Among the headline news in today’s Nintendo Direct broadcast is a Mario Kart 8 Wii U bundle that’s similar to the Mario & Luigi-themed ones announced for the UK. The $330 package bundles in the game with the 32GB black Wii U, along with a red Wii U wheel and a Mario Wii Remote Plus.
In addition, all copies of Mario Kart 8 come with a free download code for one of four Wii U games. If users register the game on Club Nintendo before July 31, they get a code for their choice of New Super Mario Bros. U, The Wind Waker HD, Pikmin 3, or Wii Party U. In Europe, the choice also includes Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate, Nintendo Land, The Wonderful 101, Sonic Lost World, Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games, and Game and Wario.
The Direct also confirms some online multiplayer details. Players will be able to play in races of up to 12 drivers, use voice chat, and choose from four modes including Worldwide, Regional, Friends and Tournament matches. Tournament rules can be customized, and set for times and days of the week.
On the items side, there’s the Super Horn which emits a powerful shock wave to take out anything nearby, and the Crazy Eight, a whirl of eight different items that players unleash one by one. They join the Boomerang Flower and the Piranha Plant as new items for racers to try out. Character-wise, the Direct unveils Baby Rosalina and Pink Gold Peach, the latter joining Mario as the other character to get a metallic variant. That takes the total roster up to 30, including the option to play as a Mii.
