Nintendo certainly kept us at the edge of our seats during President Satoru Iwata’s GDC keynote address yesterday. Although the announcement of a new Legend of Zelda title, along with news of a Wii storage solution and new DSi buyers getting 1000 free DSi Points were in the spotlight, some new information about the anticipated sequel to Excite Truck, Excitebots: Trick Racing, has also surfaced.

Developed by Monster Games, Excitebots: Trick Racing will be released exclusively for the Wii on the 20th of April. Up to 2 players can race locally while up to six can try cross the finishing line first via Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection in both Excite Race and Poker Race modes. If you can’t hook up with friends online, you can still compete by exchanging ghost data via WiiConnect24.

The game sees players racing around tracks in robotic insect and animal racers at high speeds, earning stars by performing stunts and participating in mini-games. The faster you go and the faster you finish, the more bonus stars you earn, but don’t forget you earn stars for stunts and speed as well. Players can trade stars for new vehicles, icons and statues.

Players can use either the Wii Remote or the Wii Wheel to play Excitebots. Hit the gas by pushing the 2 button on the Wii Remote or get a speed boost by using the + control pad. You can also use the Wii Wheel to steer left or right, tilting it in mid-air to glide, swinging it around boost bars to build up speed and A to activate items or to cash in hands in Poker mode.

Hit blocks that morph terrain and create ramps to perform a mega-jump, just like you did in Excite Truck. Aim for and swing around boost bars or open presents to unleash items including bottle rocket boosts or clacker mouths that chomp on your opponents to slow them down.

Players can also activate in-race mini-games including: Soccer (drive into the soccer ball and try to hit it into the goal), Bowling (drive through the pins and try get a strike), Darts (Line up your bot and try get a bulls-eye), Clowns (try hit the clown in the face with a pie) and Sandwiches (make a sandwich by driving through the ingredients in the proper order).