After last month’s enlightening Smash Bros. edition of Nintendo Direct, the developer and publisher released another new episode today, this time for Mario Kart 8. Fans of Nintendo’s long-running racing series have plenty to look forward to in May, as a console bundle was announced, along with even more features and characters to be included in the eighth installment of Nintendo’s action-packed, gravity-defying racing title.
Mario Kart 8 releases on May 30 for the Wii U. Those who don’t currently own Nintendo’s latest console can start saving up now, as a new bundle will be released the same day. The Mario Kart 8 Wii U Bundle will sell for $329.99, and includes the Wii U Deluxe Set console (i.e. the black Wii U system), a copy of Mario Kart 8, a red Wii Remote Plus and Mario Wii Wheel accessory. This is just marginally more expensive than the previous Wind Waker HD bundle, as that launched with a price of $299.99. Those who purchase a copy of Mario Kart 8 and register it online with Club Nintendo, will not only add more arbitrary points to their account, but can redeem a free Nintendo eShop title. Japan can choose one title from a selection of 10 games; North America isn’t as lucky, as only four titles will be offered:
Japanese Titles:
- Nintendo Land
- New Super Mario Bros. U
- Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate
- Game & Wario
- Pikmin 3
- The Wonderful 101
- The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker HD
- Sonic Lost World
- Mario & Sonic at the Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games
- Wii Party U
North American Titles:
- New Super Mario Bros. U
- Pikmin 3
- The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker HD
- Wii Party U
Two new characters have been revealed for the roster, being the metal Pink Gold Peach and Baby Rosalina. As with the previous Mario Kart titles for the Wii and Nintendo handhelds, players can also race with their Miis. Online features for Mario Kart 8 include 12-player racing- as long as each competitor has a broadband connection- and “Mario Kart TV”. Players can compete against each other across four different modes, and can communicate with voice chat in player-lobbies between races. Users can talk to others and send text-based messages via the GamePad and its built-in microphone. Mario Kart TV is brand new to the Mario Kart series, and allows players to watch replays and create highlight reels of their races. Players can upload these to the Miiverse, where other players can comment and rate uploaded footage. Those with Google accounts can also upload gameplay footage directly to YouTube.
Blue Shells will be unleashed once again, as Mario Kart 8 releases for the Wii U on May 30.