How Many Mario Kart Players Can Be on One Switch?
The short answer is up to four players can engage in split-screen mayhem on a single Nintendo Switch console in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. However, that’s not the whole story. The world of Mario Kart on the Switch is a multi-faceted one, offering various ways to race with friends both near and far. Let’s dive into the details and explore the options for maximizing your Mario Kart multiplayer experience.
Understanding the Local Multiplayer Landscape
The core of Mario Kart’s appeal lies in its accessible and engaging multiplayer. Gathering around a single screen with friends and family, trading playful taunts and vying for first place, is a quintessential gaming experience. The Nintendo Switch facilitates this perfectly, though with some limitations when focusing on a single console.
Split-Screen Racing: The Heart of Local Play
As mentioned, a single Switch allows for up to four players in split-screen mode. This applies whether you’re playing on your TV or using the Switch’s built-in screen. When playing split-screen, the screen is divided into sections, one for each player. The more players you add, the smaller each section becomes, potentially impacting visibility, especially on the standard Switch screen. While playing with four people on the Switch’s own screen is possible, it can be a challenging experience!
Controller Considerations: Getting Everyone Involved
To facilitate this four-player action, you’ll need enough controllers. Each player can use a single Joy-Con controller (the two halves of the standard Switch controller), a Nintendo Switch Pro Controller, or a combination thereof. The Switch can support up to eight controllers simultaneously, though, in the case of single-console Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, only four can be used in the game itself.
Beyond the Single Screen: Expanding Your Races
While four players on one Switch is the limit for split-screen, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe offers ways to increase the player count significantly using multiple consoles.
Local Wireless Play: Unleashing Eight-Player Mayhem
Here’s where things get exciting. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe supports local wireless play. This allows up to eight players to connect their Nintendo Switch consoles together wirelessly, each using their own copy of the game. This creates a mini LAN party, with each player enjoying their own full screen, free from the constraints of split-screen. To do this, everyone needs their own Switch, their own copy of Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, and to be within a reasonable wireless range of each other.
LAN Play: The Ultimate Local Connection
For the most stable and potentially highest-quality local multiplayer experience, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe also offers LAN play. This requires multiple Nintendo Switch consoles connected to the same local area network (LAN) via wired connections and docks, enabling up to 12 consoles to join a single game. This mode provides a more stable connection than wireless play, minimizing lag and ensuring a smoother experience, especially with a large number of players.
Online Play: Racing Against the World
Of course, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe wouldn’t be complete without online play. While this doesn’t directly relate to the number of players on a single Switch, it’s important to consider as an alternative for playing with friends who aren’t physically present.
Online Modes and Multiplayer Limits
Online play allows you to race against other players from around the world in various modes, including regional matches, tournaments, and friend lobbies. The maximum number of players in an online race is 12. However, keep in mind that you’ll still need a Nintendo Switch Online subscription to access this feature. Playing online is an excellent way to test your skills against a wider pool of competitors and keeps the experience fresh.
FAQs: Your Burning Mario Kart Multiplayer Questions Answered
Here are some frequently asked questions to further clarify the multiplayer capabilities of Mario Kart 8 Deluxe on the Nintendo Switch:
1. Can I play Mario Kart 8 Deluxe with two switches and one game?
No. While you can download Mario Kart 8 Deluxe onto two Switches, both consoles cannot play the game simultaneously with a single digital license. Similarly, a physical cartridge can only be used on one console at a time. You need a copy of the game for each Switch if you want to play together.
2. Can two switches use the same account at the same time?
You can link your Nintendo Account to multiple consoles, but only one can be designated as your “primary” console. On non-primary consoles, games downloaded with your account are only playable using your account and only if the console is connected to the internet. Simultaneous play of the same digital game is generally not allowed.
3. How do I add 8 controllers to my switch?
From the HOME Menu, select “Controllers,” then “Change Grip/Order.” Press and hold the SYNC button on each controller until the controller LED flashes. The Switch will automatically pair with the controllers. Keep in mind that even if you pair 8 controllers, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe in local split-screen is still limited to a maximum of 4 players on one console.
4. How many controllers do you need for It Takes Two Nintendo Switch?
It Takes Two requires one pair of Joy-Con controllers per player for co-op couch play. Since it’s a two-player game, you will need at least two Joy-Con pairs.
5. Can you buy multiple controllers for Nintendo Switch?
Yes, you can purchase additional Joy-Cons, Pro Controllers, or third-party controllers to play with friends and family on the Nintendo Switch.
6. How to play Mario Kart 8 with 8 people?
To play with 8 people in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, each player needs their own Nintendo Switch console and a copy of the game. You can then connect the consoles via local wireless play. For a wired LAN connection, each console will need its own dock, and each switch needs to be wired to the same LAN using USB to ethernet adapters.
7. How many switch controllers do you need for Mario Kart?
For single-screen play, you need one controller per player, up to a maximum of four. A single set of Joy-Cons can be used as two separate controllers, so you might not need to purchase additional controllers depending on your setup.
8. How many joy cons do I need for 4 players?
You need at least two sets of Joy-Cons, since each set can be split into two individual controllers. Alternatively, you can use four Pro Controllers or a mix of Joy-Cons and Pro Controllers.
9. Can 4 players play on one switch?
Yes, a maximum of four players can play on one Switch in split-screen mode, provided you have enough controllers.
10. Is Mario Kart 8 Deluxe 4 player split screen?
Yes, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe supports up to four-player split-screen on a single Nintendo Switch console.
11. What Nintendo Switch games can have 8 players?
Besides Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, other Switch games that support 8 players include Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, Minecraft, Super Bomberman R, and several others.
12. How many characters can you play as in Mario Kart 8?
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe features 42 playable characters, including returning favorites and newcomers to the series.
13. Can you play Mario Kart 8 Deluxe with two switches using only one copy of the game?
No, each Nintendo Switch console needs its own copy of Mario Kart 8 Deluxe to participate in multiplayer races, either locally or online.
14. How do I connect my 8 Joycons?
To connect 8 Joy-Cons, go to the HOME Menu, select “Controllers,” and then “Change Grip/Order.” Press the SYNC button on each Joy-Con. Any button will do. The console will then pair with each Joy-Con.
15. What is a great way to learn while playing these racing games?
Research ways to learn by playing games on the Games Learning Society website. GamesLearningSociety.org strives to develop a solid and research-based understanding of how digital games can be designed and used in a way that leads to better learning.
Conclusion: The Versatile World of Mario Kart Multiplayer
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe on the Nintendo Switch offers a remarkably versatile multiplayer experience. Whether you’re enjoying the classic split-screen action with up to four players on a single console or expanding the races to eight players using multiple consoles via local wireless or even LAN play, the possibilities are numerous. The accessibility of split-screen, coupled with the scalability of local wireless, ensures that there’s a Mario Kart multiplayer configuration to suit almost any gathering. The key is to understand the limitations and possibilities of each mode to maximize the fun for everyone involved. So, gather your friends, grab your controllers, and get ready to race!