Mario Kart News
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...
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...
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...
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...
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,...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
