Like other Mario Kart games, Mario Kart 8 sees characters from the Mario universe race in go-karts, attempting to hinder their opponents or improve their performance using power-ups found in item boxes. It includes four different difficulties, each differing in speed, which can be selected before beginning the race to challenge players. Returning features from previous installments include motorbikes and 12-player racing from Mario Kart Wii, as well as hang gliders, underwater racing and vehicle customization from Mario Kart 7.
Mario Kart 8's new features include anti-gravity racing, in which certain parts of a track can allow racers to drive on walls and ceilings.[1] During these sections, players can bump into other racers or special bumpers to trigger a Spin Boost, which gives them an extra speed boost. New characters include the Koopalings and Pink Gold Peach. There are four new items: the Boomerang Flower, which can be thrown to attack players, the Piranha Plant, which attacks nearby racers and obstacles and provides a speed boost, the Crazy Eight, which gives the user eight different items, and the Super Horn, which can be used both to attack nearby opponents and defend against items, including the previously nearly unavoidable Spiny Shell.[2][3] The game features 32 tracks spread across eight cups, with an additional 16 tracks later released as downloadable content (DLC) in four additional cups.
Along with local multiplayer, Mario Kart 8 supports online multiplayer with up to twelve players and voice chat outside of races; however, voice chat is only available with friends online. Before Nintendo's Miiverse social network was discontinued on November 7, 2017, players could set up tournaments with customizable rules and schedules, post race videos there, and earn art stamps for decorating Miiverse messages by beating staff times and completing Grand Prix races. Miiverse features have been removed from the game, although downloading ghost data from friends or top players is still possible.
The Wii U version is compatible with the Wii U GamePad, Wii Remote and Nunchuk, Wii U Pro Controller, Wii Classic Controller, and Wii Wheel.[4] The Switch version can be played with an individual Joy-Con turned on its side, the Joy-Con Grip controller shell, the console tablet with both Joy-Con attached, or the Nintendo Switch Pro Controller and the Nintendo GameCube Controller with the Nintendo GameCube Adapter. Amiibo figures can unlock Nintendo-themed costumes to be worn by Miis.[5] A free software update to the Switch version was made in June 2018 that allows players to use the Toy-Con Motorbike from the Nintendo Labo Variety Kit as a compatible motion controller.[6]
