On a date, in the coffee queue or commuting, the new Mario Kart can be played anywhere. spends a day trying it out
Gaming Ben Travis
IT BEGAN with The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, which generated considerable hype when the Nintendo Switch launched. Now that has been amped up, with Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, out today, showing gamers what makes this new console really stand out.
Originally released on Wii U back in 2014, Mario Kart has been repackaged for the Switch with extra courses and characters, and reinstates the much-loved battle mode.
But more important than what’s new is the way the latest hardware transforms how and where you play the game. The Switch’s portable tablet and shareable joy-con controllers mean players can take the full Mario Kart multiplayer experience on the go without the need to buy a second gamepad.
But just because you can play Mario Kart 8 anywhere, with anyone, it doesn’t necessarily mean you should. Here’s a guide to the new onthe-go gaming etiquette.
Drink it in
Everything’s better in the pub. Everything’s better with Mario Kart. What could go wrong? Nipping to our local with Switch in hand, my competitor and I propped the tablet screen on a table (using a menu as a barrier) with a pint each, and fired up Egg Cup on 100cc.
Playing Mario in the pub is a dream, theoretically, but more awkward in practice. Prepare to feel like the biggest nerds in the building, and expect odd looks from the locals.
Then factor in the alcohol. The first set of races resulted in a tie but when we tried Lightning Cup over a second pint I couldn’t stop plummeting off Rainbow Road. Still, if you can handle the element of embarrassment and feel confident enough to bring in a “loser buys the next round” rule, go for it.
Save the date
Nothing sets a romantic mood quite like reaching into your bag and picking up a games console… right? Step aside, Tinder — Mario Kart 8 could be the next tech matchmaker.
Playing it is best broached as a casual suggestion towards the end of the evening — and if your date is up for it then you know they’re a keeper.
As in any romantic endeavour, establish the ground rules first. No matter how much you fancy someone you can’t just let them win — but don’t go all-out either. Hold