Battle Mode

Battle Course

Overview
The two team-based Battle Modes in Mario Kart Wii are split into an old-school balloon-popping mini-game, along with a coin collecting alternative. The number one tactic to bear in mind with Coin Runner in particular is to avoid trailing people—you'll only watch in frustration as they collect every coin in your path. Instead, do your best to pretty much ignore all other players, and constantly seek out un-tapped areas of the map that no-one else is hogging. Don't worry too much about power-ups and taking enemies out, unless you happen to pass by one with a hefty stack of coins whose collection requires serious thinning.

Remember that collectible coins do in fact show up on the mini-map too, and although it can be hectic trying to keep an eye on your map while driving, it's a vital multi-tasking skill which will see you through to many a victory in this mode.



Balloon Battle, however, is a little more focused on player skill and driving ability, than following any specific tactic. Learn the arenas as best you can with that in mind, maintain a healthy supply of power-ups and take the fight to the other team with everything you have. Here are some brief pointers regarding individual arenas:



Arenas
Arenas

Block Plaza The key to dominating on this arena is to secure the high ground atop the blocks. With plenty of power-ups to be found and an aerial view of the whole map below, set your team up high where they can track and subsequently ambush the enemy from above.

Delfino Pier The Pier is a crazy free-for-all with little in the way of paths, cover and strategy. Throw all tactics out of the window and charge en masse!

Funky Stadium Rather than go off in blind search of individual power-up blocks and the awkward angles required to nab them, the best source for weaponry here seems to be the huge stash at the top of the central jump. There's plenty to go around up there, and you'll land in a nice central position for some soon-to-follow combat.

Chain Chomp Roulette Set up much like Funky Stadium, with a steady supply of power-ups atop a mid-arena epic jump, the prime difference here would be the enormous Chain Chomp running rampant throughout the level. His sheer size makes him arguably your biggest threat in fact, so keep one eye on his whereabouts at all times while you engage the enemy for the good of balloon kind.

Thwomp Desert A devilishly fiendish arena where all the power-ups are located around and beneath the biggest Thwomp known to man. The result is a huge, random group bundle as everyone darts in and out quickly, trying to nab power-ups while avoiding his crushings, which has the added effect of sending shockwaves throughout the entire map. There's often little method to the madness in this crazy showdown, but whatever you do, be sure to avoid heading too far into the middle of the chaos or you'll get sucked into quicksand and die instantly.

SNES Battle Course 4 This old classic kicks off the retro arenas with pleasing style. Concentric squares provide a wealth of narrow alleyways and plenty of individual cover, often splitting the action up into a series of smaller one on one showdowns. Turn the tables on the enemy by finding and sticking to a teammate, thus ganging up on solitary rivals who are stranded without back-up.

GBA Battle Course 3 Battle Course 3, on the other hand, is a far more open and free-form arena. More than anything, be sure to avoid the central sandbank, as it'll slow you down to near stand-still, rendering you a sitting duck for some major balloon popping.

N64 Skyscraper This vertigo-inducing high-riser boasts numerous opportunities to drop to your doom, so handle with immense care. This includes a gaping hole smack bang in the centre of the arena, hence the better tactic tends to be running simple laps around the outer ring instead. This should keep you in a constant supply of power-ups, along with many a coin if playing that particular mode.

GCN Cookie Land If you can keep your stomach from rumbling at the sight of this scrumptious looking beauty, you may notice that it's laid out almost identically to the previous arena, albeit minus the drops of death. A similar tactic of laps around the outer ring will keep you nicely shielded from the chaos typically erupting towards the middle.

DS Twilight House Be wary of the rail-less outer edges on this one; it's especially easy to fall to your death when travelling too fast. That said, these edges do provide some much needed respite from the chaos that erupts throughout the level's interiors, and can act as pleasing tactical positions for attacking from and retreating to.

N O T E In these team-based modes, power-ups will be colour coded for each team. This makes the blue team's Fake Item Block a lot harder to fall for in particular.