Mario Kart 8, the eighth installment of Nintendo's popular racing game series, is set to be launched on May 30, 2014. Mario Kart 8 is a follow-up in line with the franchise's well-known gameplay in which Mario universe characters are pitted against each other in a go-kart race. They try to stop their adversaries or enhance their racing skills and proficiency by utilizing the different instruments contained in the item boxes.

Some recurring features from the past chapters are included, such as Mario Kart Wii's 12-player race, Mario Kart 7's underwater race, hang gliders and motorbikes. The new features include a focus on "anti-gravity" sections so racers can drive on ceilings and walls with HD visuals. It also features local and online multiple player modes for up to 12 racers. Another innovative feature is the Mario Kart TV that permits players to share clips from their races using Miiverse.

Mario Kart 8 is well-suited for Wii Remote and Nunchuk, Wii U GamePad, Wii Wheel and Wii U Pro Controllers. It runs at 60 frames per second, even in the two-player mode.

Price

The price for Mario Kart 8 bundled with the console is a little below $275. Alternatively, the standard price for just the game is $60 while the limited version may cost more, especially with the addition of a collector's item.

The characters in the game include Mario, Luigi, Baby Mario, Baby Luigi, Princess Daisy, Princess Peach, Baby Daisy, Baby Peach, Yoshi, Donkey Kong, Bowser, Koopa Troopa, Toad, Toadette, Rosalina, Wario, Waluigi, Lakitu, Roy, Shyguy, Larry, Roy, Ludwig, Iggy, Morton Jr. and Wendy.

Mario Kart 8 has 14 new tracks and four cups. Mushroom Cup has four tracks consisting of Mario Kart Stadium, Water Park, Sweet Sweet Canyon, and Thwomp Ruins. Flower Cup has four tracks consisting of Mario Circuit, Toad Harbor, Twisted Mansion, and Shy Guy Falls. Star Cup has two tracks consisting of Sunshine Airport and Electrodome. Special Cup also has two tracks, Cloudtop Cruise and Rainbow Road.