Customer Ratings & Reviews

I've been playing Mario Kart since its inception on the SNES back in 1992. Perhaps that dates me a little bit, but don't be fooled: this old dog is a gamer and can still hang with the best of them. I've played almost every iteration of Kart pretty obsessively with the exception of just a few, so my experience with this franchise is quite extensive. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe was simply great, right out of the starting gate. Our family purchased a Wii U a little bit late in its production cycle, and as such we started playing Mario Kart 8 only very recently. We went through most challenges of the game and unlocked just about everything that is unlockable. Shortly after that, we purchased our Switch. The first game we bought was Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. With Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, many of the unlockable rewards from Mario Kart 8 are already unlocked. Some may find this to be a treat, especially if coming from Mario Kart 8 on the Wii U where they don't want to be bothered to go through those challenges again. For others, particularly those who are new to Mario Kart 8 in general, that might leave the game a little bit unfulfilling. I'm somewhere in the middle of these two camps, as I feel that while even though the game is "largely similar" it does have enough differences that -- to me -- constitute the need for starting the game at the same baseline as the Mario Kart 8 edition from Wii U and then being required to unlock everything again. You do still need to unlock many of the vehicle customizations, though. All that said, the characters, available bikes and karts, and all of the attributes of the various vehicles really showcase the depth and thought process that went into the driving aspects of Mario Kart 8. It's really quite unlike any Mario Kart game before it. I find it intriguing to see how people use the different combinations of characters, bikes/karts, tires, and gliders to create their ultimate racer. Back in the days of the original Super Mario Kart and Mario Kart 64, you simply didn't have anything like that available. Interesting tidbit about the Mario Kart 8 Deluxe vehicles: changing your Mii in the Nintendo Switch console changes the available attributes of the vehicle that you can use when you choose your Mii character as a racer when you're in the vehicle selection screen. I'm a tall and thinner build in "real life" but my Mii character on the Nintendo Switch console has a different body type because I want my Mario Kart vehicle to drive a certain way. Through a bit of trial and error, with which I am still experimenting, I have been able to create the ideal vehicle for me. Give it a shot! The online racing feature is greatly improved since the original Wii days. That is great to see. Nintendo has done a really nice job of making the online racing accessible, and I would venture a guess that more people are trying online racing (and online gaming in general) for the first time with this version of the game than in any Mario Kart titles prior to this one. The new tracks in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe are absolutely TONS of fun. There is a nice range of very simple to very challenging. I don't know how the developers continue to reinvent the wheel regarding the multitude of great new tracks over the years, but they somehow do every time. The retro tracks are pretty cool to see, too. The one thing with the retro tracks is that they aren't particularly "true" to the originals. While there might be many similarities, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe takes those tracks and adds many new spins on them. For those of us who remember those original tracks, that can be seen as a little bit of a surprise, as the tracks simply do not drive the same with all the new features. Still, though, it's pretty awesome that they recognized some of the classics and brought them into the mix with this newest version of Mario Kart. The Excitebike homage track was pretty darn cool, too. Considering that there have been so many releases of this game, it's amazing to see that the developers have been able to keep it fresh and innovative after 20-plus years. This game delivers on all of that and then some. I highly recommend this game for anyone who loves fun racing games, and/or is a Mario Kart aficionado. You simply will not be disappointed.

Best Mario Kart out there! Fun with friends and easy to play.

I already had MK8 on the Wii U, so I was hesitant to double dip again when they released MK8D on the Switch. I waited until a price drop, so when it went on sale for $45, coupled with my GCU discount, it brought the game under $40 and I felt like it was finally time to take the plunge. I already knew what a great game MK8 was, I just now got to enjoy a few more characters, being able to hold 2 items, and the added bonus of portability by taking my Switch on the go. While this is not my favorite Mario Kart, that belongs to Double Dash, this is probably within my top 3 of the series. Absolutely worth a grab if you don't have it yet.

Considering the Switch has been out for two months now, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe has been definately the greatest multiplayer game out at the moment. Aside from upcoming games such as Splatoon 2 and Arms I personally think Mario Kart 8 Deluxe tops those two anticipating titles. The game offers a variety of characters, vihicles, tires, gliders, and tracks to choose from. Not to mention different types of CC to determine how fast you would like to race. To make it better, the online play is so addicting. I can't seem to stop playing knowing I am competing against other people around the world. A must have for the Switch.

Very fun game loved playing with my family very easy to play

Purchased the original Mario Kart 8 for the Wii U when it first came out. I was very happy back then with the purchase, the balance changes, the new tracks and mechanics, as well as the character roster. Now the Deluxe version takes the original version, adds the DLC purchases, and enhances the experience by tweaking game modes and balancing the mechanics even further. The multiplayer feature (both and online and wireless play) is quite cool. It's definitely always a party when a group of us play this game. I highly recommend it.

This is the definitive edition version of Mario Kart 8, and a must buy for those who never owned the Wii U version. For those who already own the Wii U version, the changes may or not be worth it depending on what you're looking for. Without further ado here are the list of changes compared to the Wii U version: 1. 1080p with higher frame rate* when docked (TV mode) instead of 720p (on Wii U). Tabletop mode it's still 720p. Frame rate TV mode is 60fps, off TV mode is 59fps. Yes, one frame makes a difference when comparing side-by-side and/or when you have been playing dozens of hours of the original 2. 5 new characters: King Boo, Bowser Jr, Dry Bones, & Inklings (Boy and Girl) 3. Characters can now carry up to two items at once, even if they don't drag the first item 4. Double Item Box. Get two items when you run through a double item box or two singles. Note that you cannot swap items back and forth 5. "Smart Steering" A mode that prevents you from running off course or into a puddle of water. Good for toddlers or young children getting into the game (especially on the rainbow road courses). If the Smart Steering mode is on, the player's vehicle will have an antenna sticking out its rear end. The antenna blinks when Smart Steering is active. 6. "Auto-accelerate" for beginners. Can be used in conjunction with Smart Steering, essentially you don't have to hold down the accelerate button. Again, good for young children who just want to drive through the track without any stop-gaps. Works well when using the wheel peripheral 7. All DLC (from Wii U) included. Everything is unlocked from beginning except kart parts and Gold Mario. Kart Parts are unlocked by playing through the game and collecting coins. Gold Mario unlocked by winning all of the 200cc grand prix cup 8. Time Trials in the 200cc engine class have been added. Also added are new ghosts of Nintendo employees to race against 9. Ultra Mini-Turbo, denoted by pink/purple sparks that appear after the orange sparks which makes you boost significantly faster. Cannot be used with smart steering on 10. Online Play. -Option to change character and vehicle combinations during an online lobby without having to leave/exit out; this is done by pressing the "Y" button during the course selection screen of an online lobby. - You can see what lap everyone is in, in spectator mode if you finish early -When you win a match you get to wear a crown in the main online menu screen for everyone in the lobby to see. Hat also present when you're in the lead during a match - More icon packs for tournament mode 11. Faster loading times. Just a few seconds, but it adds up overtime. If you purchase Mario Kart Deluxe digital over the physical you get 1-2 secs off each track loading screen 12. New amiibo compatibility. You now get racing suits when scanning in specific amiibo 13. Boo and feather (battle mode only) item return to the game 14. You get the same 48 courses racing courses. But you get 5 additional new battle stages in battle mode + 3 retro stages 15. The Villager in now split between male and female selectable characters with different stats bringing the roster to the total of 42 characters (excluding character variants. Example: different color yoshis/shy guys, create your own mii, etc) 16. Graphical change: Motion Blur, High Quality Shadows, Confetti now drop to the ground showing animation at start of match 17. Battle mode: Biggest change in terms of gameplay. There are 4 battle mode game types: -Balloon Battle. Traditional Arena Style (no more battling in a circle) Mario Kart Battle mode where you use items to pop your opponent's balloons or steal them via feather item in order to score points. -Renegade Round Up. Cops and Robbers style setup. One team with the potted piranha plants try to capture all the other team before time runs out. Once captured your teammate can also free you from your jail cell -Bob-omb Blast. Same as balloon battle, but you only carry bombs -Coin Runner. Collect as many coins in the stage as you can before time runs out -Shine Thief. A keepway style game where you have to hold the Shrine Sprite the longest before time runs out. The driver holding the shrine sprite will have their speed lower the longer they hold it ==Additional notes: - There's 4 player split screen in docked (TV mode) and handheld/table top mode. Note that the screen for table top mode is really small and may be a problem for those who are far-sighted. When playing 2 player it's 60fps, 3 or more on the same screen it'll drops down 30fps -There's no Download Play, so you have to play split screen or have another copy of the game if you don't want to share the same screen or play more than 4 players -Stamps do not make a return since the Switch doesn't have miiverse -No more gamepad/duel screen when playing TV mode, so this time around you cannot see what items everyone is holding by glancing down -No voice chat (as of this review) unfortunately. Was present in the Wii U version with mic hardware (which no one bought). There's supposed to be a smart phone app that takes advantage of voice chat, but no word yet from Nintendo -Statistics of the vehicle parts and drivers have also been changed to make game more balanced -Other balance changes: Fire Hopping have been removed: An exploit in the Wii U version where you can repeatedly hop from left to right to get extra speed from turboboost. Blue shell dodge exploit still present. It's when you fall off the cliff the last second the blue shell is about to hit you, it'll save a lot of time recovering from the hit. Note this cannot be done when smart steering mode is on If a Blooper is about to ink the player as they cross the finish line, the player will still get inked. Red Shell Nerfed: If you're holding an item behind you while in the air, you can block a red shell Easier to break while drifting (advanced tactic) -Luigi still has his signature death stare If there's anything I missed please put it in the comments. Overall, i personally think the best additions are the enhanced battle mode and the portability aspect as I can now play during my break period and commute to work. I already sunk in over 300+ hours on the Wii U version and the upgrade is totally worth it for me as I got more than my money's worth in the original game on Wii U and plan to sync 300+ on the Switch version especially with the ease of use due to it's portability, and 100+ more hours of play in battle mode play with housemates. Well that is my personal perspective, so if you are in a similar situation it's a very good buy. If not, I hope the list of changes helped you in your purchasing decision

This game was already a great title for the Wii U but for the switch its amazing. With being able to take it anywhere the Switch is a great platform for Mario Kart. The game has been improved from being able to hold 2 items, bringing back battle mode, dlc included and a few new characters. Its great to see Splatoon included in the Kart world. The battle mode is fun, some battle themes are better than others. This is a great addition to the Switch catalog.

Another mario kart, another great racing game! You can never go wrong with playing as your favorite Nintendo characters and racing on obscure karts and wheels on some cool tracks! Add in all the power ups and it just makes it that much more fun when you beat your friend at the last second when you hit them with a red shell!

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is everything you could want in a Mario Kart game. Loads of characters to play and some you have to unlock. Tons of different tracks (about 30 or so), so you'll never get bored. Personally, i like bringing my Switch to work and using the joy-cons to control the karts. It's much more fun that way. The graphics are clean and the controls are on point. Best Mario Kart ever!

I have played all of the games in the Mario Kart series, and I can say this is my favorite out of them all. Honestly, how can it not be? 48 tracks, over 40 characters, and the gorgeous graphics to boot. Not to mention the live band for the earworm music. The selection of retro tracks throws in some nostalgia for the grown up kids like me. If you have a switch, this is a must own game.

this game has been so fun to play. Not only for myself, but for my entire family! The graphics are great! Characters, vehicles and tracks all add to the fun of the game. I have played Mario Kart on just about every platform that is has been released on, and by far, this has been the best yet. It is a great game to play by yourself, with friends or with family.

First off I fall under the first time player of Mario Kart 8. I did not own a Wii U therefore have never played this game before. All I can say is this is pure fun. This game's attention to detail in course and character design is beyond imagination. So far I have put about 30 hours into it and still go back for more even when getting blue shelled, red shelled, then blue shelled out of first place. Even though the game can be brutally frustrating it is one of the additions to the Nintendo Switch that is a necessity. I mostly play single player either online or just in a solo cups. No matter what I play it is always fun and enjoyable. What makes this even better is I can play it out and about while getting my oil changed or just at home on the TV and it looks and plays the same. A side note: the only downfall is that when online there is no real way to just party up with a few friends for some quick races without jumping through hoops. This is not really the games fault though and more has to do with Nintendo lagging on getting their online network fully working which is supposed to be in beta/ready by fall (we'll see if that happens). This is a must own game for any Nintendo Switch owner.

Great family game with the multiplayer option. Nostalgic with all the courses you get from the Mario Kart game line. Have lots of fun playing this game with my family. Great difficulty for someone who likes the challenge. Crazy that this game has been out for years and still $60 though. But overall have enjoyed every dollar spent playing with the family.

What's not to like? Tons of characters, amazingly detailed, intricate tracks to race, multiple car configurations, and fun power ups! The fact that this game looks amazing both at home and on the go is a testament to the console itself. Highly addictive and truly fun for the family!

This game is action packed, excellent graphics, and a HUGE variety of characters and carts to choose from! Hours of fun and vast array of crazy tracts to choose from! This game has come a looooooong way since the original! A must have for Nintendo Switch owners!

This is the best version of Mario Kart 8 and one that should've existed in the first place up to the capabilities of the Wii U version. The largest change that is most welcome to this game is retooling of the battle mode. It is back to how the maps worked in previous mariokart games instead of being a small track. Battle mode now makes sense and is actually fun again. If the Wii U release had this version of battle mode, it would be a harder sell to get it on Switch. However now it is the largest tipping point. Playing on handheld is about the equivalent of the Wii U version that was also 720p. You can also take off the controllers and two player modes with ease. If you are crazy, you can get an additional pair of joycons and play with 4 people simultaneously on the portable switch screen. Does it work well? Yes! Should you actually do that? Probably not. While docked, it works at 1080p and looks/performs better than the Wii U version. This version includes all of the dlc for the Wii U version of MK8, plus some additional characters/karts/stages. If you want mario kart, this is what you want.

Mario is so awesome and he is the best kart racer.. well Bowser is pretty good and so is Evil Mario and so is Wizard Hank. Wizard Hank has to be unlocked by conquering the quadruple race challenge in Level 67. I learned this on YouTube. Anyway, this is a great game for the whole family. We spend a little time each day when we can battling it out on the streets of Mario world.

Awesome game!!! Beyond crazy how we are spending $50+ on video games these days, but again. Excellent game and well worth the purchase. This game has evolved dramatically since I was a kid, including gameplay, graphics, and features. So cool!

Mario Kart 8 for the Switch is an exhilarating joyride that delivers on all fronts. With its charming characters, vibrant tracks, and addictive gameplay, it's hard not to get hooked. Whether racing against friends or tackling challenging solo cups, this game offers endless hours of fun and pure racing bliss.