First appearing on the Nintendo Wii U in 2014, Mario Kart 8 continues the series penchant for addictive kart racing but takes everything to the next level with more options than ever before and graphics that are absolutely amazing.
How to Download Mario Kart 8 Deluxe
You can download the game from the Nintendo digital store. If you like Mario, be sure also to check out other Mario games such as Super Mario Maker or Mario Tennis Aces.
The Game Review
While Mario Kart 8 carries over most of the traditions of its predecessors, the addition of anti-gravity racing is a huge plus in its column as this allows for racing on the ceiling as well as the walls, adding a whole new dynamic to the game. Stages feel like theme parks of Nintendo lore and this is a really, really good thing if you’re a huge fan of the Kyoto company.
Available in single-player or multiplayer modes, the title also offers racing and battle options just like other games in the series.
In addition to the titular karts, hang gliders, motorbikes and underwater segments make an appearance in this title for one of the most diverse offerings of both tracks and vehicles ever in a Mario Kart game.
Like before, players can obtain power-ups scattered throughout the stage for an additional boost to their racer’s capabilities. The title has 8 cups in total with 32 tracks scattered across them as well as four difficulty levels for added challenge.
The cups in this game follow the format of other games and are called the Mushroom, Flower, Star, Special, Shell, Banana, Leaf, and Lightning cups.
The difficulty determined by speed as well as how aggressive the AI behaves. One new mechanic introduced in the game is the spin boost in which racers gain a short speed boost from hitting certain bumpers in the stage or by running into other players.
Where Mario Kart 8 Deluxe really shines is in its offering of characters from the Nintendo universe. Sporting the largest roster of any Mario Kart title to date, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe almost feels like a Smash Brothers game.
In addition to all previously released downloadable content, the game also runs natively at 60 frames per second in 1080p resolution.
And you can really tell. The original game’s graphics were great, but Mario Kart 8 Deluxe on the Nintendo Switch is spectacular. Battle mode comes with 8 new arenas and gameplay modes while in the regular racing game the Boo and Feather powerups are restored to the game.
Six new characters join the list of available racers including the characters from Nintendo’s Splatoon series. Nintendo also promises periodic updates to the game as well with the first updates involving Link and the Breath of the Wild costume.
