Mario Kart 8 is set for release on May 30 for Nintendo's Wii U. The game is retailing for $60 on its own in the U.S., whereas the Mario Kart 8 bundle including a new Wii U console is priced at $330. The bundle includes a 32GB black Wii U plus a Mario-themed red remote and racing wheel.

As an added bonus, anyone who purchases the game (whether a digital copy, a physical copy, or a bundle) in Europe or North America and registers it with the Club Nintendo loyalty program by July 31 will receive a free game download code of the buyer's choice from a short list. In the United States, the four choices are New Super Mario Bros. U, Wii Party U, The Wind Waker HD, and Pikmin 3. The game choices in Europe include all four of the American options plus Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate, The Wonderful 101, Nintendo Land, Sonic Lost World, Game and Wario, and Mario and Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games.

Mario Kart 8 has 16 immediately playable and 14 unlockable characters. Mario, Peach, Luigi, Donkey Kong, Yoshi, Toad, Bowser, Daisy, Shy Guy, Baby Mario, Koopa Toopa, Baby Luigi, Baby Daisy, Baby Peach, Wario, and Waluigi are freely playable characters. The 14 unlockable characters are: Lakitu, Toadette, Larry, Wendy, Morton, Ludwig, Roy, Mii, Pink Gold Peach, Lemmy, Rosalina, Baby Rosalina, Metal Mario, and Iggy. Diddy Kong's photo was seen in a Mario Kart feature, hinting that Diddy might be available in the future as a downloadable character.

The main features of Mario Kart 8 are:

  • A total of 32 courses, half new and half old favorites
  • Zero-G sections and winding tracks
  • New items like the Super Horn that emits a shockwave and can beat the wicked Blue Shell as well as other shells and enemies
  • 12-player full online play
  • 4-player local multiplayer
  • Video replays, uploading, and editing
  • A battle mode where characters duke it out on the same tracks where they race
  • Brand new full-orchestra music

A Mario Kart 8 promotion is also being put on by Nintendo and Best Buy. The "while supplies last" promo gives a $10 prepaid MasterCard to purchase gas given to those who placed pre-orders with the retailer either in-store or online and purchase the game by June 7. The promotion card must be claimed by June 30. More information is available here.