News Articles
Sunday27th Apr 2014
News Nintendo To Market Mario Kart 8 Through The End Of The Year
Year of the Mario Kart
Nintendo UK has announced that the company's marketing campaign for Mario Kart 8 will run throughout the remainder of this year. A social media programme is already underway, which is designed to evoke old-school Mario Kart nostalgia; this will lead up to TV and online marketing campaigns that will launch when the game is...
Thursday24th Apr 2014
News Amazon Comes in Low With Mario Kart 8 Wii U Bundle Price, Awesome GamePad Skins on the Way
Nintendo UK store has impressive Mario Kart 8 bundles, too
You may have already seen the news that Nintendo of Europe has confirmed the Mario Kart 8 Premium Pack – Special Edition Wii U Hardware Bundle for the region, and we expect that a North American announcement is just a matter of time. As anticipated it's a 32GB system with a disc copy of...
News Nintendo Confirms The Mario Kart 8 Premium Pack – Special Edition Wii U Hardware Bundle
Peach and Yoshi Wii Remote Plus controllers coming to Europe, too
Update: Nintendo of Australia has now confirmed the Mario Kart 8 Premium Pack – Special Edition bundle, with the same details; it's stated the recommended retail price in the region will be AU$429.95. Original Article: Not so long ago there was a rumour of a Mario Kart 8 Wii U...
Wednesday16th Apr 2014
Video Here's a Comparison of Mario Kart's Donut Plains 3 from SNES to Wii U
Generations apart
Comparison videos of retro tracks in Mario Kart 8 are certainly doing the rounds at the moment, and popular YouTube channel GameXplain has created a nifty split-screen video comparing the classic Super Mario Kart track Donut Plains 3 to its reimagining in the upcoming Wii U title. Check it out below: [ Nintendo EAD and its...
Rumour Mario Kart 8 Wii U Hardware Bundle On The Way
Seems feasible, salt on standby
Update: We've been advised by Nintendo that it has "nothing to announce at this time" regarding this rumour. You can take that to mean whatever you want, but that's the line we've been given. Original Article: We do enjoy juicy console bundle rumours here at Nintendo Life — the sensible ones, at least. A fresh...
News Nintendo Confirms Five Games That'll be Playable at WonderCon
If you're in California, play some Mario Kart 8 this weekend
We're getting into the season of expos now, and Nintendo of America has confirmed its attendance at WonderCon, which takes place this weekend (18th-20th April) in Anaheim, California. The big N will have five games on show, including those recently released and on the way soon; one is a...
Tuesday15th Apr 2014
Weirdness Now You Can Transform Your GamePad Into A Racing Wheel
Well, why not?
With Mario Kart 8 on the way, it should come as no great surprise to see peripheral makers attempt to capitalize on the renewed interest in racing titles, but Japanese firm CyberGadget has come up with the most unusual idea yet. Its Handle Stand fixes to your desk and allows you to clamp the GamePad in place, effectively turning it...
Tuesday8th Apr 2014
News Nintendo Releases An Awesome Mario Kart Infographic
Sorry arcade titles, you're out
With the release of Mario Kart 8 on Wii U preoccupying many minds ahead of 30th May, Nintendo is taking every opportunity to raise awareness and hype. Is there a better way to do this than with a fancy infographic? No, no there isn't. The infographic below shows the eight main series entries to date, spurning the...
Friday4th Apr 2014
Video Check Out The Mario Kart 8 Visual Upgrade in This Retro Track Comparison
It's never looked this good
This week has brought us a flurry of activity relating to Mario Kart 8, with information emerging and a host of previews arriving online, including our own. One area that's been agreed upon across most outlets is that Nintendo's upcoming racer is a visual treat, utilising the hardware and terrific art design to great...
Thursday3rd Apr 2014
News Hideki Konno Emphasizes That Mario Kart 8 Balancing Means It's Not All About Luck
Promises that the new Rainbow Road is "spectacular"
As this is Mario Kart 8 day, or so it seems, there are some more snippets emerging from a GDC (Game Developers Conference) group interview held by game producer Hideki Konno in March. We've already heard details on why a custom track creator hasn't been included, and
Video Nintendo Minute Shows Off Two Courses in Mario Kart 8
Sweet Sweet Canyon and Toad's Turnpike in full
Today's certainly Mario Kart 8 day, with some new details emerging, while we've shared our — rather positive — opinions on the latest build in our own extensive preview; that article also includes a gorgeous new trailer. It's safe to say that some who weren't paying attention to the upcoming Wii U...
News Mario Kart 8 Producer Explains The Absence of a Custom Track Creator
"We'll come back to that issue and maybe re-address it"
With Mario Kart 8's arrival creeping agonisingly close, Nintendo has lifted the lid on more details and removed embargoes on a fair bit of information. One set of details is actually from last month's GDC (Game Developers Conference) in San Francisco, with quotes from a round table interview...
Monday24th Mar 2014
Video Nintendo Approves of this Mario Kart Song
For the First Time in Forever, for you Frozen fans
It's a well-known fact that, aside from the occasional multi-platform game that many will happily ignore, Mario Kart 8's 30th May arrival is the closest major release for the Wii U. One consolation is that there is an enticing line-up of eShop games, but retail titles can still arguably get the...
Saturday22nd Mar 2014
News The Wait for Mario Kart 8 Is Filled With Sunshine in This Week's Course Update
More goodness flies into view
In recent weeks Nintendo — through social network accounts including its Wii U UK Facebook page — has been teasing out additional courses for the upcoming Mario Kart 8. As a result it's become a slightly unexpected weekend routine of skimming the previous seven days to see what new tracks are on show, and the happy...
Thursday20th Mar 2014
News Hori is Bringing Some Awesome Mario Kart 8 GamePad Skins and Mario & Luigi Wheels to Japan
We'll take them in the West, thanks
The release of Mario Kart 8 has already served up some promising pre-order choices in Europe and — to a lesser extent — in Japan. Now Hori is stepping in with some accessories in Nintendo's homeland, and we want them all. As you can see in the images below, Mario and
News Real-Life Mario Kart Event Brings a Community Together in Japan
Not a blue shell in sight!
The streets of Shibuya, Tokyo were transformed into a Mushroom Kingdom speedway last weekend, as a group of kart-drivers in full costume got together for a multiplayer session not to be forgotten. The event was organised by the members of Tokyo Gaijins, a Japan-based community group dedicated to bringing overseas and...
Wednesday19th Mar 2014
News Super Mario Kart Record Holder Sami Cetin Gives Some Tips and Hits the Track in Mario Kart 8
Niece and world champion Leyla Hasso takes him on
For the vast majority of Wii U owners, we suspect the 30th May release of Mario Kart 8 is a major event on their gaming calendars. It's a franchise that has consistently delivered success for Nintendo, with the most recent iterations uniting experienced gamers and enthusiastic newcomers in some...
Monday17th Mar 2014
News Mario Kart 8 Pre-Orders from Amazon Japan Get Sweet Mario or Rosalina Playing Cards
Full of win
With Mario Kart 8's release slowly creeping closer, Nintendo is gradually stepping up its pre-order marketing for multiple regions. Nintendo of Europe was first out of the gate with its Limited Edition software bundle, which includes a Spiny trophy along with the game, while the UK also has various offerings that include wheel...
Sunday16th Mar 2014
News Here Are Two More Mario Kart 8 Courses to Enjoy
The start line approaches
Earlier this month we shared five Mario Kart 8 courses shared by Nintendo in the form of rather presentable screenshots. We'd hoped it would be the start of a gradual reveal of many more of the upcoming tracks, yet our waiting has been rewarded with just two additional courses; the reveals stopped on 7th March. Rather than...
Friday14th Mar 2014
News Super Mario Kart Drifts Onto Aussie Wii U Virtual Console on 28th March
Mario Kart 8 discount promotion included
Following the original Nintendo of Europe announcement, Nintendo Australia has now confirmed that Super Mario Kart will also be released on the Aussie Wii U Virtual Console on 28th March. To celebrate the upcoming release of Mario Kart 8 and the VC version of the classic Super Nintendo game that started it...
News Nintendo Australia Announces Attendance At 2014 Oz Comic-Con
Start your engines!
It’s been an excellent period for Australian Nintendo fans recently. Over the past number of months the Aussie Club Nintendo catalogue has received regular updates - with yet another item being made available just earlier - and just yesterday, Nintendo Australia announced the launch of the long overdue
Friday7th Mar 2014
News This Is What The Box Art For Mario Golf: World Tour On The 3DS Looks Like
No bogey
Although video game box art is slowly becoming a relic of the past thanks to the rise of digital distribution, there’s nothing better than the reveal of a fresh new one for the latest game, on the latest Nintendo system. In recent times we’ve seen the admirable Mario Kart 8 for the Wii U and the delightfully nostalgic cover art for the...
Thursday6th Mar 2014
News Nintendo of Europe Confirms Mario Kart 8 Limited Edition Software Bundle
The Spiny Shell is back
With Mario Kart 8 set to be a major release for the Wii U on 30th May, Nintendo of Europe has now started its engines on building hype and encouraging pre-orders. Having confirmed Super Mario Kart for the Wii U Virtual Console, along with a tempting eShop discount, it's also outlined physical retail options to tempt you to...
Tuesday4th Mar 2014
News Let's Gaze With Admiration At Five New Courses for Mario Kart 8
Flipping it around
Considering the notable success of its predecessor and the fact that we've thoroughly enjoyed our limited hands-on time with it so far, there's little doubt that current and prospective owners Wii U are keeping a close eye on Mario Kart 8. Much is yet to be revealed — such as the online and multiplayer modes, the potential...
News Special Mario Kart 8 Event Racing Towards SXSW on 7th March
Nintendo of America and Pennzoil strike a deal
Has there ever been a series that so perfectly captures the mayhem of racing games like everyone’s favourite plumber and his red shell collection? The short answer is arguably no, and this May will see Nintendo’s front man return to the track in Mario Kart 8. All new racers, all new tracks, all new...
Thursday27th Feb 2014
Because we all need more plastic accessories, right?
Remember the Wii Wheel? It’s a plastic peripheral that some would rather forget, and others will have fonder memories of. Despite mixed reactions, the wheel was ultimately an integral part of the Mario Kart experience on the Wii. Nintendo strongly marketed the product offering a new way to play,...
Tuesday25th Feb 2014
News Pre-orders for Mario Kart Ride-on Available at Toys 'R Us in the United States
Comes with a 100,000-mile or 1-Blue Shell warranty
Remember that sweet-looking Mario Kart ride-on we reported was coming to the UK later this year? Turns out Toys 'R Us customers in the United States can already put money down on the same set of wheels. Pre-orders for the Super Mario Kart Ride-on are currently open at the Toys 'R Us website. The 6V...
Saturday22nd Feb 2014
Weirdness Here's Some Olympic Speed Skating, Mario Kart Style
Can we start the petition for a 2018 inclusion?
The heat of competition burns at your pounding heart, rivulets of sweat drip down your brow but you can't afford even a second to wipe it away. Your pulse marks each passing second, the weight of the world gathers on your weary shoulders and as the finish line comes into sight, you know the true...
Thursday20th Feb 2014
News Mario Kart Ride-on Racing into the UK Later this Year
"Billy, why'd you peel all the bananas?"
Let's admit it: some things just feel wasted on the young. With Nintendo stating its desire to increase its IP licensing, those of us who are adults can at least get away with buying the new plushies and figures and such that will come of this. But a licensed replica of Mario's very own Mario Kart as a...
Saturday15th Feb 2014
News Mario Kart 8 Accelerates to Number One on Amazon Japan
Top 10 in the UK
After confirming a May release in late January, Nintendo used its latest Direct broadcasts to announce that Mario Kart 8 will arrive on 30th May in North America and Europe, with it arriving one day earlier in Japan. That official date has seen retailers start to open pre-orders, and Nintendo is no doubt watching to see whether the...
