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Review: Nintendo’s ‘Mario Kart 8’ defies gravity

By WTOP Staff

LOU KESTEN
Associated Press

“Mario Kart” is one of those rare video game series that truly everyone in the family can enjoy. Little kids love its energy and silliness, while even the grouchiest geezer can figure out how to drive a go-kart. Heck, even Tony Soprano played it.

“Mario Kart 8” (Nintendo, for the Wii U, $59.99) lives up to that tradition, keeping the franchise high on any list of terrific multiplayer games. Beyond slicker graphics, it doesn’t represent a great evolution from 1992’s “Super Mario Kart,” but Nintendo has never been a company that tried to fix things that aren’t broken.

This time around, there are 32 racetracks: 16 new ones and 16 repurposed from previous games and upgraded to high definition. Some of the new tracks, like the high-tech Electrodome, let you defy gravity, so you’ll find your vehicle clinging to walls and ceilings. It’s nothing new to fans of high-speed racers like “F-Zero” and “Wipeout,” but adds some unpredictability to the goofier courses here.

Besides, there’s more to “Mario Kart” than keeping your foot (or thumb) on the accelerator. Scattered across each track are boxes containing weapons, which you need to disrupt other racers’ momentum. As usual, you can fling turtle shells and banana peels at competitors; “MK8” adds a boomerang, a piranha plant and a “super horn” you can use to deflect shells hurtling your way.

The cast includes 30 drivers, from superstars like Mario and Donkey Kong to obscurities like Larry and Lemmy Koopa. The roster gets a little watered down with baby versions of the most familiar names; I’d rather see some characters from other Nintendo franchises like “Metroid” and “The Legend of Zelda.”

Finally, there are 26 vehicles — karts, bikes and all-terrain vehicles — that you can trick out with different tires as well as gliders that let you float across trickier parts of the terrain. Most of the vehicle bodies and accessories need to be unlocked, so there’s motivation to keep driving even after you’ve seen all the tracks.

All this makes for fast-paced lunacy that’s best enjoyed with two or three friends. Sure, more experienced drivers have an advantage, but the ability to knock out the front-runner with a well-timed shell helps even out the playing field. You can also compete online with up to 11 other humans, but the joy is more infectious if your pals are in the same living room.

Unfortunately, the popular Battle Mode, where the object is to eliminate other drivers rather than beat them to the finish line, is hamstrung by a puzzling decision to place the battles on linear tracks. The tracks make it much too easy to avoid getting struck, unlike the crowded arenas featured in previous installments.

Still, if you crave a racing game where the need for laughs is just as vital as the need for speed, “Mario Kart 8” is the one to beat. Three stars out of four.

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Online:

http://mariokart8.nintendo.com/

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Follow Lou Kesten on Twitter at http://twitter.com/lkesten

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
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