Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Gets Free Switch 2 Update With 8-Player Split-Screen

Nintendo has surprised fans with a free Switch 2 update for Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, the long-reigning champion of couch multiplayer, adding a headline feature that players have long dreamed about: eight-player local split-screen racing. The patch, released on September 2, 2026, lets up to eight players compete simultaneously on a single screen, taking the game's already chaotic party appeal to an entirely new level. This is a significant leap beyond the four-player split-screen that has been the series standard for years.

Beyond the marquee multiplayer addition, the update also brings a suite of quality-of-life and visual improvements tailored to Switch 2 hardware. Players can expect sharper visuals, faster loading times, camera support, and a new VS marathon mode. The patch also includes a gameplay tweak in the form of a Boo item buff, giving the ghost-themed power-up a bit more bite on the track. The update arrives even as Mario Kart World, the Switch 2's big launch title and the first true mainline sequel to MK8, continues to draw in new players, showing Nintendo's commitment to supporting its evergreen titles alongside newer releases.

Sources