How To Unlock Bowser Jr On Mario Kart Wii

Learning how to unlock Bowser Jr. on "Mario Kart Wii" is pretty simple. It takes a little time and a little skill, but once you've got the hang of it you'll unlock Bowser Jr. and be set to unlock just about everything else "Mario Kart Wii" has to offer. There are more than a dozen new characters and more than another dozen new karts and bikes, each of which has its own requirements for being unlocked. The requirements are essentially the same, so keep pushing yourself to do better and you'll be unlocking new stuff all the time.

Bowser Jr. is one of the trickier characters to unlock in "Mario Kart Wii," but with patience you'll add him to the lineup soon enough. To unlock Bowser Jr. you'll need to receive a one-star rating in the 100cc class of each of the four Retro-Cups. That is, you have to drive exceptionally well and nab first place in the 100cc class of four particular cups.

Let's break it down:

1. 100cc class: Each Grand Prix is available in three classes; 50cc, 100cc, and 150cc. You start out on 50cc and work your way up, with each class unlocking as you best the previous one. In the 50cc class, you can only race bikes; in 100cc it's karts; and in 150cc you can choose from either. Also, your opponents get more aggressive as you move along, so watch out!
2. One star rating: When racing in a Grand Prix, you can earn a star rating that ranges from one to three stars (one is good, three is best) based on how well you handle yourself and dominate your opponents. Being nimble and staying ahead of the pack go a long way, but so do strategically sabotaging your opponents and avoiding their assaults.
3. Retro-Cups: These cups feature courses from previous Mario Kart games that have been juiced up for the Wii. They are the Shell Cup, Banana Cup, Leaf Cup, and Lightning Cup. You'll recognize them as the bottom row of cups on the cup selection screen. You'll need to unlock the Leaf Cup by placing third or better in the Shell and Banana Cups, and then unlock the Lightning Cup by doing the same in the Leaf Cup.

So again: Nab at least a one-star rating in the 100cc class of each of the Retro-Cups, and Bowser Jr. is all yours. Good luck, and watch out for those Red Shells!