Mario Kart 8 Deluxe — Review (2026): Is It Worth Playing?
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is a racing game from Nintendo, released in April 2017 on Nintendo Switch. It's an enhanced port of Mario Kart 8 from Wii U, including all DLC, new characters, Battle Mode, and improved graphics. The game remains the benchmark for kart racing.
What is the game about
Pick a character from the Mario universe — Mario, Luigi, Peach, Yoshi, Bowser, and others — and race across tracks, collecting items for attack and defense. The goal: finish first, using mushrooms for speed, green shells for attack, and lightning to slow enemies.
Gameplay
- 48 tracks: from SNES classics to new locations, including Hyrule Circuit from Zelda.
- 12 players online: races with friends or random players worldwide.
- Battle Mode: arena battles — not races, but combat.
- Smart Steering: assist for newcomers.
- Booster Course Pass DLC: 48 additional tracks from series history.
Should you play it in 2026
Yes. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is the perfect family game: simple rules, chaotic gameplay, and endless replayability. On Switch 2 it looks and runs great.
Pros and cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Perfect multiplayer | Little new compared to Wii U |
| Tons of content | Expensive DLC |
| Family game | Switch only |
FAQ
Is there an end? No, races are endless.
How many hours? Hundreds for full completion.
On other platforms? No, only Nintendo Switch.