Mario Kart 8

The first version of Mario Kart made specifically for the Wii U, Mario Kart 8 is a beautifully rendered and insanely fun game that all fans of the series (or of any racing games) should want to pick up as soon as possible. Adding new racers and tracks and anti-gravity racing (allowing characters to race sideways or even upside down on certain tracks) to the already winning formula, the latest installment follows the traditional set-up of crazy tracks and a free-for-all mentality allowing players to unlock new characters, tracks, and bonuses with each win.

Donkey Kong remains my favorite character (usually on some version of a motorcycle), but the latest version of the game includes a variety of new racers including DLC and unlockables such as Link and the Koopalings each of whom bring their own strengths and weaknesses to the game. And the courses themselves, finally rendered in true HD for the first time, are beautiful to behold and both amazing and occasionally frustrating to play through based on the strengths of your racer and vehicle. Online and versus play are also available.

One of the best reviewed games of the year and one of Nintendo's highest reviewed games of all-time, Mario Kart 8 is worthy of the hype and the game which finally sold me completely on the Wii U platform. Equally enjoyable in short or long periods of play, Mario Kart 8 is the game I keep going back to over and over again. This one's a winner.

[Nintendo, $59.99]