Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is Now Playable on Nintendo Labo

Today, Nintendo announced that Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is now compatible with the Nintendo Labo Variety Kit. A free software update was implemented today for Mario Kart 8 Deluxe on Nintendo Switch that allows players to race using the Toy-Con Motorbike control setup for Nintendo Labo. 

Thanks to the update, players can play every game mode in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe using the interactive controller option on Nintendo Labo Variety Kit, making for a much more immersive cart racing experience. Players can use the handlebar configuration that comes with the Nintendo Labo Variety Kit to steer vehicles and even rev their engine in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. The Switch itself is held in the center of the handlebars, with cardboard buttons on the handles for item use. 

It’s worth noting that this handlebar configuration comes within the Variety Kit for Nintendo Labo, and is not a part of the Robot Kit. If you want to enjoy the Mario Kart 8 Deluxe update using Nintendo Labo, then you will need to have the Variety Kit rather than the Robot Kit.

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is the first game to receive Toy-Con support on Nintendo Labo outside of the default Labo software. More titles will become compatible with Nintendo Labo in the future, according to Nintendo’s announcement. For a quick look at Mario Kart 8 Deluxe in action using the Toy-Con controls, check out the preview video above containing the new feature.

Along with the free software update for Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, Nintendo also announced the categories for the second Nintendo Labo Creators Contest. The categories are for “Best Gaming Experience Using Toy-Con Garage” and “Best Toy-Con Musical Instrument”.

Fans can submit their creations to the contest to win various limited-edition prizes, including an exclusive cardboard-inspired Nintendo Switch game console. Visit the Creators Contest page on the Nintendo Labo website for submission details.