Mario Kart 8 Deluxe has been a major success for the Nintendo Switch since its release in early 2017. Despite starting as a game for the Wii U, it has found new life on the Switch, attracting a larger player base and becoming one of the platform's most popular multiplayer games. It has sold over 53 million units so far, making it the best-selling game for the Nintendo Switch.
In addition to the already impressive base game, Nintendo has been consistently adding new tracks and characters to Mario Kart 8 Deluxe through the Booster Course DLC Pack. With four waves of content already released and another set to come out next week, fans have a wealth of fun to enjoy with this extensive package. However, for the final DLC pack later this year, Nintendo should draw inspiration from a previous installment and incorporate one of its best-selling features into Mario Kart 8 Deluxe.
New Mario Kart, New Ideas
The Mario Kart series has established itself as a prominent franchise for Nintendo, consistently releasing a new installment with each console generation. Starting from the original Super Mario Kart on SNES to the recent Mario Kart Tour on mobile, Nintendo has consistently refreshed the series, making it compatible with the latest hardware. To keep things exciting, Nintendo always introduces new gameplay mechanics or features in these games.
Out of all the entries, Mario Kart: Double Dash for the GameCube stands out as the most innovative addition to the series. As the game's subtitle suggests, Double Dash allows players to control two characters on a single kart, able to switch between them effortlessly. One character drives the kart, while the other handles weapons and defensive items. What makes this feature intriguing is that each character possesses their own unique items, giving players access to a larger variety of pick-ups.
Including Double Dash's Dual Racer Concept
Therefore, players can now hold a total of four items instead of just two. This unique feature is exclusive to Mario Kart: Double Dash and has not been revisited in any other game in the franchise. The reason for this decision by Nintendo remains unclear, but it added an exciting and chaotic element to the racing experience. Given that Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is already receiving additional content through DLC to make it the ultimate Mario Kart game, adding one more feature would not be a detriment.
This is especially true for not only the main racetracks but also the various battle modes in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. The competitive matches would become even more intense and strategic with players having the ability to carry more items. In particular, Bom-omb Blast would become a frantic survival race as players can store double the number of bombs in their arsenal.
The next DLC wave for Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is set to release next week, leaving players with anticipation for one more pack. Although the content of this final addition remains unknown, it would be exciting if Nintendo fully embraces this gameplay feature, along with several fresh racecourses and character options, to add more excitement. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe can only be played on the Nintendo Switch.