My+Evaluation


 * MY THOUGHTS & GENERAL EVALUATION**

When learning about the Video Game Critique assignment, I wanted to try the new Garage DJ, however I do not own any game console. The next thing that popped in my mind was my brother’s basement. He owns a Wii, and Mario Kart has been all the rage in his basement for about a year now. I decided to investigate Mario Kart instead, and had a fun and learning filled experience along the way. First, the Wii must be hooked up properly. I watched my 10 year old nephew attempt to connect it up for about 5-10 minutes before getting his Dad. Once the game console is hooked up... its action time. I learned that you must have a Mii established to play any game on Wii. A Mii is a game avatar, or your design of a man or woman that looks like you. Your stats will be saved to this Mii. Next you choose what you want to do (see MK Basic Set-up page). When you start playing, you have to learn a few crucial things to make the Mario Kart game work. My nephew gave me the quick tutorial, which this includes power sliding, racing, turning, hopping, bumping, terrain, and knowing about all the kart/character stats. Just learning to steer with the Wiimote (see Wii Gear & Set-up page), which has motion controls for steering, was difficult to start with, but I got the hang of it after a few races. After you start playing, you learn quickly that an important element of Mario Kart is the many small random element that were designed into the game. Mario Kart racers have to drive through item boxes to be awarded with a item (see MK items). When a random element is thrown into the mix, like an item, it enhances the game or multiplayer experience in a number of ways. The random item transforms the game by shifting the parameters of the goal slightly, creating a new obstacle/hazard, or adjusting the strategic options available for the players. A banana waiting on a short cut ramp in a Mario Kart race can disable the short cut. In this way, not only does the power-up transform the game, but it challenge's both players ability to understand the mechanics of the power-up, the rules of the game, and to adapt and react on the fly. These item/power-ups increase the skill needed to successfully compete. Even when an item is randomly dropped into a match, it can test a players reaction times, adaptability, and knowledge of the game. Since the game is built off of a few simple rules (basic race), having to adapt to new conditions is a highly effective way to keep things fresh and simple while challenging both players. This game also features many hills and jumps where the player can perform tricks to earn speed boosts. Tricks are performed by pulling up on the Wiimote... pretty cool. This game also encourage crashing into other racers to gain and advantage, using drifts, and playing on the edge by driving through trees or drafting other karts (more advanced tactics). Mario Kart uses the concrete mechanics built into the vehicles, bananas, turtle shells, tracks, and off road terrain to add a high level of variation for players to adapt to on the fly. Everything that is dangerous to the player is out there on the track. The items give the race luck and fairness, as it is easy to fall from first place to last by being continuously attacked by several weapons, many of which are unavoidable. This inclusion makes the game more accessible for beginners, but can probably be extremely discouraging for skilled players (I did beat my nephew once when I got the 'Bullet', which steers last place players at high speeds back into 5th, 4th or even 3rd place in the race... he said it was so unfair!!) At the end of the day, Mario Kart is still all about who makes it across the finish line first. After the race, we got points and were ranked. I left my brother house, after having had my but kicked consecutively by my nephew... but still having had a great time, learned a lot, and definitely willing to play again. I think this game does have some valid application in the classroom (Check Lessons & Teaching Value). I find Mario Kart to be a realistic racing game that teaches fun, winning, and gets kids knowledgeable about 'Technical menus' and 'Options' that transcend the game and can prepare players for more real world 'technical' stuff. Whether you are just starting, and learning to steer, or more advanced, performing drifts and snaking, this game has something for everyone. I give the game a B+, as its designed for all ages and is really fun to play, though it could be more learning centered. Way to go Nintendo, almost 19 years innovating the same game, and still making it appealing and an enjoyable experience!