Mario Kart 8 Deluxe

This article is a short summary of Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. Super Mario Wiki features a more in-depth article.

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe

マリオカート８ デラックス

North American box art.

Developer(s): Nintendo EPD Publisher(s): Nintendo Platform: Nintendo Switch Category: Racing Players: Offline: 1-8 Online: 1-12 Predecessor: N/A Successor: N/A

Release dates Worldwide: April 28, 2017 S. Korea: December 15, 2017

Ratings ESRB: E CERO: A PEGI: 3 USK: 0 ACB: G

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Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is an enhanced port of the Wii U title Mario Kart 8, released for the Nintendo Switch in April 2017. This version of the game features all of the base and add-on content of Wii U release while adding its own brand new content and changes.

Blurb

Box (NA)

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Jump into the driver's seat
with more tracks, modes, and features than ever before!

New faces to race with!

Duke it out in a new-and-improved battle mode!

New players welcome!
Smart Steering Now you can play without driving off course!

Hold two items at once for double the firepower!

Box (PAL)

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Race without limits!
48 tracks of deluxe Mario Kart action!

Introducing new racers!

Battles are BACK!
New courses. Fan favorites. Brand new rules.

Double items let you dominate the competition!

Beginners welcome!
Smart Steering keeps you on track.

Nintendo website

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Race and battle your friends in the definitive version of Mario Kart 8.

Hit the road with the definitive version of Mario Kart 8 and play anytime, anywhere! Race your friends or battle them in a revised battle mode on new and returning battle courses. Play locally in up to 4-player multiplayer in 1080p while playing in TV Mode. Every track from the Wii U version, including DLC, makes a glorious return. Plus, the Inklings appear as all-new guest characters, along with returning favorites, such as King Boo, Dry Bones, and Bowser Jr.!

Features:

• Race your friends in the definitive version of Mario Kart 8, only on Nintendo Switch!
• Race as every character on every track from the Wii U version, including DLC characters and tracks.
• Pop some balloons in the revamped Battle mode, complete with Balloon Battle and Bob-omb Blast.
• Battle on new courses, like Urchin Underpass and Battle Stadium, or returning ones, such as GCN Luigi's Mansion and SNES Battle Course 1.
• Inkling Girl & Inkling Boy from Splatoon, King Boo, Dry Bones, and Bowser Jr. join the roster!
• Players can choose a new Smart Steering feature which makes driving and staying on the track easy for novice players and kids even at 200cc
• Three new vehicles have been added, two are even inspired by Splatoon
• Carry two items at the same time
• Returning items include Boo, the item stealing ghost, and the Feather, which gives you a high jump in battle mode.
• Play your friends in local wireless multiplayer with up to 8 players.
• Drive through in 1080p HD quality in TV mode
• Play on the go with handheld mode and play anytime, anywhere

Nintendo eShop

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Race and battle your friends in the definitive version of Mario Kart 8.

Hit the road with the definitive version of Mario Kart 8 and play anytime, anywhere! Race your friends or battle them in a revised battle mode on new and returning battle courses. Play locally in up to 4-player multiplayer in 1080p while playing in TV Mode. Every track from the Wii U version, including DLC, makes a glorious return. Plus, the Inklings appear as all-new guest characters, along with returning favorites, such as King Boo, Dry Bones, and Bowser Jr.!

Gameplay

In addition to new vehicle parts and characters, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe also features two additional items: the returning Boo and, exclusive to battle mode, the Feather from Super Mario Kart. Like in Mario Kart: Double Dash!!, players are now able to carry up to two items at once. A third level of drift boost has been added, indicated by pink sparks. The game also features a new "Smart Steering" function for younger and novice players, allowing players to more easily stay on the track, as well as "Auto-accelerate", which automatically drives the kart forward without needing to push the accelerate button; both of these features can be enabled and disabled at any point during a race from the pause menu, as well as tilt controls and the on-screen map. All of the characters and tracks in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe are available from the start; only kart parts are unlockable.

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe features a revamped Battle Mode, allowing players to play a variety of modes and battle on a set of eight new and returning battle stadiums. In addition to Balloon Battle in the standard game, Battle Mode features returning game modes such as Coin Runners, Shine Theif, and Bob-omb Blast, and a new game mode titled Renegade Roundup, in which one team must capture every member of the other in order to win. A new time trial mode for 200CC has also been included.

Like the original game, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe runs at 60FPS with one or two players and 30FPS with three or four, regardless of whether the system is docked or not. The game renders at 1080p in TV Mode, and at 720p in handheld mode.

Development

With the nature of the Nintendo Switch as both a home console and a portable device, director Kosuka Yubaki thought that Mario Kart would be perfect for the device, and because he also wanted to release a Mario Kart game as soon as possible, the team began work on a port of Mario Kart 8. According to Yubaki, the development process was "very smooth". Using the Wii U game as a base allowed the team to better understand the Nintendo Switch hardware by being able to directly compare the capabilities of the two systems. The superior CPU and memory of the Nintendo Switch allowed the developers to implement features such as additional items and allowing every racer to hold two items.

Reception

Aggregate scores
Metacritic	93
GameRankings	93.41%
Reviews
Famitsu	35/40
IGN	9.3/10
Game Informer	9.25/10
Destructoid	9.5/10
GameSpot	9/10

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe received critical praise, with review scores generally around the same as if not better than the Wii U release. Many reviewers praised the expanded battle mode, calling the game the definitive version of Mario Kart 8. However, many reviews have been divided on whether or not the game would be appealing to fans who already own the original Wii U release.

The game was given a total 35/40 score by Famitsu (9/9/9/8), one point less than their score for Wii U version. Jose Otero of IGN rated the game a 9.3 out of 10, comparing it favorable to the original by calling it, "a souped-up version of the Wii U's Mario Kart 8" and praising the amount of content present within the game, but criticizing the lack of changes to the online mode. Chris Carter of Destructoid rated Mario Kart 8 Deluxe a 9.5 out of 10, calling it, "straight-up a better version of the game without compromise."

In the United States, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe sold over 459,000 copies (including both physical and digital sales) on launch day, making it the fastest selling Mario Kart game (surpassing Mario Kart Wii). Selling over 550,000 copies (460,000 physical units), Mario Kart 8 Deluxe was also the best-selling game in the month of April. In the UK, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe was the top best-selling game on its first weekend of sales, the first Nintendo-published game to receive the top position since Pokémon White Version in 2011 and the first Mario game since Mario Kart Wii. In Japan, the game sold 280,229 copies during its first week, the best-selling game that week. Finally, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe was the best-selling game for the week of its release in both Australia and New Zealand.

Technical details

Technical details Media: Nintendo Switch Game Card Digital download Download size: 6.7 GB Supported features: Nintendo Switch Online (Online Play, Save Data Cloud), Local Play, amiibo (Read Only) Input / compatible controllers: Joy-Con (Joy-Con Wheel), Nintendo Switch Pro Controller, Nintendo Labo (Toy-Con Motorbike, Toy-Con Car)

Additional content

Updates

List of updates
Version no.	Release date(s)	Description
1.1.0	May 17, 2017	Displays opponent names in rear view in online matches, increases invincibility time upon being hit by an item in online matches, allows up to two players to spectate friend matches while waiting to join, decreases the chances of adding players to 200cc or Mirror matches in "Worldwide" and "Regional" online modes, allows players to create friend lobbies when they have 100 or more friends, changes to Inkling Girl's animation, starting positions in online races reflect the order in which players join a room, gives Mii racers facial expressions, adjusts tournament clocks to reflect real-world time.
1.2.0	June 28, 2017	Adds a Pikmin Mii costume unlocked by using Pikmin-based amiibo, displays race rules and course names on loading screens for online, local play, and Mario Kart TV; adjusts item distribution to allow players farther back to more likely receive items to catch up, limits the Piranha Plant to two at a time in online matches, fixes an issue that causes the controls to be unresponsive when the timer runs out in online when choosing a Mii racing suit, leaves items on the track if a Super Horn is used, fixes the item roulette so that it no longer spins continuously in online matches, the Boomerang now returns to the first item slot if possible after being thrown, the items shown in the item slot display correctly when holding an item behind the kart, it is no longer possible to use an item if it is used to block an item, fixes communication error issues.
1.2.1	August 9, 2017	Fixes an issue that prolongs the time to return to the lobby after races near the start and end times of tournaments.
1.3.0	October 18, 2017	Adds video capture compatibility, makes it more difficult to float down while gliders are deployed with Smart Steering, fixes an issue in which Spiny Shells hit the player in second place when the player in first place has not yet crossed the finish line, increased the invulnerability period after being hit or spinning out, applies Online Play changes from update 1.2.1 to Wireless Play and LAN Play (only one Piranha Plant will appear at a time during races, adjusted item distribution).
1.4.0	December 12, 2017	Adds Traditional Chinese, Simplified Chinese, and Korean language support; fixes an issue in which background music will not play after finishing a race.
1.5.0	June 25, 2018	Adds compatibility with the Toy-Con Motorbike from the Nintendo Labo Variety Kit, fixes an issue in which the "Search by code" feature stops working after creating an online tournament, fixes an issue in which players cannot move forward after colliding with a Star Thwomp.
1.6.0	July 19, 2018	Adds Champion's Tunic Link as a playable character, adds the Master Cycle Zero, Ancient Tires, and Paraglider as kart parts; gameplay adjustments.
1.7.0	September 19, 2018	Adds compatibility with the Toy-Con Car from the Nintendo Labo Vehicle Kit, adds compatibility with the Nintendo Switch Online smartphone app.
1.7.1	January 23, 2019	Fixes an issue causing the game to become unresponsive to any input except the Home button.
1.7.2	May 25, 2021	Fixes an issue in which tournament scores would be reset, fixes an issue in which match history with friends would be reset.
2.0.0	March 17, 2022	Adds support for the first wave of Booster Course Pass content, shortens the time for an Item Box to reappear after being collected, fixes an issue causing communication errors during 12-player matches, gameplay adjustments.
2.1.0	August 4, 2022	Adds support for the second wave of Booster Course Pass content, increases the maximum number of Time Trial ghosts that can be downloaded to 32, further shortens the time for an Item Box to reappear after being collected, decreases the amount of time that Coins dropped by a player will remain on the track, adjusts how much lighter racers will be pushed by heavier ones when bumped, adjusts Smart Steering to more easily face the path forward in mid-air, fixes an issue causing communication errors during 12-player matches, the driving Shy Guys on Wii Coconut Mall will periodically move in all modes except Time Trial, fixes an issue in which players in an online friend lobby could not select Booster Course Pass tracks even if another player has purchased it, fixes an issue causing players to not steal Coins from another player in Coin Runners when using the Feather item, fixes an issue in which players could receive two items from a single item box on N64 Toad's Turnpike.
2.2.0	December 7, 2022	Adds support for the third wave of Booster Course Pass content, adds "Custom Items" option for modes featuring item rules, gliders will no longer close when the Lightning item is used, the invulnerability time after being struck with an item is now determined based on the combination of character and kart parts, allows players to delete all currently-downloaded ghost data if new data cannot be downloaded, removes the "Recommended" search option for tournaments, fixes an issue in which a coin collected from an opponent's Crazy Eight would not be counted, fixes communication error issue when using a Boo, fixes an issue preventing the Super Horn from hitting more than one opponent at once, fixes an issue causing distorted images on SNES Mario Circuit 3, fixes an issue preventing players from obtaining multiple items in a row on GBA Snow Land, fixes an issue in which the computer opponents shown on the team select screen would not be the same characters that appear in the match, fixes an issue preventing the warning sound from playing for a Red Shell or Spiny Shell, gameplay adjustments.
2.2.1	December 21, 2022	Fixes an issue causing the image to become choppy when playing on Tour Berlin Byways online, fixes an issue causing Lakitu to return players to an incorrect spot after falling off on Tour London Loop.
2.3.0	March 8, 2023	Adds support for the fourth wave of Booster Course Pass content, adds a "Booster Course Pass" button to the main menu to allow players to purchase the pass from the Nintendo eShop, adjusts the statistics of several drivers and kart parts, allows players to use the rear-view mirror view after being hit or using a Bullet Bill, prevents being hit with Lightning when a Boo or Super Star is used at the same time, allows players to jump over the fence when jumping off of the second Whomp on Tour Berlin Byways, adds the option to toggle Golden Mushrooms when using Custom Items in Renegade Roundup, fixes an issue causing a player's kart to clip through the ground after being hit with Lightning, fixes an issue causing Lakitu to carry a player after colliding with a wall, fixes an issue in which opponents could not be hit with Red Shells when using a half-pipe, fixes an issue allowing players to use another item immediately after using a Boo, fixes an issue preventing the Boomerang from being thrown again if it enters the second item slot when caught, fixes an issue in which running into a Crazy 8 Blooper would spray ink on the player, fixes an issue in which using the rear-view mirror would cause Blooper ink to momentarily disappear from the screen, fixes an issue in which being hit with a Red Shell at the same time as using a Bullet Bill would take the player off of the course, fixes an issue in which a communication error would occur if the player cannot move forward while driving on an escalator in Wii Coconut Mall, fixes an issue in which using a Bullet Bill on N64 Kalimari Desert would cause the player to clip into the ground, fixes an issue causing players to get stuck on the bridge posts at the starting line of Tour London Loop, fixes an issue causing players to be pushed farther than normal on the wavy roads on 3DS Rainbow Road.
2.4.0	July 11, 2023	Adds support for the fifth wave of Booster Course Pass content, adjusts the statistics of several drivers and kart parts, adjusts item probabilities during races with four or less players using Custom Items, increases distance for Red Shell and Spiny Shell warnings appearing, Red Shell and Spiny Shell warnings now have display priority over other warnings, Red Shell warnings will no longer appear when another racer is the target, the L/R button displays on the class selection and course selection screens can now be used with the touchscreen, decreases the frequency of Mirror and 200CC races when playing in Worldwide or Regional rooms, fixes an issue causing a communication error when catching a Boomerang and receiving an item from a Boo at the same time, fixes an issue preventing players from using items when catching a Boomerang and obtaining an item at the same time, fixes the statistic graph display when using a heavyweight Mii to more accurately reflect its true statistics, fixes an issue preventing the Bullet Bill warning from appearing when an opponent uses a Bullet Bill in online races, prevents karts from spinning or crashing from an obstacle when using a Super Star, Boo, or Mushroom at the same time, fixes an issue in which players could get stuck between a cliff and a mushroom on Wii Mushroom Gorge, fixes an issue in which a Bullet Bill would takes players off of the course when used in front of the finish line on GBA Riverside Park.
3.0.0	November 8, 2023	Adds support for the sixth wave of Booster Course Pass content, adds Booster Course Pass staff credits, adds a "Music" menu and button to the main menu, adds the Daisy Mii Racing Suit and additional amiibo compatibility, allows players to display the Room ID in a created room to allow non-friends to play in a created room, adjusts the invulnerability time for several drivers and kart parts, allows players to create rooms regardless of if they have any registered friends, further shortens the time for an Item Box to reappear after being collected, Item Boxes no longer give stronger items when driving in reverse or when collecting Item Boxes from the same location, further decreases the frequency of Mirror and 200CC races when playing in Worldwide or Regional rooms, fixes an issue causing Bob-omb cars to blow up for other players online on Wii Moonview Highway when they do not for the player, fixes an issue when racing with Ghosts in Time Trials on Yoshi's Island in which the red path would not appear when the Ghost touches the Winged Cloud.

Downloadable content

Main article: Mario Kart 8 Deluxe – Booster Course Pass

Announced during the Nintendo Direct on February 9, 2022, the Mario Kart 8 Deluxe – Booster Course Pass is a paid downloadable expansion for Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, made available for purchase following the presentation. The pack includes 48 additional courses largely from previous Mario Kart titles, which were released in six waves consisting of two four-course cups each between March 2022 and November 2023. The Booster Course Pass content is also available to active Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pass subscribers for free.

• Wave 1 (March 18, 2022) - Includes the Golden Dash Cup and Lucky Cat Cup.
• Wave 2 (August 4, 2022) - Includes the Turnip Cup and Propeller Cup.
• Wave 3 (December 7, 2022) - Includes the Rock Cup and Moon Cup.
• Wave 4 (March 9, 2023) - Includes the Fruit Cup and Boomerang Cup, and Birdo as a playable character.
• Wave 5 (July 12, 2023) - Includes the Feather Cup and Cherry Cup, and Petey Piranha, Wiggler, and Kamek as playable characters.
• Wave 6 (November 9, 2023) - Includes the Acorn Cup and Spiny Cup, the additional playable characters Pauline, Peachette, Funky Kong, and Diddy Kong, and 17 additional Mii Racing Suits.

External links

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe on other NIWA Wikis:
Inkipedia StrategyWiki

• Mario Kart 8 on Wikipedia