Instead of having a physical presence at E3 this year, Nintendo decided to get all futuristic on us and broadcast a live look at what it has in store for us this year. During the livestreamed Nintendo Direct event, the big N dropped some deets about the future of Mario and friends. Nintendo gave us a first look at the next installment in its popular racing franchise, Mario Kart, announcing that Mario Kart 8 will be available on the Wii U in Spring 2014.
Mario Kart 8 looks like its predecessors, both graphics and game play wise. Of course, the Wii U shots look smoother and brighter than the Wii version, and still hold true to Nintendo’s quite cartoony character design and style. There are some gameplay additions, with carts turning into hovercraft like vehicles and a 3D world that goes upside down, inside out and all over the place. Air gliding, underwater racing and driving up vertical walls are all now normal occurrences while shooting a red turtle shell at that dude in the first place slot.
Mamma mia! Check out the E3 trailer below.