You might think that playing Mario Kart 8 again after having it on Wii U doesn’t make much sense … but the truth is that Nintendo Switch and its portable nature already justify its existence. What’s more: the news is not rare, making Mario Kart 8 Deluxe the complete experience and an absolute essential.
We may find ourselves before the best Mario Kart that has ever existed. It is dangerous to make these kinds of statements … but there is something that distances this title from the others and that is fundamental to understand why this “8” is so magical. It is in something as simple but surprising as that, since the traffic light turns green, diverting attention from the screen means your downfall.
To start hard you must load the accelerator, and although in the first few meters you cannot slipstream, you are already looking for the best position to get objects, avoiding that your rivals stay with them. You look back in case someone has already thrown something at you, and depending on how you are doing, you will save that propeller mushroom, piranha plant, or blue shell for another time. Meanwhile, you skid, you jump to the edge of the track to gain momentum… and so, second by second, a race runs that even on the straights does not allow you to breathe.
The best thing about Mario Kart 8 is that you are always doing something: it is dizzying… it puts you in constant tension. This does not mean that it is surprisingly strategic. And it is demonically cruel, unpredictable as life itself. The twelve drivers on the track are like the universe after the Big Bang, a circulatory chaos that is finding a small, but important, common thread: fun . Because you don’t know for sure how the game works inside. It’s like the formula for a certain soda: a secret. Everyone has tried to copy it, but none tastes the same.
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe: Features Trailer
Endless funNow let’s talk about Mario Kart 8 Deluxe for Nintendo Switch and above all, let’s answer the question: are you interested? If you haven’t played it on Wii U , make no mistake about it: it ‘s a driving essential . There are hundreds of reasons and they are difficult to summarize in a few simple lines. The gameplay is adjusted to the millimeter, the circuit design is spectacular, it is visually a delight and the soundtrack is a true marvel.
The game includes the two DLCs released on Wii U, apart from some exclusive pilots for Nintendo Switch.
To say that it is the definitive Mario Kart is not very far from reality, assuming the largest video game in the saga, motivated because it includes the downloadable content that was previously released, with everything unlocked from the beginning . Think about it, it is not a trivial detail, especially for Wii U users who have already fulfilled the ritual. In total, there are 48 circuits present and more than forty drivers , which gives a lot of play. It acts in the equivalent of a “bedside book”, the one that is always at hand for when you do not know very well what to do. His short games are ideal.
To say that it is the definitive Mario Kart is not very far from realityHowever, it is difficult to explain why the video game works so well. Surely the enigma is that he knows how to reach many people, from the novice to the most seasoned in karts. It is something that is especially highlighted in this version. At one extreme we have piloting aids . One so we don’t get off the track. Another to accelerate automatically. You could put your hands to your head, but they are optional and allow anyone to get behind the wheel, or if you want to dare with the 200 cubic centimeters (including its time trial, which was not there before), you can do it without dying in the attempt.
All content is unlocked from the beginning, and it makes sense. Especially for those who played on Wii U.
Here’s someone who was outmatched when Nintendo updated the game on Wii U with 200cc mode . That speed was hellish for me, but it’s impossible to deny that they have done what it takes to integrate every little improvement without “breaking” the game, and that has its touch of epicity. Running in this mode does not only consist of going faster, but it forces you to step on the brakes, skid in another way … It breaks the schemes, proposing to face the tracks from another perspective (that of fear of going off the track ).
Therefore, one of the great successes of Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is to add all these small ingredients without damaging the whole. Whoever comes to hang out, can. Whoever wants to break chronos, too. Two novelties are added for the occasion. One is the ultra-mini turbo (pink); a challenge to activate, even for veterans. The other is more important: the use of two objects on the track, which gives the less skilled a better chance of success, while giving veterans a renewed strategic focus. The items of the feather, to jump, and Boo, to dodge attacks are added to the set.
There are also five new pilots : Bowsy, Rey Boo, Inkling Chico, Inkling Chica and a great classic like Huesitos. All of this may know little by little, but the truth is that by weighing the elements we obtain a complete, heterogeneous set that provides incredible robustness within the racing video game genre, and more particularly Mario Kart. However, there is a key piece in the success of this “deluxe” version: the portability of the Nintendo Switch . It allows us to play anywhere, a feature that strengthens the nature of the title.
720p and 60 frames per second in handheld mode are eye-popping, looks exceptionally good. The best controller is still the Switch Pro Controller , but the stand controller and the Joy-Con themselves aren’t far behind. It is indescribable the experience of taking the console anywhere and being able to play up to four users on split screen , without more. The TV mode increases the resolution to 1080p so that the jump to a larger screen is not noticeable, with glorious results. It is slightly better than the Wii U, although the “antialiasing” smoothing is noticeable (reduces jagged edges).
By now, you will be understanding that we are not facing a new video game, but that it does provide a powerful injection of novelty, either due to content or due to the very concept of portability of Nintendo Switch. However, the highlight comes with online multiplayer , widely criticized on Wii U for its scarcity of game modes. This has been solved. Apart from the classic races, there are five options within the battle mode , resulting in a very complete experience.
There are a thousand details that are captured in a simply spectacular audiovisual sectionWe have battles of balloons, bombs, coins, assault on the sun and our favorite: piranha patrol, a kind of very ingenious police against thieves. For all of them there are 8 circuits specifically designed for the occasion, very much in line with what had been done in other Mario Karts. In addition, the online is very fluid, without problems, allowing a maximum of 12 participants (two can run on the same machine if they wish). Only more possibilities to play are missing. It still falls a bit short and there is room for improvement, but it is very noticeable that the Big N has paid attention to the user community.
Being more specific, having such an extensive circuit catalog is a guarantee of durability. But on top of that we have a lot of quality. Special mention of the tracks released with the DLCs for Wii U. The undulations in the terrain of the Excibe Bike circuit can be used to activate miniturbs as if there were no tomorrow left. In the Mute City circuit you reach so much speed that you can even escape from the shells that are thrown at you. The Hyrule circuit exchanges the classic coins for rupees.
Visually it is a spectacular video game, at a wonderful 1080p and 60 frames in television mode.
The tours not only capture the spirit of some of Nintendo’s most famous franchises, but also offer unique gameplay features. There are a thousand details that are captured in a simply spectacular audiovisual section : a delight for the eyes. But it is that for the ears it is another ode to talent, with some masterful compositions.
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe thus becomes a very difficult video game to beat within the franchise. Considering that we have been karting nintenderos for 25 years, this is a strong statement. Nintendo has always set the bar very high with this series. There is room for improvement, although the most sensible thing is to think that the next Mario Kart will be a turn of the screw.
This title for Nintendo Switch is not, but it is surprising what it has achieved based on some novelties that, without being abundant, fit perfectly, serving to improve Mario Kart 8, which was already difficult. It is the most complete Mario Kart, and also convince you whether you get back as if you already played in Wii U . The portable nature of the new Nintendo console already renews the experience by itself, but apart from that we have a whole string of news that gives the necessary acceleration to this title to reach the goal first. And boy has he done it… It’s a winning video game.
“Essential”
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe
8.7
Readers
(22)
In the world of motor racing, not only your driving skills are important, but the car that drives you. Mario Kart 8 has favored running on Nintendo Switch, an ideal platform to see this title from a more portable perspective, which is a real joy at all levels: from the playable to the visual. In addition, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe provides the necessary novelties to justify playing it again and becoming the most complete Mario Kart game, but also one of the best.
- The portable character of Nintendo Switch offers a renewed experience
- News: two simultaneous objects in a race, ultra-mini turbo, characters …
- Relentless in gaming experience, it’s magic made kart racing
- Designed for the veteran player, but also for the novice
- Exceptional circuit design, truly inspired
- Improved online section, especially regarding battle mode
- Great and powerful audiovisual section
- Although there are interesting news, something else is missing
- The online section still has room for improvement
