Mario Kart 8 Deluxe (2017)

Mario Kart games have always been system sellers and for good reason. Mario Kart 8, with its antigravity mechanics, 200cc mode and expanded roster, is one of the most complete racers on any Nintendo platform. If the offering wasn’t tantalising enough, players are also able to get an additional Booster Pass DLC that doubles the tracks from 48 to 96 and can be picked up through the e-shop with the Nintendo Switch Online Expansion Pass. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is not perfect by any stretch, the battle mode can get in the bin, and the rubber banding from last to first is a constant pain. Let’s not forget the staple online multiplayer that takes forever to load up, but we still have sublimely designed tracks with controls that are as on-point as you can get with a racer and is well worth picking up… if you haven’t already.

07 Mar, 2024

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is an exceptional game that offers countless hours of gameplay, featuring a vast selection of characters and courses to choose from, thanks to its Booster Course Pass DLC. The only feature that seems to be lacking in this game is the two-person kart from Mario Kart: Double Dash. Whatever the future holds for the series, it will have a hard time surpassing the entertainment value and quality of Mario Kart 8 Deluxe

24 Nov, 2023

the definitive edition of the definitive karting game

19 Jan, 2018

Nintendo have succeeded again at creating an addicting gameplay experience that is just a blast to do with friends. I’ve invited my brother around to just chill and play this game with and it always puts a smile on our faces. Thanks to this being on the Switch I’ve had a lot of opportunity to use the handheld mode (yes one of those places being the toilet). It’s just so exciting to play a HD game like Mario Kart on the train without any sacrifices made towards performance or visuals. Overall this game brings forward the existing formula onto a platform that’s begging for it. I’ve put a ton of use into it and there’s never really anything negative to say towards the actual game itself. It’s always just been the online that Nintendo struggles to improve.

29 Sep, 2017

When it comes to the crunch, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe delivers with aplomb. Its already stunning visuals from the Wii U version are given a jaw-dropping upgrade and the revamped battle mode alongside the ingeniously crafted race tracks and the ability to play Mario Kart in 720p on the go or 1080p docked makes it an even more compelling reason for all Switch owners to buy a copy. The karts run as smooth as ever and with hundreds of thousands of people to play against online, you’ll never be short of a real challenge.

28 Jun, 2017