Mario Kart 8
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Template:Infobox Mario Kart 8 is an upcoming Mario Kart game for the Wii U, which will be released in Japan on May 29, 2014, North America and Europe on May 30, 2014, and Australia on May 31, 2014 both physically and digitally through the Nintendo eShop. Being the direct sequel to Mario Kart 7, the game is the eighth installment in the mainstream series, and eleventh overall in the Mario Kart series.
The most prominent new addition within the game is anti-gravity, allowing players to drive along walls and ceilings. Bikes, gliders, and underwater driving are also confirmed to return. In addition, ATVs have been confirmed to join traditional karts and bikes as a new class of vehicle.
Gameplay
The gameplay maintains the traditional elements of previous Mario Kart games, mostly from the two recent installments on the Wii and 3DS respectively. Karts, which feature similar designs from Mario Kart 7, can be customized once again, alongside the returning bikes, which handle similar to the karts now and can only perform a wheelie via a boost, and the newly introduced ATVs, as well as, according to an interview, more customization options that have yet to be revealed.[1]. The hang-glider and underwater mechanics also return, as well as Coins, with the player being able to collect up to ten in one race as in Mario Kart 7. Like Mario Kart Wii, twelve racers are present in normal races[2].
The newest feature for the series is anti-gravitational segments, that not only allow for more dynamic track design, but also for racers to drive across walls, ceilings, and other seemingly unusual places. When in anti-gravity, if a racer bumps into another racer, the kart spins rather than just bumping and both racers receive a speed boost. These tracks have been described as more narrow when compared to previous Mario Kart tracks, specifically those from Mario Kart Wii.[3]. For the fifth time in the series, courses from previous Mario Kart games will be included, and both the game's anti-gravity mechanic, as well as Mario Kart 7 's glider and underwater mechanics will be incorporated into these retro courses, much like the retro courses in Mario Kart 7.
The game is also to feature Wii U GamePad integration. In addition to the standard Off-TV Play, players also have the option of displaying the course map as well as using it as a horn button. Players have the option to toggle between these three features at will.[4]
Point management works similar to Mario Kart Wii, except that every racer gets at least one point in Grand Prix mode. Below is a chart of the point spread comparison between these eight games:
| Point Spread Comparisons (GP) | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | 5th | 6th | 7th | 8th | 9th | 10th | 11th | 12th | |
| Super Mario Kart Mario Kart 64 Mario Kart: Super Circuit |
9 | 6 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | - | - | - |
| Mario Kart: Double Dash!! Mario Kart DS |
10 | 8 | 6 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | - | - | - | - |
| Mario Kart Wii | 15 | 12 | 10 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Mario Kart 7 | 10 | 8 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | - | - | - | - |
| Mario Kart 8 | 15 | 12 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| Grove-green bg signifies victory results (great clapping, character(s) cheering), best after-race music Yellow-limegreen bg signifies moderate results (mild clapping, moderate character reaction), same music in Wi-Fi as winner (different in MKDS GP) Normal bg signifies losing results, losing music; - means not available In Super Mario Kart and Mario Kart Super Circuit, 5th or worse forces the player to retry the race. If the racer fares this badly four times, the Grand Prix must be started over. In Mario Kart 64, 5th or worse forces the player to retry the race, but without the restrictions on how many times the player can retry a race. Starting with Mario Kart: Double Dash to recent installments including this one, the Grand Prix normally goes forth. | ||||||||||||
It has been confirmed that there will be Miiverse integration, which will allow players to share their replay videos and comment on others' videos, in a feature called "Mario Kart TV".[5] Another change is that in 2-player mode, the screen will split vertically instead of the horizontally in the other console Mario Kart games, a feature that was originally intended to be in Mario Kart 64 but was removed from the final game.
Game modes
Battle Mode
Battle Mode[6] now features race tracks remixed to fit battle mode rather than contain all-new separate arenas. Balloon Battle can be played in teams [7] or in free-for-all mode.[8] It combines survival battle mode and timed points battle mode; players can now adjust the time. Tracks enabled for Battle mode are the following: [9]
- Wii Moo Moo Meadows
- GCN Dry Dry Desert
- SNES Donut Plains 3
- N64 Toad's Turnpike
- Mario Circuit
- Toad Harbor
- GCN Sherbet Land
- N64 Yoshi Valley
VS Mode
Time Trial
Mirror Mode
Mirror Mode returns in this game, but unlike past Mario Kart titles, it is unlocked from the start. It also can be used as a set rule for online tournaments. [10]
Characters
Drivers
There are 30 playable characters confirmed for Mario Kart 8, consisting of 16 default characters and 14 unlockable characters.[11] There are 9 of these characters that make their playable debut, and of these characters, 2 (Baby Rosalina and Pink Gold Peach) make their overall debut.
Starting drivers
Mario
Mediumweight
Luigi
Mediumweight
Peach
Mediumweight
Daisy
Mediumweight
Yoshi
Mediumweight
Toad
Lightweight
Koopa Troopa
Lightweight
Shy Guy
Lightweight
Baby Mario
Lightweight
Baby Luigi
Lightweight
Baby Peach
Lightweight
Baby Daisy
Lightweight
Bowser
Heavyweight
Donkey Kong
Heavyweight
Wario
Heavyweight
Waluigi
Heavyweight
Unlockable Characters
Rosalina
Heavyweight- MK8 MetalMaro.png
Metal Mario
Heavyweight 
Lakitu
Lightweight
Toadette
Lightweight
Baby Rosalina
Lightweight
New Driver
(First Appearance)
Pink Gold Peach
Heavyweight
New Driver
(First Appearance)
Iggy
Mediumweight
New Driver
Roy
Heavyweight
New Driver
Lemmy
Lightweight
New Driver
Larry
Lightweight
New Driver
Wendy
Lightweight
New Driver
Ludwig
Mediumweight
New Driver
Morton
Heavyweight
New Driver
Mii
Any
- Mii's weight is determined by the height and weight of the Mii
Unlocking criteria
| Unlock criteria | |
|---|---|
| Ludwig | |
| Iggy | Win the 100cc Mushroom Cup[11] |
| Baby Rosalina | Win the 150cc Flower Cup[11] |
| Toadette | |
| Lakitu | |
| Wendy | |
| Larry | Win the 150cc Star Cup[11] |
| Lemmy | |
| Rosalina | |
| Metal Mario | |
| Pink Gold Peach | |
| Roy | |
| Morton | |
| Mii | |
Other
|
Items
Items Found on the Track | |
|---|---|
 Item Box |
Item Boxes give players items. |
 Coin |
Coins receive a small boost and increase top speed. |
New Items | |
 Boomerang Flower |
Can be thrown up to three times, hitting racers forward and when it returns. |
 Piranha Plant |
Automatically chomps on obstacles and other racers, giving a short speed boost for each nibble. |
 Super Horn |
Emits a radial shockwave, destroying all obstacles and items, and hitting racers. |
 Crazy 8 |
Generates eight items (Coin, Bob-omb, Mushroom, Star, Blooper, Green Shell, Red Shell, and a Banana) that circle around the player for them to use. |
Returning Items | |
Coin |
Increases the player's top speed when more are collected, up to a max of 10.
Obtaining a Coin via an item box grants the player 2 extra coins. |
 Green Shell |
Travels in a straight line and knocks over a kart it hits. |
 Triple Green Shells |
Three green shells that protect the player's kart from incoming attacks. |
 Red Shell |
Homes in on the closest kart in front of the player and knocks it over. |
 Triple Red Shells |
Three red shells that protect the player's kart from incoming attacks. |
 Banana |
Protects the player from incoming items, and spins out other karters that hit it. |
 Triple Bananas |
Three bananas that encircle the player's kart, protecting them from incoming attacks. |
 Mushroom |
Provides the player's kart with a small speed boost. |
 Triple Mushrooms |
Encircles the player's kart, providing them with three separate speed boosts. |
 Golden Mushroom |
Provides the player's kart with continuous speed boosts for a short time. |
 Fire Flower |
Allows the player to throw fireballs for a short time that cause other karts to spin out on impact. |
 Star |
Provides the player invincibility from all terrain and items, and also giving a speed boost. |
 Blooper |
Sprays ink on all racers ahead and reduces their visibility. |
 Bob-omb |
Explodes after a short time when thrown or dropped, knocking over any kart in its blast radius. |
 Spiny Shell |
Targets the racer in first place, knocking over all other karts in its path. |
 Lightning |
Causes all opponents to drop their items and drive slowly for a short time. |
 Bullet Bill |
Transforms the player into a Bullet Bill, rocketing through the track with auto-pilot, and providing invincibility from all terrain and items. |
Kart Parts
This is a list of the currently known available kart parts to customize a player's vehicle. Currently, there are 13 karts, 9 bikes, 3 ATVs (25 bodies in total), 17 tires, and 11 gliders known.[19][20]
Courses
32 tracks[21] have been confirmed, consisting of 16 new tracks and 16 retro tracks, featuring one track each from Super Mario Kart and Mario Kart: Super Circuit, four tracks from Mario Kart 64, two each from Mario Kart: Double Dash!! and Mario Kart Wii, and three each from Mario Kart DS and Mario Kart 7.[22] As with the retro tracks from the 3DS installment, the retro tracks in this game will feature altered sections that incorporate the game's hang-glider, underwater, and anti-gravity features. The game will feature live-recorded music for all of the new tracks and most of the retro tracks.
Nitro courses
Retro courses
Stamps
- Main article: Stamp (Mario Kart 8)
As in Super Mario 3D World and NES Remix, players can obtain stamps to use in Miiverse posts when they complete a certain objective, such as winning a cup in Grand Prix or defeating a staff member ghost in Time Trial. There are 90 stamps in the game.[23]
Development
Development for Mario Kart 8 started in 2012.[1] Some ideas that were scrapped in Mario Kart 8 included a drill that made drivers drive into subterranean depths. The idea was scrapped because the developers thought it was not as interesting as the anti-gravity idea.[24] The anti-gravity concept stemmed from the Wii U being a powerful console, and with the upgraded hardware, the developers wanted to make courses with a 3D plane in mind rather than the 2D plane as the other tracks in the Mario Kart series.[25]
The title, Mario Kart 8, is chosen to represent the anti-gravity mechanic as the "8" used in the official logo resembles the Möbius strip from Mario Circuit.[25]
Select tracks will be orchestrated, making this game the first Mario Kart game to feature orchestrated tracks.[26][27][28]
Promotion and advertising
Limited edition
A limited edition version of Mario Kart 8 is available to pre-orders in the European and Australian regions.[29] It includes the game as well as a Spiny Shell figurine.
Collaboration with Pennzoil
Nintendo and Pennzoil teamed up to promote Mario Kart 8[30]. It features real-life go-karts on a specially modified track. Icons representing some of the items in the game are spread in the course as well.
Card game
Nintendo is also developing a Mario Kart-themed card game. The game features two types of cards: Mario cards (includes Peach and Luigi cards) and Rosalina Cards (includes Lakitu and Koopalings cards). These cards come with the Japanese version of the game.[31]
Wii U Premium Pack
Nintendo is releasing a Premium Pack with Mario Kart 8. This pack is currently only available to Europe and Australia. The Nintendo UK Online store als offers two different bundles, being a Mario bundle and a Luigi bundle. Each will contain a Mario Kart 8 Premium Pack, along with a Wii Remote Plus, Wii U GamePad skin, and Wii Wheel in the corresponding brother's theme. It also contains a Mario or Luigi Hat and Mario Kart 8 guide book. Both packs will be released on May 30th, alongside the game itself, as well as Peach and Yoshi themed Wii Remote Pluses. Nintendo also revealed a Deluxe set for North American release; this one includes a black Wii U, a black GamePad, a Mario Wii Remote Plus, a red Wii Wheel, and the game. [32][33]
Bonus Game Promotion
Nintendo is giving another Wii U game to those in Europe, Australia, and North America who register Mario Kart 8 on Club Nintendo between May 30th and July 31st. Players can choose between a variety of different Nintendo titles, that differs depending on region. In Europe and Australia, players have the choice of: Nintendo Land, New Super Mario Bros. U, Game & Wario, Pikmin 3, The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker HD, Sonic Lost World, Mario & Sonic at the Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games, Wii Party U, The Wonderful 101, and Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate[34], while North American players are limited to only New Super Mario Bros. U, The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker HD, Pikmin 3, and Wii Party U.[35]
References to other games
- Famicom Grand Prix II: 3D Hot Rally: The Mario's Motors logo is seen at the starting line of Mario Circuit. In addition, Mario's artwork from the game can be faintly seen above the logo itself.
- Super Mario Bros. 2/Doki Doki Panic: The Shy Guy Metals sign seen at Toad Harbor says that they've been around since 1987, which is the year of the Shy Guy's first appearance.
- Super Mario Bros. 3: Many aspects of Cloudtop Cruise, particularly the airships, are inspired by this game. The Koopalings, who originated from this game, appear as playable characters. Gray Bowser Statues that shoot lasers appear in Bowser's Castle.
- Super Mario Kart: Donut Plains 3 returns as a retro track. Also the Coin item returns with the same function as it did in this game. Rainbow Road and N64 Rainbow Road have their design similar to the Rainbow Road from that game.
- Mario Kart 64: Toad's Turnpike, Royal Raceway, Yoshi Valley and Rainbow Road return as retro tracks.
- Mario Kart: Super Circuit: Mario Circuit returns as a retro course.
- Super Mario Sunshine: Sunshine Airport has a Shine Sprite in its logo. The European release date is used as a serial number on some storage crates in Sunshine Airport (55402MS= Oct 4th, 2002).
- Mario Kart: Double Dash!!: Like in this game, characters hold items in their hands. Dry Dry Desert and Sherbet Land return as retro courses. N64 Rainbow Road is set above a city like the Rainbow Road from this game.
- Mario Kart DS: Cheep Cheep Beach, Tick-Tock Clock, and Wario Stadium return as retro courses. Courses with anti-gravitational segments are similar to the corkscrew and the loop, in Rainbow Road, that allow racers to drive upside down.
- Super Mario Galaxy series: An image of a Luma can be seen on an airplane (from Galaxy Air airlines) in Sunshine Airport. Also, part of Cloudtop Cruise's music is a cover of Gusty Garden Galaxy's music and Sky Station Galaxy's music.
- Mario Kart Wii: Twelve player races and motorbikes return. The ability to perform stunts on ramps and boost panels returns. Moo Moo Meadows and Grumble Volcano also return as retro courses.
- New Super Mario Bros. Wii: One of the planes in Sunshine Airport has a logo for Propeller Toad Transport with an insignia of a Propeller Mushroom. The Red Case first featured on the game's box art will return as a North American exclusive.
- Super Mario 3D Land: Goomba Towers appear as obstacles in Mario Circuit. The Biddy-buggy resembles a Para-Biddybud. The Boomerang Flower appears as an item.
- Mario Kart 7: Being the direct sequel to this title, gliders and underwater areas return. Music Park, Piranha Plant Slide, and DK Jungle return as retro courses. Vehicle customization returns from this game. The remixed music that occurs when the player is first place also returns from this game.[36] In N64 Rainbow Road, when the player gets to the final section of the course, the last part of the music starts, just like how the last part of the music in Rainbow Road starts at the final section of the course. It also has Mario Kart 7's point system where each racer gets a point regardless. Various kart parts that originated from this game return.
- New Super Mario Bros. 2: Twisted Mansion's entrance has a statue of a Boohemoth above it, an enemy from this game. Bone Piranha Plants also make an appearance in Bone Dry Dunes.
- New Super Mario Bros. U: The Mecha Cheep returns in this game and there is a glider based on a Waddlewing.
- Super Mario 3D World: The Potted Piranha Plant appears as an item. Fireworks are seen in some courses. Furthermore, most of the fireworks in N64 Rainbow Road course use stamp images from this game. An ad on Toad Harbor for Tropical Grocery has a Double Cherry on it. Stamps can be unlocked in this game just like how stamps are unlocked in Super Mario 3D World.
Gallery
- Main article: Gallery:Mario Kart 8
- WiiU MarioKart8 scrn01 E3.png
- MarioMK8.png
Trivia
- This is the first Mario Kart game since Mario Kart: Super Circuit to feature no new Donkey Kong courses or retro Bowser's Castles. Since Super Mario Kart, it also features no Luigi-themed tracks.
- This is the first Mario Kart game where each course features its own background music, with no tracks sharing music. All previous titles in the series included at least two tracks sharing the same music, most commonly the regular circuit music.
- Instead, Mario Circuit's music is a cover of Mario Kart Stadium's music, as Mario Kart Stadium serves as a replacement for the Mushroom Cup circuit.
- This is the first Mario Kart game that there are Mario-related and Peach-related characters in all classes: Baby Mario and Baby Peach in the Light class, Mario and Peach themselves in the Medium class, and Metal Mario and Pink Gold Peach in the Heavy class.
External links
- Official North American Website
- Official European Website
- Official Japanese Website
- Official Australian Website
References
- ^ a b Mario Kart 8 - details on development time, GamePad ideas, hope for F-Zero - GoNintendo
- ^ Mario Kart 8 at E3 2013
- ^ Mario Kart 8 Team Talk GamePad Features, Track Design And F-Zero @ Nintendo Life
- ^ [1]
- ^ http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2013/06/mario_kart_tv_will_allow_you_to_share_your_racing_skills_on_miiverse
- ^ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OQS-cVohMRY&index=2&list=FLTaS1PSdZeVZPDoDnqZ3ddQ
- ^ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5edQL6_RHFY
- ^ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t8YG7O8ts2c
- ^ http://www.nintendo.co.uk/Games/Wii-U/Mario-Kart-8-765384.html
- ^ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6BNSMaOzPSM
- ^ a b c d https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5fEa51c-wJ8c
- ^ a b Youtube - Mario Kart 8: Course 3 Ghost House Single-Player Gameplay Footage (E3 2013 Wii U)
- ^ http://mariopartylegacy.com/2014/04/brand-new-screenshots-and-a-trailer-for-mario-kart-8/
- ^ http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2014/04/hideki_konno_emphasizes_that_mario_kart_8_balancing_means_its_not_all_about_luck
- ^ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5edQL6_RHFY
- ^ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tZAuPXPDo2w
- ^ http://mariokart8.nintendo.com/drivers/
- ^ http://mariokart8.nintendo.com/tracks/
- ^ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1JIOu2EELJo
- ^ http://www.mariokartwii.com/6033753-post7.html
- ^ http://www.nintendo.co.uk/News/2014/April/New-items-characters-and-courses-make-for-gravity-defying-fun-in-Mario-Kart-8-launching-May-30th-on-Wii-U-870260.html
- ^ Mario Kart 8 E3 trailer
- ^ [2]
- ^ Scrapped ideas led to the anti-gravity idea in Mario Kart 8 - Wii U Daily
- ^ a b E3 2013: Nintendo's Hideki Konno Pulls Back The Curtain On 'Mario Kart 8'
- ^ http://www.reinodocogumelo.com/2014/04/nintendo-revela-que-mario-kart-8-tera.html?m=1
- ^ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VvWfvVzIU6U
- ^ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vEqt-E6VTPE
- ^ http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2014/03/nintendo_of_europe_confirms_mario_kart_8_limited_edition_software_bundle
- ^ http://www.joystiq.com/2014/03/08/pennzoil-and-nintendo-to-bring-mario-kart-to-life-at-sxsw/
- ^ http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2014/03/mario_kart_8_pre_orders_from_amazon_japan_get_sweet_mario_or_rosalina_playing_cards
- ^ http://www.officialnintendomagazine.co.uk/57679/mario-kart-8-wii-u-bundles-revealed/
- ^ http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2014/04/north_american_wii_u_mario_kart_8_deluxe_set_bundle_races_into_view
- ^ http://www.nintendo.co.uk/Campaigns/Mario-Kart-8-Bonus-Game-Promotion/Mario-Kart-8-Bonus-Game-Promotion-879238.html
- ^ http://www.nintendo.com/whatsnew/detail/Mf9RJDcWmALXECxUdPB0Lf3N9Jb2VtRt
- ^ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tkslNWnOQ84
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