Standard Edition
StandardUS$59.99 at launch
In the box
- Game card
- Case with cover art
Switch
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is a 2017 kart racing game developed and published by Nintendo for the Nintendo Switch, an enhanced version of the 2014 Wii U game Mario Kart 8 with all of its DLC, a rebuilt battle mode and new characters.
RacingArcade
- Time to beat
- about 6.5 hours
- Plays offline
- Yes
Overview
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is a 2017 kart racing game developed and published by Nintendo for the Nintendo Switch, an enhanced version of the 2014 Wii U game Mario Kart 8. It retains the gameplay of previous Mario Kart games, with players controlling characters from the Mario series and other Nintendo characters in races around tracks. Tracks are themed around locales from the Super Mario series populated with power-ups that help players gain advantages in races. Different difficulties are selectable prior to a race; harder difficulties make gameplay faster. In the new anti-gravity sequences, players drive on walls and ceilings. Mario Kart 8 contains a variety of single-player and local and online multiplayer game modes, including Grand Prix racing and arena-based battle modes.
Nintendo revealed Mario Kart 8 in 2013 and released it in May 2014. Both paid and free downloadable content (DLC) was released after its launch, including additional tracks and a new difficulty setting. It was re-released on the Nintendo Switch in April 2017 as Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, including the DLC, a revamped battle mode and other gameplay alterations. From March 2022 until November 2023, Deluxe received additional DLC, Booster Course Pass, which added 48 race tracks and eight characters.
Mario Kart 8 was a critical success; reviewers praised its gameplay and presentation, but the battle mode was criticized. Critics praised Deluxe as the definitive version for its improved battle modes and presentation. Both releases have been named by critics as among the best Mario Kart games, have won and been nominated for several awards, and have named among the greatest video games.
Official trailer
Trailer. Watch on YouTube
Gameplay
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe - Gameplay Walkthrough Part 1 - Mushroom Cup 50cc 100cc! (Nintendo Switch), ZackScottGames. Watch on YouTube
Screenshots
Game details
- Genres
- Racing, Arcade
- Publisher
- Nintendo
- Series
- Mario Kart
- Engine
- Autodesk Beast
- Platforms
- Nintendo Switch
- Age rating
- ESRB E
- Modes
- Single player
- Yes
- Local multiplayer
- Yes
- Online multiplayer
- Yes
- Co op
- Yes
- Developer
- Nintendo EPD Production Group No. 9, Nintendo Entertainment Planning & Development
- Age ratings
- PEGI
- 3
- ACB
- G
- USK
- 0
- CERO
- A
- GRAC
- ALL
- ESRB
- E
- CLASS IND
- L
Release dates
| Platform | Region | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Nintendo Switch | Worldwide | 2017-04-28 |
| Nintendo Switch | Brazil | 2022-10-29 |
Editions
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe + Booster Course Pass Bundle
In the box
- Game card
- Case
In the game
- Booster Course Pass
US$84.98.
Japanese physical release with Booster Course Pass
In the box
- Game card with Booster Course Pass waves 1 to 5 on the card
DLC
Every Wii U DLC track, character and kart is already on the cartridge. The Booster Course Pass added 48 courses and 8 characters in six waves from March 2022 to November 2023, and is still sold for US$24.99.
- Items
Name Date Adds Price Obtainable today Booster Course Pass 2022-03-18 48 remastered courses in 12 cups and 8 characters, released in six waves to 8 November 2023 US$24.99 Yes
Playable today
Playable offline todayYes
Single player, local and online play all still work.
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Price at release | US$59.99, 28 April 2017 |
| Ever released on disc | Yes, on a Nintendo Switch game card |
| Ever released in the store | Yes, 28 April 2017 |
| In the store to buy today | Yes, US$59.99 |
| Can be downloaded again if you already bought it | Yes |
| Disc runs with no patch | Yes Online play and the Booster Course Pass need the latest update. |
| Disc runs with the final patch | Yes The update is free on the console. |
| Has online features | Yes |
| Online servers running today | Running Online play needs a Nintendo Switch Online membership. |
| Playable offline today: campaign | Yes |
| Playable offline today: local multiplayer | Yes Up to 4 players on one console, or 8 consoles linked locally. |
| Playable offline today: online multiplayer | Yes Online races and battles still run. |
| Playable offline today: DLC | Yes The Booster Course Pass is still sold. |
Online
Plays offlineYes
Reception
- Aggregates
Outlet Platform Score Scale Metacritic Switch 92 100 - Critics
Outlet Score Scale IGN 9.3 10 GameSpot 9 10 Game Informer 9.25 10 Nintendo Life 10 10 Destructoid 9.5 10 GamesRadar+ 5 5 The Guardian 5 5 Electronic Gaming Monthly 4 5
Staff and cast
- Staff
Role Name Developer Nintendo EPD Publisher Nintendo Director Yusuke Shiraiwa Director (Mario Kart 8) Kosuke Yabuki Producer Kosuke Yabuki Producer (Mario Kart 8) Hideki Konno Artist Masahiro Kawanishi Composer Kenta Nagata Composers (Mario Kart 8) Shiho Fujii, Atsuko Asahi, Ryo Nagamatsu, Yasuaki Iwata
Notes for collectors
- Deluxe is the best-selling Nintendo Switch game, at 71.08 million copies.
- Everything from the Wii U DLC is unlocked from the start, along with the Inklings, Bowser Jr., Dry Bones and King Boo.
- The Joy-Con Wheel came out alongside the game at US$14.99 for a pair.
- A free update for Nintendo Switch 2 raises local play to 8 players on one console and sharpens the picture.
- An early update changed one of the Inkling Girl victory poses.
- The Booster Course Pass is a download only; a physical copy sold before 2022 needs the pass bought separately.
Credits
- Publisher
- Nintendo
- Developer
- Nintendo EPD Production Group No. 9, Nintendo Entertainment Planning & Development
- Director
- Yusuke Shiraiwa
- Released
- 2017-04-28
- Age rating
- ESRB E
- Region
- US
- Time to beat
- about 6.5 hours
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