It is the sixth installment in the series (not including the two arcade games) and the second to use Nintendo's free online service, Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection. The game was released on April 10, 2008 in Japan and April 11, 2008 in Europe, and will be released on April 24, 2008 in Australia and April 27, 2008 in North America. Every copy of the game is packaged with the Wii Wheel accessory, which is designed to house the Wii Remote to allow more intuitive and conventional steering.
Mario Kart Wii is the successor to Mario Kart DS for the Nintendo DS. Changes from the predecessor includes motorbikes and support for up to twelve racers. Like other games in the Mario Kart series, Mario Kart Wii involves various characters from various Mario games racing each other on tracks themed from locations in the Mario series. Less realistic physics, and the use of various weapons and or items to achieve victory differentiates kart racing games like Mario Kart Wii from more realistic racing games.
