News Articles
Friday23rd May 2014
News Mario Will Be Racing In Reality At This Weekend's History 300 At Charlotte Motor Speedway
Not upside down, sadly
Mario Kart 8 may not have much of a grounding in reality, but the game will be getting some welcome real-world exposure at this weekend's History 300 At Charlotte Motor Speedway event. US retailer GameStop has taken over the livery of double Daytona 500 winner and NASCAR Sprint Cup Series racer Matt Kenseth's Toyota Camry in...
Tuesday20th May 2014
Video The Latest Mario Kart 8 Commercial is Possibly the Strangest Yet
Weird is good, right?
It's the opinion of some, including this writer, that Nintendo's renewed focus on seizing attention in the face of tougher times has reminded the company of key parts of its identity. After bland lifestyle adverts in the Wii and DS era as Nintendo merely needed to release something to make big bucks, we're now seeing the...
Monday19th May 2014
News Nintendo Brand Manager Hopes Mario Kart 8 Will Serve as a "Catalyst" for Wii U
"Mario Kart is one of our killer titles"
Though no game ever achieves loving praise from 100% of those that play it, Mario Kart 8 has been the recipient of plenty of compliments in reviews to date. What truly matters for Nintendo, however, is that buzz about the release will not only make it a must-buy for Wii U owners, but also entice other gamers...
Saturday17th May 2014
Video The Piranha Plant and a "Crazy Plunge" Tested in the Latest Mario Kart 8 Commercials
Advertising with some bite
Over the past week we've shared a few Mario Kart 8 30-second commercial that have been doing the rounds, incorporating some fun live-action sequences with game footage. Nintendo's now uploaded a couple more examples, covering the Piranha Plant — an excellent new item in this entry — and showing a "crazy plunge" that's...
Friday16th May 2014
Video DreamWorks Animator Transforms His Son Into A Shell-Throwing Mario Kart Hero
Shell shocked
DreamWorks Animator Daniel Hashimoto has created a series of videos which star his son in the role of Action Movie Kid, where movie-standard special effects are applied to make his life look a little more incredible. The latest episode couldn't be more timely with Mario Kart 8 around the corner, as Hashimoto places his son in a...
Reaction Mario Kart 8 Accused Of Poor Sales Potential, Ruining Battle Mode And Racism
Mario Kart Hate
Mario Kart 8 launches at the end of this month, and as you'll know if you've consulted our review, it's well worth looking forward to. It would seem that most of the gaming press agrees with us; the game has scored very highly across the board. However, opinions are like belly buttons — everybody has one — and unsurprisingly,...
Video Nintendo Minute Picks Some Favourite Mario Kart 8 Tracks
Cloudtop Cruise! Mount Wario! Sunshine Airport!
There's just a bit — alright, a lot — of buzz around Mario Kart 8 at the moment, with this week's reviews generally declaring it to offer a jolly good time. We were happy campers in our own review, awarding it 9/10 and using the rather cheery tagline of "8th Wonder of the World". In other words,...
Video Check Out This Mario Kart 8 And Mario Kart Wii Moo Moo Meadows Comparison
Ahead of the pack?
With Mario Kart 8 getting rave reviews all over the interwebs, Family Gamer TV has dialled in for some close up comparison of the Moo Moo Meadows level on both the Wii and Wii U. While it is of course expected that the Wii U version looks better, quite how much better is kind of mind-blowing. Certainly this night and day...
Wednesday14th May 2014
News Mario Kart 8 Free Wii U Game Promotion Extended to Scandinavian Countries
A pin code and web page will be distributed
For those picking up Mario Kart 8 when it launches at the end of May, a welcome bonus is that registering the game by 31st July will entitle those gamers to a free Wii U retail title. You can see all of the details right here. This is tied to Club Nintendo, which has unfortunately ruled it out in...
Video Behold The Incredible Destructive Power Of The Mario Kart 8 Super Horn
Spiny blue shells, begone!
A short time ago we posted a video of Nintendo's new TV spot for Mario Kart 8, which gives a humourous spin (no pun intended) to the game's use of anti-gravity. Nintendo has now posted this video — along with two others — to its YouTube channel, and you can watch them in glorious HD quality below. The most amusing...
Tuesday13th May 2014
Video This "Upside-Down Test" Mario Kart 8 Commercial is a Bit Awesome
"It's Flipping Fun"
Nintendo has expressed its desire to heavily promote Mario Kart 8 in the coming weeks and months, no doubt hoping to tempt a lot of gamers on the fence regarding the Wii U to take the plunge. In-store ads and a Mario Kart TV web app will play roles, though we should expect the company to spend some marketing money on good-old TV...
Monday12th May 2014
News Nintendo Announces "Mario Kart 8 Test Drive Days" At Over 2700 GameStop Stores
Pre-orders to get a special poster, too
It's pretty clear that plenty of Wii U owners are now impatiently awaiting Mario Kart 8, while others may be tempted to dive in and buy a system for the latest entry in the iconic series. Nintendo's cranking up the hype, meanwhile, with public-access demos now confirmed to be on the way to more than 2,700...
News Kosuke Yabuki Explains That Every Mario Kart is Made "From Scratch"
Explains retro course design and Battle mode's lack of arenas in MK8
Mario Kart 8 is now just a few weeks away, and the secrets of its modes and design have been stripped away in favour of anticipation as Wii U owners become keen to get their hands on the latest racer in the series. In a mini-interview with EDGE magazine, Kosuke Yabuki took the...
Saturday10th May 2014
Video Join Us For A Relaxing Weekend Drive Around Mario Kart 8's Vintage Circuits
A blast from the past
In keeping with previous entries in the series, Mario Kart 8 resurrects popular tracks from past games. These are far from being lazy upgrades, though — many have been retooled to take advantage of the game's anti-gravity focus, and all of them naturally benefit from a luscious HD lick of paint. In the video below, intrepid...
Friday9th May 2014
Video Mario Kart 8's Balloon-Popping Battle Mode Looks Something Like This
No arenas this time around
Battle Mode has been an intrinsic part of Mario Kart since the days of the SNES original, and that hasn't changed in Mario Kart 8. However, instead of popping balloons in a specially-designed arenas, this time around your battles occur on a limited selection of tracks from the game itself: Moo Moo Meadows Dry Dry...
Thursday8th May 2014
News Mario Kart 8 Limited Edition Software Bundle Coming To North America
But will only be available from the Nintendo World store in New York
When the Mario Kart 8 limited edition software bundle – containing a copy of the game and a Blue Shell figurine – was announced for Europe, many Nintendo fans across North America feared they would be missing out on a collectable item. Fortunately, for those wanting something...
News Amazon Germany Offers an Exclusive Steelbook Edition of Mario Kart 8
Check this beauty out
Whenever the phrase 'steelbook' appears in relation to a limited edition game release, our interest is immediately piqued. Some of team Nintendo Life are still insanely jealous of the Metroid Prime Trilogy steelbook that was released in North America but not in Europe, for example. Metal is lovely for game packaging. It seems...
Video Witness The Intolerable Cruelty Of Mario Kart 8
All thanks to Mario Kart TV's awesome slow-mo feature
Mario Kart TV is one of the biggest additions to Mario Kart 8, and will allow players to save, edit and share their finest on-track moments. It's also great for messing about with and creating daft little videos, such as the one we present to you below. The game's slow-mo feature makes even the...
News Nintendo Reveals 'Mario Kart TV' Web App in Financial Results Briefing
Connecting with NNID will provide extra features
Earlier today we shared a report from Nikkei announcing a Mario Kart 8 website or app in translated comments from a Satoru Iwata press conference. Now that the translated investor briefing has been released we have some more firm details and a screen of the service in action. This will be a web...
Wednesday7th May 2014
News Mario Kart 8 Smart Device Website or App on the Way
To provide services such as ranking checks
Mario Kart 8 is already forging new ground on the Wii U, with Nintendo having confirmed not only the Mario Kart TV feature, but the ability to upload those highlights reels directly to YouTube from within the game. It also seems set to represent Nintendo's first move into producing an accompanying smart...
Tuesday6th May 2014
Video We Blast Around Five Of Our Favourite New Tracks In Mario Kart 8
Mii spotted in rather tight racing leathers
Mario Kart 8 is creeping ever closer, bringing with it plenty of excitement for Wii U owners. Nintendo produced a rather entertaining Mario Kart 8 Direct recently, and there's plenty of buzz about this one online. Like many others we're planning quite a few videos ahead of release to show you what it's...
Mario Kart Month Mario Kart 8 Character Profiles: Mo' Babies, Mo' Problems
Imagine: Karting Babyz
With Mario Kart's ever-expanding roster of eligible drivers, it can be tough to keep track of them all. When you're out there on the crowded raceway, how are you supposed to tell your Dry Bowsers from your Honey Queens? Have no fear: Nintendo Life is here to help you with handy character profiles on every racer in this May's...
Saturday3rd May 2014
News The Awesome Hori Mario Kart 8 Accessories Seem To Hit The Final Straight For North America
Happy times
Not so long ago we had the happy news that Hori's rather attractive Mario Kart 8-themed GamePad skins and wheels to Europe. It seems that the accessory company — likely with distribution assistance from Nintendo — is also bringing its goodies to North America, too. The Mario and Luigi themed Wii wheels and GamePad skins have popped...
Thursday1st May 2014
News Mario Kart 8 Bundle Dips Below £200 In The UK, Includes Additional Free Game Offer
Grab yourself a bargain
With Mario Kart 8 hitting the streets later this month, there has never been a better time to take the plunge and buy a Wii U console. Of course Nintendo are handily bundled together their Triple-A kart racer with the system, but where is the best place to buy it from? We'd recommend that you consider slapping in a preorder...
News Nintendo Ramps Up Its Merchandising Efforts With "World Of Nintendo" Toy Range
Coming to Australia this year
Nintendo has some of the most recognisable IP in the world of entertainment, and is clearly taking steps to leverage its library of characters with a new "World of Nintendo" range of toys and merchandise. 2014's big release Mario Kart 8 is getting a sizable push, with special track sets and cars hitting the market...
News New Mario Kart 8 Screenshots Power-Slide Into View
7 new screenshots to whet your appetite
What a day it has been for Mario Kart 8 news! If you missed the surprise Nintendo Direct broadcast earlier today, we've got you covered. What we didn't have space to show you in our monster round-up was some new screenshots which Nintendo released today. These show off new items such as the Super Horn and the...
Wednesday30th Apr 2014
News Mario Kart 8 Club Nintendo Promotion Offers a Free Wii U Game
Choice of 10 in Europe, 4 in North America
After what were undoubtedly constant requests from fans — referenced directly by Satoru Iwata — Nintendo has unleashed new Mario Kart 8 Nintendo Direct broadcasts to reveal more about the upcoming Wii U blockbuster. Though regional variations were generally minor, there were subtle differences such as a...
News North American Wii U Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Set Bundle Races Into View
Could this be the Best Buy for US gamers?
We've already seen the Mario Kart 8 Wii U bundles for Europe and very nice they are too. Of course North America is not to be outdone and retailer Best Buy is currently accepting preorders for the Wii U Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Set — as seen above — for the attractive price of $329.99. As well as including a...
Nintendo Direct Special Mario Kart 8 Direct Shows New Features, Racers And Items
Watch the entire presentation here
Nintendo sure likes to keep us on our toes — it has just published a special, unannounced Nintendo Direct broadcast devoted to Mario Kart 8, which launches worldwide next month. The video — which is available in two different flavours, North American and UK — runs for over 30 minutes and contains details on...
Sunday27th Apr 2014
Weirdness Best Buy Offers "Gas Cash" Promotion for Mario Kart 8
$10 of real-life gasoline to "rev up your Kart"
According to this site linked to Best Buy's Mario Kart 8 page, the company has an interesting promotion for customers in the United States. If you pre-order and purchase Mario Kart 8 at your local Best Buy, you'll get $10 in "gas cash" to fuel your real-life ride using a special code online. Specific...
