There's a new Mario Kartcoming!
Uhhhh... sort of? Not really fully new. More like "old, but re-released with new bits."
It's called Mario Kart 8 Deluxeand it's the Nintendo Switch version of the racing series' Wii U game. All 48 tracks from the original are included -- post-release DLC and all -- but so much more has changed. New racers, new rules, completely (and thankfully) revised Battle Mode... and quite a bit more.
SEE ALSO:Controversial speed trick has been removed in 'Mario Kart 8 Deluxe'The game is out on April 28, but reviews are starting to surface. So if you're looking for an early peek at what the critics think of Mario Kart's first Switch appearance -- in all its Frankenstein's monster-esque glory -- read on.
Despite the déjà vu, Mario Kart 8 Deluxelooks beautiful, sounds rich and performs incredibly on the Switch, whether you’re playing in docked mode or handheld. Much like last month’s The Legend Of Zelda: Breath Of The Wild ...Deluxe squeezes every last inch of power out of the powerful little tablet console. The result is a crisp, colourful game that conveys the smooth, speedy dynamics of racing. It may not rival contemporaries chasing 4K resolution with 60fps technical wizardry, but Deluxe’s flawless performance should be commended. Its art style is nothing short of wonderful.
Deluxeincludes all Mario Kart 8's downloadable content, which brings 16 new tracks, including Zelda and F-Zerothemed ones, a bunch of new playable characters (there are 42 in all), karts and kart-parts, plus the 200cc mode which was added to Mario Kart 8[for Wii U] as an update. On top of all that, Battle mode has been completely – and very effectively – revamped. But what really surprises is that a number of small but significant tweaks and additions have been made which affect the core gameplay.
Credit: NintendoThe wonderful thing about Mario Kartgames is their accessibility, and Mario Kart 8 Deluxehas a couple of new optional features aimed specifically at inexperienced players: smart steering, which will automatically redirect a racer headed for the edge of the track, and auto-accelerate. While Mario Kartgames have always been balanced to allow those players performing less well a chance to catch up, most notably by rewarding them with better items like the speed-boosting invincibility star or the opponent-munching piranha plant, these new features narrow the gap further.
The biggest dose of new content – and possibly reason enough to splash out on Deluxeeven if you had the Wii U version – is the addition of proper Battle Modes.
Group battles such as Bob-omb Blast and Shine Thief make a welcome return, along with the all-new team-based Renegade Roundup, where one group drives around with giant Piranha Plants on their karts, attempting to gobble up their opponents. It's great fun too – a vehicular Little Shop of Horrors. Even Balloon Battle gets its dues, now taking place on brilliantly designed maps that funnel players into contact. It's nice to see Nintendo has heard the fanbase.
As an aside, the split-screen multiplayer works just as it did on Wii U. The two-player split-screen stays at 60fps on Switch, but pushing that to three or four players immediately caps the frame-rate to 30. The logic works in the same way as Wii U too; the top and bottom screens refresh in an alternating order: top first, then bottom. In effect, the screen still outputs at 60fps, and the HUD elements update at 60Hz as well, but all gameplay is cut in half, making controls feel a little muggier. For consistency, it's a shame we can't have all modes running at 60, even by dropping the resolution from 1080p to achieve it.
Credit: nintendoMario Kart 8 Deluxe’s online suite is still as barebones an experience on the Switch as it was on the Wii U. Some of its improvements are notable – for example, it’s faster to get you into a game, and you can finally swap characters or karts between races. But the Switch still feels like a hassle next to the convenience of other systems because you still have to use outside means (like your phone) to communicate with friends. It’s aggravating that there’s no way to invite players to join your matches, too. Considering this is the first major online multiplayer game for Switch, it’s disappointing to see that so little was done to smooth out that experience.
For people who already bought Mario Kart 8(and perhaps its DLC) just a few years ago on the Wii U, it might be a little galling being asked to pay $60 for a new version of the game that has changed so little. But Mario Kart 8is still one of the best party games around and now quite a bit easier to lug to a friend's house. A version you can take on the go is a good excuse to replay the excellent courses solo as well, or to host multiplayer matches away from home.
If you missed out on Mario Kart 8the first time around, Deluxeshould be on your must-buy list for the Switch. If you already wore out the original version of the game, try out the Battle Mode and the portable play before you decide to reinvest.
TopicsGamingNintendoNintendo Switch
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