Mario Kart 8 is one of the best-selling video games of all time, at over 62.25 million sold. Both releases have been named by critics as among the best Mario Kart games, and have won and been nominated for several awards. Critics praised Deluxe as definitive version of Mario Kart 8 for its improved battle modes and presentation. Mario Kart 8 was a critical success reviewers praised its gameplay and presentation, but the battle mode received mixed reviews.

As of early 2022, Nintendo has continued to add downloadable circuits and characters as paid DLC. Deluxe includes all of the original DLC, as well as a revamped battle mode and other gameplay alterations. It was rereleased on the Nintendo Switch in April 2017 as Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. Both paid and free downloadable content (DLC) were released after its launch, including a further difficulty setting and additional tracks. Nintendo revealed Mario Kart 8 in 2013, and released it in May 2014.

Mario Kart 8 contains a variety of single-player and local and online multiplayer games modes, including Grand Prix racing and arena-based battle modes.

In the new anti-gravity sequences, players drive on walls and ceilings. Different difficulties are selectable prior to a race harder difficulties make gameplay faster. Tracks are themed around locales from the Super Mario platform series and are populated with power-ups that help players gain advantages in races. It retains the gameplay of previous games in the Mario Kart series, with players controlling a Mario franchise character in races around tracks. Mario Kart 8 is a 2014 kart racing game developed and published by Nintendo for the Wii U.

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