Tons of Mario Kart 8 Details Revealed In Surprise Nintendo Direct

We love a good surprise, especially when it’s from Nintendo. Mario Kart 8 is a mere month away, but a special Mario Kart 8 Nintendo Direct has been released, which reveals yet more information about the Wii U game we’re all rabidly excited for.

The videos themselves are below, but for those not able to watch right now, here are the main details:

• Online multiplayer allows up to 12 players to play online, with the ability to be matched up with Global, Regional, Friends and Rivals or Tournament opponents. Using the Wii U GamePad microphone, you’ll also be able to communicate with other players in the lobby area while you wait for games to start.
• It is also possible to setup public and private tournaments, where it is also possible to specify game days, times and rules.
• Mario Kart TV is an in-game channel where players can watch the highlights of their races, and even watch top players’ replays. You’ll also be able to upload your own replays straight to YouTube and share them on Miiverse.
• New drivers Pink Gold Peach has been announced, as the Princess’s counterpart to Metal Mario. Joining her is Baby Rosalina and your own Mii, bringing the playable roster to 30.
• A new Super Horn weapon will blast away anything in the the nearby area, from racers, to items including the dreaded blue shells. Crazy Eight is another new item, similar to Mario Kart 7’s Lucky 7, which gives players eight items that are used one by one.
• Finally, if you register a retail version of the game or purchase a download version between 30th May and 31st July, you’ll get a free download code for one of ten selected Wii U games – Nintendo Land, New Super Mario Bros. U, Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate, GAME & WARIO, Pikmin 3, The Wonderful 101, The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker HD, Sonic Lost World, Mario & Sonic at the Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games and Wii Party U.