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Mario Kart 8 Deluxe (1992) is a go-kart racing game on Nintendo systems. You race against other Nintendo characters around different circuits, picking up power-ups, attacks and speed boosts. It is frantic and chaotic but still requires skills to do well.
Our examiner, Ben Kendall, first checked Mario Kart 8 Deluxe 3 years ago. It was re-examined by Jo Robertson and updated 3 days ago.
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is a go-kart racing game on Nintendo systems. You race against other Nintendo characters around different circuits, picking up power-ups, attacks and speed boosts. It is frantic and chaotic but still requires skills to do well.
Mario Kart tries to balance things between the different abilities of players. At the back, you go a little faster and get better power-ups. This results in good races for a range of players. Even so, experienced players can stay ahead by slipstreaming other karts, skidding around corners to get a boost and learning shortcuts.
Super Mario Kart (1992) on SNES with two players.
Mario Kart 64 (1996) on N64 with four players split screen.
Mario Kart: Super Circuit (2001) GBA
Mario Kart: Double Dash (2003) Gamecube with two players on one kart
Mario Kart DS (2005) DS with online multiplayer
Mario Kart Wii (2008) Wii with motion controls
Mario Kart 7 3DS (2011) with 3D visuals and flight
Mario Kart 8 (2014) Wii U with anti-gravity racing and flight
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe (2017) Switch
Mario Kart Tour (2019) iOS
Mario Kart 8 has a number of extra content packs that substantially expand the game. Most recently 48 remastered courses can be purchased as the Booster Course Pass. While this isn't a new game, it does offer a lot of new content for those wanting more Mario Kart fun while they wait for Mario Kart 9.
This is an Action, Race and Traversal game with Battle elements. You can play with 1 to 4 players in the same room or as a 12-player online game. In most Mario Kart games you can play 4 players split-screen on one system. On Mario Kart 8, you can play with up to 12 other people:
-4 players locally (1 Switch and 1 copy of the game).
-8 players locally where each person has the console and game (8 Switches and 8 copies of the game required).
-12 players locally with two people per Switch (6 Switches and 6 copies of the game required).
-12 players online where each person has the console and game (12 Switches and 12 copies of the game required).
You can race against ghost laps of other players. These appear on the course when you race, and represent the best lap. From Mario Kart 64 onwards, you can race the best times of the developers via the Staff Ghosts. You have to unlock this in Mario Kart 64, with a fast lap time. Mario Kart DS offers one unlockable Staff Ghost per track. Mario Kart Wii and Mario Kart 7 offers two Staff Ghosts per track. In Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, there are two Staff Ghosts, one for 150cc, and one for 200cc.
Rated PEGI 3 for Mild Violence. There is some violence in the game, but this is all very mild. Characters can be hit with turtle shells, which makes their karts spin out of control.
Users Interact: The game enables players to interact and communicate with each other, so may expose players to language usually associated with older rated games.
5+ year-olds usually have the required skill to enjoy this game. Still, it’s important for parents and guardians to ensure they understand in-game purchases and have spending limits set-up. One family told us, "My niece (5 years old) loved playing Mario Kart 8 with her dad using the acceleration and steering assists." This keeps you on track and makes the other karts easier to steer.
Our Game Pathways reveal how 5-year-olds play this game:
There are the following additional costs associated with this game:
In-Game Purchases: Additional in-game purchases are offered for items that enhance the experience.
In-Game Pass: Purchase a season/battle pass to gain access to limited in-game purchases, reward items and other aspects of the game.
Mario Kart 8 on the Wii U offered in-game purchases, packs and a season pass for additional characters, tracks and vehicles. These are all included in the Switch version of the game Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. This game on Wii U and Switch supports Nintendo's amiibo, figurines and cards that can be purchased separately to unlock in-game items.
The additional content came with Mario Kart 8 Deluxe on the Switch. However you can purchase downloadable content on the Switch via the Booster Course Pass. This can be purchased as a pack or comes as part of the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack membership.
Mario Kart Tour on iOS enables you to start for free if you link your Nintendo account, it then offers in-game purchases to advance and upgrade in the game.
It's important to set up your accounts and devices appropriately. More information is on our Financial Resources page.
Game Details
Release Date: 27/08/1992, updated in 2018
Price: 26% off
Out Now: 3DS and 2DS, DS, GameCube, Switch and iOS
Here are our hand-picked short list of similar games; the perfect thing to play next if you enjoyed Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. We also have a long list of games similar to Mario Kart 8 Deluxe.
Here are our hand-picked short list of similar games; the perfect thing to play next if you enjoyed Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. We also have a long list of games similar to Mario Kart 8 Deluxe.
Written by parents for parents, the database complements the in-depth discussion about video game addiction, violence, spending and online safety in the Taming Gaming book. We are an editorially independent, free resource without adverts that is supported by partnerships.