Mario Kart is one of those timeless games that never loses its charm. If you’re a gaming enthusiast, chances are you’ve revved up those kart engines before and experienced the sheer joy of this game with friends.
This article is all about bringing back those cherished memories and moments by showing you how to play Mario Kart on Switch with your pals.
Get ready to inject some high-speed karting fun into your gaming sessions! Dive into this Gaming Power Up article for all the details you need to make it happen. Let’s hit the track and create some new Mario Kart memories!
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How to Play Mario Kart on Switch with Friends
Mario Kart on Switch is actually Mario Kart 8. There are different game modes that hold numerous features that can be experienced with friends, some online, some offline.
If you are going to play Mario Kart on Switch online, an Internet connection is required. Luckily, inviting people over to your party is as easy as it gets, and you can do so by following these steps.
How Do You Play 2 Players on Mario Kart Switch?
First of all, let’s talk about local gaming. Mario Kart would not be Mario Kart if you couldn’t play locally with your friends!
Up to four players can play Mario Kart on the same Switch console, so just follow these five quick steps and you will start a customized adventure with your friends:
- Turn on your Nintendo Switch and launch Mario Kart 8;
- On the main Mario Kart menu, simply look for the Multiplayer Option. Here, you must select how many people are going to play the game (between 2 and 4);
- Then, select the game mode for the race;
- Connect the controllers of each player on the screen. You can use the two pieces of a single Joy-con to play. You need to press R + L for the controller to be recognized;
- At last, choose the characters, and race against each other – it’s time for your Mario Kart tricks to shine!
How to Set Up Mario Kart Switch Online Multiplayer
Mario Kart 8 Online creates a new window of opportunities to play with your friends and new people all over the world! If you want to play Mario Kart Switch online, these are the steps that you must follow:
- Turn on your Nintendo Switch and launch Mario Kart 8;
- On the main menu, select Online Play;
- Scroll down to the Friends section. Here, the friends you have added on Nintendo will appear on the screen;
- Select your Friend’s name, and send them an invitation;
- Wait for your friends to join your room and enjoy a new match! It’s time to boost your Mario Kart skills now.
Can You Play Mario Kart Switch With One Controller?
In theory, yes – you just need the two pieces of the Joy-Con if you are going to play with your friend locally. What’s more, if you are playing by yourself, a single piece of the controller will do the trick.
Of course, there are other controllers that let you use turbo, items, and powers in a more efficient way thanks to all the buttons they have, but they are not utterly necessary.
Do You Need Wheel Joy-Cons for Mario Kart Switch?
No, you don’t need wheel Joy-Cons to play Mario Kart on Switch, but they certainly look great! They have dedicated turbo, shells and boxes buttons, so they certainly feel amazing.
Nonetheless, when it comes to real utility, you don’t absolutely need these wheel Joy-Cons if you just want to play a couple of Mario Kart matches with your friends.
Can You Play Mario Kart with Two Switches?
Yes – if your friend has a Switch and you have a Switch, you can both play Mario Kart together! Remember that each one of you will need an individual copy of the game to play.
Besides, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe has Wireless Play, but its configuration is a story for another day.
Do You Need Nintendo Online to Play Mario Kart Online?
Yes, you need to pay Nintendo Online Service in order to play Mario Kart Online. This means that Mario Kart 8 Deluxe on Nintendo Switch is not free-to-play whatsoever.
You need to pay a fee of $3.99 per month to access one month of Nintendo Online. Therefore, it is important to consider this.
If you cannot access Mario Kart Switch online features, it might be because you don’t have active subscriptions on your profile, so watch out! This extra payment will let you play other games online as well, so it’s not limited to Mario Kart 8.
Gaming Summary: How to Play Mario Kart on Nintendo Switch
Mario Kart is one of the best games ever created – there’s no doubt about it. When it comes to delivering fun, you can always trust Nintendo!
- It is possible for four persons to play Mario Kart on Switch on the same console;
- You don’t need more than one Joy-Con if two individuals want to play Mario Kart on Switch – dividing the Joy-Con into two pieces will do the trick;
- Wheel Joy-Cons are not necessary to play Mario Kart on Switch;
- To play Mario Kart 8 Online with friends you must add their username to your Nintendo Online account;
- You need a Nintendo Online subscription to play Mario Kart Online with friends on Nintendo Switch.
Gamers Also Ask
Is Mario Kart 8 free with Nintendo Online?
No, Mario Kart 8 is not free to play Online. You need to purchase the game and buy a Nintendo Online subscription if you want to enjoy Mario Kart on Switch.
Why Can’t I Join My Friend in Mario Kart 8?
If your friend cannot join your Mario Kart 8 party, try out the following fixes:
- Check if you have connectivity issues and restart your Wi-Fi router;
- Double-check that your friend’s username is correctly written;
- Make sure that your Nintendo Online profile is active and ready to play.