Mario Kart 8

 Wii U
User Score
8.7

Generally favorable reviews- based on 2023 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1,789 out of 2023
  2. Mixed: 86 out of 2023
  3. Negative: 148 out of 2023
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  1. rushiosan
    Oct 29, 2014
    6
    A 10/10 game if you look back at what the franchise achieved since 1990's, but a 6/10 in a matter of gameplay.

    Mario Kart 8 suffers from major problems of item balancing and the gap between skill / luck that spoiled previous entries, but this time things got even worse. To put in simple words, it punishes good players. It's not a goot thing to stay in first, second or third places    A 10/10 game if you look back at what the franchise achieved since 1990's, but a 6/10 in a matter of gameplay.

    Mario Kart 8 suffers from major problems of item balancing and the gap between skill / luck that spoiled previous entries, but this time things got even worse. To put in simple words, it punishes good players. It's not a goot thing to stay in first, second or third places because your item sorting was greatly nerfed to either coins (absolutely useless) and bananas all the time. Forget green or red shells if you're 1st to 3rd place. The game is meant to punish good players even at vs CPU races, which's absolutely atrocious and frustrating. Why is there content to unlock by winning single-player cups then? This setting works perfectly for multiplayer parties because it gives everyone in the room a chance to win against a good player, but throwing that at CPU matches is absolutely non-sense.

    I put this game down after finishing all mirror cups and I rarely play now. Videogames are meant to be enjoyed, not to frustrate you. Leave the "luck" aspect to board games and stuff.    … Expand
  2. Krobolt
    Jun 2, 2014
    9
    There’s no denying that the Wii U has suffered a dry library of games for the last few months.
    With the release of Mario Kart 8, Wii U owners have a new reason to return to their Gamepads. Mario Kart 8 is filled with the traditional upgrades: new weapons, new tracks, new mechanics, and new characters. All of these elements are fantastic as ever, but it’s the game’s attractive visuals and    There’s no denying that the Wii U has suffered a dry library of games for the last few months.
    With the release of Mario Kart 8, Wii U owners have a new reason to return to their Gamepads. Mario Kart 8 is filled with the traditional upgrades: new weapons, new tracks, new mechanics, and new characters. All of these elements are fantastic as ever, but it’s the game’s attractive visuals and endless entertaining replay value makes it one of the best the series has to offer.

    The newest mechanic introduced in Mario Kart 8 is its anti-gravity gameplay. Many walls and roads feature blue lines that will shift your tires sideways and magnetize your vehicle against the track. Gravity transitions are seamless and offer shortcuts even boosts to help anyone lagging behind. Colliding with other drivers on anti-gravity sections gives racers a boost allowing racers to take advantage of the completion in new ways. Gravity sections also include rotating pegs that racers can drive into to gain speed. These features can allow a racer to come from behind and take advantage of their surroundings to gain the upper hand.

    Amongst the new features, includes new weapons as well. A new boombox item known as the “Super Horn” amides shockwaves that knocks out racers and can even destroy items including the infamous blue shell. Another new item is a piranha plant, which is a multipurpose item. When active, it chomps at anything in front of the racer, including opposing racers and obstacles. If there isn’t anything to hit, the piranha chomps at the air and offers the racer speed bursts. The boomerang flower allows the racer to throw a boomerang up to three times, with a chance to hit as it travels forward and back. Finally, the “Lucky Seven” item makes a return in the form of the “Crazy Eight” as eight items rotate around the racer giving the racer multiple options to devastate the competition.

    Upon hitting the track, there’s no way to ignore the gorgeous visuals Mario Kart 8 has to offer. Its vivid colors and bloom bring the tracks to life and easily makes this game one of the best looking on the Wii U, even surpassing Super Mario 3D World. Many of the first races I shared with friends left them in awe as they stopped to notice the beautiful environments.

    Each course in Mario Kart 8 is finely tuned, with tracks such as Toad Harbor, Mount Wario, Electrodome, and Sunshine Airport standing out as personal favorites of mine. Maro Kart 8 also houses the best versions of Mario Circuit, featuring a Mobius Strip style course, and Bowser’s Castle, which features a gigantic statue of the villain punching ripples into the track. Course design shines even brighter in their retro tracks. Royal Raceway is beaming with life and color and the inclusion of Rainbow Road from the Nintendo 64 redone as a beautiful grand finale is astonishing.

    The cast of characters is as strong as ever, with 30 drivers to choose from. There are several new characters that make their first appearance as playable drivers, including the Koopalings from Super Mario Bros 3. Characters are unlocked at random after completing cups, unlike previous Mario Kart games. Although the cast of characters is welcome, it is bulked with Baby characters as well as the many Koopalings leaving out the chance for a more diverse selection such as Boo, Bowser Jr, even R.O.B.

    Vehicle customization returns once again in Mario Kart 8. After choosing a driver, you put together your Kart, choosing a body, wheels, and glider individually to create your ideal ride. Whether its speed, handling, or even style, there is a wide variety of parts to choose from, with more to be unlocked as you collect more coins. You are not only limited to karts this time; Bikes return from Mario Kart Wii as well as ATVs which make their debut in this game. Each vehicle is fun to drive. Even after hours of playing with one vehicle, I still found myself toying with the customization finding new satisfying combinations.

    As with each entry to proceed, Mario Kart 8 shines most within its multiplayer modes. With multiple controller options, it’s easy to set up races with multiple friends. For the first time, up to four players can participate in grand prix tourneys. Competing against your friends as well as eight CPU racers is as fun as ever. Along with Grand Prix, one to four players can also compete in versus mode, which feature completely customizable rules (bikes only, no items, etc.). Playing single player or with one friend runs smoothly at 60 frames per second, but adding more players makes a noticeable frame difference. It may appear slower, but nothing game breaking such lag. You can even take the action online, where you and another friend can set up games against friends and random players. One disappointing feature is its battle mode, which abandons unique arenas from previous games in favor of competing on standard race tracks.

    Another new feature is its new Mario Kart TV system. At the end of each race, you’re given the option to watch a replay of your previous race. Each replay is fully customizable, from length to highlighted moments, such as drifts, actions, items, etc. It’s easy to edit, fast-forward and slo-mo each clip. You can even focus the camera on certain racers and watch their expressions as they jump ramps and slide past their competition. You cannot completely control the camera in this mode which seems like a missed opportunity. After you finish editing your clip, you can save it among your favorite with a star, or share it to the Miiverse and Youtube.

    Most Mario Kart games stand out amongst others. Mario Kart 64 is a nostalgic classic to fans, and Double Dash shined with its unique gameplay mechanics. Mario Kart 8 deserves to be added to top-tier entries, with its rock-solid package that offers so much to all. Mario Kart 8 doesn’t change up the formula much, but it left me smiling the whole way through. Mario Kart 8 is the fast-paced, family-fun game that everyone should enjoy.    … Expand
  3. raiseralex21
    Jun 7, 2014
    10
    Super entretenido en el modo on.line, te anima a exigirte mas control de tu personaje y disfrutar con cada partida el desmontar al primer lugar y atacar a los contricantes, genial juego y vale la pena comprarlo y tenerlo para las retas entre cuates.
  4. redrx8gt2005
    Jul 5, 2014
    10
    Amazing Version Of Mario Kart , I Really Loved Double Dash And Mario Kart Wii , But This Might Be The Best One In The Series , The Graphics Look Stunning , The Gameplay Is Fun And Simple , Just A BLAST to play , definitely a system seller type of game , Buy It Now !!!
  5. pinball123
    Nov 18, 2014
    9
    Do you like previous versions of mario kart? If you do buy this now, if you don't don't buy this. Simple as that. As a fan of the series I loved this game.
  6. guitarguy001
    Jul 3, 2014
    9
    A great Mario Kart entry and my second favorite in the series. The soundtrack is amazing, the retro tracks feel fresh and new with the Mario Kart 8 physics, the new tracks are extremely well designed and the visuals are hands down the best on the Wii U so far; seriously, this game has visuals that i personally feel are on par with Killzone Shadow Fall & Ryse: Son of Rome for some of theA great Mario Kart entry and my second favorite in the series. The soundtrack is amazing, the retro tracks feel fresh and new with the Mario Kart 8 physics, the new tracks are extremely well designed and the visuals are hands down the best on the Wii U so far; seriously, this game has visuals that i personally feel are on par with Killzone Shadow Fall & Ryse: Son of Rome for some of the best visuals on a console to date. The online is also very well done.

    I also noticed that this is probably the fastest Mario Kart when it comes to pace. Lakitu is not slow as a snail as he was in the previous games and the new mechanics with the zero gravity enforce aggressive play as many of the physics have speed boosts.

    As for negatives, the roster. The roster is horribly disappointing and uninspired, especially comparing it to Mario Kart Wii and Double Dash (especially the latter). Pink Gold Peach was a completely unnecessary addition and having ALL of the Koopalings as characters are waste of space imo, 3 would have been OK and it would have opened space for other characters like King Boo, Petey Piranha & Funky Kong.

    The other negative, the battle mode. The battle mode is no longer arena based, it's now the race tracks and you go against the opponent there. No longer as strategic as the other battle modes especially now since you can no longer get another item when you are already holding another item, and not nearly as fun. Comparing this battle mode to N64's or even Double Dash's battle mode, they make it look like a complete joke.

    Besides those two flaws, this game is incredibly fun. It improved Mario Kart in almost every single way with mechanics, soundtrack, track design and visuals (seriously they look amazing) but also makes the retro feel fresh and new. Despite the slightly nerfed multiplayer mode and disappointing roster, i highly recommend this game to anyone who has a Wii U (which probably most of you already own MK8)    … Expand
  7. nonchalantgamer
    Aug 13, 2014
    9
    Mario Kart 8 is an awesome addition to the franchise.The racing is as fun as ever, and the few new items they threw in definitely add fun to the variety of items. the tracks are incredible with beautiful visuals and tons of variety within. their are secrets paths to take with mushrooms and the flight paths you can reach and going into and out of the water adds more depth to the tracks. theMario Kart 8 is an awesome addition to the franchise.The racing is as fun as ever, and the few new items they threw in definitely add fun to the variety of items. the tracks are incredible with beautiful visuals and tons of variety within. their are secrets paths to take with mushrooms and the flight paths you can reach and going into and out of the water adds more depth to the tracks. the anti gravity areas on the tracks are very fun add on as well that adds an alternate switch of pace. the amount of cars/parts in the game is crazy and their so many ways you can customize your kart to fit your specific play style. the roster size is fairly large with the additions of bowsers kids and much more. the only gripes i have on the game is that the battle mode is really bad and feels like they got lazy with it just throwing you on the grand prix tracks and going at it, i felt they could have done much more. also the MP as fun as it is the servers are not that good and i cant find matches that often. overall what it comes down to is that alone or sitting in your room with a group of friends, mario kart 8 provides immense amount of fun and good times that will last you for quite a while and brings back so much nostalgia for me as a long time fan.… Expand
  8. amstans
    Jul 9, 2014
    9
    This game is almost perfect so I will only point out the minor flaws: it doesn't offer off-tv play, there is no map option on tv, and no option to turn off Mario TV. When you finish a race the default menu option is to watch a replay instead of playing the next race. These things are all very tiny issues in a game I must be hard on as a huge fan of the Mario Kart franchise.
  9. Cjm_cola_cole
    Jun 10, 2014
    10
    A new Mario Kart like no other, yet familiar and fun. With the new Anti-grav karts that add a whole new dimesnsion to the game, you are also treated to new items, amazing graphics, online and local multiplayer, the ability to share highlights on youtube, and much more. This game just continues to amaze. If you have not bought a Wii U for some reason, get one now and buy this as well.
  10. Luigifan10
    May 31, 2014
    9
    So, this game has been in development for a while and people say this is one of two games (The other one being Super Smash Bros for Wii U) that will sell the Wii U drastically. And if this game doesn't sell Wii U's, I don't know what will. For starters, this game is absolutely beautiful. The HD and details are insane! Luigi's mustache even blows in the wind! The new anti-gravity is reallySo, this game has been in development for a while and people say this is one of two games (The other one being Super Smash Bros for Wii U) that will sell the Wii U drastically. And if this game doesn't sell Wii U's, I don't know what will. For starters, this game is absolutely beautiful. The HD and details are insane! Luigi's mustache even blows in the wind! The new anti-gravity is really cool, even if it doesn't change up the core gameplay drastically, which is good. The new items are really cool and aren't over-powered or weak. Well, except for the Coin item. That's the item you'll get most of the time when you're in first, and all it does is add 2 coins to your coin count. The new tracks are some of the coolest ever, and the retro tracks are updated a lot. Except for Music Park. The only thing updated there was the graphics. The new Balloon Battle is a little weird because you're in race tracks instead of in arenas. This is fine, except that it may be hard to find others on occasion, because it's so big. The character selection is actually a little lame. The new Koopalings are pretty cool but another newcomer, being Pink Gold Peach, is a dumb Metal Mario clone. And, not to mention, there are 5 BABIES. 5. I think that's really stupid. The roster is also missing a lot of characters that could be better than others, such as Diddy Kong, Dry Bones, King Boo, etc. But if they add some DLC, then that problem could be fixed. The multiplayer is as fun as its ever been, but it might take a while for everyone to choose their kart combination. I wish there was a faster way to change your kart combo. The online is great, with little to no lag and fair rules for everyone. The reasons I didn't give it a 10/10 are that there are some unnecessary characters and the weird Balloon Battles. If you like Mariokart and don't have a Wii U, this would be a perfect time to get one with the Mariokart 8 Bundle! And if you have a Wii U already, the you need to get this game! Thanks for reading, and bye!… Expand
  11. Scottview
    Jun 5, 2014
    9
    Although there are a few unfortunate missteps in this new Mario Kart game, such as limited match customization options, Mario Kart TV not realizing its full potential, and a rather gimped battle mode, its not enough to take away how utterly fantastic the traditional racing mode is in this game. Every single new track is a winner; and although the new much touted anti gravity feature neverAlthough there are a few unfortunate missteps in this new Mario Kart game, such as limited match customization options, Mario Kart TV not realizing its full potential, and a rather gimped battle mode, its not enough to take away how utterly fantastic the traditional racing mode is in this game. Every single new track is a winner; and although the new much touted anti gravity feature never truly gives the sensation that you are upside down or riding on a wall, it allows for track designs that twist and curve in the most interesting and thrilling of ways. There is never a dull moment in a courses design. Necessary tweaks to items and a decreased punishment for getting hit make the game much faster paced, fairer, and more skill based. Gone are the days of ending up in first place by accident. Sure a few fortunate item pickups can help, but you need to use them properly, and if you get to first, by jove you've earned it.

    Also, not enough praise can be given to the games presentation. In my opinion, this is hands down the most beautiful game Nintendo has ever produced and the attention to detail is astonishing. The same has to be said for the soundtrack, which strikes the perfect balance between familiar and nostalgic tones with an energetic, jazzy, and more orchestrated sound that pairs perfectly with the frenetic on screen action.

    So, in the end, despite a few head scratching and aggravating choices to modes most people won't care to much about, this is probably the purest Mario Kart you can find. The racing mode is the perfect culmination of more than two decades of Mario Kart games and it shows in all the ways that matter the most. If you don't pick this up on the Wii U, than you are missing out on one of the best games it has to offer.    … Expand
  12. Nikolord31
    Jun 13, 2014
    10
    Un juego increíble, con una banda sonora memorable y pistas muy creativas y originales. Bien hecho, Nintendo, ahora muchos querrán tener un Wii U sólo por ésta maravilla.
  13. sonchezz
    May 31, 2014
    9
    Great game, brimming with fun. Course design is great and the anti-gravity is an interesting new mechanic that makes team racing more interesting than ever before.

    Small complaints: would like a more diverse character selection next time, and instead of a completely reworked battle-mode, why not include both tracks and more free-form course design as in previous games. The game is    Great game, brimming with fun. Course design is great and the anti-gravity is an interesting new mechanic that makes team racing more interesting than ever before.

    Small complaints: would like a more diverse character selection next time, and instead of a completely reworked battle-mode, why not include both tracks and more free-form course design as in previous games.

    The game is very close to perfection, its hard to tell exactly where the game could improve in future updates to the series.    … Expand
  14. Raixima
    Jun 1, 2014
    9
    By far the most beautiful game on Wii u, to be fair, the game wouldn't be displaced if it was running on the PS4 or XboxOne, it's that beautiful, but as beauty isn't everything the game also provides excelent gameplay, thank god they took off that dumb automatic drift and the AI in 150 cc is mercyless, if you don't own a Wii U, now is the time, but be prepared for some tough competitionBy far the most beautiful game on Wii u, to be fair, the game wouldn't be displaced if it was running on the PS4 or XboxOne, it's that beautiful, but as beauty isn't everything the game also provides excelent gameplay, thank god they took off that dumb automatic drift and the AI in 150 cc is mercyless, if you don't own a Wii U, now is the time, but be prepared for some tough competition online!!
    AMAZING GAME, the only thing I don't quite adore in the game is the battle mode, that is kind off messy at first and the fact that on multiplayer the gamepad mimics the screen, that meand, in 4X4 your gamepad will be diveded in four parts.    … Expand
  15. Toshione
    Jun 1, 2014
    9
    The only reason someone wouldn't like Mario Kart 8 is if they just don't like kart racing video games. As with previous Mario Kart games there are 8 different cups to race as well as time trials, battle mode, and on line multiplayer. On line multiplayer works fast and is a real blast. There are lots of new characters to play as and plenty of different options when it comes to customizingThe only reason someone wouldn't like Mario Kart 8 is if they just don't like kart racing video games. As with previous Mario Kart games there are 8 different cups to race as well as time trials, battle mode, and on line multiplayer. On line multiplayer works fast and is a real blast. There are lots of new characters to play as and plenty of different options when it comes to customizing your kart.I won't say its the best Mario Kart ever made, but it is definitely a reason to buy a Wii U.… Expand
  16. counterfifth
    Jun 3, 2014
    9
    This game made me buy a Wii U! It's fair to say the Wii U had a rocky start but this is what Nintendo do best. You really don't need a machine with a tons of processing power and high end graphics cards to create a beautiful game. Let me tell you this game is stunning, it just looks gorgeous!!!

    The tracks are beautifully crafted and the different cc settings really open up the game    This game made me buy a Wii U! It's fair to say the Wii U had a rocky start but this is what Nintendo do best. You really don't need a machine with a tons of processing power and high end graphics cards to create a beautiful game. Let me tell you this game is stunning, it just looks gorgeous!!!

    The tracks are beautifully crafted and the different cc settings really open up the game difficulty to everyone.

    The score is up to Nintendo usual high standards and really adds another fantastic dimension to this game.

    I honestly think Nintendo are one of the only developers that consistently produce high quality 'video games'. Now your thinking why the 9/10 and not the full glory of 10/10. Well it's the playable characters that let it down. From all of Nintendos Mario characters why go with all the Koopa kids, just a little dull and short sighted if you ask me. In addition the Mii characters look terrible. Saying that they looked terrible in the last one so...

    I would recommend buying this game for the Wii U you'll have a blast. Get online and get racing!    … Expand
  17. deathgz00
    Jun 3, 2014
    9
    Nintendo did it again, I've been playing Mario Kart since the 64 era, and never since that time i really had that sensation that Mario kart 64 gave me, the speed, the power, the fx sound, the music; once you start the game goes right to the point, no **** you came to play, you got the game.
    P.S. the battle mode was pretty lame, for that reason i don't give a perfect score
  18. The90sKid
    Jun 6, 2014
    9
    Odd design choices aside, Mario Kart 8 is an awesome addition to an awesome franchise. The single player options will get old fast, but thanks to robust online offerings as well as an unparalleled local multiplayer the game promises to remain an entertaining game for months to come. If you have been on the fence about getting a Wii U let me assure you that Mario Kart 8 is worth gettingOdd design choices aside, Mario Kart 8 is an awesome addition to an awesome franchise. The single player options will get old fast, but thanks to robust online offerings as well as an unparalleled local multiplayer the game promises to remain an entertaining game for months to come. If you have been on the fence about getting a Wii U let me assure you that Mario Kart 8 is worth getting one for. It is the Wii U's first fully-fledged killer-app. Nobody else makes kart racing this fun. I give Mario Kart 8 a 9/10.… Expand
  19. LazyCharmander
    Jun 10, 2014
    10
    The music is great, the graphics are great, the gameplay is great. The only problem with the game is battle mode, which we'll hopefully get dlc for in the future.
  20. KGgames101
    Jun 22, 2014
    10
    Fantastic! Best game on Wii U next to Super Mario 3D World, definitely recommended. The only downside is the simple character roster and battle mode. This game desperately needs a DLC.
  21. Lanternman
    Jun 25, 2014
    9
    Great game love the balance the Mario Kart games have for experts and beginners, wife doesn't win as many races but she has so much fun hitting me with the leader killers and lightning bolts.
  22. Hipster1989
    Jun 30, 2014
    9
    Mario Kart 8 is simply a phenomenal Kart racer/ party game. It is highly competitive off line and online. 150 cc mode is the hardest that I have eve player. The online is well done to making it easy to start matches straight away with anyone around the world.

    Mario Kart 8 is the best next gen game so far in my opinion. Forget Titanfall, forget Infamous Second Son. Mario Kart 8 is where    Mario Kart 8 is simply a phenomenal Kart racer/ party game. It is highly competitive off line and online. 150 cc mode is the hardest that I have eve player. The online is well done to making it easy to start matches straight away with anyone around the world.

    Mario Kart 8 is the best next gen game so far in my opinion. Forget Titanfall, forget Infamous Second Son. Mario Kart 8 is where it is at.

    The only thing I dislike in this Mario Kart is the item selection but new ideas like Mario Kart Tv where you upload video highlights to youtube make up for that.

    If you are looking for a fun and challenging single player experience Mario Kart 8 has length as 150cc mode is tough and collating all of the parts, vehicles and characters will take a couple of weeks. Once that is done just play with family and friends when people come over for parties and there is always Mario Kart Tv and the online modes to keep you playing Mario Kart 8 from years to come.    … Expand
  23. edirgl
    Jun 30, 2014
    9
    Great game!
    Some nice features were removed like the ability to hold two items at the time, manual/automatic selection.
    Some cool things added, cool anti-gravity, characters. Will play this for several hours.
  24. FernandoStrauss
    Jul 1, 2014
    10
    This game is something special nowadays, like a fun game to play with all families and friends. Mario KArt 8 proved to be the best in franchise and in the genre. there's no go-kart game like this one, graphics are amazing, power-ups are simply spectacular, technical details are excellent! Music sounds great and online options is ver competitive. This game is one of the best so far.
  25. raykaytwo
    Aug 6, 2014
    8
    Solid Mario Kart.
    Not more, not less. When you own Nintendo consoles, than you own Mario Kart. That's a fact. And you get what you expect with this one. Better graphics new characters a new vehicle and new stages.
    One Major letdown is the vs combat mode. They didnt build new Arenas, they just used the same ones. This really upsets me. To sum it up: if you like Mario Kart you should buy    Solid Mario Kart.
    Not more, not less. When you own Nintendo consoles, than you own Mario Kart. That's a fact. And you get what you expect with this one. Better graphics new characters a new vehicle and new stages.
    One Major letdown is the vs combat mode. They didnt build new Arenas, they just used the same ones.
    This really upsets me.
    To sum it up: if you like Mario Kart you should buy this, if not, consider other Wii U titles.    … Expand
  26. lpfm
    Aug 23, 2014
    9
    Recently I played Mario Kart Wii and Mario Kart 8 is a improvment in 80% of the content. Item by item (the more significant to me):

    1) The battle mode is tremendous better in wii; Seems like nintendo dedevelopers were lazy in this point; 2) The single player mode, to me, is just the same (means not deep); 3) I never tried the online play in wii one, but in the Mk8 the online mode is    Recently I played Mario Kart Wii and Mario Kart 8 is a improvment in 80% of the content. Item by item (the more significant to me):

    1) The battle mode is tremendous better in wii; Seems like nintendo dedevelopers were lazy in this point;
    2) The single player mode, to me, is just the same (means not deep);
    3) I never tried the online play in wii one, but in the Mk8 the online mode is great. Mention: Missing features: Voice chat (or at least a text one).
    4)The visual! One of the great improvement! No coments here more than "I really love the MK8 visuals;
    5)The balance is great. The number of variable that influence it is significant bigger (in this is great);
    6)Character choice has a improvement too.    … Expand
  27. AVdE
    Aug 26, 2014
    9
    Astonishing how beautiful Mario Kart looks in HD! The tracks are fabulous and the anti-gravity makes an exciting and awesome addition in terms of gameplay. Everything about this game is absolutely amazing, with a few exceptions:

    The battle mode tracks from previous mario kart games are replaced with slightly modified tracks. This makes battle mode feel a lot like regular racing, so    Astonishing how beautiful Mario Kart looks in HD! The tracks are fabulous and the anti-gravity makes an exciting and awesome addition in terms of gameplay. Everything about this game is absolutely amazing, with a few exceptions:

    The battle mode tracks from previous mario kart games are replaced with slightly modified tracks. This makes battle mode feel a lot like regular racing, so hopefully nintendo will fix this with DLC.

    The weapon selection doesn't feel balanced. Sometimes, you get boosts in first place, or a green shell in 8th place or lower. And once you end up in the middle during online races, you get brutally smashed.

    A minor flaw is that the gamepad screen displays the same split screen from the TV during local multiplayer, instead of only the own racer's screen.

    Further, there are a couple of tiny drawbacks that are going to be fixed with an upcoming update, so they're not really worth mentioning.

    Overall though, Mario Kart 8 is an amazing game. It's plenty of fun, it looks gorgeous, it runs smoothly and it's a blast to play with friends.    … Expand
  28. ayyylmaoo
    Dec 29, 2014
    10
    Free online is what gets me. It's a fun game, with a lot of replay value. The DLC tracks are pretty good too. This is my favorite game on wii u thus far, but I've always love mario kart! If you have ever enjoyed mario kart in your life, this game is sure to satisfy your need again.
  29. GamerJesus
    Sep 13, 2014
    9
    Finally un-locked all pre-DLC characters!
    Best looking Mario Kart there is.
    Missing Arenas that were replaced them with actual racetracks - that's a step back.
    Handles perfectly and I love the 8 Power Up
    I'll be buying the DLC when I can afford to because I want to play as Link and am looking forward to new tracks.
    If you own a WiiU, I wholeheartedly recommend this one.
  30. A_L_I_2013
    Sep 24, 2014
    1
    The levels are simply gorgeous. The cart variety keeps the game fresh. The small yet critical changes made to the game affect how you play compared to previous titles. This game is for the hard core player while also being a living room favorite. My only hope is that battle gets updated because right now it is lack luster at best.
  31. gattienzo
    Sep 19, 2015
    6
    Juego correcto, esperé mucho más de este título. Por empezar no posee un modo historia, solo jugar y jugar partidas sin sentido, segundo los contenidos de las armas siempre tocan en funcion de la posicion en la que se esta... osea si vas primero siempre te va a tocar una moneda o cascara de banana . Tercero, el modo batalla es un chiste totalmente mal hecho . Prefiero jugar al Crash TeamJuego correcto, esperé mucho más de este título. Por empezar no posee un modo historia, solo jugar y jugar partidas sin sentido, segundo los contenidos de las armas siempre tocan en funcion de la posicion en la que se esta... osea si vas primero siempre te va a tocar una moneda o cascara de banana . Tercero, el modo batalla es un chiste totalmente mal hecho . Prefiero jugar al Crash Team Rasing de ps1… Expand
  32. TatsMcGee
    Sep 8, 2018
    8
    What sport is it?

    Its a racing game. Was it fun? This is my second favorite Mario Kart game. Graphically it looks incredible, its fun to play and the tracks are well designed. Are there any similar games? The Mario Kart series is in its own category. Would you play it again? Yes, i really enjoy playing this game but unfortunately the online isn’t that much fun and so    What sport is it?

    Its a racing game.

    Was it fun?

    This is my second favorite Mario Kart game. Graphically it looks incredible, its fun to play and the tracks are well designed.

    Are there any similar games?

    The Mario Kart series is in its own category.

    Would you play it again?

    Yes, i really enjoy playing this game but unfortunately the online isn’t that much fun and so to me this is a local player game.

    Any complaints?

    Yeah, this game is not fun unless you’re playing with other people. Don’t get me wrong, its a great local multiplayer game but a very boring single player experience.    … Expand
  33. Sausage22
    Nov 7, 2017
    9
    Great game, revoultion for series that bring it back to the throne of kart games. Looks great, sounds great, only lacks battle mode. Great for playing with kids, they really enjoy it.
  34. Jeff10ct
    Nov 26, 2017
    10
    I'm not sure which expansion pack I got, as I was a late comer to the Wii U platform (have only had it for about 2 years now). The version that i bought came with the Wii U already installed and expanded. This version of MK does not disappoint, and truly lives up to all of the previous versions of Mario Kart. So if you are a late bloomer like me, and have yet to get this title, I wouldI'm not sure which expansion pack I got, as I was a late comer to the Wii U platform (have only had it for about 2 years now). The version that i bought came with the Wii U already installed and expanded. This version of MK does not disappoint, and truly lives up to all of the previous versions of Mario Kart. So if you are a late bloomer like me, and have yet to get this title, I would highly recommend getting MK8 - you will not be disappointed.… Expand
  35. neehawgamer
    Mar 22, 2018
    10
    This game was very well-made and fun, too!
    It's hard to find any flaws in it, but i have one.
    You know how they limit chat?
    That also means there is no reporting hackers...
    Other than that, it's awesome.
  36. ViniOfficial
    Apr 1, 2018
    9
    O Mais Bonito, com as musicas mais bem feitas da saga Mario Kart, trazendo elementos antigos e novos de uma forma inovadora! Um dos melhores do console! O jogo apenas erra em não ter um modo batalha como os outros, sem aqueles modos de coletar Shines ou Moedas, mas tirando isso ele é excelente!
  37. mrcnx
    May 6, 2018
    9
    a lot of fun my actual score would be a 8.5/10 but i'll deal with what i have just beautiful. Amazing game amazing tracks poor battle mode tho
  38. Fefocos
    Jun 20, 2020
    0
    **** you only get 2 boxes if you playdrluxe and play against people that get them
  39. Lil_Caucasian
    Feb 4, 2022
    9
    One of the best Wii U games. It was so good that Nintendo ported it to the Switch instead of making a new Mario Kart for the platform.
  40. Eliut
    Oct 3, 2014
    10
    At first I had my doubts about the new "Anti-Gravity" option, but after I play it goes a little unnoticed and only on some tracks is useful for shortcuts.

    The game play is still of great quality as past Mario Karts and fun like the others. The mode to customize your car is fine, but manipulate their characteristics, can have been omitted. I would definitely missed more tracks and    At first I had my doubts about the new "Anti-Gravity" option, but after I play it goes a little unnoticed and only on some tracks is useful for shortcuts.

    The game play is still of great quality as past Mario Karts and fun like the others. The mode to customize your car is fine, but manipulate their characteristics, can have been omitted.

    I would definitely missed more tracks and more variety of characters, I find no difference in using a 5 babies.

    The announced DLC makes me have mixed feelings, Nintendo has fallen into the low trick to charge for a track and extra characters and that makes me sad.    … Expand
  41. Tomplifier
    Feb 17, 2021
    9
    Evergreen. This game is fun, you can play it with everybody. Anytime. And there are so many great tracks, characters and cars.
    The gameplay is superb, easy to learn and you can discover so much everytime you play again. My kids love this game too.
  42. vahn
    Apr 22, 2015
    7
    Before saying anything, I want to tell right away that this game is fun: there's a lot of stuff in it, a lot of characters, a lot of detail and I really enjoyed it a whole lot when I played it: the new features such as anti-gravity and the glide kind of makes it quite weird but also interesting, without ruining the flow, and a tiny bit of customization that definitely makes the game evenBefore saying anything, I want to tell right away that this game is fun: there's a lot of stuff in it, a lot of characters, a lot of detail and I really enjoyed it a whole lot when I played it: the new features such as anti-gravity and the glide kind of makes it quite weird but also interesting, without ruining the flow, and a tiny bit of customization that definitely makes the game even more personal. In other words the game is fun, and it was the game that made me purchase the Wii-U.

    AND MAN, what a boring-fest after a short while.

    Before playing this game I spent at least 50+ hours in a very similar game, and more specifically Sonic All-stars racing transformed, and I had a huge amount of fun in that game for many reasons. But as soon as I went on this game, I finished almost all of the circuits, at 150cc (I can't get the 200c because I can't connect my Wii-U. Thank you for no Ethernet plug Nintendo!)), in a single day. Why? Because it's mindblowingly easy and simple! I finished all my tracks using ONE type of vehicle, ONE set of parts, and rarely lost any race and on top of that each race is incredibly short too, making each race last not even 5 minutes (or barely so).

    I mean wow, I don't like to compare games nor to bash on such a famous series of kart games, but I expected much more from this game: aside the usual circuit there isn't much else to do, and while there are many characters to unlock I have only managed to unlock bowser's children and various toads. REALLY?! I don't care about Bowser's sons and toadette, give me the actual real characters of the games! But it doesn't really matter anyway: stats don't really change much if you change character, only the parts you put on your vehicle do and that's it. As far as I noticed, the character is just for visuals.

    Sure, the game is a lot of fun to play in multiplayer...but frankly it's barely an excuse: I've played Mario Kart 64 back on the Nintendo...64, and it was way more enjoyable and cured than this game, even in single player. But this game I just got instantly bored as soon as I finished the circuits...oh and I forgot to mention how the AI is atrociously bad, but not in only one way: it's very common at high difficulties to lose a race because, suddenly, ALL of the racers will start throwing their skills at you. It seems like everyone hates the player to the point of not even letting you recover, and the funny part is that only one or two racers will actually reach first and win. throughout all 4 tracks, leaving the rest on the dust.

    I suppose they just don't want me to win...I guess I'm even more disliked than Waluigi hm...

    At any rate, this is a good game, an excellent racing game BUT with a lot of lackings in my opinion: the Circuits are short, the customization is nearly pointless, the many characters are almost a joke (I don't want mini bowsers or toads copies!!!!!!), and the game doesn't really feel fair in challenge.: on top of that I didn't see any interesting mode except for battle, which is downgraded in comparison to the previous games.

    Overall, it's a good game, DEFINITELY not bad, but I can't deny that It made me want to play the Mario Kart 64 the more I played this one. Or Sonic Racing Transformed on the pc...

    At least the sensation of speed there is done better....    … Expand
  43. Makaveli
    Oct 7, 2014
    10
    I don't have a Wii U but played this at a buddies house and I had a lot of fun.. To be honest I haven't played a Mario Kart game since Mario Kart 64 and that was fun times. This brought back a lot of memories and I have an itch to buy a Wii U now to go alongside my gaming rig and my PS4.

    There isn't much to review of this game, it's a karting game, and a great one at that. It's just    I don't have a Wii U but played this at a buddies house and I had a lot of fun.. To be honest I haven't played a Mario Kart game since Mario Kart 64 and that was fun times. This brought back a lot of memories and I have an itch to buy a Wii U now to go alongside my gaming rig and my PS4.

    There isn't much to review of this game, it's a karting game, and a great one at that. It's just jolly fun and I'm happy that Nintendo is doing well with the Wii U now... Next pay I get I'll be an owner of a new Nintendo system that I haven't had since Nintendo 64.. I feel like a kid again...    … Expand
  44. danrenfroe2016
    Oct 26, 2014
    10
    Summary

    Best Entry in the Mario Kart Series. Even Beats my personal favorites Mario Kart 64 and Mario Kart DS. Presentation Absolutely perfect, you are greeted with excellently crafted in game models of favorite Nintendo characters, super visuals and great menus and online capability. Gameplay AAA gameplay in both the single player player and multi-player modes. I will not    Summary

    Best Entry in the Mario Kart Series. Even Beats my personal favorites Mario Kart 64 and Mario Kart DS.

    Presentation

    Absolutely perfect, you are greeted with excellently crafted in game models of favorite Nintendo characters, super visuals and great menus and online capability.

    Gameplay

    AAA gameplay in both the single player player and multi-player modes. I will not go into much detail as other reviews have detailed this completely. The addition of the glider, propeller and hovercraft mechanic is great and feels so much like Mario Kart even though it is new to the series. the Level design is absolutely top notch except for I would have liked more shortcuts. Also the mushroom powerup has been de-rated way to much for my liking. The other outstanding accomplishment is that the realism has been kicked up several notches (Don't worry its still Mario kart physics). All the Karts and bikes now have working suspension and wonderful cartoon like animations. Never have I felt that Wario and all the other playable characters were more alive. Their distinct personalities and traits really poke me with joy as I race the different characters.

    DLC: a welcome addition as they are adding different characters and Zelda for the first time is racing... And 16 additional tracks are incoming as well...

    Disappointment: Battle arenas are gone?!? I really hope Nintendo adds them back in within a game update as this is not cool...

    Graphics

    Stunning... Stunning... Stunning. This showcases the Wii U capabilities with special effects, great multi-layered textures and stunning lighting. Its amazing the difference in areas like moo-moo farm when comparing the Wii U and the Wii version. Runs at a steady 60fps for single and two player, and 30fps for 3 or 4 player.

    Sound

    Great sound, good Jazz music and effects. However I am disappointed with the 6.1 mix again...

    Personal Comments

    Great game, sunk more than 50 hours so far into this game.    … Expand
  45. battleTerror
    Sep 28, 2014
    10
    Amazing game! Far more fun than any 'real driving' simulator and the best multi player game for a long time. Great job Nintendo and reason enough for owning a Wii U.
  46. andree1991
    Nov 10, 2015
    7
    Fun but there's no real strategy to win. It looks like it was made to make people not feel like losers for sucking at this game. if you are in last you only get stars and crazy powerful items. if you are first you get coins and other garbage. This game is for kids, and since im a big kid i liked it.
  47. wade22fan
    Nov 16, 2015
    9
    Of course, Mario Kart 8 is not perfect. There are times of ridiculous rubber-banding and unfair punishment, which shows a flaw in the gameplay. But, for the most part, this game is excellent. Overall, Mario Kart 8’s fun factor is through the roof! It’s a blast to play alone, with friends or online. With tons of characters and tracks, new items, kart customization, amazing sound design,Of course, Mario Kart 8 is not perfect. There are times of ridiculous rubber-banding and unfair punishment, which shows a flaw in the gameplay. But, for the most part, this game is excellent. Overall, Mario Kart 8’s fun factor is through the roof! It’s a blast to play alone, with friends or online. With tons of characters and tracks, new items, kart customization, amazing sound design, gorgeous visuals and much more, Mario Kart 8 is one of the best racing games money can buy. It completely validates a Wii U purchase for those haven’t made the jump yet. Like there aren’t enough reasons already. Go grab a Wii U with a copy of Mario Kart 8 and get racing. You will NOT regret it.… Expand
  48. dharma
    Jul 19, 2015
    10
    One of the best racer out there, and along with DLC Pack 1 & 2, provides player with the most content ever in a Mario Kart game. It's incredibly well balanced, with vehicle handling finally tuned to perfection. No more pandering to the casuals...but surprisingly, still easy for newbie to pick up. The Nintendo magic once agan at play.
  49. BasilZero
    May 15, 2015
    10
    Game: Mario Kart 8
    Genre: Racing
    Developer: Nintendo/EAD System: WiiU Total Score: 96/100 Value Score: 9.6/10 • Story: */10 • Characters: 10/10 • GamePlay: 10/10 • Graphics: 10/10 • Sound: 10/10 • Music: 10/10 • Length: 7/10 • Replay Value: 10/10 • Player Value: 9/10 Pros +Biggest cast of characters in the series with non-Mario Kart first time characters such as    Game: Mario Kart 8
    Genre: Racing
    Developer: Nintendo/EAD
    System: WiiU
    Total Score: 96/100
    Value Score: 9.6/10

    • Story: */10
    • Characters: 10/10
    • GamePlay: 10/10
    • Graphics: 10/10
    • Sound: 10/10
    • Music: 10/10
    • Length: 7/10
    • Replay Value: 10/10
    • Player Value: 9/10

    Pros
    +Biggest cast of characters in the series with non-Mario Kart first time characters such as Animal Crossing's Villager and Legend of Zelda's Link
    +Customizable car feature from Mario Kart 7 is in.
    +Different single player modes that were in MK7 are in this game as well along with some new inclusions never seen in the series before such as 200cc
    +Online Multiplayer is great and active
    +Coins unlock further parts for karts like in MK7
    +MarioKartTV is a new feature where it allows you to see replays of your races and even upload on youtube
    +Bikes have returned
    +Two DLC packs increases the number of karts, racers and cups/stages

    Cons
    -MarioKartTV only saves portions of video clips of races - not enough options in editing for YouTube
    -Blue Shell annoying as hell even to this day
    -Game is too short and can be too easy    … Expand
  50. lucaskegler
    Oct 13, 2014
    10
    MK 8 é um jogo excelente, divertido, com ótimos gráficos, jogabilidade fácil mesmo havendo inúmeros desafios. Tem tudo que a franquia merecia ter de volta. Realmente indispensável a todos game-maníacos. A Nintendo fez justiça ao jogo e caprichou nos mínimos detalhes, até mesmo nas expressões dos personagens. Parabéns à Nintendo.
  51. Kirisoul
    Aug 5, 2014
    10
    You may have heard that this game doesn't have a good battle mode... That the item balance is still a bit off... Or maybe that it has a strange character roster featuring a few too many koopalings... And all of it is true.

    But the gameplay itself in MK8 is so ridiculously polished and amazing that for me, all of that was overshadowed. Sure, Nintendo didn't include as many bells and    You may have heard that this game doesn't have a good battle mode... That the item balance is still a bit off... Or maybe that it has a strange character roster featuring a few too many koopalings... And all of it is true.

    But the gameplay itself in MK8 is so ridiculously polished and amazing that for me, all of that was overshadowed. Sure, Nintendo didn't include as many bells and whistles in MK8 as in other titles, but as a game itself, it can't be faulted. Presentation and graphics are all top notch, and the music is absolutely stellar with its unique orchestration and various styles. There's also a lot of nuance to the courses with anti-gravity, air, and sea travel finally implemented on a console MK. Its a game that entertains without fail, even long after all the tracks have worked themselves into your memory (which they will!)

    Can't recommend this game more, definitely a definitive title on the Wii U.    … Expand
  52. Hayato
    Aug 29, 2014
    10
    The best, everything i thought it was going to be. Want more games this good. Fantastic game with an abundance of gorgeous looking courses and awesome music, It will providehundreds of hours of fun whether you are playing alone or with friends
  53. cndman
    Oct 6, 2014
    9
    Very fun! keeps the same feel as Mario Kart 7, the items are balanced, and the stages are beautiful and exciting. The bad parts include the uninspired roster, and perhaps the fact that rainbow road isnt that hard.
  54. SwitSwat
    Aug 24, 2014
    9
    I'm going to be honest here... I wasn't planning on buying this game. Mostly due to the fact I lost interest in the series when Mario Kart Wii came out (I just didn't like it). The free game offer from Nintendo sweetened the deal for me though, so I went ahead and bought it and I am so glad I did. It... is... AMAZING! It has some of the best, if not the best graphics in a Wii U game toI'm going to be honest here... I wasn't planning on buying this game. Mostly due to the fact I lost interest in the series when Mario Kart Wii came out (I just didn't like it). The free game offer from Nintendo sweetened the deal for me though, so I went ahead and bought it and I am so glad I did. It... is... AMAZING! It has some of the best, if not the best graphics in a Wii U game to date. The courses are cleverly designed and it features very addicting multiplayer and challenges. It even allows for voice chat with friends. (Although it would have been cool to have voice chat with all players.) The one thing I didn't like though, was the battle mode. They just recycled the regular tracks. No arenas. It's sad o see they got lazy with it. Even so, this is probably the best Mario Kart to date. 9/10… Expand
  55. zaaKun
    Jul 13, 2014
    8
    Mario Kart 8 is a great game and definitely a reason to get the Wii U. But even though it's great, it also has its flaws.

    One of the greatest for me is that you're really defenseless being in first position. Most of the time you will get some coins that are neither useful for defense nor offense. Another one for me is the NPC behaviour. I've been obversing one thing: if a NPC gets    Mario Kart 8 is a great game and definitely a reason to get the Wii U. But even though it's great, it also has its flaws.

    One of the greatest for me is that you're really defenseless being in first position. Most of the time you will get some coins that are neither useful for defense nor offense.

    Another one for me is the NPC behaviour. I've been obversing one thing: if a NPC gets first place in a race, he'll most likely also get first place in all the consecutive races IF YOU don't prevent it. This may be just coincidence, but I've played the game a lot in the last few days and that's what I noticed.

    I really dislike the Battle-mode. It's just on normal tracks that go both ways. I only remember how the battle mode in Mario Kart 64 was, and it was really fun, not at all comparable with the one Mario Kart 8 brings.

    But nonetheless, I would definitely recommend it and it should be a must-buy for every Wii U owner.    … Expand
  56. kingofgames
    Sep 18, 2016
    10
    Simply fantastic! Ladies and gentlemen, GO BUY A WII U FOR THIS GAME. Highly recommended for a fun gaming experience. Best Mario Kart game yet! This game fixes every disappointment from Mario Kart 7 because this game has bikes, flying and underwater driving, and even anti-gravity! Mario Kart 8 has DLC characters and tracks. The DLC tracks are new courses and retro courses from previous games.
  57. gizmo2501
    Sep 21, 2014
    9
    Wasn't in to this version of Mario Kart at first, but it's really grown on me. It's much harder than Mario Kart Wii, but still incredibly enjoyable. The fact that it's harder means it's more enjoyable for good players. But it's also really accessible for new players and children.

    The attention to detail is astounding. There are loads of small things that put a smile on your face. The    Wasn't in to this version of Mario Kart at first, but it's really grown on me. It's much harder than Mario Kart Wii, but still incredibly enjoyable. The fact that it's harder means it's more enjoyable for good players. But it's also really accessible for new players and children.

    The attention to detail is astounding. There are loads of small things that put a smile on your face. The graphics are beautiful. The new DLC is very reasonably priced and looks set to continue.

    The ONLY problem with this game is the battle mode, but I am sure that will get fixed.

    But, most importantly, this game is FUN and with HUGE replay value.    … Expand
  58. tiho
    Aug 31, 2014
    10
    It's everything you can ask from a Mario Kart game: accessible but deep enough driving gameplay, varied tracks, great gaphics... and lots of fun in multiplayer (local or online). An awesome game all Wii U owners should get!
  59. Sofatayra
    Jan 13, 2017
    7
    for about 60+ hours and obtained all easy, medium difficulty on gold on all maps.
    Mario Kart is fun to play, there is no denial, and if you have never played this genera before
    you will be having lots of fun, Mario Kart have detained the best title of its kind for a while, until i tried Sega all star racing transformed, that literally transformed my vision on Mario Kart.specially after    for about 60+ hours and obtained all easy, medium difficulty on gold on all maps.
    Mario Kart is fun to play, there is no denial, and if you have never played this genera before
    you will be having lots of fun, Mario Kart have detained the best title of its kind for a while, until
    i tried Sega all star racing transformed, that literally transformed my vision on Mario Kart.specially after playing both for a super long while:

    Mario Kart Pros:
    Solid character design
    Large variety of vehicles
    Bring nostalgia
    Can be addictive
    Colorful
    Rewarding unlocks

    Sonic All Star Transformed Pros
    Level great design
    Different ways of racing land see and air
    Level Musics
    Level Variety
    Fast paced , true feeling of racing
    Progress to unlock levels and other.
    Price (literally available now for 3$)
    ON PC and consoles.
    Works well on low end PCs
    Interface
    Can upload to YouTube with no restrictions.
    Very addictive
    Car transformation is so fan
    Modes : Combat, Racing till end,Online Races and very quick, Parcour maps.
    Supports 3 monitors on PC for Eyefinity and Surround

    Mario Cart Cons
    Bikes handeling is less adventagious than karts
    Seen before gameplay
    Level design can be very short
    looting boxes and not random however based on position. Like if you are the last kart you would obtain the super power.
    No Key configuration on a WIIU Gamepad that is a little taxing on your controler grab positions.
    Brings barelly nothing new from previous mario karts
    Very expensive game at 59$ USD and 75$ CAN Dollars and rare discounts
    Few Modes
    Exclusive to WiiU

    Sonic All Star Racing Transsformed Cons
    Online match making is a little random.
    The Casino slot machines are kind of useless at times.
    Gathered Slot machine stars are too expensive to use.    … Expand
  60. ricklongo
    Jul 14, 2014
    8
    Coming in at a time when the Wii U needs heavy-hitting powerhouses to turn its fortunes around, Mario Kart 8 is breath of fresh multiplayer air in the console's growing line of must-have titles. The "killer app" title would fit quite well here; it's not the absolute best game on the Wii U right now, but it's certainly the one with the largest widespread appeal.

    As anyone can immediately    Coming in at a time when the Wii U needs heavy-hitting powerhouses to turn its fortunes around, Mario Kart 8 is breath of fresh multiplayer air in the console's growing line of must-have titles. The "killer app" title would fit quite well here; it's not the absolute best game on the Wii U right now, but it's certainly the one with the largest widespread appeal.

    As anyone can immediately tell, this is a game with great attention to detail. The pristine HD graphics are amazing, and they're made even better by the extensive replay options after each race. You can watch as characters full of personality laugh at each other, challenge each other, stare at each other in disdain. It's funny, it's quirky, and it's exactly the sort of thing that makes Nintendo games memorable.

    The single-player mode is fun enough, but it lacks in secrets, cameos, "wow" moments, and the assorted mix of cool stuff that makes solo experiences memorable. It's nice both as an evergreen game for quick-burst sessions (something the Wii U lacked beforehand) and for getting the gist of controls in order to not embarrass yourself in the mode that is real reason this game is great: the multiplayer.

    As anyone who ever played any Mario Kart before will attest, this is the ultimate local multiplayer experience right here. It's fun, it's chaotic, but it's also very nuanced and incredibly reliant on skill. It's the sort of game anyone can pick up and play, especially in lower difficulties, but it takes quite a while to master. Online multiplayer also impresses: it's the best it's ever been in any Nintendo game, with robust tournament options. The one letdown is battle mode, which takes place in actual tracks rather than custom-built arenas. Let's hope future downloadable content fixes this, as this is a mode that used to take quite a chunk of my gaming time in previous instalments.

    As one of Nintendo's premier franchises, Mario Kart once again impresses and offers one of the most universal reasons yet to get a Wii U. The quality is definitely here, and the focus on multiplayer means it's a game that will likely last for the entire console generation, making it a very easy buy.

    Rating: 8.5    … Expand
  61. GoombaJMR
    Jul 14, 2015
    9
    Nintendo strikes gold again with Mario Kart 8, making me roll back into the groove of the Mario Kart Franchise. In terms of hour-counts, I've put around 500+ on MKDS, 70 on MKWii, and 90 on MK7, and MK8 is quickly rolling to the 20 hour mark. I've felt that this game's just got so much polish everywhere. The gameplay itself in races is perfectly solid, and the item use is almost perfectlyNintendo strikes gold again with Mario Kart 8, making me roll back into the groove of the Mario Kart Franchise. In terms of hour-counts, I've put around 500+ on MKDS, 70 on MKWii, and 90 on MK7, and MK8 is quickly rolling to the 20 hour mark. I've felt that this game's just got so much polish everywhere. The gameplay itself in races is perfectly solid, and the item use is almost perfectly balanced. The coins are great, new items are alright, and the music is definitely pretty good. I have a small gripe on the battle mode, and am a bit disappointed that it hasn't returned to infinite-time battles seen in Mario Kart DS. It isn't too big of a problem though, and the positives instantly outweigh the negatives. The online components are okay, but really good in terms of Nintendo's online systems. I feel that Mario Kart 8 does a good job with everything, and the DLC is just worth the money with all that good stuff. The game isn't exactly that long, but the replay value is pretty good. Also, I am somewhat disappointed with the lack of variety for the character roster we have for this game. Baby counterparts for many characters, 7 whole slots (instead of repaints) for the koopa kids is somewhat of a waste (I believe), and other random counterparts like tanooki mario are a bit unnecessary. I would have liked to see the return of some characters, including Dry Bones, King Boo, or maybe some new characters like the Goomba. Either way, the game is solid - definitely worth all your money

    Gameplay: 9/10
    Story: N/A/10
    Music: 9/10
    Presentation: 9/10
    Length: 8.5/10
    Overall: 9/10    … Expand
  62. Greenicey
    Jul 14, 2014
    10
    There's not a lot to say that hasn't already been said. This is one of those rare games that I do feel deserve a 10/10. First off, while the gameplay is extremely similar to any other recent mario kart game, the balance has been completely reworked. It's still not perfect, but hardcore gamers are bound to enjoy this almost as much as a casual one. Battle mode has been changed so that youThere's not a lot to say that hasn't already been said. This is one of those rare games that I do feel deserve a 10/10. First off, while the gameplay is extremely similar to any other recent mario kart game, the balance has been completely reworked. It's still not perfect, but hardcore gamers are bound to enjoy this almost as much as a casual one. Battle mode has been changed so that you now battle on actual tracks, it's weird, confusing at first, but eventually I warmed up to it and may play it when I'm bored of racing. As virtually every other reviewer has stated this game is absolutely gorgeous. It definitely rivals anything the other systems have out there currently, the zoom in shots especially exemplify this. Nintendo has never really been one for graphically powerful systems or games, but they definitely should be it's that good. Will this game save the Wii U? Probably not, but it sure is the kick in the pants that it needs right now.… Expand
  63. HawkeyeWii
    Nov 26, 2014
    10
    Easily one of the best Mario Kart games and still one of the best games released from this new generation of consoles. It looks gorgeous and plays so smooth. One of hte more amazing factors is that the game continues at a 60fps pace even in two player spilt screen. Lets hope there is no end in sight for this gem of a franchise.
  64. brockcheese
    Sep 17, 2015
    9
    This is a very good mario kart game. The controls are on point and the tracks are as imaginative as ever. Including new characters not seen before, this is a worthy purchase for a wii u exclusive title.
  65. camilosanchez16
    Dec 4, 2014
    9
    Sin duda el mejor apartado gráfico que hasta el momento Nintendo ha creado y uno de los mejores que el 2014 ha sacado a luz, junto con InFAMOUS SS, jugabilidad, excelente DLC y pistas únicas, con un contra que es el modo batalla, el cual no juzgo pues no lo juego.
  66. SaltyNoodles
    Apr 4, 2016
    8
    I enjoy this game, but I honestly still prefer Mario Kart Wii. I feel like the choices for the character roster were honestly not nearly as good as they could have been, and many of the levels feel like a sensory overload, with so much happening all at once. It definitely wins bonus points with me what with the Animal Crossing DLC pack, being a big Animal Crossing fan myself. But still, ifI enjoy this game, but I honestly still prefer Mario Kart Wii. I feel like the choices for the character roster were honestly not nearly as good as they could have been, and many of the levels feel like a sensory overload, with so much happening all at once. It definitely wins bonus points with me what with the Animal Crossing DLC pack, being a big Animal Crossing fan myself. But still, if you've got a Wii U, I'd still say the game is definitely worth it.… Expand
  67. ignore78
    Dec 27, 2014
    10
    Oh man oh man! And i thought that mario kart 64 was the best mario kart game. This is the game YOU have to buy if you own a WII U. If you dont, THEN GO AND BUY ONE! Instant classic!
  68. Carlsdil000
    Feb 5, 2015
    10
    Mario Kart Wii U takes almost everything about Mario Kart Wii and makes it even better. The levels and detail are absolutely gorgeous. Mario Kart is finally in HD and it is breathtakingly beautiful. The level design can get a tad chaotic at times with karts zooming in many different directions and even upside down at times, but they are still a lot of fun to race on.
    This time around you    Mario Kart Wii U takes almost everything about Mario Kart Wii and makes it even better. The levels and detail are absolutely gorgeous. Mario Kart is finally in HD and it is breathtakingly beautiful. The level design can get a tad chaotic at times with karts zooming in many different directions and even upside down at times, but they are still a lot of fun to race on.
    This time around you don't have to worry so much about constantly being hit with items like in Mario Kart Wii, as it appears that missile items such as shells and slippery bananas have been scaled back a little in favor of more "helpful" items such as mushrooms and coins.

    Using a Wii U controller vs a Wii Remote takes a while to get used to. I feel like the Wii Remote is better suited for a game like this than a small tablet controller, but I eventually got used to it.

    Overall it's a great Mario Kart experience, one that you should not miss out on!    … Expand
  69. knifeandfork
    Oct 27, 2014
    9
    Before the gravity mechanic of MK8 was revealed, I expected it to be just another Mario Kart game, with few actual new ideas. But I was proven wrong. In Mario Kart 8, Nintendo has created their best Mario Kart in years. There's an abundance of ideas in this new entry, which makes it a joy to play.

    One of the most exciting things about MK8 is the fact we're finally getting a Mario Kart    Before the gravity mechanic of MK8 was revealed, I expected it to be just another Mario Kart game, with few actual new ideas. But I was proven wrong. In Mario Kart 8, Nintendo has created their best Mario Kart in years. There's an abundance of ideas in this new entry, which makes it a joy to play.

    One of the most exciting things about MK8 is the fact we're finally getting a Mario Kart in HD. And it doesn't disappoint. The game looks amazing, constantly throwing in another welcome visual surprise. Mount Wario, for example, is a wondrous sight. The visuals in it are varied all the way through and you'll see a variety of views. What about Sunshine Airport? This intricately crafted track has you crossing a wide variety of terrain, with the visual spectacle of seeing a plane soar above you as you glide to the end of each lap. It's clear that there are a lot of points in the game which serve the purpose to simply amaze you visually again and again. With the fluid animations and crystal-clear graphics, it's impossible to complain about the visual side of things at all. What's more, the new anti-gravity mechanic makes it even more spectacular. You'll see things you never thought you's see in a Mario Kart game.

    But what about the sound? Simply put, it's wonderful. Much of the music is recorded live, giving a much richer quality than in past Mario Kart games. All the various pieces are excellent, contributing to the polish of MK8.

    However, the graphics and sound are merely an afterthought compared to MK8's revolutionary gameplay. Though gliders, kart customisation and all the rest of it return, the focus is on the brand-new mechanic that changes everything: anti-gravity. You can drive up walls, upside down, up a waterfall, and more. This new mechanic is used in many ways, and apart from the visusl thrill of driving upside down, it grants the gameplay a lot too. In Toad's Turnpike- which is actually a remake of the N64 version- you get the choice of driving on the walls the whole time, or staying on the road. This gives gameplay a whole new strategy. Also, when driving in anti-gravity, slamming into another racer doesn't slow you down, it instead gives you a speed boost. This means that now, even if you're playing as Mini Mario, you'll want to hit Bowser or DK to get that speed boost, completely overturning everything we knew about Mario Kart. Of course, MK8's other big innovation is Mario Kart TV- a feature that creates highlight reels of a race, with impressive camera angles, slow motion and the ability to edit the reel. You can then share these short videos on Miiverse and Youtube, a pleasant surprise from a tentative company when it comes to online. MKTV works well with anti-gravity because during gameplay, the camera still stays right behind you when you go upside down, meaning you still see it from the racer's perspective. However, MKTV shows the highlights from other camera angles, so you'll see your racer on their side or upside down- an impressive sight. On the whole, MKTV is an excelent addition which gives you the chance to share the best moments with friends.

    As for the multiplayer in MK8, it's a lot of fun. It's disappointing that you still have to play split-screen in spite of the Gamepad, but multiplayer is so fun that's easily forgivable. Online is great, with the well thought out voting system making a return so that a variety of courses can be played. There's no voice chat during play, and I wish you could type messages yourself between races, but the online is nevertheless solid.

    So far, I've been very positive about the game, though there are a few small complaints I have. The fact the Gamepad has the map is no longer a flaw since the update, so I can count that one out. However, the amount of characters you can play as is small. I appreciate the inclusion of the Koopalings, but overall the roster is underwhelming. And the less said about MK8's horrendous battle mode, the better. It was an enjoyable distraction from the main game in previous MK titles, but in this one, the battle stages have inexplicably been replaced by ordinary tracks, making it a mundane experience.

    These are small flaws when compared to the quality of the majority of the game. MK8 is one of the best entries in the series, with some of the most innovative game design I've seen in years and an impressive feature enabling you to share highlight reeks of races. Despite a couple of odd slip-ups, it's an outstanding game overall.    … Expand
  70. Dadrik
    Apr 9, 2017
    9
    Incredible graphics, even for the WiiU, amazing gameplay, great musics, lots of content...
    This is an instantly fun game, wether it's offline or online, and it'll keep you busy for quite a while.
    Nintendo has delivered once again with its main IPs, if you own a WiiU, this is one of the must-haves
  71. MW1AA2Gs
    Jul 14, 2014
    10
    Mario Kart to me at least is a series which with every new release they completely annihilate the last one and make it so that there's no reason to ever back track (the exception being super circuit) to a previous title and yet there are still a few things in the old games which keep them in most Nintendo fans libraries even when they're more then ten years old... And guess what they didMario Kart to me at least is a series which with every new release they completely annihilate the last one and make it so that there's no reason to ever back track (the exception being super circuit) to a previous title and yet there are still a few things in the old games which keep them in most Nintendo fans libraries even when they're more then ten years old... And guess what they did it again. Mario Kart 8 does a lot of new things for the series like zero gravity (which by the way isn't disorienting and unbelievably smooth), the new crazy eight item (which can really help catch you up if you messed up and ended up in the back), the horn (which FINALLY ends the terror of the blue shell... most of the time), and tons of more cart customizations. In terms of presentation it is perfect... literally, the tracks look unbelievable and the music is beautiful on some tracks. The character roster is great with tons of new characters and old ones (but does feel a little lazy sometimes). Overall the game is unbelievably well made and reminds me why we should always expect good games from Nintendo.… Expand
  72. TheDarkKnight22
    Aug 6, 2014
    8
    In many ways , this is the best mario kart. even though mario kart is past it's prime, this game is one of the best games to come out this year so far.(other than dkc tropical freeze). The game feels like it grew up with me and the original mario kart audience while still able to attract the younger audience that nintendo is known for
  73. FogCityRoller
    Nov 26, 2015
    10
    It's really, REALLY difficult saying this but...this might just be the best Mario Kart game ever made. I'm an '80s and '90s kid, so I actually grew up on the original on SNES. In fact, the very first time I stayed up all night was the Christmas my parents got us Mario Kart. It feels wrong to buck the original from the top of the rankings in favor of the most recent title but this isIt's really, REALLY difficult saying this but...this might just be the best Mario Kart game ever made. I'm an '80s and '90s kid, so I actually grew up on the original on SNES. In fact, the very first time I stayed up all night was the Christmas my parents got us Mario Kart. It feels wrong to buck the original from the top of the rankings in favor of the most recent title but this is really a spectacular game. I'm not here to post my rankings where each Mario Kart title stands, but I just grinned like an idiot for hours while playing this one and the online play is pretty amazing.

    To make it even better, the DLC for Mario Kart is probably a contender for the best DLC ever released for a game. I know the DLC has its own rating page, but the fact that it wasn't overpriced serves as another bonus point for the main title.    … Expand
  74. Soccerdude00
    Sep 11, 2014
    9
    A throughly excellent addition to my now growing Wii U library, Mario Kart 8 is without a doubt a worthwhile purchase. The game uses the Wii U's graphics to great effect, creating wonderful settings for whipping around the course with your favorite Mario mascot. Retro courses are well designed. But the new courses are exciting as well. Battles are a disappointment, however. Instead of aA throughly excellent addition to my now growing Wii U library, Mario Kart 8 is without a doubt a worthwhile purchase. The game uses the Wii U's graphics to great effect, creating wonderful settings for whipping around the course with your favorite Mario mascot. Retro courses are well designed. But the new courses are exciting as well. Battles are a disappointment, however. Instead of a small, compact, brand new/retro arena like Mario Kart Wii among others, you instead just race around the same courses you use for multiplayer and single player. This is the only reason why I didn't give this game a ten. Online mode is outstanding, with connection speeds that are fast and lag doesn't exist. Here's hoping they use online this well in the new Smash Bros!… Expand
  75. midway23
    Dec 10, 2014
    9
    Even if this game doesn't differ from previous iterations in the series, it would be a shame if it did. Mario Kart 8 brings enough new things to the table while keeping the core kart racing experience better then ever. Run's beautifully, looks amazing, plays great and is an absolute joy to play with friends. Is it worth buying a Wii U for Mario Kart 8? I'd like to say yes.

    This is the    Even if this game doesn't differ from previous iterations in the series, it would be a shame if it did. Mario Kart 8 brings enough new things to the table while keeping the core kart racing experience better then ever. Run's beautifully, looks amazing, plays great and is an absolute joy to play with friends. Is it worth buying a Wii U for Mario Kart 8? I'd like to say yes.

    This is the best Mario Kart game yet.    … Expand
  76. WordofthePlay
    Dec 7, 2014
    10
    A must own game. Entirely familiar but exciting new stages and players. This game has the best offer on DLC right now. It's something youll actually get use out of.
  77. JOSHDILISI
    Jul 21, 2014
    8
    this game is everything to love about Mario Kart, it has great controls and is by far the most beautiful Mario kart game i've ever played. (possibly the most beautiful Mario game in general) It has great controls, a wonderful assortment of power ups that feel very fair, tons of unlockable characters and vehicle upgrades and i never found a single race track that i didn't like. Basically ithis game is everything to love about Mario Kart, it has great controls and is by far the most beautiful Mario kart game i've ever played. (possibly the most beautiful Mario game in general) It has great controls, a wonderful assortment of power ups that feel very fair, tons of unlockable characters and vehicle upgrades and i never found a single race track that i didn't like. Basically i love this game, the only thing holding it back would be the crappy battle mode... But i play Mario Kart for the racing so its no biggy still for me.… Expand
  78. Krawbeard
    Sep 27, 2014
    10
    Honestly... its Mario Kart... Do i need to say anything else.

    Fun for all and even yourself.

    Its online as well and the DLC is way too fairly priced.
    I mean I feel like I'm stealing the DLC at what they want it for after paying what Sony, Microsoft, Activision, and Ea want for theirs.
  79. LSky
    May 25, 2015
    7
    This game is very overrated. The item system in this game is totally messed up. In mario kart games, you've been punished for being in first, but it's especially bad this game. Half the time in first you get the worthless coin item, and you can not cycle through items like you can in previous games(i.e. have one item in your item box and dragging one behind you). I find every time I race,This game is very overrated. The item system in this game is totally messed up. In mario kart games, you've been punished for being in first, but it's especially bad this game. Half the time in first you get the worthless coin item, and you can not cycle through items like you can in previous games(i.e. have one item in your item box and dragging one behind you). I find every time I race, I stay in 1st-3rd place, and then get hit by multiple items at the end that brings me down to 6th or lower. They tried to make up for this with the super horn being able to destroy blue shells, but you never get it in first place. It must be Not to mention battle mode is completely ruined by the lack of arenas. Mario Kart DS, Wii, and 7 are all vastly superior to this mediocre game. Very disappointing.… Expand
  80. Osixuan
    Jul 17, 2015
    8
    I give it an 8. The same mario kart action is there, and it's great. The expanded number of tracks is awesome also. Though I must admit, I found the kart building gimmick to be more of a nuisance to me than anything, and the character selection wasn't so great. Mario and Peach both come in 4 flavors, and bowser's kids take up almost 2 rows themselves. For having so many selections, itI give it an 8. The same mario kart action is there, and it's great. The expanded number of tracks is awesome also. Though I must admit, I found the kart building gimmick to be more of a nuisance to me than anything, and the character selection wasn't so great. Mario and Peach both come in 4 flavors, and bowser's kids take up almost 2 rows themselves. For having so many selections, it actually feels like there are fewer racers than there were before. Still a great game, but not my favorite mario kart.… Expand
  81. PMG
    Feb 7, 2015
    9
    There is something about Mario Kart 8, that keeps me coming back. Is it the new items, courses or retro tracks? Is it the smooth as butter Online racing? The DLC? Aside from coins being an item, that can ruin your'e race and the destroyed battle mode, the game is also more balanced. This is the racer that the Wii U needs and deserves.
  82. cntrl
    Dec 23, 2014
    10
    OMG I cannot describe how much ich love this game.
    As an old NES / SNES / Gameboy nostalgic, the Wii U is my first Nintendo console since then SIMPLY because of Smash Bros and Mario Kart 8 of course and I haven't been disappointed! This game is absolutely wonderful, the Gameplay is awesome and graphics are decent as well. If you don't have a Wii U and enjoy party games every now and    OMG I cannot describe how much ich love this game.
    As an old NES / SNES / Gameboy nostalgic, the Wii U is my first Nintendo console since then SIMPLY because of Smash Bros and Mario Kart 8 of course and I haven't been disappointed! This game is absolutely wonderful, the Gameplay is awesome and graphics are decent as well. If you don't have a Wii U and enjoy party games every now and then, go get one, it is also a good addition to a Ps4/Xbox One due to the differences in game titles.    … Expand
  83. hdgamer
    Aug 19, 2014
    8
    Funny, but far from a master piece, the randomness prevails in the races and there's no way to talk with people while racing. The major difficulty is evading the shells that will mostly ruin your race.
  84. LucasMSouza16
    Dec 3, 2015
    10
    MK8 é sensacional! Sem mais! Gráficos belíssimos, pistas incríveis, grande variedade de personagens e veículos para escolher. Montar sua própria combinação é divertido. A IA no 150cc é trabalhosa, tornando os campeonatos desafiantes disputados nesta dificuldade. O Online funciona bem, nada a reclamar.
  85. Hack
    Jul 6, 2015
    8
    As good as kart racing gets, Mario Kart 8 is a total blast to play with friends or alone and it was the driving force for me to buy a Wii U in the first place.
  86. AmACheeseburger
    Aug 28, 2014
    10
    I love Mario Kart!!!! Go buy a Wii U! Buy it now!!!!!!!!!! Save the Wii U!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
  87. kasparius
    Dec 5, 2014
    10
    I've been waiting to write a review of the game for a while. I've had the game since day one and loved it. But for me the true test of a great Mario Kart is how long I'll be playing it. This is a game I pick up at least once a week on my own, and even more so if friends are over, or if I'm playing online with my family abroad. Simply put, it is by far the greatest Mario Kart ever made. TheI've been waiting to write a review of the game for a while. I've had the game since day one and loved it. But for me the true test of a great Mario Kart is how long I'll be playing it. This is a game I pick up at least once a week on my own, and even more so if friends are over, or if I'm playing online with my family abroad. Simply put, it is by far the greatest Mario Kart ever made. The DLC that Nintendo made for the game is an incredible value for the price, as you get 8 new tracks that are all as great as the tracks that come with the game. It is a must own for anybody who loves video games.… Expand
  88. SrOctopus
    Jan 19, 2015
    10
    It's easily the best game that the Wii U offers, a simply must-play game.
    Outstanding graphics, amazing gameplay, really fun multiplayer and a great online feature
  89. BROstoise
    Aug 7, 2014
    10
    10/10 best Mario Kart. Stunning visuals, racetracks filled to the brim with creativity, and transformations from Mario Kart 7 have been perfected.

    There were 2 complaints: the coin item, and the ability to only carry one item. Several times, I found myself wishing for a coin, since the ones on the race track usually arent along the inner-most curve, also known as the fastest route.    10/10 best Mario Kart. Stunning visuals, racetracks filled to the brim with creativity, and transformations from Mario Kart 7 have been perfected.

    There were 2 complaints: the coin item, and the ability to only carry one item.
    Several times, I found myself wishing for a coin, since the ones on the race track usually arent along the inner-most curve, also known as the fastest route.

    Constantly holding down the left shoulder button to have 2 items gave me hand cramps. The pain is gone now because I can only hold one item anyway.    … Expand
  90. SableSoldi3r
    Oct 12, 2017
    7
    Mario Kart 8 is everything you should come to expect from a next-gen Mario Kart title. The visuals are beautiful: graphics are very detailed, and courses are colorful and eye-catching. The gameplay is nothing new for Mario Kart, as it employs all of the mechanics from previous games while new additions are minimal, ranging from a few new power-ups to some new kart customizations. Making aMario Kart 8 is everything you should come to expect from a next-gen Mario Kart title. The visuals are beautiful: graphics are very detailed, and courses are colorful and eye-catching. The gameplay is nothing new for Mario Kart, as it employs all of the mechanics from previous games while new additions are minimal, ranging from a few new power-ups to some new kart customizations. Making a return from Super Mario Kart and Mario Kart 7 are coins, which add some variety to the game and allows for some "fun along the way" as you try to grab coins to cap out your max speed. The revamped courses are gorgeous and very nostalgic, and the remixed music was a blast from the past. My personal favorites are N64's Rainbow Road, SNES's Donut Plains 3 and Wii's Moo Moo Meadows.

    One minor complaint I have about this game is the item balance, both in quality and quantity. First: one of the new items unleashes a piranha plant that frantically snaps its mouth, giving you speed boosts, nabbing nearby coins and knocking out opponents in the process. Although you only typically acquire the piranha plant when you're towards the bottom of the board, it seems a bit overpowered and does a lot for one power-up.

    Second: just like in Mario Kart Wii, Mario Kart 8 increases the number of concurrent racers from eight to twelve, which drastically increases the number of items on-screen. When I first picked the game up, I immediately jumped into 150cc Grand Prix. Being a veteran of the series, I've done this before with previous entries to challenge myself and was able to get accustomed fairly quickly. In just about every race this time around, I was in first place for more than half a race, ahead by a considerable distance, and then out of the blue I got hit with an assortment of three or four different shells that sets me back at least eight places and left me to finish the race in fourth at best. For a game that requires you to get first on all four races in a cup in order to get the best award for that cup, this is infuriating and incredibly frustrating. You can do everything right in a race (drifting, drafting, hitting speed boosts, doing tricks off every jump, collecting ten coins, etc.), only to be barraged with shells at the very last second and to be thrown into sixth place, forcing you to restart the entire cup and ultimately resulting in a waste of time. It feels like, no matter what you do, this game doesn't reward skill but simply gives you a slight chance of having a three-star rating fall into your lap, which honestly isn't fun in the slightest.

    Items aside, this game is very fun to play with friends and it's a very refreshing Mario Kart experience. Just don't expect to have much fun if you're in it even remotely for the achievement.    … Expand
  91. JJTX
    Apr 22, 2019
    9
    One of the very best games for Wii U, and the best in its series at the time of release. Mario Kart 8 is held back only by its seemingly unfinished battle mode, which is best ignored. It's worth owning for collectors, but the Nintendo Switch port is so superior as to make the original obsolete.
  92. ll33ee
    Nov 1, 2014
    9
    Un juego excelente.
    Tiene un gran Multiplayer, pero el modo Batalla no es tan bueno, al menos para mi, ya que usa las mismas pistas de las carreras.
    No hay que olvidar los 2 DLC, que lucen bastante bien: 4 Copas y Personajes a un buen precio ¿no creen?
  93. JoshLuck1995
    Dec 28, 2014
    9
    Out of all the racing games available on xbox wii and ps4 this is by far my favourite. And the surprising thing is it was the wii u game I thought I would least enjoy
  94. dinosauryoshi
    Aug 10, 2014
    9
    The best Mario Kart since the N64 era. The end. Well actually that’s not the end, here’s the full review;

    On the gameplay front this is the best Mario Kart yet. The physics feel deeper and the karts feel so fun and smooth to drive. The anti-gravity works really well and I love the addition of the spin boost especially. I also think the new weapons are great and add something new. I even    The best Mario Kart since the N64 era. The end. Well actually that’s not the end, here’s the full review;

    On the gameplay front this is the best Mario Kart yet. The physics feel deeper and the karts feel so fun and smooth to drive. The anti-gravity works really well and I love the addition of the spin boost especially. I also think the new weapons are great and add something new. I even like the coin item as it means the leader can’t always bank on getting something to hang off their backside and protect them as they zoom to victory, I do however wish it appeared a little less frequently. Now only being able to hold one item at a time was also a good move in my opinion for similar reasons, the leader can’t have two protective items at once and is always at least a little vulnerable.

    Visually it looks good enough to eat (particularly the candy track). This (along with Mario 3D World) is one of the best looking games I’ve ever played and it truly feels ‘next gen’, a great display of what the Wii U can do. The amount of detail put into each of the tracks and backgrounds is wonderful, more than you’ll ever pick-up while zooming along. It’s a colourful visual feast throughout. The frame rate is a rock solid and smooth 60hz,only dropping in 3 or 4 player local play and the music played by a live band really adds energy to each track and brings the whole experience to life.

    There’s plenty of content too. 32 tracks, 16 of which are new and all of which are great. Not a dud in the bunch. The 16 retro tracks have been so well done and changed to accommodate the new anti-grav and/or underwater elements that they feel almost like new tracks themselves. The battle mode however leaves a little to be desired due to the lack of battle arenas and use of a variety of the tracks instead. This is still quite fun but gets boring quickly and the addition of some arenas really would have improved this mode no end. There are plenty of characters to choose from but the roster is a little samey and the lack of Diddy Kong is a particular shame. One has to mention the brilliant and well balanced vehicle customisations though which offer a lot of variety and are a lot of fun to play around with to find your preferred combination of kart/bike, wheels, and glider.

    The single player won’t take a seasoned pro long to complete and is made up of the usual 50, 100, and 150cc and mirror modes across 16 cups of varying difficulty but it’s in multiplayer where this game shines, particularly with the new refined online experience. The frame rate drops noticeably when over two players play locally which is a shame but is to be expected and this doesn’t stop the game being fun at all. It just loses a little of it’s polish. The online is magnificent. Tournaments allow for custom rulesets and times for tournaments to be open. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed being able to join in on tournaments from my favourite online publications (Nintendo life etc) and to my experience the races run completely smoothly with lag a rare occurrence. Having 12 racers on the track from all over the world hurling shells at each other is honestly some of the most amazing fun I’ve had playing a video game in recent times, if not ever! Being able to play 2 player online is an excellent addition too.

    In conclusion this is easily the best Mario Kart since 64 with the only things holding it back from a perfect score being the lack of battle arenas, the slightly disappointing roster and the over prevalence of the coin item. All in all Mario Kart 8 is some of the best fun you could ever have on a console. It really is that good. Drop dead gorgeous, thrilling gameplay and a rock solid and fun online mode make this a game I’ll be playing for a long, long time.

    Update: An update is apparently imminent in which the map will be moved to the main screen along with a bunch of other small fixes. Whoop.    … Expand
  95. MixableFire
    Jul 16, 2014
    10
    What can I say I thought Mario kart 7 was amazing but Mario kart 8 just blew me away so much, gravity defying, flying, drifting are just some of things that make the game amazing, but my main highlight of this game is that the mechanics and game play are perfect and only Nintendo could create a masterpiece like this. Its just so fun.
    Just go and buy the game now!!!
  96. RyTroup
    Jul 21, 2014
    10
    I believe the best MarioKart yet. Tons of tracks and awesome upgrades! If you want this game but don't have a Wii U, GO BUY A WII U! I promise you will not be disappointed.
  97. FreezeBlade1220
    Jul 22, 2014
    10
    This game is a blast!!!! Racing online is fun as heck. A good multiplayer experience, and overall, a fun Mario Kart with excellent graphics, and a fun Wii U game!!!
  98. troi4n
    Jul 24, 2014
    10
    Amazing! The feeling of SNES and N64 Mario Karts is back! Many characters, courses and vehicles make this game the best graphic Mario Kart so far. Nothing new? Yes and no. Nintendo keeps the Mario Kart basic formula, but increments some new stuff like anti-gravity, new physics and differences between the cars and motorcycles. It is not the best Mario Kart only because we spent years andAmazing! The feeling of SNES and N64 Mario Karts is back! Many characters, courses and vehicles make this game the best graphic Mario Kart so far. Nothing new? Yes and no. Nintendo keeps the Mario Kart basic formula, but increments some new stuff like anti-gravity, new physics and differences between the cars and motorcycles. It is not the best Mario Kart only because we spent years and years playing SNES and N64, but I'm pretty sure this Mario Kart 8 will be a classic of Nintendo in a few years.… Expand
  99. SuperWooper
    Jul 26, 2014
    10
    When someone asks me why they should buy a Wii U, I always reply with "Mario Kart". Quite possibly the best Mario Kart game yet. The new anti-gravity feature was a great feature to add along with the new Koopaling characters and 3 new items. The game music is phenomenal as well as the game play.

    The only complaint I have of this game is that the battle mode only uses no battle courses.    When someone asks me why they should buy a Wii U, I always reply with "Mario Kart". Quite possibly the best Mario Kart game yet. The new anti-gravity feature was a great feature to add along with the new Koopaling characters and 3 new items. The game music is phenomenal as well as the game play.

    The only complaint I have of this game is that the battle mode only uses no battle courses. It only uses 8 courses that are used in regular racing mode, which is a huge let down for anyone who like to play battle mode.    … Expand
  100. ToFewViews
    Aug 31, 2014
    9
    Mario Kart 8 did come out a few months ago, so if
    you are one of the many people who bought a Wii-U
    to play this game you already know how fun and amazing it is. I picked up Mario Kart 8 the day it released and didn't put it down tell I had beat all tracks on 150cc. Then once you do that...You unlock all the tracks in reverse! Leaving you with tons of races to try and beat. The game    Mario Kart 8 did come out a few months ago, so if
    you are one of the many people who bought a Wii-U
    to play this game you already know how fun and amazing
    it is. I picked up Mario Kart 8 the day it released
    and didn't put it down tell I had beat all tracks
    on 150cc. Then once you do that...You unlock all the
    tracks in reverse! Leaving you with tons of races to
    try and beat. The game also has a great online multilayer
    letting you play 2 players online with one system. Online
    has tournaments and a full ranking system to. The Graphics
    to the game are some of the nicest I have seen on the Wii-U
    since Super Mario 3D World. I find the game just about
    perfect, I have only a few problems with the game. I
    find the difficulty in the later races can be unfair
    and very aggravating. Also would have been nice to see
    more playable characters, seems like they filled the game
    with Baby versions of main characters and all the Koopa Kids.
    But over all this game is a must play!

    ToFewViews    … Expand
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Awards & Rankings

4
#4 Best Wii U Game of 2014
2
#2 Most Discussed Wii U Game of 2014
4
#4 Most Shared Wii U Game of 2014

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
88

Generally favorable reviews - based on 82 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 80 out of 82
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 82
  3. Negative: 0 out of 82
  1. GameCritics
    Sep 18, 2014
    80
    Mario Kart 8 is pretty great in many ways, but undoubtedly moreso with a collection of friends to play with, or when facing off against other players online.
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  2. CD-Action
    Aug 25, 2014
    85
    No revolution here, but still it’s an absolute must-have for every Wii U owner. [08/2014, p.68]
  3. Universo Nintendo
    Jul 31, 2014
    95
    A beautiful and fun racing game, which uses the possibilities offered by its host platform to emphasize and renew the truly universal appeal of the series.
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