Long ago announced to have online play included, questions about the details regarding Mario Kart for the Wii have been running rampant across the internets.

Nintendo, as usual, refuses to disclose any information in the form of anything remotely resembling answers. To me this usually means to expect the worst. Especially coming from Nintendo, since historically they tend to do the bare minimum. Well we finally get an answer.  Still vague but at least it gives us a clearer picture and sets our expectations appropriately low.  So when the great big “N” decides to add just a little more the general media will be singing its praises again.

What do we know now?  Mario Kart Wii will feature online play.  Mario Kart Wii will allow for Mii integration.  Mario Kart Wii will have motorcycles.  Mario Kart Wii will allow for communication between the players, extremely limited communication.

Just like the graphics, the details regarding in-game communication are not very nice.  No communication will be allowed during a game.  It will be limited to a lobby and limited to text.  That’s right, no voice chat.  Sure it comes under the guise of “protecting the children” but really, if you like I have played any online games, it is the rest of us that need protection FROM the children.

The little badmouthed and frequently racist brats hiding behind their anonymity on XBox Live know exactly what I am talking about.

Nintendo has also recently announced a Pay and Play “innovation."  What does this mean?  Who knows really but whatever it is, it sounds bad.  More money.  Are they going to charge for the features we truly want?  Will they charge for the stuff XBox Live Silver lets you have for free?

Only time will tell.  Mario Kart was one of the major reasons I purchased a Wii in the first place.  The hope that it will allow for online play was a MAJOR reason why I also purchased more Wii’s.  One for each of my two Godsons.  Exchanging friend codes was hard enough.  Getting to play a game online with them will be even harder if Nintendo continues down this anti-consumerist business plan.

I’m just concerned for the future of this generation of my Mario Player.