Over the last decade, Nintendo has released a handful of games that have been extremely popular and have shown no signs of losing their appeal. Games such as Super Smash Bros. Ultimate and The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild are perfect examples of this, but one game that has stood out and continued to captivate gamers is Mario Kart 8. The arcade-style kart racer is almost 10 years old and still boasts a dedicated fan base, and its endurance has only increased thanks to the Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Booster Course Pass DLC.
After many years in the market and numerous copies sold, players have spent countless hours racing through Mushroom Kingdom's finest tracks. During this time, both hardcore and casual Mario Kart 8 fans have added depth to the game by establishing a set of unwritten rules. Similar to house rules in a board game, these unspoken guidelines can serve as useful tips and govern the conduct of each race. Many other games, especially competitive titles like Fortnite, have their own unwritten rules, but those found in Mario Kart 8 highlight just how distinctive Nintendo Switch's best-selling game has become.
All Bets Are Off in Mario Kart 8
When playing Mario Kart 8, one must acknowledge that no lead is ever secure, regardless of how far ahead someone may be, the items they hold, or the top-notch Mario Kart 8 racers they use. In any race, chaos is a certainty and can swiftly and mercilessly overturn a player's lead, even the most skillful of racers can have their lead snatched away in an instant, especially when a Spiny Shell or Blue Shell makes an appearance. Sometimes, it's just best to embrace the mayhem.
The Super Horn Is a Blue Shell's Worst Nightmare
On the subject of Blue Shells, another unwritten rule in Mario Kart 8 centers around one of the few reliable methods to evade it. Mario Kart 8 introduced an item known as the Super Horn, which can obliterate thrown items and halt players in their tracks; these thrown items encompass Blue Shells, making the Super Horn an extremely valuable asset for players in the lead who could be targeted by the projectile. Hence, whenever players manage to obtain the Super Horn, it's often only used to nullify Blue Shells, even though it could be utilized to hinder other racers or clear other items.
Loyalty Is Fleeting When It Comes to Green Shells & Bananas
In Mario Kart 8, as well as practically every Mario Kart game before it, racers can be struck by any Green Shell or Banana. It's a rather straightforward aspect of the game, but as many players have likely experienced, using these items can sometimes cause more harm than good. Bananas can be forgotten and later run over during a race, and Green Shells can rebound all over the track once thrown, frequently missing their intended target only to turn back and hit its thrower. Due to this risk, many players prefer to utilize these items for defense and steer clear of the frustration.
Mario Kart 8 has solidified its position not only as one of the most popular Mario Kart games of all time but also as one of the most popular games ever developed by Nintendo. Its longevity is something that many games can only aspire to achieve, and its accessibility makes Mario Kart 8 an amazing party game for even the most casual gamers. Even when Nintendo eventually moves on from Mario Kart 8, many of its unspoken rules will likely endure.