History Awesome / MarioKart8

** On the note of Paris Promenade & Tokyo Blur, both of those tracks give you three laps where the way you race on them isn't always the same thing. For Paris Promenade, the first two laps give out basically the same, normal route like you'd find in Tour for the original track, only for the third lap to immediately surprise by going a ''completely different route that also has you going backwards for most of the track as well!'' Meanwhile, Tokyo Blur has three unique laps that take you through each original route from Tour's Tokyo Blur stages into one ultra course that provides a complete package for you. Combine that with Ninja Hideaway having many different branching paths for one truly memorable track, and it's no wonder why the Tour tracks have suddenly become fan favorites for the Mario Kart series for those that never played Tour before.

* When ''Mario Kart 8 [[UpdatedRerelease Deluxe]]'' was announced for UsefulNotes/NintendoSwitch, it reavealed '''[[VideoGame/{{Splatoon}} Playable Inklings and a Splatoon battle mode arena]]'''.

* Meta examples:
** ''Mario Kart 8'' sold 1.2 million copies within the first three days, making it the fastest selling Wii U game (as of June 4, 2014), and ultimately became the best selling game on the console.
** Despite being an rerelease of a game that already sold over 8 million copies on the Wii U, ''Deluxe'' went ahead and sold nearly ''double'' that on the Switch, making the best selling game on ''two'' consoles.

** Wave 2 had been announced without warning on July 28, with four huge and awesome surprises: 1.) one of the tracks is a new track entirely, which many hadn't expected, 2.) fan favorite Kalimari Desert is coming back, 3.) ''so is Waluigi Pinball'', and 4.) Wave 2 is ready for release on ''August 4''.

** Wave 2 has been announced, with three huge and awesome surprises: 1) one of the tracks is a new track entirely, which many hadn't expected, 2) fan favorite Kalimari Desert is coming back, and 3) ''so is Waluigi Pinball''.

* With ''Deluxe'' adding Smart Steering and Auto-Accelerate to the game, [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h6-ZuJDNWvE someone has proved]] that Luigi can win an entire cup in lower difficulties by [[WinsByDoingAbsolutelyNothing doing absolutely nothing]]. Yup, you read that right, Luigi won ''[[UpToEleven an entire cup]]'' by doing absolutely nothing.

* On February 9, 2022, Nintendo announced a new DLC pack for Deluxe called the ''Booster Course Pack'' through their Nintendo Direct. However, it wasn't just four cups of new and retro tracks included like the first DLC package for the Wii U game that was included by default in the Switch version. Instead, they announced ''six different waves of eight tracks included in twelve different cups'', making for an extra '''48 tracks''' included in the game by the end of 2023! Granted, all of the tracks are going to be retro tracks found from VideoGame/SuperMarioKart up to VideoGame/MarioKart7, as well as give some of the more unique tracks from VideoGame/MarioKartTour like the Tokyo Blur, Paris Promenade, and Ninja Hideaway a more permanent home for those that purchase the DLC under a permanent basis by a one-time payment of $24.99, but that kind of extra business helps give Mario Kart 8 a new second wind that is sure to give it more playing time entering the second half of the Switch's existence. And as an added bonus for those that may want an incentive to go for the Nintendo Switch Online Expansion Pack, purchasing that will make the DLC free for you in that subscription.

* On February 9, 2022, Nintendo announced a new DLC pack for Deluxe called the ''Booster Course Pack'' through their Nintendo Direct. However, it wasn't just four cups of new and retro tracks included like the first DLC package for the Wii U game that was included by default in the Switch version. Instead, they announced ''six different waves of eight tracks included in twelve different cups'', making for an extra '''48 tracks''' included in the game by the end of 2023! Granted, all of the tracks are going to be retro tracks found from VideoGame/MarioKartSuperCircuit up to VideoGame/MarioKart7, as well as give some of the more unique tracks from VideoGame/MarioKartTour like the Tokyo Blur, Paris Promenade, and Ninja Hideaway a more permanent home for those that purchase the DLC under a permanent basis by a one-time payment of $24.99, but that kind of extra business helps give Mario Kart 8 a new second wind that is sure to give it more playing time entering the second half of the Switch's existence. And as an added bonus for those that may want an incentive to go for the Nintendo Switch Online Expansion Pack, purchasing that will make the DLC free for you in that subscription.

* On February 9, 2022, Nintendo announced a new DLC pack for Deluxe called the ''Booster Course Pack'' through their Nintendo Direct. However, it wasn't just four cups of new and retro tracks included like the first DLC package for the Wii U game that was included by default in the Switch version. Instead, they announced ''six different waves of eight tracks included in twelve different cups'', making for an extra '''48 tracks''' included in the game by the end of 2023! Granted, all of the tracks are going to be retro tracks found from VideoGame/MarioKartSuperCircuit up to VideoGame/MarioKart7, as well as give some of the more unique tracks from VideoGame/MarioKartTour like the Tokyo Blur and Paris Promenade a more permanent home for those that purchase the DLC under a permanent basis by a one-time payment of $24.99, but that kind of extra business helps give Mario Kart 8 a new second wind that is sure to give it more playing time entering the second half of the Switch's existence. And as an added bonus for those that may want an incentive to go for the Nintendo Switch Online Expansion Pack, purchasing that will make the DLC free for you in that subscription.

* On February 9, 2022, Nintendo announced a new DLC pack for Deluxe called the ''Booster Course Pack'' through their Nintendo Direct. However, it wasn't just four cups of new and retro tracks included like the first DLC package for the Wii U game that was included by default in the Switch version. Instead, they announced ''six different waves of eight tracks included in twelve different cups'', making for an extra '''48 tracks''' included in the game by the end of 2023! Granted, all of the tracks are going to be retro tracks found from VideoGame/MarioKartSuperCircuit up to VideoGame/MarioKart7, as well as give some of the more unique tracks from VideoGame/MarioKartTour like the Tokyo Rush a more permanent home for those that purchase the DLC under a permanent basis by a one-time payment of $24.99, but that kind of extra business helps give Mario Kart 8 a new second wind that is sure to give it more playing time entering the second half of the Switch's existence. And as an added bonus for those that may want an incentive to go for the Nintendo Switch Online Expansion Pack, purchasing that will make the DLC free for you in that subscription.

** Hyrule Circuit. This course is chock-full of {{Shout Out}}s to classic ''Zelda'' games. Instead of coins on the track, there are rupees. Deku Babas replace the Piranha Plants, and Keese take the place of Swoopers. When you get an item, you'll hear the ItemGet jingle from ''Ocarina of Time'' onwards. You'll even hear the classic "Puzzle Solved" jingle playing if you hit all three switches on the way to the Master Sword's chamber, which unlocks a shortcut for a few moments. Nintendo, you have truly outdone yourself.

* During one of his kart-based anti-gravity tricks, Roy Koopa can be seen [[http://imgur.com/a/5SBIX imitating]] a pretty [[VideoGame/SuperSmashBros recognizable pose]] from the [[VideoGame/FireEmblemTheBindingBlade lord]] from [[VideoGame/FireEmblem another popular series]] who shares [[NamesTheSame his name]]. This was long before both Roy Koopa [[HilariousInHindsight would even be revealed]] in ''VideoGame/SuperSmashBrosForNintendo3DSAndWiiU'' along with other Koopalings as part of Bowser Jr.'s alternate characters--and finally coming face to face with the lord himself upon his reveal approximately a year later.
** Apparently the devs themselves in the fourth ''Super Smash Bros.'' game had a heartwarming note to this via [[http://pinkx2.tumblr.com/post/121544784962/oh-my-god-nintendo featuring both driving together on 3DS Rainbow Road]] as part of Lord Roy's congratulation picture in the 3DS version.
* ''Mario Kart 8 [[UpdatedRerelease Deluxe]]'' has been announced for UsefulNotes/NintendoSwitch. The best part: '''[[VideoGame/{{Splatoon}} Playable Inklings and a Splatoon battle mode arena]]''' confirmed!

* Once you reach the last portion of Big Blue, a [[VideoGame/FZeroX familiar voice]] shouts, '''[[LargeHamAnnouncer YEAH! THE FINAL LAP!]]''' Very unexpected and ''very'' awesome.

* During one of his kart-based anti-gravity tricks, Roy Koopa can be seen [[http://imgur.com/a/5SBIX imitating]] pretty [[VideoGame/SuperSmashBros recognizable pose]] from the [[VideoGame/FireEmblemElibe lord]] from [[VideoGame/FireEmblem another popular series]] who shares [[NamesTheSame his name]]. This was long before both Roy Koopa [[HilariousInHindsight would even be revealed]] in ''[[VideoGame/SuperSmashBros SSB4]]'' along with other Koopalings as part Bowser Jr.'s alternate characters--and finally coming face to face with the lord itself upon his reveal approximately a year later.
** Apparently the devs themselves in ''Super Smash Bros.'' 4 had a heartwarming note to this via [[http://pinkx2.tumblr.com/post/121544784962/oh-my-god-nintendo featuring both driving together on 3DS Rainbow Road]] as part of Lord Roy's congratulation picture on the 3DS-version.
* ''Mario Kart 8 [[UpdatedRerelease Deluxe]] has been announced for UsefulNotes/NintendoSwitch. The best part: '''[[VideoGame/{{Splatoon}} Playable Inklings and a Splatoon battle mode arena]]''' confirmed!

* Meta example but ''Mario Kart 8'' sold 1.2 million copies within the first three days, making it the fastest selling Wii U game (as of June 4, 2014).

[[caption-width-right:350:Two of Nintendo's [[VideoGame/MarioKart biggest]] [[Franchise/LegendOfZelda franchises]] together at last!]]

** ''[[Franchise/TheLegendOfZelda Link]]'' joins the roster, as well as the Villager and Isabelle from Main/AnimalCrossing.

* Where do we even begin? This game is ''filled'' with awesomeness.
** Gliding near planes in Sunshine Airport.
** Racing up and down waterfalls in Shy Guy Falls.
** Many courses here have awesome stuff in them: Mario Circuit (driving on both sides of it), [[MickeyMousing Electrodrome]] ([[BestLevelEver all of it]]), [[NostalgiaLevel N64 Rainbow Road]], etc.
** The Super Horn item cancels out '''[[{{ThatOneAttack}} BLUE SHELLS]].'''
** The game allows you to watch the best moments of the race with slow motion!
*** The replay features employ a fixed camera angle, so while the in-game camera always follows the orientation of your kart, the replay will make you realize that you were actually driving along walls or across the ceiling!
** Showing off moments [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CpuWOL58K78#t=37 like this...]]

** ''[[Franchise/TheLegendOfZelda Link]]'' joins the roster, as well as the Villager and Isabelle from Franchise/AnimalCrossing.

** ''[[Franchise/TheLegendOfZelda Link]]'' joins the roster.

* An unexpected but well-received first in the series, being able to drive real-world licensed vehicles as karts: three Mercedes-Benz kart bodies (one new car, the GLA, and two classic ones, the W 25 Silver Arrow and the 300SL Roadster) and wheels based off of the ones on the GLA. (Oh, and it's free.) How ''cool'' is that?!
** [[http://www.mariowiki.com/images/1/16/Mercedes-Benz.jpg This image]] says it all.

* During one of his kart-based anti-gravity tricks, Roy Koopa can be seen [[http://imgur.com/a/5SBIX imitating]] pretty [[VideoGame/SuperSmashBros recognizable pose]] from the [[VideoGame/FireEmblemElibe lord]] from [[VideoGame/FireEmblem another popular series]] who shares [[NamesTheSame his name]]. This was long before both Roy Koopa [[HilariousInHindsight would even be revealed]] in [[SuperSmashBros SSB4]] along with other Koopalings as part Bowser Jr's alternative characters - and finally coming face to face with the lord itself upon his reveal approximately year later.
** Apparently the devs themselves in Super Smash Bros. 4 had heartwarming note to this via [[http://pinkx2.tumblr.com/post/121544784962/oh-my-god-nintendo featuring both driving together on 3DS Rainbow Road]] as part of Lord Roy's congratulation picture on the 3DS-version.
* Mario Kart 8 [[UpdatedRerelease Deluxe]] has been announced for UsefulNotes/NintendoSwitch. The best part: '''[[VideoGame/{{Splatoon}} Playable Inklings and a Splatoon battle mode arena]]''' confirmed!

* Mario Kart 8 [[UpdatedRerelease Deluxe]] has been announced for UsefulNotes/NintendoSwitch. The best part: '''[[VideoGame/{{Splatoon}} Playable Inklings and a Splatoon battle mode arena]]''' confirmed!