Nintendo has updated Mario Kart 8 Deluxe to add support for the Nintendo Switch 2, introducing features such as expanded split-screen multiplayer, improved visuals, and new gameplay mechanics. The update, version 4.0.0, was released on September 1, 2026, according to My Nintendo News.
Key Features of the Update
The update adds native support for the Nintendo Switch 2 display and high-resolution TVs, offering clearer visuals
for players. Loading times before races and battles have been shortened, and the game now supports 5–8 players in split-screen mode on the Switch 2. This doubles the original Nintendo Switch’s 4-player limit, requiring up to seven Nintendo Switch controllers (Joy-Cons or Switch Pro Controllers) to enable eight-player play. At least one Joy-Con 2 controller or a Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller is required for the full eight-player experience.
Another major addition is CameraPlay
support, which allows players to use a USB camera (sold separately) to display their faces during races. The camera can be toggled on or off in multiplayer (2–4 players) and online play modes. To use the camera in online sessions, players must participate in a GameChat session, with footage and audio shared only with participants.
Split-Screen Expansion
The update also introduces a “96 Races” endurance challenge for players with access to the Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Booster Course Pass. This mode spans all 96 courses available in the base game and its six-part, 48-course DLC, offering a marathon-style racing experience. The update increases player speed during races by the equivalent of one coin, with no slowdown when using the Boo item to become invisible, even on off-road terrain.
According to Polygon, the eight-player split-screen feature looks like absolute chaos,
with Nintendo emphasizing the technical challenges of supporting such a configuration. The update also includes general gameplay adjustments, such as modified recovery times for characters and item balance changes, though these details are not explicitly tied to the Switch 2 in the sources.
New Challenges and Gameplay Adjustments
The update’s patch notes highlight improvements to multiplayer mechanics, including the ability to have up to 10 Bob-ombs in battle mode, adjusted Bullet Bill performance, and changes to item drop probabilities. However, these adjustments appear to apply to Mario Kart World, a separate title mentioned in IGN’s coverage, which is not directly related to Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. The sources do not clarify whether these changes impact the Switch 2 version of Mario Kart 8 Deluxe.
Context and Implications
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe was originally released for the original Nintendo Switch in April 2017, a month after the Switch launched. The game is an updated version of Mario Kart 8, which debuted on the Wii U in 2014. Nintendo has not yet confirmed long-term support for the Switch 2 version, though the update suggests the company is investing in enhancing the title for newer hardware.
The Switch 2’s launch has been met with mixed reactions, with some critics noting the lack of substantial new content for existing titles. The Mario Kart 8 Deluxe update provides a notable addition for Switch 2 owners, but it remains unclear whether Nintendo will continue to expand the game with new tracks or features beyond the Booster Course Pass.
Worth a look