Genre: Racing
Year: 2014
Developed by: Nintendo EAD
Published by: Nintendo
Platforms: Wii U, Switch
#38
Feeling Like: Coming in 1st
Sometimes, I really don’t envy developers. How the hell is Nintendo ever going to top Mario Kart 8?
It can’t be for me. This is the last, and best Mario kart on the 500.
But really, how do you improve on this? The only ones seemingly capable of doing so are Nintendo themselves. The Deluxe edition launched in 2017 for the Switch. A wise move – it’s sold over 65 million copies to date. Seemingly, the video game public can’t get enough. I know I cant. I’ve already purchased the game once for the Wii U and I may have to do so again. It’s not like Mario Kart 9 is coming anytime soon.
How in the hell is a Mario game supposed to look better than this? I can practically see the seams in Mario’s overalls. Every moment you spend looking at Mario Kart 8, you’ll be in awe of how incredible the visuals are. A cascade of color is present in every course. From the cobblestone cul-de-sacs to the cloudy corners, the amount of creativity and light that permeates every single track is intoxicating. If you ever seen a reminder of how far video games have come, just give this a watch. From tricking the player into thinking they were playing 3D to making something that literally sees Karters driving in your own living room, the series perfectly evolved alongside the hardware.
We’re no longer just racing along paths with go-karts. There are all manners of vehicles, including motorcycles to choose from. You can customize your wheels for better grip, or your parasail for greater distance. It’s not approaching RPG territory, but it does make it so every racer gets a chance to put their own personal stamp on how they control. Every decision is heighted a pleasant boop that, I’m convinced, is scientifically proven to put a smile on your face.
Every part of the atmosphere is fair game. Forget just racing, how about flying through the air? Going through underwater sections? How about going sideways, and even upside down? Because we’re at a point where hardware can allow developers to do pretty much anything, we’re seeing pretty much anything and it’s just amazing. The tracks are the star of the show, the playground on which players will launch shells at each other, throw banana peels and zip through boosts. Much like in F-Zero GX, sometimes the biggest challenge will be ignoring the constant circus in your periphery. It’s hard not to admire the scenery.
The amount of content is ridiculous. The original game had 48 tracks, but they just added 48 more across several DLC packs. That is 96 total, across a 9 year span since the game was launched. Some are classics, being ripped from Double Dash or Mario Kart Wii. Others are completely original, zany concoctions. I don’t think I’ve ever been bored playing them, or even had a mild dislike for any of the courses. It’s full speed ahead, with every track. The personality, presentation and charm cannot be matched by any other racer. I dare you to not enjoy yourself.
There are very few video games as revered as a Mario Kart. Nearly everybody knows it, and it’s a great distraction for all ages. I know I can tempt my niece and nephew with a few rounds when they’re over (well, not Super Mario Kart), I can gather friends who are hardcore gamers, or I can convince somebody who’s barely held a controller to give it a try. Because of the rubber banding with items, even the last place player will still get their moment to shine.
It’s as if Nintendo was chiseling away at the formula for over 30 years and they’ve finally created their pièce de résistance. The controls are as easy as ever and the boundless creativity of the tracks means no two races ever feel the same. Screeches and hollers are par for the course, inevitable when playing among friends and family. It can be as casual, or competitive as you make it. The framerate never drops, the music is jazzy and snazzy and there are 50 different Mario characters to race as. I don’t know what else you could possibly want, or how you can improve on this. As a Mario Kart, it’s as perfect as you can get.
The 500 