The Nintendo Wii was a momentary magic trick. While mainly just silk scarfs and white gloves distracting an unsuspecting audience, the system was potent reminder to lapsed Roman-Nintendophiles:
- Video games are fun for the whole family, including the near-dead Grandma
- Mario Kart Wii is fun for the whole family, including Grandma, who is now dead (but we'll always have the memories)
Since Mario Kart Wii launched, the franchise has vampire-fang chomped onto the crossover fanbase it seduced, refusing to budge. Now fat as a tick, Mario Kart has mutated into the Ur-Nintendo brand. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe on Nintendo Switch is debatably the series' best outing. That's where the trouble kicks in:
Mario Kart has become so competent, all that "Mario Kart" baggage is ruining its races...