Mario Kart Wii is a kart racing video game developed and published by Nintendo for the Wii console. It is the sixth installment in the home console series 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 in Europe, with Australian and American releases on April 24 and April 27, respectively. Every copy of the game was packaged with the Wii Wheel accessory, which is designed to house the Wii Remote to allow more intuitive and conventional steering.
Like other games in the Mario Kart series, Mario Kart Wii involves various characters from various Mario games racing each other in go-karts on tracks themed from locations in the Mario series. Less realistic physics and the use of various weapons and items to achieve victory differentiate kart racing games like Mario Kart Wii from more realistic racing games.
This game also includes bikes to further mix into the 'kart' racing world. Unlike karts, you'll be doing wheelies and drifting one short of the karts' power drifts. Other features include competing with 12 opponents, online mode and, if you can complete the requirements of the race, Miis will become playable.