This is the most enjoyable racing game of the year. Tear through 32 wacky courses (like Wario’s Gold Mine, which feels like a roller coaster, or Mushroom Gorge, where red mushrooms let you bounce forward). For serious competition, you can race online with other Mario Kart fans from around the world.

MARIO KART WII Nintendo for Wii Graphics: 8.5 Sound: 8.0 Gameplay: 9.0 Replay Value: 9.0 Overall Score: 8.5 Pros: The game is very deep with courses, characters and modes. Online play is a cinch to access. Your Miis pop up in the game. Cons: Some of the courses are repeats from earlier versions of Mario Kart. There’s no way to block attacks from other drivers.

THE OLD AND THE NEW

So far, there have been eight editions of Mario Kart, including the super popular last game for DS. If you’ve played Mario Kart games before, you’ll see that about half the courses in this latest version have been used in previous editions. While they’re not new, the graphics are redone to make them prettier. Even though 18 brand new tracks are nothing to sneeze at, all of them should be completely new.

You’ll also have 25 playable characters, including the most important one: your Mii. Twelve of your favorite Nintendo personalities are available right at the start, and the rest are unlockable. Making their first appearance in a Mario Kart game are Dry Bowser, Funky Kong, Baby Peach and Rosalina. The Miis on your system will also pop up as background characters, on signs or somewhere surprising. It’s totally cool to see your Mii as, say, The Sphinx.

THE WHEEL DEAL

The package includes a small plastic Wii Wheel. The wheel takes some getting used to because there’s no steering column. It isn’t attached to anything, so you’re holding it in the air as you steer.

The package includes a small plastic Wii Wheel. Just place the WiiMote inside it, start a race and pretend you’re the pro driver of a real racecar. Wait until the light turns green before you accelerate; press 2 and you’re on your way. It’s that simple.

The wheel takes some getting used to because there’s no steering column. It isn’t attached to anything, so you’re holding it in the air as you steer. Here’s a tip to get you started: Don’t tilt the wheel like you tilted the Wiimote to steer in Warioware for Wii. Just steer in a circular motion to the left or right like you’re driving a bumper car at the amusement park.

If you don’t like the Wheel, you have options. You can use the Wiimote and nunchuk, the classic controller or the GameCube controller.

TRICKS AND TRIP-UPS

Once you get the hang of driving, try the stunt system. In-air platforms are perfect for pulling off these feats. By shaking the Wii Wheel in the air, you can do tricks like a 360 or a flip, which add a speed boost once you land on the racecourse. But beware: Trick too long, and you might end up falling off a cliff or into hot magma. Over time, you’ll figure out how long to show off without getting into trouble off the track.

Like any Mario Kart game, this isn’t a racing simulation. You can throw things such as bananas or spiny shells at opponents to slow them down or make them spin out. I like it that you can trip up a hotshot speed demon. On the other hand, when I’m leading a close race, it’s a pain to have someone drop something to send me to last place. Yet when I find a Mega Mushroom that makes me grow, I’m happy to flatten everyone in front. Then, there’s the POW Block, which lets me freeze everyone who’s beating me.

The karts are varied, with Mario’s having the most evenly distributed power. You can choose motorcycles instead of four-wheeled vehicles. Pop wheelies by tilting the Wii Wheel up, but make sure you’re on a straight section of track before you do.

You can throw things such as bananas or spiny shells at opponents to slow them down or make them spin out.

You’ll be impressed by the Grand Prix races in which 11 other system competitors are on the course at the same time. You can vie for four cups at the beginning, but four other cups are unlockable as well.

Other modes include Balloon Battle, in which you and another player who makes up your team use the power-ups to hit other cars. Each car has three balloons, one of which bursts when a car is hit. If you lose all three balloons, you’re not out. You’re just placed at the starting line. Your score is determined by the number of balloons you pop.

ONLINE GREATNESS

The karts are varied, and you can choose motorcycles instead of four-wheeled vehicles. Try to pop wheelies by tilting the Wii Wheel up.

Online play is downright terrific. You’ll wait a minute or so for the system to choose eight players from around the world. While you’re waiting, pick your favorite course to race on. The final course is chosen at random by Nintendo online. When I first played, there were two people from Asia and one from Mexico in the mix. You don’t get to talk to these racers in the heat of the battle, but it sure is cool to play under these international conditions. Here, the world is truly your oyster.

Once you become an expert, you can even challenge the regional or worldwide champ to a race. Just download the winner’s race and go for it.

Remember, though, when you play online, the score you’ve accumulated in single player races may be reduced if you place badly. Of course, if you win, you get extra points. And if you’ve done a lap especially fast, you can compare your prowess with the times of others around the world via the brand new Mario Kart Channel.