Yesterday’s Mario Kart 8 Deluxe update fixes a lot of bugs for online matches, as well as making the game a bit more fair for players that are losing.
While the jury’s out on whether or other racers in AI matches are cheating, losing against real life players in online matches is no less frustrating. After yesterday’s update, racers who are behind in online matches, “will receive items geared toward catching up more frequently.” I’m sure this will be helpful, but it also kind of feels like a neg. Thanks, Nintendo.
Other updates include using Pikmin amiibo to get Pikmin suits for Miis (cute!), fixes for a couple annoying bugs like the item wheel spinning continuously in online matches and online matches not ending 30 seconds after the first racer finishes as intended. It’s a small update, but it will probably have an impact on online play — especially for players who aren’t doing well.
Here’s the full list of fixes:
- Players can use Pikmin-themed amiibo to unlock a Pikmin Suit for the Mii driver.
- Race rules and course name are now displayed on loading screens for online and wireless play, as well as Mario Kart TV.
- Players who are behind in online matches will receive items geared toward catching up more frequently.
- In online matches, no more than two Piranha Plants will be granted as items at the same time.
- Controls are no longer unresponsive when the timer runs out when choosing a Mii racing suit for online matches.
- When a player uses an item right after the Super Horn in online matches, that item will now remain available for other players.
- Item wheel no longer spins continuously in online matches.
- Online matches now end as intended 30 seconds after the first place racer finishes.
- The Boomerang now returns to the first slot, if possible, after a player catches it.
- Items shown in a player’s item slots now display correctly when holding an item behind them.
- No longer possible to use an item after it has been used to block an attack.
- Communication errors no longer occur frequently while spectating or after spectating online matches.
Comments
5 responses to “Mario Kart 8 Update Gives You Even Better Items When You’re Losing”
Yeah much better items if you are losing the race but it still the remains the same for Mario Kart 8 Deluxe on Nintendo Switch.
I hate how it gives awesome items to those coming last.
It sucks when you’re in the lead and get smashed with a bunch of items one after the other, only to have those who were trailing behind fly past you and win.
If I’m in the lead, I want to stay there because I’ve spent a ton of time practicing and getting good, not waiting for the inevitable Blue Shell Barrage to push me from 1st to 15th.
If I’m at the back, I dont want to get ahead from receiving pity items, I want to learn and push my way to the front based on skill.
As much as I love Mario Kart, it kinda sucks for this reason alone.
If you want to be the very best, play time trials.
The multiplayer racing should never be considered more than an experience, a rollercoaster of emotion dressed up like a racing game.
This is how MK was and always shall be. It’s why it’s not boring to lose in like every straight-laced racing game.
If MK changed to be like those other games then what’s the point?
Sorry to say, but if you are constantly getting screwed by items, you may have practised and become somewhat good, but not good enough. (I’m telling you this as someone who isn’t, either, good enough). The really good people either can get ahead so early and so far that they cannot be reached by most items and those who can reach, barely put a dent on their lead, or, do not chase the first position but remain behind, then storm ahead in the last lap with a combination of skill and the powerful items they got back there.
I’m all for the re-balancing of items – i’ve been ‘gold starring’ the high class cups & it struck me (not a pun, honest) how often in first place I was getting hit with red shells.
I don’t want to rag on the game as it’s the best MK for years imo, but remembering back to what made the SNES version so so good was the balance; 1-4 places very rarely got the really good weapon, the red shells and invincibility were saved for the four lower places which gave them a great equalising effect, rather than now where my plan is usually to run in second until the final lap as in 1st you will inevitably be red/blue/green shelled to death.
Not saying 1st should be exempt from a shell or two, but the balance feels off for me right now – with those last lap nightmares being the norm rather than the exception?