Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Reviews

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is ranked in the 100th percentile of games scored on OpenCritic.
9.5 / 10.0
Feb 24, 2017

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is absolutely the best game currently available for the Nintendo Switch apart from Zelda: Breath of the Wild. For players who have never had the pleasure of experiencing the original Wii U title, this is a must-own and could be qualified as yet another killer app (even though it technically is a port). On the other hand, even if you own the original, this is the definitive Mario Kart 8 experience; in fact, it is the best Mario Kart game to date period.

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Apr 15, 2017

At its heart, playing Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is a completely different experience to playing Mario Kart 8 precisely because of how, and where, you play it. The feel and fun of the thing is an intrinsic part of gaming and there's just so much fun to be had when you throw portability and local multiplayer into the fray.

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Apr 19, 2017

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is the definitive edition of a franchise-defining kart racer, no longer constrained by Wii U's teensy install base and poised to dish out hours of enjoyment from its new hybrid home. Not everyone will be tempted, but if you missed the original Mario Kart 8, it's an absolute must-buy.

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10 / 10
Apr 19, 2017

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe captures that rare magic, an unbeatable experience with friends and family that perfectly demonstrates how the concept that has driven Nintendo Switch is a complete game changer. Thundering over the finish line, that helps this to effortlessly rank as the best Mario Kart game ever made.

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GameXplain
Top Critic
Liked-a-lot
Apr 20, 2017
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe - REVIEW (Nintendo Switch) video thumbnail
Apr 20, 2017

Three years on: still a classic, and with its biggest weakness fixed. If you own a Switch it's a no-brainer – especially if it's your first time.

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Nintendo News
Top Critic
9 / 10.0
Apr 20, 2017

Perhaps the only real downfall for Deluxe is its lack of bonus content for those who owned the Wii U version. Bonus tracks or exclusive vehicle items for those who own the DLC via the same Nintendo Account would be a neat reward for those loyal to the genre. It can’t help but feel a little bittersweet. But that said, the slickest, most polished version of Mario Kart 8 can only be experienced on the Nintendo Switch. For now, Switching it up is as good as it gets.

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9 / 10
Apr 20, 2017

An excellent game that's still as good as it was 3 years ago... And now with every DLC and some subtle changes on its gameplay. If you haven't played Mario Kart 8 before this Deluxe version is a must buy.

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Metro GameCentral
GameCentral
Top Critic
10 / 10
Apr 20, 2017

The definitive version of one of the greatest multiplayer games ever, with a vast array of courses, characters, and the best Battle mode since the SNES days.

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10 / 10.0
Apr 20, 2017

Deluxe may be the wrong word for it, but this is the definitive Mario Kart 8 experience, which ultimately makes it one of the best kart-racers ever made.

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Apr 20, 2017

The blockbuster Mario Kart series makes its debut on the Nintendo Switch with an upgraded port, albeit one filled with a bunch of new and noteworthy content for fans.

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Apr 20, 2017

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is a victory lap for an amazing entry in the series. The only place Mario Kart 8 faltered was in its Battle Mode and Nintendo has rectified that here with a full-fledged version. 48 courses, 42 characters, 8 battle arenas, 5 battle modes, extensive multiplayer action, and the ability to take console Mario Kart with you wherever you go. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is absolutely worth the asking price.

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89 / 100
Apr 20, 2017

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is one of the greatest multiplayer experiences Nintendo has produced in a long time.

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90 / 100
Apr 20, 2017

This is how you spiff up an older game. What could have been a cynical attempt to double-dip into Nintendo fans' wallets actually turns out to be the Mario Kart series' definitive entry. The racing looks and feels just as great as it did on the Wii U, but the addition of battle modes finally makes it feel like a complete package. Add in the new characters and the Wii U DLC content, and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is a fantastic addition to the Switch's early library.

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Apr 20, 2017

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe performs better than it ever has, this time with a crisper look that really shines both in docked and handheld forms. While it is disappointing that no new race tracks were added, the completely overhauled Battle Mode complete with eight arenas makes up for that easily, making Mario Kart 8 Deluxe the definitive Mario Kart experience to date.

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9.3 / 10.0
Apr 20, 2017

With multiple new additions and important improvements, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is the definitive version of one of the Wii U's best games

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9.5 / 10.0
Apr 20, 2017

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is straight-up a better version of the game without compromise. It looks crisper, there's more to do, it's portable, and it might even outsell the Wii U version to ensure a healthier long-term community. With battle mode firmly in place, it's one of the best kart racers ever made.

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IGN
Top Critic
9.3 / 10.0
Apr 20, 2017

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is an amazing game for all the same reasons I mentioned in our original review. It's still a gorgeous kart racer and every bit as addictive as it was in 2014. This is the best entry in the series so far, and it has all the content you'll need. Returning players have seen a lot of this game before, but the overhauled Battle mode and its five additional ways to play are a great reason to pick it up. Nintendo didn't do enough to make the online experience better, but the rest of this game holds up well.

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Apr 20, 2017

After Breath of the Wild, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is the next Nintendo Switch must-buy. It's the best the series has ever been, offering one definitive package.

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Apr 20, 2017

As Nintendo's second big release on the Switch following on from The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, I have no trouble believing that this will solidify the console's rapidly-growing reputation of offering far more than people thought it would prior to launch. It might be a flawed experience, but that's almost irrelevant when you consider just how much of it there really is on offer. This is how you do a "HD remaster".

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