Nintendo Switch: You Can Play Mario Kart 8 Deluxe For This Long Before the Battery Dies

One Game Rant editor tests out the battery life of the Nintendo Switch while playing Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, and it lasts long enough for anyone to get in a decent amount of karting.

[PeaSFor]

3hrs with 30% screen brightness.., wich is kinda disapointing since i like to play with high brightness...., but whatever, im getting the Switch mainly for MK, so i will have to accept it... or always bring my 26,800mAh portable charger with me.

[bluefox755]

That is pretty disappointing, and if I ever got a Nintendo console it would also be for MK. I think I'll just get it on Cemu though.

[Erik7357]

To bad cemu cant run on anything portable without paying 1grand+ for some bulky laptop

[r2oB]

It would be nice if they ran a separate test with a persistent WiFi connection for those that play online (not just WiFi being on, but actually being used). Being connected to WiFi is another antenna being active which draws battery, like Bluetooth.

Also, playing at 30% brightness is fine indoors, but what about outside?

[mikeslemonade]

Mario Kart is overrated. Didn't buy the WiiU version and not gonna buy the Switch version. Actually I've never bought a MK game in my life. Playing it at a friends or borrowing it is enough. After one round it gets boring.

[Lockdown555]

@Crotaaa

Well you see genius, the Switch can play local multiplayer in portable mode. So taking it somewhere means that you may not be playing single player because two people can play and perhaps just maybe, somewhere in the world a few people who all have a Switch will get together and play wherever they are. In fact with 2 Switches that means 4 people can play anywhere! That's actually the selling point of the Switch so maybe you should think things through before spouting your mouth...

[septemberindecember]

It is pretty disappointing that you'd rather emulate this game illegally than purchase the product, honestly.

[iplay1up2]

Have you not learned that is not cool? Why would you get the illegal copy that you cant really play on the go? Just get the battery adaptor or if you are like most of us, use one you already have for your Cell phone, that gives you another 3 hours, and you probably already have one.

I for one never like console emulated games, on PC they never seem quite right.

[3-4-5]

@Crotaaa "What's fun about Mario Kart single player? Why would you want to play this game on the go?"

^ Are you serious ?

Single player Mario Kart has always been fun....even since the SNES/N64 days.

You make your own fun with games most of the time and some people can have more fun with games than others.

I love playing the single player modes of Mario Kart by myself....but Battle Mode is awesome too.

[Erik7357]

I'm looking at that case that powers it. Of course its not out yet but I dont have the Switch yet either...

[Apocalypze]

Another issue is that u can't charge the controllers while charging the switch.

[deafdani]

The joycon controllers charge themselves when you put them on the tablet, and charge the Switch (either docked or with just the supplied power cable).

It will charge the Switch console itself first, then it will charge the controllers.

Also, the joycon controllers have a battery life of about 20 hours, which is plenty. You don't even need the joycon charging grip at all, that's an absolutely unnecessary expense.

[ninsigma]

That's pretty bad. If you're on the go, the lighting around you is gonna keep changing, so you'd generally want to have it at a higher brightness. Even if you're just in one place with controlled lighting, why would you want to play at 30%?? That charging case will likely be a must!

[Goldby]

Switch your background to the black version to save battery life as well while playing the game

[XanderZane]

Now you don't have to click the link.

"At a full charge (and with the screen brightness left at around 30%) the Nintendo Switch ran Mario Kart 8 Deluxe for exactly 3 hours, 9 minutes, and 20 seconds – providing this user with a little over three hours worth of play time."

I'm not getting it anytime soon. I think everything is just overpriced. I'm very happy with my 3DS XL, so I'll be just fine until the Switch drops in price or a lot more quality games get released and I can't resist not having it.

[indysurfn]

Wii didn't drop in price until it was discontinued. Wii U didn't drop in price until it was discontinued. Good luck waiting on a system that forced Nintendo double the first year manufacturing from 8 million to 16 million in only 1 month after launch to drop the price. Plus there are LOTS of system selling games coming out in it's first year.

https://www.releases.com/l/...

[XanderZane]

@indysurfn
Nintendo may not drop the price, but I guarantee you that retailers will eventually. There will be bundled sales during the holidays, that's a fact. I'll wait. I didn't get the Wii U until about a year and a half ago. Got it for my daughter who couldn't stop playing it at our nearest Gamestop. Even she hasn't played it now in months. All she wants to play is my XBox 360. lol!!

[Poseph]

Kind of a tangential point, but I always find it fascinating I see people decry the Switch's battery life, and make the claim that a battery pack is some kind of necessary purchase.
My question becomes, what made the Vita and the 3DS so special? Common consensus seems to be that these handhelds would typically get between 3 and 5 hours of playtime, depending on the power draw of the game being played. These figures seem to be very typical of mobile game battery life. Why is that same battery length suddenly unreasonable when it comes to the Switch?
It gets even better, because buying charging devices isn't a sunk cost into the Switch. If it isn't already, your smartphone will be using USB Type-C in the future. I regularly charge the Switch with the wall charger, car charger, and battery pack that I already use for my phone.
It's just baffling to me that people can look at 3+ hours of Breath of the Wild or Mario Kart 8 on the go, and walk away disappointed by those figures.

[Lockdown555]

Seriously. The only time you're going to play it for longer than that is if you're going on a very lengthy trip, such as an airplane ride, in which case you're probably bringing along ways to charge your devices anywho. Plus cars have places to charge and most airplanes are adding places to plug in devices as well.

[Neonridr]

I just got a Galaxy S8 and Type C for the win :P

Seriously though, I will never understand people who gripe about battery life when it's basically in line with other handhelds while pumping out games of a ridiculously more complex nature.

[IamTylerDurden1]

That's not good. The Slim Vita has significantly more battery life. Do they really expect u to turn the brightness almost all the way down?

[GuruStarr78]

3 hours isn't too bad. I usually play at a higher brightness, but I keep a high-end portable battery charger and USB cable that works with my Switch. So I'll probably get a few hours or more with that.

I'm looking forward to it, even though I five-starred the original on Wii U.

Fast RMX has kept me busy in the meantime, and with the new patch out today, it'll keep me busy for another week and a half (not to mention I'm still playing Zelda).

I ended up going digital on this one, since it's a game I know I'll never sell and it will make it much easier to take on the go.

[PeaSFor]

@GuruStarr78 "I five-starred the original on Wii U. "

sold my wii u pretty early and aint gonna lie, im itching to play MK again!(and i guess ZeldaBOTW will be a cool bonus too)

[GuruStarr78]

@PeaSFor:

Yeah, I sold mine not long after the DLC finished coming out, there really wasn't much to look forward to for my taste after that.

[Istolla]

I wish the battery life was higher, but do people usually play handhelds for more than 3 hours on the go? I know everyone's use case is different but I'm genuinely curious.

I have a 21,000 mAh portable battery just in case but I've never had to use it for my Switch so far.

[Gazondaily]

Time flies by quickly when you're having fun.

[Erik7357]

Not really but I would when on a airplane. But portable batteries could be used

[WeAreLegion]

That and you can charge it on a plane while you're playing it.

[indysurfn]

Who said no? You can charge it on a plane with a battery! You just have to turn wifi off during short periods of time even on international flights (called appropriately airplane mode)

[Duke19]

Pretty reasonable flight - it will die. But even for more day to day travel, if you ever forget to charge it - 3 hours comes up pretty fast.

[DanteVFenris666]

I use it from bus rides to and from school and even use it in my campus and it's completely fine without my charging. So I'd say the battery life is great for what it offers

[Istolla]

I also turn on airplane mode when not playing multiplayer games with people.

[Zhipp]

TBH on the go I rarely play my 3ds for more than 45minutes. I expected to use it a lot more away from home, but I end up playing it far and away more often just lounging around at home.

[TheDivine]

I do a lot. I take my GPD WIN everywhere i go so I can play some Dark Souls 2 or whatever indie titles I have. Il usually play an hour at work until it gets busy then set it down, play an hour, set it down all day long. I have to carry a portable battery but its not bad. I keep a battery and wall charger in the case. The Switch has less battery life but its fairly comparable. Just bring a battery pack and wall charger in the case and there you go.

I'm just amazed we can play Skyrim, Dark Souls, Valkyria Chronicles, Scholar of the First Sin, Zelda, MK8, Fallout 3, Metal Gear Rising and other modern games on handhelds. GPD WIN and Switch are a dream come true for me.

[Lynx0207]

I would, sometimes I have to travel 8 hours by a train. My smartphone + nds emulator or some good rpg game can do 8-9 hours with no problem.

[Hozi]

the battery companies are holding out on us. While everything is evolving and tech is getting better...battery life seems to be stuck. Seriously though, why can't they make the life in a battery last like a week after heavy use.

[XisThatKid]

I did when playing freedom wars and KZ Mercs. Also back during Pokémon Red.

[Vegamyster]

I'd like to see what 70-100% screen brightness gives with 30-50% volume.

[TheUndertaker85]

That would seem to cover most users. Most don't play at 30% brightness.

It's also odd to leave out volume level. Battery life tends to increase/decrease with factors such as that and if headphones are used or not. Particularly when portable mode is being referenced.

[Istolla]

People usually use headphones so battery life shouldn't be too bad.

[TheUndertaker85]

@Istolla: That's the point. If headphones are being used battery life will increase compared to built in speakers. If they were used during this "test" three hours is atrocious. Even if the volume was all the way down that's atrocious.

Higher brightness and sound would justify three hours POSSIBLY. 30% brightness and an unknown sound variable though? Dropping to 30% brightness to get three hours is pretty bad in itself.

[Istolla]

I'm pretty sure the built in speaker draws more power than the average headphones​.

[TheUndertaker85]

@Istolla: That is literally my second sentence.

[Istolla]

@TheUndertaker85 Whoops I don't know how I missed that. Sorry.

[JackTheLiz]

Article of the year! Way to go on this amazing journalism! When will you be getting your Pulitzer Prize?

[Einhander1971]

I play my switch on the TV so don't really care. Battery life not that big a deal especially when u consider what this system is throwing around.

[OtakuDJK1NG-Rory]

Eh I play mostly on TV.

[superchiller]

Then you wasted your money paying extra for a portable, with far inferior graphics, specs, and features in comparison to the true home consoles (PS4 and XB1).

[OtakuDJK1NG-Rory]

Except it wasn't my money. It was my older brother who decided to buy both a Switch a day after the last Nintendo Direct on Amazon Prime.

But please do continue your daily Nintendo article trolling.
And I will stand by what I say I will play mostly on TV. I've only play in handheld mode when I need to keep the Joycon battery running out.

[Istolla]

I can't play Zelda, Mario, Metroid, or Smash Brothers on those consoles so your point is useless. I also have a so called "true" home console (PS4) and since I have the Switch I haven't touched.

Everyone has their preferences and telling someone they wasted their money on something they prefer is stupid. Surely you can appreciate that other people can like something you don't. At least I hope you can.

[Prince_TFK]

Superchiller

All 3 consoles have their advantages and disadvantages. Stop trying to downplay one over the other. Plus, you cant play Nintendo exclusives on the ps4 and xbox1.

[Neonridr]

good luck deciding to take your XB1 or PS4 with you on the bus should you decide you want to continue playing. At least Otaku has the option of doing that should he/she see fit to do so.

Options are never a bad thing, grow up.

[Smokingunz]

I'm surprised, I thought mario Kar would be less taxing than zelda because zelda has a lot more going on. I guess all wii u games as well switch all taxes the cpu and gpu which drains the Battery faster

[TheUndertaker85]

Or optimization isn't that great coming from the Wii U product. The two are polar opposites in the regard that Wii U did all its processing off the console itself, not the GamePad. Switch processes everything on the tablet, not the console.

The Wii U product didn't have to factor battery life as much as Switch.

[Segata]

I remember when I could get 15 hours from a Game Boy but Switch is playing console quality games so ther eis some trade off. It's nowhere near as bad as SEGA Nomad. Thing has like 37 seconds of batt life.

[ChickeyCantor]

1. Click bait title, go away buzzfeed.

2. for those saying it's disappointing: It's a handheld that's pulling some modern features and everyone expects 10000 hours while keeping it this slim.

[Pearljam]

Waiting for eddieNX to tell us how he got 34 hours out of his. Nintentard

[Poseph]

Oh I see N4G still hating on the Switch and another 1 month break from this site :)

[pyroxxx]

could not care less 3hours is not horrible. Once it gets DKS1 or 2 port, I ak getting this thing no questions asked.

[Perjoss]

3 hours is more than enough for our 1 hour lunch break at work, quite a few of us gonna be battling it out in Mario kart at the end of this month

[superchiller]

Good luck playing online with that crappy Switch wifi, lol.

[Perjoss]

Oh, its you again with your creepy switch hate campaign

[Istolla]

I haven't had any problems... Besides, in local multiplayer, he will be in close proximity to his coworkers.

[superchiller]

No, it's YOU again making excuses for Nintendo's poor gaming hardware.

[septemberindecember]

I didn't understand what Perjoss meant when he said "creepy switch hate campaign", so I took a look at your comments on your profile.

It really sounds like you have some personal issues. 17 out of your first 20 comments are extremely negative and geared to Nintendo. If you hate something so much, my advice to you is avoid it. It will make your life much happier.

[Perjoss]

If by making excuses you mean having loads of fun with then sure, you're absolutely right :D

[IamTylerDurden1]

I go into the game section of stores to check out the Switch display and it is abysmal. It's maybe 2 shelves and usually about 5 games. Zelda, Just Dance, 1-2 Switch, Binding of Isaac ($40 which is obscene), and Bomberman has been replaced with Lego City.

Both PS4 and xbone were a bit sparse at launch as well, but there was certainly more than what the Switch has to offer. Even PSVR had a more robust lineup at launch.

I really loved the idea of the Switch as it replicated a similar dynamic to that of the PS4+Vita. I love the idea of console quality games on the go and i adored such games as KZ Mercenary, Uncharted GA, Sly Cooper TiT, NFS MW, MLB The Show, Walking Dead, Wolf Among Us, Soul Sacrifice Delta, Borderlands 2, and AC Liberation on Vita. However, the lack of 3rd party support on Switch particularly in terms of AAAs is disappointing. Couple that with poor battery life and Nintendo's stubbornness and the Switch is not what I'd hoped it would be.

[superchiller]

Agreed. If 3rd party developers (not just a few indies) don't get on board soon for the Switch, it's going to follow the same pattern as the Wii U, and fade away in a year or two. Nintendo's own IPs are not enough to support the system, just like they weren't for the Wii U.

[KakashiHotake]

The battery life of the Switch to me is the biggest disappointment. You would have thought Nintendo would have learned a thing or two from the mistakes of the Wii U but apparently not. I understand a stronger battery would have increased the price but the battery is the most important aspect of any portable device. Granted the Switch is more than a portable device, but come on 3 hours with the brightness on low is ridiculous.

[DivineAssault]

Thats pretty bad but im buying an extra AC adapter for it..