Mario Kart 8 Deluxe
News, coverage and analysis tracking Mario Kart 8 Deluxe across the outlets.
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Mailbox: Big-Screen Slippy, First-Party LEs, Wario/Waluigi Fanfic - Nintendo Life Letters
This month's Nintendo Life Mailbox features reader discussions on finding joy in modern gaming despite high expectations, the lengthy completion times of games like Digital Devil Saga, seasonal associations for Nintendo series, the post-victory state of Hyrule in Zelda games, the resurgence of Star Fox content, the scarcity of first-party limited editions, and a fan's Waluigi fan film.
Nintendo Switch eShop charts – June 20, 2026 – top 10 is looking very familiar
The Nintendo Switch eShop charts for the week of June 20, 2026, show a remarkably consistent top ten, with Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream retaining the number one spot. All positions within the top ten remained unchanged from the previous week, indicating strong sustained popularity for established titles.
Famitsu software sales (6/8/26 – 6/14/26) – Top 30
Famitsu has released its weekly Japanese software sales data for the period of June 8th to June 14th, 2026. Powerful Pro Baseball 2026-2027 for the Nintendo Switch topped the charts with 100,976 units sold. The Nintendo Switch and its successor, the Nintendo Switch 2, dominated the top 30 list with numerous titles.
Nintendo Download: Four Ages, One Mission
Nintendo's latest download update features new releases like The Adventures of Elliot: The Millennium Tales and Observer: System Redux for Nintendo Switch. The update also highlights Father's Day game recommendations, pre-orders for Devil May Cry 5, and a Game Trial for EA SPORTS FC 26 for Nintendo Switch Online members. Additionally, promotions for Nintendo Switch Online memberships and various eShop sales are detailed.
Famitsu software sales (6/1/26 – 6/7/26) – Top 30
Famitsu has released its weekly Japanese software sales data for the period of June 1st to June 7th. Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream for Nintendo Switch topped the charts, followed by Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth and eFootball Kick-Off on Nintendo Switch 2. The data includes sales figures for various games across Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 5 platforms.
UK Charts: FF7 Rebirth Falls Off A Cliff As FC 26 Returns To The Top Spot
The latest UK video game sales charts show EA SPORTS FC 26 returning to the number one spot, likely due to the start of the World Cup 2026. Final Fantasy VII Rebirth saw a significant drop from second to thirtieth place, a common trend for games after their initial launch week. No new titles entered the top 40 this week.
UK software sales chart for the week ending June 13, 2026 – Pokemon Pokopia back in the top five
EA Sports FC 26 has reclaimed the top spot in the UK software sales chart for the week ending June 13, 2026, driven by World Cup interest. Nintendo's Pokemon Pokopia also re-entered the top five, leading other Nintendo exclusives like Mario Kart World and Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream.
How to be a dad and a gamer and still get a good night’s sleep - Reader's Feature
A father of two young children shares his struggle to balance gaming with family life, finding that long, time-consuming games are no longer feasible. He details his process of organizing his extensive game library by length to better manage his limited playtime and rediscover enjoyment in shorter, more self-contained experiences.
Nintendo Switch eShop charts – June 13, 2026 – Tomodachi Life continues dominant run
The Nintendo Switch eShop charts for the week of June 13, 2026, show Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream maintaining its top position. Super Smash Bros. Ultimate and Minecraft follow in second and third place, respectively, with the rest of the top ten featuring a mix of popular Nintendo titles and other notable games.
Nintendo Download: Definitively Feeling It!
Nintendo's latest download update features Xenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edition for Nintendo Switch 2, STARSEEKER: Astroneer Expeditions, and new game bundles. Several demos are available, including for Star Fox, and pre-orders are open for ELDEN RING Tarnished Edition, Minecraft Dungeons II, Nintendo Switch Sports Resort, and Orbitals. The update also highlights new music playlists, in-game events for Donkey Kong Bananza, and ongoing eShop sales.
Nintendo Sound Clock: Alarmo update out now, adds support for Donkey Kong Bananza
Nintendo Sound Clock: Alarmo has received an update adding support for Donkey Kong Country Returns: Donkey Kong Bananza, including seven new alarm types from the game and its DK Island & Emerald Rush DLC. Users need a Nintendo Account to download the update. This follows previous updates for games like Super Mario Bros. Wonder and Super Mario Odyssey.
NateTheHate says he’s not expecting Mario Kart World DLC in Nintendo Direct
Known leaker NateTheHate stated that he does not expect an announcement for Mario Kart World DLC during the upcoming Nintendo Direct presentation. Despite the game being released a year ago, NateTheHate believes new tracks are unlikely to be revealed, contrasting with fan desires for additional content similar to Mario Kart 8 Deluxe.
UK software sales chart for the week ending June 6, 2026 – Nintendo Switch 2 gives Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth a big boost
The latest UK software sales chart for the week ending June 6, 2026, shows Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth re-entering the top ten at number four following its release on the Nintendo Switch 2. Other titles like Pokemon Pokopia and Mario Kart World also charted within the top ten.
Opinion: Mario Kart World Deserves Its Flowers, So Let's Stop Comparing It To MK8 Deluxe
This opinion piece argues that Mario Kart World deserves more recognition and should not be constantly compared to Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. The author highlights World's unique blend of calm exploration and chaotic racing, its innovative open-world design, and its deep mechanics that offer a different, more challenging experience than its predecessor. The article suggests World is a defining game for the Switch 2, offering a refreshing take on the series.
Predictions for a potential June 2026 Nintendo Direct
Speculation is high for a Nintendo Direct in June 2026, following a period of infrequent announcements. Rumors suggest potential remakes of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time and Kirby: Planet Robobot, alongside new content for Pikmin 4 and Xenoblade Chronicles 2. Third-party titles like Minecraft and Monster Hunter Wilds are also rumored for the Nintendo Switch 2.
Hands On: "We Want It To Feel Like A Fighting Game" - Super Yooka-Laylee Kart Offers More Depth Than You Think
Super Yooka-Laylee Kart aims to capture the spirit of the original Super Mario Kart while incorporating modern features inspired by fighting games. Playtonic is focusing on skill-based gameplay with mechanics like a rage meter and input-based special moves, alongside rollback netcode for online play. The game will be available on PC, with a Nintendo Switch release highly anticipated.
Famitsu software sales (5/25/26 – 5/31/26) – Top 30
Famitsu has released its weekly Japanese software sales data for the period of May 25-31. Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream for Nintendo Switch topped the charts, followed by 007 First Light and Pokemon Pokopia on PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Switch 2 respectively. The data includes sales figures for the top 30 best-selling games across various platforms.
Super Yooka-Laylee Kart Leaked by Steam DB Listing
A SteamDB listing has seemingly leaked 'Super Yooka-Laylee Kart', revealing character art and suggesting a kart racing genre. This follows recent social media teases from the developers. The game's exact approach to the genre remains unknown, but comparisons are drawn to established titles like Mario Kart and Diddy Kong Racing.
UK Charts: 007 First Light Leaves The Competition Shaken
007 First Light debuted at number one on the UK physical sales charts, pushing LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight to second place. Several other titles saw significant movement, with Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream falling out of the top 40 entirely.
Product Placement Can Help Save The AAA Games Business, Former BioWare Dev Says
Former BioWare veteran Mark Darrah suggests that product placement could be a viable solution for the financial sustainability of AAA game development, arguing that an over-reliance on live-service models and microtransactions is limiting. He points to existing examples in games and other media, and questions why it isn't a larger part of the gaming industry's revenue streams. Darrah also expressed concerns about the impact of subscription services like PlayStation Plus and Xbox Game Pass on game design.
