Overview

Number of Players
4 (12 Player Online)
Genre
Release Date

Wii U

  • US 30th May 2014
  • EU 30th May 2014
  • JP 29th May 2014
Series
Tags
Controller Support
Feature Support

Reviews

  • Review Mario Kart 8 (Wii U)

    8th Wonder of the World

    Since the Super NES every Nintendo system — apart from the Game Boy Color and the doomed Virtual Boy — has been boosted by an entry in the iconic Mario Kart series. Despite its drastic evolution throughout the generations of hardware it nevertheless feels familiar each time around, while other entries in the kart racing...

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Mario Kart 8 Guides

  • Guide Best Mario Kart Games Of All Time

    Every Mario Kart, as ranked by you

    Remember, this dynamic ranking is governed by every entry's User Rating on our database and is subject to real-time change, even now. Don't agree with the order? Feel free to get rating your game collection and potentially influence the ranking below. Enjoy! Back when Nintendo announced the very first Mario Kart...

  • Guide Funky Video Game Music - Groovy Playlist

    Turn up the bass, baby

    As part of our season of celebrating video game music that we're inventively calling the Nintendo Life VGM Fest, we're making a few lists of ~moods~, because that's pretty much how we organise our Spotify playlists these days. Everyone knows that video game soundtracks are full of epic orchestrations, relaxing melodies, and...

  • Feature 14 Classic Nintendo Winter-Themed Levels to Play This Christmas

    Winter wonderlands

    It's Christmas, which might mean snow wherever you are in the world. However, not all of us are that lucky, and sadly have to settle for rain or – gasp! – ghastly sunshine instead. Fear not, though – there is a solution: playing winter-themed levels in your favourite games. Christmas is the best time for it too, as you're...

  • Guide All You Need to Know on Mario Kart 8 Characters and Kart Customisations

    The finer details

    Mario Kart 8 is now well-established on the Wii U, shifting plenty of copies and attracting a sizeable and dedicated online audience. Whether trying to beat every Grand Prix with three stars or tackling the increasingly skilful opponents online, securing top spot is not becoming a tricky challenge of fine margins. This is a title...

  • Guide Getting Started in Mario Kart 8

    Don't drive into the deep end

    As some of the Nintendo Life team still like discs that come in boxes, our original plan was to release a getting started guide on 30th May; then we remembered some of you trendy types may download the title as soon as it pops up on the Wii U eShop, which may or may not be at midnight. You just can't wait, right? So...

  • Video How To Become A Mario Kart 8 Master In Eight Easy Steps

    Our newcomer's guide to mastering the basics

    Mario Kart 8 launches at the end of this month, and if you've already read our glowing review, then you'll be well aware that this is a game you need to experience for yourself. The Mario Kart series has gradually evolved and developed over two decades, and there will be many people preparing to play...

Mario Kart 8 News

About The Game

Turn Your Racing Experience Upside Down!

For the first time in HD, Nintendo's Mario Kart franchise comes to the Wii U console, introducing new racing circuit designs and antigravity karts that will have players driving upside down. Players will also enjoy a variety of series-favourite features, including the return of 12-player online competitive play, hang-gliders, underwater racing and motorbikes.

Features:

  • The new antigravity feature allows for never-imagined racing circuit designs. Players will speed through courses and find themselves suddenly racing on walls in a haunted mansion or upside-down over Princess Peach's Castle as their wheels automatically rotate and shift into antigravity gear.
  • Mario Kart TV lets players share highlight videos they submitted to Miiverse.
  • Experience a wealth of features that span the series, including 12-player online competitive play. Elements first introduced in Mario Kart 7, such as hang gliders and underwater racing, along with elements introduced in Mario Kart Wii, such as motorbikes and performing tricks in midair, also make their return.
  • Fan-favourites Waluigi and Toadette re-join the cast of familiar characters from the Mushroom Kingdom.
  • Crisp HD graphics and a 60-frames-per-second frame rate offer players the most visually stunning entry in the series yet.