'Mario Kart Wii' adds fresh new twists that rev up fun

— -- Grand Theft Auto IV isn't the only top-notch franchise making its return.

While the hoopla surrounding GTA consumes the spotlight, Nintendo rolls out Mario Kart Wii, a riveting racer bolstered by fresh features.

One of the more significant changes is the introduction of the Wii Wheel. Players snap the Wii remote into the peripheral to steer the game's plethora of vehicles. You can opt to use the remote only, or even more traditional thumbstick controls. Driving, however, feels more natural and engaging with the Wheel in play.

For those unfamiliar with Mario Kart, the franchise features go-kart racing with plenty of twists. Items etched in Mario lore, including turtle shells and mushrooms, turn into power-ups which can boost your kart or take out a rival.

After you create your driver's license, the racing begins. Mario Kart starts with 12 Nintendo icons to choose from, with more to unlock as you advance. Each character begins with three karts and — new to the franchise — three sets of bikes.

The bikes are incredibly fun to use, especially once you master the speed boosts. Since it's a lighter vehicle, turns become trickier to navigate than in your standard kart.

Single-player mode consists of eight Cup events, each with 4 tracks. Overall, 16 new tracks and 16 classic tracks dating as far back as the Super Nintendo Entertainment System are included.

Each new course is exceptional and unique. DK Summit, for example, is a cross between a luge track and snowboarding halfpipe. In Coconut Mall, races are set within a shopping center. Much like Nintendo's other franchises, environments teem with color.

If you'd rather not race, you can participate in team battle mode. Balloon Battle requires you to pop the most balloons for points, while Coins Runners is conquered by capturing the most coins.

Mario Kart's other major addition is online mode. The Wii's history with online play has been checkered, but Mario Kart shows some of its potential. You can choose to race with friends, by region or include everyone from around the world. Connecting to events is pretty easy. Once you're locked into a group, you can continue to race or battle for as long as you like.

The Time Trial mode allows you to race for the fastest time, then check how you rank with other players worldwide. You can even download ghost data of top racers and see whether you can best their times. Rankings can be viewed without the game via the Mario Kart Channel.

There are still some minor drawbacks. For one, the online voter poll on which tracks to use seems pointless since selection is done randomly. And once you've locked in with a group, you must use the same character and vehicle throughout. Also, voice chat is absent, which removes the joy of ridiculing friends for their ineptitude.

Mario Kart Wii might not be receiving all the attention, but the latest iteration of the series shines with a strong core and impressive online component.