Nintendo releases a surprise free update for Mario Kart 8 Deluxe on Nintendo Switch 2, adding expanded local multiplayer. The update brings support for up to eight players using split-screen, alongside other performance and feature improvements.
Several outlets report the update as version 4.0.0 and note it also adds CameraPlay support, reduces load times, and improves visual quality—described as higher resolution and sharper graphics on Switch 2 compared with the original Switch. Nintendo Life also highlights side-by-side footage showing the differences between platforms.
Coverage generally aligns on the headline addition—eight-player split-screen—and frames it as a key enhancement for local parties. Some outlets emphasize the technical gains enabled by Switch 2, while others focus on what players receive in practical terms, such as the ability to race with more people on the same system and the additional camera-related feature. Multiple sources characterize the update as “surprise” and stress that the download is free for eligible players.
