![](/uploads/1/2/6/3/126339056/132434154.jpg)
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is now available on Nintendo Switch, and while much of the content is the same as it is on Wii U, there are a few changes, like most (but not all) of the characters, karts, tires, and gliders are already unlocked.
Nintendo Switch Pro Controller Bundle with Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Nintendo Switch Pro Controller. Take your game sessions up a notch with the Pro Controller. Includes motion controls, HD rumble, built-in amiibo functionality, and more. Compatible with: Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch Lite. Nintendo added a kid-friendly feature to Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, which adds a handicap to keep you from driving off the edge in most maps. It's a great feature for kids and new players trying to learn the controls, but if you want to access track secrets or perform any of the more advanced maneuvers in this game, you need to disable this feature.
If you're setting up a multiplayer race to compete against your buddies for the first time, here are a few things to help you make the best race of your life.
How to select your controllers
Afer you've selected the type of multiplayer race — Grand Prix, Vs Race, or Battle — you'll have to pick the controllers you'll use to play the game.
Luckily, your Switch will automatically check for the type of controllers you are using to play a multiplayer game. Whether you have two, three, or four players, you'll be asked to register each controller by pressing the R and L buttons simultaneously. If you are using Pro controllers, or Joy-Con Grips, press the shoulder L and R buttons at the same time.
If you are using a split Joy-Con — one person is using the left controller and another is using the right — press the side L and R buttons (which will be orientated to the top when holding a Joy-Con in landscape position).
Have each player confirm their controller before continuing to choose your characters, karts, and the course.
How to set up a multiplayer race
You can pick from three different types of races in multiplayer mode: Grand Prix, Vs. Race, and Battle. Each one offers a different type of game play, and each type has options for what type of race you run.
- Grand Prix - Choose from 50cc, 100cc, 150cc, 200cc, or Mirror. The 'cc' means how fast your kart can go. If you're new to the game, pick 50cc until you're experienced enough to move on. In Mirror races, everything is backwards and upside-down, which is very disorienting, but tons of fun, especially if you're getting too familiar with a particular course.
- Vs Race - In Vs Race, you get to customize the rules. You have the same cc speed options, plus the Mirror track, but you can also select whether you and the others are playing on teams or free-for-all. You can also choose the type of items that can be collected in the game: No items, no items or coins, frantic items, normal items, shells only, bananas only, mushrooms only, or Bob-ombs only. You can choose which level of COM the karts can be from no COM, or easy, medium, or hard. You can also restrict the type of COM vehicles to karts only or bikes only. When it comes to selecting courses for the full Vs. race, you can choose them yourself, have them randomly generated, or play in order. Lastly, you can play four, six, eight, 12, 16, 24, 32, or 48 races. If you plan on having a very long racing session with your buddies, you'll be needing a pitstop before you're done with all 48 races.
- Battle - In Battle mode, you can select the style of battle, from Shine Thief, Random Battle, Balloon Battle, Renegade Roundup, Bob-omb Blast, or Coin Runners. You can also select the same customizable options as in the Vs Race, with the addition of round times for all but the Shine Thief battle.
Once you've selected a race type and customized your options, hit OK and you're ready to play.
How to join an online multiplayer race with friends
One of the joys of playing Mario Kart 8 is that you don't have to invite your friends over in order to race against them. You can do so while sitting in your pajamas by racing against them online.
- Select Online play from the game menu.
- Select one or two players, depending on how many of you are in the same room playing on the same Switch (you can have up to two).
- Select Friends from the Online Play menu.
- Select a friend that is currently playing.
- Select Join to join in a race with that friend.
If your friend is in the middle of a tournament, you'll enter Spectator Mode until that race is over. You can then join in on the next race.
How to set up an online tournament your friends can join
You can create a tournament that your friends can join by entering a special code.
- Select Online play from the game menu.
- Select one or two players, depending on how many of you are in the same room playing on the same Switch (you can have up to two).
- Select Tournament from the Online Play menu.
- Select Create Tournament.
- Select Yes to confirm that you want to create a tournament.
- Select an icon for your tournament, which will be on display for the public.
- Select OK.
- Enter a Name for your tournament. This information will be public, so don't use anything personal (or offensive).
- Select OK when you're done naming the tournament.
- Set the tournament rules, and choose when it will be active.You can set up your tournament to take place weekly, daily, or on a specific date. You can choose a start and end time, and select the number of races for the entire tournament.
Once your tournament has been created, make a note of the code. This is how you will share your tournament with others. They will be able to enter the code to join.
Any questions?
Do you have any questions about how to set up a multiplayer race on Mario Kart 8 Deluxe? Put them in the comments or head over to our Nintendo Switch forum.
![Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Controls Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Controls](/uploads/1/2/6/3/126339056/944555251.jpg)
Get More Switch
Nintendo Switch
We may earn a commission for purchases using our links. Learn more.
? ❤️On its 5th birthday, Apple Watch may have saved another life
An Apple Watch may have just saved another man's life after it alerted him of aFib.
Ever since Mario Kart hit the Wii it has had motion controls as a central part of the gameplay. Some players love it, some hate it, but there’s no doubt that those who enjoy it always want to use it. For the latest game on Switch motion controls are off by default. Here’s our guide for how to turn motion controls on in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe.Much like how you in the kart selection screen, you can do the same for motion controls in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. Before you start a race you can pull up the stats menu while selecting the parts of your kart.
On the bottom left will be the icon for motion controls, which you can turn on or off by hitting the Y button. You can do the same thing during a race. Just hit Plus to open the menu and then hit Y to turn motion controls on or off, depending on what you want for the race.Motion controls in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe work great, though they’ll never be as quick and precise as standard controllers. This even includes the Joy-Con, which work quite well at controlling the game. It’s also rather jarring to use motion controls when playing Mario Kart 8 Deluxe in handheld mode on the Switch, with the screen constantly in motion.
![](/uploads/1/2/6/3/126339056/132434154.jpg)