Developer Nintendo EAD Group No. 1 and publisher Nintento's upcoming racing game, Mario Kart 8 is the latest in the Mario Kart franchise.
Players will get to race in go-karts where the race can be either improved or hindered by rivals using various tools. The game will also include motorbikes apart from the karts. This game will include 12-player racing.
A new feature that has been added to the game is anti-gravity racing where certain tracks will allow the players to drive their vehicles on walls and even ceilings. It will also include gliders, underwater racing and mid-air tricks. The game also has new characters like the Koopalings, Baby Rosalina, and Pink Gold Peach.
The game will also include new items like the Boomerang Flower, Piranha Plant, the Crazy 8 and the Super Horn. Mario Kart 8 will be compatible with the Wii U GamePad, Wii Remote and Nunchuk, Wii U Pro Controller and Wii Wheel.
The game will be released on 30 May for North America and Europe. It is exclusively for Wii U handheld console.
Below are some of the reviews for Mario Kart 8:
- Polygon – Rates it 9/10
"It doesn't bring massive innovations to the formula, but it's overflowing in that Nintendo magic that makes it so easy to forget about minor shortcomings. It's gorgeous looks and tightly developed sense of speed ensured that I was never left unhappy after a race, even when I blew it and came in near the end." Read the full review here.
- CVG – Rates it 9/10
"This is Nintendo serving up unprecedented helpings of joy as only it can." Read the full review here.
- Kotaku – Rates it GO for it!
"Under that shiny coat of paint is the best Mario Kart I've ever played when it comes to actual racing. It's not a perfect game, and it's obviously more fun with a few friends, but it will certainly go down as a must-have for any Nintendo fan and Wii U owner." Read the full review here.
- Eurogamer – Rates it 10/10
"Bold, accessible, deep and rich, Mario Kart 8 is premium video game development. It feels expensive. But this isn't the vacuous lavishness of the Hollywood blockbuster; its excesses and indulgences work towards a common goal - or rather, finish line... Mario Kart 8 is a rare thing, then: the best entry in a series and the most exciting yet." Read the full review here.
- Official Nintendo Magazine – Rates it 96/100
"Every Mario Kart's offered something new, but few feel like they've changed the series' formula so importantly - this is a line in the sand. Magnificent." Read the full review here.
- Joystiq – Rates it 4.5/5 Stars
"Despite an unfortunate change to its battle mode, MK8 is a solid extra lap on a series with a great foundation. The gravity-shifting sections spliced into existing and new tracks feel like a natural extension of the series rather than a gameplay-changing revelation, but it's a strong complement to an already enjoyable experience. The social features are surprisingly solid and may even outlive the total course selection, but it helps that the new tracks feel as worthy of a revisit as the series' standouts." Read the full review here.
- Destructoid – Rates it 9/10
"Mario Kart 8 is my favorite series entry since Double Dash, and if it gets arena battle tracks at some point by way of DLC, it will be a near-perfect package. Its vibrant visuals will hold up for years to come, ensuring that the game will withstand the test of time, and it will be a staple in my household for a long, long while." Read the full review here.
- The Guardian – Rates it 5/5 Stars
"Regardless of the Wii U's troubles Nintendo remains one of (if not the) greatest developers on the planet in terms of making games that are a pure joy to play, and Mario Kart 8 is one of its finest. The question with Mario Kart 8 was never really 'is this going to be good', because with Nintendo that much can be taken for granted. The question is whether it's the best yet. And, among one hell of a field, it takes first place." Read the full review here.
- GamesRadar – Rates it 4/5 Stars
"Mario Kart 8 is a slick and gorgeous-looking kart racer that's perfectly solid but not always as exciting or addictive as we've come to expect from the series." Read the full review here.
- IGN – Rates it 9/10
"It strikes a careful balance between refining old ideas while introducing fresh new ones. Admittedly, its gorgeous graphics and jazzy orchestrated soundtrack bolster its presentation, but you're getting a lot more than just looks with this one – although I spent an awful lot of time gawking at the details in slow-motion, the fast and furious pace of racing with friends both locally and online is what really kept me coming back." Read the full review here.
