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WiiU

Mario Kart 8 Update Coming August 27

by Clay Johnson - August 6, 2014, 2:49 pm EDT
Total comments: 19 Source: Nintendo

Three Mercedes-Benz karts and minor improvements are on the way.

Mario Kart 8 will get a free update on August 27 bringing three new Mercedes-Benz karts and several additional tweaks to the game.

Karts modeled after classic Mercedes-Benz automobiles--specifically the Silver Arrow from the 1930s and 300 SL Roadster of the 1950s--will join the previously-announced kart based on the new 2014 GLA. All three of these new rides are compatible with the same wheels and gliders that players have already unlocked, though the GLA also has some exclusive special wheel options.

Nintendo and Mercedes-Benz will be hosting a Mercedes Cup worldwide tournament as well. Participation will require players to download the new Mercedes karts, but otherwise the tourney will be accessible in the normal manner. The competition will run from August 27 to September 23.

In addition to the new karts, the forthcoming update adds some less dramatic but quite welcome adjustments to the Mario Kart 8 experience. Here’s the rundown:

  • Drivers will now have the option to display the course map on the TV screen during races.
  • The order of the menu after each race will be changed to “Next Race”, followed by “Watch Highlight Reel."
  • The game will remember the most recent kart options that were selected, even if the Wii U system was powered down.
  • Users will be able to change options of other players’ Mario Kart TV downloaded highlight reels, such as changing the focus to different characters or actions.
  • A score screen will be added so players can see how many coins they’ve collected, the win-loss record of their online battles and their frequently used characters.
  • Improved the stability of the online connection to enhance user experience during online battles.

Finally, if you’re curious as to how the new karts will look in the game, check out the trailer below.

Talkback

pokepal148Spencer Johnson, Contributing WriterAugust 06, 2014

the other two vehicles actually look decent in mario kart.

Ian SaneAugust 06, 2014

*Sigh* Product placement in a Mario game.  Hoped I would never see the day but at least it looks about as idiotic as I figured it would.

I'm sorely disappointed that the quality of life improvements come with ads for a car I will never own.

MythtendoAugust 06, 2014

"The order of the menu after each race will be changed to “Next Race”, followed by “Watch Highlight Reel.""


YES. Easily the best of the "minor" tweaks. It was so annoying having to scroll down after every race to get to the next race option. Glad Nintendo is fixing most of the complaints i've had or seen about the game. If only they would change the Battle Mode to give us actual battle tracks, trying to battle on the normal tracks is incredibly dumb.

Ian, so I must have have imagined "All Night Nippon Super Mario Bros.", where Nintendo placed the faces and other logos of a Japanese radio show into Super Mario Bros.

peacefulwarAugust 06, 2014

Why does M&L look so effing pissed in this game???

pokepal148Spencer Johnson, Contributing WriterAugust 06, 2014

I must have imagined the Callaway branded golf balls in mario golf... or basically every bit of treasure in pikmin 2... or the entire Smash Bros. series...

or the Wizard.

nickmitchAugust 06, 2014

Quote from: Ian

*Sigh* Product placement in a Mario game.  Hoped I would never see the day but at least it looks about as idiotic as I figured it would.

I felt the same way when the Superdome became the Mercedes-Benz Superdome.  I got over it.  The place looks really nice and they added an outside area which is also nice.  I'm sure I'll get over this too, but the novelty of Wario driving (what looks like) the race car from Monopoly will help.

StrawHousePigAugust 06, 2014

The "Next Race" highlight should be an option.

What I really want is a way to save my favorite racer/kart combo.

What I really don't want are these ridiculous Mercedes karts. *booo*

pokepal148Spencer Johnson, Contributing WriterAugust 07, 2014

Mercedes, Pffft, please.
Nothing can top the Roy Koopa Pimpmobile
http://youtu.be/NgUey7uvzYQ

pokepal148Spencer Johnson, Contributing WriterAugust 07, 2014

Wait, I just saw special wheel options. Maybe one of them will match the rollers for stats.

NemoAugust 07, 2014

Seems like if you don't like the Mercedes cars, you could just not select them?

pokepal148Spencer Johnson, Contributing WriterAugust 07, 2014

Quote from: Nemo

Seems like if you don't like the Mercedes cars, you could just not select them?

No, that requires reason. Whining on the internet is way more fun.

Aero LeviathanAugust 07, 2014

Quote:

Seems like if you don't like the Mercedes cars, you could just not select them?

The problem is that other people you race with online are going to select them, and then you'll end up seeing them anyway.

EiksirfAugust 07, 2014

I think this is a nice way for Nintendo to make a touch more money, which they need, and for me, it's kind of a novel way to add to the Mario Kart experience. Real life cars, I think that's cool.

Can we get the Burger King as a Smash Bros. character, or is that going too far?

SorenAugust 07, 2014

The Silver Arrow actually fits in quite well with the rest of the "conventional" kart designs. The other things are simple tweaks I'm fine with (stat tracking, yay!).



pokepal148Spencer Johnson, Contributing WriterAugust 07, 2014

Wait will I be able to use the GLA wheels with regular karts? God I hope so.

mustbeburtAugust 07, 2014

I was hoping to be able to see my stamps without going to Miiverse.

Ian SaneAugust 07, 2014

Quote from: Mythtendo

Ian, so I must have have imagined "All Night Nippon Super Mario Bros.", where Nintendo placed the faces and other logos of a Japanese radio show into Super Mario Bros.

No, you're just clever enough to have thought of it.  Or you're Japanese.

AVAugust 08, 2014

I'm perfectly cool with this and hyped. Different colors were shown in the trailer too and it looks silly and over the top and I'm 100% cool with that.

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