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What is Mario Kart™ 8 Deluxe?
PlayVS is thrilled to offer league enrollment for the most successful racing game franchise of all time, Mario Kart™ 8 Deluxe!
Mario Kart™ 8 Deluxe is a multiplayer kart racing video game developed and published by Nintendo. Players control their beloved Mario franchise characters in kart racing collecting a variety of items to hinder opponents or gain advantages in each race. Many new driving features are available to players such as motorbikes, hang gliders, underwater racing, anti-gravity driving, and vehicle customization. Mario Kart™ 8 Deluxe is rated E for Everyone.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many players are on a team?
A PlayVS Mario Kart team will consist of 4 players on their main roster with up to 4 possible substitutes on the bench.
What is the game format?
Players will compete in a Best of 3 Team series consisting of 6 races per game. At the end of each race players are awarded points depending on their placement at the end of the race. Each player's points on the team will contribute to the team’s overall total points. At the end of all 6 races, the team with the most points will win the game. The first team to win 2 games in the series will win the match.
Which platform will the game be played on?
Mario Kart™ 8 Deluxe will be played online on the Nintendo Switch. Each player is encouraged to play on their own Nintendo Switch for the most optimal game experience. A team can, however, have two players compete online on one Nintendo Switch system.
What days will Mario Kart ™ 8 Deluxe be played on?
Mario Kart’s official match days will be on Thursdays in order to avoid any possible scheduling issues with schools also competing in other Nintendo Switch titles.
What are the common game settings we can expect?
150cc Race
Team Game mode
Items: Normal Items
No Computer players
Race Count: 6 Races (per game)
All Kart settings and Racers allowed
Track selection: Random
What hardware will be required to play?
Suggested (Total of 4x Nintendo Switches)
1x Nintendo Switch System & Monitor/Television per player
1x Nintendo Switch compatible controller per player
1x Pair of Nintendo Switch Joy-Con controllers, Nintendo Switch Pro Controller, or any Nintendo Switch compatible controller with no turbo mode availability per player
1x USB to Ethernet Adapter per Nintendo Switch system
1x Active Nintendo Switch Online membership per Nintendo Switch system
1x Mario Kart™ 8 Deluxe Game per Nintendo Switch system
Minimum (Total of 2x Nintendo Switches)
1x Nintendo Switch System & Monitor/Television per 2 players
1x Nintendo Switch compatible controller per player
1x Pair of Nintendo Switch Joy-Con controllers, Nintendo Switch Pro Controller, or any Nintendo Switch compatible controller with no turbo mode availability per player
1x Active Nintendo Switch Online membership per Nintendo Switch system
1x Mario Kart™ 8 Deluxe Game per Nintendo Switch system
Why is track selection Random?
Due to the in-game match flow found within Mario Kart it felt like the best possible experience was to allow for full randomization of tracks during a match. It becomes very difficult to create a track selection system that will work well and not break the flow of the game. We also toyed with the idea of using a specific set of tracks throughout the season but also found it difficult to enforce in-game without causing a large number of issues with competitive integrity and an influx of match disputes. In order to find the best middle ground that allowed for the largest variety of tracks and was equally as fair for both competing teams, we decided that it would be best to keep track selection to Random.
Can I switch Kart setups and Racers mid match?
Yes, in between races you can actually use the in-game menu to change your Kart and Racer within a limited amount of time before the next race begins.
Can I use my Mii as a Racer?
Yes, but we require your coach to review and sign off on the Mii character. Note that any Mii's found in violation of the PlayVS or Nintendo Code of Conduct will result in penalties applied to your account and the team. This includes anything that can be seen as offensive, vulgar, or bad sportsmanship.
Am I allowed to use shortcuts in the track while racing against my opponents for an advantage?
Anything that the game allows you to do in a race that would not be considered a glitch or cheating is allowed. There are actually a large number of shortcuts per track that we encourage teams and players to find and study in order to improve their overall lap times!
How to Download Mario Kart ™ 8 Deluxe?
All Nintendo titles offer a purchaseable physical copy (found at many retailers) or digital copy (found online). After purchasing a physical copy, the game card can be inserted to the Nintendo Switch console to begin any necessary automatic downloads. Purchasing digital copies provides a 16-character code that can be redeemed in the Nintendo eShop from the Switch console itself. Steps for redeeming a digital code can be found via Nintendo Support here.
Helpful Resources
About PlayVS
PlayVS is building the infrastructure and platform for amateur esports, starting with high schools. We work directly with game publishers and states to build and operate sanctioned leagues across the country. Through the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS), PlayVS is empowering students to compete in esports on behalf of their high school, with the opportunity to win a championship, just like any other youth sport. Contact your local school’s principal or athletic director to get a program started and learn more at www.playvs.com. Questions? Email us at hello@playvs.com.
V1 - 12/6/21 // Article created
V2.0 8/25/23 // How to Download - AK & LT