E3 2013 Preview: Mario Kart 8 defies gravity

Mario Kart 8 isn't looking to reinvent the wheel, but it is looking to bring the charming racing game we've all grown to love to the Wii U, with a bit of a twist. The latest kart racing game from Nintendo --announced back in January, but officially revealed this week at E3 -- was one of the many playable titles at Nintendo's E3 booth this year.

Mario Kart 8 plays largely the same as Mario Kart 7, with the return of kart mechanics like the glider and the propeller, but added to the mix is the brand new anti-gravity hover mechanic. Now you can drive hover on walls and ceilings. Say goodbye to traditional racing as we knew it in the Mario Kart series as the hover mechanic opens the tracks up in ways you've never experienced before.

The ability to drive on walls and ceilings not only creates a new perspective on tracks, but expands the number of alternative routes, opening up possible shortcuts or even potential hazards. These new areas will change the way you approach each track as you'll need to effectively plan how to make use of your items on a map. The map is no longer just a flat plane; you must now plan your attacks accordingly depending on what area of the track your on.

Read more about Mario Kart 8 at GameZone >