Today during the Nintendo Switch Treehouse livestream, Nintendo confirmed that Mario Kart 8 Deluxe will run at 1080p/60FPS on the new console. This is only for when you're playing with the system connected to an external display.
When playing on the go, the resolution is decreased to 720p, Nintendo explained. 720p is the maximum resolution of the Switch's tablet-like screen. However, it's not immediately clear what the frame rate is when playing on the tablet screen alone.
When more than two people are playing on a TV, the resolution stays the same but the frame rate drops to 30 FPS, according to information posted on NeoGAF.
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe comes with all the tracks and characters from the Wii U version, including those released as DLC. There are also entirely new characters such as Inkling Girl and Inkling Boy from the Splatoon series, as well as King Boo, Dry Bones, and Bowser Jr.
Additionally, the Battle mode has been expanded on with new game types (Balloon Battle and Bob-omb Blast), while new courses have been introduced such as Urchin Underpass and Battle Stadium. Courses from past games are being added to the roster, too, including Luigi's Mansion from Mario Kart: Double Dash and Battle Course 1 from Super Mario Kart.
Another new element for Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is that you can carry two items at the same time, instead of one from the Wii U edition. Additionally, items from past games are coming back, including Boo (who can steal items) and the Feather (which lets you perform a high jump in Battle mode). Finally, Mario Kart 8 has an optional "smart steering" feature that keeps you from falling off the course. It's like bowling with bumpers on, a Nintendo spokesperson said during the Treehouse livestream today.
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe launches for Switch on April 28, missing the console's March 3 release date. For more, check out GameSpot's hands-on preview in the video above. The game sold 8 million copies on Wii U, a figure that includes pack-in sales.
