Jump to content

Mario Kart 8

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Mario Kart 8
Wii U cover art
Developer(s)
Publisher(s)Nintendo
Director(s)
  • Kosuke Yabuki
  • Yusuke Shiraiwa[b]
Producer(s)
Programmer(s)Yusuke Shiraiwa
Artist(s)
  • Masaaki Ishikawa
  • Masahiro Kawanishi[b]
Composer(s)
  • Shiho Fujii
  • Atsuko Asahi
  • Ryo Nagamatsu
  • Yasuaki Iwata
  • Kenta Nagata[b]
SeriesMario Kart
Platform(s)
ReleaseWii U
Nintendo Switch
  • WW: April 28, 2017
  • CN: March 16, 2020[2]
Genre(s)Kart racing
Mode(s)Single-player, multiplayer

Mario Kart 8[c] is a 2014 kart racing game developed and published by Nintendo for the Wii U. It retains the gameplay of previous Mario Kart games, with players controlling a Mario character in races around tracks. Tracks are themed around locales from the Super Mario series populated with power-ups that help players gain advantages in races. Different difficulties are selectable prior to a race; harder difficulties make gameplay faster. In the new anti-gravity sequences, players drive on walls and ceilings. Mario Kart 8 contains a variety of single-player and local and online multiplayer game modes, including Grand Prix racing and arena-based battle modes.

Nintendo revealed Mario Kart 8 in 2013 and released it in May 2014. Both paid and free downloadable content (DLC) was released after its launch, including additional tracks and a new difficulty setting. It was rereleased on the Nintendo Switch in April 2017 as Mario Kart 8 Deluxe,[d] with the original DLC for free, a revamped battle mode and other gameplay alterations. From March 2022 until November 2023, Deluxe was given additional DLC, the Booster Course Pass, which added 48 circuits and eight characters.

Mario Kart 8 was a critical success; reviewers praised its gameplay and presentation, but the battle mode was criticized. Critics praised Deluxe as the definitive version for its improved battle modes and presentation. Both releases have been named by critics as among the best Mario Kart games, have won and been nominated for several awards, and have been cited in following years as being among the greatest video games ever made. Mario Kart 8 is one of the best-selling video games of all time, at over 71.36 million sold for both versions combined. The original version is also the best-selling Wii U game at 8.46 million sold and Deluxe is the best-selling Nintendo Switch game at 64.27 million.

Gameplay

[edit]
Anti-gravity racing introduced in Mario Kart 8

Mario Kart 8 is a kart racing game; players control characters from the Mario universe, The Legend of Zelda, Animal Crossing, Splatoon,[e] or the players' Miis, to race in go-karts around a course. They may hinder their opponents or improve their performance using power-ups found in item boxes throughout the course.[3] It includes four different difficulties, each differing in speed, which may be selected before the race.[4][5] "Mirror Mode" horizontally inverts all courses.[6] Returning features from previous installments include motorbikes and 12-player racing from Mario Kart Wii, as well as hang gliders, underwater racing and vehicle customization from Mario Kart 7.[7][8] Up to four players can play together on a single system, up to eight can play together through a local wireless connection (Nintendo Switch only), and up to twelve can play together via online multiplayer.[5][9] As of April 8, 2024, online multiplayer is no longer available on the Wii U version of Mario Kart 8 due to the discontinuation of online services for the Wii U.[10]

The signature new feature of Mario Kart 8 is anti-gravity racing, in which certain parts of a course allow racers to drive on walls and ceilings.[11] In these sections, players who collide with other racers or special bumpers will trigger a speed boost. New characters include the Koopalings and Pink Gold Peach. In addition to karts and motorbikes, the game also includes all-terrain vehicles. There are four new items: the Boomerang Flower, which can be thrown to attack players; the Piranha Plant, which attacks nearby racers and obstacles and provides a speed boost; the Crazy Eight, which gives the user eight different items; and the Super Horn, which can be used both to attack nearby opponents and defend against items, including the previously nearly unavoidable Spiny Shell.[12][13][14] The game features 32 courses spread across eight cups, with an additional 16 courses later released as downloadable content (DLC) in four additional cups.[15]

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe

[edit]

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe includes all downloadable content (DLC) for Mario Kart 8, including characters, courses, and vehicle components, into a single product for Nintendo Switch, as well as being the first Mario game for the console.[16][6] These features are accessible upon first starting the game, without the need to be unlocked.[17] In addition to previous DLC, several new characters were introduced in Deluxe, including the Inklings from Splatoon, Bowser Jr., Dry Bones, and King Boo.[18][19] Other notable changes to the gameplay include the ability to hold two items at once,[20][21] and accessibility features to assist newer players, such as auto-acceleration or smart steering, which prevents players from veering off course.[18][6] Deluxe also reintroduces the Boo item, which allows the player to steal another opponent's item and then temporarily become invisible.[22][5] In Deluxe's "Booster Course Pass", several courses have differing layouts in every lap, condensing multiple variations of a course into one.[23] One of the courses added in the Pass is Coconut Mall, a Mario Kart Wii track. It became infamous for its broken, stationary cars, which were fixed in a later update,[24] and the replacement of the escalators with ramps.[25]

Two characters in split-screen view on a concrete surface. On the left is Bowser Jr., a yellow turtle-like creature with a spiked green shell who is riding in a small circular car. In front of him is a Piranha Plant, a venus flytrap-like creature with a white-spotted red head. On the right is Isabelle, a humanoid yellow dog on a motorbike. Isabelle is driving towards a blue switch with a key icon placed below a yellow and blue cage. In the center of the screen is a minimap displaying the characters' location in the course.
In Renegade Roundup, the authority player Bowser Jr. (left), using a Piranha Plant, aims to capture Isabelle (right), who is trying to free her captured renegade teammates from a cage by driving over a key switch.

The largest addition to Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is the updated battle mode. Deluxe includes five new battle mode-exclusive courses and three battle courses adapted from previous entries in the Mario Kart series. These battle courses are designed specifically for the mode, featuring layouts that allow for easier item play, rather than repurposing standard race courses like Mario Kart 8.[26] The Feather item, reintroduced from previous entries in the series, is exclusive to this mode and allows the player to get a small boost in height when it is activated.[21][22] There are five rulesets in battle mode.[16] In Balloon Battle, players use items to destroy each other's balloons.[16] Unlike in previous incarnations, the mode is point-based rather than last-man-standing, meaning that the winner is whoever destroys the most balloons before the match ends.[26][27][4] Bob-omb Blast is a variation of Balloon Battle with all the items replaced with bombs.[26][28][6] In Shine Thief, players must maintain control of the Shine Sprite for as long as possible;[20] the player or team who possesses it for the longest wins.[6][28][29] In Coin Runners, players scavenge coins from around the course and steal them from other players, aiming to have the biggest hoard.[16][4][28] The final mode is Renegade Roundup, which involves a team of "renegades" trying to avoid the "authorities" armed with Piranha Plants, which takes inspiration from the children's game "cops and robbers".[20][28] Renegades may free their captured teammates by driving over switches under the cages controlled by the authorities.[28][16][7][4]

Development and release

[edit]
Mario Kart 8 was originally released exclusively for the Wii U.

Initially confirmed in a January 2013 Nintendo Direct presentation, Mario Kart 8 was fully unveiled at E3 2013. Some members of Bandai Namco Games received special thanks in the credits.[30] The "8" in the logo was designed to resemble a Möbius strip, as was Mario Circuit, one of the courses.[31] Early in development, the idea of using a drill to penetrate the ground was considered but was quickly discarded for not being as interesting as anti-gravity.[32] Courses were designed with anti-gravity in mind, including tracks from older games which were redesigned to take advantage of the new mechanic. Other courses had gliding and underwater sections added as well.[33]

A replica of the standard kart seen in Mario Kart 8 at E3 2013

Nintendo's launch promotions of Mario Kart 8 include a Limited Edition with a Spiny Shell figurine; and special Mario and Luigi themed console bundles, with a hat, strategy guide, Wii Remote Plus controller, Wii Wheel, and GamePad protector.[34] In North America, Europe, and Australia, players who purchased and registered Mario Kart 8 on Club Nintendo before July 31, 2014, received a free download code for a selected Wii U game.[35][36] As part of a promotional campaign with Mercedes-Benz, Mario, Luigi, and Peach were featured in a series of Japanese commercials for the Mercedes-Benz GLA, and three karts based on past and present Mercedes-Benz vehicles were added as part of a downloadable update on August 27, 2014.[37][38][39] In 2014, fast food company McDonald's released Happy Meal-branded toys based on the characters and karts.[40] A soundtrack album containing 68 tracks from the game was made available as an exclusive reward available to Club Nintendo members shortly preceding the service's discontinuation in 2015.[41]

Game updates added new features and user experience improvements, such as support for Amiibo figurines, a 200cc difficulty setting, player statistics, and additional Mii outfits.[42][43][37] Two paid DLC packs added characters, vehicles, and courses to the game. Some characters and courses are based on other Nintendo franchises, including Link (The Legend of Zelda), Isabelle and Villager (Animal Crossing), Mute City and Big Blue (F-Zero), and Excitebike Arena (Excitebike).[44][45][46] Downloadable content for Mario Kart 8 is no longer available to purchase due to the discontinuation of the Nintendo eShop for Wii U.[47]

In March 2023, Nintendo halted online play for Mario Kart 8 and Splatoon due to a security vulnerability.[48] The issue was fixed with an update, and online play resumed on August 3, 2023. Nintendo further stated that if further issues occurred, online play may be discontinued for the games.[49] On October 4, 2023, Nintendo announced that online services for most Wii U and Nintendo 3DS software, including Mario Kart 8, would end by April 2024. Online services for Mario Kart 8 were terminated on April 9, 2024.[10]

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe

[edit]
The Nintendo Switch in handheld mode. The center tablet is black, and attached on both sides are Joy-Con controllers. The left Joy-Con is blue, with several buttons. The right Joy-Con is red, with several other buttons.
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe was announced alongside and exclusively released for the Nintendo Switch, a hybrid console that allows for both handheld and docked play.

After initially being teased alongside the Nintendo Switch's announcement in October 2016,[50] Mario Kart 8 Deluxe was formally revealed at the Nintendo Switch presentation on January 12, 2017.[51] The trailer showcased mechanics such as Smart Steering and crossover elements from the Splatoon series[52]—additional crossovers with The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild were added in an update post-launch.[53] The release date was set for April 28, 2017, only a month after the Switch's March 3 launch.[52][51] Nintendo also announced a steering wheel accessory for the Switch Joy-Con controller to allow for motion-controlled steering.[54] An overview trailer revealed details about the game's battle mode including several battle mode-exclusive courses, as well as the return of the Shine Thief mode from Mario Kart: Double Dash.[55] After the release of the trailer, several internet memes circulated surrounding Donkey Kong appearing to perform a celebratory dab.[56] Mario Kart 8 Deluxe revamps the battle mode, adds a second item slot, among other minor gameplay improvements.

Shortly after launch, Nintendo released a software update that changed one of the victory gestures done by the Inkling Girl. Prior to the update, the Inkling Girl performed a gesture that consisted of placing her hand on a flexed bicep and pumping her fist into the air.[57] In Japan, the gesture means something similar to "bring it on!",[58] though in European and Latin American countries,[59] it was likened to the bras d'honneur, an offensive gesture that can be interpreted as "up your ass", "fuck you", or similar meanings.[60] After the update, the Inkling Girl no longer clenches her fist around her flexed arm, instead simply performing a "fist pump",[61] though the rest of the gesture was unchanged.[62][63][64]

A series of updates in 2018 added compatibility with Nintendo Labo, a toys-to-life kit that uses cardboard to create motion-controlled toys with Joy-Con controllers.[65] The first update enabled the Toy-Con Motorbike as a controller for Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, allowing the player to use the physical throttle, handlebars, and gyroscope present on the Toy-Con Motorbike,[66] while actions like braking, drifting, and item pickups are still performed using the standard controller buttons.[67] A later update added compatibility for the Toy-Con Car, Pedal, and Key to control actions like braking, drifting, and using the horn on the steering wheel to launch items.[68][69]

An update released on December 7, 2022, added an item customization option for certain modes, allowing players to choose which items are obtainable in a race or Battle.[70][71]

Booster Course Pass

[edit]

During a February 2022 Nintendo Direct, it was announced that Mario Kart 8 Deluxe would get a paid downloadable content season pass called the "Booster Course Pass". Courses in the "Booster Course Pass" are largely remastered from their incarnations in previous Mario Kart games.[72] The "Booster Course Pass" was released in six waves, with each wave containing eight courses split into two cups, totaling to 48 additional tracks that were released between March 2022 and November 2023.[73] It can be accessed by purchasing it on the Nintendo Switch's eShop, or by having an active Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack subscription.[72] The first wave of the "Booster Course Pass" was released on March 18, 2022, containing the Golden Dash Cup and the Lucky Cat Cup.[74] Wave 2 was released on August 4, 2022, containing the Turnip Cup and the Propeller Cup.[75] It also featured Sky-High Sundae, an original course not introduced in a previous Mario Kart game.[76] Alongside the release of Wave 2, Nintendo released an update to the Wave 1 course Coconut Mall that changed the cars at the end of the course to perform donuts, rather than remaining stationary, except for in Time Trials.[77] This change was widely praised, especially after many were disappointed that the cars were stationary in the "Booster Course Pass" to begin with.[f] Wave 3 was released on December 7, 2022, containing the Rock Cup and the Moon Cup. The ability to remove certain items from "VS Race" mode and online races was also added.[81][82] Wave 4 was released on March 8, 2023, in North America and March 9 elsewhere, containing the Fruit Cup and the Boomerang Cup. It also featured a brand new original course based on Yoshi's Island (1995).[83][84] Wave 5 was released on July 12, 2023, containing the Feather Cup and the Cherry Cup. It also featured a brand new course, Squeaky Clean Sprint.[85][86] The final wave, Wave 6 was shown off in a Nintendo Direct on September 14, 2023, and released on November 9, 2023, containing the Acorn Cup and the Spiny Cup.[87] Wave 6 features the addition of a music player featuring music from all courses in the game, as well as 18 additional costumes for the Mii racers.[88]

Starting in February 2023, Nintendo added eight more playable characters to the game, all having previously appeared in other Mario Kart titles. The first of these characters, Birdo, debuted in Wave 4;[89][90] Petey Piranha, Wiggler, and Kamek in Wave 5;[85] and Diddy Kong, Funky Kong, Pauline and Peachette in Wave 6.[91]

Reception and legacy

[edit]

Mario Kart 8 received "generally favorable" reviews, according to review aggregator Metacritic,[110][g] whereas Deluxe received "universal acclaim".[111][h] Overall, reviewers held Mario Kart 8 in high esteem among racing games,[i] but considered Deluxe to be the definitive version of the title.[j] Deluxe was further called one of the best games in the Mario Kart series or one of the best racing games of all time.[k] Some reviewers considered the game to be an essential purchase for Nintendo Switch owners.[97][27][5] Improvements in Deluxe made certain features of Mario Kart 8 feel worse in retrospect.[9][3] However, many reviewers criticized the lack of new content in Deluxe compared to Mario Kart 8.[l]

The main racing mode of Mario Kart 8 was widely praised. Eurogamer called it the "most vibrant home console racing game in years".[94] The rubber-banding mechanics present in the game's AI competitors was criticized,[9][8] though Game Informer noted that "fans accepted that pitfall as a series mainstay long ago".[6] Finding the core racing unchanged, they said Deluxe is still "the same great title from the Wii U".[6] GameSpot and Nintendo Life also considered Deluxe's racing to be as strong as the original.[26][18] Minor mechanical changes, such as the ability to hold two items,[20][3] were praised, with many liking how it added more strategy to Deluxe's item play.[m] Accessibility options like smart steering and auto-acceleration received mixed feedback. Many felt that the additions made Deluxe the most accessible Mario Kart game,[9][6] and others appreciated how they helped less experienced players enjoy the game, despite making the game too easy for veteran players.[n] However, some reviewers disliked how smart steering was enabled by default,[19][16][3] and how it could overcorrect or interfere with precision inputs.[17][4]

The main criticism levied at Mario Kart 8 was its battle mode, which was less well received than previous entries. Easy Allies called it "abysmal",[9] and Kotaku said it was "borderline unplayable".[3] Giant Bomb panned the use of repurposed race courses for battle mode in lieu of dedicated battle courses like previous entries, which made it difficult to find opponents to engage with.[101] By contrast, Deluxe's revamped battle mode received widespread acclaim. Easy Allies and Kotaku claimed that the new battle mode far outshined the original game,[9][3] and Pocket Gamer said that Deluxe returned battle mode to its "original arena-battling glory".[8] VentureBeat said that they remedied the issue with the original Mario Kart 8's battle courses.[109] However, Electronic Gaming Monthly said that the battle mode was "not so much a point for Deluxe that these modes are included as it is a retroactive demerit for the original Mario Kart 8".[19] Many critics considered Renegade Roundup to be the best of Deluxe's battle modes,[o] though GameRevolution and USgamer said it was their least favorite.[97][4]

Reviewers also focused on the graphics and visual style of the game. Eurogamer praised both the vast sense of scale and the "exquisite details" of the courses.[94] Digital Foundry deemed it "near perfection" with "phenomenal attention to detail", featuring a "magnificent visual package" and "magical playability". Their technical analysis attributes the smoothness of motion and overall gameplay to the consistent performance of 60 frames per second (FPS), with the split-screen mode's effective 30 FPS nonetheless comparing favorably with industry standard.[112] Reviewers for Deluxe echoed this praise,[p] with some saying that the graphics of Deluxe were an upgrade from the Wii U original.[97][27] GamesTM praised the "incredible" lighting of Deluxe, saying that courses like Rainbow Road and Electrodrome stood out as "fantastic showcases for the Nintendo universe and its creative spirit".[27] IGN felt that the "great art direction" in Mario Kart 8 and Deluxe was "a major reason" for the game's graphics remaining "gorgeous".[16] Easy Allies called the soundtrack "something special", saying that both original and returning songs were "fantastic and downright catchy".[9] Eurogamer called the game's soundtrack "outrageously upbeat", and that Deluxe's "defining moment" was the game's live band rendition of Super Mario Kart's main theme.[20]

Booster Course Pass

[edit]

Upon announcement, the "Booster Course Pass" received mixed reception from fans. Many disliked that additional content for a previous game was being prioritized over a new entry in the series, citing how it had been nearly eight years since Mario Kart 8 first released on the Wii U.[113][114] The graphics of the courses in the "Booster Course Pass" were also a point of contention, with some saying that they fell short of the standards set by Deluxe.[113]

A series of screenshots demonstrates the graphical differences between courses from the base game and the DLC. The left screenshot shows Donkey Kong on the Moo Moo Meadows stage from the base game, set on a sunset, with textured grass and a dirt road. The right screenshot shows Donkey Kong on the Shroom Ridge course from the DLC, nearing a cliff on a curved road in daylight. Donkey Kong is on a flat, asphalt road with a white stripe, with grass in front of him more brightly colored than the grass on Moo Moo Meadows.
The graphical differences between the base game courses (Moo Moo Meadows, left) and the courses in the "Booster Course Pass" (Shroom Ridge, a Wave 1 course, right) were a point of contention.

After release, critics were mixed—according to Metacritic, Waves 1 & 5 received "mixed or average reviews",[115][116][q] and Waves 2-4 & 6 received "generally favorable reviews".[117][118][119][120][r][s] Criticism focused on the graphics, which were lower in detail compared to courses from the main game.[121][122][123] Digital Foundry attributed this to the courses being built upon their versions from Mario Kart Tour.[122] On the other hand, many reviewers felt that the courses that originated in Tour were among the best gameplay-wise,[t] and Ninja Hideaway in particular was praised as a highlight of Wave 1.[u] Some courses in Wave 2 were lauded, with Nintendo Life calling Waluigi Pinball's graphics "stunning".[126] Another common criticism was that the earlier courses did not include Mario Kart 8's signature anti-gravity or underwater features.[v] GameSpot lamented how the "Booster Course Pass" initially only introduced new courses, rather than new characters or customization parts.[124] Nintendo Life praised the audio design, calling it "stellar"[126] and "a delight".[121] The addition of courses that vary every lap was praised by critics, with Nintendo Life wishing it would become a "mainstay" feature of the series.[126]

Accolades

[edit]

Readers and staff of Eurogamer voted Mario Kart 8 their game of the year,[127][128] and GameSpot gave it the award of "Best Wii U Game".[129] It was nominated for "Best Wii U Exclusive" in GameTrailers' 2014 Game of the Year Awards;[130] for "Best Game" in Giant Bomb's 2014 Game of the Year Awards;[131] and for "Overall Game of the Year" and "Wii U Retail Game of the Year" in Nintendo Life's Reader Awards 2014,[132] and it won both awards for both categories in their Staff Awards 2014.[133] It won "Game of the Year" by The Guardian.[134] In IGN's Best of 2014 Awards, it was nominated for "Best Multiplayer" and "Best Racing",[135][136] and won the award for "Best Wii U Game".[137]

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe also earned recognition at year-end awards in the 2017–2018 season. The game was nominated for "Best Switch Game" and "Best Remake/Remaster" in IGN's Best of 2017 Awards.[138][139] Destructoid nominated the game for its "Best Switch Game" in their Game of the Year Awards in 2017,[140] and the game was awarded "Old Game of the Year" at Giant Bomb's 2017 Game of the Year Awards.[141]

List of awards and nominations
Year Awards Category Nominee(s) Result Ref.
2014 British Academy Children's Awards Best Game Mario Kart 8 Won [142]
The Game Awards 2014 Best Family Game Mario Kart 8 Won [143]
Best Sports/Racing Game Mario Kart 8 Won
2015 18th Annual D.I.C.E. Awards Racing Game of the Year Mario Kart 8 Won [144]
11th British Academy Games Awards Best Game Mario Kart 8 Nominated [145]
Audio Achievement Mario Kart 8 Nominated
Family Game Mario Kart 8 Nominated
Multiplayer Game Mario Kart 8 Nominated
2015 Kids' Choice Awards Most Addicting Game Mario Kart 8 Nominated [146]
2017 Golden Joystick Awards Studio of the Year Nintendo EPD Won [147][148]
Nintendo Game of the Year Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Nominated
The Game Awards 2017 Best Family Game Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Nominated [149]
Best Multiplayer Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Nominated
2018 21st Annual D.I.C.E. Awards Racing Game of the Year Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Won [150]
2018 Kids' Choice Awards Favorite Video Game Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Nominated [151]

Sales

[edit]

In its first four days on sale, Mario Kart 8 became the fastest-selling Wii U game, with more than 1.2 million copies sold worldwide.[152] Within a month, it increased to 2.82 million.[153] As of September 2021, more than 8.46 million copies were sold worldwide, making it the best-selling Wii U game.[154][155] Based on the sales data, more than half of Wii U owners own a copy.[156] In the United Kingdom, shortly after the release of Mario Kart 8, week-on-week Wii U console sales rose 662%, with Mario Kart 8 bundles accounting for 82% of consoles sold.[157]

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe sold 459,000 copies in the United States on its launch day, making it the fastest-selling entry in the Mario Kart series, ahead of 2008's Mario Kart Wii by 25,000 units.[158] Roughly one year after launch, Deluxe had sold 9.22 million copies.[159] It surpassed Super Mario Odyssey as the best-selling game on the Nintendo Switch in 2019,[160] and Mario Kart Wii as the best-selling Mario Kart game in 2021.[161] Since its release in 2017, Deluxe has been a consistent top-selling game on the Nintendo Switch.[162][163][164][165][166] As of November 5, 2024, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe has sold 64.27 million units, making it one of the best-selling games of all time.[167]

Fan response

[edit]

"Luigi's death stare" is an Internet meme describing the automatic facial expression displayed by Luigi toward other characters upon attacking or passing them during a race, in which he gives them a disapproving glare. It was featured in several viral videos and animated GIFs,[168][169][170] and the phenomenon was covered by WNYW in early June 2014.[171][172] Nintendo referenced the meme in their E3 2014 digital event.[173] VentureBeat praised Nintendo's handling of the meme, noting that it was a "slick way" of acknowledging fan culture.[174] The meme was nominated for the Best Gaming Moment at the 32nd Golden Joystick Awards.[175]

Several mods have been created for Mario Kart 8 and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. In February 2022, a mod was created that added Kirby's Mouthful Mode car transformation (colloquially known as "Carby") from Kirby and the Forgotten Land as a selectable kart and character.[176][177] In June 2022, a mod was published that added Green Hill Zone from the Sonic the Hedgehog series as a course.[178][179]

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ a b Additional work by Bandai Namco Studios
  2. ^ a b c d e Deluxe only
  3. ^ Japanese: マリオカート8, Hepburn: Mario Kāto Eito
  4. ^ Japanese: マリオカート8 デラックス, Hepburn: Mario Kāto Eito Derakkusu
  5. ^ Splatoon characters are only featured in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe.
  6. ^ Supported by multiple sources:[77][78][79][80]
  7. ^ a b Score based on 82 reviews[110]
  8. ^ a b Score based on 95 reviews[111]
  9. ^ Supported by multiple sources:[94][96][95][101]
  10. ^ Supported by multiple sources:[19][6][26][3][22][21][16][18][17]
  11. ^ Supported by multiple sources:[9][20][22][21][5][16][18][8][17][4]
  12. ^ Supported by multiple sources:[19][27][3][8]
  13. ^ Supported by multiple sources:[22][97][26][27][17][7]
  14. ^ Supported by multiple sources:[19][16][18][27]
  15. ^ Supported by multiple sources:[20][22][21][16][8][17]
  16. ^ Supported by multiple sources:[6][97][27][18]
  17. ^ Score based on 10 reviews[115]
  18. ^ Score based on 7 reviews[117]
  19. ^ Score based on 7 reviews[118]
  20. ^ Supported by multiple sources:[124][121][125][123]
  21. ^ Supported by multiple sources:[121][23][125][123]
  22. ^ Supported by multiple sources:[122][121][23][123]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "NINTENDO REVEALS MARIO KART 8 LAUNCH DATE OF 31st MAY ON Wii U". nintendo.com.au. February 14, 2014. Archived from the original on February 23, 2014. Retrieved January 18, 2024.
  2. ^ "《马力欧卡丁车8 豪华版》3月16日正式发售 - 腾讯Nintendo Switch官网". www.nintendoswitch.com.cn. Retrieved May 3, 2024.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h Fahey, Mike (April 28, 2017). "Mario Kart 8 Deluxe: The Kotaku Review". Kotaku. Univision Communications. Archived from the original on June 7, 2022. Retrieved November 7, 2022.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h Williams, Mike (April 20, 2017). "Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Review". USgamer. Gamer Network. Archived from the original on August 4, 2020. Retrieved November 7, 2022.
  5. ^ a b c d e f Swalley, Kirstin (May 2, 2017). "Review: Mario Kart 8 Deluxe". Hardcore Gamer. DoubleJump Publishing. Archived from the original on March 17, 2020. Retrieved November 7, 2022.
  6. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Shea, Brian (April 20, 2017). "Mario Kart 8 Deluxe". Game Informer. GameStop. Archived from the original on July 8, 2017. Retrieved November 7, 2022.
  7. ^ a b c d Webber, Jordan Erica (April 20, 2017). "Mario Kart 8 Deluxe review: the best, most versatile game in the series". The Guardian. Archived from the original on September 20, 2020. Retrieved November 7, 2022.
  8. ^ a b c d e f g Mundy, Jon (April 24, 2017). "Mario Kart 8 Deluxe review – A kart racer with infinite variables". Pocket Gamer. Steel Media. Archived from the original on August 7, 2020. Retrieved November 7, 2022.
  9. ^ a b c d e f g h i Damiani, Michael (May 22, 2017). "Review: Mario Kart 8 Deluxe". Easy Allies. Archived from the original on September 24, 2021. Retrieved November 7, 2022.
  10. ^ a b "Discontinuation of Online Services for Nintendo 3DS and Wii U software". Nintendo Customer Support. Archived from the original on April 8, 2024. Retrieved October 9, 2023.
  11. ^ Rigg, Jamie (November 18, 2012). "Mario Kart 8 launching on Wii U in spring 2014 (video)". Engadget. Archived from the original on May 20, 2019. Retrieved June 13, 2013.
  12. ^ Wii U – Mario Kart 8 Direct April 30, 2014 on YouTube
  13. ^ Wii U – Mario Kart 8 – More New Features Trailer on YouTube
  14. ^ LeJacq, Yannick (July 14, 2014). "Watch Someone Use Mario Kart 8's Super Horn Like A Total Jerk". Kotaku. Archived from the original on January 1, 2023. Retrieved January 1, 2023.
  15. ^ Friend, Devin (February 11, 2022). "Mario Kart 8's Total Course Number Will Be Ridiculous". ScreenRant. Archived from the original on December 7, 2022. Retrieved December 7, 2022.
  16. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Otero, Jose (April 20, 2017). "Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Review". IGN. Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on April 22, 2021. Retrieved November 7, 2022.
  17. ^ a b c d e f g Watts, Steve (April 20, 2017). "Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Review: Switch Gears". Shacknews. Gamerhub. Archived from the original on March 25, 2020. Retrieved November 7, 2022.
  18. ^ a b c d e f g h Whitehead, Thomas (April 20, 2017). "Mario Kart 8 Deluxe for Nintendo Switch review". Nintendo Life. Hookshot Media. Archived from the original on April 21, 2017. Retrieved November 7, 2022.
  19. ^ a b c d e f g Schaefer, Emma (May 1, 2017). "Mario Kart 8 Deluxe review". Electronic Gaming Monthly. Archived from the original on September 19, 2021. Retrieved November 7, 2022.
  20. ^ a b c d e f g h Robinson, Martin (April 21, 2017). "Mario Kart 8 Deluxe review". Eurogamer. Gamer Network. Archived from the original on July 22, 2020. Retrieved November 7, 2022.
  21. ^ a b c d e f Schilling, Chris (April 20, 2017). "Mario Kart 8 Deluxe review". GamesRadar+. Future plc. Archived from the original on February 28, 2022. Retrieved November 7, 2022.
  22. ^ a b c d e f g Carter, Chris (April 20, 2017). "Mario Kart 8 Deluxe review". Destructoid. Gamurs. Archived from the original on April 21, 2017. Retrieved November 7, 2022.
  23. ^ a b c Andriessen, CJ (March 21, 2022). "Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Booster Course Pass Wave 1 reviewed and ranked". Destructoid. Gamurs. Archived from the original on October 8, 2022. Retrieved October 6, 2022.
  24. ^ "Mario Kart 8 Deluxe update finally makes Coconut Mall cars move". Eurogamer.net. August 4, 2022. Retrieved November 29, 2024.
  25. ^ Coulson, Josh (March 18, 2022). "Mario Kart Fans Aren't Happy With Coconut Mall's Escalators". TheGamer. Retrieved November 29, 2024.
  26. ^ a b c d e f g Plagge, Kallie (April 20, 2017). "Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Review". GameSpot. Red Ventures. Archived from the original on July 24, 2017. Retrieved November 7, 2022.
  27. ^ a b c d e f g h i "Mario Kart 8 Deluxe". GamesTM. No. 187. Future Publishing. May 2017. p. 68.
  28. ^ a b c d e Whitehead, Thomas (April 15, 2017). "Preview: Battle Mode is Back On Form in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe". Nintendo Life. Hookshot Media. Archived from the original on June 19, 2017. Retrieved November 9, 2022.
  29. ^ Greenwald, Will (April 21, 2017). "Mario Kart 8 Deluxe (for Nintendo Switch) Review". PCMag. Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on June 8, 2022. Retrieved November 15, 2022.
  30. ^ "It Looks as Though Namco Bandai Helped Out on Mario Kart 8". My Nintendo News. May 29, 2014. Archived from the original on July 5, 2014. Retrieved June 29, 2014.
  31. ^ Konno, Hideki. Wii U Developer Direct – Mario Kart 8 @E3 2013 (A/V stream). Archived from the original on November 18, 2021 – via YouTube.
  32. ^ "E3 2013: Nintendo's Hideki Konno Pulls Back The Curtain On 'Mario Kart 8′". MTV. June 17, 2013. Archived from the original on September 2, 2013. Retrieved September 7, 2013.
  33. ^ Edge staff (May 30, 2014). "Q&A: Nintendo's Kosuke Yabuki on the making of Mario Kart 8". Edge. Archived from the original on June 3, 2014. Retrieved November 26, 2022.
  34. ^ Parfitt, Ben (April 24, 2014). "Nintendo reveals exclusive Team Mario and Team Luigi Mario Kart 8 Wii U bundles | Games industry news". MCV UK. Archived from the original on April 28, 2014. Retrieved April 30, 2014.
  35. ^ Parfitt, Ben (April 30, 2014). "Free Wii U game offered with Mario Kart 8 | MCV". MCV UK. Archived from the original on May 3, 2014. Retrieved May 15, 2014.
  36. ^ "Get A Free Wii U Game For Buying And Registering Mario Kart 8". Siliconera. April 30, 2014. Archived from the original on May 4, 2014. Retrieved May 5, 2014.
  37. ^ a b Jenna Pitcher (August 6, 2014). "Mario Kart 8 Mercedes Car DLC Hits This Month With Update". ign.com. Ziff-Davis. Archived from the original on August 6, 2014. Retrieved August 6, 2014.
  38. ^ Karmali, Luke (May 29, 2014). "Mario Kart 8 Teaming up With Mercedes Japan For Free DLC". IGN. Archived from the original on May 29, 2014. Retrieved May 29, 2014.
  39. ^ "Mario Kart 8 Mercedes-Benz DLC Coming to North America, Europe". Gamespot. June 22, 2014. Archived from the original on June 27, 2014. Retrieved June 28, 2014.
  40. ^ Pereira, Chris (June 17, 2014). "Mario Kart 8 Toys to Come With McDonald's Happy Meals". GameSpot. Archived from the original on February 5, 2015. Retrieved April 1, 2015.
  41. ^ "Mario Kart 8 Soundtrack CD Club Nintendo Reward Powerslides Into View". Nintendo Life. July 27, 2015. Archived from the original on June 12, 2018. Retrieved June 7, 2018.
  42. ^ Adi Robertson (June 10, 2014). "Nintendo Amiibo brings real-world toys into 'Super Smash Bros.' and 'Mario Kart 8'". The Verge. Vox Media, Inc. Archived from the original on August 14, 2014. Retrieved August 6, 2014.
  43. ^ McWhertor, Michael (April 1, 2015). "Mario Kart 8 is getting a 200cc speed boost in a free update". Polygon. Archived from the original on November 21, 2022. Retrieved November 21, 2022.
  44. ^ Plunkett, Luke (August 26, 2014). "Zelda, Animal Crossing Coming to Mario Kart 8". Kotaku. Archived from the original on August 27, 2014. Retrieved August 26, 2014.
  45. ^ LeJacq, Yannick (August 27, 2014). "Now that's a Yoshi of a different color!". Kotaku. Archived from the original on August 29, 2014. Retrieved August 29, 2014.
  46. ^ "New Mario Kart 8 DLC is racing to your Wii U!". Nintendo.com. Archived from the original on December 8, 2014. Retrieved November 21, 2022.
  47. ^ "Wii U & Nintendo 3DS eShop Discontinuation". Nintendo Customer Support. Archived from the original on February 16, 2022. Retrieved October 9, 2023.
  48. ^ Wood, Anthony (March 3, 2023). "Nintendo Takes Wii U Versions of Mario Kart 8 and Splatoon Offline Over Security Issues". IGN. Archived from the original on August 16, 2024. Retrieved April 24, 2024.
  49. ^ Wood, Anthony (August 2, 2023). "Nintendo Restores Wii U Mario Kart 8 and Splatoon Online Play After 5-Month Absence". IGN. Retrieved April 24, 2024.
  50. ^ Dornbush, Jonathon (October 20, 2016). "What's New in Splatoon and Mario Kart for Nintendo Switch". IGN. Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on September 7, 2022. Retrieved November 9, 2022.
  51. ^ a b Williams, Mike (January 13, 2017). "Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Not A Switch Launch Game, Coming April 28". USgamer. Gamer Network. Archived from the original on July 29, 2022. Retrieved November 9, 2022.
  52. ^ a b Plagge, Kallie (January 12, 2017). "Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Confirmed for Nintendo Switch". GameSpot. Red Ventures. Archived from the original on September 7, 2022. Retrieved November 9, 2022.
  53. ^ McWhertor, Michael (July 19, 2018). "Mario Kart 8 Deluxe update adds Link from Breath of the Wild". Polygon. Vox Media. Archived from the original on October 20, 2022. Retrieved November 9, 2022.
  54. ^ Copeland, Wesley (January 13, 2017). "Nintendo Switch Steering Wheel Accessory Shown Off". IGN. Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on September 7, 2022. Retrieved November 9, 2022.
  55. ^ Whitehead, Thomas (March 10, 2017). "Video: Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Overview Trailer Shows Off Shine Thief and Lots of Footage". Nintendo Life. Hookshot Media. Archived from the original on December 24, 2017. Retrieved November 9, 2022.
  56. ^ Alexander, Julia (March 10, 2017). "Donkey Kong dabbing returns in new Mario Kart 8 Deluxe overview trailer". Polygon. Vox Media. Archived from the original on April 18, 2022. Retrieved November 9, 2022.
  57. ^ Frank, Allegra (May 18, 2017). "Mario Kart 8 Deluxe patch edits out obscene gesture". Polygon. Vox Media. Archived from the original on June 28, 2022. Retrieved November 8, 2022.
  58. ^ Knauer, Steve (May 18, 2017). "Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Patch Removes a Gesture That Means Something Different Outside of Japan". GameZone. Archived from the original on September 22, 2017. Retrieved November 8, 2022.
  59. ^ Phillips, Tom (May 18, 2017). "Mario Kart 8 Deluxe patched to remove offensive arm-clench gesture". Eurogamer. Gamer Network. Archived from the original on July 30, 2022. Retrieved November 8, 2022.
  60. ^ Plunkett, Luke (May 18, 2017). "Mario Kart Update Removes Offensive Gesture". Kotaku Australia. Allure Media. Archived from the original on November 11, 2018. Retrieved November 8, 2022.
  61. ^ Keefer, John (May 19, 2017). "Mario Kart 8 Deluxe 1.1 Patch Makes Inkling Girl Less Offensive". Shacknews. Gamerhub. Archived from the original on June 22, 2017. Retrieved November 8, 2022.
  62. ^ Nunneley-Jackson, Stephany (May 18, 2017). "Mario Kart 8 Deluxe update patches out Inkling Girl's victory gesture deemed offensive in some countries". VG247. Gamer Network. Archived from the original on November 8, 2022. Retrieved November 8, 2022.
  63. ^ Dayus, Oscar (May 18, 2017). "Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Update Removes Offensive Hand Gesture". GameSpot. Red Ventures. Archived from the original on September 7, 2022. Retrieved November 8, 2022.
  64. ^ Skrebels, Joe (May 18, 2017). "Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Patch Removes Offensive Gesture". IGN. Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on September 7, 2022. Retrieved November 8, 2022.
  65. ^ Van Boom, Daniel (June 28, 2018). "Mario Kart 8 Deluxe gets Nintendo Labo support". CNET. Red Ventures. Archived from the original on November 8, 2022. Retrieved November 8, 2022.
  66. ^ Kuchera, Ben (June 26, 2018). "Nintendo Labo's motorcycle controller now works with Mario Kart 8 Deluxe". Polygon. Vox Media. Archived from the original on April 18, 2022. Retrieved November 8, 2022.
  67. ^ Vincent, Brittany (June 25, 2018). "Jump Into Mario Kart 8 Deluxe With New Nintendo Labo Toy-Con Motorbike Functionality". Shacknews. Gamerhub. Archived from the original on November 27, 2020. Retrieved November 8, 2022.
  68. ^ Bankhurst, Adam (August 24, 2018). "Mario Kart 8 to be Compatible with New Nintendo Labo Kit". IGN. Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on April 6, 2022. Retrieved November 8, 2022.
  69. ^ Craddock, Ryan (August 24, 2018). "The Nintendo Labo Vehicle Kit Will Work With Mario Kart 8 Deluxe On Switch". Nintendo Life. Hookshot Media. Archived from the original on February 1, 2022. Retrieved November 8, 2022.
  70. ^ Wales, Matt (December 7, 2022). "Mario Kart 8 Deluxe gets custom items feature today in free update". Eurogamer. Archived from the original on December 7, 2022. Retrieved December 7, 2022.
  71. ^ Makuch, Eddie (December 7, 2022). "Mario Kart 8 Free Update Lets You Make A Race With Only Blue Shells". GameSpot. Archived from the original on December 7, 2022. Retrieved December 7, 2022.
  72. ^ a b Middler, Jordan (February 9, 2022). "Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Booster Course Pass announced". Video Games Chronicle. Gamer Network. Archived from the original on October 6, 2022. Retrieved October 6, 2022.
  73. ^ Plant, Logan (February 10, 2022). "Mario Kart 8 Has Over Half of the Tracks Ever Made for Mario Kart Series". IGN. Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on October 8, 2022. Retrieved October 7, 2022.
  74. ^ Gilliam, Ryan (March 17, 2022). "Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Booster Course Pass DLC starts this week". Polygon. Vox Media. Archived from the original on October 8, 2022. Retrieved October 6, 2022.
  75. ^ Guisao, Jason (July 28, 2022). "Mario Kart 8 Deluxe – Booster Course Pass Wave 2 Races Into Action Next Month". Game Informer. GameStop. Archived from the original on October 10, 2022. Retrieved October 7, 2022.
  76. ^ Zollner, Amelia (July 28, 2022). "Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Booster Course Wave 2 Includes a Brand New Track". IGN. Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on October 9, 2022. Retrieved October 6, 2022.
  77. ^ a b Bailey, Dustin (August 4, 2022). "Mario Kart 8 Deluxe's Coconut Mall gets fixed, and now it's better than the original". GamesRadar+. Future plc. Archived from the original on October 19, 2022. Retrieved October 19, 2022.
  78. ^ McWhertor, Michael (August 4, 2022). "New Mario Kart 8 DLC fixes Coconut Mall's stalled Shy Guys". Polygon. Vox Media. Archived from the original on October 22, 2022. Retrieved October 19, 2022.
  79. ^ Bechara, Diego Ramos (August 5, 2022). "Mario Kart 8's Coconut Mall Track Got a Wild Update, And the Internet Is Taking Notice". IGN. Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on October 19, 2022. Retrieved October 6, 2022.
  80. ^ Hagues, Alana (August 4, 2022). "Random: Rejoice! Mario Kart 8 Deluxe's Coconut Mall Has Been 'Fixed'". Nintendo Life. Hookshot Media. Archived from the original on October 19, 2022. Retrieved October 19, 2022.
  81. ^ Hagues, Alana (September 13, 2022). "Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Booster Course Pass Wave 3 Will Launch This Holiday". Nintendo Life. Hookshot Media. Archived from the original on October 14, 2022. Retrieved October 6, 2022.
  82. ^ Reynolds, Ollie (November 21, 2022). "Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Booster Course Pass Wave 3 Launches Next Month". Nintendo Life. Hookshot Media. Archived from the original on November 21, 2022. Retrieved November 21, 2022.
  83. ^ "Nintendo of America on Twitter". Twitter. Retrieved February 9, 2023.
  84. ^ Norman, Jim (March 2, 2023). "Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Booster Course Pass Wave 4 Launches Next Week". Nintendo Life. Hookshot Media. Archived from the original on March 2, 2023. Retrieved March 2, 2023.
  85. ^ a b Plant, Logan (June 21, 2023). "Petey Piranha, Wiggler, and Kamek Are Coming to Mario Kart 8 Deluxe". IGN. Archived from the original on August 16, 2024. Retrieved June 23, 2023.
  86. ^ "Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Booster Course Pass Wave 5 Arrives Next Week". Nintendo Life. July 6, 2023. Archived from the original on August 16, 2024. Retrieved July 6, 2023.
  87. ^ "Mario Kart 8 Deluxe 'Booster Course Pass' Wave 6 launches November 9". Gematsu. November 1, 2023. Archived from the original on August 16, 2024. Retrieved November 1, 2023.
  88. ^ "Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Booster Course Pass Wave 6 DLC Launches Soon". GameSpot. Archived from the original on August 16, 2024. Retrieved November 1, 2023.
  89. ^ Doolan, Liam (February 8, 2023). "Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Adds Yoshi's Island & Birdo This Spring". Nintendo Life. Hookshot Media. Archived from the original on February 9, 2023. Retrieved February 9, 2023.
  90. ^ "Mario kart 8 Deluxe Booster Course Pass Wave 4 coming Spring 2023, includes Birdo". GoNintendo. February 8, 2023. Archived from the original on February 9, 2023. Retrieved February 9, 2023.
  91. ^ Mario Kart 8 Deluxe - Booster Course Pass Wave 6 - Nintendo Switch 9.14.2023, archived from the original on September 14, 2023, retrieved September 14, 2023
  92. ^ "Mario Kart 8 review". Destructoid. Archived from the original on May 15, 2014. Retrieved May 15, 2014.
  93. ^ Fitch, Andrew (May 16, 2014). "Mario Kart 8 review". Electronic Gaming Monthly. Archived from the original on October 1, 2020. Retrieved August 6, 2020.
  94. ^ a b c d Parkin, Simon (May 15, 2014). "Mario Kart 8 review". Eurogamer. Archived from the original on May 17, 2014. Retrieved May 15, 2014.
  95. ^ a b "Another Great Lap – Mario Kart 8 – Wii U". GameInformer. May 15, 2014. Archived from the original on May 16, 2014. Retrieved May 15, 2014.
  96. ^ a b Bischoff, Daniel (May 15, 2014). "Mario Kart 8 Review". Game Revolution. Archived from the original on April 14, 2021. Retrieved August 6, 2020.
  97. ^ a b c d e f Vacheron, Griffin (April 20, 2017). "Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Review". GameRevolution. CraveOnline. Archived from the original on August 5, 2020. Retrieved November 7, 2022.
  98. ^ McShea, Tom (May 15, 2014). "Mario Kart 8 Review". GameSpot. Archived from the original on May 15, 2014. Retrieved May 24, 2014.
  99. ^ Towell on May 15, 2014, Justin (February 13, 2014). "Mario Kart 8 review". GamesRadar. Archived from the original on May 15, 2014. Retrieved May 15, 2014.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  100. ^ "Mario Kart 8". GamesTM. No. 148. Future Publishing. June 2014. p. 97.
  101. ^ a b c Navarro, Alex (May 15, 2014). "Mario Kart 8 Review". Giant Bomb. Archived from the original on June 19, 2014. Retrieved June 26, 2014.
  102. ^ Creegan, Dermot (June 4, 2014). "Review: Mario Kart 8". Hardcore Gamer. Archived from the original on August 7, 2020. Retrieved August 6, 2020.
  103. ^ "Mario Kart 8 Review". IGN. Ziff Davis. May 15, 2014. Archived from the original on November 9, 2022. Retrieved November 23, 2022.
  104. ^ Whitehead, Thomas (May 15, 2014). "Mario Kart 8 2014". Nintendo Life. Archived from the original on August 7, 2020. Retrieved August 6, 2020.
  105. ^ Watts, Steve (May 15, 2014). "Mario Kart 8 review: up to speed". Shacknews. Archived from the original on August 13, 2020. Retrieved August 6, 2020.
  106. ^ Stanton, Rick (May 16, 2014). "Mario Kart 8 review – the best drive ever?". The Guardian. Archived from the original on May 24, 2020. Retrieved August 6, 2020.
  107. ^ Williams, Mike (May 16, 2014). "Mario Kart 8 Wii U Review: Where We're Going, We Don't Need Gravity". USgamer. Archived from the original on August 3, 2020. Retrieved August 6, 2020.
  108. ^ Grubb, Jeff (May 15, 2014). "Mario Kart 8 is beautiful, fast, and missing something (review)". VentureBeat. Archived from the original on October 25, 2020. Retrieved August 7, 2020.
  109. ^ a b Minotti, Mike (April 20, 2017). "Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is Nintendo's master class on releasing an older game". VentureBeat. Archived from the original on August 12, 2020. Retrieved November 7, 2022.
  110. ^ a b c "Mario Kart 8 for Wii U Reviews". Metacritic. Archived from the original on November 12, 2020. Retrieved August 30, 2014.
  111. ^ a b c "Mario Kart 8 Deluxe for Switch reviews". Metacritic. Fandom, Inc. Archived from the original on April 28, 2017. Retrieved November 7, 2022.
  112. ^ Linneman, John (May 24, 2014). "Digital Foundry vs. Mario Kart 8: Mario & All-Stars Racing Refined". Digital Foundry. Eurogamer. Archived from the original on May 25, 2014. Retrieved May 24, 2014.
  113. ^ a b Young, Georgina; Jones, Ali (February 10, 2022). "Mario Kart 8 Booster Course Pass has split fans' opinions". GamesRadar+. Future plc. Archived from the original on October 7, 2022. Retrieved October 7, 2022.
  114. ^ Wald, Heather; West, Josh (February 9, 2022). "Nintendo doesn't need Mario Kart 9 when Deluxe is still such a good time". GamesRadar+. Future plc. Archived from the original on October 10, 2022. Retrieved October 7, 2022.
  115. ^ a b "Mario Kart 8 Deluxe: Booster Course Pass – Wave 1". Metacritic. Fandom. Archived from the original on October 6, 2022. Retrieved October 6, 2022.
  116. ^ "Mario Kart 8 Deluxe: Booster Course Pass - Wave 5". www.metacritic.com. Retrieved November 29, 2023.
  117. ^ a b "Mario Kart 8 Deluxe: Booster Course Pass – Wave 2". Metacritic. Fandom. Archived from the original on October 6, 2022. Retrieved October 6, 2022.
  118. ^ a b "Mario Kart 8 Deluxe: Booster Course Pass - Wave 3". Metacritic. Archived from the original on May 11, 2023. Retrieved March 9, 2023.
  119. ^ "Mario Kart 8 Deluxe: Booster Course Pass - Wave 4". www.metacritic.com. Archived from the original on December 1, 2023. Retrieved November 29, 2023.
  120. ^ "Mario Kart 8 Deluxe: Booster Course Pass - Wave 6". www.metacritic.com. Archived from the original on August 16, 2024. Retrieved November 29, 2023.
  121. ^ a b c d e Whitehead, Thomas (March 18, 2022). "Review: Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Booster Course Pass Wave 1 - A 'Safe' Start To The 48-Track DLC Pack". Nintendo Life. Hookshot Media. Archived from the original on October 9, 2022. Retrieved October 6, 2022.
  122. ^ a b c Mackenzie, Oliver (August 17, 2022). "Mario Kart 8's new Booster Course Pass tracks betray their mobile origins". Eurogamer. Gamer Network. Archived from the original on October 9, 2022. Retrieved October 6, 2022.
  123. ^ a b c d Flynn, Neil (March 20, 2022). "Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Booster Course Pass – Wave 1 (Nintendo Switch) Review". Cubed3. Archived from the original on October 19, 2022. Retrieved October 19, 2022.
  124. ^ a b Watts, Steve (March 21, 2022). "Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Booster Pass Wave 1 Review". GameSpot. Fandom. Archived from the original on October 6, 2022. Retrieved October 6, 2022.
  125. ^ a b Flynn, Neil (June 8, 2022). "Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Booster Course Pass – Wave 2 (Nintendo Switch) Review". Cubed3. Archived from the original on October 7, 2022. Retrieved October 6, 2022.
  126. ^ a b c Reynolds, Ollie (August 4, 2022). "Review: Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Booster Course Pass Wave 2 – Harmless Fun, But More 'B-Side Filler'". Nintendo Life. Hookshot Media. Archived from the original on October 9, 2022. Retrieved October 6, 2022.
  127. ^ Eurogamer staff (January 1, 2015). "Eurogamer's Game of the Year 2014". Eurogamer. Archived from the original on December 14, 2014. Retrieved August 7, 2020.
  128. ^ Robinson, Martin (December 22, 2015). "Reader's top 50 games of 2014". Eurogamer. Gamer Network. Archived from the original on January 3, 2015. Retrieved August 7, 2020.
  129. ^ GameSpot Staff (December 13, 2014). "Mario Kart 8 – Wii U Game of the Year". GameSpot. Archived from the original on December 14, 2014. Retrieved August 7, 2020.
  130. ^ GameTrailers (July 19, 2016). Game of the Year Awards 2014 – Best Wii U Exclusive. Archived from the original on November 18, 2021. Retrieved March 4, 2018 – via YouTube.
  131. ^ Game Bomb Staff (December 30, 2014). "Giant Bomb's 2014 Game of the Year Awards: Day Five Text Recap". Giant Bomb. CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on December 31, 2014. Retrieved December 31, 2014.
  132. ^ Whitehead, Thomas (December 25, 2014). "Game of the Year: Nintendo Life's Reader Awards 2014". Nintendo Life. Archived from the original on December 26, 2014. Retrieved August 7, 2020.
  133. ^ Whitehead, Thomas (December 24, 2014). "Game of the Year: Nintendo Life's Staff Awards 2014". Nintendo Life. Archived from the original on December 24, 2014. Retrieved August 7, 2020.
  134. ^ Stuart, Keith (December 19, 2014). "The 25 best video games of 2014". The Guardian. Archived from the original on December 22, 2014. Retrieved August 7, 2020.
  135. ^ "Super Smash Bros. for Wii U". IGN. January 13, 2015. Archived from the original on January 13, 2015. Retrieved January 13, 2015.
  136. ^ "Forza Horizon 2". IGN. January 13, 2015. Archived from the original on January 13, 2015. Retrieved January 13, 2015.
  137. ^ "Mario Kart 8". IGN. January 13, 2015. Archived from the original on January 13, 2015. Retrieved January 13, 2015.
  138. ^ "Best of 2017 Awards: Best Switch Game". IGN. Ziff Davis. December 20, 2017. Archived from the original on December 5, 2017. Retrieved January 19, 2018.
  139. ^ "Best of 2017 Awards: Best Remake/Remaster". IGN. Ziff Davis. December 20, 2017. Archived from the original on January 8, 2018. Retrieved January 19, 2018.
  140. ^ Valdez, Nick (December 14, 2017). "Nominees for Destructoid's Best Switch Game of 2017". Destructoid. Gamurs. Archived from the original on May 2, 2018. Retrieved January 19, 2018.
  141. ^ Giant Bomb staff (December 25, 2017). "Game of the Year 2017 Day One: Old, Disappointing, Shopkeepers, and Looks". Giant Bomb. Red Ventures. Archived from the original on December 26, 2017. Retrieved August 7, 2020.
  142. ^ "2014 Children's Game". BAFTA. Archived from the original on November 24, 2014. Retrieved November 24, 2014.
  143. ^ Kain, Erik (December 6, 2014). "All The Winners of the 2014 Game Awards". Forbes. Archived from the original on December 14, 2014. Retrieved December 11, 2014.
  144. ^ Whitehead, Thomas (February 6, 2015). "Nintendo Picks Up Three Gongs at the D.I.C.E. Awards". Nintendo Life. Archived from the original on February 6, 2015. Retrieved February 6, 2015.
  145. ^ "Games in 2015". BAFTA. February 10, 2015. Archived from the original on February 12, 2015. Retrieved April 7, 2015.
  146. ^ Macatee, Rebecca (February 20, 2015). "2015 Nickelodeon's Kids' Choice Awards Honor Nick Jonas, Meryl Streep: See the Complete List of Nominees!". E!. Archived from the original on November 16, 2016. Retrieved February 23, 2015.
  147. ^ Gaito, Eri (November 13, 2017). "Golden Joystick Awards 2017 Nominees". Best in Slot. Archived from the original on January 10, 2018. Retrieved January 19, 2018.
  148. ^ Weber, Rachel (November 17, 2017). "The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild scores big at the 35th Golden Joystick Awards presented with OMEN by HP". GamesRadar+. Future plc. Archived from the original on November 17, 2017. Retrieved January 19, 2018.
  149. ^ Makuch, Eddie (December 8, 2017). "The Game Awards 2017 Winners Headlined By Zelda: Breath Of The Wild's Game Of The Year". GameSpot. Red Ventures. Archived from the original on December 9, 2017. Retrieved January 19, 2018.
  150. ^ Makuch, Eddie (February 22, 2022). "Legend Of Zelda: Breath Of The Wild Wins Game Of The Year At DICE Awards". GameSpot. Red Ventures. Archived from the original on February 23, 2018. Retrieved February 23, 2018.
  151. ^ Drysdale, Jennifer (March 24, 2018). "2018 Kids' Choice Awards: The Complete Winners List". Entertainment Tonight. CBS Media Ventures. Archived from the original on March 25, 2018. Retrieved March 15, 2018.
  152. ^ Yin-Poole, Wesley (June 3, 2014). "Mario Kart 8 off to a great start". Eurogamer. Gamer Network. Archived from the original on June 6, 2014. Retrieved June 3, 2014.
  153. ^ "Nintendo Earnings Q1 2014" (PDF). Nintendo Co., Ltd. Archived (PDF) from the original on August 8, 2014. Retrieved July 30, 2014.
  154. ^ "Top Selling Software Sales Units – Nintendo Wii U Software". Nintendo. Archived from the original on October 28, 2015. Retrieved November 4, 2021.
  155. ^ McFerran, Damien (October 26, 2016). "Mario Kart 8 Has Now Sold 8 Million Units Worldwide". Nintendo Life. Archived from the original on October 27, 2016. Retrieved October 28, 2016.
  156. ^ Webster, Andrew (April 21, 2017). "The 7 best things about Mario Kart 8 Deluxe". The Verge. Archived from the original on April 11, 2020. Retrieved April 3, 2020.
  157. ^ Ivan, Tom (June 2, 2014). "Mario Kart 8 boosts UK Wii U hardware sales 666%". Computer and Video Games. Archived from the original on June 2, 2014. Retrieved June 2, 2014.
  158. ^ Dornbush, Jonathon (May 1, 2017). "Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Nintendo Switch Launch Sales Announced". IGN. Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on September 7, 2022. Retrieved November 9, 2022.
  159. ^ Oxford, Nadia (April 26, 2018). "Switch Sales Near 18 Million, with Mario Odyssey and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe the Most Popular Titles". USgamer. Gamer Network. Archived from the original on July 29, 2022. Retrieved November 9, 2022.
  160. ^ Craddock, Ryan (April 25, 2019). "Here Are The Top Ten Best-Selling Nintendo Switch Games As Of March 2019". Nintendo Life. Hookshot Media. Archived from the original on November 29, 2021. Retrieved November 9, 2022.
  161. ^ Robinson, Andy (November 4, 2021). "8 Deluxe is officially the best-selling Mario Kart ever". Video Games Chronicle. Gamer Network. Archived from the original on October 25, 2022. Retrieved November 9, 2022.
  162. ^ Bankhurst, Adam (January 30, 2020). "Nintendo Switch Sales Cross 50 Million, Pokémon Sword and Shield Sales Pass 16 Million". IGN. Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on August 25, 2022. Retrieved November 9, 2022.
  163. ^ Bankhurst, Adam (February 1, 2021). "Nintendo Switch Console Sales Have Passed 3DS, Animal Crossing: New Horizons Has Sold 31 Million Copies". IGN. Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on September 7, 2022. Retrieved November 9, 2022.
  164. ^ Grubb, Jeff (May 6, 2021). "Nintendo sold 10.6 million copies of Mario Kart 8 Deluxe last year". VentureBeat. Archived from the original on November 7, 2022. Retrieved November 9, 2022.
  165. ^ Fanelli, Jason (May 10, 2022). "Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Passes 45 Million Units Sold, Remains Best-Selling Switch Game Ever". GameSpot. Red Ventures. Archived from the original on September 14, 2022. Retrieved November 9, 2022.
  166. ^ Batchelor, James (August 3, 2022). "Nintendo Q1 sales fall 4.7% to $2.3bn, Switch sales down 23%". GamesIndustry.biz. Gamer Network. Archived from the original on August 5, 2022. Retrieved November 9, 2022.
  167. ^ Yin-Poole, Wesley (November 5, 2024). "Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Continues to Sell Millions, So Will Nintendo Release Mario Kart 9 for Switch 2?". IGN. Retrieved November 6, 2024.
  168. ^ Hooton, Christopher (June 2, 2014). "Luigi's 'death stare' will instantly make you want to buy Mario Kart 8". The Independent. Archived from the original on June 6, 2014. Retrieved June 8, 2014.
  169. ^ Corriera, Alexa Ray (June 2, 2014). "Luigi isn't playing games with his 'death stare' in Mario Kart 8". Polygon. Archived from the original on June 5, 2014. Retrieved June 6, 2014.
  170. ^ Purcell, Patrick (June 7, 2014). "Luigi's death stare from Mario Kart 8 – our video guide to the best memes and gifs". Mirror. Archived from the original on June 8, 2014. Retrieved June 8, 2014.
  171. ^ Plunkett, Luke (June 4, 2014). "Luigi's Death Stare Makes TV News". Kotaku UK. Archived from the original on June 6, 2014. Retrieved June 6, 2014.
  172. ^ McFerran, Damien (June 4, 2014). "Weirdness: Luigi's Mario Kart 8 'Death Stare' Is Deemed Noteworthy By Fox News". Nintendo Life. Archived from the original on June 6, 2014. Retrieved June 8, 2014.
  173. ^ LeJacq, Yannick (June 10, 2014). "Luigi's Death Stare Made A Cameo in Nintendo's E3 Address". Kotaku. Univision Communications. Archived from the original on June 13, 2014. Retrieved June 17, 2014.
  174. ^ Grubb, Jeffery (June 12, 2014). "How Nintendo used the Luigi Death Stare without ruining fans' fun". VentureBeat. Archived from the original on June 17, 2014. Retrieved June 18, 2014.
  175. ^ Reynolds, Matthew (September 24, 2014). "Golden Joystick Awards 2014 public voting now open". DigitalSpy.com. Archived from the original on September 2, 2018. Retrieved September 1, 2018.
  176. ^ Zwiezen, Zack (February 12, 2022). "Someone Already Modded Carby Into Mario Kart 8". Kotaku. G/O Media. Archived from the original on September 24, 2022. Retrieved November 14, 2022.
  177. ^ Bellingham, Hope (February 14, 2022). "This is not a drill, car Kirby has been modded into Mario Kart 8". GamesRadar+. Future plc. Archived from the original on March 11, 2022. Retrieved November 14, 2022.
  178. ^ Reynolds, Ollie (June 15, 2022). "Random: Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Mod Adds Awesome Sonic 'Green Hill Zone' Course". Nintendo Life. Hookshot Media. Archived from the original on July 7, 2022. Retrieved November 14, 2022.
  179. ^ Morrow, Emily (June 15, 2022). "Modder creates epic Green Hill Zone track in Mario Kart 8". Dot Esports. Gamurs. Archived from the original on November 14, 2022. Retrieved November 14, 2022.
[edit]