The Ultimate Guide to Downloading and Installing Mario Kart 8 on PC
Mario Kart 8 PC Download Free Full 11: How to Play the Ultimate Racing Game on Your Computer
Introduction
If you are a fan of racing games, you have probably heard of Mario Kart, one of the most popular and fun series in the genre. Mario Kart is a spin-off from the Super Mario franchise, featuring characters from various Nintendo games competing in go-kart races while using power-ups to gain an edge over their opponents.
mario kart 8 pc download free full 11
One of the best entries in the series is Mario Kart 8, which was originally released for the Wii U in 2014 and later ported to the Nintendo Switch as Mario Kart 8 Deluxe in 2017. This game offers a thrilling and colorful racing experience, with amazing graphics, sound, gameplay, and content.
But what if you don't have a Wii U or a Switch? Can you still enjoy this awesome game on your PC? The answer is yes! Thanks to some clever emulation software, you can play Mario Kart 8 on your PC with high resolution, smooth framerate, and customizable controls. In this article, we will show you how to download and install Mario Kart 8 on your PC for free, as well as some of the features and tips for playing this game.
What is Mario Kart 8?
Mario Kart 8 is a racing game developed and published by Nintendo for the Wii U and later for the Switch. It is the eighth main installment in the Mario Kart series and the eleventh overall. It features 48 tracks (32 from the base game and 16 from DLC), 42 characters (30 from the base game and 12 from DLC), and various game modes, such as Grand Prix, Time Trial, VS Race, Battle Mode, and Online Multiplayer.
The game introduces some new elements to the series, such as anti-gravity sections that allow racers to drive on walls and ceilings, gliders that let them fly through the air, underwater driving, and bikes that can perform wheelies. It also brings back some features from previous games, such as coins that increase speed, drifting that boosts acceleration, and items that can be used to attack or defend.
Mario Kart 8 received critical acclaim from critics and players alike, who praised its graphics, gameplay, music, content, and replay value. It is widely considered one of the best games in the series and one of the best racing games of all time. It sold over 37 million copies worldwide as of March 2021, making it one of the best-selling games for both the Wii U and the Switch.
Why play Mario Kart 8 on PC?
While Mario Kart 8 is a fantastic game on its own, playing it on PC can offer some advantages over playing it on consoles. Here are some reasons why you might want to play Mario Kart 8 on PC:
You can play it for free. If you don't have a Wii U or a Switch, or if you don't want to buy the game or pay for online services, you can download and install Mario Kart 8 on your PC without spending a dime. All you need is a decent computer and an internet connection.
You can play it with better graphics and performance. Thanks to emulation software like Cemu (for Wii U) or Yuzu (for Switch), you can run Mario Kart 8 on your PC with higher resolution (up to 4K), smoother framerate (up to 60 FPS), and improved textures and lighting. You can also adjust various settings to optimize your gaming experience.
You can play it with customizable controls. You can use any controller or keyboard that you prefer to play Mario Kart 8 on your PC. You can also map your buttons and configure your sensitivity to suit your preferences. You can even use motion controls if you have a compatible device.
You can play it with mods. If you want to spice up your gameplay or add some variety to your races, you can use mods that change or add characters, tracks, items, music, sounds, graphics, and more. You can find many mods online or create your own using tools like Cemu Mod Manager or Yuzu Mod Installer.
How to download and install Mario Kart 8 on PC?
Now that you know why you might want to play Mario Kart 8 on PC, let's see how you can do it. There are two ways to play this game on your PC: using Cemu emulator for Wii U version or using Yuzu emulator for Switch version. Both methods require some steps and files that we will explain below.
Using Cemu emulator for Wii U version
Cemu is a Wii U emulator that allows you to run Wii U games on your PC with high compatibility and performance. It is currently available for Windows only. Here are the steps to download and install Cemu emulator and Mario Kart 8 for Wii U:
Download Cemu emulator from its official website: https://cemu.info/. You will need a ZIP file that contains Cemu.exe and other files.
Extract the ZIP file to a folder of your choice. You can name it Cemu or anything else.
Download Cemu hook from its official website: https://cemuhook.sshnuke.net/. You will need another ZIP file that contains dbghelp.dll and other files.
Extract the ZIP file to the same folder where you extracted Cemu emulator. You should overwrite any existing files if prompted.
Download graphics packs from this website: https://github.com/slashiee/cemu_graphic_packs/releases. You will need another ZIP file that contains graphicPacks folder.
Extract the ZIP file to the same folder where you extracted Cemu emulator. You should overwrite any existing files if prompted.
Download shader caches from this website: https://www.reddit.com/r/CEMUcaches/comments/7v0w0d/complete_shader_cache_collection_191/. You will need another ZIP file that contains shaderCache folder.
Extract the ZIP file to %appdata%\NVIDIA\GLCache folder. You should overwrite any existing files if prompted.
Download keys.txt file from this website: https://pastebin.com/raw/9XGxTfYQ. This file contains encryption keys that are needed to run Wii U games on Cemu emulator.
Copy keys.txt file to Cemu folder where Cemu.exe is located.
Download Mario Kart 8 ROM file from a trusted source online. You will need an ISO or WUD file that contains the game data.
Copy Mario Kart 8 ROM file to Cemu folder where Cemu.exe is located.
Run Cemu.exe as administrator.
Select Options > General Settings > Graphics tab > Graphics API > Vulkan > OK.
Select Options > General Settings > Audio tab > Audio API > XAudio2 > OK.
Select Options > General Settings > Input Settings > Controller API > XInput > Controller > Xbox One Controller (or any other controller) > Load > Close.
Select Options > Graphic Packs > Workarounds tab > check FPS++ pack > Enhancements tab > check Resolution pack (choose your desired resolution) > Close.
Select File > Load > select Mario Kart 8 ROM file > Open.
Wait for Cemu emulator to load shaders cache (this may take some time depending on your hardware).
Enjoy playing Mario Kart 8 on your PC!
Using Yuzu emulator for Switch version
Yuzu is a Switch emulator that allows you to run Switch games on your PC with high compatibility and performance. It is currently available for Windows, Linux, and Mac OS X. Here are the steps to download and install Yuzu emulator and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe for Switch:
the official website or on the game itself.
Customizable controls and settings
Mario Kart 8 PC allows you to customize your controls and settings to suit your preferences and comfort. You can use any controller or keyboard that you like, and map your buttons and configure your sensitivity as you wish. You can also use motion controls if you have a compatible device, such as a Wii Remote, a Joy-Con, or a smartphone. You can also adjust various settings, such as audio volume, language, screen mode, and more.
Tips and tricks for playing Mario Kart 8 PC
Mario Kart 8 PC is not just a game of speed and luck. It also requires skill and strategy to win races and battles. Here are some tips and tricks for playing Mario Kart 8 PC:
Master the driving techniques
Mario Kart 8 PC has some driving techniques that can help you gain an advantage over your opponents. Here are some of them:
Rocket start: Press and hold the acceleration button when the countdown reaches 2 to get a boost at the start of the race.
Drifting: Press and hold the drift button while turning to drift around corners. You can also tilt your controller or device to steer while drifting. Drifting builds up a mini-turbo that boosts your speed when you release the drift button. The longer you drift, the stronger the mini-turbo.
Slipstreaming: Follow closely behind another racer to get a slipstream boost that increases your speed for a short time.
Tricks: Press the jump button when you go off a ramp or an edge to perform a trick that gives you a small boost when you land.
Gliding: When you go off a glider ramp, you can glide through the air for a while. You can tilt your controller or device to steer while gliding. You can also press the acceleration button to dive down faster or press the brake button to ascend higher.
Underwater driving: When you go underwater, you can drive normally, but with slightly reduced speed and handling. You can also press the acceleration button to dive down faster or press the brake button to ascend higher.
Anti-gravity driving: When you go on an anti-gravity section, you can drive on walls and ceilings without losing speed or handling. You can also bump into other racers or objects to get a spin boost that increases your speed for a short time.
Use the power-ups wisely
Mario Kart 8 PC has various power-ups that you can obtain by driving into item boxes on the track. These power-ups can help you attack or defend yourself from other racers. Here are some of them:
Banana: You can drop it behind you or throw it forward to create a slippery hazard for other racers.
Green Shell: You can throw it forward or backward to hit another racer or an object.
Red Shell: You can throw it forward to home in on the nearest racer in front of you.
Blue Shell: You can throw it forward to home in on the first place racer and explode on impact.
Mushroom: You can use it to get a speed boost for a short time.
Golden Mushroom: You can use it repeatedly to get multiple speed boosts for a limited time.
Star: You can use it to become invincible and faster for a limited time. You can also knock out other racers by touching them.
Bullet Bill: You can use it to transform into a bullet that automatically drives at high speed and knocks out other racers for a limited time.
Lightning: You can use it to shrink and slow down all other racers for a short time. You can also steal their items by touching them.
Blooper: You can use it to squirt ink on all other racers' screens, reducing their visibility for a short time.
Boo: You can use it to become invisible and intangible for a short time. You can also steal an item from another racer at random.
Crazy Eight: You can use it to get eight items at once that orbit around you. You can use them one by one by pressing the item button.
You should use your power-ups wisely, depending on your situation and strategy. For example, you should use offensive items like shells or lightning when you are behind or when you want to stop someone from overtaking you. You should use defensive items like bananas or boos when you are ahead or when you want to protect yourself from attacks. You should use speed items like mushrooms or stars when you need an extra boost or when you want to take shortcuts.
Choose the best kart and character combination
Mario Kart 8 PC allows you to customize your kart and character before each race or battle. You can choose from different body parts, tires, and gliders that affect your stats and performance. You can also choose from different characters that have different weights and abilities.
You should choose the best kart and character combination that suits your playstyle and preference. For example, if you prefer speed over handling, you should choose a heavy character like Bowser or Wario, and a kart with high speed and low acceleration like Circuit Special or Mach 8. If you prefer handling over speed, you should choose a light character like Toad or Shy Guy, and a kart with high acceleration and low speed like Biddybuggy or Mr. Scooty.
You should also consider the track or arena that you are racing or battling on. For example, if the track has many turns and curves, you should choose a kart with high handling and traction like Standard Bike or Sports Bike. If the track has many ramps and glides, you should choose a glider with high weight and speed like Waddle Wing or Plane Glider.
Explore the different game modes
Mario Kart 8 PC has various game modes that offer different challenges and fun. Here are some of them:
Grand Prix: You can race against computer-controlled opponents on four tracks in each cup. There are 12 cups in total (eight from the base game and four from DLC). You can choose from different difficulty levels (50cc, 100cc, 150cc, 200cc) and engine classes (normal, mirror, anti-gravity). You earn points based on your finishing position in each race. The racer with the most points at the end of the cup wins.
Time Trial: You can race against yourself or against ghost data of other players on any track. You can choose from different karts and characters. Your goal is to complete three laps as fast as possible. You can also upload your ghost data online or download ghost data of other players.
Vs Race: You can race against other players locally or online on any track. You can choose from different karts and characters. You can also customize various rules and settings, such as items, teams, CPU difficulty, race count, etc.
Battle Mode: You can battle against other players locally or online on eight arenas (four from the base game and four from DLC). You can choose from different karts and characters. You can also choose from different battle modes, such as Balloon Battle, Coin Runners, Shine Thief, Renegade Roundup, and Bob-omb Blast. Each mode has its own rules and objectives.
Conclusion
Mario Kart 8 PC is an amazing racing game that offers hours of fun and excitement for anyone who loves racing games. Whether you play solo or with friends, online or offline, casually or competitively, there is something for everyone in this game. With stunning graphics, smooth performance, new and returning characters and tracks, enhanced battle mode and online multiplayer, customizable controls and settings, and mods, Mario Kart 8 PC is the ultimate racing game on your computer. You don't need a Wii U or a Switch to enjoy this game. All you need is a decent PC and an emulator software to download and install Mario Kart 8 PC for free. So what are you waiting for? Grab your controller and start your engines for Mario Kart 8 PC!
FAQs
Q: Is Mario Kart 8 PC legal?
A: Mario Kart 8 PC is not officially endorsed by Nintendo, and downloading ROM files of games that you do not own is considered piracy, which is illegal in most countries. However, if you own a copy of Mario Kart 8 for Wii U or Switch, you may be able to legally dump your own ROM file using tools like Wii U USB Helper or Yuzu Dumping Tool. You should check your local laws before downloading or playing Mario Kart 8 PC.
Q: Is Mario Kart 8 PC safe?
A: Mario Kart 8 PC is safe as long as you download the emulator software and the ROM file from trusted sources online. You should also scan your files with antivirus software before running them on your PC. You should also avoid downloading or installing any suspicious or malicious files that may harm your PC or compromise your privacy.
Q: Is Mario Kart 8 PC compatible with my PC?
A: Mario Kart 8 PC is compatible with most PCs that meet the minimum system requirements of the emulator software. For Cemu emulator, you need a Windows 7 or higher (64-bit) operating system, an Intel Core i5 or higher processor, 4 GB or more of RAM, and an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 660 or higher graphics card. For Yuzu emulator, you need a Windows 7 or higher (64-bit), Linux, or Mac OS X operating system, an Intel Core i5 or higher processor, 8 GB or more of RAM, and an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 760 or higher graphics card.
Q: How can I update Mario Kart 8 PC?
A: You can update Mario Kart 8 PC by downloading and installing the latest version of the emulator software and the ROM file from their respective websites. You should also check for updates for graphics packs, shader caches, keys, and mods if you use them.
Q: How can I get more help with Mario Kart 8 PC?
A: You can get more help with Mario Kart 8 PC by visiting the official websites or forums of the emulator software, such as Cemu website (https://cemu.info/), Cemu subreddit (https://www.reddit.com/r/cemu/), Yuzu website (https://yuzu-emu.org/), or Yuzu subreddit (https://www.reddit.com/r/yuzu/). You can also watch tutorials or guides on YouTube or other platforms, or ask questions on online communities or social media.