Mario Kart 8 Deluxe: Free Switch 2 Update Adds 8-Player Split-Screen

Nintendo has released the free Version 4.0.0 update for Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, introducing optimizations and a new eight-player split-screen multiplayer mode exclusive to the Nintendo Switch 2. Because if there is one thing better than squinting at a quarter of a television screen to dodge a red shell, it is dividing that same display into eighths.

According to Nintendo's official patch notes, the update leverages the newer hardware to expand the game's local limits. The racer, which originally debuted on the Wii U before moving to the original Switch, continues its run as Nintendo's most persistent competitor. This latest update follows other next-generation upgrades, such as the recent performance patch for Xenoblade Chronicles 2 on the new platform.

The details

• Update version: 4.0.0 (Free)
• New feature: 8-player split-screen multiplayer (Switch 2 only)
• Local multiplayer: Support for 5 to 8 players
• Performance: Reduced loading times and improved visual clarity

What does the update change?

Nintendo's patch notes outline a suite of enhancements meant to take advantage of the Nintendo Switch 2's hardware capabilities. Along with the headline eight-player split-screen mode, the update reduces loading times across all cups and improves overall visual clarity during high-speed races. The adjustments apply immediately upon downloading the free patch.

How does local play work now?

The expansion to local multiplayer now supports five to eight players on a single system when docked. Previously, the game capped local split-screen at four players, requiring multiple consoles to connect via local wireless for larger groups. The update bypasses that limitation entirely, though finding eight functional controllers in a single household remains a separate logistical challenge.

With this update, a game that has spanned multiple console generations ensures that the argument over who stole the final item box will continue well into the next decade.