Surprise update for a nine-year-old kart racer
Nintendo has released a free update for Mario Kart 8 Deluxe that adds an eight-player split-screen mode for local multiplayer, a feature that is extremely rare in modern games. The update, version 4.0.0, is available now and most of its major changes are designed for the Switch 2 console, according to reports from Engadget and Metro.
The new split-screen option allows up to eight players to race together on the same screen, provided players have enough controllers, including original Switch controllers, as reported by Engadget. Metro notes that the feature requires a Switch 2 due to the extra power and resolution needed, and that a large TV is recommended to make the mode practical.
CameraPlay and performance upgrades
The update also adds CameraPlay support, which works with the official Switch 2 camera or a compatible USB-C camera, Engadget reports. This feature lets players see their friends' reactions during races and can be used online via GameChat, similar to how it works in Mario Kart World. Metro confirms CameraPlay requires a Switch 2.
Loading times are now shorter on Switch 2, and the game provides \"enhanced visuals\" when played in docked mode, according to Engadget. To take advantage of the improved output, players need a 4K TV. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe previously supported 1080p in handheld mode via a \"Handheld Mode Boost\" feature, but can now presumably do so natively, the report adds.
Smaller changes on Switch 1
While the headline features require Switch 2, the update includes a couple of adjustments for players on the original Switch. Metro reports that Switch 1 users will see a slightly faster top speed and a new 96 Races option, which lets players race through every course in order.
Other Nintendo updates
The same wave of updates also touched other games. Metro reports that Pikmin 3 Deluxe received an update with higher resolution and GameShare support on Switch 2, while Super Smash Bros. Ultimate was updated to version 13.0.2, which is described as just a bug fix. Splatoon 3 received a substantial update earlier last month, according to the same report.
Why update an old game?
Both outlets note the oddity of Nintendo adding major new features to a nine-year-old game instead of focusing on its newer title, Mario Kart World. Metro points out that fans have been waiting for substantial DLC for Mario Kart World, despite Nintendo referring to it as a game it expects to support for years. Engadget similarly suggests that the company's priorities are unclear, as it continues to improve the Switch 2-exclusive entry through updates but has not announced DLC plans.
The update is free, and while the reasons behind it remain a mystery, both reports agree it is a welcome addition for fans of the long-running kart racer.
Correction: An earlier version of this article stated the update was for "Mario Kart 8 Deluxe on Switch 1" in the context of the eight-player mode; in fact, the eight-player mode requires Switch 2, as noted above. The error has been corrected.