Mario Kart 8 Deluxe May 2026

Up to 4 players on one screen is standard, but with multiple Switch consoles, you can link up to 12 players locally for a true LAN party. The game runs at a smooth 30fps in 4-player splitscreen, which is miraculous for the hardware.

When Mario Kart 8 Deluxe launched alongside the Nintendo Switch in April 2017, many hardcore fans scoffed. After all, they had already played Mario Kart 8 on the Wii U four years earlier. “A port with a ‘Deluxe’ sticker on it?” they asked. “How good can it be?” Mario Kart 8 Deluxe

Seven years, 60+ million copies sold, and six waves of Booster Course Pass DLC later, the question has shifted dramatically. Today, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe isn't just the best-selling racing game of its generation; it is arguably the definitive multiplayer game for the Switch. It has transcended its "port" status to become a cultural juggernaut. Up to 4 players on one screen is

This article breaks down why Mario Kart 8 Deluxe remains essential, how it differs from the original, and whether it can still hold its own against newer competitors. but for casual players

With updates and DLC, the character roster swelled to over 40 drivers. You have the standard crew (Mario, Luigi, Peach, Bowser) alongside deep cuts.

Crucially, Deluxe removed the bizarre weight-class restrictions of previous games. You can now put any combination of wheels, gliders, and karts on any character. The meta has settled (Waluigi on the Wiggler kart with Roller tires is famously broken), but for casual players, creating a Frankenstein monster of a kart is half the fun.