Mario Kart Wii's Enigma - Zeke on Bowser's Castle

Welcome back to the Most Iconic WRs series - where we take a deep dive on different World Records in Mario Kart Wii's history and discuss what makes them iconic. This one is a special edition to the series.
I announced a video bounty last year for anyone who could beat Zeke's 2:20.672 on Bowser's Castle. Surprisingly enough, Zeke made his grand return to the game and picked the track up once more and defeated his own time. There's so much history and backstory to Zeke's original 2:20.672 along with this track's controversial past in the World Record scene.
Special thank you to Zeke for taking the time to answer many of the curious questions I had. Zeke is a native Japanese speaker, but knows EXCELLENT English. It has been very enjoyable to talk about the game, competition and history for the game. Thank you Zeke!
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✅ Recommended videos/playlists:
○ Mario Kart Wii World Record Review: • Mario Kart Wii Monthly...
○ Analyzing and Reacting to All Mario Kart Wii World Records Entering 2022: • Analyzing & Reacting t...
○ Most Iconic WRs - Cole's First Sub 2:30 on Rainbow Road: • The Future of Rainbow ...
○ The History of Glitching GCN Waluigi Stadium in Real Time: • The History of the Wal...
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💡 Mario Kart Wii Resources!
• CTGP Website: www.chadsoft.co...
• CTGP Leaderboards: www.chadsoft.co...
• CTGP Tutorial by TWD98: • How To Get 200+ CUSTOM...
• MKWRs: mkwrs.com/
• MKLeaderboards: www.mkleaderbo...
• WhatIsLoaf's Website for Time Trial Recording Resources: www.tt-rec.com
• CTGP Records: / @ctgprecords
• Best Known Splits Spreadsheet: tinyurl.com/be...
• NMeade's Music Pack Download: drive.google.c...
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Videos/resources used/mentioned throughout this video:
○ Wata-S' old 2:21.320 WR on Bowser's Castle: • [MKW WR]Bowser's Castl...
○ Suiryu's 2:20.475 on Bowser's Castle: • [MKW] Bowser's Castle ...
○ Player's Page (and the thread where many top tier time trialers were exposed for cheating their time trials back in 2012): www.mariokart6...
○ Zeke's KZbin: / @zeke_a
○ Custom Top 10 Tool by WhatIsLoaf: www.tt-rec.com/
○ WhatIsLoaf's KZbin: / @what_is_loaf
○ MKWRs for various statistics and player's pages referenced: mkwrs.com/mkwii/
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Credits:
• Mario Kart: Double Dash!! - Bowser's Castle
• Mario Kart Wii - Bowser's Castle
• Mario Party 4 - Bowser's Gnarly Party
• Paper Mario: The Thousand Year Door - X-Naut Fortress
#MarioKartWii #MostIconicWRs #TimeTrials

[@NMeade]

Welcome back to the Most Iconic WRs series - where we take a deep dive on different World Records in Mario Kart Wii's history and discuss what makes them iconic. This one is a special edition to the series. I announced a video bounty last year for anyone who could beat Zeke's 2:20.672 on Bowser's Castle. Surprisingly enough, Zeke made his grand return to the game and picked the track up once more and defeated his own time. There's so much history and backstory to Zeke's original 2:20.672 along with this track's controversial past in the World Record scene. Special thank you to Zeke for taking the time to answer many of the curious questions I had. Zeke is a native Japanese speaker, but knows EXCELLENT English. It has been very enjoyable to talk about the game, competition and history for the game. Thank you Zeke and congratulations on successfully returning to beat your time! Zeke's Channel: kzbin.info/door/2xwLrlnP8AhelqN9qc7Y2g 🔔 Subscribe! ▷ bit.ly/2udIfG6 📹 Twitch Streams ▷ twitch.tv/nmeade 🐤 Twitter ▷ twitter.com/nmeade 📸 Instagram ▷ instagram.com/nmeade5 ✅ Most Iconic WRs - Cole's First Sub 2:30 on Rainbow Road: kzbin.info/www/bejne/ppSwaqWehtOYeZo ✅ The History of Glitching GCN Waluigi Stadium in Real Time: kzbin.info/www/bejne/e4u0lHaCa5KXrK8 ✅ Analyzing and Reacting to All Mario Kart Wii World Records Entering 2022: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qXXHdmd_ZZ5qjKc

[@noahcheng1895]

Lunch will be great today.

[@noahcheng1895]

10:35 😱

[@khirek5335]

Ayy it's everyone's favorite mkwii content commenter again, enjoy your lunch!

[@CowMaam]

@@khirek5335 I’m also a big fan of lowercaseletters, Akis Konstanidis (song used please), and Wii Nunchuk.

[@noahcheng1895]

@@CowMaam Cow Man

[@CowMaam]

@@noahcheng1895 Cow Man

[@lukeplaysclash7694]

The fact that fox hasn’t had an improvement here for almost 5 years and still has a top 10 time is astounding

[@mkw1932]

It’s even more astounding that Wata-S is still Top 10, he hasn’t had an improvement for over 9 years now

[@Jeffx97]

Great video - I think you documentated Zeke's history about the track very well and it was an enjoyable watch. However there is a major controversy related to what you have said during the video related to suiryu's runs. It is important to note that suiryu himself never claimed any of the Wiimmfi era WRs, they were solely uploaded by Nagisa. It is more than likely that Nagisa TAS'd the runs and released them under suiryu's identity (maybe out of spite because he got banned). Would be quite weird for a person with GOAT reputation like suiryu to suddenly cheat runs while being completely disconnected from the community and having someone else upload them.

[@NMeade]

Thank you Jeff! I suppose we won't truly be able to know unless we directly hear full details from either Nagisa or Suiryu themselves surrounding everything. It'd truly be something if Nagisa actually did that though. Nagisa had his cheating exposed and confirmed in 2019 from what I am told, so it'd be strange if he went through all of that for that reason of spite with Suiryu's times dating from 2015 to 2018, being before that being confirmed in 2019. One thing I forgot to include in the video from all the conversations I've had with Zeke was Zeke mentioned that Suiryu actually said he wouldn't come back to the game if/when Zeke beats his 2:20.475, Zeke would be able to confirm this. Suiryu's legacy is still GOAT status in his own right, it's undeniable. His dominance, especially in WWs, wars and many of the tournaments back in the day was insane. I'd often race with him several times a week with others and his talent was incredibly clear. We'd message often on Skype back in the day and he'd often send friend ghost data of his PBs, including when he first started giving this track a try around 2011 with a mid-high 2:23. All of these developments are unfortunate, I think most of us can agree. We've had to deal with people cheating in time trials since the very beginning, and really had to use the 'trust' system with players that they weren't cheating their times. It was very discouraging and disappointing with the first big wave of top tier players being caught cheating their times in mid 2012 as referenced in the video. It truly made the landscape uneasy since then as these players were some of the best around, truly had gifted talent in the game, likely set some legitimate WRs and collective track-wide dominance (with two of the former #1 TTers being caught cheating their times as we know), and in turn casts a veil around whatever they do beyond their 'confirmed' cheated times (as you will naturally have doubt over their previous times as a result, obviously) as they tried to fool their competitors before, with wondering if they would simply keep passing their times as legitimate if these anti-cheating methods were never discovered. We can only hope the integrity of competition is elevated in the future with anti-cheating contingencies in place to ensure no one is fooling the top tier competition again.

[@timelessmoments]

@@NMeade Very well said!

[@Jeffx97]

@@NMeade Fully agree with that. To my knowledge suiryu is still in close contact with some MK8DX players, I am 99% sure the runs were not set by him. In the end it is the right move to freeze his times obviously, however it sucks that his reputation is harmed because of runs that were likely created by someone else and released under his identity. Thanks for the reply Nick.

[@INFINITY_99]

​@@NMeade The whole TT cheating history of this game would be another great video, I believe! I have been playing this beautiful game since 2012 but was never really in the higher skill spheres so I'm lacking a lot of knowledge of what happened back in the days and would therefore be very interested in a summery regarding this topic! One of the #1 TTers being caught cheating was Razor (a.k.a. Black?!) right? Who was the other person? On another note: Up to this date I am wondering whether the non-SC run of Black on GV was legit - many people in the comment section had the notion that this run was cheated as well but it seemed like this run was live-recorded and I just didn't see a way of how this run couldn't have been legit...

[@bfpncsr3608]

@@INFINITY_99 Black was never legit, the 2 #1s were Jorge and Jay

[@christendo5733]

Holy shit! I was expecting Syuto's 2:18.930 on Maple Treeway to be the next video in the series, but this was a great surprise! Thank you Nick.

[@NMeade]

Yes, I announced that as the next one originally, but wanted to this one first with all the developments. That time will be next now!

[@C0D97]

19:08 oh wow, what a cracked pace. I didn't realise he was trying to improve his 2:20.524. Interesting times ahead! Great video, I was looking forward to it for a long time :)

[@gusmarin6031]

I really hope Zeke continues to grind for the 2:19, I feel like that would probably be the most insane world record in the game if set.

[@CowMaam]

Now we’ve got another one.

[@jdog5589]

I love the in-depth information about the WR holders and the track's history. I am glad that we have passionate players like you that help to preserve the mkw history.

[@Suwawako]

I am not even good at Mkwii, but I love how interesting this series is! I love hearing about rivalries on various tracks!

[@dksc4life]

Excellent upload.

[@Kierio04]

Wooo! Awesome video

[@wyatturd1]

This video is a true masterpiece.

[@SeaOfPixels]

Love legacy videos for the community, amazing content.

[@Serperior10101]

Top quality on this one Nick! Love the exposé on the history of one of MKW’s most iconic tracks

[@ninjamage5215]

I absolutely love these history lesson esque videos on MKWii

[@saunaboi4910]

Glad to see the video finally released. Can't wait to see what times Zeke, Jared and Shawn are going to get here this year

[@MaulusRS]

This is my favorite track ever and my favorite WR ever. Amazing video for an amazing time

[@MrDobleO]

I wanted to see your POV of this week's episode of flaunderfest

[@koopa12345678910]

This makes me want to pop the game back in. Just like in one piece, Nick, you might just start the Mario kart Wii era. Much love brother

[@Joshy-]

I'm glad this track is getting a revival and activity again. First Gold Mine, now Bowser's Castle, what's next in line to be the track to be active?

[@lowercaseletters_]

What a wonderful video! I enjoyed this special edition. It was interesting to listen about the history of this track and the controversies surrounding it. The recent developments of this track are crazy. Jared has been going in recently, set two new BKSes, and almost beat Zeke. Zeke’s pace that he set a few weeks ago was nuts, being .2 ahead of his current WR.

[@noahcheng1895]

the developments of this track are always crazy

[@lowercaseletters_]

@@noahcheng1895 ikr!

[@real_abender]

What happened to FlounderFest this week?

[@Cqrt3r]

This was so well made. Thank you Nick. :)

[@bdamja]

Amazing content as always! Do you think you will be doing more time trial lab in the future?

[@whattheduck]

👀

[@NMeade]

Thank you! Yes, more to come.

[@lava1staff]

this will be fun to watch during lunch

[@snoopyfr2730]

I hope you will talk about totom on waluigi stadium ! Great analyse as always !

[@NickSharpx]

OMG I can't believe this is finally out, I completely missed this upload somehow, already know it's gonna be a banger and I've seen 5 seconds, thank you for your content Nick, as a TTer and a Nick myself, love you brother :)

[@Nachet_MVS]

Amazing commentary as always Nick!!

[@blueupgb]

hey man top quality vid here mate 🔥

[@WiiNunchuck]

Great video Nick! Zeke’s reign is ending soon though. I believe in you Jared

[@Maddad_39]

GO TEAM NICK!!!!

[@GD_Zimmeh]

Wow nice thumbnail and title, instantly had me intrigued

[@mafamkw553]

Great video Nick! Extremely interesting to watch.

[@christopheredwards788]

Excellent video Nicholas. Great job!!👍

[@wolfjansen5375]

I swear Nick takes every little opportunity to mention he was once a WR holder lol

[@snelake]

It’s amazing that the game has become so optimised that 0.5 seconds is considered a massive lead.

[@leos.6171]

petition to do totom rWS wr for next episode

[@Zachruff]

I honestly wonder if post WFC Suiryu is even the real Suiryu or if its just nagisa pretending to be him

[@noahcheng1895]

It basically has to be nagisa pretending because why would such a cracked player like suiryu ruin his reputation when he’s already proven himself in online play? I think nagisa even confirmed that suiryu stopped playing post wfc shutdown, but honestly I have no idea.

[@SergioMKW]

🤷

[@antonluge7836]

Finally. Your teasering it since months

[@Kenjey]

amazing video!

[@timelessmoments]

Oh hell yes, I already know this one’s gonna be great!

[@benjahoang9054]

Pls make a video about the goat himself fox Would be incredible

[@TheXeeman]

it would be nice for you to put up the numbers when describing the times, so it's easier to visualize and understand

[@vapssu]

Jared is coming

[@g.williams2047]

Wasn’t this the dude who had some crazy pace before messing up lap 3?

[@Maidvelia]

Then Jared came in.

[@pannonefamily3606]

Yep

[@C0D97]

Then Zeke came back

[@Zinou59]

BP*DK for life ! Interesting video.

[@chris__pollack]

Awesome vid

[@GUT5S]

Who else back here after Jared's run?

[@CowMaam]

LETS GO

[@nil24nil]

That's what I want to see!!!

[@cavrence]

Great vid nick are you streaming later today!

[@tanookimarioiscool]

I actually have a question with Flounderfest. What happened to your perspective for the episode for this week (The one with the weird textures for the Shell and Banana Cup)?

[@Suwawako]

Maybe his video got corrupted or he forgot to record

[@garethreynolds9061]

Yes I have the same question

[@zorm_]

Unfortunately, yesterday the record just got taken away by Jared with a .431

[@C0D97]

Zeke back with a . 099

[@MrFiendyBob]

This right here is *UNFORTUNATE*

[@thiinkiing]

the wheelie hacking scandal is fun lore, good to mention though it is a shame that so many times were cheated. the fact that the yt account with mander's hacked replays is called "Luckwheelie" will always be funny to me

[@SergioMKW]

Luck Wheelie Circuit

[@Ragemodepigeon]

god tier video

[@rryumi]

IT IS TIME

[@noahcheng1895]

cant believe i got in this vid LOL

[@boeniman7553]

btw you have to pronounce "nagisa" very fast. not "na-gii-sa" :)

[@boeniman7553]

P.s: obviously great video nick, loved it! really enjoy ing time trialing bcwii although I'm not good at it XD

[@noahcheng1895]

Or you can just say nagisa without the “i” 🤷‍♂️

[@Jacobleighton535]

And Jared kind of yeah

[@NintendoGamer2600]

I think the original Xbox is the only console more exploited than the Wii.

[@iur]

Yo

[@Nao-ll7su]

"nagiza" tho

[@erikanderson6430]

Jared2k will dethrone Zeke any day now

[@veridian727]

This aged well

[@InsaneClipszz]

Love u nmeade

[@aaronsedillo]

Mario kart 8 dlc out

[@mkw1932]

MK8 will always be inferior to MKW

[@SergioMKW]

🤫

[@Kkejwjrjejejekwjwj]

Yoooooo

[@nateeskenazi8280]

With what Jared and Shawn have been up to, Zeke may no longer dominate BCWii.

[@SergioMKW]

Lol

[@aaronshawnawuolletfamily7971]

11th

[@HeringwayFANXXX]

Nick great Video, just one weak to early...😅. But seriously insane how this track is evolving. A few years ago no one Was near zeke and now he got dethroned. Hopefully we get a nice wr battle and a race to the 2:19.