While attending the E3 expo last month, I had the pleasure of test driving Nintendo’s upcoming new 3DS handheld during a twenty minute closed demonstration on a raised platform above the show floor. A bushel of fembot looking boothbabes held 3DS handhelds for us geeks to drool over and even play with, each with a different game or demo to display. I heard rumblings that a brand new Mario Kart title was on hand, so like a headless chicken on safari, I scrambled to find it.

Sure enough, a shiny new Mario Kart title was being shown on a nearby 3DS. About 4 or 5 screenshots of the new title played on a loop for me to see, mainly showing off the 3D effects of the game. Noticeable however were a group of Mii characters off to the side of a level reminiscent of Wuhu Island, a piece of property featured in several of Nintendo’s key Wii software titles. This marks the first time Mii characters have left the Wii for a DS title, something I thought was quite telling.

There are a few things this could mean for Nintendo’s plans. First, it could be nothing more than a few familiar Mii characters that reside on Wuhu Island. But the Miis could bring something so much bigger to the 3DS. What if Mii customization fully extends to the 3DS? Imagine players can now create new Mii characters via their handhelds, adding to the hundreds of millions of avatars already created. Then there’s the idea of Mii transfer. What if Nintendo allows users to transfer their Wii Miis to their 3DS handhelds?

So, theoretically, if Nintendo allows you to transfer your Miis, then it seems they may have developed a way to control “your” console data. Nintendo’s Wii and DS handhelds currently suffer from a ridiculous limitation that locks your content not to a username or account, but to a console. If say, a gamer wants to get a new DSi XL, their downloaded DSiWare titles on their previous DSi handheld will be locked to that device. No content transfers are allowed. This has forever frustrated those that like the idea of upgrading their gaming systems.

If Miis are transferable from a Wii console to a DS console, then it sounds likely that Nintendo may have implemented a way to transfer data from one console to another, opening the door for an account system to be created. Ideally, a user could create a username and account for which all their created and purchased content is stored, and will now be accessible or transferable to another console or handheld. Possibly, Miis in Mario Kart 3DS could mean that Nintendo is ready to implement such new policies.

Of course, this could all just be nonsensical chatter. Still, the sight of a few Miis did open up the floodgates of possibilities for what Nintendo plans to do with the 3DS. As stated time and time again by Nintendo themselves, the 3DS is not just a new edition of the current handheld lineup. It’s a new entity, set to bring with it a whole new set of abilities. Account management and data transfer doesn’t seem that far out of the realm of possibilities. Then again, neither did an external Wii hard drive. And, well…

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Nintendo has just confirmed that Mario Kart is on its way for the Nintendo 3DS. While the only visuals we have at the moment appear somewhat similar to those seen on Mario Kart DS, they do show an impressive number of objects being rendered along the tracks. What’s more, if you look closely you will notice that one of the images depicts Mii avatars standing at the side of the course much like they do in Mario Kart Wii. Could this possibly mean that the DS will also have Mii integration? This seems like a natural choice for Nintendo to make given how popular Miis have become, but at this point it is all pure speculation. Check out all of the screens below including the last one containing the Miis.

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  Nintendo and K’NEX connect a Mario Kart toy deal

No, not Mario Planes,…Mario Kart!

Popular toy company K’NEX, the anti-Lego, has announced a new partnership deal with Nintendo to bring Mario Kart themed toys to their collection next year. The toys will feature the icon characters, Mario, Luigi, Yoshi, Peach and Bowser, in racing form. The sets will also include other distinguishable scenic elements from Mario Kart Wii.

“Our partnership with Nintendo is a win-win,” said Michael Araten, president of K’NEX Brands. “It lets K’NEX bring popular and recognizable characters to life in a new way and provides an opportunity for kids to interact with Nintendo outside of the gaming console.”

I’m glad to see Mario Kart getting such a huge merchandising push. From RC cars to K’NEX, Mario Kart is taking over the world!

GameInformer

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RC cars, in general, are pretty awesome. Mario Kart is also awesome. So consider these cars awesome squared.

The above set not only features five Mario Kart racers and a variety of track pieces, it also has a handy remote that goes beyond mere controller, emitting sound from the remote’s speakers and distributing Mario Kart’s iconic power-ups. Your little go kart will actually react to each of the randomly chosen items, triggered by infrared sensors located on the back of the kart.  And -sigh of relief- no blue shells! Snap these up as an import from Amazon Japan starting June 19th, for about $30.

Joystiq

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If for nothing else, the Interweb is just there to make us laugh at funny viral videos. YouTuber “RhymesWithStomach” (mumach?) took part in a little sing-a-long with the help of a Mario Kart montage and opacity.

The video features our star putting words to Mario Kart: Double Dash!!’s Rainbow Road theme song. Apparently, it’s the “road you go [to] when you die.” Enough said. Watch it, and you’ll thank me later.

YouTube

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Gamers like to show their devotion any way they can. This BMW driver, seen in Los Angeles on the 405, didn’t have to whip out any bananas or red shells to show his love for Mario Kart.

This makes my 8-bit Mario window decal seem pretty lame.

See any gaming influenced license plates on the open road? Tell us about them!

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Nintendo is bringing the original kart racer, Super Mario Kart, to Europe this Friday, and it’s kind of a big deal. So much so, a trailer was created to celebrate the release.

How awesome is that? A minute and a half commercial just for the re-release of an old school favorite on the Wii’s Virtual Console. Just watching it gets me amped, and I already have it downloaded!

The SNES gem will be available for 800 points this Friday.

NintenDaanNC
via GoNintendo

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As many of you know, this is has its roots in Chicago, home to the recently eliminated Chicago Blackhawks. Yeah, we’re all disappointed, but at least the team had fun, and they had fun in more ways than one. Many of the players spent Tuesday night (ahead of Wednesday’s Game 5) in the hotel enjoying their favorite video game. As forward Colin Fraser explains, ”We’ve been playing ‘Mario Kart’ the whole playoffs in the hotel. It’s a good way to pass the time and have fun.”

Patrick Kane, who will be gracing the cover of EA’s NHL 10 when it launches later this year, has been playing as well. “A lot of the guys like it. There’s definitely a group that’s pretty good… A lot of the guys say I’m the worst player, but that’s because they’ve been playing at home.”

I guess we can’t all be good at Mario Kart… It’s okay, Kane’s got hockey to fall back on.

Chicago Tribune

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I’m not sure why video game themed cakes are all the rage right now (besides the fact that they are awesome), but everything from Super Mario Bros. to Zelda to Super Smash Bros. has sprung up as a sugary tribute.

That being said, this latest confectionery contraption, which launched alongside Mario Kart Wii at one lucky couple’s wedding, blows away the competition. Don’t get me wrong, the other cakes are all amazing in their own right, but the level of detail put into this cake is unprecedented. Characters are driving specific karts. Rainbow Road is rainbowed. Peach is even giving Mario a little peck on the nose. More pictures outlining the finer points of this gravity defying work of art after the break.

I promise that I had no intention of making the thumbnails look like a castle. But you have to admit, with a flag pole and some fireworks, that puppy is straight out of world 1-1.

flickr

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