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TOP 500 REVIEWERVINE VOICEon April 28, 2017
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
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
on May 25, 2017
Love it! The five stars almost don't feel like enough. Everything about this game is fun, and the challenges keep coming with new moods exclusive to the Nintendo Switch!
If you have ever played MarioKart before, this is more of the same - fast, fun, and never-ending excitement. I don't think your the person I need to sell on this.
If you have never played Mario Kart, and you have a Nintendo Switch...I mean, what are you waiting for??? Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is not just another racing game - you race underwater, through the skies, upside down, through a toybox; there is so much to see and do and learn here. Plus, there is a learning curve, and the game is designed to help you become a better racer gradually, while still letting you take home the Gold cup. Single player is great, and playing this on the go with the Switch is ideal because each race is never longer than 5 minutes total. You could easily power it up in the doctor's waiting room and probably finish a few Cups before being called back.
And the multiplayer is great! There are other features designed to help even the odds between veterans and new-comers. From the Grand Prix to the Battles, it's anyone's game to win! The online is much more challenging, but after completing all the 150cc cups with Gold, you should be set to take anyone on.
If you have a Nintendo Switch and don't have Mario Kart 8, you should question why you bought it in the first place.
If you have ever played MarioKart before, this is more of the same - fast, fun, and never-ending excitement. I don't think your the person I need to sell on this.
If you have never played Mario Kart, and you have a Nintendo Switch...I mean, what are you waiting for??? Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is not just another racing game - you race underwater, through the skies, upside down, through a toybox; there is so much to see and do and learn here. Plus, there is a learning curve, and the game is designed to help you become a better racer gradually, while still letting you take home the Gold cup. Single player is great, and playing this on the go with the Switch is ideal because each race is never longer than 5 minutes total. You could easily power it up in the doctor's waiting room and probably finish a few Cups before being called back.
And the multiplayer is great! There are other features designed to help even the odds between veterans and new-comers. From the Grand Prix to the Battles, it's anyone's game to win! The online is much more challenging, but after completing all the 150cc cups with Gold, you should be set to take anyone on.
If you have a Nintendo Switch and don't have Mario Kart 8, you should question why you bought it in the first place.
on April 28, 2017
The game is fantastic. But I had to download it. As my order status was changed on the day it was supposed to be released and to arrive at my house. So now they want me to wait. So I'm returning yet another game for a refund. This has occurred way too often.
on May 1, 2017
If you played Mario Kart 8 for Wii U, then you know that this is the best racing game on the series. With brilliant graphics, endless kart customizations, and numerous old and new courses to choose from, this is a no-brainer for the Switch. Since it is the Deluxe version, all of the DLC characters and cups are included leaving you only with kart customizations to unlock. That is very generous and makes it easy to just turn on and play from the the get go. The new and old Battle modes are a great edition and only make this games even more worth your money. I would comment on the Switch to Switch LAN type plan, but I don't know anyone else with a Switch. Regardless, this is a must have multiplayer game for your console.
on May 2, 2017
I liked Mario Kart 8 back when it was for the Wii U, I like it on the Switch even more! The controller is much more comfortable compared to the Wii U's bulky touchscreen controller, and the graphics seem to be somewhat better. This was definitely what the Nintendo Switch needed!
on May 8, 2017
Glad it could fit in my small apartment mailbox. Came in bubblewrap envelope in pristine new condition. So glad I picked this up as a deal for $47.99 prime pre-order price. I would definitely consider pre-ordering on amazon again. Came a day before delivery date and this game will certainly gets it's use on my Nintendo Switch. All characters unlocked at start, but you still get to unlock vehicles and parts. Absolutely love the new battlemode. Auto Drive Assist helps younger players and gives them an edge so that players of all ages can pose a challenge. Perfect for local and online multiplayer. I am so happy that I can play this game with friends wherever I go. A MUST HAVE on the new Nintendo Switch!
on May 16, 2017
If you have the Wii U version and are on the edge about repurchasing, I'll give you my two cents. First off the mobile application should speak for itself. Also the game does look remastered very well with a lot higher contrasts and great colors. All the characters are unlocked and all DLC from Wii U is included. I wasn't really digging buying it until I played it for around 30 mins. It sold me on why the switch is going to be a great console. Great graphics and great game. Hope this helps.
on May 9, 2017
My fiance and I have been having a blast with this. She and I have played on and offline quite a bit, and I've play by myself a fair bit as well. In case it bothers anyone, with split screen the screen splits vertically. With or 50" we really don't have any trouble with it. Given the online service hasn't been tested a lot I've been very impressed with it. While I've had some disconnects from lobbies, I believe that likely has more to do with others in the lobby or our own slow (5mb/s) internet connection, with my fiance usually in another room streaming videos.
on May 10, 2017
The cars, tracks and the characters are amazing!!! I'm really enjoying this game. If you're into Mario Kart or even into racing games definitely pick this one up. I also tried out the Official Nintendo Wheel for Mario Kart 8 but you have to press the shoulder buttons down hard to get the system to recognize it, so I went with Orzly's Steering Wheel and am glad for the Switch. It's a great product, slightly larger than the Official one, and has LED's to let you know when the connection is established and I believe battery level.
on May 28, 2017
What can I say this game is awesome had to double dip on this one without thinking of it twice so many perks that I will try to remember them all to top it all of the portability can take it anywhere. can support two players split screen with the two Joycons, online match racing and battles are great the racing local or world wide the battles the same with the modes Shine, Bombs, Balloons, extra playable characters, the list goes on and on this is a must get if you own a Nintendo Switch you will not be disappointed.
