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Writer's pictureStan Lawrence

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Review

KGK Dragon’s Reviews:


Nintendo’s Mario Kart has been a staple to the Mario universe since the beloved plumber’s first kart driving game released as “Super Mario Kart” (1992), 11 years after the heroic turtle-jumper’s first appearance as “jumpman” in Nintendo’s “Donkey Kong” (1981). Follow the series 8th installment in this 2017 release, bringing back a large roster of new and returning characters from vast Nintendo titles.

Customization

With over 50+ characters in Mario Kart 8’s roster, but that remains dwarfed by the sheer amount of options given within the game’s Kart Customization system. Choose from a plethora of karts, bikes, wheels, and gliders with 8,064 different possible kart and bike combinations, each with their own different weight, acceleration, handling, and speeds within air, water, and anti-gravity. 



Tracks and Maps

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe brings forth a vast amount of different tracks to explore, many being from different Nintendo titles while others being returning tracks from previous games. With a total of 98 different tracks spanning over multiple different cups, circuits, and game modes, there’s plenty of variety amongst the playability of maps within Mario Kart 8 Deluxe’s stockpile. Tracks from previous titles such as the NES, Wii, Wii U, 3DS, N64, and even DS maps. 


Game modes and Multiplayer

Within Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, there are 4 different game modes to choose from. These include “Grand Prix,” “Time Trials,” “Battle,” and “Online.” A single system can host four players, making it ideal for a family game night activity. But, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe takes it a step further by allowing online play of up to 12 people, including online private matches between friends. 


Graphics and Visuals

The graphics for Mario Kart 8 are crisp, remaining at a balanced 60 frames per second at 1080p. Although, when playing up to 3 to 4 players, the frames may drop to 30 just to maintain stability at 720p. Even in online play, the game remains smooth, responsive, and easy to manage when playing with friends.






Summary

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe carries on the line of Mario Kart games while introducing the newer generations of Nintendo characters from other titles. WIth so many ways to customize, play, and different tracks to race on, there is little lacking in this 8th installment of the beloved plumber’s take on the racing world of video games.


Pros:

  • Plethora amounts of customization and different character combinations

  • Competitive gameplay and responsive controls with multiple different game modes

  • The implementation of multiple other nintendo characters with their own themed tracks, karts, and skins


Cons:

  • In accordance with it’s previous installments, the game remains overall the same, making some aspects repetitive

  • The game offers very little “single player experience” 

  • Metas and gravitated Kart build takes away from the many possible combinations allowed for players to experience, taking away from the fun experience to new players


By far the best Mario Kart title to date with plenty to experience. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe brings more than just a simple racer, but a competitive game to challenge friends and family and plays best when in the company of others.


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