Mario Kart - News
October2019
News Mario Kart Tour Adds 14 New Characters And Classic Courses, Including Rainbow Road
Rosalina and Bowser Jr. hit the track
At the time of writing, Mario Kart Tour's new Tokyo event has been live for just a couple of hours. As had been previously promised, it brings with it new characters, courses, challenges, and more. You'll find the new event waiting for you if you choose to open up the app; it'll be runn
News Mario Kart Tour Heads To Tokyo This Week With New Courses And Characters On The Way
Here's when it goes live
This week sees the launch of a brand new tour in Mario Kart Tour, with the New York leg that has been present since the game launched being replaced by a brand new Tokyo-based event. Aptly named 'Tokyo Tour', the new two-week event will add new courses, challenges, and characters into the mix. It'll be kicking off from 11pm...
News Mario Kart Tour's Second New York Tour Adds New Cups, Challenges And More
Ready to jump back in?
If you've been enjoying Mario Kart Tour on your smartphone over the last few days, you'll be pleased to know that the New York Tour Part 2 is now underway. Those adorable Toads have been finishing up their construction of some brand new cups for you to check out, so you might want to head on back into the app to see what's...
September2019
News Mario Kart Tour Downloaded 20 Million Times On Release Day
And it banked $1 million
Mario Kart Tour really is racing ahead, with Sensor Tower Store Intelligence data revealing Nintendo's sixth mobile game is its "most successful yet" in terms of day-one downloads. The newest Mario Kart game is estimated to have already exceeded 20 million installs within its first 24 hours of availability. To top it off,...
News Nintendo Reveals Rarity Of Character And Kart Unlocks In Mario Kart Tour
Go on, fire off the pipe
In Mario Kart Tour, Lakitu encourages you to fire off a pipe that shoots out random characters and karts every time it is launched. In order to do this, you'll need special in-game currency known as "Rubies", which can be unlocked by simply playing the game or purchasing them with real money. Like other mobile titles, these...
News Mario Kart Tour Becomes The Top Free iPhone App In 58 Markets
Racing ahead
Mario Kart Tour got off to a bit of a bumpy start yesterday – with the game's servers collapsing under the pressure of launch demand. Despite the delayed start to the race, this mobile title still managed to perform quite well on its first day. According to mobile market analyst Sensor Tower (via Venture Beat), Nintendo's smartphone...
News Mario Kart Tour Will Get Multiplayer Mode In Future Update
"Inbound!"
After some initial teething problems upon release earlier today, it appears that Mario Kart Tour is now mostly accessible for players. If you do manage to get onto the game, you might notice a greyed-out multiplayer section. The icon was first brought to our attention through this tweet from @VOOK64 (thanks, VGC), and we can confirm that...
News Mario Kart Tour Has A Paid Subscription Service For Bonus In-Game Rewards
And it's more expensive than Switch Online
Mario Kart Tour is now available to download on your Android or iOS smartphone - although, good luck actually getting to play the thing at the time of writing - and more details are starting to emerge regarding the game's payment structures. As you'll probably be aware, the base game is a free-to-start...
News Mario Kart Tour Is Now Live On Smartphones, But Good Luck Getting To Play It
Not the best start
Update (25th Sep, 09:20 BST): As promised, Mario Kart Tour is now up and running, but you might have a pretty tough time getting to play. Loading up the game at the time of writing presents the following screen, indicating that the game's servers are struggling to handle the launch at demand. We've been trying to get through to...
News Super Mario Odyssey's Pauline Makes Her Mario Kart Debut Tomorrow
Fresh from her first tennis outing
Since her starring role in Super Mario Odyssey a couple of years ago, Pauline has been thrust into the Nintendo spotlight. She's already been invited to Mario's tennis roster, and now she's all set to get in on the kart racing action, too. Yes, tomorrow, Pauline will make her Mario Kart debut in Mario Kart Tour...
Video Mario Kart Tour's Toads Are Back In These Adorable 'Real-Life' Trailers
Paris and New York come to life
A brand new Mario Kart game is just around the corner, and while its mobile roots have meant that it hasn't generated the usual amount of hype in Nintendo-focused communities like our very own, it's still a particularly interesting time for the franchise. Mario Kart Tour launches on 25th September and whatever your...
News Rev Up Your Engines For The Mario Kart 8 Deluxe North American Open
Enter now
The Nintendo Versus Twitter account is promoting a Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Open event and it starts this month on 22nd September (10:00 AM to 8:00 PM Pacific Time). To participate, all you need to do is enter the following tournament code into your game before the event begins: 2093-5045-4827. All up, there'll be eight winners, determined...
News Mario Kart Tour Will Have Special Bonus Challenges Not Seen In Main Series Games
A welcome addition
Mario Kart Tour is just a couple of weeks away from racing onto our smartphones - in our case, it's patiently sitting in the preregistration pitlane as we speak - but we're still learning new and exciting things about it. We recently learned that Mario Kart: Double Dash's special items are making a return, and that the internet-f
News The Mega Mushroom Makes A Return In Mario Kart Tour
Bigger than before
To build some excitement for the release of Mario Kart Tour on mobile later this month, Nintendo has been sharing information about the game over on the official Twitter account. In the latest update, we're introduced to the Mega Mushroom. In the brief clip below, you can see how this item increases a racer's size for a small...
News Mario Kart Double Dash's Special Items Are Making A Comeback With Mario Kart Tour
From the good ol' GameCube days
The Mario Kart nostalgia just keeps coming with the upcoming smartphone release, Mario Kart Tour. Last week, we shared the news that Diddy Kong is strapping in for a return to the series after 11 years away, and it also seems that the game will be receiving the Special Items last seen in Mario Kart: Double Dash!! on...
August2019
Soapbox Mario Kart Tour Looks Lousy With F2P Trappings, But That’s All Right
Keep those currencies and timers where they belong!
Soapbox features enable our individual writers to voice their own opinions on hot topics, opinions that may not necessarily be the voice of the site. Here, Gavin grits his teeth and discusses how he's absolutely fine with the free-to-play aspects of the upcoming mobile Mario Kart. The latest entry...
Video Google Play Pulls Out All The Stops For Its Manic Mario Kart Tour Trailer
RIP phone screens
With the recent Mario Kart Tour release date announcement, discussion and hype for the game have reached a new high amongst the series' fans. Some are excited, some are a little sceptical, but trailers like this are sure to bring the hype regardless. Google Play has released an extended trailer for the game, and while it doesn't...
News Diddy Kong's Racing Once Again With A Return To Mario Kart After 11 Years Away
"And this time, he's in the mood"
With his Nintendo-branded hat firmly in place, Diddy Kong is making a very welcome return to the Mario Kart scene next month as a playable character in Mario Kart Tour. Despite being a Super Smash Bros. star and featuring in the Donkey Kong games available on 3DS, Wii U and Switch, Diddy hasn't been
Poll Box Art Brawl #5 - Super Mario Kart
Before the big blue shell
Welcome to Round 5 of Box Art Brawl, where we take a gander at the box art of a certain retro game and crown one regional variant as champion. Last week the classic NES brawler River City Ransom duked it out with its counterparts until the Japanese version emerged bloody-nosed but victorious, beating down the North American...
July2019
News Mario Kart 7 Is Still The Best-Selling 3DS Game Of All Time, Here Are The Top Ten
The top Nintendo-published games
The Nintendo 3DS may well be on its very last legs, but that doesn't mean we can't celebrate the games which made it the fantastic console it was (and still is). We've already looked at the top ten best-selling Switch games earlier today, but now it's time to turn our attention to its older cousin, the 3DS. As you...
Random Survey Finds Mario Kart Commonly Has A Positive Effect On Romantic Relationships
A romantic stroll down Rainbow Road?
Love is in the air, alongside banana skins, Bullet Bills, green shells, and us as we get annihilated by the ninety-seventh Blue Shell this week. Yes, a survey conducted by Century Link has attempted to explore gaming's impact on romantic relationships. Apparently, of all games mentioned by respondents, Mario...
Random Three New Ultra Shortcut Glitches Discovered In Mario Kart Wii
More than a decade after its release
Whether you like it or not, Mario Kart Wii is still the best-selling entry in the series to date. As a result, it's got a huge following – even after the more recent success of Mario Kart 8 and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. With this in mind, three new "ultra shortcuts" were recently discovered in the Wii title within...
June2019
News Official Mario Kart Hot Wheels Tracks And Cars Are On The Way
And they look amazing
Nintendo and Hot Wheels have today announced a partnership which will see a global release of Hot Wheels Mario Kart die-cast vehicles and tracks. The collection will be made up of three Mario Kart game-inspired track sets and plenty of characters from the franchise. At launch, Mario, Yoshi, Luigi, and Bowser will all be...
News Mario Kart 8 Is Now Five Years Old
We're ready for a new entry
Sure, Mario Kart Tour is coming to mobile devices later this year, but right now, we're still technically playing the same Mario Kart game we were on the Wii U five years ago. Yep, on 30th May 2014, Mario Kart 8 was released in North America and Europe on a Nintendo system that was at the time struggling to appeal to the...
May2019
News Mattel Adds Metal Mario To Its Mario Kart Hot Wheels Line
Shiny!
A year ago, we found out Mattel was teaming up with Nintendo to release a special Mario Kart Hot Wheels line. This series will include Mario, Luigi, Peach, Toad, Yoshi, Bowser, Wario and Rosalina and arrives in stores next month. If none of these characters interest you, perhaps this special Metal Mario Hot Wheels kart will. It's inspired by...
News The Beta For Mario Kart Tour Doesn't Seem To Include Proper Multiplayer Racing
Well, this is a surprise
The beta for Mario Kart Tour recently went live in Japan. If you haven't read our previous post, it includes the usual driver roster and a selection of retro tracks. Races are cut down to just two laps and the game is played vertically with touch input and swipe commands. It all seems relatively straightforward until you...
News Mario Kart Tour Beta Test Details And Images Are Already Leaking Online
Fancy a sneak peek?
The Mario Kart Tour beta test has just got underway in Japan, and it really didn't take long for all sorts of details and screenshots to find their way online. If you don't want to be spoiled ahead of the game's release, this is your final chance to head back to our home page and away from all the leaked images. We'll kick...
News Mario Kart Tour Beta Test Emails Appear To Be Rolling Out To Lucky Players
Check your inboxes!
It would appear that those fortunate enough to have been selected to take part in the closed beta test for Mario Kart Tour are starting to be notified via email. If you applied for the chance to take part, make sure to keep an eye on your inbox. Last month, Nintendo opened beta test applications for Android users in Japan and...
News These Custom Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Tracks Have Us Dreaming Of A Future Track Creator
Super Mario Kart Maker?
With a series as large and wonderful as Mario Kart, it can be tricky to pin down a favourite. If we had to, we'd probably go with Mario Kart 8 Deluxe - don't worry, we still love the others - mostly thanks to the fact that the series now seems to have reached a point where everything is so close to perfect. We just don't get...
UK Charts Final Fantasy XII Debuts In 15th, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Still Leads For Nintendo
Mario, Smash and Yoshi all climb
UK chart data is now in for the week ending 4th May, revealing that Final Fantasy XII: The Zodiac Age's new Switch release has debuted in 15th place. With no other major releases or sales to speak of, last week's number one Days Gone has managed to hold onto number one despite a 60% decline in sales from last week...
News Mario Kart Wii Sold Five Times As Many Copies As Mario Kart 8 Over The Last Financial Year
Despite being 11 years old
If you need any further proof that Nintendo's evergreen classics are of incredible importance to the company, this little statistic should do very nicely indeed. Towards the end of last month, Nintendo shared its latest financial report. Thanks to this, we were able to share lists of the all-time best-selling games across...
April2019
News Check Out The Title Screen Music Of This Mario Kart 64 Prototype
"Welcome to Muzakart!"
Every week we get fresh little peeks behind the curtain of games both big and small. Recently, Forest of Illusion posted this original theme tune for Mario Kart 64 on Twitter. It comes from a prototype build of the game and it's not the most inspired track in the plumber's songbook. Take a listen below: As you can hear, it...
UK Charts Mortal Kombat 11 Enters At Number 2, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Still Speeding Along Nicely
A quiet week on the whole
UK chart data is now in for the week ending 27th April, revealing that Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is still leading the way as Nintendo's best-selling game in the region this week. PS4 exclusive Days Gone has debuted at number one, with the multi-format Mortal Kombat 11 entering the charts in second place. It's worth noting that...
News Mario Kart 7 Is Still Selling Like Hotcakes
Wacky races
While many pundits have declared that the 3DS is now officially dead with the arrival of the Nintendo Switch, Nintendo's latest shareholder reports suggest that evergreen titles like Mario Kart 7 are still enjoying fantastic success. In the last financial year, it has been revealed that Mario Kart 7 shifted 1.21 million units across the...
March2019
Talking Point Could We See Mario Kart Tour At Apple's Event Today?
Perfect timing?
Apple is set to hold a keynote event later today. At the upcoming presentation, the company is expected to mainly talk about new services, with a focus on their video streaming offering that's set to rival both Netflix and Amazon. However, many are hinting that the event could be about much more than just one new service, and won't...
UK Charts Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Still Leads The Way For Switch, The Division 2 Takes Top Spot
Mario, Mario Kart and Smash all in top ten
UK chart data is now in for the week ending 16th March, revealing that Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is still speeding along as the Switch's best-selling exclusive for another week. After a strong third-place finish last week, the game saw a 12% drop in sales this time around, subsequently making it fall four places...
UK Charts A Slow Week At Retail Sees Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Race Back To Third Place
Devil May Cry 5 debuts at No. 1
UK chart data is now in (a little later than usual) for the week ending 9th March, revealing that Mario Kart 8 Deluxe has managed to drift, boost, and presumably red shell its way back to third place. Capcom's Devil May Cry 5 takes the honours this week, with Anthem being knocked off top spot and actually dropping...
Video Mario Kart Wii Mod Doubles The Number Of Characters In Every Race
More racers, more fun
If 12 racers in Mario Kart wasn't already infuriating enough, how would you feel about 24? A video game modder named MrBean35000vr has been able to get 24 karts up and running in Mario Kart Wii. As he explains in the above video, his mod can handle between 24-29 racers, but the game crashes when 30 or more karts are added...
February2019
News Mario Kart 8 Deluxe World Record Attempt Fittingly Destroyed By Blue Shell
Can you imagine?
Ah, the Blue Shell. As is to be expected, Mario Kart's very own rage-inducing spiky ball of doom, destruction, and relationship breakdowns has claimed yet another victim and, this time, it's even ruined a world record speedrun attempt. Speedrunner Skilloz_ was aiming for a 200cc Star Cup world record in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe,...
January2019
News Nearly Half Of All Switch Owners Have A Copy Of Mario Kart 8 Deluxe
Software attach rates revealed
Despite only being on the market for just under two years, the Nintendo Switch has already produced some must-have titles. Even top games originally brought to life on Wii U have been given a glorious second chance on Switch and, for the most part, they've taken that chance with open arms and impressive sales. But just...
News Mario Kart Tour Has Been Delayed Until Summer 2019
Blue shell reportedly to blame
While we're still yet to see or hear the slightest trickle of info surrounding how it will play, Nintendo's upcoming mobile app Mario Kart Tour has been delayed until this summer. Originally scheduled to arrive in the financial year ending March 2019, the app has been pushed back to the summer to improve its overall...
News Mario Kart 8 Is Now The Second Best-Selling Racing Game Of All Time In The US
Based on lifetime dollar sales
Mario Kart 8 is now reportedly the second best-selling racing game of all time across the US, and everyone's favourite red hat-wearing, moustachioed plumber has only been beaten to pole position by his older self. The game has boosted and drifted its way to some seriously impressive levels of success, now just one...
Random Tokyo's Unofficial Mario Kart Service Really Wants You To Know It's "Unrelated To Nintendo"
Stickers solve everything
Nintendo might have won the lawsuit against Tokyo's Mari Mobility company - formerly known as MariCar - but somehow the go-kart business continues to bite back. Even though the company was required to pay 10 million yen (roughly USD$88,000) in damages last year and immediately stop wearing Mario-themed outfits, it's now...
Random Major League Baseball Stadium Plays Host To Big Screen Mario Kart In Offseason
When your 50-inch plasma doesn't cut it
There's nothing quite like getting all your friends and family over for a good Mario Kart session in front of the big screen, especially if you throw some lovely snacks into the mix, but what do you do if you run out of places to sit? The answer: use a baseball stadium. The footage below captures the moment...
Random This Couple Have Been Playing Mario Kart 64 Every Day Since 2001 To Decide Who Makes The Tea
Beats rock-paper-scissors
We've all been there, arguing over who has to do the cooking, cleaning, and washing for what feels like the 657th time this week, but this adorable couple seem to have the chore-deciding formula absolutely nailed down. It turns out the answer is simple: Mario Kart 64. Reddit user u/bork1138 has shared the story of their...
December2018
News Mario Kart Arcade GP DX Adds Lakitu To The Race Lineup
New courses also released
The airborne koopa Lakitu has a long history with the Mario Kart series. He's best known for starting each race and helping out when karts go off-course. Later on in Mario Kart 7 and Mario Kart 8, Lakitu was added to the series as a playable character. Now, the Nintendo and Bandai Namco collaboration Mario Kart Arcade GP...
Deals Get Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Free When You Buy A Nintendo Switch From Select UK Stores
Perfect Christmas bundle?
It's that time of year again when millions of shoppers find themselves frantically searching online or running around stores to pick up gifts for their loved ones - or themselves. If you or someone you know is wanting a Nintendo Switch this holiday, this bundle could be a perfect option. Available for the console's...
November2018
News Elon Musk Couldn't Convince Nintendo To Add Mario Kart To Tesla's Electric Car Line
Denied
The American automotive company Tesla, Inc (formerly Tesla Motors) is all about making electric cars more viable and affordable. Elon Musk, the co-founder, CEO and tech entrepreneur behind it - who is also responsible for the SpaceX program - is known for thinking outside the box. According to IGN, Musk reportedly tried to get Nintendo to...
Random Singer Ariana Grande Has Online Troubles With Mario Kart 8 Deluxe
She eventually solved her problems
Following her Nintendo Labo collaboration with Jimmy Fallon and The Roots (see video above), American singer, songwriter and actress Ariana Grande appears to have acquired her very own Switch. The only problem is, she had to sort out a few things before she could enjoy
News A Mario Kart Lottery Is Headed To Japan With Chances To Win Some Amazing Prizes
We'll take the Lakitu clock
In yet another episode of 'Japan gets all the cool stuff and it's really getting unfair now', a new Mario Kart-themed lottery has been announced where fans can win some lovely household items based on the franchise. The lottery comes courtesy of Bandai, which has revealed that it will be bringing all of the lovely...
News Russian Nintendo CEO Caught Ranting On Official Live Stream As Management Breaks Down
"I will fire you"
Nintendo Russia CEO Yasha Haddaji Nintendo's Russian branch is seemingly rife with mismanagement. Following yesterday's news Pokémon: Let’s Go, Eevee! would only be available in limited supplies - leaving many locals scratching their heads - a video has now emerged online of the Nintendo Russia CEO Yasha Haddaji losing his...
October2018
News Mario Kart Tour "Service" Still On Track For Its Mobile Debut
Get ready to race
While there's still basically no information regarding the upcoming mobile release Mario Kart Tour, Nintendo's latest Q2 2019 financial briefing has reconfirmed the game is still on course in terms of development. The "service" is arriving sometime before the end of March 2019: We also plan to start a service for Mario Kart Tour,...
News A Decade Later Mario Kart Wii Has Now Sold 37.14 Million Copies Worldwide
Speeding ahead
Nintendo's latest financial results have revealed the Switch has now shifted 22.86 million units worldwide. The system has done so well, it has already outsold the lifetime sales of the GameCube. While revenue for the company is predominantly coming from its new hybrid device released early last year, there's a certain...
Video SpongeBob Tries To Do a Mario Kart With Nickelodeon Kart Racers
Decent characters, lacking character
Kart racers are undoubtedly a style of game popularised by the original Super Mario Kart, and for a while back in the 90s these things were everywhere; if you named a popular children's franchise, there was literally a chance there was a kart racer with that branding. How appropriate then that Nickelodeon Kart...
News Tokyo's Unofficial Mario Kart Service Continues To Dress Up Riders After Nintendo Wins Lawsuit
Perhaps a blue shell will sort this out
Even the law can't stop Tokyo's Mari Mobility company, formerly known as MariCar. After last month's reports the unlicensed Mario Kart business would be required to pay 10 million yen (roughly $88,000) in damages and immediately stop wearing Mario-themed outfits, it was believed Nintendo had finally got its...
September2018
News Bandai Namco And HTC Are Bringing Mario Kart VR To The United States
Racing in virtual reality
Following a successful launch in Japan and the UK, the Mario Kart Arcade GP VR experience is now on its way to the United States. Bandai Namco and HTC will bring the immersive Mario Kart game to the new "VR Zone Portal" in Washington, D.C. Mario Kart VR allows four players to hop into specially designed karts and race...
News There Will Be No More Drifting Around Tokyo In Unlicensed Mario Karts, As Nintendo Wins Lawsuit
Game over
Japan can be both a weird and wonderful country at times with robot restaurants and cat cafes. You might have also heard about an unlicensed Mario Kart ride company located in Tokyo. Even the Australian actor Hugh Jackman, best known for playing Wolverine in the X-Men movies, has spotted these karts in action. Being a completely...
August2018
News The Nintendo Labo Vehicle Kit Will Work With Mario Kart 8 Deluxe On Switch
Driving in style
Nintendo has shared a short new video to announce that the upcoming Nintendo Labo Vehicle Kit will be supported in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. As you can see, the Vehicle Kit's wheel and pedal can both be used to carry out your usual Mario Kart antics on screen, working nicely alongside the Toy-Con Motorbike which has been compatible
Video Here's What It's Like To Play Mario Kart In VR
Reality bites
Mario Kart VR has been a thing in Japan for a while now, but the concept has only recently made its way to the UK, with Namco Bandai setting up a unit at Hollywood Bowl inside the O2 in London this month. Simon Davidian paid a visit
July2018
Video “Beta" Version Of Bowser’s Castle Uncovered In Mario Kart Wii
A technical mouthful
Mario Kart Wii introduced many new features to the long-running series including motorbikes and 12 racers on-track at once. While the exploitation of the 'wheelie' mechanic was rife back in the day, generally the Wii version is still looked upon as a memorable entry in the series thanks to its online play, accessible nature and...
News Latest Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Update Adds Free Breath Of The Wild Content
Head back to the track
Following the recent Nintendo Labo updates for Mario Kart 8 Deluxe on the Switch, along with the announcement, even more, was on the way, Nintendo has now added free
News Mattel Is Releasing Mario Kart Themed Hot Wheels Racers
A match made in heaven
We might have seen Super Mario themed Hot Wheels racers in the past, but Mattel’s latest collaboration with Nintendo takes it to the next level. According to Comicbook.com, the toy manufacturer is releasing a new line of Hot Wheels cars based on Nintendo’s long-running racer, Mario Kart. The series will feature eight...
News Nintendo Says There Are More Updates Coming To Mario Kart 8 Deluxe
Another game that keeps on giving
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe may well have been out for over a year now - and has actually been out for over four years if you count the Wii U version - but that doesn't mean that support for the game is over just yet. Head of software development at Nintendo, Shinya Takahashi, recently took part in a short video which...
News Mario Kart VR Will Launch In The UK This Summer
A different way to play
Following a successful launch at Bandai Namco's VR ZONE arcade in Shinjuku, Tokyo, the Mario Kart Arcade GP VR experience is headed to the UK this summer. This is a multiplayer VR offering that allows four players at a time to hop into specially designed ‘Mario Karts’, before racing through the iconic Mushroom...
News Nintendo Announces New 2DS XL Minecraft, Mario Kart 7 And Animal Crossing Consoles For Japan
There's life in this system yet
While a great many gamers may have written off the 3DS now the Switch is here, it's vital to remember that it's still very much a part of Nintendo's plans - and the company has reinforced this by announcing a trio of New 2DS XL (or LL as they're known over there) consoles for release in Japan. Launching in the...
June2018
News Here's How To Use Your Nintendo Labo Toy-Con Motorbike In Mario Kart 8 Deluxe
Cardboard cruisin'
An exciting part of the recent Nintendo Labo news, which has seen the introduction of a brand new contest to win a cardboard-themed Nintendo Switch console, was the introduction of Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Toy-Con implementation. In case you missed it, Nintendo Labo's Toy-Con
News Here Are The Best Mario Kart Characters According To Actual Science
Now you really can be the best
Most of us love a good Mario Kart session every now and then; there aren't many better things in life than ordering in a pizza, having some friends over, and proceeding to throw your controllers at each other in uncontrollable rage as the umpteenth blue shell of the evening comes hurtling towards you. One question...
May2018
News Fan Creates A Playable Version Of Super Mario Odyssey's RC Circuit In Mario Kart Wii
A contender for future Mario Kart tracks?
We've seen a rather generous supply of fan-made Super Mario game creations, hacks, and large-scale projects over the last few months; a couple of weeks ago saw the return of Super Mario 64 Online with Sonic as a playable character, and earlier in the year we had a re-imagining of Super Mario Bros. DS with 80...
Random People Keep Crashing Real-Life Mario Karts In Japan
Not a banana skin in sight
We've covered the phenomenon of "real life" Mario Karting in the past, but it would seem that this light-hearted attempt to replicate the feel of the classic racing series comes with some pretty negative side-effects. Not only is the company which runs the "MariCar" event being taken to court by Nintendo, there have been...
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...
News 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, but we were...
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...
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