Gorgeous visuals and plentiful content make up the premiere kart-racing experience
By: Ryan Ramakrishnan
Reviewed on Nintendo Switch
“Mario Kart 8 Deluxe” comes packed with fun game modes, vehicle parts to unlock, scores to beat and an overall delightful experience, given a new breath of life on the Switch.
Having missed out on the Wii-U altogether, I knew I wanted “Mario Kart 8’s” updated version for my new Switch and fortunately this purchase was entirely justified. “Mario Kart 8 Deluxe” includes a bevy of courses to choose from, an online mode, the ability to play with friends in a split second and more, all making it the complete package.
Story
Simply put, “Mario Kart” has never had a story to tell. “Mario Kart 8 Deluxe” is no exception.
Gameplay
Kart racing in “Mario Kart 8 Deluxe” is the same it has always been for the series; the gameplay is however excellently polished and refined. There is simply no better way to play “Mario Kart” or any kart-racer for that matter.
Each course comes with its own gimmicks and plenty of items to grab, features any “Mario Kart” fan is already more than a little familiar with. A new feature for this Switch version of the game allows the use of two items, similar to that of “Mario Kart Double Dash” from the GameCube.
“Mario Kart 8 Deluxe” can be played docked and on the TV, in handheld mode or in tabletop mode. As easy as handing a Joy-Con to one friend and using one for yourself, a local multiplayer game can be played instantly, making for convenient fun with friends. This proves the Switch to be the perfect home for “Mario Kart 8.”
Graphics
From the gecko, “Mario Kart 8 Deluxe” impressed me, both with its vivid graphics and smooth frame rate. The welcoming 60 frames per second and a 1080p resolution make it quite the beautiful game to behold. “Mario Kart 8 Deluxe” will hold the frame rate when docked and while in handheld mode for one to two players; however, playing handheld will go down to 720p, which is still not bad by any means.
Character, vehicle and course design each come filled to the brim with classic Nintendo charm. Gorgeous backgrounds and iconic character models and delightful animations complement the overall charm of “Mario Kart 8 Deluxe.”
Sound
The soundtrack is an instant sell. I can happily tell you that there is an innumerable amount of catchy tracks akin to the likes of Nintendo’s charming style, each able to keep you humming them from morning to night.
Content
Whether you are competitive with your friends and family or online players, “Mario Kart 8 Deluxe” has more than a few reasons to put the cartridge back on a daily basis. Fortunately, if you are competitive with yourself, the game has you covered as well.
There is, for starters, 50cc, 100cc, 150cc, Mirror Mode and 200cc. Getting harder with each subsequent cc, the difficulty modes in “Mario Kart 8 Deluxe” quickly go from simple fun to a true challenge.. There are a staggering 48 courses, each worth shooting for three stars in. The same challenge can be redone over and over again with each cc with the ultimate goal of three stars across all cups on each of the difficulties.
It was nice to see the DLC cups and characters all included in this game, making it an even more complete package than the already content-heavy Wii-U version.
If that alone doesn’t keep you playing for hours on end, there is also Time Trials. Here, you can do individual runs on each course and try beat online scores, as well as your own.
Whether you are competitive with your friends and family or online players, “Mario Kart 8 Deluxe” has more than a few reasons to put the cartridge back on a daily basis. Fortunately, if you are competitive with yourself, the game has you covered as well.
There is, for starters, 50cc, 100cc, 150cc, Mirror Mode and 200cc. Getting harder with each subsequent cc, the difficulty modes in “Mario Kart 8 Deluxe” quickly go from simple fun to a true challenge.. There are a staggering 48 courses, each worth shooting for three stars in. The same challenge can be redone over and over again with each cc with the ultimate goal of three stars across all cups on each of the difficulties.
It was nice to see the DLC cups and characters all included in this game, making it an even more complete package than the already content-heavy Wii-U version.
If that alone doesn’t keep you playing for hours on end, there is also Time Trials. Here, you can do individual runs on each course and try beat online scores, as well as your own.
A new and improved battle mode can be played as well when you wish to take a break from the traditional race.
To top it all off, “Mario Kart 8 Deluxe” comes with an online mode, allowing you to compete with anybody in any mode you like.
Conclusion
I ultimately had a blast with “Mario Kart 8 Deluxe.” It brought out my competitive side, both with my friends and players worldwide but also myself; I, at the time of writing, still have yet to get three stars in all of the cups across all five cc’s. Whether it is fulfilling that goal or getting the most wins online, this is a joyous game that keeps you coming back. With a wide array of characters, especially new faces like Link from “The Legend of Zelda,” there is always reason to go back and play with someone. The same can be said even more so for the large amount of vehicle customization. With a crisp 60 fps and visually charming graphics, “Mario Kart 8 Deluxe” is truly the pinnacle of its genre and the perfect game to spark a competition anytime, anywhere.
To top it all off, “Mario Kart 8 Deluxe” comes with an online mode, allowing you to compete with anybody in any mode you like.
Conclusion
I ultimately had a blast with “Mario Kart 8 Deluxe.” It brought out my competitive side, both with my friends and players worldwide but also myself; I, at the time of writing, still have yet to get three stars in all of the cups across all five cc’s. Whether it is fulfilling that goal or getting the most wins online, this is a joyous game that keeps you coming back. With a wide array of characters, especially new faces like Link from “The Legend of Zelda,” there is always reason to go back and play with someone. The same can be said even more so for the large amount of vehicle customization. With a crisp 60 fps and visually charming graphics, “Mario Kart 8 Deluxe” is truly the pinnacle of its genre and the perfect game to spark a competition anytime, anywhere.
Do you think “Mario Kart 8 Deluxe” is the best in the series? What’s your favorite vehicle loadout? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below.
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