Nintendo Has a “Mario Kart” Party
by Louis Bedigian

Recently Nintendo held a gaming event to promote the release of Mario Kart: Double Dash!!  Attendees got the chance to play Double Dash!! with up to seven opponents.  Each player had access to a high-quality, flat-screen monitor; a Logitech racing wheel (with pedals); and a comfortable, arcade-style racing chair.

Can you feel the magic?

Prizes were given throughout the three-day event, but on the final day a tournament was held.

The tournament gave everyone a chance to experience the biggest joy Double Dash!! has to offer: multiplayer competition.  Dozens of gamers lined up to compete in the tourney, but the real reward was not in the prizes – it was the game itself.

Having played Double Dash!! extensively with both the Logitech racing wheel and the standard GameCube controller, I can safely say that this is the most realistic game in the series.  Its controls are a little looser, but still tight enough to keep you on course.  There isn't a whole lot to say about them – everything just feels right.  You'll know exactly what I mean when you play the game later this week (you will be getting it as soon as it's released, won't you?).

Louis Bilotta, winner of Mario Kart MicroSizer (a miniature RC)

Everyone loves to race, but for quick thrills Nintendo created a new "get the Shine" battle mode.  Players are placed in a small, usually square-shaped world with a Shine in the middle.  Obviously everyone is going to dive for the Shine as soon as the battle starts, but the person who grabs it first will not necessarily be the winner.  The trick is to be the last person holding it.  The clock will slowly wind down, but as soon as someone steals the Shine it'll be reset.  It can only be reset so far though, so no matter what the battle will end.

One way to steal a Shine (other than driving up and grabbing it out of your opponent's hand) is to shoot him or her with a power-up.  If hot, the Shine will be dropped immediately, giving someone else the chance to get it.

It must be said that Double Dash!! moves flawlessly on both LAN and split-screen multiplayer games.  There's never any slowdown – not even a hint, regardless of the game mode (story, battle, single race, etc.).  The character animations are superb.  Their facial expressions and their general reactions to a crummy situation are highly amusing.  Nintendo fans will be in awe of every aspect of this game.  It's the definitive GameCube racer, one that has the power to attract more than the hardcore crowd.

See?  I told you women play games!

In second now, this tough competitor is capable of last-minute wins.

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