Mario Kart 8 Deluxe continues to receive major support from Nintendo, and its latest surprise update may be the biggest yet. Originally launched on the Wii U in 2014 and reworked for the original Switch in 2017, the racing game just gained new features aimed squarely at players on the newer hardware.
Nintendo unexpectedly released the Version 4.0.0 update on Tuesday, delivering a new eight-player split-screen mode when the game runs on the Nintendo Switch 2. The update also adds CameraPlay support and compatibility with higher-resolution televisions. The expanded multiplayer option quickly went viral on social media as players imagined fitting an eight-player race onto the Switch 2’s 7.9-inch screen.
Eight-Player Multiplayer Expands the Racing
While the split-screen mode technically works in handheld mode, it is designed for group play on a TV. The update pushes multiplayer well beyond the four-player limit the game had since launch, allowing up to eight racers to compete at once. Each player can use an individual Joy-Con, a Switch Pro Controller or a Switch 2 Pro Controller.
Players who purchased the EUR 22 Booster Course Pass also gain access to all 96 courses in the VS Race multiplayer mode, significantly widening the track selection for local competition.
CameraPlay and Faster Load Times
The update introduces CameraPlay support, a feature that debuted on the Switch 2. It lets players connect a USB camera to the console during multiplayer and online matches so others can see their faces while racing. Nintendo sells an official USB camera, though many third-party alternatives work as well.
The update also shortens loading times on the Switch 2. Players should notice that races and battles begin more quickly than before.
Part of a Broader Switch 2 Optimization Push
This release is part of Nintendo’s ongoing effort to update its Switch library and optimize titles for the Switch 2. On Monday, Pikmin 3 Deluxe received a similar update to match the resolution of the newer console. Tuesday’s update also lined up with the Switch 2’s new price of EUR 432.
Nintendo announced the price increase in May, citing changes in market conditions. Hardware makers including Nintendo, Sony, Microsoft and Valve have faced rising component costs, particularly for memory and storage, in a trend nicknamed RAMaggeddon. So far, there is no sign that the memory shortage driving these increases will end soon.
