Mario Kart News
April2018
Video Nintendo Developers Go Head-To-Head On Mario Kart 8 Deluxe And ARMS
Who's the champ out of Hisashi Nogami and Kosuke Yabuki?
Nintendo recently asked a very important question - can Splatoon and Splatoon 2 producer Hisashi Nogami best the one and only Kosuke Yabuki - producer of Mario Kart 8 Deluxe and ARMS - at his own games? We won't spoil it for you, but it's easy to see why
Random This Mario Kart 7 Hack Lets You Play As Waluigi
WAH-io Kart
Oh Waluigi, you weird, wonderful, whacky piece of art. The Waluigi love has been particularly strong recently, with that wonderful floppy hair of his taking centre stage in Mario Tennis Aces, and countless fan-made boxart covers appearing online, all fantasising about potential games starring the man himself. It perhaps comes at...
March2018
News Race For The Highest Score In Mario Kart Monopoly
Do not powerslide past Go. Do not collect $200.
We're quite fond of Monopoly Gamer Edition; this collaboration between Hasbro and Nintendo was more than just a simple skinned Monopoly board. It was a fresh Mario Party-esque take on the classic property trading game, with a splash of Nintendo's most iconic IP. It looks like the...
February2018
News Put Your Wallet Away, Mario Kart Tour Will Be "Free To Start"
No pay drivers here
The news that Nintendo and mobile partner DeNA are currently working on a smartphone Mario Kart came out of the blue, even if it's not all that surprising given Nintendo's current smartphone strategy of using its biggest brands. Details on Mario Kart Tour are thin on the ground, but we now have a little more information...
News Raise The Chequered Flag Because Mario Kart Tour Is Racing Onto Mobile Soon
It's set to arrive between April 2018 and March 2019
Nintendo has just unveiled its next plan to take over the smartphone market, and it's bringing karts, shells and coins to the party. Mario Kart Tour is the name of the new mobile title, with Ninty confirming it'll be hitting a handset near you sometime in FY 2018/2019 (so that means it'll arrive...
January2018
News Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Races Into First Place In The Nintendo Switch UK Charts
Mario number one!
It's fascinating seeing how evergreen games can perform so strongly on Nintendo hardware. This week in the Nintendo Switch UK charts we see the ever popular Mario Kart 8 Deluxe leap from third place to take pole position. If we had to guess what caused this, it is most likely that many new Switch owners who got the portable...
Random Mario Kart Wii Made Amazon's Top 100 Games In December
Did you get the right Mario Kart under your tree?
Christmas 2017 was a bumper one for Nintendo, with the Switch - and its software - selling impressively. However, it would seem that older Nintendo games have benefited from the increased exposure, as Mario Kart Wii - which is almost a decade old - made Amazon's top 100 video game best seller
December2017
News You'll Need To Buckle Up The Next Time You Use One Of Tokyo's Mario Kart Tours
Clunk click every trip
Back in 2014 we reported on a Tokyo-based group of tourist event organisers that set up a Mario Kart-themed tour of the city - in actual karts! Well, fast forward three years and the the city is awash with colourful convoys, so much so that the Japanese tourist ministry is bringing in new laws to ensure blue...
November2017
Random When Photoshop Goes Wrong - Mario Kart 8 on a Vita With a GameCube Controller
From a cross-platform gaming utopia
We all have numerous gaps in our knowledge, and occasionally that can affect our work. For example, what if you work for an accessory company and are told to give its new adjustable tablet stand some promotional images for gaming? You're told to mention the Nintendo Switch and 'PlayStation', but don't play games...
August2017
News Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Version 1.2.1 Now Available For Download
Don't get too excited, though
These Nintendo Switch software updates are coming thick and fast these days. We've already seen Zelda: Breath of the Wild and ARMS get new updates, and now it's the turn of Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. Version 1.2.1 of the popular racer has just gone live, but it doesn't boast the sweeping changes seen in the other titles; in...
Random Mario Kart Wii's Abandoned Mission Mode is Uncovered at Last
Deleted files found by familiar MK modder
The busy nature of game development means that clues are often left behind in code, often pointing to assets or features that were changed or removed in the final game. Sometimes the clues can take a long time to uncover, as seems to have been the case with a Mission Mode in Mario Kart Wii. It was spotted...
July2017
News Yabuki-san Says the Mario Kart Blue Shell is Like Life - Necessary but Not Always Fair
"It feels like something's missing" in tests without it
If you sit ten Nintendo fans down in a room and ask them to debate the merits of the blue / spiny shell, then you should grab a comfy chair, some popcorn, and enjoy the ride. Some argue it's an excellent item and a great leveller, others suggests it's an abomination, and plenty sit somewhere in...
Video Gaze In Wonder At The VR Mario Kart You'll Probably Never Get To Play
Unless you live in Japan, that is
A short time ago we reported on the news that Bandai Namco’s new VR Zone in Shinjuku, Tokyo would play host to a special Virtual Reality version of Mario Kart Arcade, the company's long-running racing series which is developed in conjunction with Nintendo. We only caught a glimpse of the game previously, but...
June2017
Random Switch Game Cards Are Tough Enough To Survive A Spin In The Washing Machine
"Amazingly it booted up without issue."
If it's not enough that those cute little Nintendo Switch cards have to endure frequent licking to see if they really do taste as bad as everyone says, to add insult to injury now one of these beloved game cards has been put through a washing machine cycle and come out of the other end almost intact. Reddit...
News Virtual Reality Mario Kart Looks As Much Fun As It Sounds
You'll have to travel to Japan to play it, though
Mario Kart is taking a step into the world of immersive VR thanks to Bandai Namco’s spanking new VR Zone in Shinjuku, Tokyo. Mario Kart Arcade GP VR is among several VR "experiences" confirmed this week for the new venue. VR Zone is a "virtual reality arcade" powered by HTC's Vive...
News Nintendo UK's Online Store Has Themed Switch Bundles For Sale
Zelda and Mario Kart bundles up for grabs
The Switch is somewhat hard to find these days thanks to the huge demand, but if you're willing to pay a little extra and get some additional tat with your machine, then these two new themed bundles from Nintendo UK might tempt you. The online store has the "Hyrule Hero Pack" and "Racing Pack: Second Lap"...
News Legend of Zelda and Mario Kart Feature in Updated European My Nintendo Rewards
Discounts, digital wallpapers and even a guide
As another month begins we have the latest My Nintendo Rewards for Europe, and there are quite a few on offer. NOE is pitching it as the start of an "epic summer", with various digital goodies up for grabs. So, let's get to it shall we? The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Ages (3DS eShop) - 40% discount...
May2017
Random Hugh Jackman Witnesses Real-Life Mario Kart Race, Can Barely Contain His Joy
"Go! Go! Go!"
Hollywood superstar Hugh Jackman may be famous for playing the role of Wolverine in the popular X-Men series of films, but he revealed himself to be something of a secret Nintendo fan during a recent press trip to Japan to promote the movie Logan. While waiting at some lights, Jackman (who wasn't driving, we should add) turns his...
Random MLB Team Atlanta Braves Chills Out With Mario Kart in the Clubhouse
"We love it, and it brings back the good 'ol days"
We've previously covered crossovers between Major League Baseball and Nintendo, mainly because this scribe is bit of a Cubs fan. As many politely point out, often with a tongue sticking out emoji, there's more to baseball than the Cubbies, and we got a cool tip from a reader on another team with...
Random Mario Kart 8 Mod Adds Everyone's Favourite Pink Blob To The Starting Grid
Kirby Air Ride 2?
Thanks to the modding community Kirby is the latest character to join the Mario Kart 8 ranks on Wii U. Previously we wrote about Sonic the Hedgehog and Captain Olimar from Pikmin joining the roster, now it's the pink puffball's turn to join the race - albeit unofficially, of course. This is not the first time Kirby has been...
Video The Complete History Of Mario Kart
From SNES to Switch in 25 years
In light of the recent launch of Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, we at Nintendo Life have been reminiscing about the celebrated history of the Mario Kart series. From the SNES to the new Nintendo Switch, Mario Kart has provided players around the globe with countless hours of shell-tossing entertainment. In this...
Random Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Patch Removes Offensive "Bras d'honneur" Gesture
And we thought it was 'armless
What could be more innocent than a Inkling girl giving a fist pump in the air when taking out one of their opponents in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe? Well, it seems using the other hand to clench her flexed bicep might cause offence in various countries including France, Spain, Italy, Georgia, Portugal and Latin America,...
News Nintendo Switch and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Lead the Way in US April Sales
A second month on top for Switch
The Switch has given Nintendo some very welcome positive sales numbers, to the point that the company is only too happy to show them off. Nintendo of America has been quick out of the gate with the April NPD numbers (which cover physical US sales) due to the positive news they bring. First of all, the Nintendo...
Random Sonic Joins The Mario Kart 8 Roster In This Cheeky Mod
The Blue Blur gets in on the action
While Sonic may have had his own karting games in the shape of the rather lovely Sonic & Sega All-Stars Racing and Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed, that hasn't stopped lovers of the blue blur from wishing that he could be a playable character in Mario Kart 8 also. As you can see from the...
News Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Stays on the Podium in UK Charts
It's a bronze cup this time
After its launch Mario Kart 8 Deluxe gave Nintendo its first UK number one game in over five years, a somewhat staggering statistic. Pleasingly it then held off a major fresh release - Prey - to stay in top spot for a second week, showing that there's plenty of appetite for the bulked up re-release. It hasn't been...
Video Exploring The Three Stages Of Turbo Boost In Mario Kart 8 Deluxe
Think pink
While the controversial fire hopping trick was removed in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, it's not all doom and gloom for canny racers. A third pink-coloured 'tier' of turbo boost was added for power sliding masters, making those epic drifts even more important. But this begs the question, which of the three stages of turbo boost is best...
Guide Boost Your Skills with these Five Secret Driving Techniques in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe
We guarantee you'll know the first one
Mario Kart has always had little secrets tucked away to make your driving all the more impressive. Sometimes they're shortcuts, other times, like here, they're techniques to improve your skills behind the wheel. All except one of these are explained in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe if you look hard enough,...
Guide How to Unlock all Gold Kart Parts and Gold Mario in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe
Glad that you're bound to return
Do you like gold? Of course you like gold, even if the look of it doesn't appeal to you the value surely must. Thankfully Nintendo wants us to flash our so-called bling as much as we do, and so they've tucked away a whole range of gold kart options in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe for us to find. Well if you're feeling...
News Famitsu Charts Show Strong Debut for Mario Kart 8 Deluxe in Japan
Boosts Nintendo Switch hardware sales, too
We've been awaiting the usual Media Create Japanese chart results, but due to Golden Week in Japan the data hasn't been forthcoming as yet. As we've had requests for what information is available, we've picked up the Famitsu magazine charts from earlier in the week to tide us over. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe,...
News Nintendo UK Followers Choose Their Favourite Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Track
A clue, it's that one where you always fall off
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, courtesy of having all of the DLC tracks from the Wii U original, offers an impressive 48 tracks to take on. Not long ago the Nintendo UK Twitter page asked followers to vote for their favourite track in the whole game; we're slightly surprised that the end result was the new...
"This is truly a day I won't forget thanks to Nintendo"
As we all know, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe features an auto-drive setting, much to the annoyance of series veterans (it's great for getting loads of coins, however). However, while you personally might not see the point of this feature, it's worth keeping in mind that it's intended to help players of...
News Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Breaks Series Records With US Launch Sales
Nearly 1 in 2 Switch owners bought it day one
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe has got off to a quick start already, with the official UK charts likely to show it at number one once the results are formally published. Now Nintendo of America has confirmed that the release has proven to be a quick hit, setting launch sales records in the US. As you can see...
April2017
Play The First NLife Battle Tournament in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe - To the Battlefield!
No mercy...
As you may have seen earlier this weekend we had a Grand Prix tournament here on Nintendo Life, but now all in the community with a copy of Mario Kart 8 Deluxe can scrap it out in the game's new Battle Mode. NLife Battle Time (Code 4737-8576-9515) - starts on 30th April at 7am Pacific / 10am Eastern / 3pm UK / 4pm CET - Six hour runtime...
Play The First NLife Grand Prix in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe - Join the Race!
Drift into our Tournament
As you may have seen this week we're running two tournaments in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe; the first one is the NLife Grand Prix. Simply search for the code or name (details below) in the online Tournament menu and join in! NLife Grand Prix (Code 4698-2634-6539) - starts at 7am Pacific / 10am Eastern / 3pm UK / 4pm CET - Six...
Guide How to Get Infinite Coins in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe the Easy Way
No actual racing required
As much fun as it is to race around in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe it can take a seriously long time to unlock all those kart options through traditional means, and certainly if you ploughed through the original Wii U version you might think doing so sounds a lot like needless busywork. Well, thankfully there's a clever little way...
Guide Tips for Getting Started in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe
Get that early boost
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is now here, and whether you're entirely new to the game or an old veteran from the Wii U original, the new title has some tricks to know in order to ensure those podium finishes. Some of them are old methods, but adjusted physics and mechanics in this Deluxe edition also mean that it's worth having a little...
Video The Top Ten Best Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Tracks
According to Alex and Arekkz Gaming, anyway
Well, if you want to know what this video is about, the headline sure clears that up. Our video man Alex has teamed up with his chum Arekkz Gaming to put together a top 10 list of race tracks in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, which is sure to fire everyone up (and hopefully in a good way). This writer would...
News LAN Play in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is Only Truly Suitable for Competitions and Events
Everyone bring their adapter!
Back when we published our Mario Kart 8 Deluxe preview, focused on the Battle Mode, we mentioned the presence of a LAN multiplayer option. It was notable because, while standard local wireless play supports eight players, LAN allows the full complement of 12 players that you normally get in online matches. We quipped...
News Super Mario Kart Started Life As An F-Zero Multiplayer Prototype
Mario Kart got boost power!
Super Nintendo launch game F-Zero was an impressive feat of development at the time. With its use of Mode 7 visuals it made for a compelling single-player futuristic racing experience that is enjoyable to play even today. It's a shame that the franchise appears to be pretty much dormant now with the last entries being...
News Official Nintendo UK Store Embraces Luigi Meme in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Listing
Get a free 'Dare to Stare' t-shirt
With Mario Kart 8 Deluxe now just a week away, the official Nintendo UK store has unveiled an updated pre-order option for those that love the 'Death Stare' Luigi meme. As always it's the approach NUK takes to complete with being undercut on the likes of Amazon. In this listing the standard retail price - £49.99...
Video Mario Kart 8 Deluxe as an 'Ultimate' Handheld Release - Digital Foundry Weighs In
The technical breakdown
Though its release is still a week away, plenty of reviews and opinions on Mario Kart 8 Deluxe are now live - for our part we loved it. In our review we remarked that performance and visuals do the job nicely on the upcoming Switch version, though as always Digital Foundry has outlined the specifics in an analysis video...
Deals Get in the Race With These Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Accessories and More
Play Mario Kart in style
The release of Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is only a short way off now, and it might be the first time a lot of Switch owners have played this game as not everyone had the Wii U. Still, current owners of the non-deluxe version will no doubt be delighted by the new-found portability, new characters and of course the all-important...
Weirdness You Can Play and Win in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Without Touching the Controller
The smart & furious
Smart Steering is an addition to Mario Kart 8 Deluxe that many would consider a good thing, especially for younger or inexperience players. It nudges you in the right direction so you don't go careening off the edge of the track with reckless abandon, but upon closer inspection is can even be used to play the game for you. When...
News Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Will Last About Three Hours on the Switch's Handheld Mode
Roughly on par with Breath of the Wild
When it comes to the Switch's main hardware, one of the sticking points for some seems to be that the battery life is a little less than ideal. Perhaps two to six hours won't last on the longest of car rides, but considering the kind of games that can be run on the Switch, it's certainly something that can be...
Video Let's See How Mario Kart 8 Deluxe on Switch Compares to the Wii U Original
360 progressive difference
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe may not be a wholly new game, or really that much different from its original Wii U version at all, but nevertheless we were promised a solid 1080p 60fps experience from this souped-up version of Mario Kart 8, so we've pitted the two releases side-by-side in the video above. Naturally YouTube does an...
News Japanese Super Mario Website Has Updated Character Profiles and Mario Kart History
Even Waluigi makes it into the spotlight
Nintendo recently updated its character profile and Mario Kart history pages on the Japanese Super Mario portal website. Unfortunately these new descriptions are currently only available in Japanese, but it's easy to enjoy the artwork and design. In a neat touch you can listen to character sound effects in...
News The Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Nintendo Switch Bundle Isn't Fake, But Is Exclusive to Russia
Ok then...
Yesterday, prior to the Nintendo Direct, we reported on a rumoured Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Nintendo Switch bundle that was apparently listed on the Russian web store - only visible in the country or via a web proxy. We wondered whether it was some Photoshop hijinks to raise hopes ahead of the Direct, though it seemed to have some
Rumour Russian Nintendo Store Leaks Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Bundle
Possibly, if it's not an elaborate fake
We're honestly not 100% sure if this isn't an elaborate fake, but we'll leave it to you to make your own minds up. This Reddit thread makes a convincing argument for the existence of a Mario Kart 8 Deluxe bundle for the Nintendo Switch. The theory is that this will be announced later today in the
Video Updated Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Trailer Aims for Top Gear
We know the karts don't have gears, please understand
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is getting closer, a nice early opportunity to enjoy plenty of karting goodness early on in the lifecycle of the Nintendo Switch. Wii U owners may have seen it all before, apart from the new Battle Modes and arenas, but there's no denying that with all of the former DLC thrown...
News The Mario Kart 8 Deluxe File Size Speeds Into View
Should fit snugly on your Switch
The release of Mario Kart 8 Deluxe on Nintendo Switch is just around the corner now, 28th April to be precise. One of the biggest selling points with the Switch version is the portability, however it's also got a fully fleshed out Battle Mode - unlike the more basic offering in the Wii U version - and you can also...
March2017
News Nintendo Confirms LAN Play, 'Renegade Roundup' and More for Mario Kart 8 Deluxe
LAN enthusiasts will need those annoying adapters, of course
Earlier today we shared a neat overview trailer from Nintendo Japan for upcoming Switch title Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. Now Nintendo of Europe has sent out a localised video and details, which give a full picture of some of the changes and new features in the updated racer. First of all, below...
Video Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Overview Trailer Shows Off Shine Thief and Lots of Footage
Revving up the hype
The Japanese market sometimes has a more long-term approach to building up major releases, which helps explain why Nintendo's YouTube channel for the country has gone big with an overview trailer for Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. It's the next big first-party Nintendo Switch game but isn't actually out until late April - nevertheless a...
February2017
News Nintendo Throws a Blue Shell at Real Life Mario Kart
Japanese Company "Maricar" is being sued for copyright infringement
A popular Japanese company that let you live out your childhood dreams and race karts dressed as Mario and company are being sued by Nintendo for Copyright Infringment. The go karting firm that goes by the name "Maricar" lets anyone that holds a Japanese driving license race around...
January2017
First Impressions Back on Track with Mario Kart 8 Deluxe
Switching gear
Given that a number of gamers who pick up the Nintendo Switch may not have owned a Wii U, it makes a lot of sense to have Mario Kart 8 Deluxe in the launch window for the new system. Not only is it one of the most fun games on the Wii U, but it has also been the best-selling too — with over eight million copies sold worldwide...
Gallery New Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Screenshots Look Pretty Fresh
Deluxe imagary inside
As we're sure you're aware by now, Nintendo Switch is getting an updated version of Mario Kart 8 in the form of Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, and it launches in April. In case you weren't excited enough already, here are some lovely screenshots from the Switch version. Feast your eyes. <screenshots...
News Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Launches On Switch In April, Features Splatoon Inklings
Revamped battle mode and more
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8CXwP96em7o Mario Kart 8 Deluxe will make its way to the Nintendo Switch sometime in April in North America and specifically on 28th April in Europe. Here's some info from the official PR: With Nintendo Switch, fans can enjoy the definitive version of Mario Kart 8 anywhere, anytime,...
News New Features for 'Mario Kart 8 Switch' Appear in Box-Art
UPDATE: Well, this is awkward
UPDATE: Vooks editor Daniel Vuckovic has admitted that the images were fakes - we blame hangovers from Christmas dinners on this one, folks. ORIGINAL STORY: In one of our previous articles, we went over a couple of Switch game listings that were published (and then hastily taken down) on the EB Games Australia's...
December2016
Video These Kids Might Be The Luckiest Mario Kart Fans In The World
Living the dream
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dK5DTW_dNfw Playing Mario Kart all day long is fun, but there's no substitute for having your very own circuit to race around in real life - and that's exactly what happened to two young fans of the series. Jack and Maddi Mello were given the treat of their lives when their parents Johnny and Krista...
November2016
Random Scarlett Johansson's Favourite Game Is Mario Kart, But She Didn't Say Which One
Toad in the Shell
When she's not busy taking down Hydra as Black Widow in the Avengers movies, it seems that talented actress Scarlett Johansson enjoys playing a bit of Mario Kart in her downtime. In a recent video chat with IGN, Johannson revealed her love of Mario Kart, though we don't know which one is her preferred version. Double Dash? Super...
Weirdness Mario Kart 8 Contains Hidden Swearing
But you'll have to do a lot of digging to find it
Modern computers allow gamers to dig into video game data files to their heart's content, and this often throws up some interesting discoveries which perhaps should have remained hidden. That certainly seems to have been the case with this latest Mario Kart 8 find. YouTube user Harm - who perhaps...
October2016
News Mario Kart 8 Has Now Sold 8 Million Units Worldwide
On a system with just over 13 million owners
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YCMaIe8nGas Nintendo's has confirmed that Mario Kart 8 has sold 8 million copies since launch. The popular racer launched in 2014 and has become the Wii U's biggest commercial hit. What makes this achievement all the more remarkable is that the Wii U has only sold 13.36...
News King Boo in Mario Kart '8' and New Splatoon Goodness - Breaking Down the Nintendo Switch Reveal
Small hints for an exciting future
We have a big breakdown of the Nintendo Switch on the way, but we thought we'd look at some details from two games featured in the video - the ports / remasters / sequels / whatever they are for Mario Kart 8 and Splatoon. First of all, here's the trailer again. Let's start with the Mario Kart we see - it looks...
Random Office Mario Kart and the End of Productivity
They're all winners
Occasionally we get sent goofy videos and links on social media, many of which we politely leave alone, but to help change the subject from Pokémon and "where's NX", we thought we'd share one of the better recent examples that's proven popular over on Facebook. For those of you that use Facebook as much as this writer, all you...
August2016
News Disney Was Working On A Mario Kart-Style Racer Called Epic Disney Racers
Would have used co-op mechanic like Mario Kart: Double Dash
Last week we reported on a cancelled game by the name of Epic Donald, a spin-off from the Epic Mickey series. That wasn't the only canned "Epic" title that Disney was working on - another game in the same universe would have borrowed elements from Nintendo's Mario Kart series to create a...
July2016
Random Turns Out Mario Kart Might Make You A Better Driver In Real Life
Just don't thow any bananas skins, please!
Gamers rejoice - a recent study has revealed that playing action videogames can improve your real life driving skills. New York University Shanghai participants were trained by playing Mario Kart, using a steering-wheel controller to drive a go-kart on a track. The data showed that by playing Mario Kart the...
June2016
1992 interview gets translated into English for the first time
Mario Kart is one of Nintendo's most recognisable series but back in the early '90s the idea of the famous mascot hopping into a car was quite unique, and was even seen as something of a risk for the developer. With the benefit of hindsight we can clearly see Super Mario Kart as a moment...
Say hello to the "Make Believe Digital Event"
Those of you with long memories will recall that we covered the first episode of The BitBlock's "Make Believe" series a while back. Focused on the idea of the Wii U Animal Crossing game we all really wanted (rather than the one we actually got), it boasted lavish production values rarely witnessed on...
News Rumour: Nintendo UK Hints at More Mario Kart 8 DLC
Hmm, Kalimari Desert wasn't in the game...
Mario Kart 8 was arguably one of the most polished entries in the series yet (barring the botched battle mode, argh) and featured a substantial DLC campaign that greatly expanded upon the existent content that came with the disc. Many thought that the DLC was "done right", as it offered an impressive amount...
April2016
Nintendo Life Weekly NX Rumour Denied by New NX Rumour, Preorder the Prettiest New 3DS XL, and More
We're reaching critical mass
As E3 draws ever closer, the Nintendo NX rumour mill continues to churn out "information" at an alarming rate. We wouldn't blame you if you hadn't been able to keep up with all that's happened, so once again we've squashed all the week's happenings down into one convenient video. This week we look at an NX rumour that...
News Mario Kart Arcade GP DX Gets A Sizeable Update
Adds long-awaited new course "Pac-Man Stadium"
We've all been having so much fun playing Mario Kart 8 here at NL Towers that we've forgotten all about the existence of that other game that's not quite 'in the series', Mario Kart Arcade GP DX. Thankfully the good folks at Namco Bandai Entertainment haven't forgotten and are continuing to support the...
March2016
Random Fan Ports Super Mario Kart to HTML5
Not exactly perfect, but it works
Though it can seem a bit basic by modern standards, Super Mario Kart was an innovative racer for its time, and it kicked off one of the most successful racing game franchises to date. It did have some unique mechanics that haven't completely been translated to the newer games, and there's certainly still a fan...
News Mario Kart TV Website Confirmed for Closure on 5th April
In-game functionality remains, however
Mario Kart 8 has had a lot of excellent features that have earned it plaudits, such as anti-gravity mechanics, amiibo support and paid-DLC. A much trumpeted feature when it launched, also, was Mario Kart TV, which allows you to upload highlight reels directly to YouTube. Though you can access much of this...
February2016
News Nintendo Targets and Blocks Mario Kart Hack Videos From YouTube
MrBean35000vr just switches them to Twitch
In the past we shared some videos from the MrBean35000vr channel on YouTube, particularly in the case of intriguing mods and hacks to Mario Kart 8. The channel had found a way to mess around with the source code for the Wii U title - though had minimised public details of the hack - and created some fun...
Video See How Many Faces You Can Name In This 101-Character Super Mario Kart Race
"And it's go, go, go!"
As we all know, Super Mario Kart on the SNES allows 8 famous faces from the Mushroom Kingdom to challenge one another in a no-holds-barred race to the finish line. Subsequent entries in the franchise have added more driver choice to the roster, but YouTube user Hat-Loving Gamer clearly feels Nintendo hasn't gone anywhere near...
Video Mario Kart Meets Star Wars In This Forceful Fan-Made Clip
May the Blue Shell be with you, always
YouTube channel Dark Pixel Digital has created one of the coolest mash-ups we've seen in a long time - it effortlessly combines Star Wars and Mario Kart to amazing effect, and is of such high quality you'd swear it was an official video. Created using 3ds Max, V-Ray and FumeFX, the clip runs for over three and...
