Bowsers reaction after he unloads a turtle shell on someone’s @$$! Or when Diddy Kong beats on his own head after loosing a race.

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I’ve already beaten the Mushroom, Flower, Star and Special cups on 50cc and 100cc. I’ve unlocked several alternate carts and upon completion of the Special cup on 100 cc mode I unlocked Toad and Toadette! They’re cool. They have their own cart too.

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The real test will come this weekend when I engage in some extensive multiplayer MKDD! My girlfriend (who’s idea to buy this game in the first place) is even more excited than I am! I can’t wait to see this game in all of its 4-player glory!

I also got a free “bonus disc” with the game. There’s some cool stuff on there to take a look at once but that’s about it. F-Zero GX looks cool, there’s a playable demo on it. I Might Pick up F-Zero some day.

Please write in my thread about what you think of Mario Kart: Double Dash!!! I’d like to hear some of your opinions too. And don’t give away any spoilers without warning.

[trebor]

I'm personally loving MK-DD right now. I have already played some 3 - player versus races and battle modes - without a hint of slowdown at all. This is by far the smoothest in the whole MK series and I think the graphics are better then people give credit for. The characer animations are fluid and there is lots of eye candy all over the place.

I haven't unlocked the Special Cup yet, but I will tonight, I'm sure.

So far I've been favoring Bowser a lot, with a Koopa as the second driver. Although I seem to do better with Medium/Light teams in Medium karts.

[no.1gamer]

I like to include Koopa in my team just because of his triple turtle shell attack! Plus he's been one of my personal favorites since Super Mario Kart on the SNES. I like Little Luigi too, because his voice is funny. I can't wait to play this game on multiplayer! So how does this hold up to the other Mario Kart games in the multiplayer aspect trebor?

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I unlocked the Special Cup after I completed the Star Cup on 100cc mode. The Special Cup is out of control especially Rainbow Road! It's still pretty easy on 50cc though. But 100cc is frikken crazy! I finally got the gold trophy after many attempts and the Koopa/Little Bowser combo with the bullet Kart. Tonight I'm going to attempt the 150cc level cups.

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Many of the reviews I've read about this game claim that it favors the "weapons" more so than the racing aspect of the game. I've found that I have more success just trying to win the race instead of trying to collect and manage the different items.

[trebor]

I like to include Koopa in my team just because of his triple turtle shell attack! Plus he's been one of my personal favorites since Super Mario Kart on the SNES. I like Little Luigi too, because his voice is funny. I can't wait to play this game on multiplayer! So how does this hold up to the other Mario Kart games in the multiplayer aspect trebor?

I dig the triple shell attack that the Koopa's get too. That's why I try to include one of them for most of my teams. I played with Daisy for the first time last night - Daisy and Peach have the strongest/cheapest special attack, IMO.

As far as multiplayer is concerned - its every bit as good as any of the previous split-screen modes of the MK series, but the ability to LAN several Gamecubes together, and therefore have an entire screen to yourself, if infinitely superior to the previous versions.

My girlfriend, my buddy and I had a blast playing the 3 - player split screen VS and Battle modes.


Many of the reviews I've read about this game claim that it favors the "weapons" more so than the racing aspect of the game. I've found that I have more success just trying to win the race instead of trying to collect and manage the different items.

For me the weapons are what makes Mario Kart, well, Mario Kart. It just wouldn't be the same without them. The right weapon at the right time is usually the difference between winning and losing.

[no.1gamer]

Well after a long weekend of multiplayer MKDD I will conclude that Nintendo has once again proved that their games to are fun and accessible to gamers all across the board. MKDD is obviously well suited as a multiplayer game. Beating my girlfriend at NASCAR Thunder over and over looses its fun factor surprisingly fast. MKDD does an excellent job at leveling the playing field because the players at the back of the race will get significantly better items. However, once you get clobbered with a several weapons and fall back a few positions you in turn get the better items for an easier chance to catch up. So essentially the less video game inclined gamers can still play competitively with out the "unfair" advantage of having a handicap or the "unfair" advantage of using the superior team or car. Anyone who has played multiplayer games against less skilled gamers can relate to this.

However the downside to this is that the single player modes also feature the same advantages/disadvantages to you depending on your position. If somebody clocks me with a turtle shell on multiplayer and passes me for the win, I can simply look over at them and say, "Oh you got me, but I'll be hunting your @$$ down on the next race!" However, when I'm going for the gold medal on the single player 150cc and get nailed by the blue shell on the last lap to ultimately lose the entire cup the word "fun" gets replaced with "frustration."

2 player co-op is a great addition, and I still enjoy the battle modes the most. Everyone else I played with this weekend seemed to like the races better. The game also has a great way of keeping score of the races. We went through each individual race from the Mushroom Cup through the Special Cup one at a time. After every race you get a screen that says how many 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th place finishes you have. Even if you exit out and choose your characters over again you still have a running total of the race results.

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I still haven't unlocked much more other than the new battle arena, Luigi's Mansion. This level is definitely better suited for 4 player brawls as opposed to the smaller arenas you start with. But perhaps a little too large for 2 player matches.

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[Allisen1987]

I wish they didn't make it so hard to get more tracks. Right now I have rights to race on Mushroom, Flower and Star. That is only 12 tracks? How many more tracks can I earn? But no matter what I can earn, I don't think I'll ever be able to because I heard you got to finish the 150 with Gold trophies and I'm lucky to get a bronze on any of them. It's not fair how they make you play perfect to get new stuff to earn.

The computer is no fun to play, he cheats and goes twice the speed when he's far in the lead so you can't catch up. It should be more lenient for gamers like me that are not very good and just want to have a chance at winning. I was always pretty good with Mario 64, but they made this game way too tough. There should be a "difficulty" setting and maybe a kewlies story mode. But I did like enough to buy another gamecube and another copy of the game to play on two tv's. It's really fun. But can you answer these questions?

1. How many tracks are there in total? Right now I only have rights to 12.

2. How do I get more tracks? Is there an easy way out?

3. Can you race against computer opponents in LAN mode? If you can, I haven't figured out how to do it yet.

Thanks much. Toodles.

[Gadfly2317]

<div class=\"smallfont\">I wish they didn't make it so hard to get more tracks. Right now I have rights to race on Mushroom, Flower and Star. That is only 12 tracks? How many more tracks can I earn? But no matter what I can earn, I don't think I'll ever be able to because I heard you got to finish the 150 with Gold trophies and I'm lucky to get a bronze on any of them. It's not fair how they make you play perfect to get new stuff to earn.

The computer is no fun to play, he cheats and goes twice the speed when he's far in the lead so you can't catch up. It should be more lenient for gamers like me that are not very good and just want to have a chance at winning. I was always pretty good with Mario 64, but they made this game way too tough. There should be a "difficulty" setting and maybe a kewlies story mode. But I did like enough to buy another gamecube and another copy of the game to play on two tv's. It's really fun. But can you answer these questions?

1. How many tracks are there in total? Right now I only have rights to 12.

2. How do I get more tracks? Is there an easy way out?

3. Can you race against computer opponents in LAN mode? If you can, I haven't figured out how to do it yet.

Thanks much. Toodles.</div>

It seems like gamer said you'd open up the Special Cup or Rainbow cup, whatever, if you got gold on all the 100cc cups. I thought I had done that already, so I assumed you have to get gold in the 150cc. Turns out the gold trophy I had in the Star Cup was only Bronze. So, I've still got to get a gold on 100cc star cup. I have all the other Golds except in the 150CC Flower and Star cups. I think there's 16 tracks total and an extra battle arena. I've unlocked one battle arena already. I don't know if there are more.

I agree. When I first played I didn't think the computer cheated. I'm still not sure that it actually "cheats" as in does the impossible. The main thing though, is it is ALWAYS the same computer opponent that comes in first, unless you come in first. That means you have to place 1st in at at least three of the four tracks.

I am going to keep at it. I think to win the 150cc's you really have to know the track perfect and short cuts, too. Also, it helps iff you can get the Turbo when the game starts and get out in front. It's easier to keep the lead if you're out there a ways.

You'll get the 150cc's eventually, its just a matter of sticking too it. I was having a really hard time getting the 150cc Gold even on the Mushroom cup. Then quit, and picked it up the next morning and got the gold on my first try. Its like your brain keeps practicing it even when you aren't.

Its a fun game. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.

[no.1gamer]

This is what happen to me:

I played through all the modes in order getting gold medals through the 50cc mode. That means I got the gold medal in the Mushroom Cup, then the Flower Cup, then the Star Cup.

I then continued to tackle the 100cc mode. I earned the gold medals in the Mushroom Cup, then the Flower Cup, then the Star Cup. When I earned the gold medal on the Star Cup (having already earned every other gold medal to that point) I unlocked the Special Cup (Rainbow Road is the name of the last race of the Special Cup).

I then earned the gold medal on the Special Cup on 50cc then 100cc modes. Getting the gold medal on 100cc isn’t easy but well worth it (see the major spoiler in my post above).

I have since earned the gold medal on the Mushroom and Flower Cups on 150cc modes. I have just played the cups in order starting with the Mushroom Cup on 50cc and am currently attempting the Star Cup on 150cc mode.

From what I understand you can unlock another cup which is just a random compilation of tracks from the previous Cups. You can also unlock the reverse of all the tracks. I have yet to prove these rumors though, I’ll let you know when I do.

Alli:

The reason you’re having “no fun” is actually because the computer IS playing fair. If you gain a commanding lead the seven racers behind you are busy fumbling around knocking each other out with their arsenals. Therefore the leader just gets farther and farther ahead. This can also work both ways as if you are the leader you can gain a significant lead. So much so that I’ve even been clocked with the blue shell on the last lap of 150cc race (the most difficult mode) and still managed to win the race. Mario Kart 64 was criticized for “rubber banding” which means the racers in the back drive faster just to keep up with the leader.

I agree with you that this game can seem way to hard at times. But I seem to get frustrated with the difficult races on all racing games. If you get frustrated then you should relax and play an easier mode 50cc or 100cc. Try not to stress yourself out too much. In other words don’t get to the point of hurling your controller across the room.

[Allisen1987]

Okay, maybe the computer karts are not cheating, but it's not very fun for people that can only do well on the 50C. I want the other tracks and I'm simply not good enough to earn them. You know, I'm 18 and I feel for the little ones that will have to try to play this game on the harder tracks and levels, I don't see them ever earning the tracks. I know many poeple that play this game will be under the age of 10 and Nintendo forcing them to play perfect is pretty harsh. At 18 I think I'im pretty good at games, imagine a little toddler trying to get the gold on every track?

[no.1gamer]

<div class=\"smallfont\">Okay, maybe the computer karts are not cheating, but it's not very fun for people that can only do well on the 50C. I want the other tracks and I'm simply not good enough to earn them. You know, I'm 18 and I feel for the little ones that will have to try to play this game on the harder tracks and levels, I don't see them ever earning the tracks. I know many poeple that play this game will be under the age of 10 and Nintendo forcing them to play perfect is pretty harsh. At 18 I think I'im pretty good at games, imagine a little toddler trying to get the gold on every track?</div>

I don't really think a "little toddler" will be too concerned about unlocking all the additional karts and race tracks though. Ali, I'm sure that you can unlock the Special Cup. You don't even have to play on the 150cc mode to unlock it. It just takes a lot of patience, skill and luck to earn the gold medal in some of the more difficult cups. Hang in there. The more times you fail the better you'll become. Look for shortcuts in the tracks and if you're the leader keep a shell on hand to fend off oncoming projectiles. Also strategically choose your team and kart for the cup you're playing (or track you're having trouble with).

I just got the gold medal on the 150cc Star Cup tonight! 1 more cup to go! How far have you guys got?

[trebor]

I finally unlocked the extra "Special" tracks, which is accomplished by getting the gold in the third grand prix on 100cc - which was rather difficult.

I'm not going to say that the AI "cheats" but it is a very tough game when you get to the 150cc level. I've been primarily playing the 100cc level - and even that gets difficult when you are on the "Special" tracks.

This is a great game though, no doubt about it. The battle modes are much more fun than they used to be. The "Bob-omb" battle mode is pure mayhem at it's finest.

[Allisen1987]

Hope Mario and friends can survive. I love them so. I still haven't earned tracks yet on Mario Kart! I'm so bad.

[E.T.]

Understand @ this point in time, with exception, I will accept members "crossing over" to post on other forums providing the post content is viable, constructive, positive!

Gamers must be allowed to explore other forums, to ask questions regarding specific systems, in order to make purchasing decisions for example. It is possible [& has been demonstrated] for members to post on multiple forums w/o inflamming regulars there. I have visited the Xbox forums over the last three months in anticipation of purchasing this console. Im sure I drive the regulars there nuts w/my questions, lol, but these post provide me w/info, & are not intended to disparage Xbox.

The place for posting contentious banter regarding all systems is the System Wars board.

E.T.
Post positive, post often! ;)

[Gadfly2317]

This game has been deep enough to stay in heavy rotation. . . playing it more than any other game I have right now.

One little nice touch is the way it has continued to expand the Nintendo universe, with characters from Sunshine, and also the Battle stage themed from Luigi’s Mansion. I opened up the Luigi’s Masion battle stage several days ago, but hadn’t had a chance to play it yet until yesterday. It helped ease my complaints about the battle stages being too small, as Luigi’s Mansion is pretty big.

Also, looking at the battle screen stage selection screen, it looks like there is a slot to open up one more battle stage. Anyone got this one yet? I don’t mind spoilers. . . what is it? Which Gold trophy do you have to get to open it? I haven’t got the star cup 150cc gold yet, and just opened special cup yesterday, so haven’t got all the golds in it yet either. Playing the Special Cup, I’ve got to say “wow.” Some seriously imaginative track design.

Also finally got to play this with my fiancé. I’ve played this with everyone I know just about, but not the woman I live with. Work schedules have been brutal lately. Anyway, she loved it; we played on an easier skill level because she doesn’t game a lot, and she did really well. Also played co-op where we were both in the same Kart. . . it is a real bonding experience getting your teamwork down to a science in order to come in #1. Anyone gamer (male or female) looking to bring your significant other into your favorite hobby—this game is the ideal date-game.

[TwiztidFreakMike]

my first impressions was i walked inwhen my friend was playin it and asked why he was playin Mario Kart 64... no im not trying to bash... its what actually happened which i find quite funny. :)

[Gadfly2317]

<div class=\"smallfont\">my first impressions was i walked inwhen my friend was playin it and asked why he was playin Mario Kart 64... no im not trying to bash... its what actually happened which i find quite funny. :)</div>

did your buddy evolution invite you down here for some trolling? Anyway, funny story. It doesn't take long looking at the game or the tracks to see looks extremely differnt, not just better graphics, but I would have though the second thing you'd say is "what on earth are you driving a rocket powered baby carriage for?" So what did your buddy say? Did you sit down and actually play this game with him, either 2 player or co-op?

[ilnadmy]

<div class=\"smallfont\">You know, I'm 18 and I feel for the little ones that will have to try to play this game on the harder tracks and levels, I don't see them ever earning the tracks. I know many poeple that play this game will be under the age of 10 and Nintendo forcing them to play perfect is pretty harsh.</div>

A word to the wise: never, ever, ever underestimate the kids. These days, kids can probably beat most adult gamers; they've literally grown up on videogames that it comes as naturally as breathing to them.

I was playing Super Smash Bros Melee some time ago against my little brother and his two friends (they aren't any older than 10). We were playing a super sudden death matchup with 5 stock. In other words, each of us had five lives, and every hit would knock you out and you would lose a life. Towards the end it was only me and one of brother's friends. He had one life. I had five. He beat me.

'Nuff said.

[E.T.]

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

A word to the wise: never, ever, ever underestimate the kids. These days, kids can probably beat most adult gamers; they've literally grown up on videogames that it comes as naturally as breathing to them.

I was playing Super Smash Bros Melee some time ago against my little brother and his two friends (they aren't any older than 10). We were playing a super sudden death matchup with 5 stock. In other words, each of us had five lives, and every hit would knock you out and you would lose a life. Towards the end it was only me and one of brother's friends. He had one life. I had five. He beat me.

'Nuff said.</div>

Lol, happens all the time in my house. Anything Nintendo, I loose...
Lately, the "kids" have begun to take interest in my PC strategy games, YIKES! [Xmas & the Xbox cant get here fast enough!].

[trebor]

MK-DD is now officially the main game I've been playing. I have been opting to play it even when I'm home by myself - instead of the two single player games I'm currently playing, Pikmin and Wolverine's Revenge.

Seriously, this last Saturday, I probably played MK for about 4 -5 hours, by my lonesome, and it was just as compelling and entertaining as any true single player game.

I just got the gold on Star Cup in 150cc and I'm working on getting the gold on the Special cup now.

[Gadfly2317]

<div class=\"smallfont\">MK-DD is now officially the main game I've been playing. I have been opting to play it even when I'm home by myself - instead of the two single player games I'm currently playing, Pikmin and Wolverine's Revenge.

Seriously, this last Saturday, I probably played MK for about 4 -5 hours, by my lonesome, and it was just as compelling and entertaining as any true single player game.

I just got the gold on Star Cup in 150cc and I'm working on getting the gold on the Special cup now.</div>

I had some difficulty getting the gold in the star cup 150 cc. Thing is, unless you place first everytime, the same computer opponent will place first if you don't, meaning you have to get 1st 3 of 4 races.

But I was just goofing off racing this course in co-op with my daughter in the back seat shooting the turtle shells, and the computer opponents placing 1st and 2nd tended to vary more. This made it easier to get the gold.

Just a little observation. The golds seemed hard to get alone at first, but eventually, like all racing games, the tracks become second nature.

[redberet03]

seriosly i think that mkdd rocks for wat nintendo had done. Right now im enjoying every single second i have with the game. Me and my bro has just beatenthe game last night and we got the SPOILERS!!!
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the parade car tand tall the other coo carts like the boo pipes and the pranha pipes. does naybody here hate the pranha guy? his head is so freggin big!

[trebor]

I had some difficulty getting the gold in the star cup 150 cc. Thing is, unless you place first everytime, the same computer opponent will place first if you don't, meaning you have to get 1st 3 of 4 races.

But I was just goofing off racing this course in co-op with my daughter in the back seat shooting the turtle shells, and the computer opponents placing 1st and 2nd tended to vary more. This made it easier to get the gold.

Just a little observation. The golds seemed hard to get alone at first, but eventually, like all racing games, the tracks become second nature.

Well, I got the gold in the Special Cup 150cc. So I opened up the All-Cup mode, or whatever it is, where you have to race all 16 tracks in one sitting and still get the golds. That is *tough*. Not to mention a real time commitment - especially if you happen to lose on the 15th or 16th race and such, which is likely on 150cc.

Nevertheless, there is still quite a few goodies to unlock, so I'm going to be busy this weekend with MK - again.

[redberet03]

hehehehe gues what i got all modes all cars and all characters today. My bro and me just ripped the comps apart with my beutiful driving skills and my bros accurate shots we make the best team. sooryyy for bragging but i just gotta point that out to you guys

[no.1gamer]

Well, my review for MKDD is finally posted, so go check it out and vote for it. I had to change my user name here (if you didn't notice) to do it. That’s what took me so long. I'm glad to see the younger crowd like redberet03 is enjoying this game. I like hearing their opinions because they seem to be less biased and are either, "this game rokks!!!" or, "this game sukks!!!" So far it's just Gadfly, redberet03 and my review posted.

Anyway, I'm going to have to say that this game has been frustrating me to no end lately. I'm still trying to earn the gold medal on the 150cc Special Cup and would like some advice. What team and kart did you use trebor? I've got the silver and lost only by like 2 points. I guess it'll just be a matter of time now, because I have all the tracks memorized. I think I need to learn how to use the mini boost coming out of turns.

Just as Gadfly pointed out there is always one team that is superior to all the others (except you). So one of my strategies is to unleash everything I've got at that one team. So even if I've got 3 red shells, I'll be unloading every one of them. It may seem like a waste at first but if you can get that team to fall back to 4th or 5th place on a race you have a significantly better chance of winning the cup.

My advise for the multiplayer races is to keep many defensive weapons on supply while the leader. Maybe my friends are just less forgiving than the computer AI, but if you see a red turtle shell coming at you, you better expect a few more where that came from! And I'll have to agree with Gadfly that co-op MKDD is great fun to play with a significant other.

[trebor]

Anyway, I'm going to have to say that this game has been frustrating me to no end lately. I'm still trying to earn the gold medal on the 150cc Special Cup and would like some advice. What team and kart did you use trebor? I've got the silver and lost only by like 2 points. I guess it'll just be a matter of time now, because I have all the tracks memorized. I think I need to learn how to use the mini boost coming out of turns.

My team of choice is now Toad and Paratroopa in the Toad Kart - that's who I used to beat the 150cc Special Cup. I've got to say that Toad has probably the 2nd most powerful special weapon, behind Peach and Daisy. Unlimited speed boost for however long is a great ability.

If your getting silver medals on 150cc then the gold is right around the corner. You should beat it soon.


Just as Gadfly pointed out there is always one team that is superior to all the others (except you). So one of my strategies is to unleash everything I've got at that one team. So even if I've got 3 red shells, I'll be unloading every one of them. It may seem like a waste at first but if you can get that team to fall back to 4th or 5th place on a race you have a significantly better chance of winning the cup.


That's true - there is always a computer controlled team that dominates the others. Just wait till you get to All-Cup mode, when you are constantly at odds with whatever computer controlled team that is dominating. I've lost the last 1 or 2 races and that is enough to blow the entire 16 track cup. Which, might I add, is a bit of a time commitment as well.

In any respect, I'm still working on 150cc All Cup mode.

[VALIS]

<div class=\"smallfont\">Well, my review for MKDD is finally posted, so go check it out and vote for it. I had to change my user name here (if you didn't notice) to do it. That’s what took me so long. I'm glad to see the younger crowd like redberet03 is enjoying this game. I like hearing their opinions because they seem to be less biased and are either, "this game rokks!!!" or, "this game sukks!!!" So far it's just Gadfly, redberet03 and my review posted.

Anyway, I'm going to have to say that this game has been frustrating me to no end lately. I'm still trying to earn the gold medal on the 150cc Special Cup and would like some advice. What team and kart did you use trebor? I've got the silver and lost only by like 2 points. I guess it'll just be a matter of time now, because I have all the tracks memorized. I think I need to learn how to use the mini boost coming out of turns.

Just as Gadfly pointed out there is always one team that is superior to all the others (except you). So one of my strategies is to unleash everything I've got at that one team. So even if I've got 3 red shells, I'll be unloading every one of them. It may seem like a waste at first but if you can get that team to fall back to 4th or 5th place on a race you have a significantly better chance of winning the cup.

My advise for the multiplayer races is to keep many defensive weapons on supply while the leader. Maybe my friends are just less forgiving than the computer AI, but if you see a red turtle shell coming at you, you better expect a few more where that came from! And I'll have to agree with Gadfly that co-op MKDD is great fun to play with a significant other.</div>

The computer AI seems to be easier if you are playing in Co-op mode, and winning in co-op will give you the gold and unlock the cart or stage for that level. I was having a hard time with that gold and was actually just goofing around doing the star 150cc on 150cc, but we won. It was because the same computer opponent didn't win (or place second) everytime like in single player mode.

[trebor]

Just a little update for ya'll to enjoy....

I beat the All Cup Tour at 150cc and opened up the Mirror Mode. So, one you unlock the Mirror Mode, take all the courses you have memorized in order to do well in 150cc mode and toss it all out the window - because your instincts will cause you to drive into walls, unless your very, very carefull. Mirror Mode really messes with your mind, it's essentially like adding 16 new tracks to the game.

No, scratch that, it is much more difficult than just adding 16 more tracks to memorize - you must unlearn what you have learned.

[VALIS]

<div class=\"smallfont\">Just a little update for ya'll to enjoy....

I beat the All Cup Tour at 150cc and opened up the Mirror Mode. So, one you unlock the Mirror Mode, take all the courses you have memorized in order to do well in 150cc mode and toss it all out the window - because your instincts will cause you to drive into walls, unless your very, very carefull. Mirror Mode really messes with your mind, it's essentially like adding 16 new tracks to the game.

No, scratch that, it is much more difficult than just adding 16 more tracks to memorize - you must unlearn what you have learned.</div>

I didn't know there was a mirror mode. I guess I'll have get back to work earning those last couple trophys and work on the All Cup Tour. (I've been stuck on Project Gotham II this week and loving it---and I just haven't unpacked the cube yet since I took it over to a friends house to play Mario Kart on his brand new 64"HD TV this weekend. Man was that ever sweet. I drag the 'cube around a lot because everywhere I take it, people have a blast. It's like how when you play Trilok's music for people, they are like "damn!!!!.) Thanks for keeping us updated on your progress. . . it's a real motivator to go back and finish off the stuff we haven't beaten yet.

Also, do you ever unlock another battle mode besides Luigi's Mansion? It looks like there is another spot on the selection screne for another battle-mode.

[no.1gamer]

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

I didn't know there was a mirror mode. I guess I'll have get back to work earning those last couple trophys and work on the All Cup Tour. (I've been stuck on Project Gotham II this week and loving it---and I just haven't unpacked the cube yet since I took it over to a friends house to play Mario Kart on his brand new 64"HD TV this weekend. Man was that ever sweet. I drag the 'cube around a lot because everywhere I take it, people have a blast. It's like how when you play Trilok's music for people, they are like "damn!!!!.) Thanks for keeping us updated on your progress. . . it's a real motivator to go back and finish off the stuff we haven't beaten yet.

Also, do you ever unlock another battle mode besides Luigi's Mansion? It looks like there is another spot on the selection screne for another battle-mode.</div>

Please warn us of spoilers though, because I've heard that at the very end of the game you unlock 2 more characters. If by some chance in hell I actually can achieve this goal I don't want to know who they are until I do. Or if this is even true, because it's just a rumor.

VALIS please elaborate on how sweet multiplayer Mario Kart is on a 64" HDTV. Does MKDD run in progressive scan? Can I assume you also ran full 5-channel surround sound? I guess my 27" flat screen isn't all that impressive to you? It's better than split screen on my girlfriends 21" piece of junk!

On a side note, it's nice to see the Gamecube forum picking up some traffic. I haven't seen a thread go into 2 pages here in a long time.

[VALIS]

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

Please warn us of spoilers though, because I've heard that at the very end of the game you unlock 2 more characters. If by some chance in hell I actually can achieve this goal I don't want to know who they are until I do. Or if this is even true, because it's just a rumor.

VALIS please elaborate on how sweet multiplayer Mario Kart is on a 64" HDTV. Does MKDD run in progressive scan? Can I assume you also ran full 5-channel surround sound? I guess my 27" flat screen isn't all that impressive to you? It's better than split screen on my girlfriends 21" piece of junk!

On a side note, it's nice to see the Gamecube forum picking up some traffic. I haven't seen a thread go into 2 pages here in a long time.</div>

I actually don't recall if it runs in progressive scan. My TV at home isn't that great (32", but not flat screen or HD), and trying out my 'cube in a big HD TV was cool. Thing is, I had really wanted to see Metroid in HD w/progressive scan, but when I got to his house, it suddenly occured to me you have to have a special cable to actually get progressive scan. I just had the normal red/yellow/white inputs. Still it looked great. The thing is, it was so big, it didn't even feel like split screen. A screen that big and that crisp, it really immerses you in the game. I can't tell how jaw-dropping Metroid was (if I've said it once I've said it a million times, this game is so much more beautiful than Halo.)

I was going to bring my new xbox over to his house, too, to try out PDO, Voodoo Vince and Crimson skies out on his sweet new TV (those games would have been more graphically cool to test out his TV) but frankly, the thing is a hassle to tote around, and everyone always has more fun playing Mario Kart, SSBM, Mario Golf and Monkey Ball anyway. I'm gonna drag the box over there for crimson skies some time. Oh yeah, played Rogue Squadron II on the big TV too. That game still looks as good as the day at came out, IMO. Made me wish I'd picked up RS III so we could have done some Co-op mode.

I'm itching to get a better TV now, that's all I can really say.

[trebor]

I didn't know there was a mirror mode. I guess I'll have get back to work earning those last couple trophys and work on the All Cup Tour. (I've been stuck on Project Gotham II this week and loving it---and I just haven't unpacked the cube yet since I took it over to a friends house to play Mario Kart on his brand new 64&quot;HD TV this weekend. Man was that ever sweet. I drag the 'cube around a lot because everywhere I take it, people have a blast. It's like how when you play Trilok's music for people, they are like damn!!!!.) Thanks for keeping us updated on your progress. . . it's a real motivator to go back and finish off the stuff we haven't beaten yet.

Also, do you ever unlock another battle mode besides Luigi's Mansion? It looks like there is another spot on the selection screne for another battle-mode.

You listen to Trilok?! Trilok Gurtu?!? Well, it must be Trilok Gurtu since Trilok isn't exactly a common name in the musical world.

Well, anyways, there is another battle stage to unlock after Luigi's Mansion, but you need to beat one of the Mirror levels to get it. I haven't unlocked it yet, but I'm working on it.

[trebor]

Another quick update for you all...my friend and I beat the first two cups in Mirror mode and unlocked the Toadette Kart and the new battle stage, which is called the Tilt Stage, or something like that. Think 8-bit Mario meets Super Monkey Ball.

Oh, and Valis, I tried PMing you, but I got this error message...

The following errors occured when this post was submitted:

1. VALIS has exceded their stored private messages quota and can not accept further messages until they clear some space.


Thought you might like to know that.

[E.T.]

<div class=\"smallfont\">Another quick update for you all...my friend and I beat the first two cups in Mirror mode and unlocked the Toadette Kart and the new battle stage, which is called the Tilt Stage, or something like that. Think 8-bit Mario meets Super Monkey Ball.

Oh, and Valis, I tried PMing you, but I got this error message...


Thought you might like to know that.</div>

trebor, let me know what error message was, & if its the first time to happen. Thanks!
E.T.

[trebor]

One last update for ya'll - I beat every cup, including the All Cup Tour, in Mirror Mode. So, in other words, I have officially unlocked everything there is to unlock. It was tough, but not impossible (obviously).

[mtnagel]

I'm glad others have thought this game is tough too. It took me quite a bit to get gold on 100cc in Special Cup and I don't think I have gold on any of the 150cc's.

Question: Does anyone else think it's difficult to get the boost off the line? I remember it being easy in MK64, but I only have done it a couple times and I tend to think I have pretty good timing. Is there something I'm missing? If you could explain how to do it, then maybe I'm doing something wrong.

Thanks
Matthew

[trebor]

I'm glad others have thought this game is tough too. It took me quite a bit to get gold on 100cc in Special Cup and I don't think I have gold on any of the 150cc's.

Question: Does anyone else think it's difficult to get the boost off the line? I remember it being easy in MK64, but I only have done it a couple times and I tend to think I have pretty good timing. Is there something I'm missing? If you could explain how to do it, then maybe I'm doing something wrong.

Thanks
Matthew

Are you refering to getting a power boost? I guess I don't understand what you mean by "off the line".

But in any respect, the way you achieve a power boost is to

(1) start sliding around a corner by holding the right or left trigger buttons,

(2) toggle the analog stick right, left, and right (or left, right, and left depending on which way you are turning) you should see red sparks coming from your tires and then blue sparks,

(3) once you have the blue sparks, release the right or left trigger and you will have yourself a handy dandy speed boost.

[Elysian]

MKDD is tough in 150cc, but not impossibly so. My fave team so far seems to be both of the Koopas. I've found the ability to get three red turtle shells helps me stay competitive. If I'm in second and the guy in first is getting pretty far ahead, sometimes so far ahead that I could think that I'd have no hope of catching him, I'll just fire off a red shell, wait a few seconds, long enough for him to recover after the first shell hits, then fire off the second, wait again, fire number three. Cheap maybe, but effective as hell.