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Mario Kart 8 Deluxe review
Exceptional
by Graham Kaletsky

A perfect kart racer

Other reviews12

The best Mario Kart Experience you could possibly have
There's not much to say about it, at least being a casual Mario Kart Player.

The mechanic is fun, and getting good at it is satisfying. To do that, you will need a good understanding of the environment around you and how powers should be used effectively. Also, the car's personalization can be matched with your gameplay style.

Graphic-wise, the game is pretty good when docked. Also, the art direction is what makes the difference right here.
«Better with friends»
Completed as of writing this review: Base Game with optional things.

A good time to spend with your friends and also a good way to get in a toxic relationship with your friends. I don’t know how much of Wii U version is lackluster, comparing to Deluxe, so I’m just gonna say that Deluxe is really an amazing package of maps and still growing with today’s DLC. There is like a very minor amount of maps that are of mixed quality. On the side of the physics, I’m more of a fan of MKWii’s handling and trick system. MK8 feels like a stripped down version, and it’s understandable, as it’s better for casual gaming, but still, that’s my own nit-pick. The major plus though is this game’s art-style. The Wii U was so underpowered it’s really a surprise to see how gorgeous this game is, much so that I would say, holds up to the graphics in 9th gen. Feels like you’re watching an animated movie, that’s how good the graphics are. Even better, with the maps from other games in the series coming back, it’s amazing to see them remade in this art-style, as people say “that’s how I imagined this map as a kid in the original”.

There is also stuff like Battle modes, but trying them out left me feeling mixed. I heard that Wii U version was very lackluster in that regard, so I’m glad that the Switch version expanded the mode as it should’ve been from the very start. However, the modes themselves are really a 50/50, don’t know why, I just feel like that. I also can’t comment on how good the game is in terms of online mode, but Wireless play was also a good enough time.

To sum it up, I highly recommend picking this game up, especially if you’re looking for a fun time with your toxic friends, lmao. Can’t really say if it’s worth 60$ though, as in my country that would be considered a luxury (we have to consider that Online is pricey too), 30$ would be a good price for this. But if it’s not too expensive for you, go for it!
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«Just one more turn»
«Sit back and relax»
It's fun but it gets old fast, especially if you don't have friends around to play with. If I hadn't bought Super Smash Bros, all of us would have played Mario Kart like crazy, but they all seem to prefer SSB so... Mario Kart is just left unplayed...
As far as racing gets, this is top tier. The tracks are beautiful and the music outstanding! Putting Mario Kart on the Switch was a God send and honestly this system was built for a game like Mario Kart. This Mario Kart doesn't feel as deep as 7 or Double Dash to me, but it's still a great time! 12 grand prixs keep the game varied and interesting. Downsides are that the game gets old quickly and the character select screen is the least interesting in a while. Great party game and would recommend for every Switch owner.
The perfect MarioKart for the Switch. Full stop.
«Just one more turn»
«Can’t stop playing»
For a single-player perspective Mario Kart 8 Deluxe can be a little plain in terms of unlocking things, but this game is not designed for that (all tracks and characters are unlocked from start but you can unlock a lot of karts and parts) its designed for you to play it locally with friends (or online maybe) and in that regard MK8D excels. There's a lot of options and courses that and in top of that, you still can mirror all those tracks and give a somewhat new feeling to them. The kart customization it's very good, so you can race at your own pace and style.

One of the aspects that I really like was the music, its just amazing and sets the mood perfectly. There are a lot of tweaks that make the game feel well balanced in regards of which items you can get depending on your place, also the punishment for falling from the road or getting hit is not as punishing so its not that hard to make a comeback and maintains the races very fast-paced as it should be.

I believe that MK8D is the best Mario Kart experience to date, it is as always has been, a perfect game to destroy friendships and that's why I loved it.
«Just one more turn»
«Can’t stop playing»
If Crash Team Racing Nitro Fueled didn't exist this would easily be the quintessential kart racer. Mario kart 8 deluxe takes the best aspects of ever Mario Kart and combines them with an anti gravity gimmick that feels natural and thankfully only exists to make the tracks more dynamic. Definitely give this a try.
«Better with friends»
«Beaten more than once»
A great, relaxing time with a Nintendo classic - just makes me smile.
«Sit back and relax»
It is still a bit of fun to make couple of sessions.
Btw, there is no unlocked items, no interesting to play solo except just a gameplay.