Switch Version Changes

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, officially announced on January 12, 2017 and released on April 28, 2017, is a Nintendo Switch re-release of Mario Kart 8 for Nintendo Wii U, released on May 29, 2014. The game is largely the same and includes all characters and tracks (including DLC) from the original release, but there are actually many smaller changes as well as one big addition Battle Mode. Below, you will find all known changes.

New Characters

The Nintendo Switch version of Mario Kart 8 retains all original and DLC characters from the original and adds six new characters, including the Inkling characters from Splatoon. The new characters available at the get-go are:

• King Boo (Heavy)
• Dry Bones (Light)
• Bowser Jr. (Light)
• Inkling Boy (Medium)
• Inkling Girl (Medium)

If you complete all cups in 200cc Mode, you will unlock the sole secret character:

• Gold Mario (Heavy)

In addition to this, both Inkling characters have three different costumes, much like the Yoshi and Shy Guy alternate outfits. Also, all characters are now unlocked from the start of the game.

Additionally, there is a new unlockable outfit via amiibo (in addition to the original set included with Wii U):

• Splatoon (use either of the Splatoon amiibo)

New Karts

Like characters, there are also new kart and parts to coincide with the new characters. These include:

• Splat Buggy
• Ink Striker
• Koopa Clown
• Super Glider

Like the Wii U version, Karts and and parts must be unlocked by playing the game. The requirements for kart part unlocks have changed, in some cases -- for example, to get the Gold Tires you have to beat the 150cc staff ghosts in Time Trials and for the Gold Standard Body, you now need to get a star rank in every mirror mode cup.

New Features and Changes

There are several new additions to the Mario Kart 8 formula that change the game up in some really big ways:

• Dual Item Capacity - Now players can grab and hold up to two items at a time, with one item held out and the other in reserve that can be used after the first item is used.
• Super Drift Boost - If you keep drifting after your kart's sparks turn blue and then orange, they will turn light purple and result in a bigger speed boost when released. Super Dirft Boost is not avaliable if Smart Steeing is enabled.
• Quick Turn - Nintendo added the ability to do a 180 degree turn to make for better Battle Mode gameplay. Hit B (brake) while doing a hard turn and you'll spin around fast.
• Smart Steering - This driver assist feature is on by default (you have to access the menu while selection a kart via +/- and turn it off manually). Players can choose this optional mode to help their driving skills - or let smaller children race in tougher courses. This option, shown as an atennae on the back of the cart, automatically helps players avoid falling off edges by steering them back on track when falling would be otherwise unavoidable. Aversely, it can prevent taking shortcuts, however. 
• Auto Acceleration: This feature is off by default, but adds another level of driving assist for novice players which helps with gas and braking. 
• Boo and Feather Item - Returning from previous Mario Kart games, the Boo item allows you to steal a random driver's held item, while the Feather allows players to perform a massive jump.
• 8-Player Local Multiplayer: Up to 8 Nintendo Switch consoles can connect via local wifi (no online connection needed) to play multiplayer. Two players can play on one system.
• LAN Mode: When connecting multiple units via LAN adapters, on the main menu, hold L and R and press the left stick in. This will change Wireless Play to LAN Play, which can be used for competitions. 
• Ability to change karts and characters while waiting in online lobbies between matches. Selection will be interrupted at the end of the race countdown, so character selection does not hold up online play.
• Overall progression has changed. All cups, tracks, and CCs, and Mirror Mode are unlocked from the beginning. 
• Parts and performance have been tweaked. The controversial "fire hopping" exploit/technique was removed. 
• Load times are faster.
• Private Lobby voice chat has been removed (presumably, it'll be available again via the Nintendo mobile app)
• When building a kart, stats that consist of a whole number and a decimal are no longer rounded down to the whole number

Visual Changes

The game includes the following visual changes:

• 1080p resolution when playing in TV mode (versus 720p on Wii U) and 720p resolution in handheld mode (versus 480p downsampled for Wii U GamePad). 
• Updated menu graphics
• Tweaked animations/expressions for Mii characters

Cups and Tracks Selection

The game includes all tracks from the original Mario Kart 8 retail release, as well as the subsequently released (paid) DLC cups and tracks:

• Egg Cup (GCN Yoshi's Circuit, Excitebike Arena, Dragon Driftway, Mute City)
• Triforce Cup (Wii Wario's Gold Mine, SNES Rainbow Road, Ice Ice Outpost, Hyrule Circuit)
• Bell Cup (3DS Neo Bowser City, GBA Ribbon Road, Super Bell Subway, Big Blue)
• Crossing Cup (GCN Baby Park, GBA Cheese Land, Wild Woods, Animal Crossing)

New Modes

There are several new Battle Modes present in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. Unlike the Wii U version of MK8, Battle Modes now take place on specific arena tracks, based on classic Mario Kart arenas, MK8 tracks, and the game Splatoon:

There are four types of Battle Modes:

Balloon Battle

This mode has undergone various changes from the Wii U mode - most notably that there are now specific arena maps to chose from instead of regular race tracks.

Each driver will start off with five balloons, and players must drive around and score more points than other drivers using items around the arena. Additionally, these matches have a time limit. Drivers score points for popping other drivers' balloons, which is accomplished by hitting them with projectile/offensive items (Shells, Bananas, Bob-ombs, etc.) or stealing them with a well-timed Mushroom- or Feather-infused collision (however, if a driver has only one balloon left, then their last balloon cannot be stolen via this second method).

If all of a driver's balloons are popped their score is halved and they respawn at their starting position with three balloons. At the end of the time limit, the driver(s) currently with the most points is/(are) the winner(s). Up to four players can play with the addition of other CPU controlled opponents.

Bob-omb Blast

This Battle Mode follows the same overall rules as Balloon Battle, except that the only items drivers can find and use are Bob-ombs. Additionally, in this mode, drivers may stack and carry up to nine (9) Bob-ombs at once, and drivers' own Bob-ombs' explosions will not harm them or pop their own balloons.

Renegade Roundup

This battle mode is very different from other modes - One team will have permanent Piranha Plants attatched to the front of their vehicles, while the other team will have to evade them at all costs. If nabbed by the Piranha Plants, the renegade team member will be sent to a jail - located in different areas depending on the map. Other players on the team can try and hit the button under the jail to free the players who have been trapped.

After the game begins, players will be unable to see the enemy team on the map unless they are in line of sight

The game ends either when the timer runs out, or all players on the renegade team have all been captured. Players will also earn points for every capture, or every time they free their friends.

Coin Runners

In this Battle Mode, players battle indirectly by trying to claim the most coins in an arena before time runs out. Coins are placed randomly around the map, and more will appear over time - shown on the map. Players can either claim unguarded coins and evade other players, or attack them to cause them to spill several coins and steal them.

The driver with the most coins when time is up wins.

Shine Thief

In this mode, players battle over control of a Shine Sprite - ala Capture the Flag. Once in control of the flag, a timer will count down as long as that player or team holds control - until they lose control and someone else gains the Shine Sprite.

Those who hold the Shine Sprite, are visible on the map - as is its location - and will move at a slower pace. The person to have the most points ticked off - or the team who gets to 0 will win.