Home Gaming Mario Kart 8 Wii U bundle confirmed…but it’s pricy

Mario Kart 8 Wii U bundle confirmed…but it’s pricy

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I’ve said it before that Mario Kart 8 is easily my most anticipated game next month – and that’s a month that sees Watch Dogs finally being released. the biggest problem with Mario Kart 8, of course, is that it’s exclusive to the Wii U – a great system that many gamers and the general populace couldn’t care about and don’t own. There’s a new bundle coming to coincide with the game to make amends.

Here’s what the press release says.

The release of the Mario Kart 8 Premium Pack – Special Edition represents an ideal offering for first-time Wii U owners, with a black Wii U Premium console with 32GB* of storage packaged alongside a black Wii U GamePad controller, Sensor Bar, and the all-important Mario Kart 8 game disc. With Mario Kart 8 set to feature 16 remixed classic courses, as well as 16 courses that are brand new to the series, both newcomers and veteran drivers alike will face fresh karting challenges with the added twist of a new antigravity feature allowing Mario and company to race upside down or up vertical surfaces.

So it’s a standard 32Gb unit with Mario Kart 8 thrown in.

I’m in love with Mario Kart 8 and its buttery, 60fps goodness – and I feel it’s the perfect game for Nintendo to help move a couple of million Wii U units. What would help is if they dropped the cost – but that’s just not happening; Nintendo refuses to budge on the price. The thing will be available in the UK for £279.99, and here in South Africa at an RRP of R4,499.

Problem is, dropping the price could be costly.

When Nintendo slashed the price of the then struggling 3DS, the system took off like the dickens – but they made a loss on every unit. Things have picked up for the handheld, but the resultant sting remains. With the Wii U’s current troubles, a loss on hardware would incite investors to riot, and demand Iwata’s head on a platter.

Anyway, here’s a trailer for the new bundle.

Last Updated: April 24, 2014

48 Comments

  1. Umar's Sin

    April 24, 2014 at 14:04

    Give your ninty ID, we can duke it out. Hype for this game. I won’t lie I love the WiiU but this console man….It’s gathering dust at the moment

    Reply

  2. Matewis Jubilai

    April 24, 2014 at 14:09

    I’m a console noob but I feel like I’m missing out. Is a Wii U a good buy if I want to catch up on things such as Mario 64 and all those excellent Zelda games I keep hearing about?

    Reply

    • Exalted Overlord Geoffrey Tim

      April 24, 2014 at 14:16

      If you want to play nintendo’s games, absolutely – but keep an eye out for a cheap Wii U.

      Reply

      • Matewis Jubilai

        April 24, 2014 at 14:30

        I don’t have the luck required to buy a used one – years of minimal ‘spotting’ for exam papers have taught me that 🙁

        Reply

    • CAE9872

      April 24, 2014 at 14:18

      Hmmm that all depends on what exactly you want. If you want to specifically play Mario 64 then you need a Nintendo 64 (retro console); or a DS for remake. Or if you just want a sample of what Nintendo does (and does well), WiiU is perfect.

      Same applies to Zelda…or Metroid…or Super Smash Bros…or Pokemon…etc etc etc

      In other words – be careful on what exactly you looking for. Old stuff or new stuff.

      Reply

      • Matewis Jubilai

        April 24, 2014 at 14:23

        old(mario 64) and new(newer zelda games) actually, but only one console if possible…

        Reply

        • CAE9872

          April 24, 2014 at 14:33

          Unfortunately the consoles are not as backward compatible as PCs. So you generally need separate console for each generation of games. My advice – either get a Wii (previous console Nintendo released) allowing you to play Mario Galaxy 1 and 2, Smash Bros, Zelda Twilight Princess, Donkey Kong Country amongst others.

          Or buy the WiiU which has much fewer choice of games at moment given how recent it is AND at the moment is not doing very well and could be replaced by Nintendo within 2 to 3 years (this is purely speculation but something to consider). There are still great games on WiiU but just not as many.

          Have you considered a handheld? The 3DS is brilliant little machine with tons of great games.

          Reply

          • Exalted Overlord Geoffrey Tim

            April 24, 2014 at 14:42

            Wii U has Wii Backwards compatibility, and the virtual console for even older stuff as well. Worth keeping in mind.

          • CAE9872

            April 24, 2014 at 14:44

            Good point – I always forget about Virtual Console.

          • Matewis Jubilai

            April 24, 2014 at 14:50

            Great stuff! Think I’ll start saving up for one then.

          • Matewis Jubilai

            April 24, 2014 at 14:52

            I have considered a handheld, specifically the 3DS, but at this stage I’m leaning more towards a Wii U – I wasn’t aware of the extent of its backwards compatibility, which I have to say, sounds very good.

  3. Jedi JJ

    April 24, 2014 at 14:14

    So this means that they’re planning on selling Wii-U’s?

    Reply

    • Wincethis

      April 24, 2014 at 14:21

      Don’t be stupid 😛

      Reply

      • Jedi JJ

        April 24, 2014 at 14:22

        That only happens after 6pm or before 5am

        Reply

  4. Wincethis

    April 24, 2014 at 14:21

    Have I said it before, thank goodness for another Mario game!

    Reply

    • Umar's Sin

      April 24, 2014 at 14:22

      Mario is still better than 90 percent of the games out there

      Reply

      • Jedi JJ

        April 24, 2014 at 14:22

        Then you clearly haven’t tried Colonial Marines yet.

        Reply

        • Umar's Sin

          April 24, 2014 at 14:24

          E.T on NES is better than that game

          Reply

          • Wincethis

            April 24, 2014 at 14:29

            Take that back! 😉

      • Wincethis

        April 24, 2014 at 14:29

        That’s cus Mario IS 90% of the games out there BOOM!

        Reply

  5. stealth20k

    April 24, 2014 at 14:21

    Pricy? not really.

    Reply

  6. Rock789

    April 24, 2014 at 14:30

    “the Wii U – a great system” – I take it that’s a typo? 😉

    In all seriousness though, once you have a PS4 or Bone, there really is no point of owning a WiiU (unless you are obsessed with all things Mario / Zelda and crave their company 24/7). It had it’s place against the PS3 and 360… Now, I’m not so sure.

    Reply

    • Wincethis

      April 24, 2014 at 14:30

      What you said 😉

      Reply

    • Kromas

      April 24, 2014 at 14:38

      Same can be said for a PC. Once you own one you really don’t need a console. 😛

      Reply

      • Rock789

        April 24, 2014 at 14:40

        The same might be said… But those saying it would be stabbed through the heart with a spoon by those who dare not say it… 😉

        Reply

        • Kromas

          April 24, 2014 at 14:42

          As long as it is a rusty spoon I am fine with saying it. 🙂

          Reply

    • UltimateNinjaPandaDudeGuy

      April 24, 2014 at 19:14

      It is actually the only console I will never think of getting rid of. My PS3 has been sitting there for years doing nothing and has been completely replaced by just upgrading my PC and adding a controller to it. My WiiU however plays Nintendo games and that is the appeal in the end. Think of all the Mario games and Smash Bros…

      It doesn’t contend with the other consoles, because it is running a race they can’t even attend.

      Reply

    • Kaihaku

      April 24, 2014 at 19:52

      Nintendo has a lot more than Mario and Zelda going for them. Star Fox, Fire Emblem, Pokemon, Pikmin, and Metroid are each among the best in their respective genres. Nintendo has extremely strong exclusives to bank on…something that separates them from Microsoft and Sony, if you’re not into cool motion controls (XBone) or Japanese niche titles (PS4) I don’t see why you wouldn’t just get a gaming PC. A gaming PC lets people play most of the same titles but at significantly higher quality…and, usually, at a significantly lower price thanks to Steam sales.

      Reply

    • NonCasualGamer

      April 24, 2014 at 21:08

      Another fanboy that flips situations to fit your own logic. Nintendo consoles are the only way to play nintendo games, so you really aren’t a true gamer if you don’t own one. PC can play everything else.

      Explain again how it’s pointless to own a Wii u?

      Reply

      • Rock789

        April 25, 2014 at 07:27

        I’d hazard a guess that you are the fanboy… And you’re using some pretty shitty logic there. Oh, and by the way, I’m comparing it, as the CONSOLE it is, to the other CONSOLES on sale… Only PC fanboys compare it to PCs.

        And saying that you HAVE to play Nintendo games or else you aren’t a true gamer is, by far and away, the most ridiculous statement I’ve ever come across. By a country mile! Just so we’re clear, I actually quite like some of the WiiU games (including Zelda and Mario games) I’ve seen in action – they look great and seem fun. Hell, I’ve even been able to play them. And I would like to be able to play them on a regular basis. But I don’t own a Nintendo console. And I honestly can’t justify spending R3500+ on a console so I can play 6 or 7 games. Do I consider myself any less of a gamer because of that? No… Do any of my friends or the people I know consider me any less of a gamer because of that? No…

        Look, in terms of opinions it’s each one to their own… But try to think twice before you ridicule someone based on your own inaccurate perception of the world.

        Reply

        • Paladinrja

          April 25, 2014 at 09:23

          Actually only Sony fanboys; and in fact Sony itself does this. as this is the gaming space Sony are going after. Hate to break it to ya but not unless they bring out a new console they won’t be doing anything but sucking-in Sony die hards.

          Reply

          • Rock789

            April 25, 2014 at 09:42

            Actually, I am the furthest thing from a Sony fanboy – just ask anyone that knows me.

            Oh, and news flash, only Nintendo fanboys go on-and-on about “how everyone is hating on the WiiU and no-one loves it and woe to anyone who disses Nintendo and boo hoo…”. If you’d even bothered to read my comment, you’d see that I HAVE tried out the WiiU and that I DO LIKE IT… I am far from hating on it. I just feel it’s not the console Nintendo could’ve and should’ve made – period.

        • Jeremy

          April 25, 2014 at 18:26

          Only play 7 games? There’s like 2 good games in total on the ps4 and xbox one?! Wii u has so many more

          Reply

    • Cyke69

      April 24, 2014 at 22:40

      Yes PS4 and X1 has an awesome game list COD or BF4. Its the best out there you can’t go wrong there. all for a small price $499.00 and $399.00 oh wait. I guess you still need to buy a game and pay for the online service so lets re calculate $650 x1 or $550 ps4

      Reply

      • WellWisher

        April 25, 2014 at 02:03

        Ghosts is the worst COD yet and BF4 is still broken. Even the shooters on those consoles suck. The Wii U isn’t perfect either but it’s got a better library for sure. I still think the PS3 and 360 are the way to go. So many awesome games and the consoles are dirt cheap now.

        Reply

      • Rock789

        April 25, 2014 at 07:31

        I take it you haven’t tried either of them yet? Give them a try… Hell, go to a decent entertainment store and they will probably have them on the floor demoing for free… Give them a try – not just watch, but actually play on it… And then get back to me.

        Reply

        • Paladinrja

          April 25, 2014 at 09:19

          Got it and I’m also inside the system as is anyone with an interest since just before Christmas. Dude this thing couldn’t be a bigger heap of shit if it tried. Is this gonna be like Gen 6 when it took 8yrs after it ended and constant empirical evidence to prove a simple point that PS2 was not the most powerful console ever? What happened to all the PS3 fans, they’ve turned into a bunch of fuckheads.

          This obsession with trashing the Wii U is damn scary, no shit. Is it some attempt to create too much noise for anyone to say anything bad about the PS4. NEWS FLASH dickhead! no one cares one way or the other.

          Theres no reason for anyone to stop people from talking about the Wii U if they want to. Compared to PS360, its the only console thats not a step down from the previous gen confirmed (yes PS4 owners now have something to whinge about) and yet no one starts a chat based on this, they just wanna talk about having a Wii U.

          Reply

          • Rock789

            April 25, 2014 at 09:49

            There’s a lot of pent up anger in you about this, isn’t there…?

            Perhaps read my comment again… It ain’t trashing the WiiU – I’m just saying it needed to be better in order to garner more attention. That’s all… It’s my OPINION…

        • NonCasualGamer

          April 25, 2014 at 12:35

          Wait, are you saying that there is more to PS720 then just graphics? And that going to Walmart and fumbling through load screens and demo screens will somehow convince him to drop over five hundred dollars for something with no games and less features then the previous generation?

          I understand it makes sense for you because you are a fanboy. Your other comment started with, “once you have ps4 or bone”, as if it’s illogical to not own something with Spiderman font under your TV. Modern gamers are truly beyond saving if this is their logic. The mega companies are getting what they want with people like you, and it’s practically ruining the chance of ever having a good game within 5 years of launch.

          Whatever. Rehashes of cars and photo realistic guns are cool I guess…

          Reply

          • Rock789

            April 25, 2014 at 12:44

            That’s rich coming from a fanboy himself… Coz you clearly are – you just don’t state it out loud (which is the worst kind of fanboy there is).

            And what are you doing commenting here during the day? Shouldn’t you be at school?

          • Jeremy

            April 25, 2014 at 18:28

            Guys why don’t we just leave it at some people love nintendo and some don’t…some people like sony, some don’t…some people like Microsoft…some don’t

    • veggiesaurus ZA

      April 25, 2014 at 09:42

      X. That is all. Oh, and Smash Bros. Does that count as Mario / Zelda?

      Reply

    • Jeremy

      April 25, 2014 at 18:24

      Wii u is so much better than xbone and ps4! Enjoy playing titanfall and infamous while I play 3d world, mk8, pikmin 3…and all the other exclusives!

      Reply

  7. Martin du preez

    April 24, 2014 at 14:45

    My WiiU needs some LOVE man. I think it’s still in it’s box under my bed.

    Reply

  8. oVg Errorist

    April 24, 2014 at 15:26

    R4499 ?

    Reply

  9. NonCasualGamer

    April 24, 2014 at 21:16

    Pricy? Wii u has the biggest and best library of games, not to mention indie games, VC games, the entire Wii library, Wii VC games and Indie games….

    Maybe you should rationalize purchasing the other two lackluster consoles. They are both hundreds of dollars more and they both offer hundreds of less games. Not to mention lacking basic feature your previous console provided *cough cough* PS4.

    Reply

  10. Jeremy

    April 25, 2014 at 16:18

    This is not “pricey” it’s wicked cheaper than the ps4 and xbox and comes with mk8 and a case for your game pad a mario hat, a wii wheel and a manual!!!

    Reply

  11. Douglas McCunn

    April 26, 2014 at 18:08

    Nintendo UK lists it as £249.99. Hardly pricey considering that the console alone is listed at £254.95 (Amazon UK), and the game at £39.85. I paid $299.99, about £216 for the white 8gb, with no games, so I’d say it’s a he!! of a deal.

    Reply

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