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Mario Kart 8, stylized as MARIOKART8 and abbreviated to MK8, is a kart-racing game exclusive to the Wii U. It's the eighth Mario Kart game in the series (eleventh overall if including the arcade games). A port for the Nintendo Switch, which is called Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, was released on April 28, 2017.

Mario Kart 8 was released on May 29, 2014 in Japan, May 30, 2014 in North America, Europe, and Brazil, and May 31, 2014 in Australia.

A new feature, anti-gravity, is introduced to the Mario Kart series while past features such as gliding, underwater driving, vehicle customization, and bikes return.

The original feature for this game was going to be drills, but the idea was ditched in favor for anti gravity racing as stated below.

Contents:
Gameplay
Controls
Racers
Vehicle Parts
Statistics
Courses
Items
amiibo
DLC
Updates
Trivia!

Gameplay[]

In the eighth installment of the Mario Kart series, Anti-Gravity is introduced. In certain sections of courses, racers are able to drive on surfaces that are upside-down or tilted at a steep angle. This feature is heavily emphasized, with anti-gravity sections being present in every course, including old maps in Retro Cups.

The ability to glide in midair and drive underwater returns from Mario Kart 7, as well as Coins and vehicle customization. Bikes, last seen in Mario Kart Wii, make a return. The game also introduces ATVs, which are a new category of vehicle.

Battle Mode returns, however in this installment, players battle on race tracks rather than specially-made battle maps. Stamps are a new collectible in the game and can be posted to Miiverse when unlocked.

Online modes also return and can be played by up to two people on the same console. Mario Kart TV, or MKTV for short, is a new feature where players can watch highlights posted by other players. Players can also share these highlights to Miiverse and YouTube.

Game Modes[]

Grand Prix[]

In Grand Prix mode, twelve racers compete for first place in one of 12 cups (comprised of four races each). Racers are awarded with points based on their placements at the end of races, and the racer with the most points at the end wins.

Point System
Finishing Place Points Received
1st 15
2nd 12
3rd 10
4th 9
5th 8
6th 7
7th 6
8th 5
9th 4
10th 3
11th 2
12th 1

Engine Classes[]

There are 5 selectable Engine Classes:

Engine Classes
50cc: Slow, Low-Speed fun for everyone.
100cc: Moderately Fast. Requires some skill level.
150cc: High-Speed thrills. Requires some skill level.*
Mirror: Mirror-Image Courses (150cc).***
200cc: Super Fast - Breaking is crucial. Requires Advanced Skill Level.**/***
*Available in Time Trials
**Released as of version 4.0
***Unlockable before version 5.0


Upon Completing a Grand Prix, you will receive a trophy for that cup if you placed in top 3 overall. You may also receive a star rating, based on how well you did:

Grand Prix Star System
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
54-55 Points 57 Points 60 Points

Time Trials[]

Mario-kart-8-royal-raceway-time-399x224

Koopa Troopa doing a time trial on N64 Royal Raceway.

Time trials allow players to race for the best time possible, either on their own or against a ghost. This mode is exclusive to single player.

For this game's staff ghosts, see Staff Ghosts.

VS Race[]

Lead1-mario-kart-8-gameplay

Bowser doing a VS Race at 3DS Music Park.

VS. Race allows racers to race with their own custom rules. It is not restricted to a specific cup, so racers can pick any course (if enabled). VS. Race can be played alone with up to four people locally at one time. It cannot be played online, however, tournaments fill a similar role. (Note: VS. Races will NOT count towards the progression of your cups in Grand Prix).

Vs Race Options
Setting Details Options Default
Engine Class Select the Engine Class for the Vs Race. See Engine Classes 100cc
Teams Choose whether your Vs Race has Teams or not. Teams, No Teams No Teams
Items Set which Items Spawn during your Vs Race. Default, Frantic, [Specific Item only], None. Default
CPU Set the Difficulty of the CPU in your Vs race. Easy, Normal, Hard Normal
CPU Vehicles Select Which Vehicles CPU can use. All, Karts, Bikes All
Courses Choose how Courses are Selected. In Order, Choose, Random Choose
Races Choose how many Races there are in your Vs race. 3, 4, 5 6, 8, 12, 16, 20, 24, 30, 32 4

Battle[]

17-mario-kart-8-gameplay-1

Ludwig competes in a battle on Wii Moo Moo Meadows. He's doing pretty well.

Players use items to pop opponents' balloons or steal them in order to score points. This time, everyone starts with 5 balloons (2 more than the original 3) and it you lose all your balloons, you are eliminated (you become a ghost, similar to time trial ghosts, and you are unable to earn any more points).

When played locally, Battle Mode has customisable options:

Battle Options
Setting Details Options Default
Teams Choose whether your Battle has Teams or not. Teams, No Teams No Teams
Time Limit Choose how long Battles last for. 1 Minute, 2 Minutes, 3 Minutes, 4 Minutes, 5 Minutes 3 Minutes
Items Set which Items Spawn during your Battle. Default, Frantic Default
CPU Set the Difficulty of the CPU in your Battle. Easy, Normal, Hard, Off (Cannot turn off CPU in single player) Normal
CPU Vehicles Select Which Vehicles CPU can use. All, Karts, Bikes All
Courses Choose how Courses are Selected. In Order, Choose, Random Choose
Rounds Choose how many Rounds there are in your Battle. 4, 6, 8, 12, 16, 20, 24, 30, 32 4

Online[]

MK Online mode

A player setting up an online race.

Players can race and battle online with players around the world as long as they own Nintendo Switch Online. At the end of a race, players earn or lose VR (a continuous ranking/scoring system) based on how well they did the race. DLC Tracks can be played, regardless of whether players in the lobby own the DLC or not.

Controls[]

Gamepad:[]

Default Controls when using the Gamepad.

Controls
Button Action
Joystick Steer (Left and Right), Launch item forward/backward (Up and Down)
A/Y Accelerate
B Brakes
L Use item
X Look Behind Racer
R Jump/Trick (R + Joystick = Mini-Turbo)
+/Touch screen Pause the Game

Wii U Pro Controller[]

Starman (Mario Kart Wii) This section of this article needs more information, remove this template when enough is made. Starman (Mario Kart Wii)


Wii Remote[]

Controls
Button Action
Motion/Joystick Steer (Tilting Left and Right), Tricking (Flick Wii Remote)
2 Accelerate
1 Brakes/Reversing
D-Pad Use Item Forward (Up D-Pad) and Backwards (Down D-Pad)
A Look Behind Racer
B Jump (B + Tilting = Mini-Turbo)
+ Pause the Game

Racers[]

36 characters are playable in this game (including Mii), making this the largest roster in a Mario Kart game to date. Baby Rosalina and Pink Gold Peach are introduced in this game. The Koopalings, consisting of Larry, Morton, Wendy, Iggy, Roy, Lemmy, and Ludwig also become playable for the first time.

Tanooki Mario, Cat Peach, Link, Villager, Isabelle, and Dry Bowser are DLC characters, from the Legend of Zelda x Mario Kart, and Animal Crossing x Mario Kart packs respectively. Baby Daisy and Shy Guy, for the first time in the series, do not need to be unlocked and are playable from the start.

Default[]

MK8 Mario MK8 Luigi MK8 Peach MK8 Daisy
Mario Luigi Peach Daisy
Medium Medium Medium Medium
MK8 Yoshi MK8 Toad MK8 Koopa MK8 ShyGuy
Yoshi Toad Koopa Troopa Shy Guy
Medium Light Light Light
MK8 BabyMario MK8 BabyLuigi MK8 BabyPeach MK8 BabyDaisy
Baby Mario Baby Luigi Baby Peach Baby Daisy
Light Light Light Light
MK8 Bowser MK8 DonkeyKong MK8 Wario MK8 Waluigi
Bowser Donkey Kong Wario Waluigi
Heavy Heavy Heavy Heavy

Unlockable[]

MK8 Rosalina MK8 MetalMario MK8 Lakitu MK8 Toadette
Rosalina Metal Mario Lakitu Toadette
Heavy Heavy Light Light
MK8 BabyRosalina MK8 PinkGoldPeach MK8 Roy MK8 Lemmy
Baby Rosalina Pink Gold Peach Roy Koopa Lemmy Koopa
Light
New
Heavy
New
Heavy
New
Light
New
MK8 Larry MK8 Wendy MK8 Ludwig MK8 Morton
Larry Koopa Wendy O. Koopa Ludwig von Koopa Morton Koopa Jr.
Light
New
Light
New
Medium
New
Heavy
New
MK8 Iggy MK8 Mii
Iggy Koopa Mii
Medium
New
Any

DLC Racers[]

Pack Characters
The Legend of Zelda × Mario Kart 8 MK8 Tanooki Mario Icon Cat Peach MK8 Link Icon
Animal Crossing × Mario Kart 8 VillagerMale-Icon-MK8 VillagerFemale-Icon-MK8 MK8 Isabelle Icon MK8 Dry Bowser Icon
Color skins
Colored Yoshis * YoshiRed-MK8 YoshiOrange-MK8 YoshiYellow-MK8 YoshiLightBlue-MK8 YoshiBlue-MK8 YoshiPink-MK8 YoshiBlack-MK8 YoshiWhite-MK8
Colored Shy Guys * ShyGuyOrange-MK8 ShyGuyYellow-MK8 ShyGuyGreen-MK8 ShyGuyLightBlue-MK8 ShyGuyBlue-MK8 ShyGuyPink-MK8 ShyGuyBlack-MK8 ShyGuyWhite-MK8
* - The CPU drivers do not drive as the different colored Yoshis and Shy Guys.

Vehicle Parts[]

Karts:[]

StandardKartBodyMK8 PipeFrameBodyMK8 Mach8BodyMK8 Steel Driver
Standard Kart Pipe Frame Mach 8 Steel Driver
CatCruiserBodyMK8 CircuitSpecialBodyMK8 TrispeederBodyMK8 BadwagonBodyMK8
Cat Cruiser Circuit Special Tri-Speeder Badwagon
PrancerBodyMK8 BiddybuggyBodyMK8 LandshipBodyMK8 SneakerBodyMK8
Prancer Biddybuggy Landship Sneeker
SportsCoupeMK8 MK8Gold Standard GLA-MK8 W25SilverArrow-MK8
Sports Coupe Gold Standard GLA
DLC
W 25 Silver Arrow
DLC
300SLRoadster-MK8 MK8 BlueFalcon MK8 TanookiBuggy MK8 BDasher
300 SL Roadster
DLC
Blue Falcon
DLC
Tanooki Kart
DLC
B-Dasher
DLC
MK8Streetle MK8PWing
Streetle
DLC
P-Wing
DLC

Bikes:[]

StandardBikeBodyMK8 CometBodyMK8 SportBikeBodyMK8 TheDukeBodyMK8
Standard Bike Comet Sport Bike The Duke
VarmintBodyMK8 MrScootyBodyMK8 JetBikeBodyMK8 YoshiBikeBodyMK8
Varmint Mr. Scooty Jet Bike Yoshi Bike
MK8 MasterCycle MK8CityTripper
Master Cycle
DLC
City Tripper
DLC

ATVs:[]

StandardATVBodyMK8 WildWigglerBodyMK8 TeddyBuggyBodyMK8 MK8BoneRattler
Standard ATV Wild Wiggler Teddy Buggy Bone Rattler
DLC

Wheels:[]

StandardTiresMK8 MonsterTiresMK8 RollerTiresMK8 SlimTiresMK8
Standard Tires Monster Roller Slim
SlickTiresMK8 MetalTiresMK8 ButtonTiresMK8 Off-Road
Slick Metal Button Off-Road
SpongeTiresMK8 WoodTiresMK8 CushionTiresMK8 Blue Standard
Sponge Wood Cushion Blue Standard
AzureRollerTiresMK8 CrimsonSlimTiresMK8 CyberSlickTiresMK8 Retro Off-Road
Azure Rollers Crimson Slim Cyber Slick Retro Off-Road
Gold Tires MK8 GLATires-MK8 MK8 TriforceTires Leaf Tires MK8
Gold Tires GLA Tires
DLC
Triforce Tires
DLC
Leaf Tires
DLC

Gliders:[]

SuperGliderMK8 Cloud Glider WarioWingMK8 WaddleWingMK8
Super Glider Cloud Glider Wario Wing Waddle Wing
PeachParasolGliderMK8 ParachuteGliderMK8 ParafoilGliderMK8 FlowerGliderMK8
Peach Parasol Parachute Parafoil Flower Glider
BowserKiteMK8 PlaneGliderMK8 MKTVParafoilGliderMK8 GoldGliderMK8
Bowser Kite Plane Glider MKTV Parafoil Gold Glider
MK8 HylianKite PaperGliderIcon-MK8
Hylian Kite
DLC
Paper Glider
DLC

Unlocking criteria[]

Racers[]

Unlike how the previous games have done, characters will unlock at random each time a cup is won. Characters that are not yet unlocked can still appear as CPU characters during races, unlike the previous Mario Kart games.

Vehicle parts[]

Vehicle parts are unlocked by collecting coins from Grand Prix, VS. Mode, Time Trials, and online races. Coins collected by additional players are counted. Coins will count towards the player's Coin total only for completed races -- if the player collects Coins then quits during a race, the Coins from that race will not be added to their Coin total.

There are 38 unlockable parts, excluding golden parts. Players can unlock new parts for every 50 Coins, but once players have collected 1000 Coins, 100 Coins are instead needed to unlock new parts. Like in Mario Kart 7, players can see how many Coins they've collected by viewing the statistics screen from the main menu (this feature is available for only Ver. 2.0 and further of Mario Kart 8, however).

  • 50
  • 100
  • 150
  • 200
  • 250
  • 300
  • 350
  • 400
  • 450
  • 500
  • 550
  • 600
  • 650
  • 700
  • 750
  • 800
  • 850
  • 900
  • 950
  • 1000
  • 1100
  • 1200
  • 1300
  • 1400
  • 1500
  • 1600
  • 1700
  • 1800
  • 1900
  • 2000
  • 2100
  • 2200
  • 2300
  • 2400
  • 2500
  • 2600
  • 2700
  • 2800

Special parts[]

Special gold parts are unlocked with the following criteria:

  • Gold Standard: One must obtain a minimum of one Star ranking in all non-DLC cups of every engine class.
  • Gold Tires: One should beat the Staff Ghost on all 32 non-DLC courses, Or obtain 15,000 Coins.
  • Gold Glider: One must obtain 10,000 Coins.

Statistics[]

Similar to Mario Kart 7 and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, racers in a specific class have their own stats.

  • Speed: the top speed of the vehicle on land with normal gravity.
  • Acceleration: the amount of time it takes for the vehicle to approach its top speed.
  • Weight: the weight of the vehicle.
    • Vehicles with higher weight can knock other vehicles more easily with lower weight.
  • Handling: the turning ability of the vehicle on land with normal gravity.
  • Traction: the grasp of the vehicle.
    • Vehicles with higher traction can stay stable on the road better than vehicles with lower traction.
  • Mini-Turbo: the length of the vehicle's mini-turbo speed boosts.

Racers:[]

Statistics
Class Speed Acceleration Weight Handling Traction Mini-Turbo
L MK8 BabyMario IconMK8 BabyLuigi IconMK8 BabyPeach IconMK8 BabyDaisy IconMK8 BabyRosalina IconMK8 Lemmy IconMii MK8 +2.25 +3.25 +2.25 +4.75 +4.5 +3.5
MK8 Toad IconMK8 Koopa IconMK8 ShyGuy Icon*MK8 Lakitu IconMK8 Toadette IconMK8 Larry IconMK8 Wendy IconMK8 Isabelle Icon +2.75 +3 +2.75 +4.25 +4.25 +3.25
M MK8 Cat Peach IconVillagerFemale-Icon-MK8 +3.25 +3 +3 +3.75 +4 +3.25
MK8 Peach IconMK8 Daisy IconMK8 Yoshi Icon* +3.25 +2.75 +3.25 +3.75 +4 +3
MK8 Tanooki Mario IconVillagerMale-Icon-MK8 +3.75 +2.75 +3.5 +3.25 +3.75 +3
MK8 Mario IconMK8 Luigi IconMK8 Iggy IconMK8 Ludwig IconMii MK8 +3.75 +2.5 +3.75 +3.25 +3.75 +2.75
H MK8 Rosalina IconMK8 DKong IconMK8 Waluigi IconMK8 Roy IconMK8 Link Icon +4.25 +2.25 +4.25 +2.75 +3.5 +2.5
MK8 MMario IconMK8 PGPeach Icon +4.25 +2 +4.75 +2.75 +3.25 +2.25
MK8 Bowser IconMK8 Wario IconMK8 Morton IconMii MK8MK8 Dry Bowser Icon +4.75 +2 +4.75 +2.25 +3.25 +2.25
* - denotes a racer with color alternatives.
L - denotes light-weighted racers.
M - denotes medium-weighted racers.
H - denotes heavy-weighted racers.

Karts[]

Statistics
Kart Speed Acceleration Weight Handling Traction Mini-Turbo
StandardKartBodyMK8
Standard Kart*
0
PipeFrameBodyMK8
Pipe Frame*
0 +0.25 -0.25 +0.5 -0.5 +0.25
Mach8BodyMK8
Mach 8
+0.5 -0.25 +0.25 0 -1 -0.5
Steel Driver
Steel Driver
0 -0.5 +0.5 -0.5 +0.5 -0.75
CatCruiserBodyMK8
Cat Cruiser
0
CircuitSpecialBodyMK8
Circuit Special*
+0.5 -0.25 +0.25 0 -1 -0.5
TrispeederBodyMK8
Tri-Speeder
0 -0.5 +0.5 -0.5 +0.5 -0.75
BadwagonBodyMK8
Badwagon
0 -0.5 +0.5 -0.5 +0.5 -0.75
PrancerBodyMK8
Prancer
0
BiddybuggyBodyMK8
Biddybuggy*
Buggybud
-0.75 +1.25 -0.5 +0.5 -0.25 +1
LandshipBodyMK8
Landship*
-0.75 +1.25 -0.5 +0.5 -0.25 +1
SneakerBodyMK8
Sneeker*
Bounder
0
SportsCoupeMK8
Sports Coupe
Sports Coupé
+0.5 -0.25 +0.25 0 -1 -0.5
MK8Gold Standard
Gold Standard
Gold Kart
+0.5 -0.25 +0.25 0 -1 -0.5
GLA-MK8
GLA* **
0 -0.5 +0.5 -0.5 +0.5 -0.75
W25SilverArrow-MK8
W 25 Silver Arrow**
0 +0.25 -0.25 +0.5 -0.5 +0.25
300SLRoadster-MK8
300 SL Roadster**
0
MK8 BlueFalcon
Blue Falcon**
+0.25 +0.25 -0.25 0 -0.5 0
MK8 TanookiBuggy
Tanooki Kart**
0 -0.25 +0.25 -0.25 +0.25 -0.5
MK8 BDasher
B Dasher**
+0.5 -0.25 +0.25 0 -1 -0.5
MK8Streetle
Streetle**
+0.25 +0.25 -0.25 0 -0.5 0
MK8PWing
P-Wing**
+0.5 -0.25 +0.25 0 -1 -0.5
* - changes color depending on the racer.
** - denotes DLC.
Bold denotes the part being available from the start.

Bikes[]

Statistics
Bike Speed Acceleration Weight Handling Traction Mini-Turbo
StandardBikeBodyMK8
Standard Bike*
0 +0.25 -0.25 +0.5 -0.5 +0.25
CometBodyMK8
Comet+
0 +0.75 -0.25 +0.75 -1.25 +0.5
SportBikeBodyMK8
Sport Bike+ *
0 +0.75 -0.25 +0.75 -1.25 +0.5
TheDukeBodyMK8
The Duke
0
FlameRiderBodyMK8
Flame Rider
0 +0.25 -0.25 +0.5 -0.5 +0.25
VarmintBodyMK8
Varmint
0 +0.25 -0.25 +0.5 -0.5 +0.25
MrScootyBodyMK8
Mr. Scooty
Mr Scooty
-0.75 +1.25 -0.5 +0.5 -0.25 +1
JetBikeBodyMK8
Jet Bike+
0 +0.75 -0.25 +0.75 -1.25 +0.5
YoshiBikeBodyMK8
Yoshi Bike+
0 +0.75 -0.25 +0.75 -1.25 +0.5
MK8 MasterCycle
Master Cycle+ **
+0.25 0 +0.5 -0.75 0
MK8CityTripper
City Tripper* **
0 +0.25 -0.25 +0.5 -0.5 +0.25
* - changes color depending on the racer.
** - denotes DLC.
Bold denotes the part being available from the start.
+ - denotes an ability to perform inside drifts.

ATVs[]

Statistics
ATV Speed Acceleration Weight Handling Traction Mini-Turbo
StandardATVBodyMK8
Standard ATV*
Standard Quad
0 -0.5 +0.5 -0.5 +0.5 -0.75
WildWigglerBodyMK8
Wild Wiggler
0 +0.25 -0.25 +0.5 -0.5 +0.25
TeddyBuggyBodyMK8
Teddy Buggy
0
MK8BoneRattler
Bone Rattler**
0 -0.25 +0.25 -0.25 +0.25 -0.5
* - changes color depending on the racer.
** - denotes DLC.
Bold denotes the part being available from the start.

Wheels[]

Statistics
Wheel Speed Acceleration Weight Handling Traction Mini-Turbo
StandardTiresMK8
Standard
Normal
0
MonsterTiresMK8
Monster
0 -0.5 +0.5 -0.75 +0.75 -0.5
RollerTiresMK8
Roller
-0.5 +1 -0.5 +0.25 -0.25 +1
SlimTiresMK8
Slim
+0.25 -0.25 0 +0.25 -0.5 -0.25
SlickTiresMK8
Slick
+0.5 -0.25 +0.25 0 -1 -0.25
MetalTiresMK8
Metal
+0.25 -0.5 +0.5 0 -0.5 -0.5
ButtonTiresMK8
Button
-0.5 +1 -0.5 +0.25 -0.25 +1
Off-Road
Off-Road
0
SpongeTiresMK8
Sponge
-0.25 +0.25 -0.25 -0.25 +0.5 +0.25
WoodTiresMK8
Wood
Wooden
-0.25 +0.25 -0.25 -0.25 +0.5 +0.25
CushionTiresMK8
Cushion
-0.25 +0.25 -0.25 -0.25 +0.5 +0.25
Blue Standard
Blue Standard
Normal Blue
0
HotMonsterTiresMK8
Hot Monster
Funky Monster
0 -0.5 +0.5 -0.75 +0.75 -0.5
AzureRollerTiresMK8
Azure Roller
-0.5 +1 -0.5 +0.25 -0.25 +1
CrimsonSlimTiresMK8
Crimson Slim
+0.25 -0.25 0 +0.25 -0.5 -0.25
CyberSlickTiresMK8
Cyber Slick
+0.5 -0.25 +0.25 0 -1 -0.25
Retro Off-Road
Retro Off-Road
0
Gold Tires MK8
Gold Tires
Gold Wheels
+0.25 -0.5 +0.5 0 -0.5 -0.5
GLATires-MK8
GLA Tires**
GLA Wheels
0
MK8 TriforceTires
Triforce Tires**
Triforce Tyres
+0.25 -0.25 0 +0.25 -0.5 -0.25
Leaf Tires MK8
Leaf Tires**
Leaf Tyres
-0.5 +1 -0.5 +0.25 -0.25 +1
** - denotes DLC.
Bold denotes the part being available from the start.

Gliders[]

Statistics
Glider Speed Acceleration Weight Handling Traction Mini-Turbo
SuperGliderMK8
Super Glider*
0
Cloud Glider
Cloud Glider
0 +0.25 -0.25 0 +0.25
WarioWingMK8
Wario Wing
0
WaddleWingMK8
Waddle Wing
0
PeachParasolGliderMK8
Peach Parasol*
0 +0.25 -0.25 0 +0.25
ParachuteGliderMK8
Parachute
0 +0.25 -0.25 0 +0.25
ParafoilGliderMK8
Parafoil
0 +0.25 -0.25 0 +0.25
FlowerGliderMK8
Flower Glider
0 +0.25 -0.25 0 +0.25
BowserKiteMK8
Bowser Kite
0 +0.25 -0.25 0 +0.25
PlaneGliderMK8
Plane Glider
0
MKTVParafoilGliderMK8
MKTV Parafoil
0 +0.25

-0.25

0 +0.25
GoldGliderMK8
Gold Glider
0
MK8 HylianKite
Hylian Kite**
0 +0.25 -0.25 0 +0.25
PaperGliderIcon-MK8
Paper Glider**
0
* - changes color depending on the racer.
** - denotes DLC.
Bold denotes the part being available from the start.

Courses[]

Mario Kart 8 brings back 16 new and 16 retro courses. An addition of 16 downloadable courses are available for purchase or as a My Nintendo reward, bringing the total to 48 tracks.


New Cups

MK8 MushroomCup
Mushroom Cup
MK8 FlowerCup
Flower Cup
MK8 StarCup
Star Cup
MK8 SpecialCup
Special Cup
MK8- Mario Kart Stadium Mario Circuit MK8- Sunshine Airport MK8- Cloudtop Cruise
MK8- Water Park MK8- Toad Harbor
(aka Toad Harbour)
MK8- Dolphin Shoals MK8- Bone-Dry Dunes
(aka Bone Dry Dunes)
MK8- Sweet Sweet Canyon MK8- Twisted Mansion MK8- Electrodrome Bowser's Castle
MK8- Thwomp Ruins MK8- Shy Guy Falls MK8- Mount Wario Rainbow Road


Retro Cups

MK8 ShellCup
Shell Cup
MK8 BananaCup
Banana Cup
Leaf Cup
Leaf Cup
MK8 LightningCup
Lightning Cup
Wii Moo Moo Meadows GCN Dry Dry Desert DS Wario Stadium DS Tick Tock Clock
GBA Mario Circuit SNES Donut Plains GCN Sherbet Land 3DS Piranha Plant Slide
(aka 3DS Piranha Plant Pipeway)
DS Cheep Cheep Beach N64 Royal Raceway 3DS Music Park
(aka 3DS Melody Motorway)
Wii Grumble Volcano
N64 Toad's Turnpike 3DS DK Jungle N64 Yoshi Valley N64 Rainbow Road


DLC Cups

MK8 EggCup
Egg Cup
MK8 TriforceCup
Triforce Cup
MK8 CrossingCup
Crossing Cup
MK8 BellCup
Bell Cup
GCN Yoshi Circuit Wii Wario's Gold Mine GCN Baby Park 3DS Neo Bowser City
(aka 3DS Koopa City)
MK8-DLC-Course-icon-ExcitebikeArena SNES Rainbow Road GBA Cheese Land GBA Ribbon Road
MK8-DLC-Course-icon-DragonDriftway MK8-DLC-Course-icon-IceIceOutpost MK8-DLC-Course-icon-WildWoods MK8-DLC-Course-icon-SuperBellSubway
MK8-DLC-Course-icon-MuteCity MK8-DLC-Course-icon-HyruleCircuit MK8-DLC-Course-icon-AnimalCrossing MK8-DLC-Course-icon-BigBlue

Battle stages[]

In Mario Kart 8, no unique battle stages are present. The mode is instead played on race courses rather than enclosed arenas. All the battle stages are playable from the start; regardless of whether the cup they appear in is or not. The only playable battle mode is Balloon Battle, making this game the sole game since Mario Kart: Super Circuit to feature only one battle mode.

Mario Circuit MK8- Toad Harbor
Toad Harbour
Wii Moo Moo Meadows GCN Dry Dry Desert
N64 Toad's Turnpike SNES Donut Plains GCN Sherbet Land N64 Yoshi Valley

Staff Ghosts[]

For this game's staff ghosts, see Staff Ghosts.

Items[]

This game brings back the Fire Flower from Mario Kart 7, as well as introducing 4 new items.

BananaMK8 TripleBananaMK8 GreenShellMK8 TripleGreenShellsMK8
Banana Triple Banana Green Shell Triple Green Shell
Throw it onto the floor to send anyone who hits it into a spin.
Defence
Three Bananas rotate around your kart, press L to use them one by one. Throw a Green Shell at your
Opponent to spin them out.
Defence
Three Green Shells rotate around your kart, press L to use them one by one.
RedShellMK8 TripleRedShellsMK8 SpinyShellMK8 Bob-ombMK8
Red Shell Triple Red Shell Spiny Shell Bob-Omb
A Green Shell that locks on to
the opponent ahead of you.
Defence
Three Red Shells rotate around your kart. Pursues the leading vehicle,
knocking out any others in its path.
Bob-Ombs explode after a short time once thrown.
Defence
MushroomMarioKart8 TripleMushroomMK8 GoldenMushroomMK8 BulletBillMK8
Dash Mushroom Triple Dash Mushroom Golden Dash Mushroom Bullet Bill
Use for a temporary speed boost. Three Mushrooms rotate around your kart. Unlimited Dash mushrooms for a short time. Gain a large temporary speed boost and invincibility.
BlooperMK8 LightningBoltMK8 StarMK8 FireFlowerMK8
Blooper Lightning Super Star Fire Flower
Squirts ink on vehicles ahead of you, obscuring drivers' views. Strikes all opponents with lightning, causing them to lose their items. Gain a small temporary speed boost and invincibility. Throw fireballs for a short period to spin out opponents' vehicles.
BoomerangFlowerMK8 PiranhaPlantPotMK8 SuperHornMK8 Crazy8MK8
Boomerang Flower Piranha Plant Super Horn Crazy Eight
Can be thrown 3 up to times, spinning out any driver it hits.
New
Attaches to your vehicle and bites, propelling you forward.
New
Destroy incoming opponents and items with a high-volume honk.
New
Eight items rotate around your kart.
New
CoinMK8
Coin
Gives you 2 extra coins. The more coins you have, the faster you will be.
Tip: Items marked as defence can be held behind your kart to block some incoming items.

Stamps[]

For this game's stamps, see Stamps.

In Mario Kart 8, players can obtain stamps that can be used in Miiverse posts. There are 100 stamps in the game: 28 are available from the start, while another 62 stamps can be obtained by winning a Grand Prix with every non-DLC character and beating the Staff Ghost on each non-DLC course in Time Trials.

In addition, ten more stamps were added with the version 4.0 update. However, beating a Staff Ghost on a DLC course or using a DLC character to complete a Grand Prix will not unlock a stamp.

Amiibo[]

Mii Racing Suits - Wave 1
Mii Racing Suits - Wave 2
Mii outfits along with their amiibo character.

As of the version 3.0 update, Mario Kart 8 includes compatibility with amiibo. By using certain amiibos, players can unlock one of ten costumes for use by Miis based upon the amiibo character.

The amiibo was originally compatible for Mario, Luigi, Yoshi, Peach, Donkey Kong, Link, Toon Link, Kirby, Captain Falcon, Samus, and Fox. Nine more suits were later added with the version 4.0 update, which can be unlocked by using Mega Man, Sonic, Villager, Pac-Man, Toad, Wario, Olimar, Rosalina, and Bowser.

DLC[]

As of the version 2.0 update, the game includes an in-game shop feature through which players can purchase and pre-order downloadable content. Alternatively, players can purchase content through the Nintendo eShop. In April 2019 and several times in the past, Mario Kart 8 DLC was added as a reward option in My Nintendo.

Nintendo has released free kart parts as part of a collaboration with Mercedes-Benz. Six racers are also downloadable, including three from other series. These racers come in forms of 2 themed DLC Packs containing a total of eight vehicles (with separate vehicle parts) and four cups consisting of four tracks each.

Pricing for DLC is as follows:

  • Mercedez-Benz × Mario Kart 8: free
  • Legend of Zelda × Mario Kart 8 (Pack 1): US$7.99, CA$9.99 or 60 My Nintendo gold points
  • Animal Crossing × Mario Kart 8 (Pack 2): US$7.99, CA$9.99 or 400 My Nintendo platinum points
  • Pack 1 + Pack 2 Bundle: US$11.99 or CA$14.99

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe includes Pack 1, Pack 2 and the Mercedez-Benz DLC content presented are instead merged into the core game.

Mercedez-Benz
DLC Pack - 1
DLC Pack - 2
Promotional posters of each DLC pack

Mercedez-Benz × Mario Kart 8[]

Legend of Zelda × Mario Kart 8 (Pack 1)[]

Animal Crossing × Mario Kart 8 (Pack 2)[]

Pack 1 + Pack 2 Bundle

  • Racers
    • Yoshi (eight additional colors)
    • Shy Guy (eight additional colors)

Note: Bonus racers in the Pack 1 + Pack 2 Bundle are also available to those who purchase both packs individually, or use My Nintendo points to redeem both packs individually.

Additional character colors include: orange, yellow, light blue, blue, purple, black, white, and pink. Yoshi is also available in red, while Shy Guy is also available in green.

Development[]

Development started in 2012. It was announced in the Wii U Nintendo Direct on January 23, 2013. Nintendo presented more information at E3 2013. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe was hinted at in the debut trailer for the Nintendo Switch, and the official trailer for the game was later revealed on Nintendo's YouTube channel following the official Switch presentation on January 13, 2017.

Updates[]

Version 2.0[]

640px-Mk8-update-map

The map display on the TV screen.

On the same day as the release of the Mercedes Benz × Mario Kart 8 downloadable content pack (that being August 27, 2014), an update for the game was also released. Changes were made in the following:

  • The game adds an option to display the map on the TV screen and a records section, which shows how many coins have been collected, online wins and losses, and other statistics.
  • The update also saves the players' last used vehicle combo (excluding DLC vehicle parts), lets them edit other players' highlight reels, and improves online stability.
  • The maximum online race and battle ratings have increased from "9999" to "99999".
  • The rating system has also been altered in that the amount of points that the players win or lose after an online race or battle is more drastic if there's a large rating difference between participating players.
  • In tournaments without race or battle limits, players can now have more than 1024 points during a tournament period.
  • The update also swaps the "Next Race/Round/View Results" and "View Highlight Reel" buttons in offline mode.
  • The update adds a Shop button on the main menu, where players can download the Mercedes DLC, and pre-order Add-On Content.
  • The character icons on the map HUD are also altered.

Version 3.0[]

On November 13, 2014, the update to version 3.0 was made available. Changes were made listed in the following:

  • The update includes compatibility with amiibo figures and enables the first downloadable content pack for those who purchased it.
  • The update also the game to save any last used vehicle combo that uses any of the DLC vehicle parts or characters.
  • When a light racer bumps into a heavier one, it will be pushed less far away.
  • In terms of online, the race and battle rating system has been modified to be less punishing to players who did poorly in a race or battle.
  • Players can now set up tournaments that have cup limitations.
  • Players that have not purchased the add-on packs can still encounter the included characters and vehicles online, but cannot select them.

Version 4.0[]

Engine Classes (Mario Kart 8)

The addition of the 200cc mode in Version 4.0.

The update was released on April 23, 2015, the same day as the Animal Crossing × Mario Kart 8 downloadable content pack. Changes were made in the following:

  • In addition to the downloadable content and some bug fixes, the update adds nine additional amiibo racing suits and compatible figures, and adds a "200cc" engine class.
  • Ten new Miiverse stamps have also been added.
  • The update also allows players to enable the on-screen map using any controller, rather than just the Gamepad.
  • In online mode, players who left a race/battle will not have their race/battle rating visible for other racers to see after a race/battle.
  • Lastly, additional tournament settings have been added to support 200cc and the two cups in the second DLC pack.

Version 4.1[]

Released on May 1, 2015, changes were made in the following:

  • In addition to general gameplay adjustments and bug fixes, the update adds the Mirror and 200cc engine classes to Grand Prix mode by default, without having to unlock them.

Reception[]

Mario Kart 8 has received mostly favorable reviews, and has been lauded as one of the best games in the series to date. General praise has been given to the game's graphics, the tracks, the music, and the overall gameplay. The addition of anti-gravity has also been praised, as has the online mode.

The roster, however, notably the amount of baby and metal characters, and the lack of previous racer veterans, has received some criticism. The battle mode, however, has a universal negative reaction among reviewers, with most of reviewers preferring the traditional battle modes that the previous Mario Kart games did rather than this iteration.

Mario Kart 8 won two awards at "The Game Awards 2014", being the "Best Family Game" and the "Best Sports/Racing Game".

Gallery[]

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

Soundtrack[]

For this game's soundtrack, see Soundtrack:Mario Kart 8.
Main Article: Mario Kart 8 Original Soundtrack


Trivia![]

  • In the E3 demo, Donkey Kong's standard bike color was brown, but in the final build, it was yellow.
  • On the Koopalings' artwork, Morton's ATV color was black, but in the final version, it was green. The artwork is still used in the actual game though.
  • When you're in first place, a beat has been added to the music. This also happens in Mario Kart 7. This beat is called 'frontrunning'. This has been removed in the Nintendo Switch port.
  • At the startup screen of Mario Kart 8, engine sounds can heard. This originated in Mario Kart 64s start up screen.
  • At the course selection screen, the courses can also be recognized by pictures on top of the name. This is a possible reference to Mario Kart: Double Dash!! as in that game there are pictures of the character it is based on (if any), a little background, and the name. These pictures are used as recognition of the tracks in online mode and names are not included underneath in online mode.
  • This is the first game to not have an Award Ceremony after a Grand Prix.
  • This is only the fourth game to feature only one battle mode; Balloon Battle, as well as the first since Mario Kart: Super Circuit.
  • This is the first game in the series to support Downloadable Content, a Cup where retro tracks meet up with new ones, game crossover, and Rainbow Road does not appear as final track in a Cup.
  • This is the first game to have three Rainbow Road tracks all at once.
  • This is the first game to not have a GBA Bowser Castle (or any other Bowser's Castle) or SNES Mario Circuit track return as a retro course; not even in the DLC.
  • This is the first game to have 200cc as an extra engine class, which is available after updating the game to version 4.1.
  • The course maps in this game show all the shortcuts on them, if any in the course. This means that if there are no shortcuts, they are truly "hidden" in this game.
    • This is the best selling Wii U game selling at over 8 million copies
Mario Kart games
Main Titles Super Mario Kart (1992, SNES) • Mario Kart 64 (1996, N64) • Mario Kart: Super Circuit (2001, GBA) • Mario Kart: Double Dash!! (2003, GameCube) • Mario Kart DS (2005, DS) • Mario Kart Wii (2008, Wii) • Mario Kart 7 (2011, 3DS) • Mario Kart 8 (2014, Wii U) • Mario Kart 8 Deluxe (2017, Switch)
Arcade Titles Mario Kart Arcade GP (2005) • Mario Kart Arcade GP 2 (2007) • Mario Kart Arcade GP DX (2013) • Mario Kart Arcade GP VR (2017)
Spin-off Titles Mario Kart Tour (2019, Mobile) • Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit (2020, Switch)
Mario Kart 8 (Deluxe)
Racers
Light Baby MarioBaby LuigiBaby PeachBaby DaisyBaby RosalinaToadToadetteKoopa TroopaShy GuyLakituLarry KoopaWendy O. KoopaLemmy KoopaIsabelle + • Villager + • Dry Bones * * • Bowser Jr. * *
Medium MarioLuigiPeachDaisyYoshiLudwig von KoopaIggy KoopaTanooki Mario + • Cat Peach + • Inklings * *
Heavy WarioWaluigiDonkey KongRosalinaBowserRoy KoopaMorton Koopa Jr.Metal MarioPink Gold PeachLink + • Dry Bowser + • King Boo * * • Gold Mario * *
Vehicle parts
Bodies Karts Standard KartPipe FrameMach 8Steel DriverCat CruiserCircuit SpecialTri-SpeederBadwagonPrancerBiddybuggyLandshipSneekerSports CoupeGold StandardGLA + • W 25 Silver Arrow + • 300 SL Roadster + • Blue Falcon + • Tanooki Kart + • B Dasher + • Streetle + • P-Wing + • Koopa Clown * *
Bikes Standard BikeCometSport BikeThe DukeFlame RiderVarmintMr. ScootyJet BikeYoshi BikeMaster Cycle + • City Tripper +
ATVs Standard ATVWild WigglerTeddy BuggyBone Rattler + • Splat Buggy * * • Inkstriker * *
Wheels StandardMonsterRollerSlimSlickMetalButtonOff-RoadSpongeWoodCushionBlue StandardHot MonsterAzure RollerCrimson SlimCyber SlickRetro Off-RoadGold TiresGLA Tires + • Triforce Tires + • Leaf Tires +
Gliders Super GliderCloud GliderWario WingWaddle WingPeach ParasolParachuteParafoilFlower GliderBowser KitePlane GliderMKTV ParafoilGold GliderHylian Kite + • Paper Glider +
Tracks
New cups Mushroom Cup Mario Kart StadiumWater ParkSweet Sweet CanyonThwomp Ruins
Flower Cup Mario CircuitToad HarborTwisted MansionShy Guy Falls
Star Cup Sunshine AirportDolphin ShoalsElectrodromeMount Wario
Special Cup Cloudtop CruiseBone-Dry DunesBowser's CastleRainbow Road
Retro cups Shell Cup Wii Moo Moo MeadowsGBA Mario CircuitDS Cheep Cheep BeachN64 Toad's Turnpike
Banana Cup GCN Dry Dry DesertSNES Donut Plains 3N64 Royal Raceway3DS DK Jungle
Leaf Cup DS Wario StadiumGCN Sherbet Land3DS Music ParkN64 Yoshi Valley
Lightning Cup DS Tick-Tock Clock3DS Piranha Plant SlideWii Grumble VolcanoN64 Rainbow Road
DLC cups Egg Cup + GCN Yoshi CircuitExcitebike ArenaDragon DriftwayMute City
Triforce Cup + Wii Wario's Gold MineSNES Rainbow RoadIce Ice OutpostHyrule Circuit
Crossing Cup + GCN Baby ParkGBA Cheese LandWild WoodsAnimal Crossing
Bell Cup + 3DS Neo Bowser CityGBA Ribbon RoadSuper Bell SubwayBig Blue
Battle Courses Wii U * Mario CircuitToad HarborWii Moo Moo MeadowsGCN Dry Dry DesertSNES Donut Plains 3N64 Toad's TurnpikeGCN Sherbet LandN64 Yoshi Valley
Switch * * Battle StadiumSweet Sweet KingdomDragon PalaceLunar Colony3DS Wuhu TownSNES Battle Course 1GCN Luigi's MansionUrchin Underpass
Miscellaneous
Hardware NunchukWii RemoteWii UWii U GamePadWii Wheel
Software Mario Kart TVMiiverseNintendo Network
Objects Item Box Items BananaBoo * * • Boomerang FlowerBullet BillCrazy 8Feather * * • Fire FlowerGolden MushroomGreen ShellItem BoxLightningMushroomPiranha PlantRed ShellSpiny ShellSuper Horn
Other Dash PanelDouble Item Box * *
Hazards Ball 'n' ChainBone Piranha PlantBooBouncing NoteBowser MonumentBrolderChain ChompCheep CheepChompDeku BabaDolphinFire SnakeFish BoneFishin' LakituFreezieFrogoonGhostGiant GoombaGiant PillarGoombaGoomba TowerHammer KnightKeeseLavaLava PlumeLittle BirdMecha-CheepMechakoopaMini ToadMonty MoleMoo MooMr. ResettiNokiPiantaPiranha PlantPodoboo CogPokeyRaving Piranha PlantSidestepperSkating Shy GuySnowmanSuper ThwompSwooperThwompTiki GoonUnagi
Techniques Anti-gravityDriftHighlight ReelHopMini-TurboRocket StartSlipstreamingSpin BoostTrick
Other EmblemFinish LineGalleryHighlight ReelMario Kart BandSoundtrackStampsStarting GridTrophy
+ - denotes DLC. • * - denotes exclusivity to Mario Kart 8. • * * - denotes exclusivity to Mario Kart 8 Deluxe.

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