Mario Kart Wii by David Hodgson (2008, Package)

If you thought the aroma wafting from Smash Bros.' warmed-over Wii appearance seemed stale, try a whiff of Mario Kart Wii -- it's so predictable that it's practically vintage. But don't think for a second that this latest iteration isn't still a stellar kart racer -- even after over 15 years of facing contenders to the karting throne, nobody does it better than Nintendo -- but series vets need to prepare for regression. While 2003's Mario Kart: Double Dash!! (GameCube) took daring risks with the formula by adding two-man vehicles, character-specific power-ups, and co-op play, this sequel regrettably jettisons all of those enhancements. Now, it's clear that those radical innovations weren't all popular among the vast legion of Mario Kart players, but they added tremendous depth and facilitated high-level gameplay for those who wanted it.
Mario Kart Wii feels highly reactionary, as if Nintendo willfully sought to dumb down the driving mechanics in order to even the playing field for the masses. Bundling the game with the plastic Wii Wheel contraption reinforces that commitment to democratizing gameplay: Sure, nongamers will get a kick out of careening around the course via tilt controls and gesticulations, but you'll find yourself haphazardly oversteering. The wheel isn't necessarily your enemy, though. It's solidly constructed and comfortable; players who stick with its motion-controlled driving for a few races will eventually acclimate to it. But of the game's four control options, the Wii Remote-and-Nunchuk combo clearly works the best: It's the only way to get both familiar analog stick steering and the freedom to easily put the crucial new trick system to use with the Wii-mote. Plus, this new split control setup feels perfectly suited for the newly added motorcycles, allowing you to make tight turns while launching weapons and landing tricks with ease.