Mario Kart 8 Deluxe: Switch vs 3DS/Wii U - The Ultimate Handheld Mario Kart

Switch brings the greatest version of the Mario Kart series to date, either as portable or home console. Comparisons with the Wii U are glowing: a boost from 720p to 1080p, the removal of the '59fps glitch', an extra battle mode and much more make this a definitive release. But it's the jump from Mario Kart 7 on 3DS that really impresses, as Tom explains.

[MrMario]

We need that SNES vs Switch comparison on the maps that have been redone.

[jazzminrice]

Mario Kart 8's graphics have always looked gorgeous to me

And it still does to this day

[legostarwarsrulez]

Mario kart 7 actually hold up surprisingly well. When you're playing it on a 3ds it actually looks decent, and the 3D feature is implemented really well

[tobiashenriksen]

Wow, I never saw 3DS version before - that is impressive as heck for 6+ years old tech!

[TerminatorJuice]

Damn this comment section is complete trash! I play on PS4, PC, and Switch and I can honestly say that they all have great looking games. . . PERIOD! Also, the Switch is 10% the size of an Xbox One and PS4, so it is actually really impressive what it can output visually! Anyway, play games and have fun!

[kuba_wasikowski]

I could not sleep because of that one skipped frame! good they fixed this

[John-byvw]

Also there's more attention to smaller details in the switch port. Such as the confetti on the track at 3:05 stays on the floor on the switch port where as the wii u one doesn't :)

[MerryBlind]

Thanks DF for this analysis! You guys are the best!!

[TheOttomatic]

I know this isn't likely but I would like to see a Wonderful 101 port on Switch

[Gandalf_the_Black_]

Yep. When (if) I get MK8 deluxe, I'm going to be looking closely at the screen, examining every pixel as they crawl all over the place. And then wonder why I'm in 12th.

[ItMeansInfinite]

Yes Nintendo is re-releasing this full price. But keep in mind we get ALL DLC tracks and characters plus extra characters plus 3 new battle modes plus original battle mode tracks.

Not to mention improvements/expansion on game mechanics, items, resolution, framerate.

[sirwalkboy]

its 2023. this 9 year old game could release today and i wouldnt be able to tell its age. easily one of the switch's best looking games.

[ChiplockRock]

Switch, as a home console, is far behind from everyone else, but as a handheld device, is just mindblowing.

[markofunkade]

That one frame per second can make such a difference in the speed by which the image is produced is really interesting.

[MerryBlind]

-The Wii U version already felt incredibly smooth in 1-2 players modes; now it will be flawless!

-60fps in 3-4 players Split-Screen would have been sweet, but just the 1080p will make a big difference in clarity for Split-Screen.

-Speaking of 1080p, the game already looked phenomenal at 720p, but aliasing was a bit too apparent when not in motion (like the beginning of races), I can't wait to see how it will look at a native 1080p!!

-Loading times were just a bit too long on Wii U, now it will be perfect.

-Glad to see texture filtering improved, even if it's just slightly, because the poor filtering was very apparent on Rainbow Roads.

-Battle Modes looks freaking awesome!!!

If you didn't have a Wii U and never played this game, GET A SWITCH PEOPLE because this is the best Mario Kart ever made and you'll be playing hours on end (if you have friends).

[drstruchulo]

*Now we just need Rocket League on the Switch.*

[miniroll]

A couple of improvements you didn't mention; motion blur during a speed boost has been redesigned, and the standard kart model has a higher polygon count (compare the shape of the exhausts - the Wii U one is almost octagonal, Switch circular)

[Mariop]

3:41 I like how in the 4-player demonstration, you used Bowser for the Auto-Steering & Auto-Accelerating feature to make it look like 4 people are playing this mode haha.

[wikum]

all the technical analysis is kinda besides the point given how beautiful and cohesive the art style is, there's something about the lighting and the art design that makes the world feel like a consistent universe

[traceyates]

The jump from 3DS to Switch is massive. The Switch is exceptional when it comes to being a handheld. As a home console it's no jaw dropper, but the fun is still there and in most cases they're running in a clean 1080p.