If there's one constant in the history of video games, it's that even the hardcore gamers who typically get their fix on complex games like Halo or Final Fantasy have a soft spot. For most, including this gamer, that soft spot is the Mario Kart series. After a few years of waiting, the next generation of the well-received racing series, Mario Kart: Double Dash!!, has sped out of stores and into GameCubes for the holidays.
When Super Mario Kart first debuted in 1992 on the Super Nintendo, it spawned a mini movement in gaming that has been imitated and replicated many times since, but never with the mastery that Nintendo accomplished. The formula was simple: place well-known iconic characters in a genre gamers are unaccustomed to seeing them in and have them beat the crap out of each other with bananas, turtle shells and the like.
For better or for worse, not much has changed 11 years later. Double Dash is pretty much Mario Kart 64 on steroids. The courses are zanier than ever before, which is a plus, with random obstacles ranging from tornadoes, moving tables and, of course, Whomps.
The biggest change is the creation of a two-driver system. When racing, you control two characters simultaneously, one who drives and one who controls the weapons. Best of all, your pair can flip places at the touch of a button, changing racing dynamics mid-game as each character has its own unique stats. This also means each character can hold a weapon, doubling your attack options.
Complicated as it sounds, the control scheme becomes second nature rather quickly. Cars also have their own unique stats now, making players think twice about their selection of driver and vehicle. The framework of the game is identical to its predecessors with three cups to race through and a fourth to unlock. The fun doesn't stop there, however.
The game has lots of features to unlock, including secret characters, new cars, racing modes and more, adding a huge replay tilt.
The courses are more varied than in the past. In one race, you'll be doing seven laps around a baby racetrack, and the next you'll be avoiding quicksand in the desert.
The weapons will be familiar to fans of the series. The neat innovation here is the addition of special weapons that are unique to every set of characters.
Mario and Luigi toss a barrage of fireballs, Bowser and Bowser Jr. launch a gigantic spiked turtle shell, etc. My only complaint is that players can no longer let weapons drag behind them in order to deflect oncoming attacks. If someone launches a homing shell on you, you're pretty much toast.
The battle mode is back with its basic hit-them-till-they-die mode, as well as a capture-the-flag style game and a Bob-omb battle. In one especially fun battle course, you can drive into pipes, which will spit you out in a different part of the level. Doing well in the game will also unlock two secret battle courses that are a little more interesting than the initial choices.
The Mario Kart series has always been one to transcend the gender gap with its cute, cartoon-y violence, and Double Dash!! is a worthy successor to the throne. It may not be a revolution in gaming, but pack four college-sized kids around the TV and the hours will fly by like a mushroom boost.
