The Digital Foundry team makes its living by delving into the minutiae of detail over a game's performance, looking at visual effects, resolution and frame rate among other factors. It did just that for Mario Kart 8 last year when it launched, and was full of praise for Nintendo's racer. In addition to being an attractive game on the Wii U, it was confirmed that our eyes weren't deceiving us when referencing a silky-smooth 60 frames-per-second performance in single player or two-player races.
Well, technically it was pointed out that the frame rate can dip to 59fps, but that's nit-picking of the most extreme variety.
Since then we've had DLC, of course, with the second pack arriving just recently. While our own eyeballs can draw the conclusion that this new content lives up to the standards of the core game, it's nevertheless interesting to see whether it is - on a technical level - fully up to scratch.
This frame rate test video of the new tracks is worth a watch, then, though we're scandalised to see moments of 58 fps - tut tut, Nintendo.
Comments 25
Nice to see. Any news about the update 4.1? Got the update in the morning. Unlocks Reverse mode and 200ccm. What else?
I don't know why it would be any different from the actual game... is DLC usually different in other games?
Oh no 58 fps... Looks like I better cash in and sell my copy to CEX quick smart before they drop the trade-in value. Damn you Digital Foundry...
One of my all time favourite games, which only got better with the quality and value of the dlc...
I think some of the new tracks look even more impressive than any in the main game.In fact I would go as far to say that Ribbon Road or Baby Park are the finest graphics Nintendo has ever produced.I'd love to play a 3D Mario with the worlds looking as good as the graphics on those 2 tracks.
@ikki5 They might also be testing the update performance alongside the DLC, considering that you need the update for the DLC.
Super nerds will argue about this in GameStops across the country.
Visually stunning and impressive frame rate. I hope this becomes a standard for Nintendo.
@tbuck
There's an update?
@Judgedean
Yes here in Germany I got it today at 08:00 am. After starting the game I got a messagebox that reverse and 200 ccm are now unlocked. Till now I only have gold in every 50 ccm cup.
I just got the update too.I still had 1 cup to win to unlock it,I'll probably never bother doing it now haha.Going to play some 200cc Grand Prix' now.
@tbuck that was a nice surprise, especially when I didn't unlock them yet. Yes I suck.
Eh, the 59fps joke is getting really old by now. But I didn't notice any performance issues, either (except that the initial loading screen MIGHT take a tiny bit longer than before - but that's really no issue).
@ikki5 Actually, yes. I don't remember which games had such an issue, but some titles had noticeable performance drops with DLC or patches.
"Get someone who can actually drive!"
...says anyone who hasn't even played 200cc.
58 fps? Unforgivable.
60 fps at 1080p.
Nintendo makes the highest quality experiences.
So redundant...
@OorWullie I though the same thing while playing cheese land! Galaxy was cool but it always felt congested.
58 fps, that counts as slowdown in my book.
@tbuck You know you're German when you use ccm...haha
I still can't believe we actually have 48 tracks in a MK game. Hopefully we'll get even more but I kinda want some kind of mission-mode or challenges first.
I must say, I am glad Nintendo unlocked mirror mode and 200cc with the latest patch I am not good enough to unlock MM on my own.
Every time I play I get so happy! The game is just so beautiful and 60fps makes it even better.
So it went from 59fps to 58? Nintendo been slacking. LOL, just kidding. This game is awesome sauce!
@Aurumonado
*720p
@DarthNocturnal
True, vsync does stutter everyonce again even when the hardware is capable of 200fps or above. in this case, its clear that there is room for some improvements, dropping that often cant just be random vsync failures. but its still unnoticable for anyone except graphics nerds so its not an issue at all.
@StarDust4Ever I put my Mario Kart 8 disc onto my hamburger and it tastes like metal and hurts my teeth. You lied. It is not awesome sauce.
@Superstick Did you ever think to try BBQ first? Ranch also works in a pinch...
@Aurumonado *720p
With trilinear texture filtering and no anti-aliasing no less.
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