Summary
Over the last decade, Nintendo has released a handful of games that have sat firmly in the stratosphere of popularity, with little to no signs of coming down.Super Smash Bros. UltimateandThe Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wildare just a couple examples of this success, but one title in particular has demonstrated widespread appeal and near-endless replayability:Mario Kart 8. The arcade kart racer is nearly 10 years old and still maintains a passionate playerbase, and its longevity has only increased thanks to theMario Kart 8 DeluxeBooster Course Pass DLC.
After so many years on the market and so many copies sold, gamers have spent a lot of hours tearing up the Mushroom Kingdom’s best racetracks. In that time, both hardcore and casualMario Kart 8fans have given the game additional depth by establishing a list of unwritten rules. Like house rules in a board game, these unwritten rules can serve as helpful tips and govern the etiquette of each race. Many other games, especially competitive titles likeFortnite, have unwritten rules of their own, but those found inMario Kart 8demonstrate just how unique the Nintendo Switch’s best-selling game has become.
One of the first truths that must be accepted when playingMario Kart 8, is that no matter how far in first place someone may be, no matter what items they may be holding, and no matter whether they’re using one ofthe bestMario Kart 8racers, their lead is never safe. If there’s one thing that’s certain in any race, it’s chaos, and that chaos can take someone from first to last swiftly and without hesitation. Even the most skilled players can find their lead ripped away in an instant, especially when a Spiny Shell—or Blue Shell as it’s more commonly known—is thrown into the fray. Sometimes, it’s best just to embrace it.
The Super Horn Is For Blue Shells Only
On the topic of Blue Shells, another one ofMario Kart 8’s unwritten rules revolves around one of the few dependable ways to avoid it.Mario Kart 8introduced an item called the Super Horn, which can destroy throwable items as well as stop players in their tracks. Those throwable items include Blue Shells, making the Super Horn highly valuable for players in first who can be targeted by the projectile. For that reason, whenever some players are lucky enough to get the Super Horn, it’s often strictly used to take out Blue Shells, even if it could be used to hinder other racers or clear other items.
Green Shells & Bananas Have No Loyalty
InMario Kart 8, and just abouteveryMario Kartgame that came before it, racers can be hit by any Green Shell or Banana. It’s a rather straightforward aspect of the game, but as manyMario Kart 8players have likely experienced, throwing these items can often do more bad than good. Not only can Bananas be forgotten about and run over later in a race, but Green Shells ricochet all over the track once they’re thrown, and often miss their target completely just to come back and hit the player who threw it. Due to this risk, many players will instead use these items for defense and avoid the frustration.
Mario Kart 8has cemented itself as not only one of the most popularMario Kartgames of all time, but one of the most popular games Nintendo has ever made. Its longevity is something many games could only dream of, andits accessibility makesMario Kart 8an excellent party gamefor even the most casual gamers. Even when Nintendo eventually moves on fromMario Kart 8, many of its unwritten rules will likely remain.
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe
WHERE TO PLAY
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is a racing game in the world-renowned racing game series. The game was released in 2017 for Nintendo Switch and was at the time the first Mario game on the platform. It is an improved version of the Wii U game Mario Kart 8. It comes with added characters and changes in Battle Mode.Burn rubber across Mushroom Kingdom raceways—underwater, in the sky, upside-down in zero-g, and past the finish—for the win! Get revved up for local multiplayer, online in-game tournaments, a revamped battle mode, and more!Stay fresh in the Mario Kart™ 8 Deluxe game by playing as guest characters Inkling Girl and Inkling Boy! You can use their Splatoon inspired karts on their battle mode stage, Urchin Underpass.There are also returning items, like Boo, the item-stealing ghost, and the Feather, used exclusively in battle mode. Veterans rejoice—you can hold two items at once! Prove you’re the world’s best racer and battler in online tournaments, or simply race and battle friends online. With many control options and handheld mode, there’s always a way to play on the Nintendo Switch™ system!
