Kinda Funny Gamescast: Video Game Podcast
Episode Summary: The Final Mario Kart 8 Review
Release Date: May 27, 2025

Introduction

In this episode of the Kinda Funny Gamescast, hosts Tim Gettys, Barrett Courtney, and Greg “GameOverGreggy” Miller delve into their final review of Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, celebrating over a decade of gameplay and anticipating the upcoming release of Mario Kart World and the Nintendo Switch 2.

Final Review Ratings

The discussion kicks off with the hosts sharing their ratings for Mario Kart 8 Deluxe on the Kinda Funny scale from 1 to 10:

• Greg Miller enthusiastically declares, “I think you'd be a stupid idiot not to give it a 10” ([05:39]).
• Barrett Courtney offers a slightly tempered score, “I think, a 9 to 9.5”, citing minor criticisms despite the game's enduring appeal ([07:02]).
• Tim Gettys echoes Greg's high praise, emphasizing the game's status as a masterpiece, “I can't fathom not saying The Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is a masterpiece” ([10:37]).

Listener Feedback:

• Dexter: “10 out of 10. Great music, amazing character selection, large course variety at 10 years. It never got old.” ([62:43])
• Kebab: “I'd give it a 9 out of 10. Incredible multiplayer and course options, but it falls short to Sonic and Crash when it comes to single player.” ([62:19])

History and Evolution of Mario Kart 8

The hosts provide a comprehensive timeline of Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, highlighting its inception and growth:

• Launch Date: May 30, 2014, on the Wii U with 32 courses, earning an 88 on Metacritic ([17:52]).
• DLC Releases: Starting August 27, 2014, with collaborations featuring The Legend of Zelda, Animal Crossing, and Excite Bike courses, enriching the game's content ([21:03]).

Greg Miller reflects on the game's longevity, “I think this game has been so impressive and so good and then so well supported” ([05:39]).

DLC Packages and Collaborations

A significant portion of the discussion revolves around the various DLC packs that expanded Mario Kart 8 Deluxe:

• Legend of Zelda Crossover: Introduced eight new courses and characters like Link and Tanooki Mario, enhancing the game's appeal ([22:18]).
• Animal Crossing Crossover: Released on April 23, 2015, adding seven courses based on real-world cities and introducing characters like Isabelle and Dry Bowser ([24:43]).
• Booster Course Pack: From March 18, 2022, to November 9, 2023, six waves added 48 courses, doubling the total to 96, and introducing characters like Birdo, Kamek, and Petey Piranha ([39:30]).

Barrett Courtney praises the Legend of Zelda DLC, stating, “The Legend of Zelda track is just one for the ages” ([22:36]).

Personal Memories and Experiences

The hosts share nostalgic memories and personal anecdotes related to Mario Kart 8 Deluxe:

• Barrett Courtney recalls playing the demo at Best Buy and the initial joy of experiencing Mario Kart 8, “it just kind of, like, the joy of it and the kind of, like, theme park, like, amusement park feel of it just, like, washed over me” ([07:20]).
• Tim Gettys reminisces about his addiction to the game despite not being a fan of the Wii U, “I was addicted to it and pretty much immediately” ([19:36]).

Greg Miller shares fond memories of racing sessions, “it's part of this journey” ([07:20]).

Gameplay Mechanics and Challenges

The conversation delves into the intricate mechanics of the game, focusing on different speed classes and in-game achievements:

• 200cc Mode: Discussed as a transformative experience, “200cc became about relearning the game and how kind of like how you're navigating the game” ([25:41]).
• Achievements: Barrett details his journey to collect over 12,438 kilometers-driven and 29,127 coins, highlighting the game's depth and replayability ([50:20]).

Tim Gettys voices frustrations with certain gameplay elements, “I really hate that” regarding the most optimal character and kart combinations ([54:37]).

Mario Kart World and Switch 2 Anticipation

Looking forward, the hosts express both excitement and concerns about the upcoming Mario Kart World and its integration with the Nintendo Switch 2:

• Barrett Courtney worries about the new open-world features, “I'm just a little bit worried I'm going to be missing” ([56:11]).
• Tim Gettys emphasizes the need for engaging open-world content to prevent the game from becoming a checklist, “If the open world stuff ... doesn't live up to what it needs to, that will forever hold the game back” ([61:25]).

Greg Miller discusses the potential challenges, “I'm very worried about the open world holding back score so much” ([67:29]).

Listener Feedback and Super Chats

Throughout the episode, hosts interact with listeners’ comments, incorporating their perspectives into the discussion:

• Samus, Fox, etc.: Referencing potential character integrations, “I imagine you're still going Dry Bones” ([63:19]).
• Yelsing: “Mario Kart 8 at 200cc's the greatest racing game ever made” ([62:19]).
• Kebab: “Will World be a successor or a sidestep?” ([66:27]).

Tim Gettys summarizes the listener ratings, noting the blend of high praise and constructive criticism ([71:06]).

Conclusion

In wrapping up, the hosts reflect on the enduring legacy of Mario Kart 8 Deluxe while expressing cautious optimism for Mario Kart World. They acknowledge the game's strengths in multiplayer and course variety but remain mindful of potential shortcomings in the new open-world format.

• Tim Gettys concludes, “this game is gonna be fun as hell and that's really what matters the most” ([66:51]).
• Barrett Courtney adds, “Maturity is different when you have something to do besides just the Grand Prix” ([61:26]).

The episode ends with previews of upcoming content and encouragement for listeners to share their own scores and thoughts on Mario Kart 8 Deluxe.

Notable Quotes

• Greg Miller (05:39): “I think you'd be a stupid idiot not to give it a 10.”
• Barrett Courtney (07:02): “I think, a 9 to 9.5.”
• Tim Gettys (10:37): “I can't fathom not saying The Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is a masterpiece.”
• Barrett Courtney (07:20): “It just kind of, like, the joy of it and the kind of... amusement park feel of it just washed over me.”
• Barrett Courtney (22:36): “The Legend of Zelda track is just one for the ages.”
• Tim Gettys (61:25): “If the open world stuff ... doesn't live up to what it needs to, that will forever hold the game back.”
• Tim Gettys (66:51): “This game is gonna be fun as hell and that's really what matters the most.”

This detailed summary encapsulates the rich discussion among the Kinda Funny hosts, covering their profound appreciation for Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, reflections on its evolution, critiques, and anticipations for its successor. Whether you're a dedicated fan or new to the series, this episode offers valuable insights into one of the most beloved kart racers in gaming history.