Scheduled for release on May 30, 2014, Mario Kart 8 is Nintendo's eighth installment in its long-popular racing game series. U.S. gamers will be able to get the game by itself for $60. U.K. gamers will have the additional option of getting it bundled with the Wii U console along with Peach and Yoshi character-themed controllers for £249.99 or less.

Gameplay

Mario Kart 8 continues the franchise's traditional gameplay. By enhancing their performance in racing and utilizing different tools, characters from the Mario universe attempt to out-race each other in go-karts. Littered across the race-course are mysterious boxes containing random power-ups that help any racer who touches them with power-ups that make them race better or sabotage opponents.

Additions from the previous installments will be featured in this one as well, including motorbikes, Mario Kart 7's underwater racing and hangliders, and Mario Kart Wii's 12-player racing. New additions include anti-gravity sections where racers can drive on ceilings and walls. The new game continues support for local multi-player despite a trend for other traditionally local multiplayer franchises removing the feature. The Mario Kart TV is another new feature, where clips of races can be shared on Miiverse for others to see and comment on.

Running at 60 frames/second, Mario Kart 8 features HD visuals. The game is designed for use with Wii U GamePad, Wii U Pro Controller, Wii Wheel, and Wii Remote and Nunchuk in two-player mode. Nintendo is working to make it available in the four-player mode.

The game's character roster includes Mario, Baby Mario, Baby Luigi, Luigi, Baby Peach, Princess Peach, Baby Daisy, Princess Daisy, Donkey Kong, Koopa Troopa, Yoshi, Rosalina, Bowser, Shyguy, Toadette, Toad, Ludwig, Wario, Larry, Wendy, Lakitu, Larry, Roy, Iggy, and Morton Jr.

There are four cups and 14 new tracks on Mario Kart 8. The cups are:

  • Mushroom Cup with four tracks (Mario Kart Stadium, Thwomp Ruins, Sweet Sweet Canyon and Water Park);
  • Flower Cup with four tracks (Toad Harbor, Mario Circuit, Shy Guy Falls and Twisted Mansion);
  • Star Cup with two tracks (Electrodome and Sunshine Airport); and
  • Special Cup with two tracks (Rainbow Road and Cloudtop Cruise).