This is an ongoing list where I attempt to do the following: Play, Complete, and Rank every video game in the known universe in order to finally answer the age old question "What is the greatest game of all time?" For previous entries look through other blog entries, or for a quick overview use the link at the bottom.

How did I do?

I feel kind of ashamed that the first Mario Kart game that I am putting on the big board is essentially the collection of all Mario Kart games. While I know that having a few levels or characters from older series do not equate nearly to the same thing, I'm picking a game that has more levels, characters, circuits, etc. then nearly any previous entry. Oh well, here we are so let's make the best of it.

Mario Kart 8 deluxe is... drum roll please... a kart racing game featuring Mario and other Nintendo characters. Depending on the mode you are either looking to simply win a race, or survive against other racers in battle modes. Honestly I don't think much discussion is needed as to establish what Mario Kart 8 deluxe really is. If you know what any previous Mario Kart game is like, then you have a pretty good idea what this one is like.

This game has a lot in it, and while that is certainly never a bad thing, I do want to spell out what a psycho who wants to complete the game looks like. There are 5 different speeds (2 which have to be unlocked), 12 circuits, and 48 courses just in the "main" mode. It means that you would essentially have to play every circuit 5 different times, for a total of 240 courses. Of course that makes assumption such as starting at 50cc and working your way up, and also under the assumption that you never lose a circuit and can beat everything on your first go. Certainly no monster would do that, right? (sadly looks inward).

I have a reason! When I got the switch, Mario Kart 8 was one of the first 2 games I purchased. It was a game both me and my wife enjoyed playing, and we didn't have any kids on the way, or born at the time either. The previous Mario Kart I had played was the Nintendo 64 one, so feeling like I was rusty I started playing at 50cc because I wanted to get my sea legs under me. I enjoyed playing the game up until we get to 200cc, but more on that later.

Before I air my dirty laundry, I need to first stress that I like the Mario Kart series. I grew up playing the SNES one, graduated to the N64 one and enjoyed my time immensely with them. They were perfect multiplayer games, and even better college drinking games. When this game was re-released for Switch, it was perfect for me. I wasn't burned out on playing virtually the same game for Wii-U (never owned one), and it included presumably the best levels of all previous games to make up one incredible package. I thoroughly enjoyed levels that I had never seen before, and could nod approvingly when levels showed up that I remember from previous games. In fact levels like Hyrule and Bowser's Castle (presumably made just for this game) are two of my new favorites, because they both play and look great. I also loved playing as the lesser Nintendo characters, because I'm still that terrible person who picks side characters over Mario every day of the week. Having a chance to win circuits as Roy, dry-bones, or one of 25+ characters means that I never feel like I am stuck picking between the same small sample size.

Now honestly, this could have all been addressed and added into Mario Karts past the N64 version. Perhaps I wouldn't be so blown away, if I played every single Mario Kart game in release order, but making such a big jump means that all of this stuff is new to me and can wow me just the same. Combine all of these options with the kart customizer and boom endless replay-ability and individuality. I'm overselling a bit here, because your mileage is going to vary based on two very key attributes. What was the last Mario Kart you played? and Do you like kart racers? Obviously, there is nothing in Mario Kart 8 deluxe that is going to convert you if you hate kart racers. It is very much that game. Do races, pick up items, rubberband A.I. etc. But, if you like Kart racers and it might have been awhile since you played a Mario Kart, then this is a huge improvement.

Mario Kart 8 does have different assists, and a lot has been discussed around this game regarding these inclusions. The argument usually centers around a very vocal group of people who are upset that they feel the inclusion of them cheapens their hard work by beating the game without them. Its roughly the same group of people who are upset about easy modes (but that is another discussion). I will tell you, that I love the assists, granted each one for different reasons, but I think them being in the game adds value rather then takes them away. The auto-accelerate, saves my switch controllers and my thumbs, from having to mash a button through hundreds of hours of playtime. The stay on the course assist makes playing the game with people who maybe aren't hard-core gamers more fun for everyone involved. In fact, and I talk about them a lot, but I have two twin boys who are just now getting into the very basic world of video games. They are mainly playing games that are touch screen controls or basic story-book games, but I can throw on Mario Kart, let them pick their character, kart, and level, toss both assists on and let them essentially enjoy the tour of the level. Are they winning races? not usually, but they are having a hell of a lot more fun, then if there were just smashed against a wall unable to figure out how to use gas and the joystick at the same time. I also know that they will eventually get to the point where we play without assists turned on, but in the meantime them having fun rates over an outcry of sad dudes who use terms like "fake gamer."

Mario Kart 8 is not a perfect game. The way I see it, there are three main issues, one that has been with the series forever, and two that are specific to this version. Specifically for deluxe, I am bummed that there are actually so few courses from previous entries. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy the MK8 specific courses, but this could have been something remedied with DLC that could have brought in old favorites. I would gladly play $2-3 a course for an up-rezzed version of some of my old favorites. What if I want the SNES Bowser's castle, or the N64 Ghost-house? I know.. I know that the Wii-U version did have DLC and that those were included on the Switch Kart already, but I want more. I want this Mario Kart to be the Rock band of Mario Karts. Let me bring in old tracks, and maybe they don't take advantage of all the cool glide and anti-gravity tech that is used in the new cooler courses, but I still want to hit them up once in awhile. However, I think the bigger issue with Mario Kart 8 deluxe, is more in "Where do they go from here?" 8 Deluxe seems like it wants to be the Kart for everyone. It has a huge cast of characters, a collection of nostalgia for old people like me, assists for younger players, etc. However, what does a Mario Kart 9 even look like? Do they continue to build on 8 Deluxe like it is a platform, or do they try and start fresh with 9 and roll back to all original courses and a smaller scope? As of writing, 8 has been out for ages and there is no talk of 9. It is safe to assume that based on previous installments, we probably won't see 9 until Nintendo releases a new console, and I don't think a Switch-pro meets that criteria, so there is plenty of time for them to come up with a game plan. However, it's hard not to think that 9 is going to have very tough shoes to fill when it does make an appearance.

The biggest gripe, and one that has been stated multiple times (by Vinny and others), is that Mario Kart as a series cheats. The game was designed to keep the race close and exciting throughout. It is why if you are in first you only get items like coins or banana peels, but if you are in 5th or 6th you get fun items like lighting bolts, or blue shells. This is nothing new, and part of the game, we all have accepted that at this point. However, in this game it seems egregious at the higher speed levels. No game has made me madder then trying to gold every circuit in 200cc. Running a nearly flawless race, only to drop from 1st to 5th because of one shot a turn away from the finish line is infuriating. For it to happen once is rough, but acceptable, for it to happen twenty or more times is downright dirty. You see, every circuit the A.I. controlled players are not created equally. You know after roughly a single race which place each and every one of them will fall. You can look at this as the game giving you a rival, but it also means the computer gets the same steady points for that character after each race. It could mean if you trade off 1st and 2nd place through three races, it sets up a dramatic finale, but it also means that if you have one bad finish that you can't attempt to make it up. Cue up the blue shell that destroys your place and makes you finish 5th, well at that point it isn't even worth completing the circuit because you can't hope to come back, even with three 1st place finishes. I am not the first person to complain about blue shells, and I won't be the last, my issue is actually not with the item itself, but with the pre-determined finish list that the CPU actually has. If they even broke it into tiers (these 5 racers can finish 1-5, these 5 are 6-10, etc.) there could be an element of randomness that could make the circuit not only less grueling but more interesting to play through. Now maybe you having one bad race doesn't mean a full restart, but it could also build drama, that in order for you to win, you need to get 1st and Toad needs to finish in 3rd or worse.

I managed to beat them all, so it's certainly not impossible, but it does take far more patience then I was expecting regarding a Mario Kart game. However, even with these quibbles it doesn't take away from the fact that this is a great package if you are a fan of kart racing games, or need a game for multiplayer. I didn't even discuss that there are new battle modes, where it is not simply about popping balloons, but about doing other tasks in small arenas. These are again welcome changes that add variety and allow more people to join in on the chance to play. Someone who isn't a fan of just racing, Bam other modes.. Want to play Co-op? Bam! you can with team modes. Mario Kart 8 deluxe is a game that 5 years after its release will still be played at my house, and when my kids get older and can work a controller better, I look forward to paying team games with them, or just doing simple races. It certainly won't be everyone's cup of tea, and that is fine, but there is a reason Nintendo keeps making Mario Karts, and it's because people eat them up.

Is this game the Greatest game of all time: No

Where does it rank: Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is a top 10 game and is currently ranked in 8th place out of 47 games. It sits one below "Super Spike VBall" and above "NBA 2k18." It could have gone higher, but right before I ranked it, someone hit it with a blue shell.

Up Next: Agatha Christie's The ABC Murders (Switch)

Anyone looking for it: here is the link to the list and more if you are interested in following along with me (this is not a self promotion). Here

Thanks for listening.