After a strong launch for the Switch
anchored by the release of The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild,
Nintendo looks to keep its record-setting pace
with the addition of Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, an enhanced port of the 2014 Wii U game.
This new version not only includes everything that made the original stand out,
but adds an overhauled battle mode, new racers, and a few other adjustments,
making this definitive edition of Mario Kart 8
one of the best installments in the series.
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe retains all the qualities of the Wii U version
that originally received an 8.6 at GameTrailers.
It’s still a visually stunning racing game with dazzling courses
which include both re-imagined classics and original tracks.
Not to be outdone by the visuals,
Mario Kart 8’s soundtrack is something special
with its fantastic and downright catchy big band renditions
of songs both old and new.
It delivers the thrills with excellent handling and controls,
but for those who might find the game too challenging on faster settings,
the Switch version adds two new options to alleviate some of the frustration.
Players can enable smart steering or auto-acceleration
at any time during a race or match, and these new forms of driver assistance
make this the most accessible entry in the series.
By far the biggest improvement is the new battle mode,
which not only includes five different types of games, but most importantly,
features courses specifically designed to cater to the frantic nature
of this potentially friend-wrecking competition.
Things intensify further with the new ability
to hold two items at once, upping the mayhem and carnage.
These new modes and tracks really nail the spirit
that’s hooked players on Mario Kart’s battle modes in the past
and they easily one-up the abysmal offerings found in the Wii U version.
The new additions and the inclusion of all the previously downloadable content
are definitely enticing to those who passed on the original Wii U release.
If you’ve already invested a lot of dough in Mario Kart 8,
the proposition of paying full price again is a tough pill to swallow.
However, the ability to play on the go really softens the blow.
It’s simply addictive to play
and it’s incredibly comfortable no matter where you are.
There’s still split-screen co-op available
whether you’re playing the Switch docked or in handheld mode,
and you can connect through either 8-player local wireless
or a wired 12-player LAN for some wild multiplayer sessions.
The online functionality is virtually identical to the original version,
which was a solid effort the first time around,
only now you have the much improved battle mode available.
There have been numerous reports about connectivity issues
and latency problems affecting the online modes for many users,
and while we’ve yet to experience any major issues firsthand,
complaints about the netcode and online woes persist.
The only other negative aspect afflicting Mario Kart 8
is the infamous rubberbanding AI,
which can be absolutely brutal in the more difficult modes.
There’s also the related issue of the game’s handicap system
giving better items to players falling behind.
It can be frustrating to be on the receiving end
of an all-out assault of blue and red shells, but at the same time,
it can make for some spectacular finishes,
especially when playing online or with friends.
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is more than a simple port of the Wii U game.
It’s a superior iteration of its counterpart,
a superb racing game, and one of the best entries in the series.
With the wide range of modes, racers, and characters at your disposal
and so many different ways to play alone or with friends,
you’d be remiss to pass up Mario Kart 8 a second time.
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