Nintendo dropped a bunch of new details about its Wii U racing game and classic franchise Mario Kart 8 today. The fan-favorite will have some new items, including a Piranha Plant and Boomarang Flower and well as some new racing mechanics like Spin Boost which which speeds up players when in the new zero-g Anti-gravity mode. The game will also features 16 new races courses with another 16 returning from previous games which have been updated for this newest release.
Check out a round up of the newly revealed features below and the watch the video for some hands on use of the new items.
- 12-player online competitive play
- 4-player local multiplayer
- 12-player online multiplayer
- A new Spin Boost feature for when you're racing upside down or on walls
- Returning characters like Metal Mario, Lakitu, and Shy Guy as well as all seven of Bowser's Koopalings
- New items: Piranha Plant, which attaches to your kart and chomps at players and items and gives you a speed boost; Boomerang Flower, stuns fellow racers and can be thrown forward or backwards.
- New courses: Remixed classics include Moo Moo Meadows from Mario Kart Wii, Toad's Turnpike from Mario Kart 64, and Donut Plains from Super Mario Kart. The remade tracks include re-designed and re-imagined graphics and layouts.
- Live recorded music: For the first time in the history of the Mario Kart series, some courses in Mario Kart 8 will feature music recorded by live performers, although Nintendo isn't saying who yet.
- Control options: Wii U GamePad, Wii U Pro Controller, the Wii WHeel, and the Wii Remote and Nunchuck. Also supports off-TV mode.
Mario Kart 8 is set to drop on May 30 on the Wii U and could provide the much-needed boost the struggling Nintendo needs.
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