When we reviewed Mario Kart 8 back around its release on Wii U, it's fair to say that we liked it a lot . Now it's back in a new Deluxe package on the Switch, and Nintendo's flagship racer is in better shape than it has ever been before.

Opting for enhanced and expanded deluxe / director's cut / remastered / Game of the Year editions of last-gen games is a well-worn tactic in the early days of a new console. Some of the most enjoyable games on PS4 and Xbox One are high quality re-releases, taking a top-notch title and sprucing it up...

Polish those shells, start your engines and Lets-a Go! Mario Kart 8 returns with the Deluxe version for the Nintendo Switch. Fall in love once again with everyone's favorite kart racer while taking advantage of the fully mobile playability of the Switch to crush your opponents on the go.

Mobile Multiplayer; Family Friendly Controls; Battle Mode; Classic Fun

Joycon Cramps

Three years on: still a classic, and with its biggest weakness fixed. If you own a Switch it's a no-brainer – especially if it's your first time.

Proper battle arenas comfortably beat repurposed tracks; Renegade Roundup is a brilliant new team-based mode; Racing down Mount Wario on the bus will never get old

Are we greedy for wanting at least one new GP, Blue shells: we know why they're here; we still hate ‘em, Online opponents picking Dry Dry Desert

The Wii U was no fiscal success, but without Mario Kart 8 it would have been a money-bleeding liability. The game that brought us Luigi's Death Stare , MKTV , and single-handedly revitalized its host console (sporting crazy high attach rates ) was a reinvention for Mario Kart , and despite its...

Mario Kart 8 with full HD; Battle Mode; DLC; and assorted goodies; Battle delivers; is fleshed-out; and offers a variety of modes; The game is gorgeous; and Deluxe is the definitive edition; Small adds like smart steering and extra items; though minor; are welcome

It's almost unprecedented for a games franchise to still be going strong 25 years after making its debut, but August 27 this year will mark a quarter century since Super Mario Kart first appeared on the Super Nintendo.

Nintendo's karting franchise is designed to get everyone racing together no matter what their individual ability. This Switch remaster achieves that and more

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe takes the best game in the series and improves it. It looks better, plays better, the soundtrack remains an utter joy and the inclusion of a fully-featured and fiendishly fun Battle Mode is the cherry on top.

There's a temptation for me to just throw a pasted list of new features, then in the largest font the site will allow just put "this game is amazing, bye" and run away to start playing it again. Mario

Might be the perfect handheld game; Battle Mode is finally complete; Splatoon characters feel great

No new tracks

So MK8D in a nutshell? Nintendo’s kept the original’s many good bits and gotten rid of its few missteps. It really is that simple as well. The only reason Switch owners shouldn’t buy this game is if they’ve already played all of it to death. Anyone who skipped over Mario Kart 8’s DLC will still find plenty that’s new here and the same goes for those who’ve spent the best part of three years aching for a proper Battle Mode. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is the same brilliant game as it is ever was, now with an added sprinkle of genius. Job done. Buy Mario Kart 8 Deluxe here from Amazon

Loads of courses and characters; New Battle Mode does the job; Portable play is ace;

No new courses; 200cc mode can be iffy;