2014 video game

Mario Kart 8 is a 2014 kart racing game developed and published by Nintendo for the Wii U. It retains the gameplay of previous Mario Kart games, with players controlling characters from the Mario series and other Nintendo characters in races around tracks. Tracks are themed around locales from the Super Mario series populated with power-ups that help players gain advantages in races. Different difficulties are selectable prior to a race; harder difficulties make gameplay faster. In the new anti-gravity sequences, players drive on walls and ceilings. Mario Kart 8 contains a variety of single-player and local and online multiplayer game modes, including Grand Prix racing and arena-based battle modes.

Nintendo revealed Mario Kart 8 in 2013 and released it in May 2014. Both paid and free downloadable content (DLC) was released after its launch, including additional tracks and a new difficulty setting. It was rereleased on the Nintendo Switch in April 2017 as Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, including the DLC, a revamped battle mode and other gameplay alterations. From March 2022 until November 2023, Deluxe received additional DLC, Booster Course Pass, which added 48 race tracks and eight characters.

Mario Kart 8 was a critical success; reviewers praised its gameplay and presentation, but the battle mode was criticized. Critics praised Deluxe as the definitive version for its improved battle modes and presentation. Both releases have been named by critics as among the best Mario Kart games, have won and been nominated for several awards, and have named among the greatest video games.

Mario Kart 8 is one of the best-selling video games, at over 79.05 million sold for both versions combined. The original version is also the best-selling Wii U game at 8.46 million sold and Deluxe is the best-selling Nintendo Switch game at 70.59 million. A sequel, Mario Kart World, was released as a launch title for the Nintendo Switch 2 in 2025.

Source: Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.