We were initially sceptical about Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. While we knew it would be fun to play, it wasn’t developed specifically for the Nintendo Switch. Instead, it was an enhanced port of the same Wii U game released four years ago. In truth, Nintendo could have easily ported Mario Kart 8 to the Switch without any enhancements or new content and it would have been a best-seller, but the developer took the time to improve aspects that were criticised in the original release. As a result, Mario 8 Deluxe was one of our highest rated games of 2017.
Battle Mode made a triumphant return with new bespoke arenas, and multiple power-ups can now be stored, adding a new tactical element which fundamentally changes the core gameplay. The novelty of playing a console-quality Mario Kart game on a handheld never loses its appeal, making it one of the most fun-packed split-screen multiplayer experiences available. Mixing reimagined fan favourites and new imaginatively-designed environments, the diverse track selection in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe also puts many current-generation racing games to shame. Each track is brought to life with vibrant visuals upscaled to 1080p resolution and a rock solid frame rate running at 60fps - it's a feast for the eyes, particularly in Handheld mode. If you own a Nintendo Switch, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe belongs in your collection. The standard has been set so high, it’s difficult to imagine where Nintendo will take the franchise next in the inevitable sequel.
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe receives version 3.0.5 update from Nintendo - check out the official patch notes here.
Nintendo has released Mario Kart 8 Deluxe update 3.0.4 for Switch, addressing Music Park ghost data synchronization issues and fixing visual bugs in Rainbow Road.
Who would have thought that giving games away for free would be so lucrative?
