Mario Kart Wii Driving School Tour

Looks like YCNN is in need of an update. I think I’ll have the honor of breaking the ice.

This weekend, the Mario Kart Wii Driving School Tour came around to Las Vegas, so I decided to check it out. After all, it’s the least they can do for us since this isn’t Europe anytime soon, where it’s already been released.

Despite the 30 minute drive there, taking the 215 east, driving up the horrid traffic on the 15 north, exiting 515 to the Fremont Street Experience, and getting lost in the ghetto downtown Las Vegas area to score some free parking, doing countless of illegal U-turns and dangerous lane changes, it seems I’ve got some driving school left to do that not many has really heard about. That’s what I’m there for, right? I should technically become a better driver after all this.

Alongside taking pictures shortly before we were told not to by the charming pit-stop clad female workers, I got to see inside the touring van and play the game for myself, free of charge.

So far, it seems like what Mario Kart should have been years ago if they didn’t go down the Double Dash!! path. Interesting track designs, new characters, motorbikes, and Miis driving recklessly in the Coconut Mall parking lot. The items are fairly the same since Mario Kart DS as well.

They didn’t have any GameCube controllers available as I’m sure they’re trying to promote the Wii Wheel. It felt quite awkward holding a disembodied steering wheel at first, but you get used to it after a while. With it, you can also jiggle it around the air or something and pull off stunts in mid-air, rewarding you with a boost upon landing successfully. I find it a nice touch compared to the mindless use of GameCube controllers, obtaining maximum control every time. It’s the Wii after all, and I suppose we’re meant to be more interactive with our gaming now.

After two races, I got kicked out in order to let the other kids have a turn at it. Fair enough. It was merely a test toast anyway, and now I can’t wait to check out what else ought to be in store when I get the game myself. Stepping out of the van, I was given a piece of paper to fill out, asking things like my name, nickname, favorite character, and so forth. I guess I earned my driver’s license!

After filling out such vital information, I was taken into a shady photo booth to get my disturbing picture taken.

Wait, that was it!? Two whole races and your picture taken after signing down your soul on a piece of paper soon to be discarded? Well… yeah. After all was raced and done, I got my shiny and new “driver’s license.” They also passed out some freebees as well, such as a Mario license plate, a stolen ballpoint pen, and a Mario Kart Wii air freshener that smells like some kind of Swiss meringue or whatever scent that drives you into breaking into an office break room or any other place of work you’re not allowed to be in and steal their snacks, namely the pastries.

Hoo boy, can’t wait to tell the folks at home how much money I just saved on going to this school instead.