Mario, Luigi and the gang will soon be racing on to the Nintendo Wii, and there are plenty of reasons why Wii owners should give the popular game series another go.

It's been over four years since Nintendo released Mario Kart: Double Dash!! for GameCube, a racing game that eventually became the 7th best-selling GameCube game of all time. It should come as no surprise, then, that Nintendo is gearing up to release yet another console Mario Kart game -- and this time, for its remarkably popular Wii console.

The ABC's of Mario Kart

Though most readers will need no introduction to Mario Kart, it never hurts to give a little background. Basically, Mario Kart takes several of the most popular Nintendo characters -- such as Mario, Luigi, Peach, Toad, Yoshi, and Bowser -- and throws them into go-karts that zoom around on the zaniest of tracks. Players must guide the karts all the way to the finish line, all the while avoiding weapons such as "green shells" shot off by their opponents.

The Mario Kart series also has a reputation for multiplayer fun -- gamers can race their friends on the game's standard race tracks, or engage their friends in the popular "battle mode," in which the player who can best avoid being hurt from weapons wins.

What's New on Wii?

Though the basic Mario Kart formula has stayed the same throughout the years, each version of the game comes with its own tweaks and innovations, which is especially true for the upcoming Wii version. on GameCube introduced karts that could hold two characters at once -- one character could control the wheel, while the other character could shoot out weapons. Mario Kart Wii does away with this idea, but this time around, players can drive either single-person karts or motorbikes.

Mario Kart: Double Dash!!

The Wii is known for its motion-sensor control for games, and Mario Kart Wii will certainly take advantage of that technology. The game will be packaged with a special steering wheel that attaches to the Wii remote, so that the karts (or motorbikes) can be controlled by simply tilting the steering wheel left or right. Hardcore gamers may be glad to know that the game can be controlled with the older GameCube controllers, as well.

Another new addition to the Wii version of Mario Kart is tricks. If simply staying in between the lines on the track becomes too easy for a player, he can choose to mash a few buttons and do some flips in the air. If the tricks are pulled off successfully, players will get an extra boost upon landing.

Multiplayer on Steroids

But the most talked about addition to Mario Kart Wii is certainly its online mode. By taking advantage of the Wii's Wi-Fi Connection Service, gamers can race against 11 other players from anywhere in the world on either normal or battle tracks. Early reports indicate that most of the tracks have been widened from previous versions to allow up to 12 players, rather than the normal 8, to race on 1 track. (For the record, the game will have 32 tracks in all - 16 new, 16 classic - as well as 10 battle arenas). A Mario Kart Wii online channel will also allow players to check out worldwide rankings and organize tournaments.

Drawbacks to Mario Kart Wii

Certainly, Mario Kart Wii looks like it will be another hit from Nintendo, but there are some drawbacks. To go online, gamers will have to shell out an as-of-yet unannounced fee per month. Early reports also indicate that Mario Kart Wii essentially looks like Mario Kart: Double Dash!! in terms of graphics, with little improvements despite it being on a next-generation system.

Yet, when Mario Kart Wii releases in Japan on April 10th, Europe on April 11th, Australia on April 24th, and the United States on April 27th (yes, the US gets it last), all expectations are that the latest racing game from Nintendo will be yet another fun entry in the Mario Kart series.