How Many Players Can Join the Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Fun?
The simple answer? Mario Kart 8 Deluxe caters to a wide range of player counts, making it incredibly versatile for solo gamers, family nights, and even large gatherings. The maximum number of players depends on how you’re playing: you can have up to four players on a single Nintendo Switch console, up to eight players through local wireless play with multiple consoles, and up to twelve players in online or LAN multiplayer.
Now, let’s dive into the details of how these different player configurations work, what you need to get them set up, and some frequently asked questions to ensure everyone’s ready to race!
Single System Mayhem: Up to Four Players
The most straightforward way to play Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is on a single Nintendo Switch console. The game natively supports up to four players in split-screen mode. This is perfect for family game nights or casual gatherings.
What You’ll Need:
- A Nintendo Switch console.
- Enough controllers for each player. This can be a combination of:
- Joy-Cons: Each Joy-Con can be used individually as a controller (one left and one right for each player).
- Nintendo Switch Pro Controllers.
- A mix of both!
How to Set It Up:
- Boot up Mario Kart 8 Deluxe.
- Select “Local Play” or the equivalent option on the main menu.
- The game will prompt you to connect controllers. Make sure each player presses the L and R buttons (or SL and SR buttons on individual Joy-Cons) to connect their controller.
- Choose your game mode, characters, and tracks, and get racing!
Local Wireless Frenzy: Up to Eight Players
For larger groups, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe supports local wireless play between multiple Nintendo Switch consoles. This allows up to eight players to compete against each other without needing an internet connection.
What You’ll Need:
- Nintendo Switch consoles (one for every one or two players, up to 8 total).
- Copies of Mario Kart 8 Deluxe for each console.
- Enough controllers for each player across all consoles.
How to Set It Up:
- On one console, the host player starts Mario Kart 8 Deluxe and selects “Wireless Play”.
- The host chooses to “Create Room”.
- On all other consoles, players start Mario Kart 8 Deluxe and select “Wireless Play”.
- They then choose to “Join Room” and select the host’s room from the list.
- Once everyone has joined, the host selects the game type and settings, and the race begins!
Online & LAN Domination: Up to Twelve Players
The ultimate Mario Kart 8 Deluxe experience involves either online or LAN multiplayer, supporting a whopping twelve players.
What You’ll Need (Online):
- Nintendo Switch Online subscription.
- Nintendo Switch consoles.
- Copies of Mario Kart 8 Deluxe for each console.
- A stable internet connection.
How to Set It Up (Online):
- Start Mario Kart 8 Deluxe.
- Select “Online Play”.
- Choose to play with “Friends” or “Worldwide”.
- You can either create a room and have friends join, or join an existing room.
- Alternatively, you can race against random players from around the world.
What You’ll Need (LAN):
- Nintendo Switch consoles.
- Copies of Mario Kart 8 Deluxe for each console.
- A LAN adapter for each console (if not using a Nintendo Switch OLED model, which has a built-in LAN port).
- A LAN cable for each console.
- A router or switch to connect all the consoles together.
How to Set It Up (LAN):
- Connect all Nintendo Switch consoles to the same LAN network using the LAN adapters and cables.
- On one console, hold the L and R buttons and press the left stick in on the main menu of Mario Kart 8 Deluxe.
- Select “LAN Play”.
- Choose “Create Room” on the host console.
- On the other consoles, repeat steps 2 and 3 and choose “Join Room”.
- Once everyone has joined, the host can start the race.
LAN play offers the most stable and lag-free experience for large groups, as it bypasses the potential issues of internet latency. This is great for a dedicated and competitive group of friends.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Can I play Mario Kart 8 Deluxe with 5 players?
Yes, but not on a single console. You’ll need at least two Nintendo Switch consoles connected via local wireless or online play. One console can have up to two players, while the other consoles can have 1-2 players each depending on what you want to do.
2. Is Mario Kart 8 Deluxe 6 players possible?
Absolutely! You’ll need multiple Nintendo Switch consoles connected via local wireless or online play to accommodate six players.
3. How many Joy-Cons do I need for 4 players?
You need four controllers for four players. This can be achieved with two sets of Joy-Cons (each Joy-Con pair providing two individual controllers), four individual Joy-Cons, or a combination of Joy-Cons and Pro Controllers.
4. Can you play 3-player split screen on Mario Kart 8 Deluxe?
Yes, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe supports 3-player split-screen on a single console.
5. What’s the difference between Mario Kart 8 and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe regarding player count?
The player count options are largely the same. However, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe includes all DLC from the original Mario Kart 8, along with additional characters and features, making it the definitive version.
6. Do you need a Nintendo Switch Online membership to play with friends online?
Yes, a Nintendo Switch Online membership is required to play Mario Kart 8 Deluxe online with friends or other players worldwide.
7. Can I use different controller types for multiplayer?
Yes, you can mix and match controller types. For example, some players can use Joy-Cons while others use Pro Controllers.
8. What is LAN play, and why would I use it?
LAN (Local Area Network) play allows you to connect multiple Nintendo Switch consoles together via a wired network. This provides a more stable and lag-free experience compared to wireless or online play, especially with a large number of players.
9. How many controllers can be connected to a single Nintendo Switch?
A single Nintendo Switch console can have up to eight controllers connected simultaneously. However, the number of controllers that can be used at one time depends on the game.
10. Is there any difference in performance with more players on split-screen?
Yes, there may be a slight decrease in performance with more players in split-screen mode, but it is generally minimal.
11. Can I play Mario Kart 8 Deluxe with 2 players on one console and connect online with others?
Yes, two players can play on one console and then connect online to play with others. The game will recognize you as a party of two.
12. What happens if a player loses connection during an online race?
If a player loses connection during an online race, they will be disconnected from the race. The race will continue for the remaining players, and the disconnected player may be replaced by a CPU-controlled character.
13. Can I customize the rules for online races?
Yes, when creating a room for online play, you can customize various rules, such as the item slots, CPU difficulty, and vehicle options.
14. Can I play Mario Kart 8 Deluxe on a Nintendo Switch Lite?
Yes, you can play Mario Kart 8 Deluxe on a Nintendo Switch Lite, but you’ll need separate controllers to play multiplayer since the Joy-Cons are integrated into the console.
15. Where can I find more information about the educational benefits of gaming?
To delve deeper into the educational aspects of gaming, be sure to visit GamesLearningSociety.org. The Games Learning Society conducts research on how games can be used to enhance learning. They explore different genres, including racing games like Mario Kart, to understand their potential in developing strategic thinking, problem-solving, and social skills. Learning through video games is an exciting new direction in the world of education. For more information, visit the Games Learning Society website at https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/.
With its versatile multiplayer options, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe offers something for everyone, whether you’re racing solo or with a dozen of your closest friends. So, gather your controllers, fire up your Nintendo Switch, and get ready to hit the track!