How long has it been since you dusted off that Wii U and took it for a spin? If you’re like most gamers, it’s probably been awhile.
Nintendo is ready to change all that. Slated to be the next game to hit the shelves is Mario Kart 8, one of the most beloved of the Mario franchise, and it’s coming up with a debut scheduled for late May.
So far, the reviews have been glowing, and it’s expected that this latest installment will be just as good as the first Mario Sport that came with HD graphics.
Even better? It’s looks as if Mario Kart 8 will come bundled with the Wii U to sweeten the deal. An image was recently leaked on April 17 that showcased box art for the alleged bundle.
So far, Nintendo hasn’t confirmed or denied anything, but the leaked image appears legitimate and if so, there’s no denying that a match made in geek heaven could be around the corner.
The perfect pair
Just like Mario and Luigi, pairing the Wii U with Mario Kart 8 makes perfect sense, since it will create the kind of buzz necessary to move the platform. The current bundle matches The Legend of Zelda: Wind Walker HD, while another matches Mario & Luigi.
Both of the current bundles can be found for $299.99, which hasn’t been tempting enough to keep sales up for Nintendo. If Mario Kart 8 comes with a 32GB black Wii U, that should keep prices high for awhile.
Nintendo has already stated that no hardware price drops will occur before 2015, but the company hasn’t said anything about lower prices for brand-new bundles. Gamers say that if Wii U comes bundled with Mario Kart 8 for a price of around $250, that might be enough to kick start summer right.
But what about those who already own the system?
Summer’s must-have
Gamers who already have a Wii U in their arsenal probably have Mario Kart 8 at the top of their wish list. As always, there’s little “new” with gameplay, but that’s always worked in Mario’s favor.
You can expect anti-gravity sessions to shake things up, or play online against 11 players. You don’t need a law degree to figure out the intricacies of Mario’s world, but for many that’s the appeal, and there’s nothing wrong with easy fun.
Some gamers are turned off by the racing elements, but rest assured this 60fps offering is the highest quality Nintendo game yet for this platform. That makes it a game changer.