Metacritic - 94 (40 reviews)Opencritic - 93 (34 reviews)
GamesRadar+ - 100
Three years on: still a classic, and with its biggest weakness fixed. If you own a Switch it’s a no-brainer – especially if it’s your first time.
Digital Spy - 100
At its heart, playing Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is a completely different experience to playing Mario Kart 8 precisely because of how, and where, you play it. The feel and fun of the thing is an intrinsic part of gaming and there's just so much fun to be had when you throw portability and local multiplayer into the fray.
Gameblog.fr - 100
The Switch version of Mario Kart is quite possibly the best in the series. Mario Kart 8 was already fantastic on the Wii U and the way the game uses the Switch's features genuinely transcends that game.
Guardian - 100
While some players will spend hours perfecting time trials and improving their standing online, that’s not really what these games are for. Mario Kart is a vehicle for fun with all your friends and family, no matter their individual skill, and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is the best, most versatile version of that yet.
M3 - 100
Mario Kart 8 for Wii U was the best game in the series so far, and with this Deluxe edition it has gotten even better. The redesigned battle mode is a brilliant addition, with fun stages and some new mechanics. To be able to finally play Mario Kart 8 outside of your home makes it worth buying, even if you have already spent hundreds of hours with it before.
Forbes - 100
This is the best Mario Kart game ever made, expanding an already great Wii U title into a near-perfect racing game. Even so, players who have the original on Wii U may want to wait for a sale.
Metro GameCentral - 100
The definitive version of one of the greatest multiplayer games ever, with a vast array of courses, characters, and the best Battle mode since the SNES days.
USgamer - 100
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is a victory lap for an amazing entry in the series. The only place Mario Kart 8 faltered was in its Battle Mode and Nintendo has rectified that here with a full-fledged version. 48 courses, 42 characters, 8 battle arenas, 5 battle modes, extensive multiplayer action, and the ability to take console Mario Kart with you wherever you go. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is absolutely worth the asking price.
God is a Geek - 100
Deluxe may be the wrong word for it, but this is the definitive Mario Kart 8 experience, which ultimately makes it one of the best kart-racers ever made.
Trusted Reviews - 100
After Breath of the Wild, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is the next Nintendo Switch must-buy. It’s the best the series has ever been, offering one definitive package. With the glorious return of Battle Mode, improved visuals and more content than ever before coupled with more ways to play it than ever thanks to the Nintendo Switch, I don’t think fans could ask for much more.
Nintendo Life - 100
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe delivers a huge amount of racing goodness right out of the box, and it's a polished version of a Wii U entry that was a proper Battle Mode away from being top of class.
TheSixthAxis - 100
Mario Kart 8 was already a simply sublime kart racer on Wii U, but Nintendo have managed to make it just that little bit better. From the new and improved Battle Mode to tweaks that add more depth for veterans and more accessibility for novices, a great deal of thought and effort went into Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, beyond simply porting it to Switch. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe continues to be the best in the business, and now you can play it on the train.
IBTimes UK - 100
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe takes the best game in the series and improves it. It looks better, plays better, the soundtrack remains an utter joy and the inclusion of a fully-featured and fiendishly fun Battle Mode is the cherry on top. This is the best Mario Kart game ever, and it's hard to see exactly how Nintendo will ever be able to improve upon it.
Cheat Code Central - 100
Rev your engines and get hyped for Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, the best Mario Kart you will ever play.
Meristation - 95
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is the best possible entry of the most valuable game in the series. The game is solid in each of every aspect, making it one of the most perfect experience we've ever had in an arcade driving game. Portable mode looks awesome as the game is almost perfect.
Destructoid - 95
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is straight-up a better version of the game without compromise. It looks better, there's more to do, it's portable, and it might even outsell the Wii U version to ensure a healthier long term community.
3DJuegos - 95
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is a must for Nintendo Switch owners. It's a superb boost of content, becoming the most complete game in the series.
Vandal - 94
This is the best and most complete Mario Kart to date, and it works beautifully on Switch. The additions are welcomed, and if you missed it on Wii U, you shouldn't make the same mistake on Switch.
Game Informer - 93
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is primarily a re-release of an acclaimed game from three years ago, but by adding new content and addressing the biggest complaint of the original, this version is unquestionably the best way to experience Nintendo's great racer. Battle mode is back to its original glory, and when combined with the rest of the robust Mario Kart 8 package, it creates a great addition to the fledgling Switch library.
IGN - 93
An amazing game for all the same reasons I mentioned in our original review. It’s still a gorgeous kart racer and every bit as addictive as it was in 2014. This is the best entry in the series so far, and it has all the content you’ll need. Returning players have seen a lot of this game before, but the overhauled Battle mode and its five additional ways to play are a great reason to pick it up. Nintendo didn’t do enough to make the online experience better, but the rest of this game holds up well.
GamePro Germany - 92
GameSpot - 90
This is the varied, exciting Battle Mode that Mario Kart 8 should have had all along.
Digitally Downloaded - 90
It might be a flawed experience, but that’s almost irrelevant when you consider just how much of it there really is on offer. This is how you do an “HD remaster."
GamesBeat - 90
This is how you spiff up an older game. What could have been a cynical attempt to double-dip into Nintendo fans’ wallets actually turns out to be the Mario Kart series’ definitive entry. The racing looks and feels just as great as it did on the Wii U, but the addition of battle modes finally makes it feel like a complete package...Add in the new characters and the Wii U DLC content, and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is a fantastic addition to the Switch’s early library.
Hobby Consolas - 90
It seems that Nintendo Switch was made for a game like Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. Racing is fun and multiplayer (8 local/12 online) is unbeatable. Nevertheless, the only improvements from the Wii U game are six new characters, new items and some battle modes, and that is not enough.
Game Rant - 90
This isn’t just the definitive version of Mario Kart 8, it’s the the measuring stick that all future franchise installments will be compared to.
App Trigger - 90
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe serves as the definitive version of this racing game. New characters, new items, classic battle mode reintroduction and all the game’s courses (basic and DLC) are packaged into a game that you can play with friends at home or on the road, online and off.
IGN Spain - 90
An excellent game that's still as good as it was 3 years ago... And now with every DLC and some subtle changes to its gameplay. If you haven't played Mario Kart 8 before, this Deluxe version is a must-buy.
Shacknews - 90
This is a fantastic addition to the Switch library, not just as a great game but as one that benefits from the system's core features. It adds the requisite new content and fixes the one large oversight of the original. Mario Kart 8 was already one of the best in the series. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is even better.
JeuxActu - 90
With richer content, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is a very good version of the game that will seduce the gamers into buying it for their Switch. We especially liked the new battle mode, and playing it on the go is just bliss.
Stevivor - 90
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is solid and enjoyable title, with small tweaks that mean it easily surpasses the Wii U's original release.
We Got This Covered - 90
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe's improved Battle Mode is bound to bring out some people's inner child in the best way. As for the rest of the racing action, the tight and polished multiplayer is as good as it's ever been — and the ability to take it on-the-go is like a dream come true.
Attack of the Fanboy - 90
Looking and performing better than it ever has, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe for the Switch is the best Mario Kart experience to date.
CGMagazine - 90
Mario Kart 8 remains one of the highlights of the franchise and while it would have been nice for The Switch to get a new title rather than a Deluxe repackage, this thing plays like a dream and is overflowing with content.
COGconnected - 89
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is one of the greatest multiplayer experiences Nintendo has produced in a long time. With enhanced graphics, all previous DLC included as well as bonus characters, and the return of the Battle mode, this is a party game for any occasion.
Wccftech - 88
Ultimately, this might just be the best version of the very best Kart racer there is. If you're a Mario Kart 8 veteran then I'm not sure how much here will draw you in, but new players and multiplayer fanatics will find dozens of hours of fun.
Post Arcade (National Post) - 85
Mario Kart 8 was a great game, and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is the definitive edition of that experience. But I’m not sure it’s worth an extra 80 bucks for anyone who already owns the original.
NintendoWorldReport - 85
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe makes for a great representation of the multiplayer potential of the Switch, but it still doesn’t add too much content to be a simple, slam-dunk purchase for owners of the Wii U version. The content it adds is strong, especially the revamped Battle Mode, though. And even aside from the new, the old stuff is abundant.
DualShockers - 80
At the end of the day, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is a Mario Kart game and (predictably) fantastic. With a fully upgraded Battle Mode and all the portability that comes with Nintendo Switch, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is undoubtedly the definitive version of the game -- maybe even the series. However, with limited offerings for Mario Kart veterans who shelled out nearly $100 on the last experience, the title will be significantly less rewarding.
Game Revolution - 80
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is the definitive edition of a franchise-defining kart racer, no longer constrained by Wii U’s teensy install base and poised to dish out hours of enjoyment from its new hybrid home. Not everyone will be tempted, but if you missed the original Mario Kart 8, it’s an absolute must-buy.
