Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Review

When the Wii U was going through some troubles, a certain plumber and racing kart helped it get out of the hole it was in and became one of the Wii U's best selling games. Mario Kart 8 was great game with fun game-play, beautiful HD graphics, and DLC that you wanted to spend money on. However, while the racing aspect was the most top-notch it had been in the whole series, there was one issue. The Battle Mode on the original Wii U game was... pretty bad. Imaginative battle courses were replaced with normal race courses with sections cut off. The only game mode was Balloon Battle and no one really liked the way it was handled. So while the game overall was really good, the battle mode really held MK8 back. Until...

This is Mario Kart 8 Deluxe for Nintendo Switch, the same amazing racing from the original MK8 with all of the original DLC Tracks, Kart Parts, & Characters. Five NEW Characters, and the fully revamped Battle Mode. Does this game truly earn its "Deluxe" Title. We shall see right now dear viewers. Let's go through the PROS(+), the CONS(-), and the stuff in-between. Insert the Lakitu Countdown here.

TOADS IN SPACE!!

PROS(+)

- The game has been up-scaled to full 1080p 60fps in TV mode and while in handheld mode it plays at a wonderful 720p 60fps. It might be subtle but after looking at a few comparisons I can really tell the difference. Especially thanks to Gamexplain's videos talking about the differences, check them out they are really awesome.

-The amount of portability with this game is excellent. I love the fact that I can take my Switch with me and Give my friends a Joy-Con and we can start racing/battling together, that was really fun to do and I'm glad I could "Share the Joy" with this game. I also love the fact that this game has the great pick up and play aspect just like the MK7 or MKDS, only your not losing any of the home console experience, great job on Nintendo's part.

- The racing is still super top-notch from the original Wii U version. The controls are solid and just as easy to pick up as before. The addition of the new smart steering is good for those who are very new to the series or very younger kids learning to play, its handy and I like it, even though I've never used it personally. The racing has also been improved by adding the new ultra mini-boosts, drifting while braking, double item boxes with new items, and the returning 200cc mode only now you can race ghosts in Time Trials in this new mode, and if you wanna try all I say to you is... good luck.

I just want to be Mii

- The character options are good and I like that all the characters are available from the start, the kart parts have to be unlocked so you still get this nice sense of progression, but the options open up more with all of the characters available. The additions of the Inkling Boy and Girl from Splatoon were a nice surprise for this series and  are a very good fit for the game. I also like the specially designed ATV options for them.

 Image from IGN

- The Joy-Cons by themselves, in the Comfort Grip, handheld mode, tabletop mode, the Pro Controller, the amount of options to use for racing is amazing. Also, the Joy-Cons work really well for this game, I see why they showed that in the first in the original Nintendo Switch Video.

- Playing Online is about the same as the Wii U version only now you know what type of race you are going to be in and you can change your kart parts while waiting in the lobby instead of exiting the entire room, this has some very good improvements from the original I like it.

BATTLE MODE - This is obviously the biggest selling point for the Deluxe version because Nintendo has made a wonderful new battle mode that is so much fun to play with amazing new game modes.

• Balloon Battle - Classic done correctly, not the unfair way like in the original. A great intro to those who've never played battle mode before.
• Bob-omb Battle - Balloon battle except its only bombs and I think this might be my favorite new mode out of all the battle modes. This has more of a challenge compared to the Classic Balloon Battle and, depending on the stage you choose, has some crazy blow-ups.
• Coin Runners - Simple, collect all the coins you can before time runs out, steel some coins from your opponents as well. Again simple and fun.
• Renegade Round-Up - This is a completely new battle game and it is fun. I like the team dynamic of this mode, but I also like that you still are competing on your own a bit by trying to get a high score.
• Shine Runners - Take the fun hectic game-play of coin runners but have their only be ONE Shine that everyone wants. You get even more hectic game-play along with some intense battles between players and a lot of close victories.

The stages for the new battle mode are very good choices. The new stages are fun, visually unique, and make some interesting use of anti-gravity. While the classic retro stages are good choices and are remixed enough so they stand out. I also like that they made a Splatoon Battle Stage rather than a race track. Knowing how the Splatoon games play anyway it makes much more sense to have a battle course.

CONS(-)

- There isn't too much here for Mario Kart 8 Wii U owners except the Battle Mode and New Characters. Now while the game does come with all the DLC and the Battle mode for way less than buying them all on Wii U and there are extra characters, the amount of incentive isn't the strongest, but still pretty good.

- If you're looking for new racing tracks you will be very disappointed. Not the 48 tracks are lacking, far from it. The Tracks we have are fine but its just a tad upsetting.

- Sometimes I found myself getting kicked out of online lobbies and not being able into get matches. It has only a couple of times to me, and when I did play online it ran without a hitch. I just heard that other people have some issues so I just felt it should be mentioned.

- There are only 8 Battle Courses and I believe only two really utilize the anti-gravity features to there fullest. Again, not that the courses are bad in anyway, they are fun, but I just felt that there could've been a couple more in there just for good measure. (Nintendo DS Course please.)

- They don't give full indication of where to turn off Smart Steering and auto-accelerate so just make sure you know to turn those off first if you're a pro player or else you might feel that your game is a bit off.

- Miis are no longer expressive like they were. They don't emote like they did in the Wii U version and that kind of upsets me. Not too big of a deal, but its something you notice when it isn't there.
(This was fixed in the latest patch so I'm even more happy than I was before with this game.)

VERDICT

Whether you got the original one and want a new experience or are playing this series for the first time ever, like its Wii U Predecessor, this is a must own for any Switch owner. Not only is the gameplay improved, but the battle mode is amazing, the way you can play with your friends is so accessible, and the fact you can now play wherever you want is definitely a plus. This not a "simple port", this is truly the deluxe and definitive way to play Mario Kart 8.

This game gets... Oh right, I don't have a score system... uh... OH I KNOW!...

This game gets my completionist rating...

No No...

OH JUST FORGET THE WHOLE THING!!! BUY THE GAME!!!




Something draws near...