Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Update 4.0.0: What the Big Patch Brings

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is receiving one of its biggest free updates in a long time: Version 4.0.0 is here and brings noticeable improvements, especially for everyone who is now playing on the Nintendo Switch 2.

What Exactly Does Update 4.0.0 Bring for Mario Kart 8 Deluxe?

• Official support for the Nintendo Switch 2, including performance improvements on the new console.
• Significantly shorter loading times between menus and races.
• Splitscreen multiplayer now for up to eight players on one console, instead of the previous maximum of four.
• New “CameraPlay” function, which brings additional camera/display options for local multiplayer mode.
• General technical improvements and bug fixes regarding stability and performance.

Is the Update Especially Worthwhile for Switch 2 Owners?

Yes, definitely. While Mario Kart 8 Deluxe has been technically pushing its limits on the original Switch for years, Update 4.0.0 specifically leverages the additional power of the Switch 2. The leap from four to eight splitscreen players, in particular, is a feature that simply wouldn't have been performant on the old console.

From our perspective, this update clearly shows how Nintendo handles older evergreen titles: Instead of releasing a completely new Mario Kart installment exclusively for the Switch 2, the predecessor is further enhanced with free updates – a model that has already worked for other Switch titles during the transition to new hardware. For the community that has used Mario Kart 8 Deluxe as the number one party game for years, the eight-player splitscreen will likely be the highlight: This allows entire groups of friends to fit on one screen, without additional consoles or an online connection.

Source: Nintendo Life

Have you already tried the update? Let us know in the comments if you've already used the eight-player splitscreen!