Given that a number of gamers who pick up the Nintendo Switch may not have owned a Wii U, it makes a lot of sense to have Mario Kart 8 Deluxe in the launch window for the new system. Not only is it one of the most fun games on the Wii U, but it has also been the best-selling too — with over eight million copies sold worldwide. That's an astonishing attach rate for a console which has struggled to shift less than 14 million units. We got to spend some time with the new Deluxe edition at the Nintendo Switch premiere in London recently, and it feels like a perfect fit for the system in docked mode or on its 6.2" screen.
So, what's new in the deluxe edition? The main addition is the presence of a fully fledged battle mode that harkens back to the Super NES original, but we'll get on to that later. Players can now race as Inkling Boy or Inkling Girl from Splatoon; each have three colour variations to choose from. Dry Bones makes a welcome return to the Mario Kart roster, along with King Boo and Bowser Jr., who we are sure will be popular choices. At least in the build we played it appears that Mii characters are out, but we'll see the full roster when the game launches.
No new Grand Prix tracks seem to be present in the Deluxe edition, however the two DLC packs are included, so there are a whopping 48 tracks to race around in total; besides, it doesn't get much better than racing around Mute City in the Blue Falcon, does it? In a nod to the GameCube's Mario Kart: Double Dash!!, the Deluxe version offers an additional slot to store items, which comes in handy so you never feel too defenceless with an item in reserve. Oddly for a console called the Switch, you cannot switch between these two slots, so you have to use up the first item you pick up first.
Speaking of items, two new item types have also been added. The item-stealing Boo makes a welcome return from Mario Kart 64, allowing you to nab items from other players inventories. In the battle mode you might also run over a Feather which debuted on the original Super Mario Kart on the Super NES, this will allow you to jump in the air over barriers with the greatest of ease to take your opponent by surprise.
Those with young children (or particularly unskilled friends) will also welcome the addition of a driving assist mode which is signified by a flashing antenna on the back of the kart, when enabled. This prevents more reckless players from driving off a course's edge into oblivion and could save a lot of tears with young children who don't like to lose! Think of it as using a bumper rail in tenpin bowling when playing with kids. It's also worth noting that one of the setups in the event mimicked eight player local play, in theory with friends all playing via their own Switch. The units were wired in some way, though, so it couldn't be treated as a fully legitimate test of the local wireless performance in the game.
Moving on to visuals. When docked the Switch version of the game looks absolutely wonderful on the TV screen, running at 1080p and a rock solid 60fps. The game always ran at 60fps on the Wii U (give or take a barely noticeable stutter here or there), but the docked Switch resolution is an improvement on the 720p native of the previous system. When used in handheld mode, however, it reverts back to 720p, though there need not be any concerns here. It looks great on the Switch's 6.2" screen, vibrant and colourful while maintaining that all-important framerate.
Various control options are available, as you might imagine. You can play with a Pro Controller, or with the Joy-Cons attached to the tablet screen - which feels like a Wii U GamePad in some ways. If you're short on controllers you can also play with a single Joy-Con, we tried it with the Joy-Con plonked in a wheel attachment (similar to what Mario Kart Wii came with), which worked really well, tilting to steer with nice prominent shoulder buttons for power-sliding and item use.
By far the most exciting improvement in the Switch version of the game is the fully fledged battle mode. At the time of release Mario Kart 8 was really well received, but many gamers were left upset at the lack of a decent battle mode (there was even a petition!) — thankfully this has now been addressed. One of the coolest arenas, called Urchin Underpass, looks exactly like a Splatoon map, with colourful splatters on the floor and graffiti on the walls. The ink doesn't work like oil slicks, however, in case you were wondering.
Up to four players could take part in battles when we played (with AI also filling out the field if you like) and there is a little map in the middle of the screen so you might get a inkling (ed: sorry) that an opponent is attempting to sneak up on you. You start out with 5 balloons, which act as lives, and the aim is to pop all your opponents' balloons before the timer runs out. Even if all your balloons get popped you can still play, however your score will be halved for that round.
One mode allows you to use all the items, including the new Feather item, and Bob-omb Blast mode limits you to only using bombs, but you can store quite a number of these at once. The gameplay in battle mode is predictably frantic and lots of fun; we can imagine a lot of players spending plenty of time in the mode.
Summing it up, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is the definitive version of what this humble scribe considers to be the best Mario Kart game of all time. It looks better than ever when played docked on a TV screen, and in handheld or tabletop mode it is as smooth as butter too. It cannot be emphasised enough how colourful and vibrant Mario Kart looks on the Switch's 6.2" screen, making it a real standout in portable gaming; this is now the ultimate way to play Mario Kart while on the move.
Releasing this remaster in the launch window for the Switch is a smart move by Nintendo, rather than rushing out a less-than-stellar sequel. We are sure there will be a Mario Kart 9 on Switch in the fullness of time, but for now this could be a great purchase to tide you over.
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is out on 28th April for Nintendo Switch
Comments 119
i dont get why there is no new courses basically no point of buying it now
Can't switch between the items? Ah man, what a missed opportunity to call it "Mario Kart 8 Switch' and make it seem more than Wii U DLC. Interesting and lackluster in my opinion for a full priced port of a recent game, I bet that add the switch option in a nod to DDash though by the time it relaunches.
Maybe more new courses will be added later when near of release date. The biggest mystery are.... Where is Mii ? Is Switch version still can read same Amiibos for Mii costumes ? Is Switch version will have Mii and if yes, can we use Mii without helm ?
Much as I love MK8, I will not be getting this. I refuse to pay for their online, and there isn't enough controllers to really even play local multiplayer.
@Manjushri Dang, I forgot about having to pay for online. Still, seriously considering my Wii U I version of MK8 to get this.
This release fixes pretty much all the issues I had with the original game. Definitely picking this one up.
I hope they add a Daisy amiibo Mii costume, but no new courses seems like a real bummer.
Paid online.... hm...
Well, as long not really expensive ($30 - $40 for 1 year), smooth streaming, unlimited time for accesing internet or online, i'm ready for this.
Could have at least added 2 more so it was a nice, satisfying number of 50 tracks.
If theres no new tracks it will be because they will be holding them back for mario kart 9 next year.
Battle mode looks great but no point rebuying the game if you plan to keep your wii u. However when it becomes part of the select range i might buy it again...
If only Nintendo would allow wii u owners to buy a battle mode dlc pack...
No new tracks is an absolute deal breaker for me. Especially as it'll eventually be pay-to-play online. The driving assist mode sounds really pointless as well, no matter how young or bad you are. They need to stop making their games easier.
Day 1 purchase. We've ploughed 250 hours in Mario Kart 8 and continue to play it every week.
Looking forward to local wireless multiplayer across several Switch(es)
@Nik-Davies
Not all people was born with gamer nature. There are some newbies still take more time to grasp driving skill on racing games. Also, people who never played video games take longer time for them to understand and grasping their driving skill.
Mario Kart 8 is a great game, and one of the best on the Wii U by a long way. However I don't see enough new content here to justify double-dipping at full price. Great for people who never played the original though.
While no new tracks have been announced. Im going to assume that we will be getting a direct for all the upcoming games, that will go into more detail about games such as MK8DX, in which I think, but mostly hope, that they will announce new tracks already in the game or at least more dlc coming in the near future perhaps in the summer
This should be dlc on wii u. Not convinced yet
bummer for no courses, but im still going to get it. because of the new battle mode and splatoon characters, unless Nintendo is hiding something and adding this for wii u version (which i doubt. ). im going to get it for those reasons.
@Anti-Matter They'll never learn to not fall of the edge, if they can't fall off the edge. If people want to build up their skills, that's what 50cc is there for, and they can progress from there.
Is it really absolutely certain that no new tracks are coming? For all we know they could be holding stuff back. Not just with racetracks, but characters, battle maps and even modes. Not holding my breath for it, but you never know.
Either way, I just really, really hope stupid stuff like firehopping is finally gotten rid of. I really despise 'techniques' like this. At the very least give bikes a similar equivalent or something so they can actually keep up.
Any word yet on other controller support on the Switch, aka can we use WiiU Pro Controllers, or even Wiimotes?
Lol, they finally implemented the dual slots from Double Dash (something I've been demanding as a DLC mode for years) and then they can't even do it properly? No switching between slots?
@Yosher Ehm, they already announced new battle maps & modes and new characters. So if there were any new maps, they probably would've announced them too.
@bofis No, and don't expect that to happen. Nintendo are happy to charge you for everything, to squeeze every last cent out of you. Please understand.
@shani How do you know? They didn't reveal everything from Mario Kart 8 (Wii U) right away either. That said, when do companies ever reveal EVERYTHING their big games have to offer right away in the first place? There's no reason Nintendo couldn't still be holding back some secrets.
I don't think MK9 will exist, instead the addition of new content to MK8 Deluxe over the years.
@bofis Considering there's no backwards compatibility, I doubt it. The joy cons is like wiimotes but much more enhanced. And the Wii U pro controller? hmm that's a hard question but I doubt that as well, because Nintendo would want you to use the switch pro controller.
What the heck?! No new Grand Prix courses is a deal-breaker for me. I'm perfectly fine with the original version at this point.
You see this is what I mean when I talk about the bad taste in the mouth journalists from this site cozying up to Nintendo leaves.
At this point in time you are so far up nintendo's rear end it's sickening.
Yes - everything you say about the game is true. I've played it. It looks GORGEOUS! But what about people like me and the other 8 million purchasers of the original.
We are massive nIntendo fans. We paid £60 for the download. We brought the DLC. And now, if we want to play the game in 1080p and play THE BATTLE MODE THAT WE SHOILD HAVE HAD ORIGINALLY then we have to spend another £50??????
And this website has no problem with this? Or doesn't even mention it?
I mean come on!
I cannot believe more people aren't complaining about this!
@Yosher Of course, there's always a theoretical possiblity that they didn't show everything. Or that they may come up with additional stuff later.
But come on, this isn't even a new game, it's not like it will have 1000 changes over MK8. I think when they make a Deluxe version, they ought to show all the few things that are new to distinguish it from the original game. There was enough time to show everything in that long presentation.
More importantly, they want to create hype for the Switch, so not showing everything new in MK8D would be pretty hurtful to that goal.
Of course, there will always remain a slim chance that they might add something later, but in this case I think it's pretty obvious that we've seen everything there is. If they wanted to implement more than a few superficial changes, they would've made a new game. No, their intention with MK8D is clearly to re-release one of their greatest game without much effort.
The number one reason I am a Nintendo fan is because of Mario Kart.
I own every version of the game. I go to Dave & Busters to play MARIO KART ARCADE GP DX and Nintedno has finally came up with the one version of Mario Kart that I will not be buying.
@norwichred I agree. No new tracks is a bit of a rip off considering a lot of people getting a Switch will be Wii U owners. So far the software for Switch is a tad underwhelming.
MK8 Deluxe £49.99 + Joy-Con Controller Set £69.99 = £119.98...
Guess the Switch Horipad is slightly cheaper but it's wired. :/
People ranting about a game we still don't know everything about...
We can get new courses (I believe it'll be this way), let's just be patient, guys.
I don't understand why people are going all rah over the paid online, they happy to pay for ps and Xbox but soon as ninty does it it's like"oh god no! How awful defo not getting any games now" lol who cares just pay it jeeez!
@norwichred while only worrying about you and the other 8 million people (me included) who bought the game isn't selfish?
You, as a company, would rather spend less and keep the game as it is in order to sell it to the billions of people who haven't played it, or would you rather spend a fortune on a gazillion new features just to have those 8 million double-dip?
I don't know what you would do, but I know it'd be a hell of a lot wiser to choose the first option from a mere business standpoint.
Of course as an MK8 early adopter (who also purchased all of the DLC) I feel a bit screwed, as I would've liked to have another 30 tracks or so (and I would have double-dipped if it had), but you can expect Nintendo to base their businesses decisions around a couple of butthurt, loyal fanboys. They've got other things to worry about, and a whole, huge market to seize outside of what they already have.
Not spending $60 on a port with a better battle mode and a few new items and characters. I will wait for MK9
Not sure if I buy this at launch. I think it'll be dlc title number one. So if it sells millions, that means switch will always have a great game to play.
Hmm.
@Manjushri Technically you can't say there are no new courses when they created battle mode (I don't think the number of tracks in there was mentioned).
More than anything, I think the purpose of this is to offer a fantastic game to a wider audience than the Wii U and people who didn't get the DLC (which if you didn't, this is actually a decent deal). It could be argued as well that as an early effort, this demonstrates the multiplayer capabilities of the Switch in a way that was efficient for Nintendo to make, and still offers something for those that bought the game previously.
While it sucks that there isn't more content for the loyals who bought it all when it first came out, it is an understandable business move - like how they HDd Zelda Windwaker and TP: a quick MK fix for old fans and a chance for those that didn't play the original. We aren't the target market for this.
Keeping in mind that this is a demo version I'm sure it has new courses and car parts. If it doesn't, the Mariokart 8 Wii U servers will still be popular.
On the one hand, $60 is a great deal for a game of this quality with so much content. Of course, considering MK8 has already sold 8 million copies and the public perception concerning ports, you'd think they'd price it agressively at, say, $40. Nintendo seems to think they can afford to charge a premium for every one of their games, as if they are ignorant of their own position.
Heh, why add new courses when they can add it as DLC later on?
Nintendo smarts.
I never got it for WiiU, so I'll buy this because it's going to be a loooooooong 5-7months before the next wave of good titles hit the Nintendo Switch. Bleh.
@Miss_Dark well you could say "this is Bethesda/Square Enix/2K/every other publisher to ever put put a game this gen" without losing much of your sentence's accuracy, actually...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1vutpQkiQe0
Reports are saying that they are reaffirming that there's 48 tracks (original 32+16 dlc).
Of course, they COULD still announce more, but it seems a little silly to keep saying 48 otherwise.
They might add more in the future via more DLC, and then I might consider getting it.
I think people should go over to IGN, Polygon and the like with their arguments about this port VS the PS4 and XBONE launch. Let's see how you get on with that.
@Nik-Davies I would argue that adding in features like this can inevitably be a good thing and lead to greater difficulty down the road. If they add in these essentially super-easy modes and features it'll allow games to actually get harder without the more casual crowd crying foul since they can simply turn on the super--easy features if they get frustrated enough. I don't know if adding things like that in will in fact make Nintendo's designers more intrepid down the road, but adding features like these can easily be a build-up to more challenging levels for standard players in the future. Will they? Well... probably not.... but it's possible!
@Manjushri Nintendo didn't start with DLC until the 3DS/Wii U era so new games always made more sense back then than making an existing game a platform. We are now in an era where new games for some franchises (e.g. Mario Kart, Smash Bros.) make no sense because more will be lost by starting from scratch than gained by creating a new experience.
Take Smash Bros. for example, creating a new one will lead to plenty of roster cuts. You can say goodbye to most of your 3rd party characters like Ryu, Cloud, Bayonetta, Mega Man and Pac-man. Odd 1st party characters like Wii Fit Trainer and Duck Hunt Dog would likely be gone too. Mother 3 is a joke to Nintendo so also cut Lucas and so on.
You can see the situation progress further into the realm of no Smash Bros. game will be better than the current one. Instead what can be done is additions made to the current one. Add in fan favourite newcomers and veterans like Inklings, Ice Climbers and Wolf, add in some more Melee stages, add in other stuff, etc.
@Miss_Dark
And PlayStation and Xbox lol
I bought the original and the DLC and frankly I have no problem with what they are doing. In fact, I probably would have done exactly the same. It's basically a "Game of the Year" edition with all added DLC plus some new characters, items and the fully realised battle mode. Something other publishers have done plenty of times on other consoles. There is basically zero business sense in offering these updates to Wii U owners.
As for the paid for online, like already said there seems to be huge anger towards it and yet there was barely any when Sony went down that route. I always expected it to happen some day cos it worked so well for Sony and Microsoft. And we don't even know the prices; heck it could end up being £29.99 a year for all we know.
As for the local multiplayer; as long as you're willing to play with the Joycons; you get 2 controllers right out of the box and at £75 it's actually 2 more controllers. Yes we may all want Pros but whilst not perfect, I don't think it is as bad as some people are making it out to be.
Still I'd like to see a small reduction in all accessories across the ball.
I understand that without a Mario game out near the Switch's launch, that a Mario Kart game is a good option, BUT this will be the first MK game rereleased on a new console. I for one won't be re buying a game I bought day one & im praying the Nintendo Switch will be the first Nintendo console that will end up having TWO MK games on it. If not, it will just end up being yet another reason I won't be buying the Switch
What would I like to see?
MK9
Mario Galaxy 3
Luigis Mansion 3
Wave Race
F-Zero
Super Mario All-Stars remastered
@BiasedSonyFan 2 franchises being expanded ports with DLC support throughout the Switch's lifespan doesn't change that because of the overall picture. You still have new games from other franchises (e.g. BotW, Super Mario Odyssey, Splatoon 2), you still have new IPs (e.g. ARMS). Mario Kart and Smash Bros. are just much more suited to the platform structure.
@shani Whether it's a new game or an old game doesn't really matter. They can still have other things in there that they didn't show.
Do I expect it? Not really. But really I don't think it's 100% confirmed that there are no new racetracks whatsoever. And I also find it kind of hard to believe that 4 battle maps is all we're gonna get.
Not showing everything new MK8Deluxe has to offer doesn't hurt. If everything new they showed off so far isn't really everything that is actually new, then we simply don't know any better right now, but they could suddenly surprise us with a new track or two sooner or later, and doing it that way will actually help maintain the hype for the game, and by extention, the Switch as well.
There's no way I'd buy this if there's no new grand prix courses. I have the Wii U version, so they would have needed to added plenty of new things for me to double dip
I might just get this for the hell of it.
@BiasedSonyFan The 2nd port is the inevitable Smash port which we'll likely hear about at E3 at the latest.
I don't like that it is switch exclusive and wii u owners have to buy a new copy, also i wonder will the online work together with the wii u version of the game? i won't get it when i buy a switch
No new tracks = Boooo!
Still preordered it and Zelda though. Trading up my WiiU for Switch and MK is one game I can't not have in my library. Lucky for MK that it's a way of life at my house. Otherwise, I don't really get that good deal feeling from this. Bit of a thumbs down 👎🏾
@BiasedSonyFan No, it's common sense more than anything. You really think Nintendo's going to let Smash sit on the Wii U?
Still no Diddy? Come on Nintendo, he needs to be added back in!
Mario Kart to Mii is as CoD, Halo, FIFA, Madden, etc., is to most people: my favorite game franchise. Sure there are always subtle differences in each variation but the underlying factor is that they are all fun to Mii. Anytime a new Mario Kart is out, I will purchase day one. With that said, this is the only reason that I will be purchasing the Switch as the thought of playing the best kart game yet on the go is indeed enticing.
I'll continue to play MK8 on Wii U until April 28 then I'll switch to the deluxe. See you at the starting line. Look for Mii.
As with everything else ive seen this weekend. My only hope, and a fools hope it is, is that Nintendo have purposefully left out some games so they can have a big E3. Imagine if, come E3 they hold a direct (preferably a press conference but this is Nintendo) and are like BOOM, heres a new Metroid, coming this Christmas. BOOM, heres a new F Zero. Coming September. BOOM. New IP. BOOM. Announced Wii U VC. BOOM. Announced Dreamcast VC. Etc etc.
Yep, if this feels at all like de ja vu, its probably because you said these exact things yourself when the Wii U first came out with less than stellar games. But as I say, my only hope is that Nintendo are holding things back for Switch, because being able to play one admittedly amazing game (Zelda) and one deluxe edition of a game most will already own in the launch window is not very good at all.
Please Nintendo. Pleeeease. Look what happened to Sega. Listen to your fans for once.
Again a lot of hate. This is for the guys who missed mario 8 on the Wii u because they never owned a Wii u. If they make the switch back to Nintendo it's logical they can buy a mario kart. I've got mario kart on Wii u and I won't be buying it on switch this is because I don't need it. the next mario kart I buy will be 9 on what ever console it comes out on.
@JohnnyC
Ya I was hoping for new courses. But the battle mode is a must-have, and with the system having portability built in, it's basically like getting a brand-new Mario Kart 8 port for 3DS similar to Mario Maker, only this one runs just as good in handheld mode as the original game did on Wii U. 720p 60fps
I can bring this anywhere and with two controllers naturally built into the system I can play multiplayer anywhere with anyone. I foresee many Mario kart sessions at work on my breaks
@Tsurii wanna point me to where I said I wanted it for free?
When I get a Switch, I think I'll just wait for Mario Kart 9 instead of getting this. Sixty dollars for a double dip with a few more features (admittedly nice features like Inklings and a proper battle mode) just doesn't seem worth it to me.
I think Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is neat and will be fun for those who didn't play it first time round, I'll be eagerly waiting for Mario Kart 9 in the mean time. ^_^ (I'd assume its being made?)
It certainly looks great but it's almost a Virtual Console (VC) title to me at this point, just a Wii U VC title—and, in an ideal world, I'd actually want Wii U VC titles on the system alongside VC titles from every other one of Nintendo's past consoles too (both home and handheld). So, I want a lot of games like this on Switch but I also want basically a new game in each of Nintendo's best franchises too, including all the ones it either totally ignored or just didn't do properly on Wii U, like F-Zero, Punch-Out!!, Wave Race, 1080 Snowboarding, Metroid, Animal Crossing, Fire Emblem, Advance Wars, Pokemon, etc.
No new tracks is questionable. Well hopefully this helps lower the priçe of the Wii U version considering I can atleast play that online for free.
So, basically a Wii U port that you'll have to pay to play online. I'll pass.
Is local multiplayer on switch going to be split screen if everyone has their own switch? I saw a pic of 4 people playing Mario kart, each with their own switch, and each screen was split screen
I always play MK8 as my Mii with the Villager outfit on.
Really hoping the WiiU online isn't disconnected atm. 😫
Don't have a Wii U so I'll be getting this with my switch
@Marshi
Dreamcast VC! I'd buy the Switch for that alone.
For those who missed out on the Wii U this is awesome, but yeah, no new courses seems wrong to me and the not being able to switch between the items is just weird! :/
I think I'll wait for more info on this before I make a decision. I get the impression that the majority of buyers will be people who didn't own it on Wii U.
As someone who skipped the Wii u entirely, I'm stoked about ports from the Wii u to the switch.
I think Nintendo understands that since few people bought the Wii u, any port is going to seem like a brand new game on the switch.
Didnt have a Wii U so im super excited to get this. Have loved MK since the original and Im happy i will have the chance to finally play the best version!
Did anyone else see the part in the Treehouse Live Stream when they mentioned that Shine Thief from Double Dash is returning in the final release? I feel like I heard this in the steam but haven't seen it mentioned by any news outlet..?
EDIT: ok think I completely misheard... but they did say there would be 'surprises' (I heard shine thief) in reference to battle modes, so maybe?
@crimsontadpoles Touché
cant wait to play this in 1080p !
@Blaiser Same here, man. As long as I get the standard Wii U ports like Mario Kart, Splatoon etc, and Monster Hunter and Animal Crossing, I'll be set. All the new games will just be icing on the cake.
It is funny, everyone else is whining about Mother and accessory prices and for me MK8D is the game I am most annoyed about. I play MK very heavily and like most of the wiiu games I bought it day one an then preordered the DLC. I get that they didn't sell enough MK8, I get that they have added new features (which I don't use. Never got into battle mode) but unless I see new tracks for the main game, I feel like I am being gypped somehow. Not even portability makes me want to double dip. This is the only negative I see for the switch (I understand the online sub so while I prefer free, I'll pay).
I find the self entitlement from people almost borderline disgusting. Do you people even realize this is basically a GOTY edition meant to appeal to those who likely never bought a Wii U to begin with? In fact I think it's a step above most other GOTY editions because they actually include entirely new characters and content in addition to all the previous DLC
Since only a handfull of people enjoyed the game on wii u (Because the console didn't sold enough) Then releasing this on Switch is totally justified. I'm glad they did. I finally have a chance to try the game.
I've played Mario Kart 8 to death so this doesn't really interest me but it's great for anyone who hasn't played it yet. The Inklings are a nice addition.
I didn't play MK8
I didn't even know Bowser Jr wasn't in the original roster.
But if it is as good as people make it looks like, I'm willing to give it a try, at least to have another party game to play with friends.
My favorite MK is Mario Kart 64, and I didn't enjoy the change in mechanics seen in recent MK titles. What I really deslike is that Mario Party hand-holding where last placed players get better items all the time and because of that the existance a blue shell is almost constant. Double Dash was funny because of the chaos of two players controlling the same "kart" (read truck)
@Manjushri Yeah that sucks, but also pretty much guarantees that there will be a new Mario Kart 9 at some point down the road. This launch lineup is looking paper thin at this point. I'm buying the Switch at launch, but being a Wii U owner, it's REALLY hard to justify the purchase especially considering the new controller cost and lack of games I don't already own. Who knows I may grab ARMS (which would require an extra $80 for a second player). But at least Splatoon will have new content and is coming fairly soon.
Like @Wolfgabe said, it's a GOTY-type port for those who passed on Wii U. Splatoon 2 too, really. They were two of the best on a system that didn't move a lot of units. Nintendo is clearly trying to follow up Zelda with multiplayer heavy hitters that will seem new to other players.
I will may get this for Mario Kart on the go and 1080p at home, but for new tracks might as well wait on the next one. I'm not expecting DLC, just a new game down the road that will have DLC.
So far, Nintendo just only shows a few new things on Mario Kart 8 Deluxe presentation. I'm sure there will be another new things after release and possibly new DLC. Keep your eyes peeled on Nintendo.
@Kidakairis
There are some things for Switch version. More new things possibly after the game release. Nintendo will not reveal all the secrets right now. It will be a spoiler.
@crimsontadpoles
Maybe there will be some new things after the game release. Just wait and see.
@Nik-Davies
Remember when we got tricked by Mario Kart 8 Switch placeholder ? It said there will be another 24 new tracks. Well, hopefully that rumour will come true (Gosh... another 24 new tracks are more than enough).
"Oddly for a console called the Switch, you cannot switch between these two slots, so you have to use up the first item you pick up first."
I appreciated this line
Great game, extra racers with a proper battle mode and battle arenas. Throw in a few new power ups to boot, and what's not to like? MK8 is an amazing game, and if it's between a remastered definitive version and no MK for a few years I'd easily take the remaster.
With the WiiU's small install base there will be millions of players that never got to play it, so giving them this great game in the launch window with all the DLC is a great move, and one plenty of other companies have done in the past. Look at Gears of War and Halo as examples on the xbox, The last of us and uncharted on PS4. If you think its a con then dont buy it. But don't be naive in thinking Nintendo have invented a new way to suck money out of players by doing this. On almost every list of what people wanted from Switch when it was known as NX was a constant flow of software, including ports and remasters mixed in with new releases. That's whats happening, and it's going to be a fantastic thing in my opinion.
@AlternateButtons I couldn't have put it better myself, I'm sick of seeing so many people whining about something and they don't even know how much it is going to cost them! A few people need to calm down I think but you've restored my faith that there are some sane people here too!
Mario Kart 9? Not sure that's a safe assumption to make. And if Nintendo follows the release schedule they've been doing since Mario Kart DS (which 8D happens to fit right into..) then "Mario Kart 9" won't release until 2020:
2005-MKDS
2008-MKW
2011-MK7
2014-MK8
2017-MK 8 Deluxe
2020??
There's also the chance they stick to the one per system rule and pretend the Wii U never happened. This is a complete relaunch. They can extend the life of MK8 through more DLC, hence the lack of new tracks now.
In which case... Switch 2? Dedicated portable 3DS successor?
Seems a lot of folks here don't realize that there's far more people out there who missed it on the wiiu, and this version is a great opportunity for them to join the fun.
Not worth it IMO if you already got the wii u one with the DLC.
@Tsurii
I think a discount is within reason and would be a wise business decision to tip their hat to their loyal customers. Not that they owe anything, but they are practically double dipping with a few upgrades.
lmao I can't believe Nintendo sometimes. They fix battle mode (arenas!) and ruin it again (infinite lives!). It's just not as fun as the survival mode, Mario Kart Wii and 7 proved that. Mario Kart 64, Double Dash, and DS will always have the best battle mode I guess.
This is probably the most disappointing of the new announcements. There is no way I'm buying this game. I bought MK8 and the DLC. It is not worth $60 for me to add Battle Mode.
Give me eight new Grand Prix tracks and maybe. Without them though, I could care less about this game. This is definitely a miss for Nintendo.
Never had the Wii U so this is great for me! Still don't understand the negativity over a port of Mario Kart 8. If you already have it, play that version. This is for anybody who never picked up the original.
No new tracks? No need to buy then.
The riddle of "Good things come to those that wait" picture shows Toad & Wario in the middle with the 2 train wheels left & right tells us Double dash gameplay will be added later on.
"We are sure there will be a Mario Kart 9 on Switch"
This is Nintendo we're talking about, right?
@SanderEvers
"3. You almost always need to pay again for these ports."
There have been a few examples of users getting free ports or discounts. Not many but it would be nice to see Nintendo show a bit of generosity.
"4. Paid online is simply there to improve online multiplayer. (The quality) Which Nintendo really needed."
It's there to make money for Sony, MS and now Nintendo. Any improvement in quality is a bonus. Sony still seem to have plenty of problems.
"5. Paid online is a console standard. Sony and MS do it too... and I don't hear them complaining..."
You hear lots of complaints from consumers. There have been endless complaints on here about how evil and exploitative the other two are and how Nintendo are better because it's free. Of course, now Nintendo are doing it so it's OK
@Mario_Fart Exactly. Nintendo is doing nothing to appease Wii U owners. What's the point of making a "Mario Kart 9" when Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is a completely new experience to the people they care about. And break their one per console rule? It's possible but I wouldn't say it's a sure thing.
"How do I switch between weapons?"
The guy at the MK8 stand looked like he'd heard this question all day!
already have MK8 on Wii U so wont be paying it again for the Switch. I really don't agree with rebuying the same game over and over again
Now the game has the roster it should have had back when it launched on WiiU. Crucial characters like King Boo and Bowser Jr are finally back. The battle mode should also have been in the game to begin with. Anyway, I like the changes and Mario Kart 8 is a fantastic game. I will definitely buy it again once I decide to get the Switch.
So the docked version is NATIVE 1080p? Not 720p upscaled to 1080p like the Wii U original? That would be great.
If I hadn't picked up the DLC on Mario Kart 8 for Wii U, I'd be getting this version for sure. The new Battle Mode sounds wonderful and a throwback to the old 64/DD days.
As it is, since its the same core game, I'll pass. I can live with my old copy. Now, Smash? When they announce the port, I trading that sucker in the very same day to put money for the new version. Thank goodness I never spent on that DLC!
@KirbyTheVampire And how would you divide 50 tracks over cups which have 4 races in them?
I only play the Grand Prix multiplayer with my father anyway, so I don't need the battle mode. But paid online multiplayer is absolutely crazy, and I don't want to support Nintendo's decision, so I'll not buy this game. I already have all the DLC too.
Should've been out day 1 but at least the wait isn't too long, I just hope MK 9 is deep in development.
@Snader I wasn't being serious lol.
Can anyone confirm if we can play 4 local player on a same switch like we used to ? I know it's possible to use up to 8 switch but what about 4 player on the same machine ?
@Manjushri the Switch in general is a total kick in the balls.
Also, I really am not understanding this line about the contoller options: "or with the Joy-Cons attached to the tablet screen - which feels like a Wii U GamePad in some ways."
How can this be the case when the tablet has to be docked?
Barely played the original so not really getting it for just some extras.
No new courses is a disappointment. Hopefully they decide to give us another round of DLC, though having to pay extra when you're already paying for online would be a less than ideal scenario. New characters don't really bother me much, since I always pick Toad and no one else EVER. (seriously I haven't even tried racing as Link) I'll be picking this up since I want to play it on the go or play 2 player with people outside of the home. And let's be honest, it was the best game on Wii U and I'll gladly play it all over again! And yes, they missed a trick with not being able to switch items.
@gatorboi352 he means when playing in handheld mode, of course. You could play MK8 on Wii U by just looking at the GamePad if you so wished.
The crin lol so funny.all they are doing is giving us Mario kart 8 to hold us to 9 lol how many games have been remastered and sold?Sony does it a lot I have a few remastered games an had to repay. Hell I had to repay full price for the ps2 games I owned on ps3 I bought on ps4 full price.Sony answer was because of trophies. At least Nintendo gave Wii owners a discount.and yes I used my ps3 account on my ps4
Will resist buying this in the hopes that a few deals crop up, but definitely getting it at some point. Yes I've got it on Wii U, but being able to take it anywhere and 1080p60 at home is very tempting.
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