Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Reviews
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.
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is the final version of Mario Kart 8, a game that has lost none of its glory after 3 years. The game still looks beautiful and now even plays 1080p at 60fps, even though Mario Kart 8 was already one of the most beautiful Wii U games. With Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, the Nintendo Switch has its first multiplayer topper.
Review in Dutch | Read full review
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe can hardly be called a mere re-release. The substantial amount of additional content coupled with the obvious superiority of the Switch creates a brand new experience almost worthy of being called its own game. With a versatility that’s unmatched by any other entry in the series, this game is a must-buy for newcomers and veterans alike.
At its core, not much has changed in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe; it's still the same hectic, rage-inducing karting experience from four years ago. The new additions make the game easier to access to those on the casual side of the spectrum while keeping things fresh for experts.
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.
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.
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is about getting the most out of an already stellar game. Whether it be faster loading times, more convenient online lobby and gameplay, or a handful of new characters. The Souped Up Battle Mode is now far more compelling and content driven than before.
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is almost a "Mario Kart: Greatest Hits" with an absolute tonne of content in terms of tracks, characters and modes, you will be playing Mario Kart by yourself or with others for months to come. A must-buy for your Nintendo Switch!
The original Mario Kart 8 on Wii U has most of the content that can be found on Mario Kart 8 Deluxe with over 10 new characters and karts and you’ll also gain 16 brand new tracks, previously was only on DLC. What you receive are 48 tracks that will give you plenty of hours of entertainment. A total of 24 tracks is upgraded tracks from previous Mario Kart games. As with the original, there are various classes and Nintendo has added an even faster and craze filled 200cc class. The game also now features a reworked and polished Battle mode which Mario Kart 8 on the Wii U forced you to play on normal tracks instead of the arenas everybody wanted to play, well now there are eight arenas and five are brand new levels while the other arenas are based on previous 3DS, GameCube and SNES.
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.
Best and greatest Mario Kart... But the Japanese are not stupid and leave themselves a wicket for Mario Kart 9. Will it be even better, even more and even more beautiful? GIVE IT TO ME!
Review in Polish | Read full review
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe comes with massive amount of fun, content and premium visual fidelity. It is, no doubt, an essential purchase for Switch owners at the moment and it is the best Mario Kart Nintendo had released to date.
Review in Arabic | Read full review
Unless you're the ultimate fan of Mario Kart, there's no reason to get the Switch version if you have the original for Wii U. That's because even if Battle Mode was the missing piece in this puzzle, you're paying full price for an extra mode and the access to play additional characters. ¿You never had a Wii U and Switch is you're first Nintendo console since a long time? Don't hesitate to get Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, altogether with Breath of the Wild is the best that the console has to offer and it will give you tons of entertainment.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
Online play for up to 12 people, local multiplayer for up to eight players - this alone will make Mario Kart 8 Deluxe a must for many. Throw in how it does not drop in quality in the slightest when in portable mode, and suddenly the old Mario Kart 8 from Wii U becomes even more enticing. With extra polish, all DLC content included, plus various tweaks to improve the experience, Nintendo has delivered the ultimate Mario Kart experience for all comers, new and old, alike.
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".
It might not enhance or add much to the Wii U version, but this is certainly the definitive version of the best game of its kind, and especially the best handheld racer.
Review in Arabic | Read full review
For a port of an older Wii U title, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe feels like a brand new game that everyone can enjoy. Whether this is your first Mario Kart or your eighth, there's enough here to satisfy your thirst for racing.
Online mode aside, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is yet another fantastic first-party title from Nintendo. It adds several refinements, new modes, characters, and racetracks to an already awesome game.