Revolutionary: Mario Kart Training Wheel
The was supposed to make racing easy enough for anyone to jump right into a session of with no prior experience with either traditional game controllers or the Wii Remote. When used properly, it works as expected. The trouble is that it's not always used properly. Watching your parents try to get through Wario's Gold Mine, you'll notice that they're sometimes holding the Wheel the wrong way, and it's making them drive off the track into chasms of eternity. This observation led me to examine how Mario Kart Wii's steering works and come up with a solution for keeping n00bs on track.
When I was writing the , I wanted to be able to twist the Wii Remote for throttle, while tilting it to steer. I found a simple way to do that when I discovered that the Wiimote's accelerometer is able to register linear changes on the Pitch axis while simultaneously being rotated on the Roll axis. I was curious if actual Wii games would use the flexibility of pitch sensing for steering in games, and found out that they do. Essentially, that means you can steer in Mario Kart Wii with the buttons facing skyward like , or play Excite Truck with the buttons facing your body, Mario Kart Wii-style.
The problem that the Wii Wheel introduces is it makes you want to rotate it around the same imaginary pivot point, even when you aren't holding it in the correct, upright position. If you relax your arms and start trying to steer like a bus driver, it won't work, because the Wii Remote's accelerometer cannot sense motion on the Yaw axis. You could remove the mental block by taking the Wiimote out of it's Wheel shell, but the Wiimote's B button isn't as easily accessible as the Wheel's B button.
Another issue is that Wii novices generally don't realize that they can make subtle movements to control games. Mario Karts steer more like real cars than carnival bumper cars, but you wouldn't know it from the way your aunt tries to play. So perhaps, in addition to keeping the Wheel upright, a little restraining tension may help.
I went to Wal-mart and picked up a couple of 36-inch bungie cords and a plastic crate for less than $10 total.
Threading the bungie cords between the spokes of the Wheel and hooking it in place in the center of the crate's open end gives you something that looks too nerdy for words, but it works as intended, keeping the Wheel pivoting on its proper axis and registering your intentions to steer your kart. I placed it on a table to get a good shot with the camera, but it's light enough to sit comfortably on your lap. I did find it was too bulky for the quick flipping motions required to do aerial tricks, but the purpose of this rig is too train novices in Wii driving. Once they've got a handle on the basics of control, you can pull them out of it and give them the freedom to do those Wheel flips. Subtle movements for the win!I really thought I had Wii driving down before I began this project, but yesterday I loaded up Excite Truck for the first time in months and I was easily beating my old scores and times by large margins. Excite Truck was the first game I ever played on the Wii, and I thought I was pretty good at it, but a little training (in minutes a day) did wonders for me.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
This thing looks ridiculous. I played Mario Kart Wii for the first time the other day, and I used the wheel, and I did just fine with it. Are there really that many people out there who are struggling with it
Actually, to be totally honest, I had the same issues on Wario's Gold Mine. But, that's probably having more to do with me being absolutely scared to death when I see the steep drop and less with me using the Wii Wheel incorrectly.
that is the stupidest thing ive seen today
I have found that just sitting down and resting your elbows on the top of your knees and keeping them there really limits the over turning and keeps the wii wheel pretty steady. I have personally used this method with The infamous Wario's Goldmine and Rainbow Road and stopped falling off of the edge... It's a simple solution and training position for beginners to use and does not look as ridiculous as holding a huge plastic crate ;-)
Same here. That's how I show people like my mom how to play, and it seems to work well for everyone.I still want to try this thing for some reason though...
When I first started playing Mario Kart Wii, I found myself tilting the controller down, Excite Truck style (tilting the wheel horizontally and tilting left and right, not bus driver style). I think it's because it was more comfortable than twisting my wrists towards me. I like the Excite Truck configuration better. It's easier to hit the buttons if they're facing up rather than facing you.P.S. Where did you get that Mario Kart DS strap
The strap came with my Hot Rod Red DS that was also bundled with Mario Kart DS and some decals.
I am the same with the excite truck controls. Much easier to press buttons when they are facing up like a regular controller than facing you a la wii wheel.The only trouble with excite truck controls is in mario kart you need to press the B button to do hops and slides which is a pain if you're holding the remote horizontally.
I don't event bother playing with the wheel.
Incredibly dorky project but I love it.
LOL, that's great!...The post was intended ironically, right
People have trouble with Wario's Gold Mine The only part of that that felt a little loose was that jump where you jump onto the platform with all the mine carts on it, i've overshot that jump a few times before
I'm going to try it.I've already got the crate and bungies (for strapping the bike to the car) at home.This may be perfect for my wife - particularly the bungies. She's pretty good with the nunchuck but she's all over the place with the wheel.
That is an excellent idea! My could definitely prove beneficial for my parents!
People are so rude.I think it's a pretty clever idea, nice work.
Cool, now he can play with these 600 people http://mapwii.com/mkwii
Err... so how do you do tricks I'd rather not be shaking an entire plastic container thanks.
I couldn't. It's too restrictive to quickly flip the wheel, but this setup is no intended for full time use. It's meant to get people used to handling the wheel in a way that will effectively steer their vehicles. Once that's mastered, you play without it.