Mario Kart 8 Deluxe [upd] -

At the highest speed, braking while drifting is essential to avoid falling off the track.

Originally launched on the Wii U in 2014, Mario Kart 8 found its ultimate form on the Nintendo Switch as in April 2017. It has since become the best-selling game on the Nintendo Switch with over 70 million units sold, cementing its place as one of the most successful video games of all time . 1. Key Improvements Over the Wii U Version

Items are not random luck—they are a resource. Use these rules:

At launch, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe included all 48 tracks from the original game and its DLC. However, the game's longevity was cemented by the Booster Course Pass , a paid expansion that doubled the track count to . This collection includes remastered favorites from older consoles—like Mario Kart Wii and Mario Kart Double Dash!! —alongside mobile tracks from Mario Kart Tour .

Press the drift button right as you leave the lip of any ramp, bump, or undulating piece of track. Your character will perform a stunt in mid-air, granting a small speed boost upon landing. You can even trick off minor environmental hazards like fallen pillars or moving track elements. Coin Collection Dynamics Always prioritize collecting coins during the opening lap. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe

The Mario Kart series has been a staple of Nintendo's gaming lineup for decades, providing endless hours of fun and excitement for gamers of all ages. With the release of Mario Kart 8 Deluxe in 2017, the series reached new heights, offering an enhanced and refined racing experience that has captivated audiences worldwide. In this article, we'll dive into the world of Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, exploring its features, gameplay, and what makes it one of the best games in the series.

If you get a Boo, wait until you hear a blue shell alarm or notice players ahead getting powerful items before activating it.

The game serves as the quintessential racing experience, characterized by:

Then came the (2022–2023). For an additional $24.99 (or free with Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack), Nintendo added 48 more tracks . That’s right: 96 total tracks . At the highest speed, braking while drifting is

: To get a Rocket Start, press and hold the A button exactly when the "2" in the countdown starts to fade.

Battle Mode is a new game mode in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe that allows players to compete in arena-style battles using special items. In Battle Mode, players can choose from several arenas, including a school classroom, a shopping mall, and a mysterious laboratory. The objective is to collect coins and items, which can be used to attack opponents and defend yourself.

One of the few criticisms of the original Wii U version was its lackluster Battle Mode, which recycled standard racing tracks. Deluxe completely rectified this by introducing eight dedicated battle arenas and five distinct game modes:

The balance updates released alongside the Booster Course Pass shifted the competitive meta away from the historic "Waluigi on a Wild Wiggler" dominance. Customizing your build requires balancing two critical hidden stats: and Mini-Turbo acceleration . Top-Tier Competitive Builds However, the game's longevity was cemented by the

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe for the Nintendo Switch is the best-selling racing game of all time. It refines decades of kart-racing history into a flawless, high-speed package. Whether you are playing casually with friends or grinding regional online rooms, mastering this game requires a mix of driving skill, item management, and strategic knowledge. Core Gameplay Mechanics

What has happened since then is nothing short of legendary. With a staggering as of March 31, 2026, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is not just the best-selling racing game on the Switch—it is the #1 best-selling game of the entire console generation. It has outsold heavy hitters like Animal Crossing: New Horizons and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate by significant margins. Even more remarkably, as we approach nearly a decade since the original Switch launch, the game continues to defy time. In 2025 alone, it sold an additional 2.39 million copies , proving that its multiplayer magic remains as potent as ever.

When Mario Kart 8 Deluxe launched alongside the Nintendo Switch in April 2017, many hardcore fans scoffed. After all, they had already played Mario Kart 8 on the Wii U four years earlier. “A port with a ‘Deluxe’ sticker on it?” they asked. “How good can it be?”

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe includes several new features, including:

But what separates a best-seller from a timeless classic? In the case of Mario Kart 8 Deluxe , the answer is not just in the sales charts, but in the constant, loving support from Nintendo that transformed a great game into a bottomless well of content.

: You can hold up to 10 coins, which increases your overall top speed. If you are in 1st place, keep a Coin item in your first slot to protect your second item from being stolen by a Boo . 3. Choosing Your Character & Kart