Eight-Player Splitscreen Added to Mario Kart 8 Deluxe

Mario Kart fans with more than three friends rejoice: Nintendo has conjured up an eight-player splitscreen mode for Mario Kart 8 Deluxe on Switch 2. The free update is available now.

The mode carves up the usual four-player split one more time, resulting in eight portrait-style windows.

You’ll just need eight controllers and enough seating for you and seven rivals. Or perhaps you just need to win or place to make it onto the couch, and all the losers will just have to sit on the floor?

Nintendo also notes Mario Kart 8 Deluxe players on Switch 2 will be able to utilise ‘CameraPlay’, which adds your friends’ faces on screen as you race them.

The update also comes with enhanced visuals and brings shorter load times.

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe recently earned a well-deserved spot in IGN’s 30th anniversary round-up of racing game masterpieces. If you too feel the need for speed, feel free to check out what other iconic and acclaimed racers made the list.

Luke is a Senior Editor on the IGN reviews team. You can track him down on Bluesky @mrlukereilly to ask him things about stuff.