Mario Kart 3DS Discussion Thread

[Uber_Challenger]

Forgive me if a thread on this already exists. But based on looking at the whole first page, I didn't see one and a lot of them were older threads. Based on the fact that Mario Kart 3DS is relatively new, I don't think this thread will be a problem.

Anyway, I'd like to know what everyone on here expects from this game, as well as what you maybe don't want to see.

I'll start off by talking about characters. Now there are 9 confirmed characters, which are the following:

Mario
Luigi
Peach
Yoshi
Donkey Kong
Bowser
Koopa Troopa
Toad
Mii

I'm fine with all of these (though I think the Mii characters look too "Avatar-ish" to be honest). But I'd like to see these go along with 9 unlockable characters. I think these should be the unlockable characters:

Daisy
King Boo
Petey Pirhana
Toadette
Bowser Jr.
Dry Bones
Toadsworth
Chain Chomp (Yes, I know, he has no arms. But he could hold the wheel with the chain and steer, and since King Boo can drive with no feet, I think this guy should be able to as well)
Rosalina

I hope you like my ideas, and I hope to hear many great ideas for not only which characters should still be added but also for courses and karts.

[hisak]

I don't really care what characters end up in the game, but I like your list. Get rid of teams for Battle Mode and bring back Mission Mode: those are two reasons I skipped Mario Kart Wii. And of course, they should bring back those nifty online features from MKWii that I heard so much about.

Here's the E3 trailer:

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CygXZCWINF4" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CygXZCWINF4</a>

I like the look of the big tires, hopefully there are some other cool customizations in the game.

[hupla]

Paratroopa> Koopa

(Dry bones is a decent substitute

[Uber_Challenger]

I actually have been reading other ideas and here are two that really intrigue me:

The first idea would be that there would be no more separate Baby Characters or separate alter egos. In order to make the roster smaller while at the same time making the selection have more variety, there would be "costume changes" for each character.

And these "costume" changes would go further than just changing the costume of that one character. It would involve having only one character on the selection screen, but several options under that character, and even some different manifestations of that character (i.e. if you choose Mario, Baby Mario, Original Mario, and a few others would be options besides just the main Mario). Except for one character idea of mine (I've also read that others would like this, or should I say, "these" characters), I don't want to go as far as to put totally different characters under one character (like I'm not going to put Bowser and Bowser Jr. both under Bowser because they're two different characters). In minor cases, however, like Koopa having the options of Paratroopa and Dry Bones, and characters having the Baby versions of themselves as options will be allowed.

Also, I think this would open up the option for two or more people to be the "same" character, but just a different selection under that character for each person. If this was added, this would be my ideal character roster for this game:

Mario - Can be Normal Mario, Super Mario, Baby Mario, Dr. Mario, or 8-Bit Mario

Luigi - Can be Normal Luigi, Baby Luigi, or 8-bit Luigi

Peach - Can be Normal Peach, Baby Peach, or 8-Bit Peach

Yoshi - Can be Normal Yoshi or Baby Yoshi, as well as the colors of Green, Red, Blue, and Yellow in either of those (thus giving 8 options here)

Bowser - Can be Normal Bowser, Dry Bowser, 8-Bit Bowser, or Giga Bowser (obviously he'd be downsized somewhat, lol)

Donkey Kong - Can be Normal Donkey Kong or 8-Bit Donkey Kong

Koopa - Can be Koopa Troopa (any shell color), Paratroopa (any shell color), Dry Bones, or Magikoopa

Toad - Can be Toad or 16-Bit Toad (from Super Mario Bros. 2 USA, or Doki Doki Panic in Japan (I think he'd be 8-bit in that version of the game since it was on the Famicom, right?))

Mii - Not really much you can list here in terms of options (i.e. the list would be too long because there are lots of options and combinations)


Secret characters:

Daisy - Can be regular Daisy, Baby Daisy, or Daisy from Mario Golf

Diddy Kong - Can't think of any other "costumes" for him

Toadette - Same as above

Toadsworth - Not sure if there are any alternate appearances of this guy

Bowser Jr. - Can't think of any other "costumes" for him

Petey Piranha - I can't really think of any alternate costumes or versions of Petey

Rosalina - I don't think there are any alternate costumes or appearances of her

King Boo - Can be King Boo as he looks in the side games (the funny-looking King Boo) or King Boo as he looks in Luigi's Mansion and it's upcoming sequel (the demonic-looking King Boo)

Chain Chomp - Can be Chain Chomp (i.e. the gigantic one from the 3-D games) or 8-Bit Chain Chomp (from SMB3....I don't think he made any sound effects, so I think since he's smaller maybe giving him a higher-pitched bark than the 3-D Chain Chomp)

Ludwig Von Koopa - Can be Ludwig or any of the other Koopalings (I am making an exception here to my rule of keeping totally different characters separate)


This time I also put the secret characters in the order of difficulty they would be to unlock (so Daisy is the easiest to unlock (like clearing the 50cc Mushroom Cup races with one character), and Bowser Jr. and the Koopalings would be the hardest (like clearing everything with one stock character and one secret character))


The second idea might be hard to implement (especially if they miraculously ever decided to use fan ideas like the ones I put above), but it's cool. I think a mode where you can choose from a bunch of options in order to build your own car, and you can choose the weight class. I also think it would be cool if half of the stats of the average car of the class you choose were set in stone, and if they gave you the rest of the stats to put in the areas you most want them.

One idea I thought up is that the stats of individual characters should be more pronounced based on their individual traits and regardless of their class. Like since Bowser in his normal form is heavier than Bowser in his dry form, the regular Bowser would have greater top speed and better recovery from items but slightly less acceleration, while Dry Bowser would have slightly better acceleration (since he's lighter) and greater handling but a lower top speed. And since people have brought this issue up to me several times, I'll address it here. King Boo is a ghost. Ghosts are spirits and thus don't weigh ANYTHING! But he's still in the heavy class. I'm guessing this could be because he's materialized. Just to point this out I think that he is materialized because if he wasn't the only thing that could harm him at all is the Poltergeist 3000 from Luigi's Mansion. He'd be cheap because shells would go through him. It could also be because his crown is very heavy. Either way, I think that since he's a ghost and ghosts have a reputation of not being heavy, he should have the best acceleration of the heavy class but the lowest top speed (similar to how his car in Double Dash was a heavy car but had better acceleration than top speed). I hope these examples got the general point across.

I think doing this would bring a lot more individuality to each character (yeah, they had hidden stats in MKWii, but they were a little on the subtle side and for all practical purposes the characters in each class were almost the same). They could also theoretically give different stats depending on which "costume" was picked (like the different koopalings weigh different amounts). This in conjunction with the different car stats (which would stay the same no matter what character had the car) would allow for a lot of cool combinations for overall stats, and would make for much more strategy and planning than just looking at which car has the best speed or handling or acceleration.

Just some ideas I heard (and one I had).

[hisak]

Your costume idea reminds me of some of the pre-release speculation for Brawl. Unfortunately I can't see it happening, but it's a cool idea!

We need more videos, I hadn't actually seen any demo footage until tonight, so here's some tracks from the game.

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JVFvu8AdTMc" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JVFvu8AdTMc</a>
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H82Srqie2kk" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H82Srqie2kk</a>

The Donkey Kong track was designed (at least partially) by Retro Studios.

[Uber_Challenger]

When I tried to play the 2nd video it said "Sorry, an error occurred". But I watched part of the first one. I like the ability to select the Body, Tires, and Accessories separately. Also, glad to see they brought hopping back into it.

I personally hope they still have bikes as an option. I like how those handle.

And these also better not be the only available characters. They sure as heck better put King Boo in there, he's my favorite, next to Mario, who of course is there.

What do you think of my idea for Chain Chomp being downsized somewhat and then becoming one of the drivers? I think that would be awesome.

[Hyruleansoldier]

I don't really care what characters end up in the game, but I like your list. Get rid of teams for Battle Mode and bring back Mission Mode: those are two reasons I skipped Mario Kart Wii. And of course, they should bring back those nifty online features from MKWii that I heard so much about.

Here's the E3 trailer:

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CygXZCWINF4" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CygXZCWINF4</a>

I like the look of the big tires, hopefully there are some other cool customizations in the game.

Holy crap, MK 3DS looks awesome.  Hang-gliders!  And pretty much GameCube graphics, right? 

I loved the under water driving portions too, and the coins probably mean that MISSIONS are back, thank God.

Reminded me of Diddy Kong Racing a few times, and yes that's a very good thing.  That game was/is so good.

Now if only the Battle modes are good again (Shine Thief + Bob-Omb Blast from the GC (Double Dash!!) are a must), this game is going to kick so much ass.  Only 2 months away...

[hisak]

Only 2 months away...

But still, the MK games never get old, and I'm really looking forward to MK 3DS, September 1st is only 2 months away akshully! ^^

Where are you getting this date from? It sounds like a placeholder date to me.

What do you think of my idea for Chain Chomp being downsized somewhat and then becoming one of the drivers? I think that would be awesome.

I'd rather they bring back Chain Chomp as an item to replace Bullet Bill. Baby Mario & Luigi being dragged by a Chomp was a lot more fun to watch than a Bullet Bill driving through a track. But it doesn't look like that'll be the case.

Just try refreshing the Youtube video that didn't work for you.

[Uber_Challenger]

^I was able to see it now. This game looks so smooth it's crazy!

I know this might be a stupid question since they're called "secret" characters for a reason, but do they ever reveal if they are putting secret characters in the game before the game is released?

Again, I want King Boo (that guy in my avatar) to be in there. A lot of people seemed to like him and he was in the 2 latest console Kart games, so it's probably not unlikely he'll be in this game or at least future console Kart games. But I haven't heard anything about secret characters or other unlockables yet.

[hisak]

I know this might be a stupid question since they're called "secret" characters for a reason, but do they ever reveal if they are putting secret characters in the game before the game is released?

There's been unlockable characters in the past three Mario Kart games. I think it's a given now.

King Boo's status probably depends on how big they decide to make the character roster. If they go with 12-16, chances aren't good, but with 20-24 characters he'll be there.

[Uber_Challenger]

I know this might be a stupid question since they're called "secret" characters for a reason, but do they ever reveal if they are putting secret characters in the game before the game is released?

There's been unlockable characters in the past three Mario Kart games. I think it's a given now.

King Boo's status probably depends on how big they decide to make the character roster. If they go with 12-16, chances aren't good, but with 20-24 characters he'll be there.

Lol yeah I didn't really consider the patterns that many game series develop.

And sounds to me like he might be back as a character if not in this game, the next console game. He made his debut on Double Dash, likely because he was the main villain of Luigi's Mansion (and the upcoming Luigi's Mansion 2 for the 3DS), and thus is a major character and one of Bowser's main guys. He wasn't on Kart DS as a playable character (though he did make an appearance as a villain of sorts) which came right after that. But he was on the following console game, Mario Kart Wii, as a playable character again. So yeah I guess you're right.

But one thing....Petey Pirhana was planned to be on the Wii and he was taken out. Why was he dropped? Was he just not as popular as Toadette, King Boo, and the other newcomers?

[hisak]

But one thing....Petey Pirhana was planned to be on the Wii and he was taken out. Why was he dropped? Was he just not as popular as Toadette, King Boo, and the other newcomers?

I want to say that it's because Nintendo was holding Sunshine at arms' length around the time Galaxy was released, but Brawl featured Sunshine characters and locations very prominently. It doesn't make sense why Petey Piranha would be cut in favor of Funky Kong and Dry Bowser, so I can't tell you.

I know that Mario Kart isn't as concerned with fan service as the Smash Bros. series, but I'd be really happy if this game's iteration of Rainbow Road was designed after the Rainbow Road level in Galaxy 2.

[Hyruleansoldier]

But one thing....Petey Pirhana was planned to be on the Wii and he was taken out. Why was he dropped? Was he just not as popular as Toadette, King Boo, and the other newcomers?

I want to say that it's because Nintendo was holding Sunshine at arms' length around the time Galaxy was released, but Brawl featured Sunshine characters and locations very prominently. It doesn't make sense why Petey Piranha would be cut in favor of Funky Kong and Dry Bowser, so I can't tell you.

I know that Mario Kart isn't as concerned with fan service as the Smash Bros. series, but I'd be really happy if this game's iteration of Rainbow Road was designed after the Rainbow Road level in Galaxy 2.

Well, I'd say that Funky Kong is much more well-known than Petey Piranha... So that's probably why.  Also, Funky hadn't been in a Mario Kart game before, which makes him a better SECRET character.  Chances are he won't be in the 3DS game for the same reason Petey was only in the GC game.  And ROB was only in the DS version.  Of course Petey gained more popularity since Brawl (memorable as first SubSpace boss), so they might bring him back.

But: he's FAT.  Driving with him on the GC was a major pain, didn't even matter if he was driving or in the back- he really obstructed your vision.   King Boo did a bit too, but he became smaller when driving (check it out).  I really want King Boo to stay as a regular, he's just too cool and unique a character.  Since they don't need to keep obsessing about pairs, they can get rid of one of the koopa's (red or green shell, who cares), and instead they could introduce a color changing option like in Brawl.  Where you could have DarkLink even though it wasn't a separate character.  Same for Peach & Daisy.  And Toadette is really just the girl-version of Toad (with pig tails).  So yeah, they can work it out if they really want. I do hope there'll be more than 16 characters.  It's fun to have a lot of chars to choose from.  I liked how they were paired up in the GC version (and you used two at the same time, with their unique items).

I liked the unique karts for each character on the DS version a lot too.  Of course if you beat all the cups you eventually unlocked ALL the cars for EVERYONE, but it didn't start out like that.  So yeah.

I'd like them to focus more on customizable options: like on the Wii version.  How many races - in order - CPU level on hard - Item level on Frantic - etc.  They have to keep all that, and cater more to other such handy options.

PS: About the release date: I preordered it, and it's expected for September 1st, so I doubt it'll be much later than that.

[hisak]

Well, I'd say that Funky Kong is much more well-known than Petey Piranha... So that's probably why.

I don't think that's true. Younger players probably have no idea who Funky Kong is.

No way that they're getting rid of characters like Toadette and Daisy. They might be cut from this game to keep the roster at a reasonable size, but they'll definitely be in future console Karts.

[Uber_Challenger]

they can get rid of one of the koopa's (red or green shell, who cares), and instead they could introduce a color changing option like in Brawl.

I actually brought this up as something that I (along with many others I've seen on forums) would like to see. It's a few posts above, but I'll just copy and paste my take on the idea here. Note that this also includes the secret characters that I strongly think should be included in future games.

And these "costume" changes would go further than just changing the costume of that one character. It would involve having only one character on the selection screen, but several options under that character, and even some different manifestations of that character (i.e. if you choose Mario, Baby Mario, Original Mario, and a few others would be options besides just the main Mario). Except for one character idea of mine (I've also read that others would like this, or should I say, "these" characters), I don't want to go as far as to put totally different characters under one character (like I'm not going to put Bowser and Bowser Jr. both under Bowser because they're two different characters). In minor cases, however, like Koopa having the options of Paratroopa and Dry Bones, and characters having the Baby versions of themselves as options will be allowed.

Also, I think this would open up the option for two or more people to be the "same" character, but just a different selection under that character for each person. If this was added, this would be my ideal character roster for this game:

Mario - Can be Normal Mario, Super Mario, Baby Mario, Dr. Mario, or 8-Bit Mario

Luigi - Can be Normal Luigi, Baby Luigi, or 8-bit Luigi

Peach - Can be Normal Peach, Baby Peach, or 8-Bit Peach

Yoshi - Can be Normal Yoshi or Baby Yoshi, as well as the colors of Green, Red, Blue, and Yellow in either of those (thus giving 8 options here)

Bowser - Can be Normal Bowser, Dry Bowser, 8-Bit Bowser, or Giga Bowser (obviously he'd be downsized somewhat, lol)

Donkey Kong - Can be Normal Donkey Kong or 8-Bit Donkey Kong

Koopa - Can be Koopa Troopa (any shell color), Paratroopa (any shell color), Dry Bones, or Magikoopa

Toad - Can be Toad or 16-Bit Toad (from Super Mario Bros. 2 USA, or Doki Doki Panic in Japan (I think he'd be 8-bit in that version of the game since it was on the Famicom, right?))

Mii - Not really much you can list here in terms of options (i.e. the list would be too long because there are lots of options and combinations)


Secret characters:

Daisy - Can be regular Daisy, Baby Daisy, or Daisy from Mario Golf

Diddy Kong - Can't think of any other "costumes" for him

Toadette - Same as above

Toadsworth - Not sure if there are any alternate appearances of this guy

Bowser Jr. - Can't think of any other "costumes" for him

Petey Piranha - I can't really think of any alternate costumes or versions of Petey

Rosalina - I don't think there are any alternate costumes or appearances of her

King Boo - Can be King Boo as he looks in the side games (the funny-looking King Boo) or King Boo as he looks in Luigi's Mansion and it's upcoming sequel (the demonic-looking King Boo)

Chain Chomp - Can be Chain Chomp (i.e. the gigantic one from the 3-D games) or 8-Bit Chain Chomp (from SMB3....I don't think he made any sound effects, so I think since he's smaller maybe giving him a higher-pitched bark than the 3-D Chain Chomp)

Ludwig Von Koopa - Can be Ludwig or any of the other Koopalings (I am making an exception here to my rule of keeping totally different characters separate)


This time I also put the secret characters in the order of difficulty they would be to unlock (so Daisy is the easiest to unlock (like clearing the 50cc Mushroom Cup races with one character), and Bowser Jr. and the Koopalings would be the hardest (like clearing everything with one stock character and one secret character))

I should also add in that if they put the giant chain chomp in, he would need to be about 1/3 the size he is normally at most to be able to be usable, as you couldn't see anything in front of you if he was at full size.

[Hyruleansoldier]

I do like these ideas!

MK should be a bit more like Brawl: lots of characters and different color schemes for each.

Same with the karts/bikes themselves.  In the Wii version the color scheme depended on the character driving it.  So Peach makes vehicles Pink, Yoshi makes 'em green, etc.  You should be able to decide upon that as well.   I want to drive around with Bowser in something pink.   Or with Peach in a black & red Bowser kart (yeah, even though they're not the same weight class, I don't care).

Toadsworth would be cool, he's been in a few games since Sunshine, and he'd be pretty cool to drive around with. 
Toad is too bland.  Same for 'normal' green Yoshi, and the koopas.

Koopa with a blue shell would be pretty cool though!   More intimidating since blue shell = death.

And maybe they could have characters slightly increase the chance to get certain items, on that note.  The koopas get shells more often, the Toads get more boosts, the Kongs get more bananas, Wario gets more bob-ombs...  Basically a less extreme setup as in Double Deash, where each pair of characters had his/her own unique item, that none of the others could get (unless you were King Boo or Petey Piranha, who were of course grossly overpowered in that sense).

[hisak]

Yoshi and Toad are long-respected Mario characters, how dare you. >:o

And maybe they could have characters slightly increase the chance to get certain items, on that note.  The koopas get shells more often, the Toads get more boosts, the Kongs get more bananas, Wario gets more bob-ombs...  Basically a less extreme setup as in Double Deash, where each pair of characters had his/her own unique item, that none of the others could get (unless you were King Boo or Petey Piranha, who were of course grossly overpowered in that sense).

I like this, as long as the item appearance rate would still be reliant on the player's place as well.

[Uber_Challenger]

Yoshi and Toad are long-respected Mario characters, how dare you. >:o

And maybe they could have characters slightly increase the chance to get certain items, on that note.  The koopas get shells more often, the Toads get more boosts, the Kongs get more bananas, Wario gets more bob-ombs...  Basically a less extreme setup as in Double Deash, where each pair of characters had his/her own unique item, that none of the others could get (unless you were King Boo or Petey Piranha, who were of course grossly overpowered in that sense).

I like this, as long as the item appearance rate would still be reliant on the player's place as well.

I kinda had mixed feelings about Yoshi and Birdo's item (which Petey and Boo could also get). I always play as King Boo, not for his abilities, but because I think he's funny. And he and Petey only get a certain random item depending on which place they are in. In other words, they don't get the chain chomp, the triple mushrooms, or the golden mushroom if they are in first place. But like some others who get their items in almost any place (even first), Yoshi, Birdo, Boo, and Petey can get the egg in first. The egg has the possibility of having a mushroom or even a star in it, even sometimes when they are in first place. Although getting a star in an egg is quite rare in first place, I think this can still give them an unfair advantage when it does show up.

On the other hand, though, I do like how the shooting stars on Rainbow Road can leave stars behind on Double Dash. That's not as unfair because EVERY character has a chance to get one, not just four of them.

[Hyruleansoldier]

I like this, as long as the item appearance rate would still be reliant on the player's place as well.

Yeah, of course.

What's annoying about having 1 VS 1 (or up to 4 people) in one race, is that not all the items are present.  All the owerpowered stuff isn't there, it's sad.  Although you CAN get a mushroom in first place, which you can't get if you're racing with 8+ people, I think.

A similar idea would lie in power instead of frequency (to get a certain item).  Instead of the Toads getting MORE mushrooms, their boosts would just be in effect a bit longer (if you've played Diddy Kong Racing you know there's 3 levels to each item, if you pick up more of the same it makes the item more powerful, so a boost that goes faster and lasts longer).

Same with the Bob-ombs, they could have a bigger radius.  A Red shell could become faster, a Green shell could bounce back and forth longer until it would hit a player (I think in Battle mode they bounce around longer already, I remember that being the case in the N64 version), a Banana placed by the Kongs could make you spin out a bit longer, etc.


So yeah, this could either become character-dependent, or item-box dependent, like in Diddy Kong Racing.   Picking up another item box while already having a banana would change it into a big banana, the Red Shell would become faster, and smarter, Green shells would multiply, boosts would last longer, and Bob-ombs would wipe out a bigger radius.

[Uber_Challenger]

^That's actually a pretty cool idea! One thing I'd like to know is this: What are you guys' opinions on the blue shell (the one that hits the person in first place; it's in the picture below)? Should it stay, go, or be updated?