{"id":401,"date":"2021-07-28T17:14:52","date_gmt":"2021-07-28T17:14:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pressbooks.ulib.csuohio.edu\/understanding-literacy-in-our-lives\/?post_type=chapter&p=401"},"modified":"2021-08-09T15:58:28","modified_gmt":"2021-08-09T15:58:28","slug":"2-11-mario-kart-just-a-game-or-a-way-of-life-argument-from-experience","status":"publish","type":"chapter","link":"https:\/\/pressbooks.ulib.csuohio.edu\/understanding-literacy-in-our-lives\/chapter\/2-11-mario-kart-just-a-game-or-a-way-of-life-argument-from-experience\/","title":{"rendered":"2.11 Mario Kart: Just a game or a way of life? (argument from experience)"},"content":{"raw":"

English 102, February 2020<\/h3>\r\n
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Mario and Luigi have had a presence in my life<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>since 2009 when<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>Super Mario Bros<\/span><\/i><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>was released on<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>the Nintendo Wii.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>At the time I was<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>8, and I had no idea how much I would fall in love with the game and<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>characters.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>Growing up with the basic Nintendo Wii, games that involved Mario and the \u201cgang\u201d were always the most fun. My parents would all play with<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>us<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>and it was a great bonding experience for my family.\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>Mario Kart 8<\/span><\/i><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>has influenced my life since the start of my freshmen year<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>in college. My roommates and I bonded over Mario Kart. Our evenings<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>always involve a round of Grand Prix and can always continue for hours.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>Mario Kart has continuously brought us joy and the sounds the characters make<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>allow us to get so wrapped<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>up<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>into the game<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>it has almost become an escape from the real world and all the stressors we encounter. My roommates and I tend to be blasting music and just focus on winning.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>While I was thinking about some of the discourses I\u2019m involved in, I realized some people have never had the privilege to play<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>Mario Kart 8<\/span><\/i><\/span>.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n

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A discourse is<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>how a group of people speak and or act in a certain situation.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>The discourse in the Nintendo realm is understood by anyone who\u2019s played any game by Nintendo.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>Nintendo games are viewed as a stress reliever by most fans. Players play to have fun. Nintendo has<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>its<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>own discourse; however,<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>Mario<\/span><\/i><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/span>Kart 8<\/span><\/i><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>has its own discourse<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>as well.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>Mario Kart has been<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>a part<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>of the Nintendo discourse since 1992 when it was first released.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>When Mario Kart was introduced into the Nintendo realm, most of the discourse was the<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>same from previous Nintendo games. As the years pass and the more Mario Kart games get released, the larger the community gets.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>While the Mario<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>Kart discourse grew,<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>the Nintendo discourse would grow with it.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>People who only play<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>Mario Kart<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>tend to<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>investigate<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>other games made by Nintendo after playing.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>Which, in turn,<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>enables the Nintendo community to increase in size.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>Lifelong Nintendo fans also follow any new game<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>which<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>is being released so both discourses work hand in hand.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n

\r\n

For someone who has never played a video game, the language and discourse present<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>throughout<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>the game can easily confuse them.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>Right off the bat, the menu<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>for<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>Mario<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>Kart is simple. It first asks how many players there are, if you want to play online,<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>or play wirelessly.\u00a0 After you select what you want, it then shows the three<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>to four<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>types of \u201cgames\u201d you can play.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>If someone decides they want to play with just one player, they will be provided with four options to choose from. The choices are Grand Prix, Time Trails,<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>VS Race, and Battle. This is where it gets a little tricky with the language.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>All the words they use make sense<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>and are straightforward; however, without knowing the rules or the context of how Mario Kart uses the words could be confusing. The textbook definition of Grand Prix is \u201cany of a series of auto-racing or motorcycling contests forming part of a world championship series,\u201d<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>and while this can be applied to the Mario Kart universe, there is a slight difference.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>Grand Prix in<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>the<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>Mario Kart and Nintendo world means four races. There isn\u2019t a championship<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>game at the end like the definition implies. Time Trials is just what it sounds like, competing in a timed race. You tend to compete<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>against<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>yourself<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>or<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>against a computer.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>VS<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>Race<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>can be used with multiplayer or can be played by one person with other computers playing as well. Finally, Battle is one of my favorites. Battle is not a typical race like Grand Prix.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>During<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>Battle, you have five<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>modes:<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>Balloon Battle, Bomb-omb<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>Blast, Renegade Roundup, Shine Thief, and Coin Runners.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>All the modes are different but have the same core idea, to win.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n

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All the characters on<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>Mario Kart 8<\/span><\/i><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>are<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>characters from<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>previous Nintendo games<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>on<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>all<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>their platforms.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>They all have a<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>storyline,<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>but they aren\u2019t<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>referenced<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>in<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>Mario Kart<\/span><\/i><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/span>8.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>Not knowing every character's<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>story line is not a crucial part to the game.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>Newer players to the Nintendo realm might not know all the characters and that\u2019s okay but the storylines for the characters aren\u2019t<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>important<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>for Mario Kart.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>Most of the characters within the Nintendo world have their own game<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>which<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>explains their story<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>or the purpose of the game.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>For someone who\u2019s interested in learning the storyline for a specific character, they should<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>look into<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>playing one of the games that\u2019s based around that character.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>For example,<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>in<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>Super Mario Bros<\/span><\/i><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/span>the purpose of the game is to free Princess Peach<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>from the \u201cenemy\u201d Bowser.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>Once you complete the game, Mario saves Princess Peach and Bowser<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>leaves.\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n

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Every<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>character<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>has<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>unique characteristics to them.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>For instance, Princess Peach only wears pink clothes and<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>many of<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>her things in Mario Kart 8 are pink. Another example is<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>Shy Guy. Shy Guy, also known as<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>ShyGuys,<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>is a common enemy for Mario and Luigi. They are found wearing masks, ultimately because they\u2019re shy.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>Shy Guy<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>has multiple versions due to being in so many Nintendo games. Each variation of Shy Guy has different tricks<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>and different colors. The original Shy Guy is red and has the basic<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>tricks but<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>going other colors have more \u201cadvanced\u201d skills.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>Each character also has their own discourse.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>Shy Guy<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>makes very random noises throughout the game and his tone changes based<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>off<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>the situation he\u2019s in.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>Since Shy Guy wasn\u2019t introduced into Mario games<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>until<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>Super Mario Bros. 2<\/span><\/i><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>came out in 1988, many have followed him since the first time he<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>appeared in another game.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>Players have favorite characters based<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>off of<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>previous games or even rounds. My roommates and I<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>all like different characters for different reasons. For instance, I love<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>Tanooki<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>Mario, while one of my roommates loves Blue Shy<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>Guy. Our favorites<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>are based on previous games played, although we mainly play<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>Mario Kart 8<\/span><\/i><\/span>,<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>not storylines.\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n

\r\n

To further explain my<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>appreciation<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>for<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>Mario<\/span><\/i><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/span>Kart 8<\/span><\/i><\/span>, my roommates and I made a podcast.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>The<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>podcast is linked<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>here:<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>https:\/\/www.podbean.com\/media\/share\/pb-uikhk-<\/span><\/span><\/a>d2a8e6?utm_campaign=i_share_ep&utm_medium=dlink&utm_source=i_share<\/span><\/u><\/span>.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>During the podcast, we discussed how we play, our<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>preferences<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>on characters,<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>and the<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>discourse<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>we use throughout the game.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>The podcast helped organize my paper and help me get my argument across.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>Presenting my multimodal helped me gauge how everyone in the class felt about my topic. I was able to ask the class some questions which helped me add<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>to my argument.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n

\r\n

To<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>conclude,<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>Mario Kart 8<\/span><\/i><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/span>and Nintendo has had<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>a tremendous impact<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>on my life. I<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>have never had to sit down and read the instructions on how to play any Nintendo game.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>Every Nintendo<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>game has a tutorial of how to play<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>when you first start playing. For example, in<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>Super Mario Party<\/span><\/i><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>there is a tutorial on how to play the minigame before it<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>officially begins.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>Another example is in the beginning of any Super Mario game, it shows you the storyline, the objectives and<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>how to play.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>The discourse in Nintendo games vary in every game.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>For instance, the discourse in<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>Animal Crossing<\/span><\/i><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>is different than in<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>Luigi\u2019s Mansion.<\/span><\/i><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/span>The \u201cslang\u201d is completely<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>different<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>and they both occur in opposite settings.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>Nintendo games are played across the world and the literacies that happen during different games can be used anywhere. While<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>recording my podcast, I did ask my roommates if they tend to<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>look into<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>other games made by Nintendo.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>They both said they<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>investigate<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>other Nintendo games that have the similar gameplay.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>While all Nintendo games aren\u2019t the same, they all have the same goal, for their players to have<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>fun.\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/div>","rendered":"

English 102, February 2020<\/h3>\n
\n

Mario and Luigi have had a presence in my life<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>since 2009 when<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Super Mario Bros<\/i><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>was released on<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>the Nintendo Wii.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>At the time I was<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>8, and I had no idea how much I would fall in love with the game and<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>characters.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Growing up with the basic Nintendo Wii, games that involved Mario and the \u201cgang\u201d were always the most fun. My parents would all play with<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>us<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>and it was a great bonding experience for my family.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Mario Kart 8<\/i><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>has influenced my life since the start of my freshmen year<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>in college. My roommates and I bonded over Mario Kart. Our evenings<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>always involve a round of Grand Prix and can always continue for hours.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Mario Kart has continuously brought us joy and the sounds the characters make<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>allow us to get so wrapped<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>up<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>into the game<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>it has almost become an escape from the real world and all the stressors we encounter. My roommates and I tend to be blasting music and just focus on winning.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>While I was thinking about some of the discourses I\u2019m involved in, I realized some people have never had the privilege to play<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Mario Kart 8<\/i><\/span>.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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A discourse is<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>how a group of people speak and or act in a certain situation.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>The discourse in the Nintendo realm is understood by anyone who\u2019s played any game by Nintendo.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Nintendo games are viewed as a stress reliever by most fans. Players play to have fun. Nintendo has<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>its<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>own discourse; however,<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Mario<\/i><\/span>\u00a0<\/i><\/span>Kart 8<\/i><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>has its own discourse<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>as well.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Mario Kart has been<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>a part<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>of the Nintendo discourse since 1992 when it was first released.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>When Mario Kart was introduced into the Nintendo realm, most of the discourse was the<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>same from previous Nintendo games. As the years pass and the more Mario Kart games get released, the larger the community gets.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>While the Mario<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Kart discourse grew,<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>the Nintendo discourse would grow with it.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>People who only play<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Mario Kart<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>tend to<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>investigate<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>other games made by Nintendo after playing.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Which, in turn,<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>enables the Nintendo community to increase in size.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Lifelong Nintendo fans also follow any new game<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>which<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>is being released so both discourses work hand in hand.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

For someone who has never played a video game, the language and discourse present<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>throughout<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>the game can easily confuse them.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Right off the bat, the menu<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>for<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Mario<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Kart is simple. It first asks how many players there are, if you want to play online,<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>or play wirelessly.\u00a0 After you select what you want, it then shows the three<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>to four<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>types of \u201cgames\u201d you can play.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>If someone decides they want to play with just one player, they will be provided with four options to choose from. The choices are Grand Prix, Time Trails,<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>VS Race, and Battle. This is where it gets a little tricky with the language.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>All the words they use make sense<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>and are straightforward; however, without knowing the rules or the context of how Mario Kart uses the words could be confusing. The textbook definition of Grand Prix is \u201cany of a series of auto-racing or motorcycling contests forming part of a world championship series,\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>and while this can be applied to the Mario Kart universe, there is a slight difference.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Grand Prix in<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>the<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Mario Kart and Nintendo world means four races. There isn\u2019t a championship<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>game at the end like the definition implies. Time Trials is just what it sounds like, competing in a timed race. You tend to compete<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>against<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>yourself<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>or<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>against a computer.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>VS<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Race<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>can be used with multiplayer or can be played by one person with other computers playing as well. Finally, Battle is one of my favorites. Battle is not a typical race like Grand Prix.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>During<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Battle, you have five<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>modes:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Balloon Battle, Bomb-omb<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Blast, Renegade Roundup, Shine Thief, and Coin Runners.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>All the modes are different but have the same core idea, to win.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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All the characters on<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Mario Kart 8<\/i><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>are<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>characters from<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>previous Nintendo games<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>on<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>all<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>their platforms.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>They all have a<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>storyline,<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>but they aren\u2019t<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>referenced<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>in<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Mario Kart<\/i><\/span>\u00a0<\/i><\/span>8.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Not knowing every character’s<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>story line is not a crucial part to the game.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Newer players to the Nintendo realm might not know all the characters and that\u2019s okay but the storylines for the characters aren\u2019t<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>important<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>for Mario Kart.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Most of the characters within the Nintendo world have their own game<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>which<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>explains their story<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>or the purpose of the game.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>For someone who\u2019s interested in learning the storyline for a specific character, they should<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>look into<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>playing one of the games that\u2019s based around that character.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>For example,<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>in<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Super Mario Bros<\/i><\/span>\u00a0<\/i><\/span>the purpose of the game is to free Princess Peach<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>from the \u201cenemy\u201d Bowser.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Once you complete the game, Mario saves Princess Peach and Bowser<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>leaves.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Every<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>character<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>has<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>unique characteristics to them.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>For instance, Princess Peach only wears pink clothes and<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>many of<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>her things in Mario Kart 8 are pink. Another example is<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Shy Guy. Shy Guy, also known as<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>ShyGuys,<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>is a common enemy for Mario and Luigi. They are found wearing masks, ultimately because they\u2019re shy.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Shy Guy<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>has multiple versions due to being in so many Nintendo games. Each variation of Shy Guy has different tricks<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>and different colors. The original Shy Guy is red and has the basic<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>tricks but<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>going other colors have more \u201cadvanced\u201d skills.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Each character also has their own discourse.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Shy Guy<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>makes very random noises throughout the game and his tone changes based<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>off<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>the situation he\u2019s in.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Since Shy Guy wasn\u2019t introduced into Mario games<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>until<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Super Mario Bros. 2<\/i><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>came out in 1988, many have followed him since the first time he<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>appeared in another game.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Players have favorite characters based<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>off of<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>previous games or even rounds. My roommates and I<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>all like different characters for different reasons. For instance, I love<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Tanooki<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Mario, while one of my roommates loves Blue Shy<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Guy. Our favorites<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>are based on previous games played, although we mainly play<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Mario Kart 8<\/i><\/span>,<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>not storylines.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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To further explain my<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>appreciation<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>for<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Mario<\/i><\/span>\u00a0<\/i><\/span>Kart 8<\/i><\/span>, my roommates and I made a podcast.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>The<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>podcast is linked<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>here:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>https:\/\/www.podbean.com\/media\/share\/pb-uikhk-<\/span><\/a>d2a8e6?utm_campaign=i_share_ep&utm_medium=dlink&utm_source=i_share<\/u><\/span>.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>During the podcast, we discussed how we play, our<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>preferences<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>on characters,<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>and the<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>discourse<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>we use throughout the game.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>The podcast helped organize my paper and help me get my argument across.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Presenting my multimodal helped me gauge how everyone in the class felt about my topic. I was able to ask the class some questions which helped me add<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>to my argument.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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To<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>conclude,<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Mario Kart 8<\/i><\/span>\u00a0<\/i><\/span>and Nintendo has had<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>a tremendous impact<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>on my life. I<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>have never had to sit down and read the instructions on how to play any Nintendo game.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Every Nintendo<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>game has a tutorial of how to play<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>when you first start playing. For example, in<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Super Mario Party<\/i><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>there is a tutorial on how to play the minigame before it<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>officially begins.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Another example is in the beginning of any Super Mario game, it shows you the storyline, the objectives and<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>how to play.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>The discourse in Nintendo games vary in every game.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>For instance, the discourse in<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Animal Crossing<\/i><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>is different than in<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Luigi\u2019s Mansion.<\/i><\/span>\u00a0<\/i><\/span>The \u201cslang\u201d is completely<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>different<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>and they both occur in opposite settings.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Nintendo games are played across the world and the literacies that happen during different games can be used anywhere. While<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>recording my podcast, I did ask my roommates if they tend to<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>look into<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>other games made by Nintendo.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>They both said they<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>investigate<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>other Nintendo games that have the similar gameplay.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>While all Nintendo games aren\u2019t the same, they all have the same goal, for their players to have<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>fun.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"author":253,"menu_order":17,"template":"","meta":{"pb_show_title":"on","pb_short_title":"","pb_subtitle":"","pb_authors":["sciha"],"pb_section_license":""},"chapter-type":[],"contributor":[79],"license":[],"class_list":["post-401","chapter","type-chapter","status-publish","hentry","contributor-sciha"],"part":36,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.ulib.csuohio.edu\/understanding-literacy-in-our-lives\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/401","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.ulib.csuohio.edu\/understanding-literacy-in-our-lives\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.ulib.csuohio.edu\/understanding-literacy-in-our-lives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/chapter"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.ulib.csuohio.edu\/understanding-literacy-in-our-lives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/253"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.ulib.csuohio.edu\/understanding-literacy-in-our-lives\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/401\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":540,"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.ulib.csuohio.edu\/understanding-literacy-in-our-lives\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/401\/revisions\/540"}],"part":[{"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.ulib.csuohio.edu\/understanding-literacy-in-our-lives\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/parts\/36"}],"metadata":[{"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.ulib.csuohio.edu\/understanding-literacy-in-our-lives\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/401\/metadata\/"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.ulib.csuohio.edu\/understanding-literacy-in-our-lives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=401"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"chapter-type","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.ulib.csuohio.edu\/understanding-literacy-in-our-lives\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapter-type?post=401"},{"taxonomy":"contributor","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.ulib.csuohio.edu\/understanding-literacy-in-our-lives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/contributor?post=401"},{"taxonomy":"license","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.ulib.csuohio.edu\/understanding-literacy-in-our-lives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/license?post=401"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}