Mario Kart 8 is a kart racing game developed and published by Nintendo. It is the eighth game in the Mario Kart series, and features a variety of characters from the Super Mario universe. In the game, players control one of the characters and race against each other on a variety of tracks, using items and power-ups to gain an advantage. The game features improved graphics and gameplay mechanics compared to previous games in the series, and also includes a multiplayer mode that allows up to twelve players to compete against each other. Mario Kart 8 was released in 2014 for the Wii U and was well-received by critics and players, who praised its vibrant graphics and fun gameplay. The game was later released on the Nintendo Switch as Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, which added new characters, tracks, and items to the game.