Nintendo has announced a surprising update for its classic-bordering-on-retro Mario Kart 8 Deluxe game, but you’ll need the Switch 2 games console to access it.
The most notable change in Version 4.0.0 forms the support for a split screen mode for up to eight players that are available both on the console’s built-in display and in docked mode. Naturally, you’ll need enough controllers to satisfy everyone, but it’s a cracking upgrade for a game that first launched on the Wii U in 2014 and carried over onto the Switch in Deluxe form as a launch title in 2017.
It’s a shame this update isn’t available for owners of the original Switch (who are stuck with bog standard 1-4 player we’ve been rocking since the early data of MK), especially given Switch 2 owners have the lovely new Mario Kart World Tour to enjoy. However, the Switch 2’s additional power and resolution have won the day here.

“With one Nintendo Switch 2 system, and enough controllers, you can now race in split-screen with up to eight people,” Nintendo says. “It’s great for when you’ve got a big group together and want to play some Mario Kart.”
Nintendo has also added CameraPlay support for 2-4 player multiplayer and online mode, improved the resolution on Switch 2 and shortened load times on the next-gen consoles. Original Switch owners are thrown a few bones with speed increases and a new 96 races option meaning players can engage in a single GP featuring all 96 races in versus mode.
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