Nintendo has released a brand new overview trailer for Mario Kart 8 Deluxe today that provides a rundown of all the content that’ll be available on the Nintendo Switch rerelease on launch day. The practice of porting existing titles to new hardware is one that’s often been hit and miss, but this particular migration is certainly shaping up to be one worthy of your attention.
Along with featuring all DLC released for the Wii U version, Deluxe will introduce its own slew of new faces, including the previously announced Bowser Jr., Inkling Boy/Girl, Dry Bones and King Boo. All of the new additions will bring the total character tally up to an eye-watering 42, with a brand new contender, Gold Mario also revealed. By the looks of it, Mario’s gilded self won’t be selectable by default, and will instead be unlocked upon completion of all tracks in 200cc mode.
The new content extends far beyond new characters, too, with various improvements, including the ability to hold two items at once and new modes par for the course.
Among them is Renegade Roundup, which pits two teams against each other in a game of cat and mouse. Pursuers will need to round up all opponents and incarcerate them before time runs out. It’s not game over if you’re caught, however, as teammates are still free to break you out of jail in order to even the odds. See an overview of the remaining modes below, courtesy of Nintendo.
- Balloon Battle: In this oldie but goodie, players earn points by popping balloons on the back of their opponents’ karts.
- Bob-omb Blast: Originally seen in the Mario Kart: Double Dash!! game, this mode finds players throwing a barrage of Bob-ombs at opponents.
- Coin Runners: By racing across the Battle course, players try to collect the most coins as possible in this fast and frenetic mode introduced in Mario Kart Wii.
- Shine Thief: Steal the coveted Shine Sprite and try to hold onto it for a 20 count in this classic multiplayer Battle mode.
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is out April 28 for Nintendo Switch and will support four player split-screen. If you’re out and about, both Joy-Con controllers can be detached from the main console and used independently for a session of head-to-head racing.
