Wait. I just noticed the release dates. First Europe, then America, and then... Japan gets a nintendo game last? Has the world gone mad!?

@smashbrawler331 That's nothing, they only got Skyward Sword on the 23rd. Poor souls.

I'm in two minds about this. On the one hand they pushed to get it to launch on time AND Retro had a hand in development (woot!). On the other hand they pushed to get it launched on time.......

@Cipher Well, if "that's nothing" I guess Australia got the worst deal. We got Skyward Sword late on the 23rd and only because the street date was broken........ but we have it now and we get Mario Kart on the 3rd so, all is good!

"Can't this thing go any faster?"

true

"Can't this thing go any faster?"

Yes, but if it was going any faster we'd be getting more foolish complaints about people snaking.

This game needs to come now!!!!!!!

I'm buying a 3DS just for this game.... and perhaps SM3DS.

Is that why there's no single player vs. mode?

@mariofanatic128 Well, it doesn't have to. It could be a reason, however.

Still, with or without SP VS I'm gonna buy this.

Aren't Zelda games always released in English countries first or something?

It sounds like a double-edged sword. They rushed to get the game through without adding single-player vs. mode, but they had Retro Studios help them develop the retro (pun intended) tracks.

Doesn't matter, because this game is still going to be great.

@skywake

Keep in mind, based on the article, this happened well before the 3DS's launch (during the development of Nintendogs plus Cats). They wanted to have the game ready for the holiday season, so they brought in some additional help, but that doesn't necessarily mean that the game was rushed.

All they needed to do was keep the MK DS code and stick in some new tracks, as far as I'm concerned.

@ImDiggerDan
MKDS was flawed
Anyone with a light kart or "Dry Bomber" were unstopble to beat online.
Due to the "sheaking" drift trick

The US holiday season starts first, then Europe. Japan celebrates the New Year, hence why the dates have seemingly been the opposite of 'norm'.

@13
Exactly.
Well, not exactly, MK64 and MKSC code would be fine with me too, just not MKDD or MKWii

No need to worry, the game is definitely up to pap. I played a significant ammount of it at a 3DS kiosk and the controls work flawlessly, and the track design is brilliant

@smashbrawler321 Actually, the Japanese release date is incorrect; the game actually comes out in Japan December 1.

Whoa wait... No single player vs. mode? What does this mean, exactly? No one-on-one races with a computer player? Or... something else? I'm confused.

@ smashbrawler331
If I remember correctly, it was the same thing for Mario Kart Wii.

@Cipher
Hey!what about nz!We only got skyward sword and SM3DL on the 24!

WHY WOULD YOU ADMIT THIS?

Just for being named "Retro" they only had to develop the retro courses. Reality is simple.

I second @LittleIrves Is there really no Single Player Vs. Mode? That can't be right. It was in Mario Kart DS and Wii! Why leave out such a simple mode? I mean I understand they had to finish the game quickly but come on. Such an important mode...

Let's hope this doesn't translate to the product feeling rushed as badly as it seems it was.

If Retro Studios has their hands on anything it just can't be bad. They do a superb job.

If this was "normal" gaming news I'd be worried but in my don't have any problems whatsoever with Retro working on stuff. ^^

I smell a 10/10...

There's already a review on eurogamer.. wonder no longer

@24: It's not simple as Single Player VS mode, requires an advanced AI for the "computer" players.
And developing an AI isn't easy

You get the feeling from the article that Nintendo rushed the title, wich is absolutely not the Nintendo way! But then they asked Retro studios for help and as we know those guys are really good!

So I still have hopes that it will be a very nice Mariokart. I just hope it won't have to much evil glitches!

I can imagine the jokes if Mariokart 7 dissapoints: They better would have called it Mariokart Vista!

Europe gets it first

@30 True... But wouldn't Nintendo already have some sort of AI ready? The Grand Prix.... Would have made the process faster no? :/ I just like the VS. Mode cause I can choose which tracks I want to play... I don't want to have go through 3 or 2 other tracks to get to the one I want. Plus it's a good way to practice.

Two words: Time Trial.

And the game looks really smooth. Hopefully it has some kind of hardcore learning curve beneath the wacky item war.

Well you know what they say

Well they really needed this title for the holiday season for the 3DS so it was a good thing they got outside (Retro Studio's) help!