Mario Kart 8 Deluxe just received its most significant multiplayer expansion since launch. Nintendo has pushed a free update to the Switch 2 version that doubles the local player count from four to eight, adds a face-cam feature called CameraPlay, and improves visual fidelity alongside load times. For households with deep benches of controllers and competitive siblings, this update transforms the kart racer from a living-room staple into a full-blown tournament platform.
Quick Facts — Mario Kart 8 Deluxe
| Publisher | Nintendo |
|---|---|
| Platform(s) | Switch 2 |
| Genre | Racing |
The eight-player splitscreen mode carves the display into eight portrait-style windows, each giving a racer their own vertical slice of the track. This layout choice makes sense for modern widescreen displays — horizontal splits at eight players would leave each window too narrow to read upcoming turns. You will need eight controllers and enough seating for the full roster, though the article dryly suggests winners claim the couch while losers take the floor. The feature is live now at no additional cost for Switch 2 owners.
What You Get at Launch
The free update delivers four distinct improvements to the Switch 2 version of Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. Eight-player local multiplayer stands as the headline addition, supporting a full grid of racers on a single screen. CameraPlay overlays live video feeds of each player's face during races, adding a social layer that captures reactions to blue shells and last-lap overtakes. Enhanced visuals sharpen the presentation on Switch 2 hardware, while shorter load times reduce the wait between races and menus.
- Eight-player splitscreen with portrait-style windows
- CameraPlay face-cam integration for all players
- Enhanced visuals on Switch 2 hardware
- Shorter load times across menus and tracks
- Free update available immediately
About the Game
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe remains the definitive version of Nintendo's arcade racing franchise, originally released on Wii U before arriving on Switch with all DLC included. The game features 48 tracks spanning multiple cups, a roster of over 40 characters, and smart steering options that make it accessible to younger or less experienced players. Its anti-gravity mechanics allow driving on walls and ceilings, while 200cc mode offers a genuine skill test for veterans. The Switch 2 version inherits all of this content while adding the new local multiplayer ceiling and quality-of-life improvements.
IGN recently recognized the game's staying power by including it in their 30th anniversary round-up of racing game masterpieces. That placement reflects how Mario Kart 8 Deluxe has remained the go-to local multiplayer title for nearly a decade — and the eight-player update ensures it will anchor game nights for years to come. The combination of approachable controls and deep mastery potential means both casual players and competitive racers find something to chase.
If you own a Switch 2 and have been looking for a reason to bring out every controller, this new patch gives you one. Bringing eight people together with separate controllers may feel daunting, but on one screen you can watch each racer strut around the track and see their faces in real time, and that’s the kind of local multiplayer mayhem Nintendo’s known for. The upgraded graphics and quicker load times are nice extras, but it’s really the eight‑player split‑
