Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Reviews
With a fresh coat of paint and a couple of tune-ups, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe makes itself a great definitive edition of an already pretty-good game. Smart Steering, though awkwardly on by default, is a godsend for those who play with younger and less-skilled racers, and the revised Battle Mode fills a hole in the game's heart. A lack of additional race courses and content may deter those who already own the original Wii U version of the game, however.
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is still that same gorgeous game filled with great courses, characters, and karts. There are a few new game elements that augment the game slightly, and an awesome battle mode that is instantly addicting, but on the whole, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is almost too similar to the game we fell in love with on the Wii U.
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is the definitive edition of one of the best games ever created by Nintendo. You must play this title no matter what.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
Thanks to small but fine adjustments, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is the best version of a great fun racer.
Review in German | Read full review
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is the second must-buy game on the Nintendo Switch (after The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild), and it's the most comprehensive Mario Kart game to date.
"Mario Kart 8 Deluxe" is so complete that it made me wonder how the original Wii U release even made it to shelves in its original state. This is everything kart fans could want from the series: fast action that can be enjoyed by beginners and seasoned veterans, plenty of unlockables, an assortment of tracks and fun modes for parties. This is the new pinnacle for the "Mario Kart" series. Nintendo was smart to take us on another lap around the track.
When it comes to passing final judgement on a re-release like this it's tricky - do we scale back praise because it's content we've mostly seen before, or simply judge a release on its own merits? We've opted for the latter here, and so we have a definitive version of a fantastic Wii U game that adds its own extras to spruce up the experience.Mario Kart 8 Deluxe delivers a huge amount of racing goodness right out of the box, and it's a polished version of a Wii U entry that was a proper Battle Mode away from being top of class. Now that issue has been addressed, what we have is arguably the best Mario Kart release we've seen. Some will argue about where this entry stands in the pantheon of the franchise, but for our money it's competing for top spot.It's the definitive Mario Kart 8 experience, content-rich and a delightful feast of comedic, cartoonish karting action. It's a game that continually raises a smile and, occasionally, induces that trademark Mario Kart rage as shells strike and positions are lost. It's addictive and unifying, unfiltered fun that draws in anyone daring enough to take up the wheel. If you're a Switch owner, it's an easy choice.
The Nintendo Switch version of Mario Kart is quite possibly the best in the series. Mario Kart 8 was already fantastic on the Wii U and the way the game uses the Switch's features genuinely transcends it.
Review in French | Read full review
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe's improved Battle Mode is bound to bring out some people's inner child in the best way (this author very much included). As for the rest of the racing action, the tight and polished multiplayer action is as good as it's ever been - and the ability to take it on-the-go is like a dream come true.
At the end of the day, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is a Mario Kart game and (predictably) fantastic. With a fully upgraded Battle Mode and all the portability that comes with Nintendo Switch, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is undoubtedly the definitive version of the game — maybe even the series. However, with limited offerings for Mario Kart veterans who shelled out nearly $100 on the last experience, the title will be significantly less rewarding.
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe takes the best game in the series and improves it. It looks better, plays better, the soundtrack remains an utter joy and the inclusion of a fully-featured and fiendishly fun Battle Mode is the cherry on top. This is the best Mario Kart game ever, and it's hard to see exactly how Nintendo will ever be able to improve upon it.
After Breath of the Wild, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is the next Nintendo Switch must-buy. It's the best the series has ever been, offering one definitive package.
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe improves on everything that made the original an excellent game and reinforces its status as the greatest game in the Mario Kart series. Increasing on its content and bringing back the battle mode as it once was, this edition also adds technical improvements to make it fit with the Nintendo Switch. This all adds up to a magnificent entry that no player should overlook.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe puts the pedal to the metal by creating the most accessible racer in the series, or any racing game for that matter, to date. Smart steering and auto-acceleration lets little kids join in on the fun without being too overpowered. The return of a full-fledged battle mode also makes it a more complete Mario Kart experience. It might not have enough new features to entice folks who still own the Wii U version. Overall, though, this is arguably the best Mario Kart game to date.
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe takes the franchise to a new level, and makes further argument that the Switch is a fantastic portable console.
"Mario Kart 8 Deluxe" feels like the most complete game in the series, with 23 remade tracks from earlier games and 25 originals, yet the racing feels like it's been tamed by the mild courses and gentle drifting system.
If you already own Wii U and know Mario Kart 8 there's not much reason for you to buy it again. But in case this is your first encounter with this series and you have a bunch of gamer friends to spend time with, it is a must buy for you. Yet another great game for Nintendo Switch.
Review in Polish | Read full review
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe makes the small changes needed to differentiate itself from its inferior Wii U version. It's a worthy purchase regardless of the time you've spent playing the same tracks on the Wii U, as the battle mode will keep you entertained for years to come. For any fan of local Mario Kart multiplayer, this is a no brainer. Still, I can't fully recommend buying it for online play until Nintendo resolves poor connectivity issues.
But that's the thing with Mario Kart 8 Deluxe on Nintendo Switch. On Wii U, the game was over when you stepped away from your television. As the saying goes: You can't take it with you. But now you can. Now, the game is only over when you—or the baby—says so.