Mario Kart: Double Dash!!

Summary: “Mario Kart: Double Dash!!” was created by Nintendo as Nintendo created a new gaming system: GameCube. As Nintendo made the transition from Nintendo 64 to GameCube a new, updated version of “Mario Kart” was need in order to be compatible with GameCube. This game is intended for all ages and personalities (it is rated “E” for everyone). “Mario Kart: Double Dash!!” is a game intended to provide fun competition for all individuals in a low stress racing environment. While some strategy is involved in the game, players of all abilities can compete using the majority of courses and characters from the beginning of game play. While there is no main “story-line” behind “Mario Kart: Double Dash!!” like other Mario games contain, the premise behind the game is that all “Mario” characters have come together in a racing environment to compete for the title of “greatest racing pair.” The major change in double dash compared to the previous version of Mario Kart it the addition of the option for players to race in teams. Each racing kart contains 2 characters, which means that 2 players can race as a team (up to 8 players can play!), or each player selects 2 characters. As a result, this game also contains 11 new characters compared to previous version of Mario Kart. The multiple upgrades and changes to game play will also motivate Mario Kart lovers to purchase the game.

Outline:

“Mario Kart: Double Dash!!” comes with a small booklet filled with instructions for the game. This paper booklet outlines the basic of game play (the controller set up) as the directions to the game, once played a few times, is very straight forward. Since game play contains the same basic set of instructions each time, this game does not need to have numerous instructions provided throughout game play. The game begins at the start up screen where a user must follow a variety of menu screens (described in user output) to set up the game as needed. The set-up of each game varies depending on the number of players and the type of game play the players would like to participate in. Once the type of game play, characters, vehicles, and course is selected, the game may finally begin. Each race begins with a countdown so the racers know when they should begin controlling their characters. Depending on the type of game being played, the end of the game may come at a variety of times. First, if players choose to play one course at a time, the end of each race is activated when the second to last player crosses the finish line (the last player does not need to finish to record place). Secondly, if the players choose the “Grand Prix” mode, the game play ends after all courses in the selected cup are completed (4 or 16 races). Thirdly, in time trail mode, the game ends when the player crosses the finish line. Lastly, in battle mode, the game will end either when the time expires or when a player loses all 3 of their “lives” (balloons). Winning and losing requirements vary depending on the type of game play chosen in Mario Kart. In multiplayer mode, winning and losing is recorded by race. The game will keep track of the number of times each player acquires each place (1st – 4th) as race courses continue to be selected. If “Grand Prix” mode is selected, a player is awarded points based on the place (1st – 8th) they receive on each course in the selected cup. At the conclusion of the 4 or 16 races (depending on the cup selected), the character team with the most points is declared the winner and receives a party parade in their honor. In time trial mode, winning and losing is not stressed, but you can “win” the time trial by settle a new course record.

Input: The user of “Mario Kart: Double Dash!!” communicates with the game via the game controller. There are two different types of controller set up summarized below: Menu Controller and Race Controller. Menu Controller

- Stick = movement - Green A = Accept option/Save Game - Red B = Go Back - Start = Open Start Menu

Race Controller

- Green A = Accelerate/Rocket Star (start of race) - Red B = Brake/Reverse - Stick = Steering the character - Grey L and R = Drift/Powerslide - Grey X and Y = Use Item/Stop Item Roulette/Sound horn - Grey X and Y + Stick = Throw item forward or backward - Purple Z = switch characters - Start = Pause/Resume

Output: The program communicates with the user visually via menu screens in the game

The program can also communicate with the user aurally (auditory means) in the game as different actions, characters, screens, and tracks have different a different meaning and purpose throughout game play. Lastly, the game can also communicate with the user via the controller through vibrations. When a character is about to encounter danger or is encountering danger, the controller will vibrate to relay this information to the player.

Objects: There are a variety of different types of objects used in “Mario Kart: Double Dash!!”: characters, cars, courses, items, and players.

1) Characters –

Each of the 20 characters used in “Mario Kart: Double Dash!!” has specific characteristics and actions.

Characteristics (unique to each character)

Actions (all can do these)

Image

Sound

Weight

Special Item

Preferred Partner

Go forward

Go backwards

Turn (Right/Left)

Throw an item

Drift

2) Items –

Each item has specific characteristics and actions.

Characteristics (unique to each item)

Actions (all can do these)

Frequency

Player place preferred

Help character or hinder character

Be thrown

Move or Stay

3) Cars –

Each car has specific characteristics and actions.

Characteristics (unique to each car)

Actions (all can do these)

Owner

Speed

Acceleration

Maximum Weight

Go forward

Go backwards

Turn (Right/Left)

Throw an item

Drift

4) Players –

Each player playing the game has its own characteristics and actions as well.

Characteristics (unique to each player)

Actions (all can do these)

Player/Controller Numer

Place

Location on screen

Primary character

Secondary character

Car

Current Place

Current Lap

Final Place

Total Points (grad prix mode)

Go forward

Go backwards

Turn (Right/Left)

Throw an item

Drift

Pause Game

Quit Game

5) Courses –

Each course has its own characteristics and actions.

Characteristics (unique to each player)

Actions (all can do these)

Slow areas

Off course areas

Acceleration boosts

Jumps

Item box placement

Visiting characters

Obstacles

Number of Laps

Start race

End race

Pause race

End race