Gamespot, the primer gaming review and preview site has just announced its nominations for Wii U game of the year, an eclectic list which includes Shovel Knight, Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze, Bayonetta 2, and Super Smash Bros.

But the title of 'Game of the Year' goes to the perennial fan favorite Mario Kart 8, which the site praises for continually adding new features, and facilitating “fun and challenging competitive play.”

Mario Kart 8 was an obvious thrill to lovers of the ever evolving game this year, as it introduced new racing circuit designs and anti-gravity karts that allowed players to drive upside down.

Players were treated to hang-gliders, underwater racing, as well as motorbikes.

Delivering lots of new tacks, the universally loved game has put a priority on racing skill.

Gamespot claims Mario Kart 8 offers endless appeal and advises that if you could only pick just one game for Wii U than it should for sure be this one,

Chris Carter, writing for destructoid, claimed that karting never looked this good and goes so far to attribute Mario Kart 8 for rekindling his fondness for the game.

“I barely played Mario Kart Wii due to a lack of interest, and I was let down in many ways by the underwhelming Mario Kart 7. But thanks to the magic of Mario Kart 8, I'm all in again just like the olden days. It helps that it's one of the most gorgeous and breathtaking games on the market right now,” Carter enthuses.

“It sports insane details like particle effects, and the little things like headlights that turn on when you're in dark rooms ” says Carter. “Sometimes I'll look in the rear view mirror just to get a glimpse of more track while going off jumps, which I've never done before in any Mario Kart.”