Mario Kart 8 Wii U Bundle Revealed With Additional Free Game; Anti-Gravity Racing and Car Customization Revealed (VIDEO)

By Jay Michael, Christian Post Contributor Thursday, May 01, 2014

Mario Kart 8 had a special Nintendo Direct episode dedicated entirely to the upcoming game, and gamers were hit with tons of news about features and gameplay including anti-gravity racing, new characters, and car customization.

Nintendo president Satoru Iwata opened the show by introducing gamers to the much talked about but hardly explained Anti-Gravity Racing. This mode looks like an incredible addition to the series as he broke it down. Tires are switched to anti-gravity hover rockets after crossing a special blue strip on the track, and every surface becomes part of the race course. Racers can drive on walls, up walls, or even down water falls.

Another new feature in the game is car customization. Here players can create karts that are geared to exactly how the user races. Customizing vehicles allows gamers to choose stats based on car weight, speed, road grip, turning, and acceleration.

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Next in the Nintendo Direct was introducing the seven Koopa Kid racers. The video did not go into specific breakdowns of the characters, but it did showcase them during gameplay.

A short commercial in the video went over the game's new items and features. One of the biggest items the game is introducing is the Crazy Eight. This power-up gives the gamers eight different items to use on one turn. Other new items are Piranha Plant, Boomerang Flower, and the Super Horn, which can stop any item or obstacle.

Toward the end, the Mario Kart 8 Wii U bundle was unveiled for the U.S. The bundle will be $330, and contains a 32GB black Wii U with a Mario themed red remote and racing wheel. Also, all copies of the game will come with a download code for a free game. The titles included are New Super Mario Bros. U, The Wind Waker HD, Pikmin 3, and Wii Party U. In Europe the game choices offered are: Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate, Nintendo Land, The Wonderful 101, Sonic Lost World, Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games, and Game and Wario.

Watch the episode of Nintendo Direct here.

Nintendo is also running a Mario Kart 8 promotion at Best Buy where gamers who pre-order the game early will get a $10 prepaid MasterCard to use toward real gas.

"While supplies last. Offer available for physical game (SKU 8400089) only. In-store pre-order and purchase: code will be printed out on your store receipt at time of game pickup. Online pre-order and purchase: code will be e-mailed within 24 hours of street date. Enter this code at www.revupyourkart.com/redeem to get your Gas Cash, which can be redeemed at any gas station in the United States that accepts MasterCard," reads the listing on Best Buy's website.

The code on the receipt has to be registered by June 30, and the card is good until Aug. 31. The card also does not have to be used specifically for gas, but the promotion suggests using it for gas to keep with the Mario Kart theme. See the listing here.

The game will be released May 30 for the Wii U.