Mario Kart News
January2016
News Mario Kart 64 on Wii U VC Doesn't Have Support for Ghost Data
Controller Pak emulation seems to be the issue
Some of you from around the earlier days of the Nintendo 64 may remember the Controller Pak. This add-on slotted into the back of the controller and acted as a means of saving or transferring data between consoles. While it wasn't absolutely necessary in every N64 game, many used it to include features...
December2015
Feature How Mario Kart Brought Two Soul Mates Together
The road to true love is littered with red shells
From now until the start of the new year we're going to be republishing some of what we feel are our best features of 2015. Hopefully this will offer the chance for newer readers to catch up on content they might have missed and allow long-time fans to reacquaint themselves with features they enjoyed...
Play Get on the Grid for Festive Mario Kart 8 Races With Nintendo Life
Aim for the podium
As announced earlier this week, we're having a couple of short community gaming sessions to warm us up for the Holiday season. It kicks off today (22nd December) with Mario Kart 8. You voted for the rules in our polls, though we're keeping it light-hearted and fun; as a result the Tournament we've set up is 150cc, with All Items...
Play Enjoy Some Festive Mario Kart 8 and Super Smash Bros. With Nintendo Life
Playing as a community
It's been too long since we last ran some community online gaming here on Nintendo Life, so with the festive season and some extra play time at our disposal we thought we'd bring it back for some Holiday fun. It's a slightly off-the-cuff and late decision, but the plan is to host events that you can join for both Mario Kart 8...
News Mercedes-Benz Representative Explains the Company's DLC Deals with Nintendo
Appealing to nostalgia
In a rather strange turn of events, the first DLC ever released for Mario Kart 8 was all themed around Mercedes-Benz cars. Understandably, this put many gamers on edge and many saw it as a sign that the company was 'selling out', though this was perhaps an unfairly harsh criticism. At any rate, Mercedes-Benz DLC struck again...
Random Take a Look at This Unofficial Version of Moonview Highway on Mario Kart 7
The closest thing this game's seen to DLC
It's difficult to believe, but Mario Kart 7 just passed its 4th birthday. Things looked a lot different in the days of its launch; the Wii U was still a year away, the eShop was in its infancy, and there admittedly weren't very many 3DS games worth owning. Mario Kart 7 marked the beginning of change, kicking...
November2015
News Mario Kart 8 to Feature in Competitive TV Show on 5th December
Will be broadcast on the Disney big grin channel
Nintendo of America's marketing campaigns for the Holiday season take various forms, and one seems to be a partnership to promote one of the Wii U's biggest hits. This will be through "Clash of Karts: Mario Kart 8", a show that'll be broadcast on Disney XD this coming weekend. In essence it's going...
News Nintendo Badge Arcade Gets A Mario Kart 8 Turbo Injection
Vroom vroom
We had mixed feelings about Nintendo Badge Arcade when we took a look at it over the weekend, but those with collecting streaks will likely find the arcade too cute and compelling to put down. Today Nintendo of Europe revealed that new catchers containing badges from Mario Kart 8 have just been added to Nintendo Badge Arcade
October2015
News New Euro Wii U Premium Bundle Contains Mario Kart 8 And Splatoon
Launches this month, costs £239.99
Nintendo has confirmed today that it is releasing a new Wii U premium bundle which contains two of the console's most critically-acclaimed titles, Mario Kart 8 and Splatoon. The pack - which will be a limited-time offer - contains the standard black premium Wii U console with 32GB of storage and all the usual...
September2015
Weirdness Mario Kart 8's Yoshi Bike Found In Japan
Well, kind of...
Those familiar with the latest instalment in the Mario Kart series will know that one of the available vehicles is the 'Yoshi Bike' - a motorbike shaped as Mario's long-time dino companion, obviously. As cool as it looks in the game (if that's the kind of thing that floats your boat), it looks even better in real-life. Twitter user...
News Updated Mario Kart 8 Wii U Hardware Bundle in North America Includes Both DLC Packs
No plastic wheel though (sad face)
One of the most popular Wii U hardware bundles of last year was the Mario Kart 8 package, with the North American equivalent coming packaged with the game, a lovely Red Mario Wii Remote Plus and a red Wii Wheel; all in all it was a great deal. Nintendo of America has retooled its Mario Kart 8 bundle, with an...
Mario Memories Mario Kart 8 and Discovering the Joys of Online Multiplayer
6th Place Forever
In this series of articles celebrating the upcoming 30th Anniversary of Super Mario, various members of the Nintendo Life extended family will share their memories and thoughts on the iconic franchise. This time we have our delightful reviewer Narelle Ho Sang. Some of my favourite memories of Mario are the ones I'm still making...
Mario History Mario Kart Wii - 2008
Filling the world with plastic wheels
In this series of articles we'll write about one or more Mario game per day, each representing a different year as part of our Super Mario 30th Anniversary celebrations. Mario Kart: Double Dash! on GameCube played its part in shaking up home console racing in the iconic karting series, while Mario Kart DS...
Video See Mario Kart 8's Mute City in a Whole New Way
GBA Ribbon Road and 3DS Neo Bowser City also get the treatment
You may remember that in the past we shared some videos from the MrBean35000vr YouTube channel. The hackers often use their skills to show off cool areas of games we haven't seen much of before, and were among the first to break into the Wii U. Courtesy of Nintendo's efforts with...
Mario History Mario Kart DS and Mario Kart Arcade GP - 2005
When snaking shook the world
In this series of articles we'll write about one or more Mario game per day, each representing a different year as part of our Super Mario 30th Anniversary celebrations. 2005 was a busy year in terms of Mario releases, with a whole host of options across portable and home console systems, all in the form of spin-offs...
Mario History Mario Kart: Double Dash!! - 2003
Seeing double
In this series of articles we'll write about one or more Mario game per day, each representing a different year as part of our Super Mario 30th Anniversary celebrations. Arriving two years after Mario Kart Super Circuit on the GBA, Mario Kart: Double Dash!! (emphasis not ours) is the fourth game in the Mario Kart series, or third...
August2015
News Awesome Mario Kart Trophies Are Now Up for Grabs on Club Nintendo in Europe and Australia
Star Power
Club Nintendo is all wrapped up in North America and it's heading towards its end date in PAL territories, too. Fans of the service in Europe and Australia can still grab some goodies with their remaining Stars, however, and some particularly awesome rewards have just been added. All of these Mario Kart trophies are up for grabs, and...
Pokémon being the notable exception
There may be a new Call of Duty, FIFA and Assassin's Creed on store shelves every single year, but Nintendo of America's Scott Moffitt stresses that Nintendo isn't looking to pull the same trick any time soon. Speaking to The Examiner, Moffitt addressed the issue of yearly updates, something which publishers...
July2015
News Mario Kart 8 Soundtrack CD Club Nintendo Reward Powerslides Into View
The perfect driving accompaniment
Club Nintendo might be about to close soon in Europe (it's already finished in North America), but in the meantime Nintendo is still being generous with the goodies on offer for dedicated Stars collectors in the region. For only 3000 Stars in Europe (2000 in Australia) you can now grab the Mario Kart 8 Original...
Weirdness Doting Dad Transforms Nursery Into The Ultimate Mario Kart 8 Tribute
Defying gravity
Reddit user troymcklure didn't want any old nursery when he created one for his newborn child. He decided that bog-standard teddies and pastel-shades were too mainstream, and decided instead to create a room themed entirely around Mario Kart 8 - and the most amazing thing is, this work follows his Zelda and Yoshi-themed
News Catch Up With the Mario Kart World Cup as it Enters the Knockout Stages
A blue shell away from glory
Mario Kart is one of Nintendo's most beloved and bankable franchises - with just one release per system and the addition of DLC on Wii U, it's an integral part of any console from the big N and a must have. Mario Kart 8 on Wii U is no different. It's also a popular game to watch, and the next two weekends bring an...
News Mario Kart Arcade GP DX Gets a Timely Boost with Major Update
Metal Mario and Rosalina join the roster
It's easy to forget that arcades exist in this day and age; if you've seen Wreck-It Ralph, that's how some of us still picture them in our mind. Unfortunately the majority of arcade machines nowadays are confined to bowling alleys alongside Whack-a-mole and Air Hockey tables. But we digress, Mario Kart Arcade...
May2015
Video What Do You Get When You Combine Mario Kart and Mad Max?
Mario Kart: Fury Road
It's the movie that everyone is talking about right now, Mad Max: Fury Road, starring Tom Hardy, Charlize Theron and Nicholas Hoult. Whilst you might not expect any crossover between this post apocalyptic world and the mushroom kingdom all it takes is some choice edits of blue shells, mushrooms and banana skins to the film's...
News Producer Of The Mario Kart Series Appointed As Head Of Nintendo’s Mobile Development Division
Likely to mean Hideki Konno
Following Nintendo's big announcement in March that it would partner with DeNA to bring popular Nintendo IP to new games on smart devices, there was much speculation about how exactly this enthralling venture would unfold. Now Japanese news outlet Sankei is reporting that Nintendo's latest financial results have shed...
April2015
News Mario Kart 8's 200cc Mode Has Apparently Negated Firehopping
"It's a legitimate strategy!"
Look at any popular, competitive video game and it's practically guaranteed that there will be a particular exploit that advanced players use to gain the edge over their opponents. Whether these exploits are "cheating" or not is very much debatable; it can certainly be argued that a glitch already in the game could just...
Video So, How Fast Is 200cc In Mario Kart 8?
Spoiler: Very - we compare it to 50cc, 100cc and 150cc
Oh Nintendo, with this free update for Mario Kart 8 you are really spoiling us! Sure, we're grateful for stability and the ability to purchase the awesome new Animal Crossing x Mario Kart DLC, but let's face it - today we are all about the brand new 200cc speed. This face-melting new difficulty...
Talking Point Mario Kart 8 DLC is a Winning Formula for Nintendo, But It Can Go Further
A real Battle Mode, Challenges and more
We suspect that the online multiplayer servers for Mario Kart 8 saw a handsome spike this week, with the launch of DLC Pack 2 and an update that includes the 200cc race class. It's a title that just keeps growing, and as we argued recently the arrival of non-Mario franchises points to a potential future for...
Video Here's Our Own Animal Crossing x Mario Kart 8 Showcase
The Return of Baby Park
Ladies and gentlemen, start your engines....again! The second DLC pack for Mario Kart 8 is here and it is a must-buy piece of downloadable content if ever there were one. Even if Animal Crossing isn't your cup of tea, there are plenty of reasons to be excited about this pack. How about another F-Zero track? Is Dry Bowser...
Live Nintendo UK Shows Off Mario Kart 8 DLC and 200cc Mode
Remember to brake
As this is Mario Kart 8 day, in particular thanks to the free 200cc mode and the Animal Crossing x Mario Kart 8 pack, we thought we'd share yet another opportunity to check it out. Nintendo UK is running a live stream from 5pm to 6pm local time, which will be showing off the new tracks and 200cc mode. If you haven't yet had a...
Play Take On 200cc and DLC Racing in Mario Kart 8 With Nintendo Life
Race for honour and opportunities to gloat
It's a fun day for Mario Kart 8 fans, with a free update bringing a 200cc race class and more Mii costumes to unlock with amiibo. On top of that there's the main attraction, with DLC Pack 2 available now and bringing eight new tracks, three characters and four vehicles. We thought we'd celebrate the arriva
News Mario Kart 8 DLC Pack 2 Available to Download Right Now
Rev up the engines
The time is here, with the Mario Kart 8 DLC Pack 2 and software update now available to download; if you try and fire up your copy of the game it should automatically trigger a download update. Once that's done you can open up the game and set the DLC downloading - when that's finished you have various delights waiting for you...
News UK StreetPass Groups Planning Mario Kart 8 Race Meetings This Weekend
200cc mode is the focus
This week sees the release of the second Mario Kart 8 DLC pack, which brings new racers, circuits and vehicles to the Wii U's premier racing title. However, for many players these additions pale in comparison to the pack's most important feature: the introduction of a blazingly-fast 200cc race class
News Mario Kart Super Circuit Arrives on the Wii U eShop This Week in Europe
Yes, we're still waiting for the download update information
We're not sure why, but at the time of writing we're yet to receive the usual Nintendo Download Update news for Europe; we've enquired to see what's happening, in any case. Yet Nintendo of Europe does have its line-up at least partially confirmed, stating on Twitter that Mario Kart Super...
Bringing more gaming with less releases
Let's kick off this article with some current-day realities - not negative as such, but perhaps uncomfortable. At the moment, especially with the Wii U, Nintendo is responsible for producing the bulk of high-quality retail releases. There are partners or second-party studios producing some key efforts - like...
Poll Would You Like Mario Kart 8 and Super Smash Bros. DLC to Expand for a Whole Generation?
Platforms within platforms
This week Super Smash Bros. on Wii U and Nintendo 3DS had its first DLC in the form of Mii character outfits, while on 23rd April we'll get to enjoy the Mario Kart 8 DLC Pack 2. We know there's more to come in Super Smash Bros. in the form of purchasable characters - Mewtwo (already available to eligible Club Nintendo...
Video Nintendo Minute Races Around the Mario Kart 8 DLC Pack 2
On the starting grid
The Mario Kart 8 DLC Pack 2 - or Mario Kart 8 X Animal Crossing, if you prefer - is now just days away, adding another eight tracks, three characters (four if you count Boy and Girl Villager separately) and four vehicles. There'll also be the 200cc mode as a free extra for everyone, too. One of the Wii U's finest games is about...
Poll What Are You Most Excited About in the Mario Kart 8 DLC Pack 2?
Tracks, characters, vehicles, amiibo suits and free 200cc all coming
Earlier today Nintendo finally unveiled its full line-up for the Mario Kart 8 DLC Pack 2, with a whole host of lovely videos joining the announcement. We've also had a chance to go hands on with everything the DLC has to offer, including 200cc mode, to share our views on how its...
Hands On Hitting the Tracks in Mario Kart 8 DLC Pack 2 and 200cc Mode
It just keeps getting better...
When Nintendo announced that the second Mario Kart 8 DLC pack was coming earlier than promised, we were appropriately excited. Now that we've had a chance to get to grips with everything this extra content has to offer, suffice to say we're not disappointed. In this early look at the full DLC pack we check out the...
News Marvel at the Launch Trailer, Live Music and Tracks of Mario Kart 8 DLC Pack 2
Full details inside
After a lengthy period of furious winking, release date movement - for the better in this case - and rumours, Nintendo revealed the details for Mario Kart 8 DLC Pack 2. Some of the rumours actually proved correct, either by dumb luck or otherwise, and the line-up has certainly got plenty of fans excited. If you missed it, the...
News Nintendo of Japan Confirms the Tracks in the Upcoming Mario Kart 8 DLC
Baby Park and Neo Bowser City are in, after all!
With the second half of the Mario Kart 8 DLC just around the corner, speculation has been at critical mass. Just a few days ago, a rumour on NeoGaf stated that Neo Bowser City and Baby Park would be making an appearance, but that rumour was supposedly debunked. It has recently come to light that the...
Video Mute City in Mario Kart 8 Just Got Crazy Courtesy of 200cc Racing
The closest we'll get to a real F-Zero experience for now
It's not long until we'll be racing around in Mario Kart 8 at the slightly silly - but potentially awesome - 200cc speed. Whether a case of perspective or true to reality, the free update is bringing a level of pace that seems more than a mere one-third increase. Up to now Nintendo UK has...
Rumour Upcoming Mario Kart 8 DLC to Include Baby Park and Neo Bowser City
Supposedly dug up from the game's code
Update: Cancel the baby (park) shower, this is apparently a load of old bunkum, as we suggested it may be in the original article below. We're back to dreaming once again... Original Article: The Mario Kart 8 second DLC pack isn't far away, which mean we can start to fantasize about what tracks will be on...
Video This 200cc Mario Kart 8 Comparison Footage Shows Insane Speed Through Piranha Plant Pipeway
The power of flight
Mario Kart 8 will have a load of new content soon, with the 200cc racing class arriving as a free update for all players. We've already seen footage showing just how much it'll shake up the way we race, with the speed on offer seemingly more that the 50cc boost suggested by the name. Comparisons with 150cc laps are certainly...
Video See for Yourself How 200cc Speed Affects Mario Kart 8 Racing
Some tracks will never be the same again
Nintendo may be exploring quite a lot of paid DLC options, but it still gives us some free treats - the upcoming 200cc update for Mario Kart 8 is a good example. Revealed during Nintendo Direct, it'll arrive on 23rd April and bring a whole new level of speed to the terrific kart racer. The reveal video...
News Mario Kart 8 Animal Crossing DLC Pack Brought Forward to April, More amiibo Outfits on the Way
Track changes with the real-world seasons
Mario Kart 8 was saved for the finale of today's Nintendo Direct broadcasts, and with good reason. Satoru Iwata unveiled a free update that'll introduce a 200cc mode, but we also got more details on the upcoming Mario Kart 8 X Animal Crossing DLC pack and additional amiibo support. To start with the DLC...
News Mario Kart 8 Is Getting A Blisteringly Fast 200cc Mode For Free
Feel the need for speed on April 23rd
150cc has always been the sternest test in the Mario Kart series. Right from the launch of Super Mario Kart, this expert racing class represented the very best the franchise could offer: incredible speed and tough, skilled rivals. However, during today's Nintendo Direct a bombshell was dropped - 150cc is no...
March2015
Video Mario Kart 8 Hackers Duplicate Items For Racing Mayhem
All offline and not being shared, importantly
Mario Kart 8 is one of the best games on the Wii U, and through its DLC - more of which is due in May - has kept racers busy for many months. It's not entirely avoided the hacking fate of its predecessor on Wii, however, though widespread modding and cheating hasn't been a major problem to date. YouTube...
Video Watch As A Gaggle Of Oldies Are Exposed To The Joys Of Mario Kart 8
"I'd prefer Poker"
Mario Kart 8 is a game with almost universal appeal, effortlessly able to transcend the boundaries of gender, race and - as the video below proves - age. Yup, the world-famous React YouTube channel has taken a group of old people, parked them in front of a Wii U playing a copy of Nintendo's famous racing title and shoved...
News Mario Kart 8 DLC Still Set for May as Online eShop Purchases are Offered in Japan
Mario Kart.tv now linking to an eShop portal
Nintendo's taken notable strides in recent times with its online services and the eShop, particularly in the area of improving convenience for those buying download games when away from their console. In North America it's now possible to buy a decent collection of games via the company's official website...
February2015
News This Mario Kart 8 RC Toy Pretends to go Into Anti-Gravity Mode
Yes please
Well known US retailer JAKKS is currently promoting a variety of Nintendo toys, and last week we highlighted an articulated Link toy that's on the way. Another upcoming toy has popped up online, and is perhaps a cut above the rest - in both cool-factor and price. As you can see in the images above and below it's a remote controlled Mario...
January2015
Weirdness Totaka's Song Appears to Have Been Found in Mario Kart 8
Listen carefully
Kazumi Totaka is one of Nintendo's most experienced and talented composers and sound directors, yet that's probably not the reason that many recognise his name. He's better know for Totaka's Song, a simple melody that has been hidden within a whole load of Nintendo games. The first appearance seems to have been in X on Game Boy,...
Video Teens Race and Talk Smack in Mario Kart 64
"Yo dawg I've got the golden mushroom"
YouTube has plenty of ways to entertain us, and one formula that's hugely successful is the React series in which different groups encounter games and are filmed as they get to grips with them. With Nintendo battling for attention against its big rivals, it can be fun to watch teens - particularly - getting to...
News Mario Kart 8 Beats Stern Competition To Become Eurogamer's Game Of 2014
Racing to the finish
The Wii U had a solid 2014 in terms of software, with titles like Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze, Bayonetta 2 and Super Smash Bros. all gaining high scores and securing plenty of admirers. Nintendo's console also picked up some much-needed momentum in commercial terms, too -- although as many industry analysts will tell...
December2014
Poll Which is the Best Mario Kart Game?
Will you go retro, HD or portable?
It's a time of year in which plenty of time is spent with friends, family and fellow web gamers debating all manner of topics. Is Kirby Nintendo's cutest mascot? Has Mario's moustache become bushier in the HD era? Will F-Zero ever return? It's a time of opinions, and having checked out the Game of the Year results...
YouTube celeb Rosanna Pansino is understandably starstruck
If you're a YouTube fan that enjoys rather friendly and accessible baking videos, there's a pretty good chance that you know about Rosanna Pansino — she has nearly three million subscribers and we previously covered a Cooking Mama 5 video of hers. Pansino has now posted a Nintendo-themed...
Video We Go Hands On With Some 2nd Wave amiibo Figures
Tiny Falcon Punches
The world is going amiibo-mad at the moment, and in this wave of hysteria, some retailers are releasing the 2nd wave of figurines a week earlier than originally planned here in the UK. We picked up three of the new wave and because we're so nice, we've made this little video to show you what we think of them. You're welcome. [...
News Sorry to Disappoint, But That 'New' GamePad Mario Kart 8 Commercial is Pretty Old
Just wonky effects, we'd wager
Over the past weekend we saw some chatter around a potential 'new' GamePad in a Mario Kart 8 commercial posted on the Japanese YouTube account; we clicked on over and were disappointed. The focus was on a GamePad shot that showed a controller that appeared thinner but blurry, but we realised this was actually a retread...
News Mario Kart 8 Starting Grid T-Shirt Accelerates Onto Club Nintendo
A pricey option for PAL racers
Club Nintendo may still insist on the completion of particularly annoying surveys, but it's still a useful means to pick up some goodies. While the North American version focuses on download games and occasional extras, the PAL equivalents serve up a range of merchandise, with fairly regular additions in recent times...
Competition Give Someone The Gift Of Nintendo This Christmas
Get that warm fuzzy feeling...
Thanks to our friends at the Nintendo Official UK Store, we have an extra special competition for Nintendo Life readers. As Christmas is a time of goodwill we want one lucky reader to give the gift of Nintendo to a friend or family member who, for whatever reason, deserves a treat this holiday season. The Wii U Family...
News Wii U System Update 5.3.1 Resolves Mario Kart 8 TV YouTube Issue
Also adds sweet, sweet stability
While not necessarily a feature used by many, Mario Kart 8's TV mode, allowing you to upload highlights directly to YouTube, is one of the games most modern features. That said, some users were encountering consistent errors with the feature, halting their attempts at racing stardom on the web. Nintendo promised an...
November2014
Video Here's How amiibo Works With Mario Kart 8, Hyrule Warriors And Smash Bros. Wii U
Where does he get all those wonderful toys
Nintendo's take on the "toys to life" concept — known as amiibo — is finally here, and like so many Nintendo fans over the world we've been having some fun with these amazing little figures. For those who haven't had a chance to see what these awesome mounds of plastic can do, let us educate you with...
News This Mario Kart 8 Badge Set Brings Some Extra Style to Club Nintendo
Available right now in Europe and Australia
Club Nintendo sometimes gets criticism for not providing regular updates of neat collectibles, but the latest arrival in Europe and Australia may satisfy those with some Stars to spend — there's now a Mario Kart 8 badge set. A rather nice presentation box, pictured above, contains three metal badges...
News Sami Cetin Breaks The NTSC Super Mario Kart World Record On Mario Circuit 1
He's a Time Trial master
Super Mario Kart SNES has just had another barrier broken on the Time Trial Mode. You may recall us reporting that UK-based Mario Kart expert Sami Cetin was the first person to break the sub-58 second barrier on the PAL Version of Mario Circuit 1 on Christmas Day, 2013. After this amazing Christmas present it was almost...
News Mario Kart 8 Scoops Best Game Prize at British Academy Children’s Awards
Another cup won
It's been a big year for Mario Kart 8, with the racer boosting Wii U sales and delivering a franchise first with the recently released DLC. It's been given plenty of praise, and now has a relatively lucrative award to celebrate. Every year the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) hosts its Children's Awards, to...
Video Jimmy Fallon Reveals He's A Keen Mario Kart 8 Bowser Player
It's good to be bad
We've all got our own personal preferences when it comes to Mario Kart. Some of these have been built up over the past two decades since the SNES original was released, while others are founded on more recent instalments. Which character a person picks says a lot about their play style and temperament — and thanks to an...
Weirdness Mario Kart Becomes A Temporary Reality In Tokyo
Every gamer's dream...
Go-kart rental company Akiba Cart is known for its usual monthly events, allowing people to race around the streets of Tokyo's busiest and geekiest district, Akihabara. However, last Sunday the neighbourhood was in for a treat, for a group of cosplayers dressed as Mario and company decided to take the stage and 'play' Mario...
Review Mario Kart Super Circuit (Wii U eShop / GBA)
Good for another lap
When the Nintendo 64 hit the market and suggested that 2D games had gone the way of the dodo, many of us that were fond of fancy sprite-work were forced to dust off elderly hardware to scratch our itch for the classic genres we held dear — until the Game Boy Advance came along, that is. Often reflected upon as the second...
News Mario Kart 8 Update Planned to Resolve MKTV YouTube Upload Error
The dreaded error code 104-1852
Mario Kart 8 has proven to be a major success for the Wii U in 2014, being critically acclaimed and — more importantly — performing well at retail. A feature it introduced as new to the franchise, of course, was Mario Kart TV, in which you can save, edit and view stylish replays of races. Another option is to...
Video Someone Has Built Mario Kart 8's Mute City Track In F-Zero X, Just Because They Can
You've got boast power!
Mario Kart 8's new DLC is a beautiful thing, offering additional characters, karts and tracks which breathe new life into what was already one of the best Wii U games. However, one of the highlights for the Nintendo Life team — all card-carrying F-Zero fans — is the Mute City track, which makes us want a sequel more than...
News Andy Murray Drops Mario Kart For Sudden Djokovic Tennis Match
Green shell firing should've come in handy…
After being defeated by Roger Federer in this week's ATP World Tour Finals in the group stage, UK tennis player and Grand Slam winner Andy Murray had decided to hang up the racket and pick up the pad for a day — Sunday to be exact. However, his R&R came to a screeching halt, as he received a call...
Video Nintendo Releases 60 FPS Trailers for Splatoon and Mario Kart 8 DLC
Have a EMP Indie event video as a bonus
Earlier this year YouTube announced that it'd update its service to finally support 60 frames per second (FPS) videos, which means that footage can be silky smooth and delicious for our eyeballs; that update went live at the end of October. The standard performance is 30 FPS, and if you're unsure of how...
Feature Our Predictions For The Animal Crossing x Mario Kart 8 DLC Pack 2
Vehicles and tracks up for grabs
Earlier this week, ahead of the launch of the first Mario Kart 8 DLC Pack, we let our imaginations — and hopes — run free in creating more DLC packs that we want to see. It was certainly fun for us, though a common complaint was that they weren't realistic. Forgetting the fact that predicting Zelda DLC a year ago...
Video Watch The Mario Kart 8 × Zelda DLC Running In Silky-Smooth 1080p 60fps
A Link To The Fast
The excellent first piece of paid-for DLC was released for Mario Kart 8 on Thursday, and it truly is a wonderful download, worthy of your hard earned money. We've waved lyrical about how great it is, but if for some reason you aren't yet convinced, allow us to push you off the fence with this video of Link, Tanooki Mario &...
Video Let's Play Mario Kart 8 With Lydia Part Two: Shell Cup 150cc Challenge
150cc or bust
Not so long ago I tested my skills at Mario Kart 8's 150cc Mushroom Cup, and as promised, I'm back to take on the Shell Cup. Have my skills improved in the time that has passed since I gunned for Mushroom Cup glory? Have I mastered my racing lines and become more adept at blasting back-markers with red shells? You'll have to watch to...
Video Relax With This Collection of Mario Kart 8 DLC Videos
Music! Comparisons! More Music!
It's Friday, which means the youthful among you may be planning a weekend full of fun and frolics, while those of us that are a tad older may be planning to sleep and catch up on our reading time — with pipe and slippers to hand, of course. Whatever the case for you, it can be nice to just relax and bask in the glow...
Play Get Racing In Our Mario Kart 8 Nintendo Life DLC GP
All new tracks, all the time
Today has brought us the first Mario Kart 8 DLC pack, which is no doubt being eagerly played around the world already. With tracks, characters and vehicles incorporating F-Zero, The Legend of Zelda and Excitebike alongside other fun new tracks, it delivers a terrific expansion to the racer. Naturally plenty will be...
Video Mercedes Releases Two New Real-Life Mario Kart 8 Commercials
We’ll also file this one under the ‘weirdness’ tag
Whether you like it or not, the free Mercedes DLC for Mario Kart 8 is here to stay. Whilst the initial announcement raised much discussion – and concern – about licensed content within Nintendo’s video game franchises, Mercedes-Benz has since cunningly naturalised the concept with the...
News Mario Kart: Super Circuit is Racing Onto The Wii U Virtual Console
Rated and ready for a US release
Update: It seems this title is coming out today in North America, as a trailer has been posted on YouTube: [ Original Article: While ambassadors of the 3DS have had their hands on Mario Kart: Super Circuit since 2011, the rest of the Nintendo community has been wondering when the Game Boy Advance title would...
News Mario Kart 8 Software Update and DLC Available Now
Rev up the Master Cycle
While there are some blockbuster titles arriving in stores this week, we suspect we're not alone in looking forward to one thing above all else — Mario Kart 8 DLC. The Legend of Zelda x Mario Kart 8 includes eight tracks, three characters and four vehicles, and we think it's an absolute treat. The good news is that it's...
Feature These Are The Mario Kart 8 DLC Packs We Want To See
This is just the beginning
At the time of writing the first DLC pack for Mario Kart 8 — The Legend of Zelda x Mario Kart 8 — is just hours away. It won't stop there, either, as next May will bring a second pack to the successful Wii U racer. Yet as we eagerly anticipate blasting around Mute City while playing as Link on the Master Cycle —...
Preview Power Sliding Around The Legend of Zelda x Mario Kart 8 DLC
The great just got even greater!
Recently we were invited to Nintendo's UK headquarters to have a go at The Legend of Zelda x Mario Kart 8 DLC that's arriving on 13th November, and naturally we just had to tell you what we thought of it. This is the first time a Mario Kart game has had DLC, so Nintendo has to make an impact to convince buyers to...
Video Enjoy a Turbo Boost With This Mario Kart 8 DLC Pack 1 Overview
Race on a giant dragon, just because
It's now just a week before the first batch of DLC for Mario Kart 8 arrives; while it may seem slightly peculiar to be hyped for paid DLC, we suspect a good number of Nintendo fans are eagerly awaiting this pack's arrival. For a thoroughly reasonable price there'll be a decent amount of content, and the fact that...
News Mario Kart 8 DLC Pack 1 Hits on 13th November, Content and amiibo Details Confirmed
Rev it up
Among the many announcements during today's Nintendo Direct broadcast were some exciting details about a long-established Wii U game. Nintendo finally provided full release details on the first DLC pack for Mario Kart 8, while also confirming the compatible amiibo figuries for the racer. To kick off with the DLC, it arrives on 13th...
News Mario Kart 8 Software Update Will Unlock amiibo Functionality With Themed Mii Racing Suits
Speed meets style
In a recent update to the official Mario Kart 8 site — that seems to have been spotted early be eager fans — Nintendo has revealed some of the first details in relation to the game's long-awaited amiibo functionality, and announced that the relevant software update will be available from November 13th. According to the amiibo...
October2014
News Walmart Display Shows Us Which amiibo Are Compatible With Mario Kart 8, and More
Smashing up the tracks
It's no secret that many of the amiibo figurines already revealed will work across a range of compatible software titles, and now a recently-discovered Wal-Mart promotional display has shed some light on which are set for use in Mario Kart 8. Nintendo Force editor Lucas Thomas managed to grab a picture detailing a list of...
Video Try Not To Overheat As You Watch Excitebike Arena Footage From Mario Kart 8's DLC
Very excite
It's not long now until Mario Kart 8 gets its first helping of DLC, and to keep you keen Nintendo has released a video which shows off the amazing Excitebike Arena course — inspired, of course, by the NES game Excitebike. The course is packed with bumps which are perfect for trick boosts, and even features a massive status of the...
Tanooki Buggy also revealed!
If you haven’t already pre-purchased the upcoming Mario Kart 8 downloadable content, due out this November and May 2015, then this latest reveal might just be enough reason to take the plunge. Nintendo has released a new trailer revealing Yoshi Circuit from the 2003 GameCube series entry, Mario Kart: Double Dash!!,...
News Eiji Aonuma Wants Mario Kart 8's DLC Master Cycle In Future Zelda Games
Extra horsepower for the Zelda franchise
It's not long now until November, which means the first batch of DLC for Mario Kart 8 will arrive. As it's The Legend of Zelda x Mario Kart 8 and will include Link as a playable character, there's understandable hype. The recent reveal of The Master Cycle naturally grabbed our attention, then, a rather slick...
News Nintendo Reveals The Master Cycle for Mario Kart 8's Zelda DLC
"Plenty of horse power"
When Nintendo announced DLC for Mario Kart 8 it caused quite a stir, not least because it'll incorporate other much-loved franchises into the racer. There'll be The Legend of Zelda x Mario Kart 8 in November and Animal Crossing x Mario Kart 8 in May 2015, with each pack also incorporating other IPs such as F-Zero. Details...
Video Let's Play Mario Kart 8 With Lydia
First up, Mushroom Cup 150cc
Hi guys! I guess some introductions are in order. I'm Lydia and you may (or may not) know me from my YouTube channel Squid Gaming. I'm here to take on the Mario Kart 8 challenge set by those lovely folks at Nintendo Life. Whilst dancing to the Pokemon theme tune at EGX London (I know, what was I thinking?), I bumped...
Video Check Out Our Second EGX 2014 YouTube Mario Kart 8 Challenge
Twelve more YouTube gamers race to the finish line
EGX 2014 may be a fading memory for some, but here at Nintendo Life we're committed to making sure everyone remembers how truly amazing it all was. With that in mind, we bring you not one but two new videos from the EGX weekend, both of which focus on the live events we held which showcased the...
Event Mario Kart 8 UK Championship 2014 At EGX
Coverage from the big day
At this year's EGX we hosted the Mario Kart 8 UK Championship with The Official Nintendo UK Store in order to find the best Mushroom Kingdom racer in the entire country. After a series of gruelling online heats we whittled it down to 12 challengers, all of which met at EGX to decide who was the supreme talent on the track...
News Australian McDonald's Now Offering Mario Kart 8 Toys In Happy Meals
Race in and get them while you can!
If Pokémon trading cards and spin discs didn’t tempt any Aussie readers here on Nintendo Life a few months ago, perhaps these Mario Kart 8 toys Maccas – that’s McDonald’s to the rest of the world – are currently offering as their latest Happy Meal promotion in the land down under will. The Australian...
Video Which YouTube Star Is Best At Mario Kart 8?
They don't just play Minecraft, you know
Yesterday we brought you the special indie developer Mario Kart 8 tournament we ran at this year's EGX, and today we've got another racing treat — a similar event which features twelve of the UK's most popular YouTube gaming stars. The assembled challengers can call upon a combined total of over 12 million...
September2014
Video Which Indie Developer Is Best At Mario Kart 8?
We didn't know either, so we decided to find out
As we've already mentioned several times before until we're blue in the face, we helped Nintendo UK host the official UK Mario Kart 8 Championships at this year's EGX. During the four days we held daily competitions so attendees could show off their skills, as well as two special races which featured...
Weirdness Rainbow Road Muscles its Way onto Realistic Racer Assetto Corsa
Hilariously out-of-place
Rainbow Road from Super Mario 64 is a track steeped in many people's nostalgia banks, and Mario Kart 8 recreated that experience in HD for the first time earlier this year. Now, a clever modder who goes by the name of 'N64AC' has managed to get the original track working on an upcoming realistic racing simulator coming out...
Player Profile Mario Kart 8 Championship - Finalists 9-12
Rounding out the top 12
As we hope you're aware, we've teamed up with the Official Nintendo UK Store to run the Mario Kart 8 Championship 2014 in the UK, looking for the country's fastest racer who'll receive some fantastic prizes. This Championship has four online heats, with the top three in each of those heats then progressing to a live final at...
News B Dasher is Speeding Onto The Legend of Zelda X Mario Kart 8 DLC Pack
Vroom vroom
The Legend of Zelda X Mario Kart 8 will be the first paid-DLC pack for the Wii U racer this November, and Nintendo has confirmed another of the new karts that will make an appearance. Joining the Blue Falcon from the F-Zero franchise will be the B Dasher, which made its début as the main box cover kart in Mario Kart DS, before making...
Player Profile Mario Kart 8 Championship - Finalists 5-8
Round Two!
As we hope you're aware, we've teamed up with the Official Nintendo UK Store to run the Mario Kart 8 Championship 2014 in the UK, looking for the country's fastest racer who'll receive some fantastic prizes. This Championship has four online heats, with the top three in each of those heats then progressing to a live final at EGX London -...
3... 2... 1... GO!
Despite some memorable moments from this game, it disappoints compared to its predecessor. Level of challenge almost non-existent; 150cc is comparatively a walk in the park. Rainbow Road is laborious and let's not get started on Battle Mode... Agreed, tracks are beautiful, with varied locations and their own challenges and quirks:...
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