is a 2014
kart racing game
A kart racing game, also known as cart racing game or go-kart racing game, is a subgenre of racing video games. Kart racing games have simplified driving mechanics while including unusual racetrack designs, obstacles, and vehicular combat. Though ...
developed and published by
Nintendo
is a Japanese Multinational corporation, multinational video game company headquartered in Kyoto, Japan. It develops video games and video game consoles.
Nintendo was founded in 1889 as by craftsman Fusajiro Yamauchi and originally produce ...
for the
Wii U
The Wii U ( ) is a home video game console developed by Nintendo as the successor to the Wii. Released in late 2012, it is the first eighth-generation video game console and competed with Microsoft's Xbox One and Sony's PlayStation 4.
The W ...
. It features the ''
Mario Kart
is a series of racing games developed and published by Nintendo. Players compete in go-kart races while using various power-up items. It features characters and courses from the ''Mario'' series as well as other gaming franchises such as ''T ...
'' series'
game mechanics
In tabletop games and video games, game mechanics are the rules or ludemes that govern and guide the player's actions, as well as the game's response to them. A rule is an instruction on how to play, a ludeme is an element of play like the L-shap ...
, in which players drive
go-kart
A go-kart, also written as go-cart (often referred to as simply a kart), is a type of sports car, close wheeled car, open-wheel car or quadracycle. Go-karts come in all shapes and forms, from non-motorised models to high-performance Kart rac ...
s using ''
Mario
is a character created by Japanese video game designer Shigeru Miyamoto. He is the title character of the ''Mario'' franchise and the mascot of Japanese video game company Nintendo. Mario has appeared in over 200 video games since his creat ...
'' franchise characters in various
race
Race, RACE or "The Race" may refer to:
* Race (biology), an informal taxonomic classification within a species, generally within a sub-species
* Race (human categorization), classification of humans into groups based on physical traits, and/or s ...
formats.
Items placed along the course may be used to hinder opponents or gain advantages in the race. ''Mario Kart 8'' introduces
anti-gravity
Anti-gravity (also known as non-gravitational field) is a hypothetical phenomenon of creating a place or object that is free from the force of gravity. It does not refer to the lack of weight under gravity experienced in free fall or orbit, or to ...
driving on walls or ceilings, and allows players to bump into each other for a short boost. It features
single-player
A single-player video game is a video game where input from only one player is expected throughout the course of the gaming session. A single-player game is usually a game that can only be played by one person, while "single-player mode" is usuall ...
and
multiplayer
A multiplayer video game is a video game in which more than one person can play in the same game environment at the same time, either locally on the same computing system (couch co-op), on different computing systems via a local area network, or ...
gameplay, as well as online multiplayer. The game was a critical success. Critics praised its new additions and courses, as well as its graphics and soundtrack. However, they criticized its limited battle mode. Since its release on May 29, 2014, ''Mario Kart 8'' has sold over 8 million units, and is the
best-selling Wii U game. Post-release, ''Mario Kart 8'' has received several
software updates
A patch is a set of changes to a computer program or its supporting data designed to update, fix, or improve it. This includes fixing security vulnerabilities and other bugs, with such patches usually being called bugfixes or bug fixes. Patches ...
and
downloadable content
Downloadable content (DLC) is additional content created for an already released video game, distributed through the Internet by the game's publisher. It can either be added for no extra cost or it can be a form of video game monetization, enablin ...
, including additional characters, courses, and vehicles.
On April 28, 2017, Nintendo released an expanded
re-release
In the music industry, a reissue (also re-release, repackage or re-edition) is the release of an album or single which has been released at least once before, sometimes with alterations or additions.
Reasons for reissue
New audio formats
Reco ...
of ''Mario Kart 8'' for the
Nintendo Switch
The is a hybrid video game console developed by Nintendo and released worldwide in most regions on March 3, 2017. The console itself is a Tablet computer#Gaming tablet, tablet that can either be docking station, docked for use as a home video ...
. ''Deluxe'' features a revamped battle mode, including five sub-modes. After launch, ''Deluxe'' received several software updates, including the "Booster Course Pass", a downloadable season pass which features 48 additional courses split into six waves set to be released by the end of 2023. Since its release, ''Deluxe'' has sold over 48 million units, making it the
best-selling Nintendo Switch game
This is a list of video games for the Nintendo Switch video game console that have sold or shipped at least one million copies. As Nintendo shares the sales of their video games every quarter while most other publishers do not share sales fig ...
and one of the
best-selling games of all time. ''Deluxe'' was critically acclaimed, with many reviewers calling it the best ''Mario Kart'' game or one of the best racing games, though some criticized the lack of new content.
Gameplay
''Mario Kart 8'' is a
kart racing video game
A kart racing game, also known as cart racing game or go-kart racing game, is a subgenre of racing video games. Kart racing games have simplified driving mechanics while including unusual racetrack designs, obstacles, and vehicular combat. Though ...
; players control characters from the ''
Mario
is a character created by Japanese video game designer Shigeru Miyamoto. He is the title character of the ''Mario'' franchise and the mascot of Japanese video game company Nintendo. Mario has appeared in over 200 video games since his creat ...
'' universe to race in
go-kart
A go-kart, also written as go-cart (often referred to as simply a kart), is a type of sports car, close wheeled car, open-wheel car or quadracycle. Go-karts come in all shapes and forms, from non-motorised models to high-performance Kart rac ...
s around a course. They may hinder their opponents or improve their performance using
power-up
In video games, a power-up is an object that adds temporary benefits or extra abilities to the player character as a game mechanic. This is in contrast to an item, which may or may not have a permanent benefit that can be used at any time chosen ...
s found in item boxes throughout the course.
It includes four different difficulties, each differing in speed, which may be selected before the race.
"Mirror Mode" horizontally inverts all courses.
Returning features from previous installments include
motorbike
A motorcycle (motorbike, bike, or trike (if three-wheeled)) is a two or three-wheeled motor vehicle Steering, steered by a Motorcycle handlebar, handlebar. Motorcycle design varies greatly to suit a range of different purposes: Long-distance ...
s and 12-player racing from ''
Mario Kart Wii
is a kart racing game developed and published by Nintendo for the Wii. It is the sixth installment in the ''Mario Kart'' series, and was released in April 2008. Like its previous installments, ''Mario Kart Wii'' incorporates player character, pl ...
'', as well as
hang glider
Hang gliding is an air sport or recreational activity in which a pilot flies a light, non-motorised foot-launched heavier-than-air aircraft called a hang glider. Most modern hang gliders are made of an aluminium alloy or composite frame covered ...
s, underwater racing and vehicle customization from ''
Mario Kart 7
''Mario Kart 7'' is a kart racing video game developed by Nintendo EAD in cooperation with Retro Studios and published by Nintendo for the Nintendo 3DS in 2011.
As with the previous games in the ''Mario Kart'' series, players participate ...
''.
Up to four players can play together on a single system, up to eight can play together through a local wireless connection, and up to twelve can play together via online multiplayer.
The signature new feature of ''Mario Kart 8'' is
anti-gravity
Anti-gravity (also known as non-gravitational field) is a hypothetical phenomenon of creating a place or object that is free from the force of gravity. It does not refer to the lack of weight under gravity experienced in free fall or orbit, or to ...
racing, in which certain parts of a course allow racers to drive on walls and ceilings.
In these sections, players who collide with other racers or special bumpers will trigger a speed boost. New characters include the
Koopalings
The (also known as in Japan and Europe or in Japan) are a fictional group of seven childlike characters in the Mario (franchise), ''Mario'' video game franchise by Nintendo. Their individual names are Larry Koopa, Morton Koopa Jr., Wendy O. K ...
and Pink Gold
Peach
The peach (''Prunus persica'') is a deciduous tree first domesticated and cultivated in Zhejiang province of Eastern China. It bears edible juicy fruits with various characteristics, most called peaches and others (the glossy-skinned, non-fu ...
. In addition to karts and motorbikes, the game also includes
all-terrain vehicle
An all-terrain vehicle (ATV), also known as a light utility vehicle (LUV), a quad bike, or simply a quad, as defined by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI); is a vehicle that travels on low-pressure tires, with a seat that is stra ...
s. There are four new items: the
Boomerang
A boomerang () is a thrown tool, typically constructed with aerofoil sections and designed to spin about an axis perpendicular to the direction of its flight. A returning boomerang is designed to return to the thrower, while a non-returning b ...
Flower, which can be thrown to attack players; the
Piranha Plant
The Piranha Plant, known as in Japan, is a fictional plant species from Nintendo's Mario (franchise), ''Mario'' franchise media. It usually appears as a leafy green stalk topped with a white-spotted red or green globe, with a maw lined with sha ...
, which attacks nearby racers and obstacles and provides a speed boost; the Crazy Eight, which gives the user eight different items; and the Super Horn, which can be used both to attack nearby opponents and defend against items, including the previously nearly unavoidable
Spiny Shell.
The game features 32 courses spread across eight cups, with an additional 16 courses later released as
downloadable content
Downloadable content (DLC) is additional content created for an already released video game, distributed through the Internet by the game's publisher. It can either be added for no extra cost or it can be a form of video game monetization, enablin ...
(DLC) in four additional cups.
''Mario Kart 8 Deluxe''
''Mario Kart 8 Deluxe'' included all
downloadable content
Downloadable content (DLC) is additional content created for an already released video game, distributed through the Internet by the game's publisher. It can either be added for no extra cost or it can be a form of video game monetization, enablin ...
(DLC) for ''Mario Kart 8'', including characters, courses, and vehicle components, into a single product for
Nintendo Switch
The is a hybrid video game console developed by Nintendo and released worldwide in most regions on March 3, 2017. The console itself is a Tablet computer#Gaming tablet, tablet that can either be docking station, docked for use as a home video ...
.
These features are accessible upon first starting the game, without the need to be unlocked.
In addition to previous DLC, several new characters are introduced in ''Deluxe'', including the
Inklings
The Inklings were an informal literary discussion group associated with J. R. R. Tolkien and C. S. Lewis at the University of Oxford for nearly two decades between the early 1930s and late 1949. The Inklings were literary enthusiasts who pra ...
from ''
Splatoon
is a third-person shooter video game franchise created by Hisashi Nogami, and developed and owned by Nintendo. Set in a post-apocalyptic Earth inhabited by anthropomorphic marine animals, the series centers around fictional cephalopods known a ...
'',
Bowser Jr.
in Japan) is a fictional character who appears in Nintendo's ''Mario'' franchise as an antagonist. He is the son of the series' main antagonist, Bowser. Since his debut in ''Super Mario Sunshine'' in 2002, Bowser Jr. has been a recurring chara ...
,
Dry Bones, and
King Boo
Boos, known in Japan as are fictional ghosts from the ''Mario'' and ''Yoshi'' series of video games. They first appeared as a common enemy in 1988's '' Super Mario Bros. 3'', in which they were called Boo Diddleys (a reference to the American b ...
.
Other notable changes to the gameplay include the ability to hold two items at once,
and
accessibility
Accessibility is the design of products, devices, services, vehicles, or environments so as to be usable by people with disabilities. The concept of accessible design and practice of accessible development ensures both "direct access" (i. ...
features to assist newer players, such as auto-acceleration or smart steering, which prevents players from veering off course.
''Deluxe'' also reintroduces the
Boo item, which allows the player to steal another opponent's item and then temporarily become invisible.
In ''Deluxe''
's "Booster Course Pass", several courses have differing layouts in every lap, condensing multiple variations of a course into one.
The largest addition in ''Mario Kart 8 Deluxe'' is the updated battle mode. ''Deluxe'' includes five new battle mode-exclusive courses, and three battle courses adapted from previous entries in the ''Mario Kart'' series. These battle courses are designed specifically for the mode, featuring layouts that allow for easier item play, rather than repurposing standard race courses like ''Mario Kart 8''.
The Feather item, reintroduced from previous entries in the series, is exclusive to this mode and allows the player to get a small boost in height when it is activated.
There are five rulesets in battle mode.
In Balloon Battle, players use items to destroy each others' balloons.
Unlike in previous incarnations, the mode is point-based rather than
last-man-standing, meaning that the winner is whoever destroys the most balloons before the match ends.
Bob-omb Blast is a variation of Balloon Battle with all the items replaced with bombs.
In Shine Thief, players must maintain control of the
Shine Sprite
is a 2002 platform game developed and published by Nintendo for the GameCube. It is the second 3D game in the ''Super Mario'' series, following ''Super Mario 64'' (1996). The game was directed by Yoshiaki Koizumi and Kenta Usui, produced by ...
for as long as possible;
the player or team who possesses it for the longest wins.
In Coin Runners, players scavenge coins from around the course and steal them from other players, aiming to have the biggest hoard.
The final mode is Renegade Roundup, which involves a team of "renegades" trying to avoid the "authorities" armed with
Piranha Plant
The Piranha Plant, known as in Japan, is a fictional plant species from Nintendo's Mario (franchise), ''Mario'' franchise media. It usually appears as a leafy green stalk topped with a white-spotted red or green globe, with a maw lined with sha ...
s, which takes inspiration from the children's game "
cops and robbers".
Renegades may free their captured teammates by driving over switches under the cages controlled by the authorities.
Development and release
![Wii U Console and Gamepad](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/4a/Wii_U_Console_and_Gamepad.png)
Initially confirmed in a January 2013
Nintendo Direct
Nintendo Direct is a series of online presentation or live shows produced by Nintendo, where information regarding the company's upcoming content or franchises is presented, such as information about games and consoles. The presentations began i ...
presentation, ''Mario Kart 8'' was unveiled at
E3 2013
The Electronic Entertainment Expo 2013 (E3 2013) was the 19th E3 held. The event took place at the Los Angeles Convention Center in Los Angeles, California with many press conferences taking place at nearby venues including the Microsoft Theater ...
. Some members of
Bandai Namco Games
is a Japanese multinational corporation, multinational video game video game publisher, publisher headquartered in Minato-ku, Tokyo. Its international branches, Bandai Namco Entertainment America and Bandai Namco Entertainment Europe, are resp ...
received special thanks in the credits.
The "8" in the logo was designed to resemble a
Möbius strip
In mathematics, a Möbius strip, Möbius band, or Möbius loop is a surface that can be formed by attaching the ends of a strip of paper together with a half-twist. As a mathematical object, it was discovered by Johann Benedict Listing and Augu ...
, as was Mario Circuit, one of the courses.
Early in development, the idea of using a drill to penetrate the ground was considered but was quickly discarded for not being as interesting as anti-gravity.
Courses were designed with anti-gravity in mind, including tracks from older games which were redesigned to take advantage of the new mechanic. Other courses had gliding and underwater sections added as well.
![E3 2013 (9020973991)](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/70/E3_2013_%289020973991%29.jpg)
Nintendo's launch promotions of ''Mario Kart 8'' include a Limited Edition with a Spiny Shell figurine; and special
Mario
is a character created by Japanese video game designer Shigeru Miyamoto. He is the title character of the ''Mario'' franchise and the mascot of Japanese video game company Nintendo. Mario has appeared in over 200 video games since his creat ...
and
Luigi
is a fictional character featured in video games and related media released by Nintendo. Created by Japanese video game designer Shigeru Miyamoto, Luigi is portrayed as the younger fraternal twin brother and sidekick of Mario, Nintendo's masc ...
themed console bundles, with a hat, strategy guide, Wii Remote Plus controller, Wii Wheel, and GamePad protector.
In North America, Europe, and Australia, players who purchased and registered ''Mario Kart 8'' on
Club Nintendo
Club Nintendo was a customer loyalty program provided by Nintendo. The loyalty program was free to join and provided rewards in exchange for consumer feedback and loyalty to purchasing official Nintendo products. Members of Club Nintendo earned c ...
before July 31, 2014, received a free download code for a selected Wii U game.
As part of a promotional campaign with
Mercedes-Benz
Mercedes-Benz (), commonly referred to as Mercedes and sometimes as Benz, is a German luxury and commercial vehicle automotive brand established in 1926. Mercedes-Benz AG (a Mercedes-Benz Group subsidiary established in 2019) is headquartere ...
, Mario, Luigi, and Peach were featured in a series of Japanese commercials for the
Mercedes-Benz GLA
The Mercedes-Benz GLA is a subcompact luxury crossover SUV manufactured and marketed by Mercedes-Benz over two generations. It is essentially the SUV equivalent of the A-Class, and the smallest SUV marketed by the brand. The production version w ...
, and three karts based on past and present Mercedes-Benz vehicles were added as part of a downloadable update on August 27, 2014.
In 2014,
fast food
Fast food is a type of mass-produced food designed for commercial resale, with a strong priority placed on speed of service. It is a commercial term, limited to food sold in a restaurant or store with frozen, preheated or precooked ingredien ...
company
McDonald's
McDonald's Corporation is an American Multinational corporation, multinational fast food chain store, chain, founded in 1940 as a restaurant operated by Richard and Maurice McDonald, in San Bernardino, California, United States. They rechri ...
released
Happy Meal
A Happy Meal is a kids' meal usually sold at the American fast food restaurant chain McDonald's since June 1979. A small toy or book is included with the food, both of which are usually contained in a red cardboard box with a yellow smiley face ...
-branded toys based on the characters and karts. A soundtrack album containing 68 tracks from the game was made available as an exclusive reward available to
Club Nintendo
Club Nintendo was a customer loyalty program provided by Nintendo. The loyalty program was free to join and provided rewards in exchange for consumer feedback and loyalty to purchasing official Nintendo products. Members of Club Nintendo earned c ...
members shortly preceding the service's discontinuation in 2015.
Game updates added new features and
user experience improvements, such as support for
Amiibo
(, ; officially stylized as amiibo; plural: ''Amiibo'') is a toys-to-life platform by Nintendo, which was launched in November 2014. It consists of a wireless communications and storage protocol for connecting figurines to the Wii U, Ninten ...
figurines, a 200cc difficulty setting, player statistics, and additional
Mii
A Mii ( ) is a customizable avatar used on several Nintendo video game consoles and mobile apps. Miis were first introduced on the Wii console in 2006 and later appeared on the 3DS, Wii U, the Switch, and various apps for smart devices. Miis c ...
outfits.
Two paid DLC packs added characters, vehicles, and courses to the game. Some characters and courses are based on other
Nintendo franchises
This is a list of video game franchises published by Nintendo
is a Japanese Multinational corporation, multinational video game company headquartered in Kyoto, Japan. It develops video games and video game consoles.
Nintendo was founded i ...
, including
Link (''
The Legend of Zelda
''The Legend of Zelda'' is an action-adventure game franchise created by the Japanese game designers Shigeru Miyamoto and Takashi Tezuka. It is primarily developed and published by Nintendo, although some portable installments and re-rele ...
''),
Isabelle
Isabel is a female name of Spanish origin. Isabelle is a name that is similar, but it is of French origin. It originates as the medieval Spanish form of '' Elisabeth'' (ultimately Hebrew ''Elisheva''), Arising in the 12th century, it became popul ...
and
Villager (''
Animal Crossing
is a social simulation video game series developed and published by Nintendo. The series was conceptualized and created by Katsuya Eguchi and Hisashi Nogami. In ''Animal Crossing'', the player character is a human who lives in a village inhabi ...
''), Mute City and Big Blue (''
F-Zero
is a series of futuristic racing video games originally created by Nintendo Entertainment Analysis & Development, Nintendo EAD with multiple games developed by outside companies. The F-Zero (video game), first game was released for the Super Fa ...
''), and Excitebike Arena (''
Excitebike
is a motocross racing video game developed and published by Nintendo. In Japan, it was released for the Famicom in 1984 and then ported to arcades as ''Vs. Excitebike'' for the Nintendo Vs. System later that year. In North America, it was ini ...
''), a first for the ''Mario Kart'' series.
''Mario Kart 8 Deluxe''
![Nintendo-Switch-wJoyCons-BlRd-Standing-FL](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/88/Nintendo-Switch-wJoyCons-BlRd-Standing-FL.jpg)
After initially being
teased alongside the Nintendo Switch's announcement in October 2016, ''Mario Kart 8 Deluxe'' was formally revealed at the Nintendo Switch Presentation on January 12, 2017.
The trailer showcased mechanics such as Smart Steering and crossover elements from the ''Splatoon'' series
—additional crossovers with ''
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild'' would be added in an update post-launch. The release date was set for April 28, 2017, shortly after the Switch's March 3 launch.
Nintendo also announced a
steering wheel
A steering wheel (also called a driving wheel (UK), a hand wheel, or simply wheel) is a type of steering control in vehicles.
Steering wheels are used in most modern land vehicles, including all mass-production automobiles, buses, light and ...
accessory for the Switch
Joy-Con
Joy-Con are the primary game controllers for the Nintendo Switch video game console. They consist of two individual units, each containing an analog stick and an array of buttons. They can be used while attached to the main Nintendo Switch cons ...
controller to allow for
motion-controlled steering. An overview trailer revealed details about the game's battle mode including several battle mode-exclusive courses, as well as the return of the Shine Thief mode from ''
Mario Kart: Double Dash''. After the release of the trailer, several
internet meme
An Internet meme, commonly known simply as a meme ( ), is an idea, behavior, style, or image that is spread via the Internet, often through social media platforms. What is considered a meme may vary across different communities on the Internet ...
s circulated surrounding
Donkey Kong
is a video game franchise created by Shigeru Miyamoto and owned by Nintendo. It follows the adventures of a gorilla named Donkey Kong (character), Donkey Kong and his clan of other Ape, apes and monkeys. The franchise primarily consists of plat ...
appearing to perform a celebratory
dab
DAB, dab, dabs, or dabbing may refer to:
Dictionaries
* ''Dictionary of American Biography'', published under the auspices of the American Council of Learned Societies
* ''Dictionary of Australian Biography'', published since 1949
Places
* Dąb, ...
.
Shortly after launch, Nintendo released a
software update
A patch is a set of changes to a computer program or its supporting data designed to update, fix, or improve it. This includes fixing security vulnerabilities and other bugs, with such patches usually being called bugfixes or bug fixes. Patches ...
that changed one of the victory gestures done by the Inkling Girl. Prior to the update, the Inkling Girl performed a gesture that consisted of placing her hand on a flexed
bicep and pumping her fist into the air. In Japan, the gesture means something similar to "bring it on!", though in
European
European, or Europeans, or Europeneans, may refer to:
In general
* ''European'', an adjective referring to something of, from, or related to Europe
** Ethnic groups in Europe
** Demographics of Europe
** European cuisine, the cuisines of Europe ...
and
Latin American
Latin Americans ( es, Latinoamericanos; pt, Latino-americanos; ) are the citizens of Latin American countries (or people with cultural, ancestral or national origins in Latin America). Latin American countries and their diasporas are multi-eth ...
countries, it was likened to the
bras d'honneur
A (), Iberian slap,, ; pt, manguito; ca, botifarra, . forearm jerk, Italian salute,, . or Kozakiewicz's gesture, or . is an obscene gesture that communicates moderate to extreme contempt, and is roughly equivalent in meaning to " fuck you", "s ...
, an offensive gesture that can be interpreted as "up your ass", "
fuck you", or similar meanings. After the update, the Inkling Girl no longer clenches her fist around her flexed arm, instead simply performing a "
fist pump
The fist pump is a celebratory gesture involving a closed fist. The gesture has different permutations and meanings based on context of use. Variations include a fist that is raised before the torso and subsequently drawn down and nearer to the ...
", though the rest of the gesture was unchanged.
A series of updates in 2018 added compatibility with
Nintendo Labo
is a toys-to-life concept developed by Nintendo and released in April 2018. Labo consists of 2 parts, where one part is a game and one part is multiple sheets of cardboard.
The games come as kits that include cardboard cut-outs and other materia ...
, a
toys-to-life
Toys-to-life is a video game feature using physical figurines or action figures to interact within the game. These toys use a near field communication (NFC), radio frequency identification (RFID), or image recognition
Computer vision is an int ...
kit that uses
cardboard
Cardboard is a generic term for heavy paper-based products. The construction can range from a thick paper known as paperboard to corrugated fiberboard which is made of multiple plies of material. Natural cardboards can range from grey to light b ...
to create motion-controlled toys with Joy-Con controllers. The first update enabled the Toy-Con Motorbike as a controller for ''Mario Kart 8 Deluxe'', allowing the player to use the physical
throttle
A throttle is the mechanism by which fluid flow is managed by constriction or obstruction.
An engine's power can be increased or decreased by the restriction of inlet gases (by the use of a throttle), but usually decreased. The term ''throttle'' ...
,
handlebars, and
gyroscope
A gyroscope (from Ancient Greek γῦρος ''gŷros'', "round" and σκοπέω ''skopéō'', "to look") is a device used for measuring or maintaining orientation and angular velocity. It is a spinning wheel or disc in which the axis of rota ...
present on the Toy-Con Motorbike, while actions like braking, drifting, and item pickups are still performed using the standard controller buttons. A later update added compatibility for the Toy-Con Car, Pedal, and Key to control actions like braking, drifting, and using the horn on the steering wheel to launch items.
An update released on December 7, 2022 added an item customization option for certain modes, allowing players to choose which items are obtainable in a race or Battle.
Booster Course Pass
During a February 2022
Nintendo Direct
Nintendo Direct is a series of online presentation or live shows produced by Nintendo, where information regarding the company's upcoming content or franchises is presented, such as information about games and consoles. The presentations began i ...
, it was announced that ''Mario Kart 8 Deluxe'' would get a paid downloadable content
season pass
A season ticket, or season pass, is a ticket that grants privileges over a defined period of time.
History
The ''Oxford English Dictionary'' has illustrative quotations which show the term ''season ticket'' used in the United States in 1820 ...
called the "Booster Course Pass". Courses in the "Booster Course Pass" are largely remastered from their incarnations in previous ''Mario Kart'' games.
The "Booster Course Pass" is set to release in six waves, with each wave containing eight courses split into two cups, totaling to 48 additional tracks to be released by the end of 2023.
It can be accessed by purchasing it on the Nintendo Switch's
eShop
The Nintendo eShop is a digital distribution service powered by the Nintendo Network for the Wii U and Nintendo 3DS, and by a dedicated online infrastructure for the Nintendo Switch. Launched in June 2011 on the Nintendo 3DS, the eShop was ena ...
, or by having an active
Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack subscription.
The first wave of the "Booster Course Pass" was released on March 22, 2022, containing the Golden Dash Cup and the Lucky Cat Cup. Wave 2 of the "Booster Course Pass" released on August 4, 2022, containing the Turnip Cup and the Propeller Cup. Wave 2 also included Sky-High Sundae, an original course not introduced in a previous ''Mario Kart'' game. Alongside the release of Wave 2, Nintendo released an update to the Wave 1 course Coconut Mall that changed the cars at the end of the course to move in
donuts
A doughnut or donut () is a type of food made from leavened fried dough. It is popular in many countries and is prepared in various forms as a sweet snack that can be homemade or purchased in bakeries, supermarkets, food stalls, and fra ...
, rather than remain stationary, except for Time Trials.
This change was widely praised, especially after many were disappointed that the cars were stationary in the "Booster Course Pass" to begin with. Wave 3 of the "Booster Course Pass" released on December 7, 2022, containing the Rock Cup and the Moon Cup.
Sales
In its first four days on sale, ''Mario Kart 8'' became the fastest-selling Wii U game, with more than 1.2 million copies sold worldwide.
Within a month, it increased to 2.82 million.
As of September 2021, more than 8.46 million copies were sold worldwide, making it the
best-selling Wii U game.
Based on the sales data, more than half of Wii U owners own a copy. In the United Kingdom, shortly after the release of ''Mario Kart 8'', week-on-week Wii U console sales rose 662%, with ''Mario Kart 8'' bundles accounting for 82% of consoles sold.
''Mario Kart 8 Deluxe'' sold 459,000 copies in the United States on its launch day, making it the fastest-selling entry in the ''Mario Kart'' series, ahead of 2008's ''
Mario Kart Wii
is a kart racing game developed and published by Nintendo for the Wii. It is the sixth installment in the ''Mario Kart'' series, and was released in April 2008. Like its previous installments, ''Mario Kart Wii'' incorporates player character, pl ...
'' by 25,000 units. Roughly one year after launch, ''Deluxe'' had sold 9.22 million copies. It surpassed ''
Super Mario Odyssey
is a 2017 platform game developed and published by Nintendo for the Nintendo Switch. An entry in the ''Super Mario'' series, it follows Mario and his new ally Cappy—a sentient hat that allows Mario to control other characters and objects—a ...
'' as the
best-selling game on the Nintendo Switch in 2019, and ''Mario Kart Wii'' as the best-selling ''Mario Kart'' game in 2021. Since its release in 2017, ''Deluxe'' has been a consistent top-selling game on the Nintendo Switch. , ''Mario Kart 8 Deluxe'' has sold 48.41 million units, making it the best-selling Nintendo Switch game, as well as one of the
best-selling games of all time.
Reception
''Mario Kart 8'' received "generally favorable" reviews, according to
review aggregator
A review aggregator is a system that collects reviews of products and services (such as films, books, video games, software, hardware, and cars). This system stores the reviews and uses them for purposes such as supporting a website where users ...
Metacritic
Metacritic is a website that review aggregator, aggregates reviews of films, TV shows, music albums, video games and formerly, books. For each product, the scores from each review are averaged (a weighted arithmetic mean, weighted average). M ...
,
whereas ''Deluxe'' received "universal acclaim".
Overall, reviewers held ''Mario Kart 8'' in high esteem among racing games, but considered ''Deluxe'' to be the definitive version of the title. ''Deluxe'' was further called one of the best games in the ''Mario Kart'' series or one of the best racing games of all time. Some reviewers considered the game to be an essential purchase for Nintendo Switch owners.
Improvements in ''Deluxe'' made certain features of ''Mario Kart 8'' feel worse in retrospect.
However, many reviewers criticized the lack of new content in ''Deluxe'' compared to ''Mario Kart 8''.
The main racing mode of ''Mario Kart 8'' was widely praised. ''
Eurogamer
''Eurogamer'' is a British video game journalism website launched in 1999 and owned by alongside formed company Gamer Network. Its editor-in-chief is Martin Robinson.
Since 2008, it is known for the formerly eponymous games trade fair EGX ...
'' called it the "most vibrant home console racing game in years".
The
rubber-banding mechanics present in the game's
AI competitors was criticized,
though ''
Game Informer
''Game Informer'' (''GI'', most often stylized ''gameinformer'' from the 2010s onward) is an American monthly video game magazine featuring articles, news, strategy, and reviews of video games and associated consoles. It debuted in August 1991 w ...
'' noted that "fans accepted that pitfall as a series mainstay long ago".
Finding the core racing unchanged, they said ''Deluxe'' is still "the same great title from the Wii U".
''GameSpot'' and ''
Nintendo Life
Gamer Network Limited (formerly Eurogamer Network Limited) is a British mass media company based in Brighton. Founded in 1999 by Rupert and Nick Loman, it owns brands—primarily editorial websites—relating to video game journalism and other ...
'' also considered ''Deluxe''
's racing to be as strong as the original.
Minor mechanical changes, such as the ability to hold two items,
were praised, with many liking how it added more strategy to ''Deluxe''
's item play. Accessibility options like smart steering and auto-acceleration received mixed feedback. Many felt that the additions made ''Deluxe'' the most accessible ''Mario Kart'' game,
and others appreciated how they helped less experienced players enjoy the game, despite making the game too easy for veteran players. However, some reviewers disliked how smart steering was enabled by default,
and how it could overcorrect or interfere with precision inputs.
The main criticism levied at ''Mario Kart 8'' was its battle mode, which was noticeably worse than previous entries. ''
Easy Allies
''Easy Allies'' (abbreviated as ''EZA'') is an online video game website that includes news coverage, reviews, personality-driven gaming videos and short form comedic series, created by a group of former ''GameTrailers'' staff. Since acquiring t ...
'' called it "abysmal",
and ''
Kotaku
''Kotaku'' is a video game website and blog that was originally launched in 2004 as part of the Gawker Media network. Notable former contributors to the site include Luke Smith, Cecilia D'Anastasio, Tim Rogers, and Jason Schreier.
History
...
'' said it was "borderline unplayable".
''
Giant Bomb
''Giant Bomb'' is an American video game website and wiki that includes personality-driven gaming videos, commentary, news, and reviews, created by former ''GameSpot'' editors Jeff Gerstmann and Ryan Davis. The website was voted by ''Time'' mag ...
'' panned the recycling of existing courses for battle mode, which made it difficult to find opponents to engage with, instead of creating new arenas that are more intentionally designed for this mode.
By contrast, ''Deluxe''
's revamped battle mode received widespread acclaim. ''Easy Allies'' and ''Kotaku'' claimed that the new battle mode far outshined the original game,
and ''
Pocket Gamer
''Pocket Gamer'' is a video game website that focuses on mobile, portable and handheld games. The site launched in 2005 and is published and owned by UK company Steel Media Ltd. The site covers all major portable and mobile gaming formats, incl ...
'' said that ''Deluxe'' returned battle mode to its "original arena-battling glory".
''
VentureBeat
''VentureBeat'' is an American technology website headquartered in San Francisco, California. It publishes news, analysis, long-form features, interviews, and videos.
History
The ''VentureBeat'' company was founded in 2006 by Matt Marshall, a ...
'' said that they remedied the issue with the original ''Mario Kart 8''
's battle courses.
However, ''
Electronic Gaming Monthly
''Electronic Gaming Monthly'' (often abbreviated to ''EGM'') is a monthly American video game magazine. It offers video game news, coverage of industry events, interviews with gaming figures, editorial content and product reviews.
History
The m ...
'' said that the battle mode was "not so much a point for ''Deluxe'' that these modes are included as it is a retroactive demerit for the original ''Mario Kart 8''".
Many critics considered Renegade Roundup to be the best of ''Deluxe''
's battle modes, though ''
GameRevolution
''GameRevolution'' (formerly ''Game-Revolution'') is a gaming website created in 1996. Based in Berkeley, California, the site includes reviews, previews, a gaming download area, cheats, and a merchandise store, as well as webcomics, screenshots ...
'' and ''
USgamer
Gamer Network Limited (formerly Eurogamer Network Limited) is a British mass media company based in Brighton. Founded in 1999 by Rupert and Nick Loman, it owns brands—primarily editorial websites—relating to video game journalism and other ...
'' said it was their least favorite.
Reviewers also focused on the graphics and visual style of the game. ''
Eurogamer
''Eurogamer'' is a British video game journalism website launched in 1999 and owned by alongside formed company Gamer Network. Its editor-in-chief is Martin Robinson.
Since 2008, it is known for the formerly eponymous games trade fair EGX ...
'' praised both the vast sense of scale and the "exquisite details" of the courses.
''
Digital Foundry
''Eurogamer'' is a British video game journalism website launched in 1999 and owned by alongside formed company Gamer Network. Its editor-in-chief is Martin Robinson.
Since 2008, it is known for the formerly eponymous games trade fair EGX ...
'' deemed it "near perfection" with "phenomenal attention to detail", featuring a "magnificent visual package" and "magical playability". Their technical analysis attributes the smoothness of motion and overall gameplay to the consistent performance of 60
frames per second
A frame is often a structural system that supports other components of a physical construction and/or steel frame that limits the construction's extent.
Frame and FRAME may also refer to:
Physical objects
In building construction
*Framing (con ...
(FPS), with the split-screen mode's effective 30 FPS nonetheless comparing favorably with industry standard.
Reviewers for ''Deluxe'' echoed this praise, with some saying that the graphics of ''Deluxe'' were an upgrade from the Wii U original.
''GamesTM'' praised the "incredible"
lighting
Lighting or illumination is the deliberate use of light to achieve practical or aesthetic effects. Lighting includes the use of both artificial light sources like lamps and light fixtures, as well as natural illumination by capturing daylig ...
of ''Deluxe'', saying that courses like
Rainbow Road and Electrodrome stood out as "fantastic showcases for the Nintendo universe and its creative spirit".
''IGN'' felt that the "great art direction" in ''Mario Kart 8'' and ''Deluxe'' was "a major reason" for the game's graphics remaining "gorgeous".
''Easy Allies'' called the soundtrack "something special", saying that both original and returning songs were "fantastic and downright catchy".
''Eurogamer'' called the game's soundtrack "outrageously upbeat", and that ''Deluxe''
's "defining moment" was the game's live band rendition of ''
Super Mario Kart
''Super Mario Kart'' is a Kart racing game, kart racing video game developed and published by Nintendo for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System. The first game in the Mario Kart, ''Mario Kart'' series, it was released in Japan and North Ameri ...
''
's main theme.
Booster Course Pass
Upon announcement, the Booster Course Pass received mixed reception from fans. Many fans disliked that additional content for a previous game was being prioritized over a new entry in the series, citing how it had been nearly eight years since ''Mario Kart 8'' first released on the
Wii U
The Wii U ( ) is a home video game console developed by Nintendo as the successor to the Wii. Released in late 2012, it is the first eighth-generation video game console and competed with Microsoft's Xbox One and Sony's PlayStation 4.
The W ...
.
The graphics of the courses in the Booster Course Pass were also a point of contention, with some saying that they fell short of the standards set by ''Deluxe''.
After release, critics were mixed—according to Metacritic, Wave 1 received "mixed or average reviews",
and Wave 2 received "generally favorable reviews".
Criticism focused on the graphics, which were lower in detail compared to courses from the main game.
''Digital Foundry'' attributed this to the courses being built upon their versions from ''
Mario Kart Tour
is a 2019 kart racing mobile game, the fourteenth in the franchise in the '' Mario Kart'' series, developed by Nintendo EPD and published by Nintendo for iOS and Android devices. The game was announced in January 2018 and was released on S ...
''.
On the other hand, many reviewers felt that the courses that originated in ''Tour'' were among the best gameplay-wise, and Ninja Hideaway in particular was praised as a highlight of Wave 1. Some courses in Wave 2 were lauded, with ''Nintendo Life'' calling Waluigi Pinball's graphics "stunning".
Another common disappointment was that many courses did not include ''Mario Kart 8''
's signature anti-gravity or underwater features. ''GameSpot'' lamented how the Booster Course Pass only introduced new courses, rather than new characters or customization parts.
''Nintendo Life'' praised the audio design, calling it "stellar"
and "a delight",
and ''Destructoid'' called Sydney Sprint's soundtrack "the best" music of the Booster Course Pass.
The addition of courses that vary every lap was praised by critics, with ''Nintendo Life'' wishing it would become a "mainstay" feature of the series.
Fan response
"Luigi's death stare" is an
Internet meme
An Internet meme, commonly known simply as a meme ( ), is an idea, behavior, style, or image that is spread via the Internet, often through social media platforms. What is considered a meme may vary across different communities on the Internet ...
describing the automatic facial expression displayed by
Luigi
is a fictional character featured in video games and related media released by Nintendo. Created by Japanese video game designer Shigeru Miyamoto, Luigi is portrayed as the younger fraternal twin brother and sidekick of Mario, Nintendo's masc ...
toward other characters upon attacking or passing them during a race, in which he gives them a disapproving
glare
Glare (derived from GLAss REinforced laminate ) is a fiber metal laminate (FML) composed of several very thin layers of metal (usually aluminum) interspersed with layers of S-2 glass-fiber ''pre-preg'', bonded together with a matrix such as epo ...
in passing. It was featured in several
viral videos
A viral video is a video that becomes popular through a viral process of Internet sharing, typically through video sharing websites such as YouTube as well as social media and email.Lu Jiang, Yajie Miao, Yi Yang, ZhenZhong Lan, Alexander Haupt ...
and animated
GIF
The Graphics Interchange Format (GIF; or , see pronunciation) is a bitmap image format that was developed by a team at the online services provider CompuServe led by American computer scientist Steve Wilhite and released on 15 June 1987. ...
s, and the phenomenon was covered by
WNYW
WNYW (channel 5) is a television station in New York City, serving as the flagship of the Fox network. It is owned and operated by the network's Fox Television Stations division alongside Secaucus, New Jersey–licensed MyNetworkTV flagship W ...
in early June 2014. Nintendo referenced the meme in their
E3 2014
The Electronic Entertainment Expo 2014 (E3 2014) was the 20th E3 held. The event took place at the Los Angeles Convention Center in Los Angeles, California. It began on June 10, 2014, and ended on June 12, 2014, with 48,900 total attendees.
Ma ...
digital event. ''
Venture Beat
Venture may refer to:
Arts and entertainment
Music
*The Ventures, an American instrumental rock band formed in 1958
*"A Venture", 1971 song by the band Yes
*''Venture'', a 2010 EP by AJR
Games
* ''Venture'' (video game), a 1981 arcade ga ...
'' praised Nintendo's handling of the meme, noting that it was a "slick way" of acknowledging fan culture. The meme was nominated for the Best Gaming Moment at the 32nd
Golden Joystick Awards
The Golden Joystick Awards, also known as the People's Gaming Awards, is a video game award ceremony; it awards the best video games of the year, as voted for originally by the British general public, but is now a global event that can be voted ...
.
Several
mods have been created for ''Mario Kart 8 Deluxe''. In February 2022, a mod was created that added
Kirby
Kirby may refer to:
Buildings
* Kirby Building, a skyscraper in Dallas, Texas, United States
* Kirby Hall, an Elizabethan country house near Corby, Northamptonshire, England
* Kirby House (disambiguation), various houses in England and the Unit ...
's Mouthful Mode car transformation (
colloquially
Colloquialism (), also called colloquial language, everyday language or general parlance, is the style (sociolinguistics), linguistic style used for casual (informal) communication. It is the most common functional style of speech, the idiom norm ...
known as "Carby") from ''
Kirby and the Forgotten Land
is a 2022 platform video game developed by HAL Laboratory and published by Nintendo for the Nintendo Switch. It is the thirteenth mainline installment in the ''Kirby'' series, as well as the first game in the series in full 3D, excluding spin- ...
'' as a selectable kart and character. In June 2022, a mod was published that added
Green Hill Zone
(or simply Green Hill) is the first level of the platform game ''Sonic the Hedgehog'', which released for the Sega Genesis in 1991. The level is grassy and lush, with environmental features such as palm trees, vertical loops and cliffs, and is t ...
from the ''
Sonic the Hedgehog
is a Japanese video game series and media franchise created by Sega. The franchise follows Sonic, an anthropomorphic blue hedgehog who battles the evil Doctor Eggman, a mad scientist. The main ''Sonic the Hedgehog'' games are platformers mo ...
'' series as a course.
Accolades
Readers and staff of ''
Eurogamer
''Eurogamer'' is a British video game journalism website launched in 1999 and owned by alongside formed company Gamer Network. Its editor-in-chief is Martin Robinson.
Since 2008, it is known for the formerly eponymous games trade fair EGX ...
'' voted ''Mario Kart 8'' their game of the year, and GameSpot gave it the award of "Best Wii U Game". It was nominated for "Best Wii U Exclusive" in GameTrailers' 2014 Game of the Year Awards; for "Best Game" in
Giant Bomb
''Giant Bomb'' is an American video game website and wiki that includes personality-driven gaming videos, commentary, news, and reviews, created by former ''GameSpot'' editors Jeff Gerstmann and Ryan Davis. The website was voted by ''Time'' mag ...
's 2014 Game of the Year Awards; and for "Overall Game of the Year" and "Wii U Retail Game of the Year" in ''
Nintendo Life
Gamer Network Limited (formerly Eurogamer Network Limited) is a British mass media company based in Brighton. Founded in 1999 by Rupert and Nick Loman, it owns brands—primarily editorial websites—relating to video game journalism and other ...
'' Reader Awards 2014, and it won both awards for both categories in their Staff Awards 2014. It won "Game of the Year" by ''
The Guardian
''The Guardian'' is a British daily newspaper. It was founded in 1821 as ''The Manchester Guardian'', and changed its name in 1959. Along with its sister papers ''The Observer'' and ''The Guardian Weekly'', ''The Guardian'' is part of the Gu ...
''. In IGN's Best of 2014 Awards, it was nominated for "Best Multiplayer" and "Best Racing", and won the award for "Best Wii U Game".
''Mario Kart 8 Deluxe'' also earned recognition at year-end awards in the 2017-2018 season. The game was nominated for "Best Switch Game" and "Best Remake/Remaster" in
''IGN'''s Best of 2017 Awards. ''
Destructoid
''Destructoid'' is a website that was founded as a video game-focused blog in March 2006 by Yanier Gonzalez, a Cuban-American cartoonist and author. Enthusiast Gaming acquired the website in 2017, and sold it to Gamurs Group in 2022.
History
' ...
'' nominated the game for its "Best Switch Game" in their Game of the Year Awards in 2017, and the game was awarded "Old Game of the Year" at ''
Giant Bomb
''Giant Bomb'' is an American video game website and wiki that includes personality-driven gaming videos, commentary, news, and reviews, created by former ''GameSpot'' editors Jeff Gerstmann and Ryan Davis. The website was voted by ''Time'' mag ...
''
's 2017 Game of the Year Awards.
Notes
References
External links
*
{{Authority control
2014 video games
2017 video games
Crossover video games
D.I.C.E. Award for Racing Game of the Year winners
The Game Awards winners
8
Mario racing games
Multiplayer and single-player video games
Nintendo Entertainment Analysis and Development games
Nintendo Network games
Nintendo Switch games
Pack-in video games
Split-screen multiplayer games
Video game sequels
Video games developed in Japan
Video games scored by Ryo Nagamatsu
Video games that use Amiibo figurines
Video games with downloadable content
Video games with expansion packs
Wii Wheel games
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Wii U games