Mario Kart 8 Deluxe

This article is about the Nintendo Switch port of the Mario Kart 8 game. For the game's original version, see Mario Kart 8.

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe
For alternate box art, see the game's gallery.
Developer	Nintendo EPD BANDAI NAMCO Studios Inc.
Publisher	Nintendo Tencent Games (China)
Platform(s)	Nintendo Switch
Release date	Template:Release[?]
Language(s)	English (United Kingdom) English (United States) French (France) French (Canada) German Spanish (Spain) Spanish (Latin America) Italian Dutch Portuguese (Portugal) Russian Japanese Simplified Chinese1 Traditional Chinese Korean 1 - The global and domestic versions have slightly different localizations.
Genre	Racing
Rating(s)	ESRB: - Everyone PEGI: - Three years and older CERO: - All ages ACB: - General USK: - All ages RARS: - All ages GRAC: - All ages CADPA: - Eight years and older GSRR: - Six years and older FPB: - Parental guidance Gmedia: - Three years and older NMC: - Seven years and older
Mode(s)	Single Player, Multiplayer, Online Play, Wireless Play
Input	Nintendo Switch: Joy-Con Nintendo Switch Pro Controller Nintendo GameCube Controller

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is a racing game in the Mario Kart series for the Nintendo Switch which was first released on April 28, 2017. The game is the first Mario game overall to be released for the Nintendo Switch. It is an enhanced port of Mario Kart 8 for the Wii U. The base game has additional features such as several new characters and an overhauled Battle Mode with new courses and modes. First teased in the Switch's announcement video on October 20, 2016, the game was formally announced as part of the Nintendo Switch presentation on January 13, 2017.

From 2022 to the end of 2023, new race courses and returning characters are being added via the Mario Kart 8 Deluxe – Booster Course Pass paid DLC. An edition of the game that has the Booster Course Pass activated from the start, titled the Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Bundle (Game + Booster Course Pass), is available for purchase digitally.

Controls

Dual Joy-Con / Pro Controller

• or / or tilt: Steer
• or up or or auto-accelerate: Accelerate / Rocket Start (press and hold when the countdown hits 2)
• or down: Brake/reverse
• /: Use horn/item
• /: Hop/drift/trick
• or / or tilt + or up or or auto-accelerate + /: Drift
• : Rear view

GameCube Controller

• or : Steer
• or up or or auto-accelerate: Accelerate / Rocket Start (press and hold when the countdown hits 2)
• or down: Brake/Reverse
• : Use horn/item
• or : Hop/drift/trick
• or + or up or or auto-accelerate + /: Drift
• : Rear view

Joy-Con (sideways)

• or tilt: Steer
• or or auto-accelerate: Accelerate / Rocket Start (press and hold when the countdown hits 2)
• : Brake/reverse
• : Use horn/item
• : Hop/drift/trick
• or tilt + or or auto-accelerate + : Drift
• : Rear view

Toy-Con Motorbike

• Tilt: Steer
• forward tilt or auto-accelerate: Accelerate / Rocket Start (press and hold when the countdown hits 2)
• : Brake / reverse
• : Use horn/item
• : Hop / trick
• Tilt + forward tilt or auto-accelerate + : Drift
• : Switch view

Toy-Con Car

• Tilt: Steer
• Pedal half press or auto-accelerate: Accelerate / Rocket Start (press and hold when the countdown hits 2)
• : Use horn/item
• Pedal full press: Hop / trick
• Tilt + pedal full press: Drift
• : Switch view

Differences from the original

Mario driving with Smart Steering activated, indicated by the antenna at the back of the kart

The game features most of the base and DLC content of Mario Kart 8. Content excluded includes Miiverse compatibility, stamps, and the ability to upload Highlight Reels on YouTube - all of which were discontinued on the Wii U version when Miiverse was terminated on November 7, 2017. Battle Mode has been significantly altered.

Characters that were originally unlockable or exclusive to downloadable content in Mario Kart 8 are available from the start in this game, marking the largest starting roster of any Mario Kart game.

Characters can now carry up to two items at once, even if they do not equip the first item, and the game features the return of the Double Item Box from Mario Kart: Double Dash!!. The game also introduces Smart Steering and Auto-Accelerate for beginners; the former makes staying on the track easier by automatically steering the vehicle away from edges on the track, while the latter makes the vehicle automatically accelerate (though this is not available in Battle Mode). If the Smart Steering mode is on, the player's vehicle will have a black antenna sticking out of its rear end; this antenna blinks yellow and bends when Smart Steering is in effect. Smart Steering and Auto-Accelerate can be toggled on and off individually for each player in the vehicle part selection menu and in the pause menu. There is also an additional level of Mini-Turbo, called Ultra Mini-Turbo, denoted by purple (pink in the British English version) sparks that appear after the orange sparks. This new level of Mini-Turbo can only be used if Smart Steering is off.

200cc engine class for Time Trials has been added (separately recorded from the 150cc Time Trials). There are new staff ghosts for 200cc, while some of the 150cc staff ghosts have slightly different times compared to the original.

The game also features an in-game guide, directly accessible from the game's menu; this guide explains various techniques, Battle Mode, and the functions of each item.

The vehicle parts that are exclusive to downloadable content in Mario Kart 8 (i.e. parts included within the Mercedes-Benz × Mario Kart 8, The Legend of Zelda × Mario Kart 8, and Animal Crossing × Mario Kart 8 add-on packs) are now accessible in the base game and are randomly unlocked by collecting coins during gameplay.

There are more individual character weight classes when compared to the Wii U game, with several returning characters having different statistics, thus resulting in fewer characters having the same stats as each other. Similarly, the statistics of some vehicle parts have been altered, and certain physics elements, such as the speed increase per stat and the acceleration tiers, have been adjusted.

Red Shells and Spiny Shells are now slower when they lock onto their target, meaning players are able to outrun them in 200cc when they have any kind of speed boost.

The overall game difficulty has been reduced, as CPUs slow down closer to the player when compared to the original version, and do not charge Mini Turbos or Super Mini Turbos as quickly. The default speed of the CPUs in the Normal and Easy difficulties has also been reduced. CPU players now have a chance to obtain Triple Red Shells from Item Boxes, but this primarily only happens in the Shells Only item setting.

Online lobbies have been changed in that players playing Worldwide or Regional VS Races between 1000 VR and 3000 VR will be randomized either a 100cc or 150cc race, and starting at over 3000 VR, players will now be randomized a 150cc, Mirror, or 200cc race. The engine class for the upcoming race in a race lobby is now shown in the lobby as the course is selected, via a "50", "100", "150", mirrored "150" (for Mirror), or "200" icon in the bottom right of the selected course icon. This extends to online battle lobbies, which will display a symbol of a yellow balloon (for Balloon Battle), a potted Piranha Plant (for Renegade Roundup), a coin (for Coin Runners), a Shine Sprite (for Shine Thief), or a Bob-omb (for Bob-omb Blast) to denote which battle mode is about to be played. There is also an option to change character and vehicle combinations in an online lobby without having to leave; this is done by pressing ( when playing with a single Joy-Con) during the course selection of an online lobby. The Mii characters that represent the players in online lobbies wear racing suits, unlike in the original version in which they wore their regular outfits. The Mii of the previous race or battle's winner will also wear a crown identical to the one worn by the first-place player in Battle Mode. The newly added wireless and LAN modes use a very similar lobby to the online lobby, albeit visually set in a garage rather than on a globe.

Players can now see the lap count or timer when spectating an online race or battle respectively. However, it is no longer possible to see the lap count when crossing the finish line nor the full results in multiplayer (including online lobbies) at the end of the race while watching Highlight Reels via Mario Kart TV.

The game now mostly renders in native 1920x1080 resolution in TV mode (sometimes switching to native 1728x972), and always renders at native 1280x720 resolution in Tabletop and Handheld Mode, instead of the dynamic 1280x720/1152x648 rendering resolution used in the original Wii U version. Motion blur when boosting is present in LAN and online mode, and in earlier builds, it was also present in splitscreen multiplayer. The shadows present in the game are of higher quality in multiplayer.

If a Blooper is about to ink the player as they cross the finish line, the player will now still get inked. This is unlike the Wii U version, where the Blooper or the ink disappeared instead. Characters also no longer verbally react when they are inked by a Blooper.

The course map color for the race courses is now white instead of blue, including the maps of all three Rainbow Roads and GCN Baby Park, which originally had multiple colors. However, the battle courses have color-shaded areas and lines on their maps to make it easier for players to determine where they are. The character icons on the course map are now slightly larger, more detailed, and of a higher resolution. In a race, the first place player no longer has a crown on their mini-map icon, though they still do in battles. When a Bob-omb or Spiny Shell explodes, its explosion is now shown on the course map. When playing with the map enabled in local splitscreen multiplayer, there will only be one map in the center of the screen, rather than each player having their own copy of the map like in the Wii U version.

All courses that feature confetti flying around the start/finish line, such as Mario Circuit, now also have confetti on the ground of the course near it.

When using the rearview mirror, the character will now move their eyes slightly to the left to look back, like how they do in Mario Kart Wii; however, their eyes will stay looking to the left as long as the rearview is active, rather than switching back after a second like in Mario Kart Wii.

Inkling Girl, Isabelle, and Link now appear on the loading screen, and the game also has reduced loading times when compared to the Wii U game; as a result, the second set of characters that originally appeared on the loading screen are almost never seen before the game finishes loading.

When playing with teams, flags colored to correspond to the teams are added behind the vehicles. If Smart Steering is on, then the Smart Steering antenna serves as the pole of the flag. These flags do not appear in Balloon Battle nor Bob-omb Blast, as the color of the balloons show the teams in these modes.

Battle Mode

Inkling Girl, Link, Mario, and Isabelle in Battle Stadium.

The biggest change made between Mario Kart 8 Deluxe and the original release of Mario Kart 8 is the Battle Mode. Battle Mode now returns to the arena-based battle and unlike previous games, each player starts with five balloons, as opposed to three. Another addition to Battle Mode is that the character in the lead now wears a crown, unlike in Mario Kart 8 where the crown is displayed only on the HUD map. Additionally, players now start out with zero points instead of Mario Kart 8's default three points, and their balloons do not serve as the remaining three points. Returning from Mario Kart Wii and Mario Kart 7 is the ability to respawn after all balloons are popped; this causes the player's total score to halve and the player respawns with three balloons instead of five. A new addition to this mode is the feature to tell exactly which character hit whom, which appears on the bottom of the screen. Furthermore, after getting hit, players now have about 1.5 seconds of invincibility frames, unlike in Mario Kart 8. The item options also appear to have been updated; alongside the "Frantic Items" option, which chooses rare items more frequently, a "Skilled Items" option is also available for selection, which chooses only offensive items; in this mode, powerful items appear less frequently, similar to Mario Kart Wii's "Strategic" ("Basic" in the PAL version) item option.

There are five different Battle Mode types:

• Balloon Battle: The classic mode where players use items to pop opponents' balloons or steal them in order to score points. This mode now uses the point-based set-up seen in Mario Kart Wii, and Mario Kart 7, rather than the survival set-up of Mario Kart 8 and earlier installments prior to Mario Kart Wii.
• Renegade Roundup: A new mode in the vein of "cops and robbers", with the racers being divided into two teams. One team, known as "The Authorities", has to use Piranha Plant items (which are permanently attached to the front of their vehicle and only serve to capture the opposing team; they do not operate like the regular item) in order to capture players from the other team, known as "The Renegades". Captured Renegades are placed into one of several jail cells floating above various points on the stage. Remaining Renegades can free their teammates by driving over a key switch placed below the jail cells. The Renegades win if at least one member is still running free when time runs out, and the Authorities win if all of the Renegades get captured. All Authority team members also temporarily lose their ability to capture after being hit by an item and Renegades receive a speed boost and temporary immunity when they are freed from the cells.
• Bob-omb Blast: A returning mode from Mario Kart: Double Dash!!, in which players attack one another using Bob-ombs to score points and can carry up to 10 Bob-ombs. This version follows nearly all of the same rules as Balloon Battle, the differences being these: the only items are Bob-ombs, players cannot be hurt by their own Bob-ombs exploding, and Bob-ombs thrown forward explode instantly.
• Coin Runners: Originating in Mario Kart Wii, this mode was last seen in Mario Kart 7. Players must collect Coins scattered across the course in order to have the most by the end of the match. Plays more akin to the Mario Kart Wii version of the mode, with players having no limit to the amount of coins they can collect, as opposed to the 10-coin limit in the Mario Kart 7 version.
• Shine Thief: Another returning mode from Mario Kart: Double Dash!!, one player must retrieve a Shine Sprite and keep hold of it for about 20 seconds, while the opponents use items against whoever has the Shine to force that player to drop it. The driver holding the shine sprite has a slightly reduced top speed. In Team play, one team must collectively manage to hold on to the Shine for about 30 seconds.

There is also the option to randomly select one of the five available modes by choosing "Random Battle".

Characters

Character select screen at launch (top) and with Gold Mario unlocked after the Ver. 1.6.0 update (bottom)

All base and DLC characters from Mario Kart 8 are present in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. Additionally, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe features characters not present in Mario Kart 8. Of these, returning characters include Bowser Jr., King Boo, and Dry Bones, who were last playable in Mario Kart Wii, Gold Mario (as a variant of Metal Mario), who was previously playable in Mario Kart Arcade GP DX, and Birdo, who is set to be added with the fourth wave of the Booster Course Pass. Returning characters will be available in future waves of the Booster Course Pass after the fourth wave. In addition, two new non-Mario characters are included, being the Inklings from Splatoon. Players can choose either the Inkling Girl or Inkling Boy, and they include three selectable colors each; additionally, the two Villagers have also been separated, after being present in the same character slot (with the female Villager being considered a variant of the male one) in Mario Kart 8. Excluding character variants, there are currently a total of 42 playable characters in this game.

There is only one unlockable character in this game, that being Gold Mario. He is unlocked by clearing all cups of the 200cc Grand Prix. Additionally, the version 1.6.0 update added a new variant for Link based on his appearance in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. When Gold Mario is unlocked and Breath of the Wild Link is downloaded, they become the default variations of their character, while Metal Mario and Skyward Sword Link are relegated to alternate costumes. Despite the Breath of the Wild Link being treated as an alternate costume for Link in menus and in promotional material, he is actually treated as a separate character in-game, as both Links can appear in races or battles as CPU simultaneously.

Characters and variants playable in this game that were not playable in the original Mario Kart 8 are listed in italics.

white		white		Peach		Daisy		white		black		Cat Peach
white		white		black		white		white		white		white
white		white		black		white		white		white		black
white		white		black		white		white		black		white
Lemmy		Larry		Wendy		Ludwig		Iggy		Roy		Morton
Inkling Girl black		Inkling Boy white		white		Villager (Male)		Villager (Female)		white		black
black black

Alternate costumes

Yoshi		Red Yoshi		Blue Yoshi		Light-Blue Yoshi		Yellow Yoshi		Pink Yoshi		Black Yoshi		White Yoshi		Orange Yoshi
Shy Guy		Green Shy Guy		Blue Shy Guy		Light-Blue Shy Guy		Yellow Shy Guy		Pink Shy Guy		Black Shy Guy		White Shy Guy		Orange Shy Guy
Metal Mario		white							Link		Link (Breath of the Wild) white
Inkling Girl		Inkling Girl (lime green)		Inkling Girl (magenta)					Inkling Boy		Inkling Boy (purple)		Inkling Boy (teal)
Birdo		Red Birdo		Green Birdo		Blue Birdo		Light-Blue Birdo		Yellow Birdo		Black Birdo		White Birdo		Orange Birdo

Rival order

Like in Mario Kart 8, characters have set rivals that consistently appear when racing in Grand Prix races. They are once again restricted to Grand Prix only, not appearing in single player versus or battle mode. Unlike the previous game, more characters have rivals: the twelve characters from the previous game who had rivals retain their rivals in this game, while other characters range from having one to two rivals each, or even none at all.

Rival Order
Player	Opponent(s)	Player	Opponent(s)	Player	Opponent(s)
					None
	None
	None				None

Vehicle parts

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe features six additional vehicle body parts. One is the Koopa Clown, returning from Mario Kart 7. Two new vehicles are Splatoon-based ATVs; the Splat Buggy and Inkstriker. These three change their colors for certain characters: the former for the Koopalings, and the latter two for all Inkling variations. Version 1.6.0 adds the Master Cycle Zero, Ancient Tires, and Paraglider. In total, there are 41 vehicle bodies, 22 tires, and 15 gliders, resulting in up to 13,530 different combinations.

Computer-controlled characters now choose from a wider variety of kart parts than in the original version, such as the Flame Rider and the Sports Coupe. However, they are still restricted to a set amount of body parts per character. A CPU Baby Daisy has the tendency to use the Wild Wiggler with Wood tires, for example.

Available parts

The parts available are listed here in the order shown in the vehicle customization screen, with the following notation:

• Bold = Part is available at the start.
• * = Changes color, depending on the character.
• ** = Changes color for the Koopalings.
• *** = Changes color for Daisy, Baby Daisy, Rosalina, and Baby Rosalina.
• **** = Changes color for the Inklings.
• (DX) = Part is not available in the original Mario Kart 8.
• (NEW) = Part is introduced in this game.

The "8" logos on the parts are replaced with the driver's emblem, except on the Gold Standard and Gold Glider.

Karts

• 

  Standard Kart*

• 

  Pipe Frame*

• 

  Mach 8

• 

  Steel Driver

• 

  Cat Cruiser

• 

  Circuit Special*

• 

  Tri-Speeder

• 

  Badwagon

• 

  Prancer

• 

  Biddybuggy*
  Buggybud

• 

  Landship**

• 

  Sneeker*
  Bounder

• 

  Sports Coupe
  Sports Coupé

• 

  Gold Standard
  Gold Kart

• 

  GLA*

• 

  W 25 Silver Arrow

• 

  300 SL Roadster

• 

  Blue Falcon

• 

  Tanooki Kart

• 

  B Dasher

• 

  Streetle

• 

  P-Wing

• 

  Koopa Clown** (DX)

Standard bikes

• 

  Standard Bike*

• 

  The Duke

• 

  Flame Rider

• 

  Varmint

• 

  Mr. Scooty
  Mr Scooty

• 

  Master Cycle Zero (NEW)

• 

  City Tripper*

Sport bikes

• 

  Comet

• 

  Sport Bike*

• 

  Jet Bike

• 

  Yoshi Bike

• 

  Master Cycle

ATVs

• 

  Standard ATV*
  Standard Quad

• 

  Wild Wiggler

• 

  Teddy Buggy

• 

  Bone Rattler

• 

  Splat Buggy**** (NEW)

• 

  Inkstriker**** (NEW)

Tires

• 

  Standard
  Normal

• 

  Monster

• 

  Roller

• 

  Slim

• 

  Slick

• 

  Metal

• 

  Button

• 

  Off-Road

• 

  Sponge

• 

  Wood
  Wooden

• 

  Cushion

• 

  Blue Standard
  Normal Blue

• 

  Hot Monster
  Funky Monster

• 

  Azure Roller

• 

  Crimson Slim

• 

  Cyber Slick

• 

  Retro Off-Road

• 

  Gold Tires
  Gold Wheels

• 

  GLA Tires
  GLA Wheels

• 

  Triforce Tires
  Triforce Tyres

• 

  Ancient Tires (NEW)
  Ancient Tyres

• 

  Leaf Tires
  Leaf Tyres

Gliders

• 

  Super Glider*

• 

  Cloud Glider

• 

  Wario Wing

• 

  Waddle Wing

• 

  Peach Parasol***

• 

  Parachute

• 

  Parafoil

• 

  Flower Glider

• 

  Bowser Kite

• 

  Plane Glider

• 

  MKTV Parafoil

• 

  Gold Glider

• 

  Hylian Kite

• 

  Paraglider (NEW)

• 

  Paper Glider

CPU combinations

All characters in the game except for variants (besides Champion's Tunic Link) and Miis can be used by CPUs. Each of these characters have four different combinations of vehicle parts that they can use as CPUs. These combinations are listed below.

AI Combinations
Player	Combination 1	Combination 2	Combination 3	Combination 4

Drivers' and vehicle parts' statistics

For the in-game tables from which these values were derived and for the tables to translate those values into the actual statistics used by the game, see Mario Kart 8 Deluxe in-game statistics.

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe features different statistics with respect to Mario Kart 8.

Statistics shown in the vehicle customization screen

Just like Mario Kart 7 and Mario Kart 8, the game uses "points" ("PT") which are conferred by characters and vehicle parts to determine the final values of the game's statistics. In each statistics, the points given by the character, body, tires, and glider are summed to obtain a final value called "Level" ("Lv") which is then used by a table to convert the level into appropriate physical parameters used by the game. There are a total of 8,064 different stat combinations. The Level of five statistics is displayed in the vehicle customization screen:

• Speed: The top speed of the vehicle on land with normal gravity.
• Acceleration: How fast the speed increases when holding the acceleration button until top speed has been reached.
• Weight: The weight of the vehicle. Vehicles with higher weight knock away vehicles with lower weight.
• Handling: The turning ability of the vehicle on land with normal gravity. A higher stat means vehicles turn sharper, and will continue turning normally for longer before automatically initiating a drift.
• Traction (Grip in the British English version): The grasp of the vehicle to the ground while off-road. Vehicles with higher traction slip less on certain terrain and can stay stable on the road better. Not to be confused with handling.

Said Level is represented through bars by adding three points to the sum of points, then dividing the result by four, resulting in values ranging from 0.75 to 5.75. As an example, the process through which the statistics of a certain combination of character and vehicle parts are calculated and displayed is shown below:

A combination consisting of Dry Bones, Flame Rider, Standard Tires, and Super Glider.

Element	Points conferred
	Speed	Acceleration	Weight	Handling	Traction
Dry Bones	1	5	1	8	4
Flame Rider	2	5	1	4	5
Standard Tires	2	4	2	3	5
Super Glider	1	1	1	1	1
Final values	Speed	Acceleration	Weight	Handling	Traction
Level	1 + 2 + 2 + 1 = 6	5 + 5 + 4 + 1 = 15	1 + 1 + 2 + 1 = 5	8 + 4 + 3 + 1 = 16	4 + 5 + 5 + 1 = 15
Value shown in the vehicle customization screen	(6 + 3) / 4 = 9 / 4 = 2.25	(15 + 3) / 4 = 18 / 4 = 4.5	(5 + 3) / 4 = 8 / 4 = 2	(16 + 3) / 4 = 19 / 4 = 4.75	(15 + 3) / 4 = 18 / 4 = 4.5

The values actually shown in the vehicle customization screen, matching the values calculated.

Drivers' statistics

Drivers are still grouped into small groups of characters sharing the same statistics, the number of groups has been increased with respect to Mario Kart 8.

In addition to the statistics shown in the vehicle customization screen, there are the following statistics:

• Water Speed: The top speed of the vehicle while driving underwater.
• Air Speed: The top speed of the vehicle while gliding.
• Anti-Gravity Speed: The top speed of the vehicle in anti-gravity mode.
• Water Handling: The turning ability of the vehicle while driving underwater.
• Air Handling: The turning ability of the vehicle while gliding.
• Anti-Gravity Handling: The turning ability of the vehicle in anti-gravity mode.
• Mini-Turbo: The length of the vehicle's mini-turbo speed boosts and how fast mini-turbos can be charged. Also affects the length of jump boosts from tricks.
• Invincibility: The length of time the vehicle is invincible after spinning out. Added in v2.2.0.

Just like in Mario Kart 8, Miis can be Light, Medium, or Heavy, depending on their height and weight.

The statistics are shown in points.

Drivers' Statistics
Vehicle size	Character	Speed				Acceleration	Weight	Handling				Traction	Mini-Turbo	Invincibility
		Ground	Water	Air	Anti-Gravity			Ground	Water	Air	Anti-Gravity
Small		0	0	0	0	4	0	10	10	10	10	5	5	6
		0	0	0	0	5	0	9	9	9	9	3	5	6
		1	1	1	1	5	1	8	8	8	8	4	4	6
		2	2	2	2	5	2	7	7	7	7	2	4	5
		2	2	2	2	4	2	8	8	8	8	5	4	5
		3	3	3	3	4	3	7	7	7	7	4	3	4
Medium		4	4	4	4	4	3	6	6	6	6	3	3	4
		5	5	5	5	3	4	5	5	5	5	3	3	3
		5	5	5	5	3	5	5	5	5	5	1	3	3
		6	6	6	6	2	6	4	4	4	4	2	2	3
		6	6	6	6	2	6	5	5	5	5	1	2	3
		8	8	8	8	1	10	3	3	3	3	1	1	1
Large		7	7	7	7	1	7	3	3	3	3	3	2	2
		9	9	9	9	1	8	2	2	2	2	0	1	1
		10	10	10	10	0	9	1	1	1	1	1	0	1
		10	10	10	10	0	10	0	0	0	0	0	0	1

Parts' statistics

The number of groups of vehicle parts sharing the same statistics has increased as well when compared with Mario Kart 8.

The statistics are reported in points. There is an unused stat for on-road traction, which can be viewed here.

Bodies' Statistics
Body	Speed				Acceleration	Weight	Handling				Traction	Mini-Turbo	Invincibility
	Ground	Water	Air	Anti-Gravity			Ground	Water	Air	Anti-Gravity
	3	3	3	3	4	2	3	2	3	3	3	4	3
	3	3	3	3	4	2	3	2	3	3	3	4	4
	1	3	1	1	6	1	5	4	2	4	4	6	2
	1	3	1	1	6	1	5	4	2	4	4	6	1
	3	3	4	5	3	3	2	2	2	4	4	4	4
	3	3	4	5	3	3	2	2	2	4	4	4	3
	4	5	0	2	1	4	1	5	1	1	3	2	6
	4	5	0	2	1	4	1	5	1	1	3	2	5
	2	2	4	3	5	2	4	2	4	3	3	5	3
**	2	2	4	3	5	2	4	2	4	3	3	5	2
	5	1	2	4	1	3	1	1	0	2	1	1	6
	5	2	1	3	0	4	0	1	0	1	5	0	7
	5	2	1	3	0	4	0	1	0	1	5	0	6
	4	3	3	3	2	1	3	3	3	2	2	3	5
**	4	3	3	3	2	1	3	3	3	2	2	3	3
	0	1	1	2	7	0	5	4	4	5	4	7	0
	1	5	2	0	6	0	4	5	3	2	6	6	1
	1	5	2	0	6	0	4	5	3	2	6	6	2
	4	2	3	3	2	2	3	2	2	3	0	3	5
	4	2	3	3	2	2	3	2	2	3	0	3	4
*	4	2	3	3	2	2	3	2	2	3	0	3	3
	2	2	3	4	5	1	4	3	3	4	5	5	2
	2	2	3	4	5	1	4	3	3	4	5	5	1
	2	2	3	4	5	1	4	3	3	4	5	5	3
	4	2	3	4	3	0	2	3	1	5	3	3	4
	4	2	3	4	3	0	2	3	1	5	3	3	3
	2	4	3	3	2	3	4	4	3	3	7	3	4
	2	4	3	3	2	3	4	4	3	3	7	3	3
Tires' Statistics
Tire	Speed				Acceleration	Weight	Handling				Traction	Mini-Turbo	Invincibility
	Ground	Water	Air	Anti-Gravity			Ground	Water	Air	Anti-Gravity
	2	3	3	2	4	2	3	3	3	3	5	3	3
	2	3	3	2	4	2	3	3	3	3	5	3	4
	2	2	1	2	2	4	0	1	1	0	7	2	5
	2	2	1	2	2	4	0	1	1	0	7	2	4
	0	3	3	0	6	0	4	4	4	4	4	6	0
	3	2	2	4	2	2	4	4	4	3	1	2	4
	4	0	0	4	1	3	2	0	1	2	0	0	4
	4	3	2	1	0	4	2	2	0	1	2	0	5
	4	3	2	1	0	4	2	2	0	1	2	0	4
	1	2	2	2	5	0	3	3	2	4	3	5	2
	3	4	1	2	3	3	1	1	2	2	6	1	6
	3	4	1	2	3	3	1	1	2	2	6	1	5
	1	1	4	1	4	1	2	1	3	2	6	4	3
	1	1	4	1	4	1	2	1	3	2	6	4	5
Gliders' Statistics
Glider	Speed				Acceleration	Weight	Handling				Traction	Mini-Turbo	Invincibility
	Ground	Water	Air	Anti-Gravity			Ground	Water	Air	Anti-Gravity
	1	1	2	0	1	1	1	0	1	1	1	1	1
	0	1	1	1	2	0	1	0	2	1	1	2	0
	1	0	2	1	1	2	1	1	1	0	0	1	1
	0	0	1	1	2	1	1	1	2	0	0	2	0

*sport bike

Unlocking criteria

Gold Mario

The only unlockable playable character in this game is Gold Mario, who is unlocked by winning all twelve base-game gold cups at 200cc. Once unlocked, he replaces Metal Mario on the character select screen. Metal Mario is from then on treated as a color variant of Gold Mario. The two differ only in their color scheme and the voice clip used when selecting them. Their other voice clips, horn sounds, animations, and statistics are identical.

Vehicle parts

A vehicle part is randomly unlocked every 30 coins. Once reaching 450 coins this changes to every 50, and once reaching 1500 coins this changes to every 100. Eventually, the last non-gold vehicle part is unlocked on reaching 3100 coins.

Special parts

Special gold parts are unlocked with the following criteria:

• Gold Standard: Unlocked by achieving at least 1 star ranking on all base-game Mirror Cups.
• Gold Tires: Unlocked by defeating all 48 base-game staff ghosts in 150cc Time Trials.
• Gold Glider: Unlocked by collecting 5000 coins.

Alternate title screens

Additional title screens can appear when hovering over the single player and multiplayer options on the main menu. These are unlocked by obtaining a gold trophy in every base-game cup in Mirror and 200cc, after which the title screens used are randomly selected. These alternate title screens can appear on start-up, which causes a different voice clip to play corresponding to the character shown on the screen, replacing the usual clip of Mario yelling "Mario Kart 8!"

Courses

There are 48 race courses in the base game (including all four cups that were DLC in the original Mario Kart 8), these being the 25 courses introduced in the original game and 23 classic courses, which includes two courses from Super Mario Kart, three courses each from Mario Kart: Super Circuit, Mario Kart DS, and Mario Kart Wii, and four courses each from Mario Kart 64, Mario Kart: Double Dash!!, and Mario Kart 7. It is also the first Mario Kart game since Mario Kart 64 to have all courses available from the start.

In the British English version of the game, Toad Harbor is spelled "Toad Harbour", Bone-Dry Dunes is formatted "Bone Dry Dunes", and 3DS Music Park, 3DS Piranha Plant Slide, and 3DS Neo Bowser City are respectively known as 3DS Melody Motorway, 3DS Piranha Plant Pipeway, and 3DS Koopa City.

Mushroom Cup	Flower Cup	Star Cup	Special Cup	Egg Cup	Crossing Cup

Shell Cup	Banana Cup	Leaf Cup	Lightning Cup	Triforce Cup	Bell Cup

Booster Course Pass

Main article: Mario Kart 8 Deluxe – Booster Course Pass

The Mario Kart 8 Deluxe – Booster Course Pass DLC, which includes 48 additional courses (mostly classic courses), will release in six waves of eight courses each from March 18, 2022 to the end of 2023, increasing the game's total number of courses to 96. Currently, the classic courses in the DLC include one course each from Super Mario Kart and Mario Kart: Double Dash!!, two courses from Mario Kart 64, three courses from Mario Kart 7, four courses each from Mario Kart: Super Circuit, Mario Kart DS, and Mario Kart Wii, and eleven courses from Mario Kart Tour (making Mario Kart 8 Deluxe the first game in the series to feature classic courses of a Mario Kart game released after it), which increases the total number of courses from each game to three courses from Super Mario Kart, five courses from Mario Kart: Double Dash!!, six courses from Mario Kart 64, and seven courses each from Mario Kart: Super Circuit, Mario Kart DS, Mario Kart Wii, and Mario Kart 7. Sky-High Sundae and Yoshi's Island, both new courses to the Mario Kart series, are also included, increasing the number of new courses to 27.

In the British English version of the game, 3DS Rock Rock Mountain and Wii DK Summit are known as 3DS Alpine Pass and Wii DK's Snowboard Cross respectively.

Golden Dash Cup	Lucky Cat Cup	Turnip Cup	Propeller Cup	Rock Cup	Moon Cup

Fruit Cup	Boomerang Cup	Feather Cup	Cherry Cup	Acorn Cup	Spiny Cup

Battle courses

Eight battle courses are present in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, five new and three classic, replacing the repurposed race courses used for Battle Mode in the Wii U version.

Similar to regular races, a course introduction scene is now added at the start.

Ghosts

150cc Staff Ghosts

In Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, the times for staff ghosts in 150cc are slightly different from the original Mario Kart 8. Also, unlike the original game, players will not unlock any stamps if they beat the ghosts.

Course	Staff Name	Country	Time	Character	Vehicle Combination
					Body	Tires	Glider
Mario Kart Stadium	Nin★Chris	United Kingdom	1:53.191	Mario	Sports Coupe	Standard	Super Glider
Water Park	Nin★Massim	Italy	2:02.186	Baby Luigi	Mr. Scooty	Roller	Super Glider
Sweet Sweet Canyon	Nin★Fausti	France	2:07.205	Baby Peach	Teddy Buggy	Wood	Peach Parasol
Thwomp Ruins	Nin★Sophia	Germany	2:12.125	Donkey Kong	Standard ATV	Monster	Super Glider
Mario Circuit	Nin★Sho	Japan	2:08.501	Mario	Standard Kart	Standard	Super Glider
Toad Harbor	Nin★Alice	United States	2:29.282	Toadette	Cat Cruiser	Retro Off-Road	Plane Glider
Twisted Mansion	Nin★Mark	Netherlands	2:14.615	Luigi	Mach 8	Slim	Super Glider
Shy Guy Falls	Nin★Frank	United Kingdom	2:21.804	Shy Guy	Flame Rider	Off-Road	Super Glider
Sunshine Airport	Nin★Leonel	United States	2:20.447	Rosalina	Circuit Special	Standard	Super Glider
Dolphin Shoals	Nin★Skip	United States	2:14.832	Wendy	Landship	Wood	Bowser Kite
Electrodrome	Nin★Yuya	Japan	2:21.023	Larry	Sport Bike	Monster	Super Glider
Mount Wario	Nin★Elena	Russia	2:03.483	Waluigi	The Duke	Monster	Wario Wing
Cloudtop Cruise	Nin★Maria	Portugal	2:19.568	Baby Rosalina	Biddybuggy	Standard	Super Glider
Bone-Dry Dunes	Nin★Elena	Russia	2:15.338	Morton	Tri-Speeder	Monster	Super Glider
Bowser's Castle	Nin★Polly	United Kingdom	2:21.980	Bowser	Badwagon	Standard	Super Glider
Rainbow Road	Nin★Mizuho	Japan	2:25.267	Pink Gold Peach	Comet	Slim	Super Glider
Wii Moo Moo Meadows	Nin★Chris	United Kingdom	1:41.846	Daisy	Varmint	Hot Monster	Super Glider
GBA Mario Circuit	Nin★Rie	Japan	1:44.593	Baby Mario	Yoshi Bike	Standard	Super Glider
DS Cheep Cheep Beach	Nin★Massim	Italy	2:06.314	Koopa Troopa	Steel Driver	Metal	Parachute
N64 Toad's Turnpike	Nin★Alice	United States	2:08.966	Toad	Standard Bike	Standard	Parachute
GCN Dry Dry Desert	Nin★Maria	Portugal	2:26.614	Peach	Standard Bike	Slim	Super Glider
SNES Donut Plains 3	Nin★Frank	United Kingdom	1:35.564	Lakitu	Pipe Frame	Monster	MKTV Parafoil
N64 Royal Raceway	Nin★Skip	United States	2:18.307	Peach	Prancer	Wood	Peach Parasol
3DS DK Jungle	Nin★Rie	Japan	2:20.006	Donkey Kong	Varmint	Monster	Waddle Wing
DS Wario Stadium	Nin★Mizuho	Japan	2:09.171	Wario	Tri-Speeder	Off-Road	Wario Wing
GCN Sherbet Land	Nin★Fausti	France	2:20.174	Lemmy	Sneeker	Standard	Super Glider
3DS Music Park	Nin★Sho	Japan	2:19.675	Baby Daisy	Biddybuggy	Standard	Super Glider
N64 Yoshi Valley	Nin★Mark	Netherlands	2:23.688	Yoshi	Wild Wiggler	Standard	Flower Glider
DS Tick-Tock Clock	Nin★Sophia	Germany	2:06.485	Iggy	Standard Bike	Monster	Super Glider
3DS Piranha Plant Slide	Nin★Polly	United Kingdom	2:21.321	Ludwig	Jet Bike	Slim	Super Glider
Wii Grumble Volcano	Nin★Yuya	Japan	2:16.524	Roy	Badwagon	Off-Road	Super Glider
N64 Rainbow Road	Nin★Leonel	United States	1:33.981	Metal Mario	Standard ATV	Monster	Super Glider
GCN Yoshi Circuit	Nin★Adrien	France	2:07.557	Red Yoshi	B Dasher	Standard	Super Glider
Excitebike Arena	Nin★Pedro	Spain	1:58.808	Mario	Standard Bike	Slim	Super Glider
Dragon Driftway	Nin★Mitsu	Japan	2:05.957	Lakitu	Varmint	Monster	Cloud Glider
Mute City	Nin★Laura	United States	2:10.167	Mario	Blue Falcon	Roller	Super Glider
Wii Wario's Gold Mine	Nin★Pit	Germany	2:22.119	Wario	Standard Kart	Monster	Super Glider
SNES Rainbow Road	Nin★Anne	Netherlands	1:40.711	Cat Peach	Cat Cruiser	Retro Off-Road	Super Glider
Ice Ice Outpost	Nin★Pavel	Russia	2:09.427	Tanooki Mario	Tanooki Kart	Monster	Super Glider
Hyrule Circuit	Nin★Mitsu	Japan	2:08.616	Link	Master Cycle	Triforce Tires	Hylian Kite
GCN Baby Park	Nin★Joost	Netherlands	1:16.561	Baby Mario	Biddybuggy	Standard	Super Glider
GBA Cheese Land	Nin★Aracel	Spain	2:06.316	Orange Yoshi	Pipe Frame	Monster	Parafoil
Wild Woods	Nin★Akira	Japan	2:05.396	Villager (Boy)	Streetle	Leaf Tires	Paper Glider
Animal Crossing	Nin★Marie	United States	1:53.584	Isabelle	City Tripper	Slim	Paper Glider
3DS Neo Bowser City	Nin★Rui	Portugal	2:13.138	Dry Bowser	Bone Rattler	Metal	Super Glider
GBA Ribbon Road	Nin★Giulia	Italy	2:07.152	Villager (Girl)	Teddy Buggy	Button	Super Glider
Super Bell Subway	Nin★Juliet	France	2:06.487	Pink Shy Guy	City Tripper	Slim	Super Glider
Big Blue	Nin★Dylan	United Kingdom	1:37.316	Mario	P-Wing	Blue Standard	Super Glider
Tour Paris Promenade	Nin★Adrien	France	2:07.401	Peach	Standard Kart	Slim	Peach Parasol
3DS Toad Circuit	Nin★Sho	Japan	1:33.670	Toad	Mr. Scooty	Azure Roller	Super Glider
N64 Choco Mountain	Nin★Massim	Italy	2:08.949	Koopa Troopa	Biddybuggy	Standard	Super Glider
Wii Coconut Mall	Nin★Skip	United States	1:58.401	Baby Mario	Sneeker	Metal	Super Glider
Tour Tokyo Blur	Nin★Yuya	Japan	1:36.317	Blue Inkling Boy	Splat Buggy	Blue Standard	Super Glider
DS Shroom Ridge	Nin★Frank	United Kingdom	2:09.148	Bowser	Bone Rattler	Off-Road	Super Glider
GBA Sky Garden	Nin★Pedro	Spain	1:42.267	Lakitu	P-Wing	Retro Off-Road	Cloud Glider
Ninja Hideaway	Nin★Fausti	France	2:20.813	Black Shy Guy	Standard ATV	Standard	Super Glider
Tour New York Minute	Nin★Leonel	United States	1:34.573	Donkey Kong	Varmint	Monster	Super Glider
SNES Mario Circuit 3	Nin★Mark	Netherlands	1:46.806	Mario	B Dasher	Standard	Super Glider
N64 Kalimari Desert	Nin★Pit	Germany	1:40.363	Dry Bones	Standard Kart	Monster	Super Glider
DS Waluigi Pinball	Nin★Chris	United Kingdom	2:36.450	Waluigi	The Duke	Monster	Super Glider
Tour Sydney Sprint	Nin★Rie	Japan	2:16.617	Baby Mario	Biddybuggy	Standard	Super Glider
GBA Snow Land	Nin★Maria	Portugal	1:46.763	Tanooki Mario	Tanooki Kart	Standard	Super Glider
Wii Mushroom Gorge	Nin★Massim	Italy	1:50.666	Toadette	Teddy Buggy	Wood	Super Glider
Sky-High Sundae	Nin★Akira	Japan	2:07.380	Rosalina	Circuit Special	Standard	Super Glider
Tour London Loop	Nin★Frank	United Kingdom	2:20.500	Mario	Comet	Slim	Super Glider
GBA Boo Lake	Nin★Rie	Japan	1:36.212	King Boo	Circuit Special	Monster	Super Glider
3DS Rock Rock Mountain	Nin★Fausti	France	2:24.730	Morton	Pipe Frame	Monster	Super Glider
Wii Maple Treeway	Nin★Pavel	Russia	2:36.581	Daisy	Prancer	Off-Road	Super Glider
Tour Berlin Byways	Nin★Sophia	Germany	2:11.001	Donkey Kong	Varmint	Monster	Super Glider
DS Peach Gardens	Nin★Marie	United States	2:19.534	Peach	Prancer	Wood	Super Glider
Merry Mountain	Nin★Elena	Russia	2:09.693	Shy Guy	Flame Rider	Off-Road	Super Glider
3DS Rainbow Road	Nin★Mizuho	Japan	1:52.015	Rosalina	Circuit Special	Standard	Super Glider

200cc Staff Ghosts

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe features a new option for players to race in Time Trials in the 200cc engine class. This option also features entirely new staff ghosts for each of the courses. ^TC - Used in the Tencent Chinese release

Course	Staff Name	Country	Time	Character	Vehicle Combination
					Body	Tires	Glider
Mario Kart Stadium	Nin★Sophia	Germany	1:21.984	Gold Mario	Gold Standard	Gold Tires	Gold Glider
Water Park	Nin★Yuya	Japan	1:22.799	Baby Mario	Biddybuggy	Standard	Super Glider
Sweet Sweet Canyon	Nin★Alice	United States	1:40.972	Peach	Prancer	Wood	Peach Parasol
Thwomp Ruins	Nin★Skip	United States	1:31.436	Bowser	Badwagon	Standard	Bowser Kite
Mario Circuit	Nin★Joost	Netherlands	1:23.243	Pink Gold Peach	Standard Bike	Slim	Super Glider
Toad Harbor	Nin★Adrien	France	1:43.003	Toad	Sports Coupe	Standard	Super Glider
Twisted Mansion	Nin★Rui	Portugal	1:38.244	King Boo	Wild Wiggler	Sponge	Flower Glider
Shy Guy Falls	Nin★Anne	Netherlands	1:40.698	White Yoshi	Standard ATV	Retro Off-Road	Parafoil
Sunshine Airport	Nin★Sho	Japan	1:45.437	Luigi	Jet Bike	Metal	Plane Glider
Dolphin Shoals	Nin★Polly	United Kingdom	1:38.911	Ludwig	Steel Driver	Blue Standard	Bowser Kite
Electrodrome	Nin★Laura	United States	1:40.943	Roy	The Duke	Cushion	Parafoil
Mount Wario	Nin★Massim	Italy	1:37.266	Wario	Standard ATV	Crimson Slim	Wario Wing
Cloudtop Cruise	Nin★Giulia	Italy	1:44.120	Bowser Jr.	Koopa Clown	Cyber Slick	Cloud Glider
Bone-Dry Dunes	Nin★Pavel	Russia	1:39.330	Dry Bones	Pipe Frame	Wood	Plane Glider
Bowser's Castle	Nin★Mark	Netherlands	1:40.953	Dry Bowser	Flame Rider	Slim	Bowser Kite
Rainbow Road	Nin★Pedro	Spain	1:55.767	Rosalina	Mach 8	Blue Standard	MKTV Parafoil
Wii Moo Moo Meadows	Nin★Leonel	United States	1:09.980	Baby Daisy	Sneeker	Cyber Slick	MKTV Parafoil
GBA Mario Circuit	Nin★Pit	Germany	1:10.475	Baby Luigi	Sport Bike	Slick	Parachute
DS Cheep Cheep Beach	Nin★Mizuho	Japan	1:25.089	Lakitu	Landship	Metal	Cloud Glider
N64 Toad's Turnpike	Nin★Rie	Japan	1:21.156	Toadette	Sports Coupe	Slick	Super Glider
GCN Dry Dry Desert	Nin★Chris	United Kingdom	1:45.087	Lemmy	Tanooki Kart	Off-Road	Super Glider
SNES Donut Plains 3	Nin★Mizuho	Japan	1:11.794	Koopa Troopa	Streetle	Monster	Flower Glider
N64 Royal Raceway	Nin★Dylan	United Kingdom	1:43.120	Baby Peach	Circuit Special	Cyber Slick	Parafoil
3DS DK Jungle	Nin★Polly	United Kingdom	1:46.758	Yellow Yoshi	City Tripper	Hot Monster	Paper Glider
DS Wario Stadium	Nin★Massim	Italy	1:39.724	Waluigi	Varmint	Hot Monster	Wario Wing
GCN Sherbet Land	Nin★Sophia	Germany	1:34.370	Iggy	Bone Rattler	Monster	Bowser Kite
3DS Music Park	Nin★Mitsu	Japan	1:36.529 1:38.847TC	Daisy	Badwagon	GLA Tires Off-RoadTC	MKTV Parafoil
N64 Yoshi Valley	Nin★Yuya	Japan	1:35.628	Green Shy Guy	Comet	Slim	Super Glider
DS Tick-Tock Clock	Nin★Elena	Russia	1:32.483	Larry	Standard Kart	Sponge	Paper Glider
3DS Piranha Plant Slide	Nin★Frank	United Kingdom	1:48.454	Wendy	Mr. Scooty	Metal	Peach Parasol
Wii Grumble Volcano	Nin★Maria	Portugal	1:44.284	Morton	Standard Bike	Cushion	Parachute
N64 Rainbow Road	Nin★Fausti	France	1:08.128	Mario	Tri-Speeder	Monster	Super Glider
GCN Yoshi Circuit	Nin★Elena	Russia	1:38.869	Light-blue Shy Guy	P-Wing	Slick	Parachute
Excitebike Arena	Nin★Akira	Japan	1:29.202	Inkling Girl	Inkstriker	Leaf Tires	Super Glider
Dragon Driftway	Nin★Aracel	Spain	1:34.873	Purple Inkling Boy	Splat Buggy	Blue Standard	Super Glider
Mute City	Nin★Sho	Japan	1:34.273	Metal Mario	Blue Falcon	Azure Roller	Parafoil
Wii Wario's Gold Mine	Nin★Alice	United States	1:41.168	Waluigi	Standard Bike	Retro Off-Road	Wario Wing
SNES Rainbow Road	Nin★Marie	United States	1:12.762 1:12.696TC	Tanooki Mario	GLA Pipe FrameTC	GLA Tires StandardTC	Parachute
Ice Ice Outpost	Nin★Juliet	France	1:32.435	Cat Peach	Sneeker	Off-Road	Peach Parasol
Hyrule Circuit	Nin★Mark	Netherlands	1:40.394	Link	Master Cycle	Triforce Tires	Hylian Kite
GCN Baby Park	Nin★Leonel	United States	0:59.765	Baby Rosalina	Teddy Buggy	Cyber Slick	Waddle Wing
GBA Cheese Land	Nin★Chris	United Kingdom	1:41.248	Donkey Kong	Streetle	Roller	Flower Glider
Wild Woods	Nin★Mitsu	Japan	1:27.555	Villager (Girl)	City Tripper	Leaf Tires	Paper Glider
Animal Crossing	Nin★Fausti	France	1:23.417 1:23.491TC	Villager (Boy)	300 SL Roadster StreetleTC	GLA Tires StandardTC	Super Glider
3DS Neo Bowser City	Nin★Massim	Italy	1:37.526	Bowser	Bone Rattler	Standard	Super Glider
GBA Ribbon Road	Nin★Maria	Portugal	1:31.220	Isabelle	Cat Cruiser	Crimson Slim	Paper Glider
Super Bell Subway	Nin★Skip	United States	1:23.304	Blue Yoshi	Yoshi Bike	Blue Standard	Super Glider
Big Blue	Nin★Rie	Japan	1:13.516 1:13.200TC	Luigi	W 25 Silver Arrow Blue FalconTC	Slim	Plane Glider
Tour Paris Promenade	Nin★Joost	Netherlands	1:27.101	Rosalina	Comet	Slim	Super Glider
3DS Toad Circuit	Nin★Aracel	Spain	1:03.969	Toadette	Prancer	Wood	Super Glider
N64 Choco Mountain	Nin★Alice	United States	1:31.715	Tanooki Mario	Tanooki Kart	Monster	Super Glider
Wii Coconut Mall	Nin★Polly	United Kingdom	1:29.009	Baby Luigi	Yoshi Bike	Slick	Parachute
Tour Tokyo Blur	Nin★Aracel	Spain	1:07.560	Inkling Girl	Inkstriker	Metal	Super Glider
DS Shroom Ridge	Nin★Akira	Japan	1:37.626	Morton	Standard Bike	Cushion	Parachute
GBA Sky Garden	Nin★Rui	Portugal	1:13.606	Ludwig	Steel Driver	Blue Standard	Bowser Kite
Ninja Hideaway	Nin★Giulia	Italy	1:37.815	Black Yoshi	Teddy Buggy	Standard	Super Glider
Tour New York Minute	Nin★Sho	Japan	1:07.562	Yoshi	Sports Coupe	Standard	Super Glider
SNES Mario Circuit 3	Nin★Giulia	Italy	1:17.075	Luigi	Mach 8	Slim	Super Glider
N64 Kalimari Desert	Nin★Juliet	France	1:10.511	Dry Bowser	Bone Rattler	Monster	Super Glider
DS Waluigi Pinball	Nin★Pavel	Russia	2:00.942	Morton	Pipe Frame	Monster	Super Glider
Tour Sydney Sprint	Nin★Giulia	Italy	1:37.367	Bowser Jr.	Koopa Clown	Standard	Super Glider
GBA Snow Land	Nin★Leonel	United States	1:21.826	King Boo	Circuit Special	Monster	Super Glider
Wii Mushroom Gorge	Nin★Chris	United Kingdom	1:21.194	Toad	Standard ATV	Standard	Super Glider
Sky-High Sundae	Nin★Mitsu	Japan	1:30.777	Peach	Standard Bike	Slim	Super Glider
Tour London Loop	Nin★Alice	United States	1:38.896	Red Yoshi	Sports Coupe	Standard	Super Glider
GBA Boo Lake	Nin★Joost	Netherlands	1:09.576	Dry Bones	Standard Kart	Monster	Super Glider
3DS Rock Rock Mountain	Nin★Juliet	France	1:39.664	Bowser	Landship	Wood	Super Glider
Wii Maple Treeway	Nin★Sho	Japan	1:58.543	Wario	Tri-Speeder	Monster	Super Glider
Tour Berlin Byways	Nin★Skip	United States	1:35.467	Toad	Standard ATV	Standard	Super Glider
DS Peach Gardens	Nin★Aracel	Spain	1:39.851	Toadette	Teddy Buggy	Button	Super Glider
Merry Mountain	Nin★Mark	Netherlands	1:31.642	Luigi	Mach 8	Slim	Super Glider
3DS Rainbow Road	Nin★Dylan	United Kingdom	1:19.545	Waluigi	The Duke	Monster	Super Glider

New items

The Boo and Feather items make a return in this game, functioning as they had previously. All other items from the Wii U version return as well. Also, the item distributions have been altered beside the addition of the new items.

New Items
Boo	Allows the player to become invisible to other racers for 10 seconds. While invisible, players will also be granted immunity to items and obstacles. Activating the item will also allow Boo to steal an item from a randomly selected racer in front of the player. If there are no items to steal, Boo will bring back a single Mushroom by default. If Boo steals a multiple usage item or a timed item, it will be returned to the player fresh. Boo cannot steal Crazy 8's, or Piranha Plants and Bullet Bills already in use. Only one Boo can be in play at a time; once it brings back an item, another can appear in item boxes again, even while the other player is still invisible. Players who are under the effect of a Super Star or even a Boo are not immune to Boo's item stealing.
Feather	Causes the player to spin and leap in the air, providing a small speed boost upon landing, akin to a regular trick (characters will also perform a trick animation during the jump). When used near an opponent, the player steals a balloon, 3 coins, or the Shine Sprite from them, depending on the mode; however, the player needs to touch the opponent to steal from them, either by touching them upon use, or upon landing. Can be used on trickable places to gain more height, though does not grant more height if used while airborne, and cancels the gliding immediately. Exclusive to Battle Mode.

New course elements

All of the course elements from the original Mario Kart 8, including enemies and obstacles, are retained in this game, along with several elements exclusive to the Booster Course Pass courses.

Characters and elements
Character/element	Location	Description
File:MK8D Kalimari Desert Arrow Field.png Arrow field	Tour Paris Promenade, Tour Tokyo Blur, Tour New York Minute, N64 Kalimari Desert, Tour Sydney Sprint, Tour London Loop, Tour Berlin Byways, DS Peach Gardens, Tour Singapore Speedway	Large, holographic, floating arrows that point in the direction that the players should go and change position each lap (or only in the last lap in Tour Paris Promenade and DS Peach Gardens), altering the path of the course. If the player goes past them, they will be considered out of bounds and taken back onto the track by Lakitu. In multiplayer, the arrow fields are independent to each player, meaning that if multiple players are on different laps, the arrow fields will be different for each of them to match what lap they are on. Arrow fields are red in the city courses and DS Peach Gardens and are turquoise in N64 Kalimari Desert, though this is simply a visual difference.
Bumper	DS Waluigi Pinball	Obstacles that bounce players and metal balls that touch them away from themselves. Some are stationary, while others move in circles.
Ceiling Needles	Ninja Hideaway	Giant shuriken stuck to broad ceilings that slowly rise and fall at set intervals, serving as obstacles for players on the course's lower route, while the ceilings themselves serve as platforms for players on the upper route, with a ramp on one of them.
Flipper	DS Waluigi Pinball	Large obstacles that can swing back and forth and push back metal balls that collide with them. Players who collide with them are knocked over.
Half-pipe	Wii Maple Treeway, Merry Mountain, Wii DK Summit, GCN Waluigi Stadium	Vertical ramps that allow players to jump off the side of a course and perform a Jump Boost to gain a speed boost upon landing. They resemble Antigravity Panels and briefly put the player into anti-gravity mode while they are airborne.
Metal ball	DS Waluigi Pinball	Giant spherical obstacles that roll throughout the course and knock over players they collide with. In the pinball table section at the end of the course, they are bounced around in different directions by bumpers and flippers.
Mushroom Platform	Wii Mushroom Gorge	Large, green mushrooms with white spots. Though shaped identically to Mushroom Trampolines, they are functionally different in that they act like regular surfaces rather than bouncing players into the air. A Jump Boost can be performed when driving off the edge of a Mushroom Platform.
Mushroom Trampoline	GBA Sky Garden, Wii Mushroom Gorge, 3DS Rainbow Road	Large mushrooms that bounce the player into the air, allowing them to perform a Jump Boost. They are red with white spots in GBA Sky Garden and Wii Mushroom Gorge and are white with multi-colored spots in 3DS Rainbow Road. Wii Mushroom Gorge also contains one Mushroom Trampoline that is blue with white spots and functions differently to the others: it bounces the player upwards and activates their glider on contact, also giving them an opportunity to perform a Jump Boost. In GBA Sky Garden, there are also leaves that have the same properties of bouncing the player into the air as regular Mushroom Trampolines.
Penguin	GBA Snow Land	Enemies that either waddle or slide on their bellies around the course. Players who collide with them spin out.
Ptooie	GBA Riverside Park	Enemies that walk around the course. They are shown to be carrying Mushrooms and Bananas which they will drop if hit with another item.
Shy Guy (Ninja)	Ninja Hideaway	Shy Guys clad in ninja outfits. They stand in place and act as hazards, causing players who collide with them to spin out. They will also occasionally transform into either a Banana or a row of coins. There are also Shy Guys that fly with kites during the glider section and touching one will cause the player to lose their glider, making them fall.
Snowboarding Shy Guy	Wii DK Summit	Shy Guys that snowboard across the snow and perform tricks on half-pipes. Driving into them will cause the player to spin out.
Train	N64 Kalimari Desert	A moderately fast train which follows a set railway. Hitting it on impact results in the player spinning out.
Water Geyser	Tour New York Minute, Tour Singapore Speedway	Geysers that occasionally burst out from the ground under manhole covers for a few seconds before disappearing in the first two laps of Tour New York Minute. Coming into contact with one boosts the player upwards, at which point they can perform a Jump Boost.
Whomp	Tour Berlin Byways	Enemies that stand in gaps in the Berlin Wall. They slam their faces onto the track and flatten any players caught under them, but their edges can then be used to perform Jump Boosts before they get back up.
Wiggler	Wii Maple Treeway, DS Mario Circuit	Enemies that walk around at a slow speed with occasional stops. Driving into them results in the player spinning out.

New amiibo compatibility

Some of the Mii Racing Suits and amiibo that can be used to unlock them in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe.

In addition to all of the compatible amiibo in Mario Kart 8 with their respective Mii Racing Suits, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe adds compatibility with amiibo from the Splatoon line, which unlock a Mii Racing Suit based on Splatoon. Additionally, more amiibo can be used to unlock the returning Mii Racing Suits, as all Animal Crossing related amiibo being compatible and unlocking the Animal Crossing Mii Racing Suit, and the Pikmin amiibo unlocking the Pikmin suit.

Update history

Note that in order to play online, players must have downloaded the most recent software update.

Ver. 1.1.0

An update was released on May 17, 2017. The following changes were made:

• Opponents' names are displayed in the rear view mirror view in online matches.
• Invincibility period after a spin-out or crash is longer in online matches.
• Up to two players can spectate a friend group while they wait to join.
• "Worldwide" and "Regional" modes add players to Mirror and 200cc matches less often.
• Players can now properly create a friend lobby when having 100 or more friends.
• The starting positions in online races now properly reflect the order in which the players join (just like the original).
• Miis now properly show facial expressions during matches.
• The Tournament clock now properly reflects real-world time.
• One of Inkling Girl's animations has been modified.
  • The original animation was considered by some to resemble an obscene gesture.

Ver. 1.2.0

An update was released on June 28, 2017. The following changes were made:

• Players can use Pikmin-themed amiibo to unlock a Pikmin Suit for the Mii driver.
• Race rules and course name are now displayed on loading screens for online and wireless play, as well as Mario Kart TV.
• Players who are behind in online matches will receive items geared toward catching up more frequently.
• In online matches, no more than two Piranha Plants will be granted as items at the same time.
• Controls are no longer unresponsive when the timer runs out when choosing a Mii racing suit for online matches.
• When a player uses an item right after the Super Horn in online matches, that item will now remain available for other players.
• Item wheel no longer spins continuously in online matches.
• Online matches now end as intended 30 seconds after the first place racer finishes.
• The Boomerang now returns to the first slot, if possible, after a player catches it.
• Items shown in a player's item slots now display correctly when holding an item behind them.
• No longer possible to use an item after it has been used to block an attack.
• Communication errors no longer occur frequently while spectating or after spectating online matches.

Ver. 1.2.1

An update was released on August 9, 2017. The following changes were made:

• Corrected an issue that prolonged the time to return to the lobby after races near the start and end times of online tournaments.

Ver. 1.3.0

An update was released on October 18, 2017. The following changes were made:

• Video capture compatibility added. Hold the Capture Button to capture up to 30 seconds of the previous footage.
  • This system must be updated to Ver. 4.0.0 or higher to use this feature.
• Now more difficult to float down using the glider when Smart Steering is ON.
• Blue Shells no longer hit the second place player when the first place player has not crossed the finish line.
• Extended the invulnerability period after spinning out or crashing.
• Changes made to Online Play prior to Ver. 1.2.1 now apply to Wireless Play and LAN Play as well:
  • When further back in a race, will receive better items to help catch up to other players.
  • No more than one Piranha Plant will appear at a time.
  • Updating to Ver 1.3.0 will prevent users from Wireless Play or LAN Play with users on Ver. 1.2.1 or lower.

Ver. 1.4.0

An update was released on December 12, 2017. The following changes were made:

• Language support for Traditional Chinese, Simplified Chinese, and Korean has now been implemented.
  • Players can change languages in Settings on the console.
• An issue has been resolved that prevented background music from playing after players reach the finish line.
• Updating to Ver 1.4.0 will prevent users from Wireless Play or LAN Play with users on Ver. 1.2.1 or lower.

Ver. 1.5.0

An update was released on June 25, 2018. The following changes were made:

• Now supports the use of the Toy-Con Motorbike from the Nintendo Labo Toy-Con Variety Kit.
  • Players can now set whether or not use the Toy-Con Motorbike from the Toy-Con settings in the main menu.
  • At the screen right before the game begins, the Joy-Con needs to be set inside the Toy-Con Motorbike.
  • When using the Toy-Con Motorbike, the camera will look over the character's shoulder.
  • Pressing the downward directional button will allow the player to play with normal view again.
• Addressed an issue where, after setting up a tournament, the "Search by code" feature would stop functioning.
• Addressed an issue that made it impossible for a player to proceed after colliding with a Super Thwomp.
• Updating to Ver 1.5.0 will prevent users from Wireless Play or LAN Play with users on prior versions

Ver. 1.6.0

An update was released on July 19, 2018. The following changes were made:

• Link in the Champion's Tunic from The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild has been added as a variant for Link.
• The Master Cycle Zero, Ancient Tires, and Paraglider have been added as kart parts.
• Updating to Ver. 1.6.0 will prevent users from Wireless Play or LAN Play with users on prior versions.

Ver. 1.7.0

An update was released on September 19, 2018. The following changes were made:

• Now compatible with Toy-Con Car in Nintendo Labo Toy-Con 03 Vehicle Kit.
  • Players can select which Toy-Con to use in Toy-Con settings in the main menu.
• Now compatible with Nintendo Switch Online smartphone app.
  • If an application is running on any device when entering an online match, players can receive a prompt on their smartphone asking whether if they would like to join a voice chat with their opponents.
  • Worldwide, Regional, Friends, and Tournaments allow players to use this function.

Ver. 1.7.1

An update was released on January 23, 2019. The following changes were made:

• Fixed an issue that caused the game to become unresponsive to any input except for the HOME Button.

Ver. 1.7.2

An update was released on May 25, 2021. The following changes were made:

• Addressed an issue that caused tournament points to be reset.
• Addressed an issue that caused match history with friends to be reset.

Ver. 2.0.0

An update was released on March 17, 2022. The following changes were made:

Support for DLC

• Now supports Mario Kart 8 Deluxe – Booster Course Pass (Wave 1: 8 courses)
• If someone in the lobby has the “Booster Course Pass,” all players can select one of the pass courses.
  • This supports “Friends,” “Wireless Play,” and “LAN Play.”
• Starting March 21st, you can select course from the Booster Course Pass in online play.
  • Supports “Worldwide,” “Regional,” and “Tournaments.”
  • Even if the player does not own the “Booster Course Pass,” they can play courses from the pass randomly.

General

• Shortened the time it takes for an Item Box to regenerate when it gets taken by someone else.

Fixed Issues

• Fixed an issue where a communication error occurs when 12 people matched during online play.
  • You need to download the latest update data in order to play online.
  • If you download the latest update data, you will not be able to do “Wireless Play” or LAN Play” with other players who are using data from a previous update.
• The update data contains fixes to issues that improve gameplay experience, and other content that is not listed here.
• In order to download the update data, you need enough space on your system memory or microSD Card.

Ver. 2.1.0

An update was released on August 4th, 2022. The following changes were made:

Support for DLC

• Now supports paid DLC: Mario Kart 8 Deluxe – Booster Course Pass, Wave 2 (two cups and eight courses).

General

• Increased the number of ghosts you can download from 16 to 32.
• Adjusted the extent to which a vehicle is thrown, depending on its weight.
• Further shortened the time it takes for item boxes to regenerate after another player takes them.
• Shortened the time it takes for one player to be able to pick up a coin that another player has dropped.
• Made it so that it is easier to face the way forward in mid-air when using Smart Steering.
• The cars that the Shy Guys are riding in in Wii Coconut Mall now move from time to time in all modes other than the Time Trial mode.

Fixed Issues

• Fixed issue where player could not choose a DLC course even though a player in the lobby in "Friends" has the Booster Course Pass.
• Fixed issue where player did not receive coins even though they used the Feather in Coin Runners to steal a rival's coins.
• Fixed issue where player could receive two items from one item box in N64 Toad's Turnpike.

Unlisted changes

• The course icons for the Booster Course Pass Wave 1 courses are now slightly brighter than at launch.
• Dirt marks are now left on tires when driving on Booster Course Pass Wave 1 courses.
• An issue where sounds of a character while boosting were not properly randomized when viewing a Time Trial replay was fixed.
• CPU drivers' speeds on 200cc on Hard difficulty have been adjusted on the Booster Course Pass Wave 1 courses on VS Races.
• How Lakitu decides where to respawn players on the track after they fall off has been adjusted.
• An issue introduced in version 2.0.0 was fixed where CPUs would no longer replace players who disconnected in a friend room in the subsequent race when the CPU racers option was turned on.
• This update patches a vulnerability, known as ENLBufferPwn, in the game's network code which enables hackers to take full, remote control of a user's (unmodified) Nintendo Switch system during online multiplayer sessions. This same vulnerability exists in many other first-party Nintendo games, such as Mario Kart 7.

Ver. 2.2.0

An update was released on December 7th, 2022. The following changes were made:

Support for DLC

• Now supports paid DLC: Mario Kart 8 Deluxe – Booster Course Pass, Wave 3 (two cups and eight courses).

General

• Added “Custom Items” to item Rules.
  • This is a feature that lets you decide which items appear.
  • This is supported in VS Race, Balloon Battle, Coin Runners, Shine Thief, Renegade Roundup, Playing with friends, Tournaments, and Wireless Play.
  • Items that have not been set to appear may still appear according to the connection environment and game situation.
• When getting struck by lightning while gliding through the air, the glider no longer closes.
• The period of invincibility after spinning or crashing now changes, depending on the driver or machine parts.
• When a user cannot download any new ghost data, they can now delete all the ghost data they downloaded until then.
• Deleted “Recommended” in Tournaments.

Fixed Issues

• Fixed an issue where coins would not be added when touching an opponents’ Crazy Eight coin.
• Fixed an issue where there was a communication error when using the item Boo.
• Fixed an issue where using the Super Horn would not hit more than one opponent at the same time.
• Fixed an issue where images in SNES Mario Circuit 3 would look distorted.
• Fixed an issue where a player could not acquire multiple items in a row in GBA Snow Land.
• Fixed an issue where points would not be added to a member list, when spectating an online match.
• Fixed an issue where, when selecting a team, the COM characters that actually play in the game were not the same as shown on selection screen.
• Fixed an issue where the warning sound was not playing when a Red Shell or Spiny Shell comes from behind.
• Other adjustments and corrections were made to improve the gameplay experience.

Unlisted changes

• An issue introduced in version 2.1.0 was fixed where Metal Mario, Pink Gold Peach, Tanooki Mario, and Cat Peach no longer appeared as a driver's rivals.

Ver. 2.2.1

An update was released on December 21st, 2022. The following changes were made:

Fixed Issues

• Fixed issue where, when playing online in Berlin Byways, the image would get choppy.
• Fixed issue where, when playing in London Loop, player is carried in by Lakitu after falling off of course and they were not returned to the appropriate location.

Official tournaments

Main article: List of official Mario Kart 8 Deluxe tournaments

Promotional image for the Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Championship Cup 2022 invitational, held at PAX West 2022

Nintendo has sponsored many Mario Kart 8 Deluxe tournaments, held either online or at special events, with prizes ranging from virtual My Nintendo points to physical merchandise and memorabilia. Nintendo's online tournaments are restricted to one country or region, and may be recurrent on a weekly, monthly, or seasonal basis as part of a named series. Tournament series include the Mario Kart North American Open, the Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Seasonal Circuit (held in European countries), and the Mario Kart 8 Deluxe: AU/NZ Grand Prix (held in Australia and New Zealand).

Pre-release and unused content

Early Booster Course Pass course designs

Some of the courses in the Booster Course Pass had several differences between promotional material and their final release, some of which made the courses better resemble their Mario Kart Tour counterparts:

• In the Wave 1 Launch trailer, Tour Paris Promenade had simpler detailing overall, particularly in the lighting, trees, and the road. At the left turn that leads to the Luxor Obelisk at the end of the track, the right path, which is used in the final lap, is blocked by fences, some of which have arrows, rather than the backside of a metal ramp like in the final version. The ramp in front of the Eiffel Tower, though still functioning like a Glide Ramp, had the appearance of a normal ramp, similar to Paris Promenade 3.
• Prior to Wave 1's launch, the sand in 3DS Toad Circuit was a very dark yellow color, as opposed to the bright sand-like color in the final version.
• Prior to Wave 1's launch, Wii Coconut Mall's exterior was a bright, pale peachy color, but in the time between its reveal and release, it was updated to be a more vibrant orange. This also applied certain parts of the interior. Likewise, the stone floor in the center of the mall was originally gray, while it was changed to orange in the final version. The reflections on the windows had also been changed during this time. However, the results screen following a Grand Prix or a VS match uses an image of the old design.
• When DS Peach Gardens was shown in the September 2022 Nintendo Direct, the loop at the beginning of the course lacked the barriers blocking off the right side, similar to previous iterations of the course, and even had at least one Coin present. The first flowerbed shortcut was also much smaller, and the route used to turn around on lap three also appears to be absent, with no visible gap in the hedge.

Original order of tracks in Waves 3 and 4

In version 2.1.0 of the game, the internal file names for some of the courses in future waves of the Booster Course Pass suggest that their order in their respective cups was going to be different than the final release. The Rock Cup's order would have been Tour London Loop, DS Peach Gardens, GBA Boo Lake, and 3DS Rock Rock Mountain, while the Moon Cup's order would have been Tour Berlin Byways, GCN Waluigi Stadium, Merry Mountain, and 3DS Rainbow Road. The Boomerang Cup would have featured Tour Singapore Speedway as its first course, with Tour Los Angeles Laps as its final course. This is further supported by an unlisted advertisement for Wave 3 posted by Nintendo of America on YouTube, which uses the same order, except with Wii Maple Treeway (whose internal file name suggests that it was to be the second course of the Acorn Cup) in place of GCN Waluigi Stadium. In the final release, GBA Boo Lake and 3DS Rock Rock Mountain were moved up to be the second and third courses of the Rock Cup respectively, Wii Maple Treeway was moved to the fourth course of the Rock Cup, DS Peach Gardens was made the second course of the Moon Cup, GCN Waluigi Stadium and Tour Singapore Speedway were made the third and fourth courses of the Boomerang Cup, while Tour Bangkok Rush (whose internal file name suggests that it was to be the first course of the Cherry Cup) was made the first course of the Boomerang Cup.

Wave 3 (Pre-release) Wave 3 (Final) Tour London Loop Tour London Loop DS Peach Gardens GBA Boo Lake GBA Boo Lake 3DS Rock Rock Mountain 3DS Rock Rock Mountain Wii Maple Treeway Tour Berlin Byways Tour Berlin Byways GCN Waluigi Stadium DS Peach Gardens Merry Mountain Merry Mountain 3DS Rainbow Road 3DS Rainbow Road

Wave 4 (Pre-release) Wave 4 (Final) Tour Amsterdam Drift Tour Amsterdam Drift Wii ??? GBA Riverside Park DS ??? Wii DK Summit ??? Yoshi's Island Tour Singapore Speedway Tour Bangkok Rush GCN ??? DS Mario Circuit GBA ??? GCN Waluigi Stadium Tour Los Angeles Laps Tour Singapore Speedway

Gallery

• 

  Pre-release screenshot of 3DS Toad Circuit

• 

  Wii Coconut Mall's early design

• MK8D Peach Gardens Nintendo Direct view.png

  Pre-release birds-eye view of DS Peach Gardens

• 

  Pre-release screenshot of the roundabout in DS Peach Gardens, without the barrier.

• 

  Original order for the Rock and Moon Cups, as shown in an unlisted video by Nintendo

Reception

Critical reception

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe has been received with universal acclaim, garnering higher aggregate scores than the original Mario Kart 8. The game has been praised for being well-suited to the Switch's portability, the increased performance, and particularly the redesigned Battle Mode, although several reviews noted Mario Kart 8 Deluxe would not be as appealing of a proposition to players who already own Mario Kart 8 and its downloadable content.

Reviews
Release	Reviewer, Publication	Score	Comment
Nintendo Switch	Laurely Birba, Jeux Actu	18/20	While purists may accuse Mario Kart 8 of being a opportunistic rehash, Nintendo's goal was to give the Switch a racing game that is fun, polished, filled with content, and able to showcase the Switch's hybrid nature. These four objectives are mostly accomplished, and the game will have no problem seducing newcomers considering how well the formula has been mastered.
Nintendo Switch	Kallie Plagge, GameSpot	9/10	Even if you didn't really care about Battle Mode, the smallest changes in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe refine an already great racing game. But the huge overhaul to the original's afterthought of a Battle Mode is a chaotic, varied opportunity to play very differently than in Grand Prix mode and well worth reinvesting yourself in Mario Kart 8 on Switch.
Nintendo Switch	Matthew Sainsbury, Digitally Downloaded	4.5/5	Thanks to substantial DLC releases, Mario Kart 8 on the Wii U went from being a game with plenty of content, to one with an overload of it. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe on the Nintendo Switch has all of that, plus the return of the battle mode (which should never have left), and while it won't be a new game as such for the people who actually bought a Wii U (we're a special club), having this game on a portable console is reason enough to buy it all over again.
Aggregators
Compiler		Platform / Score
Metacritic		92
GameRankings		92.39%

Sales

In the United Kingdom, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe debuted at No. 1 on the sales chart, making it the first Nintendo game to be No. 1 in the UK since 2011's Pokémon Black and White, and the first Mario game to place such since Mario Kart Wii.

The game sold 459,000 copies for its US launch day, making it the fastest-selling Mario Kart game in the US and meaning 45% of US Switch owners purchased the game.

As of December 31, 2017, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe had sold 7.33 million units worldwide. On March 31, 2018, it reached 9.22 million units, exceeding the original Mario Kart 8's 8.42 million and making it the second best-selling game on the Nintendo Switch behind Super Mario Odyssey. As of January 31, 2019, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe had sold 15.02 million units worldwide, exceeding Super Mario Odyssey's sales and making it the best-selling game on the Nintendo Switch. By June 30, 2021, the game had sold 37.08 million units worldwide. By September 30, 2021, the game had sold 38.74 million units worldwide, surpassing Mario Kart Wii as the best-selling game in the series. By December 31, 2021, the game had sold 43.35 million units worldwide, making it the single best-selling game in the Mario franchise, surpassing Super Mario Bros. for the Nintendo Entertainment System. By December 31, 2022, the game had sold 52 million units worldwide.

Awards and acknowledgements

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe was nominated for the "Best Family Game" and "Best Multiplayer" awards at The Game Awards 2017. However, it won neither, losing the former to Super Mario Odyssey and the latter to PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds.

References to other games

• Super Mario Kart: The Feather item returns from this game, with the same function. Battle Course 1 reappears as a classic battle course; a billboard in the course background is modeled after the player select screen from this game. Mario Circuit 3 is included among the courses in the Booster Course Pass.
• Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island: A course named Yoshi's Island appears in the Booster Course Pass. The course's design is based on its appearance in this game.
• Mario Kart 64: Similar to this game, all courses in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe are unlocked from the start. Choco Mountain and Kalimari Desert are included among the courses in the Booster Course Pass.
• Mario Golf: Metal Mario has an alternate color scheme where he can be selected into gold like in this game. However, unlike this game, Gold Mario is an unlockable skin.
• Mario Kart: Super Circuit: Sky Garden, Snow Land, Boo Lake, and Riverside Park are included among the courses in the Booster Course Pass.
• Mario Kart: Double Dash!!: Luigi's Mansion reappears as a classic battle course. The Double Item Boxes and the two Battle sub-modes, Bob-omb Blast and Shine Thief, return. Waluigi Stadium is included among the courses in the Booster Course Pass.
• Mario Kart DS: An arrangement of Luigi's Mansion's music is used in GCN Luigi's Mansion. Shroom Ridge, Waluigi Pinball, Peach Gardens, and Mario Circuit are included among the courses in the Booster Course Pass.
• Mario Kart Wii: Dry Bones, Bowser Jr., King Boo, and Birdo’s voice clips are reused from this game. Coconut Mall, Mushroom Gorge, Maple Treeway, and DK Summit are included among the courses in the Booster Course Pass.
• Mario Kart 7: The Koopa Clown kart body returns from this game. Wuhu Town reappears as a classic battle course, and Toad Circuit, Rock Rock Mountain, and Rainbow Road are included among the courses in the Booster Course Pass. Lunar Colony has a moon section with low gravity just like Rainbow Road from this game.
• New Super Mario Bros. 2: Gold Mario returns as a character.
• Super Mario 3D World: The crown mechanic in Battle Mode is similar to the mechanic in this game's multi-player, where the player with the highest score from one stage will be wearing a crown in the next stage.
• Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U: The Koopa Clown's propellers in anti-gravity sections emerge from circular panels on the side of the vehicle, much like the Junior Clown Car's weapons. Also, the Koopalings' Koopa Clowns match the Clown Car colors they use in this game.
• Mario Kart Tour: New York Minute, Tokyo Blur, Paris Promenade, London Loop, Merry Mountain, Berlin Byways, Ninja Hideaway, Sydney Sprint, Singapore Speedway, Amsterdam Drift, and Bangkok Rush are included among the courses in the Booster Course Pass. Additionally, the designs of the courses in the Booster Course Pass are based on their designs from Mario Kart Tour, and N64 Kalimari Desert's second and third laps are based on the variant Kalimari Desert 2 from said game.

References in later games

• Mario Kart Tour: The third level of Mini-Turbos, Ultra Mini-Turbos, returns. The Koopa Clown retains its appearance from this game. King Boo reuses his face icon from this game.

Staff

Main article: List of Mario Kart 8 Deluxe staff

Gallery

For this subject's image gallery, see Gallery:Mario Kart 8 Deluxe.

• 

  Mario

• 

  Link

• 

  Isabelle

• 

  Inkling and a Blooper

• 

  Lakitu

Media

For a complete list of media for this subject, see List of Mario Kart 8 media.

Battle Stadium theme

File infoMedia:MK8D-BattleStadium-music.oga ​

Sweet Sweet Kingdom theme

File infoMedia:MK8D-SweetSweetKingdom-music.oga ​

Dragon Palace theme

File infoMedia:MK8D-DragonPalace-music.oga ​

Lunar Colony theme

File infoMedia:MK8D-LunarColony-music.oga ​

3DS Wuhu Town theme

File infoMedia:MK8D-3DS-WuhuTown-music.oga ​

GCN Luigi's Mansion theme

File infoMedia:MK8D-GCN-LuigisMansion-music.oga ​

SNES Battle Course 1 theme

File infoMedia:MK8D-SNES-BattleCourse1-music.oga ​

Urchin Underpass theme

File infoMedia:MK8D-UrchinUnderpass-music.oga ​

Help:Media • Having trouble playing?

Names in other languages

Language	Name	Meaning	Notes
Japanese	マリオカート８ デラックス[?] Mario Kāto 8 Derakkusu	Mario Kart 8 Deluxe
Chinese (simplified)	马力欧卡丁车8 豪华版 Mǎlìōu Kǎdīngchē 8 Háohuábǎn	Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Edition
Chinese (traditional)	瑪利歐賽車8 豪華版[?] Mǎlìōu Sàichē 8 Háohuábǎn	Mario Racing 8 Deluxe Edition
Korean	마리오 카트 8 디럭스[?] Mario Kateu 8 Direokseu	Mario Kart 8 Deluxe

External links

• Official Japanese site
• Official North American site
• Official Canadian site
• Official Latin American site
• Official European site
• Official Oceanian site
• Official Korean site
• Official Chinese (Hong Kong) site
• Official Chinese (Taiwan) site
• Official Chinese (Mainland) site