Topic: Mariokart Wii vs. Excitebots: Trick Racing

A few months ago, my sister influenced me to purchase Mariokart Wii instead of Excitebots: Trick Racing. She claimed that Mariokart Wii would be the better choice because she (and everyone we know) knew all of the characters, and it supported up to four players. In that regard, she may have been right. But what about the gameplay itself?

Don't get me wrong, I love playing Mariokart Wii, and I do not regret purchasing it. However, I could not help but wondering if Excitebots: Trick Racing could provide something that Mariokart could not. Eventually, I ended up purchasing ExciteBots when I saw it on clearance at my local Target store. I then had a chance to experience both games.

After a few weeks of playing both games, I concluded that I liked ExciteBots: Trick Racing more. Mariokart Wii had very familiar gameplay, with the main objective being to get first place in a race. ExciteBots reminded me more of an arcade game, since the main objective was to collect as many stars as possible. Getting first place didn't necessarily gaurantee a victory. I also enjoyed ExciteBots fast-paced and inventive gameplay.

My question is: What do you think? Is Mariokart Wii the better game because of its recognizable characters, accessible gameplay, and four-player support, or is ExciteBots: Trick Racing the better game because of its break-neck speed and inventive use of in-race challenges?

Mario Kart.

Do you like fast-paced racing, stuffed with meaningless in-game mini-games, cruddy 2 player offline multiplayer, and with a massive amount of content to unlock? (Plus 6 players online if you have Wi-fi.)

If you do then your in luck, otherwise stick with the superior Mario Kart Wii

Excitebots. Mario Kart Wii is horrible.

@RandomWiiPlayer: I don't think Mariokart is necessarily horrible, but I do enjoy Excitebots a bit more.

@ChronoCross: I see where you're coming from. In fact, I enjoyed Excitebot's multiplayer significantly more than Mariokart's multiplayer, at least online. I don't think the in-game mini-games are meaningless, per se. If you succeed at the mini-games stars are added to your overall score, so they are by no means meaningless, but they are essential to victory.

I;ve never played Excitebots, but I think it looks fun.

Just an FYI for anyone looking to get Excitebots, I picked it up today brand new for $14.99 at Best Buy. It will be awhile before I start playing it, but I couldn't pass up that deal.

@brooks83: That's an amazing deal! I got my copy of Excitebots for $24.95. I think you'll definitely enjoy it once you find the time to try it out.

@110percentful: It's definitely fun, that's for sure. You might want to try looking for it at Best Buy like brooks83 did. You'd be doing yourself a disservice if you passed up this treasure!

Personally I prefer Excitebots over Mario Kart as there are so many variations involved that you will find yourself experimenting with everything. Each bot is unique, courses offer so many possibilites, and preforming stunts is limited by your guts and determination.

While both are outstanding, I think I'd go with Excitebots simply because it's so darn fresh and original. And the online is just as addictive as Mario Kart Wii--the betting system is brilliant.

Excitebots.

I think the controls are not as good as the should be in ExciteBots and you have so many options of control in Mario Kart Wii. Mario Kart Wii wins.

Mario Kart Wii is relatively slow, easy & has "equalizing" factors (so that non-gamers can compete against regular players). Mario Kart Wii is more designed for younger kids. The physics are basic, even simplistic.

ExiteBots requires faster reflexs and hand-eye coordination. It takes more practice, and takes longer to complete the game. It has more arcade speed and variety, crazier physics. If you're a teenager or older, and a gamer, then choose Excite Bots.

Both are excellent racing games, and a lot of fun. Everyone who likes driving games should have both in your collection.

I have little interest in racing games generally. In a group I've played Super Mario Kart in the past and I can recall it being fun, but Excite Bots is just a more engaging prospect with mad air and poker races -- if Mario Kart played poker that might reel me in.

I'm surprised that I've heard so many people say that they prefer Excitebots over Mariokart Wii! If anything, I though it would be the other way around.

@dgold: I agree. Mariokart is (obviously) much slower than Excitebots, and it leaves a lot of room for the average player to defeat an experienced one. Excitebots is definitely a better choice for teens, or people who just want a nice distraction from the simplicity of Mariokart Wii.

I have Excite Truck and Mario Kart Wii.

I get Excitebots day one, but it's not out in PAL regions.

Well, Excite Truck is much better than Mario Kart Wii (as a racing game, not as a multiplayer partygame), so Excitebots with its online should be even better.

Excitebots wins, hands down. Much better balanced and there's a ton more replay value than Mario Kart.

You only think that cos you suck at it RWP. All the people who complain about Mario Kart are the ones who don't play it because they think it's unfair, waaah, waaaah.

I hate this thread!

So negative Machu!

Excitebots is crazy, but surprisingly too crazy for me. I have no idea whats going on most of the time, and I suck at it. I crash into trees every few seconds. I think I like Mario Kart Wii because of the silly graphics even though its frustrating.

Me? Negative? You would be too if people kept talking about a game NoE won't let you play.

Also, I took offense from RWP, calling my most played Wii game, horrible.

I think I had good reason to be negative. Excuuuuuuse me.