Mario Kart 8

Mario Kart 8 is an upcoming Mario Kart game for the Wii U, which will be released in Japan on May 29, 2014, North America and Europe on May 30, 2014, and Australia on May 31, 2014 both physically and digitally. The game is the eighth installment in the mainstream series, and eleventh overall in the Mario Kart series. The most prominent new addition within the game is anti-gravity, allowing players to drive along walls and ceilings. Bikes, gliders, and underwater driving are also confirmed to return. In addition, buggies have been confirmed to join traditional karts and bikes as a new class of vehicle.

Gameplay
The gameplay maintains the traditional elements of previous Mario Kart games, mostly from the two recent installments on the Wii and 3DS respectively. Karts, which feature similar designs from Mario Kart 7, can be customized once again, alongside the returning bikes, which handle similar to the karts now and can only perform a wheelie via a boost, and the newly introduced buggies, as well as, according to an interview, more customization options that have yet to be revealed. . The hang-glider and underwater mechanics also return, as well as Coins, with the player being able to collect up to ten in one race as in Mario Kart 7. Like Mario Kart Wii, twelve racers are present in normal races.

The newest feature for the series is anti-gravitational segments, that not only allow for more dynamic track design, but also for racers to drive across walls and ceilings. When in anti-gravity, if a racer bumps into another racer, the kart spins rather than just bumping and both racers receive a speed boost. These tracks have been described as more narrow when compared to previous Mario Kart tracks, specifically those from Mario Kart Wii. . For the fifth time in the series, courses from previous Mario Kart games will be included, and both the game's anti-gravity mechanic, as well as Mario Kart 7 's glider and underwater mechanics will be incorporated into these retro courses, much like the retro courses in Mario Kart 7.

The game is also to feature Wii U GamePad integration. In addition to the standard Off-TV Play, players also have the option of displaying the course map as well as using it as a horn button. Players have the option to toggle between these three features at will.

Point management works similar to Mario Kart Wii, except that every racer gets at least one point in Grand Prix mode. Below is a chart of the point spread comparison between these eight games:

It has been confirmed that there will be Miiverse integration, which will allow players to share their replay videos and comment on others' videos, in a feature called "Mario Kart TV". Another change is that in 2-player mode, the screen will split vertically instead of the horizontally in the other console Mario Kart games, a feature that was originally intended to be in Mario Kart 64 but was removed from the final game.

Playable
So far, 27 playable characters have been confirmed for Mario Kart 8, with at least 3 more that are to be announced. 7 of these characters (the Koopalings) make their playable debut as well as their debut in the Mario Kart series.

Other

 * Fishin' Lakitu
 * Koopa Paratroopas
 * Yoshis
 * Toads
 * Piantas
 * Nokis
 * Shy Guys
 * Fly Guys
 * Dolphins
 * Gingerbread Cookies
 * Piranha Plants
 * Goombas/Goomba Towers
 * Boos
 * Fishbones
 * Fire Snakes
 * Tiki Goons
 * Screaming Pillars
 * Thwomps
 * Bone Piranha Plants
 * Cheep Cheeps
 * Mecha Cheeps
 * Sidesteppers
 * Monty Moles
 * Chomps

Unknown
These items appear in the item roulette, but their usage remains unknown.
 * A megaphone block that resembles a Light Box
 * Item that appears identical to the "8" from the game's logo

Karts

 * Standard*
 * A blue and yellow body that slightly resembles a jet
 * A body modeled after a Para-Biddybud*
 * Badwagon: A pink body that slightly resembles the Flame Flyer or the Wild Wing
 * A green body that resembles the Classic Dragster
 * A body that resembles the Sprinter*
 * A body modeled after Bowser's Airship
 * A pink cat body
 * A body shaped like a shoe*
 * A blue and red body that resembles a submarine
 * A body that looks similar to the Pipe Frame*
 * A yellow and black body that looks like a sports car
 * A body that looks similar to the Daytripper with wings in front

Bikes

 * Standard*
 * A bike body that resembles the Bolt Buggy
 * A body that slightly resembles the Mach Bike*
 * A yellow and blue scooter-like body
 * A body that is similar to the Zip Zip*
 * A body similar in build to a Harley bike
 * A body shaped like a rocket
 * A green body modeled after a Green Yoshi
 * A purple body that bears a slight resemblance to the Sugarscoot

Buggies
Buggy-type bodies are confirmed to be in the game.
 * An ATV-styled body*
 * Wild Wiggler
 * A blue buggy resembling a bear.

Tires

 * Tires similar to the Standard
 * Blue and silver traction tires similar to the Standard
 * Tires similar to the Monster
 * Sponge-like Red Monster tires
 * Skinny tires with a white and red stripe pattern, similar to the Slim tires
 * Skinny, red star tires
 * Wooden wagon tires
 * Tires with green lines, similar to the Slick tires*
 * Small red tires
 * Button like wheels
 * Grey and yellow tires that appear to be made out of steel
 * Orange and yellow flowery tires that are similar to the Sponge tires
 * Plain white tires with solid black rims
 * Purple tires
 * Smaller, skinny, red yellow star tires with an identical design to the red star ones
 * Beach ball tires

Gliders

 * Super*
 * A glider that resembles the Paraglider
 * A glider that resembles the Flower Glider
 * A glider that resembles a parachute
 * Two cloud balloons
 * A MKTV sponsored glider
 * A glider based on Bowser's artwork from Super Mario Bros. 3
 * A glider based on the Peach Parasol*
 * A glider modeled after a Waddlewing
 * A red and white glider modeled after a bird
 * A glider modeled after Wario's face

* - Changes color depending on the character

Courses
So far, 27 tracks out of a total of 32 have been confirmed, consisting of 14 new tracks and 13 retro tracks, featuring one track from Super Mario Kart, three tracks from Mario Kart 64, one from Mario Kart: Super Circuit, one from  Mario Kart: Double Dash!!, two from Mario Kart DS, two from  Mario Kart Wii, and three from Mario Kart 7. As with the retro tracks from the 3DS installment, the retro tracks in this game will feature altered sections that incorporate the game's hang-glider, underwater, and anti-gravity features. The game will feature live-recorded music for the new tracks and the retro tracks (excluding 3DS tracks).

TBA

 * Bone Dry Dunes
 * Dolphin Shoals

TBA

 * 3DS Music Park
 * 3DS Piranha Plant Slide
 * Wii Grumble Volcano

Development
Development for Mario Kart 8 started in 2012. Some ideas that were scrapped in Mario Kart 8 included a drill that made drivers drive into subterranean depths. The idea was scrapped because the developers thought it was not as interesting as the anti-gravity idea. The anti-gravity concept stemmed from the Wii U being a powerful console, and with the upgraded hardware, the developers wanted to make courses with a 3D plane in mind rather than the 2D plane as the other tracks in the Mario Kart series.

The title, Mario Kart 8, is chosen to represent the anti-gravity mechanic as the "8" used in the official logo resembles the Möbius strip from Mario Circuit.

The game's music will be orchestrated, with the exception of 3DS Retro Courses.

Limited Edition
A limited edition version of Mario Kart 8 is available to pre-orders in the European and Australian regions. It includes the game as well as a Spiny Shell figurine.

Collaboration with Pennzoil
Nintendo and Pennzoil teamed up to promote Mario Kart 8. It features real-life go-karts on a specially modified track. Icons representing some of the items in the game are spread in the course as well.

Card Game
Nintendo is also developing a Mario Kart-themed card game. The game features two types of cards: Mario cards (includes Peach and Luigi cards) and Rosalina Cards (includes Lakitu and Koopalings cards). These cards come with the Japanese version of the game.

WiiU Bundle Pack
Nintendo is releasing special bundle packs of Mario Kart 8. There are two different bundles, being a Mario bundle and a Luigi bundle. Each will contain a Premium Wii U, along with a Wii Remote Plus, Wii U Gamepad and Wii Wheel in the corresponding brothers theme. It also contains a Mario or Luigi Hat and Mario Kart 8 guide book. Both packs will be released on May 30th, alongside the the game itself, as well as Peach & Yoshi themed Wii Remote Plus'. This is currently only available to Europe & Australia.

References to other games

 * Famicom Grand Prix II: 3D Hot Rally: The Mario's Motors logo is seen at the starting line of Mario Circuit. In addition, Mario's artwork from the game can be faintly seen above the logo itself.
 * Super Mario Bros. 2/Doki Doki Panic: The Shy Guy Metals sign seen at Toad Harbor says that they've been around since 1987, which is the year of the Shy Guy's first appearance.
 * Super Mario Bros. 3: Many aspects of Cloudtop Cruise, particularly the airships, are inspired by this game. The Koopalings, who originated from this game, appear as playable characters.
 * Super Mario Kart: Donut Plains 3 returns as a retro track. Also the Coin item returns with the same function as it did in this game.
 * Mario Kart 64: Toad's Turnpike, Royal Raceway, and Rainbow Road return as retro tracks. Yoshi Valley is referenced in Sunshine Airport.
 * Mario Kart: Super Circuit: Mario Circuit returns as a retro course.
 * Super Mario Sunshine: Sunshine Airport has a Shine Sprite in its logo. The European release date is used as a serial number on some storage crates in Sunshine Airport (55402MS= Oct 4th, 2002).
 * Mario Kart: Double Dash!!: Like in this game, characters hold items in their hands. Dry Dry Desert returns as a retro course. Sherbet Land is referenced in Sunshine Airport. N64 Rainbow Road is set above a city like the Rainbow Road from this game.
 * Mario Kart DS: Cheep Cheep Beach and Tick-Tock Clock return as a retro courses. Courses with anti-gravitational segments are similar to the corkscrew and the loop, in Rainbow Road, that allow racers to drive upside down.
 * Super Mario Galaxy games: An image of a Luma can be seen on an airplane (from Galaxy Air airlines) in Sunshine Airport. Also, part of Cloudtop Cruise's music is a cover of Gusty Garden Galaxy's music and Sky Station Galaxy's music.
 * Mario Kart Wii: Twelve player races and motorbikes return. Moo Moo Meadows and Grumble Volcano also return as a retro courses.
 * New Super Mario Bros. Wii: One of the planes in Sunshine Airport has a logo for Propeller Toad Transport with an insignia of a Propeller Mushroom. The Red Case first featured on the game's box art will return as a North American exclusive.
 * Super Mario 3D Land: Goomba Towers appear as obstacles in Mario Circuit. A kart body also resembles a Para-Biddybud. The Boomerang Flower appears as an item.
 * Mario Kart 7: Gliders and underwater areas return. Music Park, Piranha Plant Slide, and DK Jungle return as retro courses. Vehicle customization returns from this game. The remixed music that occurs when the player is first place also returns from this game. In N64 Rainbow Road, when the player gets to the final section of the course, the last part of the music starts, just like how the last part of the music in  Rainbow Road starts at the final section of the course. It also has Mario Kart 7's point system where each racer gets a point regardless.
 * New Super Mario Bros. 2: Twisted Mansion's entrance has a statue of a Boohemoth above it, an enemy from this game. Bone Piranha Plants also make an appearance in Bone Dry Dunes.
 * New Super Mario Bros. U: The Mecha Cheep returns in this game.
 * Super Mario 3D World: The Potted Piranha Plant appears as an item. Most of the fireworks in N64 Rainbow Road course use stamp images from this game.