The Mario Kart series has been synonymous with every Nintendo product since the original released on the SNES. In all honesty the original has always been my favourite. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe on Nintendo Switch comes very close. The nostalgia of the original still keeps it ahead but this most recent version is amazing. The Switch version of Mario Kart 8 compared to the Wii U includes all of the extra DLC which consists of many Nintendo characters from various franchises including Link from the Zelda series along with tracks from various Mario Kart games on the 3DS, SNES & N64 to name a few. In total there are 48 grand prix tracks all of which are incredibly crafted with impressive detail and obstacles.

Multiple race classes are included from the slower and more accessible 50cc which is perfect for kids and new players up through 100cc and 150cc to the super fast and very unforgiving 200cc. There is also a mirror class which alternates the tracks to drive the opposite way around them.

Gameplay is fluid and responsive with the most depth of any Mario Kart game. Young and old there’s fun to be had for everyone. On the Switch the game can be played and transitioned effortlessly by docking the console to a TV, handheld mode or portable. The controllers though rather small when detached are surprisingly adequate to play Mario Kart on the go with someone else in 2-player split screen.

Previous Mario Kart games had characters of varying speeds and characteristics. For instance some had slow acceleration, fast top speed and handling. Mario Kart 8 puts the onus on the player to decide a configuration to match their play style rather than be restricted to a single character of choice. A selection of vehicle chassis such as karts and motorbikes can be complimented by a variety of wheels and parasails. Each part has it’s own attributes, piecing them together can create the perfect combination.

Characters can carry up to two items providing more depth than ever before to races and constant action during battle modes. A personal favourite of mine is the balloon battle mode. Whilst there are other modes within the battle section such as coin runners, renegade round-up, bob-omb blast and shine thief. Balloon battle is a classic game mode stemming from the original Mario Kart. The Battle Course 1 arena has been remastered and modernized from the SNES version along with some newer arenas such Urchin Underpass from the Splatoon series. 

As iconic and great the single player experiences of Mario and Zelda series are for me no Nintendo device is complete without owning Mario Kart. It’s the one game that brings a family together and has people interacting with one another. 

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Stephen Bradley-Waters

Fascinated with gaming since the old cassette based computers. Custom-building and repairing computers for 20 years and have been creating websites for 5 years. I’ve been a geek way before it became fashionable. Video game collector and gamer. Mainly a PC gamer though do enjoy console exclusives. Created Zorf Gaming to share my passion for gaming. I’m the web-designer/developer, content creator, editor, video creator. In essence this is my passion and I like nothing more than to share it with you. Currently writing my first book ‘A Father’s Daughter’.

http://bradleywaters.uk