Mario Kart 8

Gr 3 Up—Strap on your seatbelt, customize your kart and prepare for all-out karting war in the newest installment of the "Mario Kart" franchise. Players select from a variety of favorite characters and work to unlock all of the Koopalings through 24 gravity-defying courses. Twelve of the courses are brand-new while the other 12 are remakes of classics with updated elements. Downloadable content (not included) unlocks an additional 24 courses and characters from the "Legend of Zelda" and "Animal Crossing" series. Players can choose how they want to kart by using the Wii U gamepad, pro controller, Wii remote, or classic controller. All of the game modes are here—Grand Prix, Time Trials, VS, and Battle—though, unlike other installments, Battle mode has a new look and does not live up to expectations. Instead of specific battle arenas, players are thrust into standard courses with balloons to pop, making the experience mundane. Mario Kart TV is a welcome addition though, as players can relive their recent races and continue with brassy karting banter about how awesome it was to sneak attack with the red shell.