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Overview
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is Nintendo's flagship kart racing game for the Switch, originally released on April 28, 2017. Built on the foundation of the Wii U's Mario Kart 8, this version adds new characters, a redesigned battle mode, and every piece of DLC from the original release baked in from the start. The result is the most content-rich entry in the series to date, running at a smooth 60fps in both handheld and TV mode.
The roster spans 42 playable characters at base, including Inklings from Splatoon making their first Mario Kart appearance, alongside returning fan favorites like King Boo, Dry Bones, and Bowser Jr. The track list covers 48 courses spread across 12 cups, pulling from Mario Kart history all the way back to the SNES original. Anti-gravity sections, first introduced in Mario Kart 8, remain one of the most distinctive features, twisting tracks into vertical walls and ceilings and opening up new racing lines.
Gameplay and mechanics
The core racing loop centers on mastering drift boosts, managing item slots, and reading the track ahead. Key mechanics include:
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- Smart Steering: assists new players with staying on track
- Auto-Accelerate: lets younger players focus on steering
- Two-item slots: allows carrying two items simultaneously
- Drift boost charging: mini, super, and ultra turbos
- Anti-gravity zones: alter physics and bump interactions
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The two-item slot system, carried over from the Wii U version, adds a layer of strategy that single-item games lack. Holding a defensive item in the back slot while keeping an offensive item ready changes how races play out at higher skill levels. The gap between casual and competitive play is wider than it looks.
Multiplayer and social features
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe supports up to 4 players in local split-screen at 1080p in TV mode, dropping to 720p in handheld for two players. Online play extends races to 12 players, with regional and worldwide matchmaking available through Nintendo Switch Online. The game also supports wireless local play for up to 12 Switch consoles without an internet connection, making it a reliable choice for local events.
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Battle mode received a major overhaul compared to the Wii U version, which used race tracks repurposed as arenas. The Deluxe version introduces eight dedicated battle arenas and five distinct modes: Balloon Battle, Bob-omb Blast, Coin Runners, Shine Thief, and Renegade Roundup. The variety keeps battle mode from feeling like an afterthought, which was a genuine criticism of the original release.
Content and replayability
The Booster Course Pass DLC, released across six waves between 2022 and 2023, added 48 more tracks to the base 48, bringing the total to 96 courses. These additional tracks pull from mobile title Mario Kart Tour, remastered for the Switch, covering real-world locations like Paris, Tokyo, and Amsterdam alongside classic Nintendo settings. The full game with all DLC represents the largest track selection in franchise history.
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Time trials, staff ghost data, and online leaderboards give competitive players a target to chase beyond standard race placement. The combination of a massive track library, flexible multiplayer options, and accessible mechanics at one end with genuine depth at the other makes Mario Kart 8 Deluxe one of the Switch's most-played titles, sitting at over 67 million copies sold as of early 2025.