"This is Why They Hate Us"

Mr. Null of 1up.com asks: Is Snaking Cheating?

No, of course it isn't, but the fact that question is asked at all fills me with glee.

Comments

[Alex]

I admit, "snaking" takes skill (or quick fingers) and the right kart to execute.
That said I don't think it was placed in the game intentionally. Nintendo wasn't thinking: "Ok, now that we have a level playing field lets add something that will upset this balance and piss people off at the same time."
This disruption in the playing field is leaving too many people frustrated and out of the loop. People want to have fun, but when they are repeatedly left in the dust with no plausible explanation they become discouraged and leave. This is a natural selection type of situation where the snakers stay and n00bs leave; a situation like that could destroy the online play entirely.

[Chris]

I don't believe that snaking is insurmountable. A well-timed turtle shell should throw most snakers off their game, and hit at the right time, you could seriously throw a player off-course (hit them off the course as a heavy player, or zap them with a lightning bolt when making a jump).

Is it easy? No. But it's doable.

I am against snaking if only because of the reasons that everyone else has mentioned - it is an exploit that ruins the game for players who can't participate and/or are unfamiliar with the technique.

I'm hopeful that player matching is configured in such a way as to be weighted toward things like course times, such that snakers will be matched against snakers in most scenarios. As more players get the game and hop online, these issues should naturally iron themselves out. I just wish there was a better form of community moderation.

[Unityflow]

So there's nothing to stop your openent snaking... there's nothing to stop you from getting up, crossing the room and slapping them around the side of the head for being an idiot.

What I mean is, we play games for entertainment, we set the rules ourselves. Can you imagine playing a game of backgammon or chess where your oponent starts picking up your pieces and throwing them away, just because they can?

Anyone that would use snaking as a legitimate tactic in a friendly game of 'cart is missing the point.

[mike]

It's a component of the game that requires skill and a certain degree of risk (if you screw up, you go flying off into the rough). It's also been around since Mario Kart 64. If you aren't good enough to compete against it, go back to playing offline computer opponents who might be more your speed.

[alex]

I think the community could evolve to simply exit out of races with snakers. If you snake in order to win, but can't seem to find anyone to finish a race with you, then you'll stop pretty quick. This would have to be a well-known protocol among karters worldwide, but it would work.

[CPFace]

A wireless router and Mario Kart DS converged in my home within the same week, and I ended up online. I'd offer my friend code, but I can find enough random people who'll kick my ass for me.

I've pretty much abandoned all hope of playing to win at this point. I've never been very good at video games to begin with, and being matched with other people hasn't really helped much. I still enjoy playing though, trailing the pack by half a lap, spitting out a blue turtle shell out of spite every now and then.

[David Jacobs]

Hey CP - that's exactly why you SHOULD share your friend code, because these strangers are all better than us regular folk.

[Sam]

I think snaking should be called cheating because the more skilled snakers will actually use it to float right back on track when they fall off the edges (like in Rainbow Road or Sky Garden)and even instantly zoom to first place.

[Ric]

Snaking's for wimps! It's not big and it's not clever. If you race legitimately then you get one of the most exciting experiences in video gaming, with races coming right down to the wire and hanging on a koopa shell. Don't people want to be challenged, and have their pulse raised above that of a zombie? Remember snakers, even if you win you'll still be lonely