Are There Any Unlockable Characters in Mario Kart 8?
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The simple answer is yes, there are unlockable characters in the original Mario Kart 8 for the Wii U, but not in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe for the Nintendo Switch, with a key exception. This distinction is crucial for fans, as the two games have very different approaches to character availability. This article will delve into the details of character unlocks across both versions of the game and answer common questions that players often have.
Unlockable Characters in Mario Kart 8 (Wii U)
Mario Kart 8 on the Wii U featured a roster of characters that expanded as you played. Unlike Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, the majority of characters were not available from the start. Players had to earn them through gameplay. Here’s how it worked:
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Grand Prix Triumphs: To unlock a new character, players generally had to win a gold trophy in all four cups in a specific Grand Prix. This was a common method of unlocking characters, but it wasn’t the only one.
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Random Unlocks: Many of the unlockable characters were tied to a random system. After winning a Grand Prix, you might unlock a character. This system was not very predictable, but the game would not unlock more than one character from a single cup. This random approach was a source of much speculation and surprise for players, as you never knew who you’d get next.
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The Mii Exception: One notable exception to the random system was the Mii character. The Mii was not tied to random unlocks. Instead, it was always the eighth character to be unlocked in the game. This created a reliable way to access the Mii, ensuring that anyone progressing would eventually gain access.
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A Total of 14 Unlockable Characters: The original Mario Kart 8 had a total of 14 unlockable characters. This encouraged players to complete many Grand Prixs to access the full roster.
The Absence of Unlockable Characters in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe
The story changes dramatically with Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. In this version, most characters are unlocked from the start. Nintendo made the decision to have almost every character available immediately to the player to make it more accessible. The game’s roster is already much larger than the Wii U version, and the need to unlock characters was removed almost entirely. There was one major exception, Gold Mario, which we will discuss more below.
- All Characters Available From Start: Except for Gold Mario, all characters are available from the start.
The One Exception: Gold Mario
Despite most characters being immediately available, there is one unlockable character in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe: Gold Mario. He is not a new character per se; rather, he is a skin replacement for Metal Mario. Unlocking Gold Mario is a testament to player skill and persistence. The requirements are as follows:
- 200cc Grand Prix Gold Trophies: To unlock Gold Mario, you need to obtain a gold trophy in every cup in Grand Prix mode at 200cc, the game’s hardest difficulty. This requires considerable skill, knowledge of the tracks, and a bit of luck, as 200cc is incredibly fast and unforgiving.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Unlockable Characters in Mario Kart 8
1. What characters were unlockable in the original Mario Kart 8 (Wii U)?
In the original *Mario Kart 8*, 14 characters were unlockable, including characters like **Lakitu, Rosalina, Pink Gold Peach, and the Mii Character**.
2. How were characters unlocked in Mario Kart 8 on the Wii U?
Characters were primarily unlocked by **winning gold trophies in all four cups of a Grand Prix**. Many characters were unlocked randomly after winning a cup, however, only one character would unlock from the same cup. The Mii character was always the eighth character to be unlocked.
3. Is it possible to unlock characters in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe?
No, in *Mario Kart 8 Deluxe*, almost every character is available from the start. The exception is **Gold Mario**, which is unlocked through difficult challenges.
4. How do you unlock Gold Mario in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe?
Gold Mario is unlocked by obtaining **gold trophies in every cup in Grand Prix mode at 200cc.** It’s a difficult achievement requiring significant skill.
5. Are there any new characters added in the DLC for Mario Kart 8 Deluxe?
Yes, the Booster Course Pass DLC added several characters, including Diddy Kong, Funky Kong, Pauline, and Peachette across various waves of DLC.
6. Are there any characters not in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe?
Yes, some characters from previous *Mario Kart* games, such as **Donkey Kong Jr. and Honey Queen**, are not in *Mario Kart 8 Deluxe*.
7. Is there a system to unlock kart parts in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe?
Yes, in *Mario Kart 8 Deluxe*, **kart parts are unlocked by collecting coins** during races. The more you play, the more parts you unlock.
8. Why are characters not unlocked in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe like the original game?
The decision to unlock most characters from the start in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe was to make the game more accessible to new players. It allows players to jump straight into the action with their favorite characters without the grind of unlocking them.
9. What is the fastest speed setting in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe?
The fastest speed setting in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is 200cc. This is also the difficulty needed to unlock Gold Mario.
10. Who is the fastest character in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe?
While individual character speed varies slightly, **Bowser** is one of the fastest characters, and when paired with the right kart and tires, can reach the top speed of the game.
11. Who is the slowest character in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe?
**Baby Peach** is considered one of the slowest characters, with a lower top speed and weight compared to other characters.
12. How many karts can you unlock in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe?
There are **41 karts that can be unlocked** in *Mario Kart 8 Deluxe*, including those from the Booster Course Pass DLC.
13. What is the hardest thing to unlock in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe?
Unlocking **Gold Mario** is often considered the hardest unlock in *Mario Kart 8 Deluxe*, due to the difficult 200cc Grand Prix requirement.
14. How many tracks are in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe?
*Mario Kart 8 Deluxe* boasts a total of **48 tracks**, including those from the base game and the Booster Course Pass DLC.
15. Was Birdo an unlockable character in any of the Mario Kart games?
While notably difficult to unlock in other titles, **Birdo was added as part of the Wave 4 DLC of the Booster Pass in *Mario Kart 8 Deluxe*.** This makes her available by purchasing the DLC, and she is no longer an unlockable character from winning a bunch of races.
Conclusion
While the original Mario Kart 8 on the Wii U had a variety of unlockable characters, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe on the Nintendo Switch largely does away with this, offering most characters from the start. The exception is Gold Mario, a significant challenge for dedicated players, and the newly added DLC characters. This shift in approach reflects Nintendo’s desire to make the game more immediately enjoyable for a wider audience. Understanding these differences can help players navigate the game, set realistic goals, and fully appreciate what each version has to offer.