Mario Kart 8 Receives Bundle, New Game Details

In a move completely out of the blue, Nintendo has released both a press release and a Nintendo Direct completely focused on Mario Kart 8 and what’s to come as the game releases in North America starting May 30th.

The first announcement comes not as a surprise to those following Mario Kart 8 news, but more as a relief that it’s coming to North America, as well: Mario Kart 8 will receive a special Wii U bundle starting May 30th. Retailing at $329.99, it comes with a 32 GB Wii U Deluxe, a red Mario Wii Wheel, Red Mario Wii Remote Plus controller and the game itself. Additionally, everyone who purchases the bundle or the game separately and registers the game with Club Nintendo by July 31st will get a free bonus downloadable game from the following options:  New Super Mario Bros. U, Pikmin 3, The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker HD or Wii Party U.

Now for the details within the game! Mario Kart 8 will a bunch of new racers, including just-revealed Pink Gold Peach and Baby Rosalina. You can also use your Mii character to round out the total roster to 30. Additionally, new items are coming to Mario Kart 8, including a Super Horn that blast all enemies and items out of its path. Finally there is an answer for red and blue shells, as even 1st place demolishers can be avoided with the horn. Also coming for the first time is the Crazy Eight, in which players get to use eight random items one by one in a swirl around their kart (pictured above).

When it comes to online functionality, Nintendo also appears to have stepped it up in this regard. Online multiplayer allows for 12 racers at once to race in up to 4 different multiplayer modes, with added chat functionality included in the Wii U Gamepad via chat text or the microphone. Can’t wait for that to get abused by angry teenagers! As well, you can create public or private tournaments set to specific times, with specifically-created rules.

If you prefer to learn from the best online, you can also race against ghost data from your friends and from online Top 10 leaderboards. Beating a dev team ghost racer will even net you a cool stamp for Miiverse usage. Finally, with the Mario Kart TV, you can replay your races, edit them and upload them to the Miiverse. But now it appears you can also upload it to your Youtube account, although it’s not clear if you can monetize that content knowing Nintendo’s precedent with that.

Mario Kart 8 is coming out exclusively for the Wii U starting May 30th. Check out the Mario Kart 8 Direct below.

———–—————

Want to get the latest gaming news wherever you may be? Download the official Fansided App on the App Store or Google Play Market today to stay up-to-date on the latest news and rumors from GameSided without even being at a computer. You can also sign up for our newsletter below to get daily updates send straight to your e-mail. And don’t forget to connect with us on Twitter @Gamesideddotcom.

Looking to write about video games? Join us at GameSided! Contact me to apply or if you have any inquiries/tips: daniel.george@fansided.com.