Mario Kart 8 Deluxe memes show how racing leads to rage

Olivia Richman Published 18/05/2022

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is the most popular Nintendo Switch game of all time and will probably gain even more fans thanks to the 48 new tracks it’s getting over the next year. It’s no surprise that a game this beloved has amassed such a large collection of memes across the internet. Here are the best Mario Kart 8 Deluxe memes.

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is a simple game at its core. You pick a character, pick a kart, drive, use items, and drift. This straightforward gameplay makes Mario Kart 8 Deluxe more accessible to the general gaming community, making most memes very relatable to anyone who has ever picked up the game. We’ve all experienced these things at least once.

Funniest Mario Kart 8 Deluxe memes

This is just bananas

Bananas in Mario Kart are just… meh. The only thing most players like about bananas is strategically holding them behind my kart to avoid getting hit with a red shell. But dropping them off on the track is pure danger. While meant to wipe out opponents, you’ll often run into your own bananas because you’ve placed them in spots where you frequently drive on the track.

But you’ll most likely have to place a banana down eventually because you only get bananas and green shells when you’re in first. Still, keep a banana or green shell trailing behind you by holding the item button so that racers behind you can’t hit you with a red shell. It’s at least something! But yeah, it’s okay to be salty about your friend in 8th place who keeps getting Bullet Bills. Must be nice.

Not all items are created equal

Let’s not only whine about bananas when there are green shells to deal with. Ug. This scientifically accurate chart perfectly outlines the reason green shells are inferior to red shells. While they will sometimes hit another player, they almost always just wind up hitting you. How many times have you had one ricochet off a nearby wall and then hit you mid-drift?

It’s all about who you pick

Your Mario Kart fate is decided before you start racing, however. It’s very important to select a specific racer to give yourself an edge over CPUs and friends. While some are better than others, some of us can’t help but just pick our favorite characters. Yoshi is often a character friends will fight over just because he’s been their main since Mario Kart 64. Even though Yoshi has no competitive edge, some just can’t give up on the green dinosaur.

I’ve luckily moved onto another meh racer, Toad, so I no longer have to argue with friends over who gets to play the underwhelming Yoshi.

https://twitter.com/CaucasianJames/status/1214255603394195457?s=20&t=7fTZ3gE8-TqG-tAchskryw

Karts are another thing to keep in mind

The next thing to do is pick the right kart. There are some karts that have better handling and can reach faster speeds. But no matter how great your kart is, it will still have issues when racing over mud and grass. This fact is not lost on Mario Kart 8 Deluxe players who have noticed that even hovercars without wheels can’t handle a bit of grass. How!?

Now it’s time to race…

Once you have your useless hovercar, it’s time to take on the Mario Kart tracks. Ever since Mario Kart 64, Rainbow Road’s variations have been considered some of the toughest tracks to master. This meme compares Rainbow Road to other treacherous roads around the world. But no amount of winding roads and lack of guard rails can compare to the haunting star that taunts you on Rainbow Road. Look at him.

You can’t win them all…

Even after putting down 2,394,234 bananas and skidding around Rainbow Road, you may still come in last… That’s the hard truth of Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. That’s the punishment we expect from a game as rage-inducing as Mario Kart. Yes, Mario Kart is simple. Mario Kart is fun. But there is a reason friendships end due to Mario Kart 8 Deluxe and Mario Party sessions. Play at your own risk.

Olivia Richman

About Olivia Richman

Olivia has worked in media ever since graduating from college, with her coverage ranging from traditional newspaper reporting to digital coverage of all things gaming, online betting, and nerd culture. She has traveled around the world pursuing that coverage, from the far coasts of the United States to the busy downtown core of Tokyo, Japan. Olivia’s favorite games include Overwatch and Super Smash Smash Bros, and she has been published at Esports Illustrated, Inven Global, EsportsInsider, Upcomer, and elsewhere.

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