I'll take a random free upgrade any day.

I’m in. Love the camera. Throw all the tomatoes you want!

It would be awesome if this is the start of getting a new Switch 2 patch every day for a little while, but knowing Nintendo, they'll stop for 2 days, do Mario Golf, and have that be the last one.

I'll be damned, those mad lads actually did it

Friendly reminder that this game turns a decade old next April.

Glad to see Nintendo continuing to support the BEST Mario Kart game!

Now how about we get more DLC for 8 Deluxe and just pretend World never happened, eh? 😬

#sorrynotsorry

@Nep-Nep-Freak *For the second time

That's neat. I just sold world. I never saw the same enjoyment from my family with it as I did 8. Maybe I'll get it again in a few years if they keep adding to it

Great they added 8 player split screen but I did think CameraPlay meant you could just make NPC’s race and you look around and watch (like a spectator mode). A welcome update!

Would be neat if BCP2 got announced to rescue Piranha Plant Pipeline and the remaining remakes from Tour that will become lost media later this month (Pipeline is already lost media as it was only available for 2 weeks a year).

So, I probably know the answer, but I need to ask anyway:

Does this game have more value than Mario Kart World?

I skipped it on Switch because I already had it on Wii U, and I wasn’t really willing to buy it again since I already had all the DLC at that point.
From the few things I’ve seen here and there, Mario Kart World seems to have a huge map that feels too ambitious for what the game actually offers. Am I wrong with this statement ?

Nintendo wouldn’t mind much whether they sell MK8deluxe or MK world. Nice that all of this is added now!

Supporting quality. Love to see it.

@Lumnethia Depends on what you value more. if you enjoy the sheer track count, 8 is for you. If you enjoy the tech of cart movement and activities to do besides racing, World may be more up your alley. Personally, I prefer World since the movement is much more interesting with wall jumps and rail grinding.

That is awesome! Mario Kart 8 has pushed incredible boundaries in speed, course variety, and now splitscreen player count.

Boo's no-slow-down has been a long time coming!

------Signature------

My birthday is September 14th, 1980

@Not_Soos
What?
This isn't Super Mario Kart, Mario Kart Advance or Mario Kart DS...

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My birthday is September 14th, 1980

@Lumnethia
8 Deluxe is infinitely better than World.

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My birthday is September 14th, 1980

@UpsideDownRowlet Every day? Maybe every month. Or even week. That seems ambitious. Plus, how soon would they run out of stuff?

@Lumnethia Personally I think 8 completely blows World out of the water. Not one single thing I prefer about World. The track selection, the actual quality of the tracks, the music, the art style, the general game balance, the single player, the roster, the side features, all of it's better in 8.

@Lumnethia World is great, but 8 Deluxe is the definitive entry in the series.

The open world in World is not considered too ambitious, but too empty and underutilized in free roam. I think people were hoping for a more robust offering for single players, but it’s kind of mindless driving around, and at least at launch, the stat tracking was poor and hard to be completionist about.

@AussieMcBucket Emphasis on "little" while. I'm just saying a week or two really. But it'll end with Mario Golf in like 2 days, mark my words.

@Lumnethia They're different games, each with their own merits. I also enjoy World. I just get tired of MK games quickly. If anything, I like all the little trials and hidden collectibles they put in Free Roam. They're just hard to find. XD With 8 Deluxe, if you have an NSO (+ Expansion Pack?) subscription, you get all those extra courses at no additional charge. There are 96(!) in the game. So yeah, there's plenty of value there.
Besides, World has only been out for a year. They have plans to add more Knockout Tours, and we all assume they will add other content eventually. 8 Deluxe didn't get all those tracks until like, 5 years after release. It's not like we got a steady release of DLC. People get so mad about World.

@UpsideDownRowlet Ah, okay. I'd rather get them semi-regularly for a long while. They don't have to do these. But they are fun surprises that add things to games we may have already played. New ways to enjoy them, you know?

@Lumnethia @Spider-Kev Two completely different games, like comparing apples to oranges. Anyway,

Like the other person replied, it really depends on what you're after. You know what MK8 has to offer, Deluxe would just offer more of that. World offers significantly more advanced kart tech and track design, basically the skill floor is roughly the same as 8 while the skill ceiling is incredibly high. If you've ever player Crash Team Racing and enjoyed that, I think you'll feel right at home with the "outside thinking" track designs.

The open world section (free roam) is great to just chill in for a bit and chip away little by little. It is a little underbaked, but could be worse. As someone in their 40's who sometimes just wants a game where I don't have to think, free roam is perfect.

The 8-player multiplayer is cool, but I can't even find 1 person to play with. But it's good for parties, for those that have friends. D;

Thought they abandoned this game in a Burger King dumpster the second World came out

Now please update Mario Maker 2 to add mouse controls. Please do it shiggy

With all pro controllers, you can't beat that deal!!🌈 8 controllers for $640.😂

Almost as good as 100 tacos for $100 for the doctor who marathon.

8 player split screen for MK8 is sick though. I don't know if I'll use it, but it's sick.

Wonder if we're going to get a similar update for Smash Bros Ultimate.

8 player split screen seems completely random and awesome, I need to see some videos of the thing in action before I try it at home later. ALso, a slight increase in resolution is always welcome.

When they say ‘clearer visuals’ do they mean 4K?

Ok
I'm not going back to 8 Deluxe so this is not doing anything for me but nice for those who somehow aren't sick to death of that game
Why wasn't this dropped at the same time as the Pikmin 3 update?
And if there are more Switch 2 updates for Switch 1 games then I want one for Metroid Dread or Prime Remastered, or both

That's great to see them update more and more Switch 1 games !

I hope Origami King, TTYD and Three Houses are next on line.

Love Mario Kart 8. Love Mario Kart World too. Both excellent games, and quite different ones : there's absolutely no sense in comparing them, and this is one the biggest quality of Nintendo, they try to make a different game with each new entry.

8 Player split screen!? Has anyone ever done that before?

Disappointing that they didn't improve the framerate for 3 and 4 player splitscreen after ARMS got that treatment. Surprisingly big changes otherwise, though. And I'm happy they finally fixed Wave 6's minimaps. Wii Rainbow Road's in particular was barely visible

@Aurumonado

The Sega Ages version of Virtua Racing has 8 player split screen on Swithc, is the only one I can recall in this moment. A good dozen or so 8 player games, but all sharing the screen.

I haven’t played Kart 8 Deluxe in years, I might have to jump back on it just see this new update.

Ah that's cool, a big new feature for Mario Kart World I'm sure. Haven't gotten it yet but...wait...

re-reads title

Excuse me? Huh? We're adding new features to 8 in 2026? Ok! Sure Nintendo, why not?

Funniest gaming company.

Can't wait to gather up the boys for 8 player split screen on the switch lite

8 player split screen is an awesome add! Thank you Nintendo!

This is a great version of MK, and yet, after getting good at all the mechanic depth World offers, it's hard to go back. The gameplay in 8 is just so limited by comparison.

Think I’ll borrow it from the library just to check this out. If they sold MK8 DX Complete on Switch 2 for $60 I might pick it up.

@Lizuka booing you on the roster and the music specifically. man, i sure do love the koopalings!

@HamKnight If it isn't 4K, it is close. I just fired it up and it is beautiful!

The almost non-existent load times are awesome as well!

Epic. I barely play this Mario Kart game in comparison to Mario Kart World, but it is still technically the more well rounded in comparison. At least that is my opinion.

Geez, a sizeable update storage need for MK standards. Just as I was wondering why it took more than 5 minutes with my internet soeed I checked and it is little more than 4 GB if I am reading the numbers right. For comparison sake, the whole DLC booster pack was little less than 5 GB.

@HatesCheese
8 player mode is only available on Switch 2, just saying.

Meanwhile MK World was found dead in the dumpster.

Geez, I haven't even looked at MK8D since Mario Kart World was released. I'm still finding new delights in that game.

More intriguing than 8 players split screen is "96 races" as an option in Versus mode. My friends would joke about that as option because 48 was enough. Anyway, 96 races is here. Let the insanity begin! 🤣

@cyrus_zuo Agree about MKW and the railing mechanic. It adds an entire new level to the game! Sad that it's been overlooked so badly in the banal chorus that MKW is "just more MK". In fairness, I blame Nintendo more because veterans can beat MKW just by traditional skills. The series is notoriously easy, and I've long pined for an actual single player challenge. With this railing mechanic, Nintendo had the chance to do a 150cc plus mode to force players to learn this skill properly. As it stands, only in time trials and watching ghost replays do we realise we have much to learn!

The railing mechanic reminds me much about Tony Hawk 2 with its introduction of manuals to connect tricks. It practically made the original game irrelevant, if not obsolete.

OMG, what?! These free updates are awesome! I haven't played 8 in a few months, but I'll probably play it again soon with this update. 8-player would be amazing for when people are over.

This is the best kind of madness!

Now i finally have an argument for a bigger tv! (The racing windows are really small lol, but cool, imma use them!)

You know, I wouldnt mind daily free Switch 2 updates for Switch 1 games. First Pikmin 3, now MK8DX

Nice to finally have an update for MK8DX, I was wondering if it would ever get one considering it most likely didnt get one on release of the Switch 2 because of MK World

Nintendo fans cannot say anything about Skyrim or GTA V anymore. I like MK8 but I also played it on the Wii U. Is there just nothing in the works for World?

@Aurumonado Yes Virtua Racing for Switch had that but the performance takes a hit on Switch 1. Play that game on Switch 2 if you want a smoother 8-player VR experience.

This free 8-Player split screen update for Mario Kart 8 Deluxe exclusively for Switch 2 officially makes this game 10x better than Mario Kart World now. I mean c'mon Mario Kart 8 Deluxe now had over 50 selectable racers, over 30 customize parts, over 95 playable race tracks, a fun battle mode, smoother online play, trial mode, versus mode, mirror tracks, Amiibo support, 200cc, customizable Mii racers, Camera Chat support, and 4-8 Player simultaneous split screen play. Now that's an ultimate deluxe package right there, they may as well call this Mario Kart 8 Ultimate Deluxe for Switch 2. Now if only they add Mission Mode and Double Dash Mode then it would be perfect.

Silly question maybe but if you play MK8 in boost mode on switch 2 how could it possibly get any shaper in handheld mode surely this is for when it’s docked

@nessisonett I don't think a free update that makes this play better on Switch 2 can be compared to Skyrim or GTA V. If they were to release a Switch 2 Edition with added meaningful content then it would be a fair comparison.

@nessisonett unlike GTAV and Skyrim this game actually has gotten multiple game changing improvements since it’s release and rerelease.

@nessisonett how in the universe are you trying to spin this release of a free awesome update for a decade old game into a negative?

This is amazing!! I wonder if this means 4 player co-op is 60fps now??

Edit: It isn't for some reason

@Aurumonado Street Racer on the Saturn in 1994 did this!

Support for what resolutions? Increased loading times by how much?

@enderman0125 I think it’s the other way around… They abandonner world as soon as world came out…

Granted there’s been a few updates but I would I think that one year later the game would be much further in terms of improvement that it is now…

Woah, this is the last game I’d expect to get a Switch 2 upgrade with the sequel being the big flagship Switch 2 game

I’m hoping for New Pokémon Snap next, with mouse mode! Or better still, a sequel.

As an aside, it was kind of Nintendo to add my Nintendo Life avatar as a Switch icon this week 😆 (Albeit slightly happier version)

This is awesome!

Absolutely love these new additions, especially eight player split-screen!!!

This is amazing. It makes me so happy that Nintendo hasn’t forgotten about MK8 and neglected it just because a newer entry in the series is out. Especially considering MK8 is a much, MUCH better game. Now it’s the best it can be. I can’t wait to fire this up!

@Lumnethia As someone who bought a Switch 2 on day one solely for MK World, I estimate I've played it 10-20hrs (if that) versus the 100+ I've put into 8 across the Wii U - Switch 2. If it boils down to one or the other, 8 is the definitive MK experience imo.

There are additional patch notes in the support website. For example, they increased the speed by equivalent of one coin. Small thing, but nice to see nonetheless.

@Kestrel I haven’t tried it on Switch 2 yet but I heard people say it looks like it’s 4k resolution now!

I skipped majority of Switch as was on Xbox but I am very surprised Nintendo have updated this game to S2 standards when they have a newer version out.

I understand the idea of catering to all and pushing out updates (which is brilliant for us) but from their POV, I don't understand why they haven't pushed more DLC, new characters etc into MKW, especially as this is part of a bundle going out with an imminent price rise..

Considering this has had an update, and the obvious popularity, I'm considering picking it up myself. However, my brain will find it hard to choose which one to dedicate any time to due to my neurodiversity so then that may also be an issue.

@Moochy Ok this may have sold me.

This is a lot of updates all at once: Pikmin 3, Smash Ult, MK8DX...

Clearing the decks for next week?

@Nep-Nep-Freak 12 years already

happy they made this, did a mari okart party recently, so a bit too late, but maybe we'll find a new moment

@Suketoudara or an 8 player mode for pokemon snap.... one photographer and the rest being pokemon.., or competing paparazzi

@JibberX
That was what came to mind when i saw this!

@HalBailman
The bigger overall complaint for Mario kart world seemed to more be regarding the open world/transition courses and while i enjoy the idea of the open world i do wish the game had an option for purely 3-lap courses when online (as opposed to having to hope they show up) , i know its a common criticism/request but i do feel the movement mechanics shine the most by far in those 3-lap courses and having a "classic" mode as an option would be awesome since i feel like when you get a 1 lap race it gives you less chance to become accustomed to the course alongside as mentioned, giving you less chance to really go all-in on the movement tech.

May have already been said, so now MK8D is the definitive MK on switch 2?

George Takei would like 2 words...

@Lumnethia to add to everyone else, MK8D is a lot more of a challenge as well; i 3 starred everything on world in a month or so and barely go back to it; still working on 8D... so if challenge is your thing, along with what everyone else has said positively about it, I'd seriously consider getting both it and the expansion pass.

I just wish they would do a Switch 2 patch for Pokemon Legends:Arceus, as its currently unplayable on the Switch 2 due to severe judder with camera panning.

I extremely rarely comment on something but I cannot agree more with everyone about MK8D Vs. MKW.

The overall value of MK8D, with or without the booster course pack is soooo much higher than MKW.

I bought a Switch 2 day 1 explicitly for MKW and I was underwhelmed immediately. It feels rushed and unfinished, while we know that it isn't as they spent a lot of time working on it, but they never found a new "special thing" and the one they picked, being "1 open world" is not used at all and it actually makes everything else worse. The trick mechanic is too complex in it's current state and why jump-charging and grinding is set to the same button is still a mystery for me. This game is not accessible for casual and non-competitive players if you want to do "the new stuf" compared to MK8D.

MKW is the biggest heavy dissapointment for me personally in my Nintendo purchase history, especially to how they sold it and announced it. Remember Bill Trinen; you'll see the value once the whole game is shown/released? Almost false advertising for veteran Nintendo enthousiasts.

What this update confirms is: buy MK8D if you like Mario Kart and want the most value for money. MKW costs more, does less and does things worse. Grahically; other than (badly implemented) HDR and a bit nicer animations, MKW has nothing to offer either.

I am still waiting for the Yoshi Food Delivery mini-game that I think they're secretly waiting to launch when the Switch 2 and the game needs new exposure and I am hopefull that that is going to be the killer app for MKW to make it a worthy new entry. It is now a more expensive, worse game than MK8D.

Sorry for ranting, but it has really bothered me since I bought my Switch 2. 😅

And still the biggest feature taken out missing.
2 people online couch gameplay, only the main person gets points, even when the other is logged in as well.
MK8 deluxe has this feature and sill does on switch 2. Pathetic Nintendo.

Gotta love Nintendo.
The vocal minority is like "World is so lame, I don't even see why I would stop playing 8 instead." And what is Nintendo's reaction?

"Why, we're gonna make 8 even better AND for free!"

Either they got the wrong memo or they just really don't care. Probably the latter. Keep doing you Nintendo.

Whilst this is great, when are we going to get two player split screen explore mode on World

In vs mode, you can now have it play all 96 tracks, for the people insane enough to do this

@Mgalens The highway sections are a trivial issue to me and don't explain so much of the unhinged hatred towards Mario Kart World (eg: "Meanwhile MK World was found dead in the dumpster"). We nearly always set our Versus mode racing to conventional 3 laps, as do I on the rare times I play against the CPU. On the contrary, the highway sections are integral to Knockout Mode, which is a phenomenal new addition and where I spend half my time online and a good proportion in split screen play. I also spend plenty of hours fiddling around in Free Roam. Also, once familiar with the railing mechanic, the highway sections gain some real life. We all know if Nintendo delivered a generic MK9 the complaints would be about lack of originality and playing it safe. They can't win!

I credit Nintendo for trying something new even if the highway sections didn't work out as hoped. Personally, they are too long and boring for the casual player. Shorter highways and an extra lap of the connecting circuit would be the right balance. To keep Knockout Mode a decent length, there could be a longer, scenic path of the highway to take.

PS: I also think the $80 price tag stirred a lot of hate, even if the vast bulk of us paid $50. Nintendo's explanation was hardly convincing at the time, and you still hear people injecting the $80 price into their commentary as part of slagging the game.

Even at $80, which is just $10 more than standard Switch 2 games, there's likely more content to come. If the price is too high, don't pay it! I have 50 hours in MKW already compared to 5 hours in DK Bonanza. I know which game clearly delivered the superior value, even at $80. Nor do I rage at DK for being ripped off. Of course, that's me! I never pretend my experience is representative of everyone.

8 players. Holy cow

@mlt
Nintendo are magicians. They always divert attention away with sheer randomness.

I doubt this is a referendum on World. It's far more likely that Nintendo has a list of Switch 1 first-party titles (developed in-house) that they're sprucing up for the Switch 2 and that Mario Kart 8, along with Pikmin 3, was simply the next on the list.

Jumped on this morning and it loads super quick. It’s blink n you miss it.

How about some new tracks fot MKW or have they forgotten it was released?

Welcome back, Mario Kart World hate

Feeling more and more like almost every 1st party Switch game will get some form of Switch 2 update released through the lifespan of the Switch 2

I like both mk8d and mkw.

I no longer own mk8d as I don't collect games anymore. Have mkw on digital though as was bundled with the s2. I expect we'll get a big update in June 2027.

It is so interesting seeing how MK8’s discourse has changed since 2014.

@LinktotheFuture That’s awesome!

@HamKnight I don't think you will be disappointed! 🙂

@HalBailman
For me im in the place where i both agree with the criticism towards the game but also am one of those who really likes the game, though in regards to pleasing multiple sides it does feel like a common wish for the game is some kind of "classic" mode for things like Grand Prix or online or at least some kind of option for online versus (such as letting players toggle between Only 3-lap, Only highway/1-lap or a mix of both) That way those who enjoy stuff like the highways or open world (which i do) can still enjoy those things but for those who preffer the classic 3-lap racing (which i also do) theres a mode for that too (which also happens to include some amazing movement-tech)

Really though im glad that theres at least a racer for everyone, You have Mario Kart for the fun chaotic side of things with some adventure thrown in the mix, Crossworld for those who enjoy more "arcadey" style racing with a lot of player customization, and for those feeling like something extra weird.... AIR RIDERS!

I love how you can also update the game on Switch 1 and it also shows the 5-8 players options but prompts you to play on a Switch 2 to do so.

Honestly I don’t think Nintendo really minds people picking either MK8D or World. In the end the money still goes to them.

They are even happier with people buying both games. Even more money for them.

Not that I am complaining. Both games are great. In their own ways.

With each iteration of Mario Kart, I usually sell the old one for the new one... Kind of regretting that decision for the first time now. Might have to grab it again, lol.

I think this is a broader strategy that every Switch game will have some kind of Switch 2 enhancement going forward. Nintendo calls these evergreen titles for a reason, I don't think they expected (nor cared) if Mario Kart 8 Deluxe continues to sell. They haven't stopped making game cards for it, so there's a world where both Mario Kart World and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe can exist together, giving Nintendo the chance to profit off both from the audience upgrading to the Switch 2 or getting one for the first time. It's a smart move to keep making money, plus keeping these games playable for the future.

Whenever Nintendo goes into Switch 2 development full-time, I would expect the hardware inside will be the new origin point for the platform going forward. Much like Apple did with the iPhone 4 when they moved it to their own silicon with the A-series.

@MTMike87 why would you sell Mario Kart 8 Deluxe? I mean, I still have mine installed on my Switch OLED, but I was never going to get rid of it. I kept Mario Kart DS when the 3DS came out, plus I still had Mario Kart Wii for my Wii U. I got rid of the latter when I sold my Wii U, along with vanilla Mario Kart 8.

Finally, I thought they were going to reject doing a switch to update from Mario kart 8 just to be spiteful that a lot of people think that Mario kart 8 is better than Mario kart world, so I'm very glad Nintendo decided to do that. I still play eight more than I do world, now. I will play eight even more

Glad Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is still getting updates. Put more hours into it than any other Switch game, and I'd say it is still the definitive Mario Kart game.

@progx Mario Kart is typically an iterative franchise, once the new one comes out, the old one never gets played again in my household. I've done this since I was a kid and always sold off the old one for the new one.

I do the same for Super Smash Bros., Mario Tennis, Mario Party, Splatoon, Animal Crossing, etc. Keeps the overall cost of the hobby much lower so I can play even more games!

Very happy about this update. Kudos to Nintendo for not quitting making MK8D better. Sadly, it seems the same can't be said for MKW. To be fair, it would likely need a major overhaul to get me to fire it up again.

@Nep-Nep-Freak on WiiU it came out in January 2013!

And as always, the senseless hatred (not from everyone, of course) for Mario Kart World resurfaces. How sad, but oh well, their problem, not mine.

And how interesting that 8 players can be added on one screen, perfect for a party game, XD.

And well, being part of the "elephant in the room," I'm not resentful or upset with MKW. In fact, I enjoy it a lot, along with MK8 and even Mario Kart Tour, the latter being my go-to game when I have free time at work (of course, not always, XD) or for a quick match. It's a shame that it's only available for the rest of this month... *sigh...

But, ok, I respect those who, for valid reasons, don't like MKW. But, as for those who are just contributing to this senseless hate, pity you. Instead of enjoying the game, you're enjoying the hate and/or criticism, which only shows that the fun isn't in the game anymore, but in complaining about it... oh well...

Well, enjoy Mario Kart!!!

@Aurumonado Virtua Racing

I'll definitely be checking this out. Mario Kart World is okay but I still think 8 Deluxe is the definitive Mario Kart experience. Jumping into an online race in World is such a chore because it takes so long to find players whereas in 8 it's usually instantaneous and super snappy.