Mario Kart 8 Direct Coverage (4.30.2014)

Nintendo has released a Mario Kart 8 Direct, and we received a huge slew of news from it. At the beginning they said they'd reveal all, and boy, did they deliver!

First of all, it was addressed that the anti-gravity racing was derived from the need for course variety, and "new ideas and technology". During this, they also revealed the names of some courses - Mario Kart Stadium, Toad Harbor and Shy Guy Falls. Not only that, but there is a new game mechanic introduced known as "spin-boosting". Bump into an opponent with some force to gain a short burst of speed. This can very nicely be put to use for co-op strategies as well!


Mario Kart Stadium looking beautiful.

Next up, kart customization has been revealed! This allows the player to change the appearance of their kart, bike or ATV by changing the body, tires or wings. This, as you would expect, cause the attributes and stats of the vehicle to change. Right after they talked about the previously announced Koopalings and revealed the final two characters, Baby Rosalina and Pink Gold Peach. The feature to play as your Mii is also returning.

After that, Steven and Suzie brought us some information on new items! First up is the Boomerang Flower, which you can throw up to three times, and when you do throw it, it'll come back, giving you another chance to hit the opposing player. 

The Boomerang Flower in Super Mario 3D Land.

Next up is the Piranha Plant, which bites other players as you pass by them and can also eat other items, although it's not specified what items it can eat, other than the Banana Peel.


Yoshi about to use the Piranha Plant on an unsuspecting Shy Guy.

Also revealed is the Crazy Eight item, which gives the player eight items! My guess is this is a rare find in an item block. The appearance in your inventory is obviously the 8 in the Mario Kart 8 logo.

Lastly is the Super Horn, which hits other players and can deflect all projectiles. Yes, that includes the Blue Shell. 

Next, they addressed some balancing issues from Mario Kart 8, and how the speed of the vehicle you're using depends on the course in the long run.

And now for the news I've been waiting for - the online multiplayer information. Online matches can hold up to 12 players, and if you're playing a match with friends, in the lobby you can use voice and text chat. You can also host your own online tournaments, with custom requirements, circumstances and deadlines. The ability to download ghost data is returning, and you can receive Miiverse stamps for beating developer ghosts.

There was also some information on the new Mario Kart TV feature. It allows you to view replays of your best (or worst) matches, and edit them into a highlight reel. You can upload them not only to Mario Kart TV's in-game video hosting service, but to YouTube as well! Once you upload the reel, people can comment on them with the Wii U gamepad.

A Mario Kart TV replay viewing session.

Some select music tracks from Mario Kart 8 were peformed, and they wrapped the Direct up with a commentated match of Mario Kart 8.

But wait, there's more! 

If you register a copy of Mario Kart 8 from May 30th to July 31st on clubnintendo.com, you will receive a download code for a game of your choice - New Super Mario Bros. U, Pikmin 3, Wii Party U or The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker HD. Oh, and Mario Kart 8 will also be available bundled with a 32 GB Wii U console, a Wii Wheel and a Wii Remote.

Watch the full direct here:

Stay tuned for the review of Mario Kart 8!