5 Ways ‘Mario Kart 8 Deluxe’ Is Even More Fun for Kids

One of the best games on the Nintendo Wii U is Mario Kart 8, released in 2014. On April 28, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe makes its debut on the Nintendo Switch. Are there enough updates and tweaks to make the game worth purchasing again for the Switch?

Absolutely, especially for younger players who may have had trouble playing the original game, thanks to these additions and updates.

All DLC Courses and Characters Unlocked

Not only does the deluxe version of Mario Kart 8 comes with all DLC characters and courses unlocked (whether you purchased them on the Wii U or not), the game also comes with new characters and a new course already available in Battle Mode as well. King Boo, Dry Bones, Bowser Jr., and the Inkling Boy and Girl bring the roster up to 42 characters ready to play the first time you load the game.

Players of any age will be happy to jump right into the game and play without having to complete Grand Prix competitions to unlock their favorite characters they already play on the Wii U.

New Splatoon Characters and Course

If your kids are big Splatoon fans, they’ll be delighted to take an ink-filled spin through Urchin Underpass in Battle Mode. Not only can they take control of the Inkling Boy and Inkling Girl, the stage’s music is straight out of Splatoon, helping the two games mix seamlessly.

Two Items in Your Arsenal

Are you the type of Mario Kart player that loves tossing red shells at your fellow racers to destroy their cart and their friendship? Mario Kart 8 Deluxe lets you do that twice thanks to the addition of a second item slot. You can pick up two items at once, if your steering skills are accurate, or pick up two items in two different spots.

Two items at your disposal adds another layer of strategy and mayhem to an already unpredictable game.

New Smart Steering

My eight-year-old loves racing in Mario Kart 8, but the steering has always posed enough of a problem to make her too frustrated to play for long. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe helps young players like her with the addition of “smart steering” to keep her on track and bump less into the walls.

A light on the back of the kart indicates when the steering is activated. (Note: This feature is on by default, so if you and the kids don’t need it, be sure to turn it off if you want to be in complete control.)

Revamped Battle Mode

The new Battle Mode options are the most compelling reasons to pick up Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. Not only are there new stages to duke it out with other players either as AI, local wireless, or online multiplayer, there are new battle types for even more fun.

If your kids have any trouble racing, they might enjoy the new Battle Mode types even more–instead of looping around a track at top speed, they can go around a course at their own pace to search for items and their competitors. The new Coin Runners mode, for example, has competitors racing around the open course to collect the most coins.

If you’re looking for games to add to your burgeoning Nintendo Switch library, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is just about as essential as it was on the Wii U. Plus, don’t forget that the Switch is incredibly portable, so Mario Kart 8 can now go on the actual road with you and the kids any time you want.

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe will be available on April 28, 2017, for a retail price of $59.99.

GeekMom received a promotional copy for review purposes.

All Images © Nintendo