Nintendo announces Mario Kart 8 Wii U Bundle and free digital game download

By Rick Marshall Published May 19, 2014

nintendo announces mario kart 8 wii u bundle free digital game download — Image used with permission by copyright holder

Check out our full written Mario Kart 8 review.

Nintendo devoted its latest Nintendo Direct video presentation to the impending arrival of Mario Kart 8 for the Wii U next month, which the company hopes will bolster sales of its successor to the Wii console.

Along with announcing the Mario Kart 8 Wii U Bundle that will package the game with the Wii U Deluxe Set version of the console — as well as a red Mario Wii Wheel accessory and a red Mario Wii Remote Plus controller — anyone who purchases Mario Kart 8 will also receive a free game download from the Nintendo eShop. The free download will be available after registering your version of Mario Kart 8 with Club Nintendo, and you’ll be able to choose from four titles: New Super Mario Bros. U, Pikmin 3, The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker HD or Wii Party U.

Along with touting the Mario Kart 8 bundle and free download, the video also offered up some additional details about the new features of Mario Kart 8, including two new racers (Pink Gold Peach and Baby Rosalina), anti-gravity racing, and the Spin Boosting ability.

“The numerous new features of Mario Kart 8 make this the most ambitious version yet, and one that will have players of all skill levels racing for the checkered flag,” said Scott Moffitt, Nintendo of America’s executive vice president of Sales & Marketing.

Mario Kart 8 (and the Mario Kart 8 Wii U Bundle) hits shelves May 30. The Wii U Bundle comes with a suggested retail price of $330.

You can watch the full Nintendo Direct presentation below:

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Nintendo seemed to be aware of this when it removed Spotlight Pipes from Mario Kart Tour last year, but that clearly wasn't enough for this plaintiff. Nintendo has not commented on this lawsuit, but it's definitely worth keeping an eye on how this plays out.