Mario Kart 8 Deluxe vs Mario Kart 64
The short answer
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, easily, unless you specifically want nostalgia. It has 96 tracks with the Booster Course Pass, the best handling in the series and proper online. Mario Kart 64 matters historically and is still fun in a room, but it plays much rougher than people remember.
What they have in common
The same fundamental design — items that punish the leader, drift boosts, and four people on a sofa.
Pick Mario Kart 8 Deluxe.
Anti-gravity, 200cc, an enormous track list and online that works. The definitive version of the series.
Pick Mario Kart 64 only for the memories.
Battle mode is genuinely excellent and Rainbow Road is a landmark. The item balance and the AI rubber-banding are brutal by modern standards.
Frequently asked questions
Should I play Mario Kart 8 Deluxe or Mario Kart 64?
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, easily, unless you specifically want nostalgia. It has 96 tracks with the Booster Course Pass, the best handling in the series and proper online. Mario Kart 64 matters historically and is still fun in a room, but it plays much rougher than people remember.
What do Mario Kart 8 Deluxe and Mario Kart 64 have in common?
The same fundamental design — items that punish the leader, drift boosts, and four people on a sofa.
Buy This Game
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Buy This Game
* Affiliate links. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
More head-to-heads are on the comparisons page.
