PlayerOneTyler
Sr. Community Manager, Smashboards Editor / Social
Nintendo’s most beloved racing franchise is revving up for a new challenge that is speeding our way next month. Some new details on Mario Kart 8 have emerged and we’re here to give you the latest scoop!
**Spoiler Warning: The contents of this article contains new information on Mario Kart 8, including tracks, items, racers, and gameplay details.**
Just last week, Nintendo held a press release where the media was offered a hands-on look at Mario Kart’s newest installment. Details have exploded all over the Internet today, including a brand new trailer.
Mario Kart 8’s latest trailer, released Thursday morning, April 3, 2014.
Perhaps the most exciting news is the announcement of two Rainbow Roads in the game. The first one is an all-new concept created specifically for Mario Kart 8, and the second being a re-imagined version of Mario Kart 64’s Rainbow Road, as seen in the trailer. A couple other tracks appear to be returning with a brand-spanking-new design, including Moo Moo Meadows from Mario Kart Wii, Toad’s Turnpike from Mario Kart 64, and Donut Plains from the game that started it all, Super Mario Kart for the SNES. There will be 16 new courses as well as 16 retro courses. This brings the total count up to 32 beautifully designed locations in which to slip on banana peels and floor it past opponents on the way to the finish line.
Two new items have made their way into the ever-growing collection of power ups, the first being the Piranha Plant. This item rides along in front of the vehicle and snaps at any nearby racers. The other is the Boomerang. Drivers can throw it out in front of them to hit their opponents, then it returns to its thrower. It is currently unknown how many times the Boomerang can be thrown.
Yoshi using the Piranha Plant, one of Mario Kart 8’s brand new items.
Everyone has their favorite Mario Kart racer, and some fan-favorites will be returning behind the wheel. Two of Mario Kart 7’s newcomers, Metal Mario and Lakitu, as well as Shy Guy, who made his debut in Mario Kart DS, make a return in Mario Kart 8. It is currently unknown if Mario Kart 8 will stay true to Mario Kart 7’s weight classes, so Lakitu and Shy Guy's “feather” weight status remains a mystery.
There are a couple more details to note that make Mario Kart 8 the most innovative installment yet. There is an all-new gameplay mechanic called the Spin Boost. When driving with anti-gravity on the walls or ceilings, bumping into other racers and obstacles gives the player a small boost of speed. The Spin Boost will also knock other racers back. Mario Kart 8 is also the very first game in the franchise that features music recorded by a live ensemble.
Mario Kart 8 for the Wii U will hit store shelves on May 30, 2014 in North America and Europe, and the following day in Australia.
Join us in the Light House for discussion and news on any and all things video game related!
iDOWN is a Walt Disney World Cast Member, a Nintendo-enthusiast, and an extremely casual Marth and Ness main. You can contact him for anything on his Twitter, @PlayerOneiDOWN.
**Spoiler Warning: The contents of this article contains new information on Mario Kart 8, including tracks, items, racers, and gameplay details.**
Just last week, Nintendo held a press release where the media was offered a hands-on look at Mario Kart’s newest installment. Details have exploded all over the Internet today, including a brand new trailer.
Perhaps the most exciting news is the announcement of two Rainbow Roads in the game. The first one is an all-new concept created specifically for Mario Kart 8, and the second being a re-imagined version of Mario Kart 64’s Rainbow Road, as seen in the trailer. A couple other tracks appear to be returning with a brand-spanking-new design, including Moo Moo Meadows from Mario Kart Wii, Toad’s Turnpike from Mario Kart 64, and Donut Plains from the game that started it all, Super Mario Kart for the SNES. There will be 16 new courses as well as 16 retro courses. This brings the total count up to 32 beautifully designed locations in which to slip on banana peels and floor it past opponents on the way to the finish line.
Two new items have made their way into the ever-growing collection of power ups, the first being the Piranha Plant. This item rides along in front of the vehicle and snaps at any nearby racers. The other is the Boomerang. Drivers can throw it out in front of them to hit their opponents, then it returns to its thrower. It is currently unknown how many times the Boomerang can be thrown.
Yoshi using the Piranha Plant, one of Mario Kart 8’s brand new items.
Everyone has their favorite Mario Kart racer, and some fan-favorites will be returning behind the wheel. Two of Mario Kart 7’s newcomers, Metal Mario and Lakitu, as well as Shy Guy, who made his debut in Mario Kart DS, make a return in Mario Kart 8. It is currently unknown if Mario Kart 8 will stay true to Mario Kart 7’s weight classes, so Lakitu and Shy Guy's “feather” weight status remains a mystery.
There are a couple more details to note that make Mario Kart 8 the most innovative installment yet. There is an all-new gameplay mechanic called the Spin Boost. When driving with anti-gravity on the walls or ceilings, bumping into other racers and obstacles gives the player a small boost of speed. The Spin Boost will also knock other racers back. Mario Kart 8 is also the very first game in the franchise that features music recorded by a live ensemble.
Mario Kart 8 for the Wii U will hit store shelves on May 30, 2014 in North America and Europe, and the following day in Australia.
Join us in the Light House for discussion and news on any and all things video game related!
iDOWN is a Walt Disney World Cast Member, a Nintendo-enthusiast, and an extremely casual Marth and Ness main. You can contact him for anything on his Twitter, @PlayerOneiDOWN.
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. I am ready. 
