Mario Kart 8 was in full swing this weekend at North Carolina's Charlotte Motor Speedway for Nascar's History 300. Before driver Matt Kenseth came in third for Sunday's Coca-Cola 600, he was hobnobbing with the fans and Mario himself to celebrate the game's release at the end of the week.
Nintendo Believes Mario Kart 8 Can Only Help Struggling System, New Lightning Bolt Demonstrated
In the photo above, NASCAR driver Matt Kenseth prepares to hit the Charlotte Motor Speedway racetrack in his GameStop car branded with Mario Kart 8 graphics for the History 300 in Charlotte, NC on May 24, 2014. You can check out a video the car getting its Mario Kart 8 decals at the bottom of the article. Below, Mario and Luigi conduct one last inspection of the GameStop-sponsored car.
Beyond the decaled car and costumed plumbers, fans were also able to gets hands-on time with Mario Kart 8, as seen above. Below, fans gather and wait their time for a try.
Mario Kart 8 releases at the end of the month as a Wii U exclusive. The racer features one of the biggest rosters yet, with Mario, Luigi, Peach, Daisy, Rosalina, their respective infant versions, Yoshi, Bowser, Donkey Kong, Toad, Koopa Troopa, Toadette, Wario, Waluigi, Shy Guy, Metal Mario, Lakitu, and Bowser's kids Larry, Morton, Wendy, Iggy, Roy, Lemmy, and Ludwig as playable racers. Pink Gold Peach, a counter character to Metal Mario, rounds out the roster, bringing the total character count to 30.
Beyond the characters, Mario Kart 8 also adds in new items, anti-gravity, both new and favorite retro tracks, and the return of bikes, gliders, and underwater driving. Nintendo's World Store in Manhattan will be holding a launch party this Friday to celebrate.
