Every New Feature in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe

On January 12th, Nintendo revealed that a new version of Mario Kart – Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, would be coming to the Nintendo Switch Console in April 28th, 2017.

In addition to all of the characters, modes, and tracks of Mario Kart 8, Mario Kart 8 will include new content not present in the Wii U Version of the game. All courses and CCs (including Mirror Mode) will automatically be unlocked at the start of the game.

It appears that in the Nintendo Switch version of Mario Kart 8, you will be able to play as the characters from Splatoon. The new characters include:

• King Boo
• Dry Bones
• Bowser Jr.
• Inkling Boy
• Inkling Girl

You can also unlock the secret Gold Mario by completing all cups in 200cc Mode.

In addition to this, both Inkling characters have three different costumes, much like the Yoshi and Shy Guy alternate outfits. Also, all characters are now unlocked from the start of the game.

Like characters, there are also new kart and parts to coincide with the new characters. So far, these include:

Like the Wii U version, Karts and and parts must be unlocked by playing the game.

There are several new additions to the Mario Kart 8 formula that change the game up in some really big ways:

• Dual Item Capacity – Now players can grab and hold up to two items at a time, with one item held out and the other in reserve that can be used after the first item is used.
• Drive Assist – Players can choose this optional mode to help their driving skills – or let smaller children race in tougher courses. This option, shown as an atennae on the back of the cart, automatically helps players avoid falling off edges by steering them back on track when falling would be otherwise unavoidable.
• Boo and Feather Item – Returning from previous Mario Kart games, the Boo item allows you to steal a random driver’s held item, while the Feather allows players to perform a massive jump.

There are several new Battle Modes present in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. Unlike the Wii U version of MK8, Battle Modes now take place on specific arena tracks, which include the following:

There are also the additional new types of Battle Modes:

This mode has undergone various changes from the Wii U mode – most notably that there are now specific arena maps to chose from instead of regular race tracks.

Each driver will start off with five balloons, and players must drive around and score more points than other drivers using items around the arena. Additionally, these matches have a time limit. Drivers score points for popping other drivers’ balloons, which is accomplished by hitting them with projectile/offensive items (Shells, Bananas, Bob-ombs, etc.) or stealing them with a well-timed Mushroom– or Feather-infused collision (however, if a driver has only one balloon left, then their last balloon cannot be stolen via this second method).

If all of a driver’s balloons are popped their score is halved and they respawn at their starting position with three balloons. At the end of the time limit, the driver(s) currently with the most points is/(are) the winner(s). Up to four players can play with the addition of other CPU controlled opponents.

This Battle Mode follows the same overall rules as Balloon Battle, except that the only items drivers can find and use are Bob-ombs. Additionally, in this mode, drivers may stack and carry up to nine (9) Bob-ombs at once, and drivers’ own Bob-ombs’ explosions will not harm them or pop their own balloons.

This battle mode is very different from other modes – One team will have permanent Piranha Plants attatched to the front of their vehicles, while the other team will have to evade them at all costs. If nabbed by the Piranha Plants, the renegade team member will be sent to a jail – located in different areas depending on the map. Other players on the team can try and hit the button under the jail to free the players who have been trapped.

After the game begins, players will be unable to see the enemy team on the map unless they are in line of sight

The game ends either when the timer runs out, or all players on the renegade team have all been captured. Players will also earn points for every capture, or every time they free their friends.

In this Battle Mode, players battle indirectly by trying to claim the most coins in an arena before time runs out. Coins are placed randomly around the map, and more will appear over time – shown on the map. Players can either claim unguarded coins and evade other players, or attack them to cause them to spill several coins and steal them.

The driver with the most coins when time is up wins.

In this mode, players battle over control of a Shine Sprite – ala Capture the Flag. Once in control of the flag, a timer will count down as long as that player or team holds control – until they loose control and someone else gains the Shine Sprite.

Those who hold the Shine Sprite, are visible on the map – as is its location – and will move at a slower pace. The person to have the most points ticked off – or the team who gets to 0 will win.