Mario Kart 8

Mario Kart 8
Developer(s)Nintendo EAD Group No. 1
Publisher(s)Nintendo
Producer(s)Hideki Konno
SeriesMario Kart
Platform(s)Wii U
ReleaseWii U
  • JP: May 29, 2014
  • NA/EU: May 30, 2014
  • AU: May 31, 2014
Nintendo Switch
  • WW: April 28, 2017
  • CHN: March 16, 2020
Genre(s)Racing
Mode(s)Single-player, multiplayer

Mario Kart 8 (stylized as MARIOKART8) is a racing video game released on May 30, 2014 in North America and Europe It was released a day earlier in Japan on May 29, 2014, and a day later in Australia on May 31, 2014 for the Wii U game console. It is part of the Mario Kart series.

The game is like the other Mario Kart games, where characters from the Mario series race each other in go-karts. Players are able to use items from item boxes to keep their opponents from winning. Along with go-karts, the game also has motorcycles. There are 12 players in a race. Like in Mario Kart 7, karts have hang-gliding attachments, and players are able to drive underwater. For the first time in the series, players are able to drive on walls and ceilings. There is one new type of vehicle: four-wheel buggies. There is local and online multiplayer for up to 12 players. Players include Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach, etc. The first DLC track pack was revealed in February 2013.

On April 8th, 2024, online services for the Wii U were discontinued. This includes Mario Kart 8.

An improved port titled Mario Kart 8 Deluxe was released on the Nintendo Switch in 2017, having all the original DLC come with the game and changed some in-game mechanics such as the battle mode. All characters are unlocked from the start except Gold Mario. The port received widespread critical acclaim due to big improvements over the original game.

In 2022, a new wave of DLC called "Booster Course Pass" was announced and released.

Mario Kart 8 sold 8.45 million copies and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe sold 33.41 million copies.

References

  1. ↑ "Wii U Developer Direct - Mario Kart 8 @E3 2011 - YouTube". Archived from the original on 2019-02-15. Retrieved 2017-08-31.
  2. ↑ "NINTENDO REVEALS MARIO KART 8 LAUNCH DATE OF 31st MAY ON Wii U". nintendo.com.au. February 14, 2014. Archived from the original on February 23, 2014. Retrieved January 18, 2024.
  3. ↑ "《马力欧卡丁车8 豪华版》3月16日正式发售 - 腾讯Nintendo Switch官网". www.nintendoswitch.com.cn. Retrieved 2024-05-03.
  4. ↑ Osborn, Alex (July 30, 2012). "Mario Kart 8 Releasing in May, Greater Focus on GamePad, NFC Game Announcements Coming at E3". Game Revolution. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved August 3, 2012.
  5. ↑ "Mario Kart 8 launching on Wii U in fall 2012 (video)". Archived from the original on 2016-04-26. Retrieved 2017-08-31.
  6. ↑ "No date for Mario Kart 8, but a new trailer". eurogamer. 5 March 2012. Archived from the original on 2013-12-21.
  7. ↑ Phillips, Tom (January 13, 2013). "Mario Kart 8 DLC trailer reveals a familiar retro track". Eurogamer. Archived from the original on January 13, 2013. Retrieved April 26, 2013.
  8. ↑ "Discontinuation of Online Services for Nintendo 3DS and Wii U software". Nintendo Customer Support. Archived from the original on April 8, 2024. Retrieved July 3, 2025.
  9. ↑ Middler, Jordan (February 9, 2022). "Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Booster Course Pass announced". Video Games Chronicle. Gamer Network. Archived from the original on October 6, 2022. Retrieved July 3, 2025.
  10. ↑ Life, Nintendo (2021-02-01). "Mario Kart 8 Overtakes Mario Kart Wii As Best-Selling Series Entry". Nintendo Life. Archived from the original on 2021-06-13. Retrieved 2021-07-15.