Free Mario Kart 8 Deluxe update adds 8-player split-screen
A free Mario Kart Deluxe update is live now for Nintendo Switch 2 owners, adding eight-player split-screen, CameraPlay face cams, sharper visuals, and faster load times. Nintendo also boosted race speed and added a 96-race endurance mode for Booster Course Pass holders—nine years after the game's April 2017 launch. The patch arrives as Mario Kart 8 Deluxe continues to reach roughly 71 million players worldwide.
Key Takeaways
- Eight-player split-screen doubles the original Switch's four-player local cap on Switch 2 hardware.
- CameraPlay displays two to four players' faces on screen using a compatible USB camera, including via online GameChat.
- Switch 2 support delivers clearer visuals on the console display and high-resolution TVs, plus shorter pre-race load times.
- General tweaks include a one-coin speed boost, a Boo offroad fix, and a new 96-race VS mode for Booster Course Pass owners.
What's new in the Mario Kart Deluxe update?
Nintendo released the free patch on September 1, 2026, targeting players who follow console upgrades in our Future Tech & AI Wonders coverage. According to Nintendo's official announcement, downloading the update requires a Nintendo Switch 2 system with an internet connection.
Beyond Switch 2-specific features, official patch notes list broader gameplay changes. Player speed during races increased by the equivalent of one coin. Players using Boo to turn invisible no longer slow down when entering offroad areas.
Booster Course Pass owners gain a "96 Races" endurance challenge under VS Race rule settings, spanning all 96 courses in the base game and its 48-course DLC.
How does eight-player split-screen work on Switch 2?
On the original Nintendo Switch, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe capped local split-screen at four players. The Switch 2 update doubles that to eight racers on a single screen.
Players can connect up to seven Nintendo Switch controllers—Joy-Cons or Switch Pro Controllers—to one Switch 2 system. Nintendo specifies that at least one Joy-Con 2 controller or a Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller is required for full eight-player sessions. Additional accessories may be required and are sold separately.
Polygon noted the crowded octo-screen layout looks like absolute chaos—a sign Nintendo is leaning into party-play for the aging kart racer.
What is CameraPlay in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe?
CameraPlay connects a compatible USB camera, sold separately, to the Switch 2 and displays players' faces during races. It works with two to four players in local multiplayer and extends to online friends through GameChat.
When the camera is on, footage and microphone audio are sent only to GameChat members. Players can toggle camera settings in Multiplayer and Online Play modes. Internet access, a Nintendo Switch Online membership, and a Nintendo Account are required for online CameraPlay features.
Who can download the free update?
Any Mario Kart 8 Deluxe owner with a Switch 2 and internet connection can grab the patch at no extra cost. The base game remains priced at $59.99 on Nintendo's store.
Nine years after its Switch debut, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe keeps evolving—an unusual lifespan for a title that originally launched on Wii U in 2014. Nintendo's continued support suggests the company views the game as a long-term platform, much as fans hope for future Mario Kart World content.