I’ll try not to beat into the ground what many other reviewers have already said. It’s an undeniably fun game, great for parties. They have definitely improved many things like the item balance or if you fall off the race track, Lakitu fishes you out a lot faster compared to previous games
Game runs at a solid 60 fps, but when it is 3 or 4 player split-screen, the frame rate noticeable drops to 30 fps. Still playable though. Online was pretty smooth, and out of all the matches I played, I very rarely lost connection and when I did, it was during a lobby instead of during races. Mario Kart TV is a very nice touch since it saves the last 12 races that occurred. My petty complaint of it is that it doesn’t show the exact things you saw on your screen.
Battle mode obviously had very little effort put in considering how you play on some of the race tracks (yes, the same race tracks you race on) that are barely modified. As far as I can tell, the item boxes have been slightly moved and there are different quantities of them. You can expect to spawn in some random area of the race track and if you do see someone, it turns into a very one sided confrontation, or you pass each other up as if both of you were invisible. Most of the time, I spent trying to dodge random green shells that other players have spammed and are careening wildly around the map.
I will admit that I did have some fun with this battle mode, but after a while, that is what it boils down to. Btw, you should play battle mode with a large group of players; otherwise it turns into two people aimlessly wandering around a large empty race track trying to find each other.
Hopefully, they will release actual DLC battle arenas and actual battle game types.
The 150cc AI would be a good start for what online play is like, considering my experience of the AI consisted of being shot at a lot and when I did get hit by the AI, every so often it would be multiple times in a row…
…which is nothing compared to how online play is like. I will admit that I have seen some pretty nasty moves that other players have pulled like people in lower places firing behind them a lot even though they are clearly in range of the racers ahead of them. Other instances where racers shoot each other a lot can end up giving first place an even bigger lead due to constant sabotage. I have ran into some instances where I was hit more times than the AI does in a single race. You could be doing so well and be on the final stretch when a blue shell appears and blows you up, then end up getting hit by other players so many times, that you end up in last place.
Now to be fair, this isn't anything new. It's Mario Kart, of course it has some sort of luck-based randomness. It is not exclusive to this game.
I had my share of being extremely lucky too. One instance was when I got a star—in 4th place, in a full room. Another example was when I was in 12th place received a star and steamrolled 4 racers; only to receive a crazy 8 and used that star to blast my way to first place.
Don’t be too influenced by all that I said there. Online play is still fun. It is not exactly as bad as I make it out to be and the way other players act is not the games fault at all. My experiences could just be anecdotal evidence. It is just something that I figured that I should throw out there.
Aside from all that, the rest of the game is phenomenal, customization is great, and lots of aesthetically pleasing graphics and soundtrack. The one star off is due to the chopped down battle mode.
Definitely worth the $60
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From the manufacturer
Feel the rush as your kart rockets across the ceiling. Race upside-down and along walls on anti-gravity tracks in the most action-fueled Mario Kart game yet. Take on racers across the globe and share videos of your greatest moments via Mario Kart TV.
Driving up a waterfall or across the ceiling can provide an intense adrenaline rush, but that's not all anti-gravity is good for. It also provides a wild new gameplay mechanic: if you collide into other racers in zero-g, you'll earn speed boosts worth bragging about. Upload and share your best moments and watch your friends' using Mario Kart TV. Returning features include 12-player online play, gliders, underwater racing, motorbikes, and custom karts. You can even race as Bowser's seven minions, the Koopalings.
Race along walls and upside-down on twisting anti-gravity racetracks
Share highlight videos of your greatest moments with friends via the Mario Kart TV feature and Miiverse
Race and battle with friends locally or connect online to play with random players from around the world
Fan favorite features from past Mario Kart games include gliders, underwater racing, motorbikes, mid-air tricks, and more
For the first time ever, play as all seven of Bowser's minions, the Koopalings
Crisp HD graphics and fluid animation offers players a visually stunning Mario Kart
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Start your Karts for some flippin' fun |
Brand new item chomps at racing enemies |
Race alongside your favorite characters |
Race as all of Bowser's minions, the Koopalings, for the first time ever |
Customer Questions & Answers
Customer reviews
Top reviews from the United States
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Reviewed in the United States on November 23, 2014
Verified Purchase
Reviewed in the United States on October 8, 2020
Verified Purchase
8 times the AWESOME!
By Rashaud on October 8, 2020
The Package was a little underwhelming, but it’s forgiven playing the game! OMG The 8th time I tied my shoes wasn’t this big a deal! The Mario Kart Games are massive when it comes to World Building and Gameplay! And just when the last Kart experiment was a blast This totally went into the stratosphere with awesome tracks Like Waterpark, and Toad’s Turnpike among others and the Multiplayer! Mario Kart 8 is the reason The Wiii U has nothing to be Ashamed of! Race to get it
By Rashaud on October 8, 2020
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Top reviews from other countries
JY
My kids like playing it. I like the 1080 resolution
Reviewed in Canada on November 30, 2017Verified Purchase
Ricardo G.
Perfecto para jugar local o modo online
Reviewed in Mexico on April 20, 2016Verified Purchase
Brock Ciochetti
Really fun game, but didn't hold my interest as long as others in the series
Reviewed in Canada on June 26, 2014Verified Purchase
Ived
Muy divertido, en modo carreras
Reviewed in Mexico on August 21, 2015Verified Purchase
Daniel Altamirano
Divertidísimo.
Reviewed in Mexico on April 24, 2017Verified Purchase
