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 accessories, keyrings and even a Bullet Bill t-shirt.
Retailers in Japan are now getting in on the act, with pre-orders for the game from Amazon Japan including a choice of a Mario or Rosalina deck of playing cards, pictured above and below. Playing cards seem to be rather popular with the big N at present, with Club Nintendo in Europe now offering Premium Mario cards, which have also been Platinum awards in North America in the past.
These look like nice extras in Nintendo's homeland. Nintendo of America has been quiet to date on what pre-order goodies will be on offer in its region, meanwhile, but it's surely only a matter of time.
[source nintendotweet.tumblr.com, via nintendoeverything.com]
Comments 43
Nintendo of America has been pretty lackluster on Mario themed preorder items. Though hopefully that will change for this release.
Pfft we'll probably just get some crummy discount and none of these amazing goodies.
Mario Kart 8 themed playing cards sound like a sweet pre-order bonus from Amazon Japan. To me, I still think the Blue Shell sounds nice to receive with the Mario Kart 8 Limited Edition that the UK is getting. IMO, this just shows how next to nothing NOA cares about their customers at times with pre-order bonuses for games like this
.
Pre-ordered the Limited Edition Spikey Blue Shell, red shell keyring and bullet bill t-shirt from Ninty's UK online store.
They should have given chest size measurements for the t-shirts, I'm quite small and 'small' usually fits me off the rack, but proper measurements would've been ideal.
Nintendo of America gives a big f u with the preorders, right?
That Rosalina card looks awesome.
Yeah NoA has been slacking hard, hopefully they release something soon.....
Drooooooooooool, Rosalina. I'm probably not going to preorder seeing as my birthday is late April, shame
GIIIIIIIMMMEEEE!!!!
Poor Daisy... 😕 (And Peach.. XD)
@Player4
Daisy: "Hi, I'm Daisy. Hi, I'm Daisy. Hi, I'm Daisy! HI, I'M DAISY!!!!1"
Nintendo: "Who are you?"
Rosalina: .../////
Nintendo: You want to be playable in EVERY Mario game this year and even get your own playing cards?!!!1
LOL
Nice. Too bad we'll never see them stateside. :-/
NOA if you gave a preorder bonus i would preorder
I. WANT. THOSE. CARDS. Nintendo america you better step up your game or I'm going to have to move to Japan.
I never cared for Daisy, and Baby Daisy was unneeded. However, I do care for pre-order bonuses. C'mon NA!
Yeah, what's going on for America? You know, gamings largest market. I'm talking to YOU Reggie! Bring the hype man.
And as usual, NOA gives us absolutely effing nothing.
Rosalina cards make me want to pre-order the game again.
I also want those cards! ^^
Well, to wait if they come someday.
I wish Nintendo of America would give us decent pre-order bonuses. I mean look look at Pokemon X&Y, Europe and Japan got this cool looking Poke ball game card case. And what do we get, POSTERS!!!
Holding out on pre-ordering in hopes of nabbing some sort of bonus goodie for US releases. I'll still buy it on release day anyway, but still...
Please come to North America! My body is ready for these pre-order bonuses. Bullet Bill shirt or Rosalina playing cards would be awesome.
I'm kind of thinking NoA is going to have a really slick limited edition or pre order bonus, and they're announcing it last so as to not outshine the other announcements. I mean, if the first announcement was something really awesome, it would just cause a stir for other regions when they announced playing cards or whatever. I'm hoping that's the case, and they're letting all the other regions announce their goodies before sweeping in with the big guns last.
@GooRoo
I just pre order, and if something comes along, cancel and re-order. I have a pre order in at Newegg for $49.99 tax-free and with free shipping, which ain't bad at all if you ask me. Although, I did pre order a second copy through GS so I can take off work May 30th and play all weekend (Newegg takes a few days to ship and mail out, and I don't want to wait). So I'll just keep my extra copy sealed I guess. But if a LE gets announced, I'll just cancel my GS order and re order the LE right away...
@Knux Of course, as usual. Nintendo often only seems to care about the Japanese market... We STILL Never got Mother 3...why the hell not?? Oh because, NA.
If it's an entire set, I would pre-order the heck out of this game
If the NA pre-order bonus ends up being a TCG set, I would pre-order it twice (not really. It would be a nicer bonus, tho)
Knowing NoA, however, it's probably...free air...
@Bizzyb Real reason: Because it was released in 2006 on Japan. Two years after the original DS' release (at least in NA).
Take into account the fact that Mother 2/Earthbound sold horribly in NA. Yeah, it's not that hard to see why they DIDN'T release Mother 3 over here...
No biggie, there's always the totally legal fan-translation...>> <<
Dat Rosalina Card! Also, bike suit is best suit...
Yet again, NOA might give us diddly squat... If USA doesn't get them, to ebay!
NA is not gonna get anything again . I haven't pre order mine because I'm still hoping us from NA gets a bundle pretty similar like U.K getting but I doubt that's going to happen.
@GooRoo I think thats the problem. 1st party Nintendo releases are usually snapped up very quickly in the US on launch day. I had a hard time finding DKCTF within the first week. NA seems to be a bit different in that securing pre-orders with no premiums and selling through initial orders is not an issue... so why the extra expenses? From a financial POV.
But I do agree. I wish they would throw their faithful a bone with yhese great bonuses. I WANT THOSE CARDS!!!!
Everything that has Rosalina in it, is an instant buy!
I need to see her kicking a$s in Smash and end up first with her in MK... ALL IN GORGEUS 1080P!! I think I'm gonna pass out o.o
LOL Nintendo of America is becoming a joke...
@JaxonH - "I have a pre order in at Newegg for $49.99 tax-free and with free shipping"
Before Jaxon gets anybody too excited it's $59.99 at NewEgg now.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16878190364
I have my $1 card at Target to get the $5 GC, plus my 5% discount. I'm holding 2 $5 GC now. I'ld buy elsewhere for those Rosalina cards though, tre chic.
What's w/ the red MK8 box?
@rjejr
Red case is a limited edition for NA only. Kind of like the green case for NSLU or the red cases for Mario games of the Wii/DS era.
And no, Newegg is not offering $10 off for pre ordering MK8 anymore. I made that order 2 months ago when they advertised it. However, Gamestop is currently offering a 15% discount on one item purchased on their website, excluding consoles. Discount DOES apply to pre orders. Use code paypal15 to score Mario Kart 8 for $51 + tax. You can also try to apply SAVER code for free shipping, although I'm not sure if it will stack with the other code. If not, you can just choose store pick up or, cough up for shipping.
To those who doubt - we'll see. It could go either way. I think we'll either get something REALLY awesome, or just a Wii U bundle that everyone will get, anyway.
Yep, I need those Rosalina cards.
Not want.
Need.
Soooooooo jealous for the Rosalina playing cards, do want, ooooohh!
@R_Champ Exactly this! Lol
I wonder how long until she gets her own game
Actually need 2 packs of the Rosalina cards. One to keep locked away and secure, and the other to actually use!
@HyperSonicEXE There exist forwarding services for Japan (you get the item shipped to a Japanese address they forward it to you) to get around amazon.co.jp only shipping to Japan but these do cost a fair bit plus you have to then to get rid of the useless Mario Kart 8 game. If only this were 2001 when amazon.co.jp still shipped videogames internationally. I'd say keep an eye on auctions or marketplaces (or try to set up some sort of alert for Mario kart 8 card or trump) such as eBay (will carry a premium from more people viewing) or Rakuten Japan (more of a shop front and has expensive shipping).
@ledreppe Even if you contact them they can't give you any measurements info . Heres hoping it is an adult small and not a child small. I did also point out there is no digital download with physical gifts option but it sounded like they didn't use this info at all.
Yes, NoA is so bad that America's (Nintendo) game sales are still high with or without preorder bonuses
Seems pretty weak compared to what u get in the uk, surprising for a country renowned for impressive collectors editions
It seems like Rosalina's card set will be more popular, considering it has the Koopalings.
I did preorder in Japan! I am in Japan now and I am going to get Rosalina playing cards!!!! SWEET.
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