So, you’re looking at that red and blue box. The one with Mario drifting around a gravity-defying track on the cover. It’s the Nintendo Switch with Mario Kart 8 bundle, a package that has basically become the unofficial mascot of Black Friday and holiday shopping seasons for nearly seven years now. Honestly, it’s kind of wild that we’re still talking about a console released in 2017 and a game that—if we’re being technically pedantic—originally debuted on the Wii U in 2014. But here we are. People are still buying it in droves.
Is it a "lazy" bundle? Maybe. Is it the best value in gaming? That’s a whole different conversation.
Let’s be real for a second. Nintendo knows exactly what they’re doing. They’ve paired their most successful hardware with the best-selling game on the system. As of the latest financial reports, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe has cleared over 60 million units. That is an absurd number. It means roughly one out of every two or three Switch owners has this game. By bundling them together, Nintendo isn’t just selling a console; they’re selling the "starter pack" for modern gaming. You get the console, the dock, the Joy-Cons, and a digital code for a game that literally everyone from your five-year-old nephew to your grandmother can play without a tutorial.
The weird history of the Mario Kart 8 Deluxe bundle
Most consoles see a price drop after two years. Not the Switch. Nintendo has famously held the $299.99 price point for the standard V2 model for an eternity. Instead of lowering the price, they just started throwing in Mario Kart.
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The first time we saw this specific Nintendo Switch with Mario Kart 8 bundle was years ago, and it usually included a three-month subscription to Nintendo Switch Online. It’s become a seasonal staple. But you have to be careful. There are actually different versions of the Switch hardware floating around. The bundle almost always uses the "V2" Switch—the one with the improved battery life compared to the 2017 launch model, but it’s NOT the OLED model.
That’s the first major sticking point for a lot of people. If you’re a handheld gamer, the difference between the standard LCD screen in the bundle and the vibrant 7-inch OLED screen is massive. Like, "don't-want-to-look-at-the-old-one" massive. Yet, the bundle persists because it hits that sweet $299 price barrier.
Why this game specifically?
Why not Breath of the Wild? Or Odyssey? Basically, it’s about "attach rate" and multiplayer appeal. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is the perfect "party" game. If you buy a Switch with Zelda, you’re playing by yourself for 80 hours. If you buy the Nintendo Switch with Mario Kart 8 bundle, you’re inviting friends over the same day you unbox it.
The "Deluxe" version included in the bundle is also way more robust than the original Wii U version. It fixed the battle mode—which was honestly a disaster on the Wii U—and added "Smart Steering." That feature alone is why this bundle sells. It allows toddlers to play without falling off the edge of the track. It makes the game accessible to literally everyone.
The hardware reality check
We need to talk about the "V2" console inside this box. It’s a workhorse, but it’s aging. The Tegra X1 chip inside is essentially mobile tech from 2015. While Mario Kart 8 runs at a smooth 60 frames per second (mostly), newer titles like Pokémon Scarlet or even The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom can push the hardware to its absolute limits, resulting in some noticeable frame drops.
If you're buying this bundle, you're buying into an ecosystem that is likely in its twilight years. Rumors of a "Switch 2" have been circulating for years, and while Nintendo remains tight-lipped, the hardware cycle suggests we are closer to the end than the beginning. Does that matter? For a casual gamer, probably not. The library of games available right now is arguably the best in Nintendo's history.
- You have the "Big Three": Mario, Zelda, Pokémon.
- The indie scene is incredible (Hades, Hollow Knight, Stardew Valley).
- Retro access via Nintendo Switch Online (SNES, NES, Game Boy).
The Nintendo Switch with Mario Kart 8 bundle usually includes a three-month sub to that online service. It's a "taster" to get you hooked on the retro catalog. It’s smart marketing. It’s also a bit of a tease, because once those three months are up, you lose access to online play and the retro games unless you pay up.
What people get wrong about the value
A lot of people see the $299 price tag and think they’re getting a steal. Let’s do the math. The game usually costs $60. The 3-month NSO sub is about $8. So you're getting about $68 of "free" value.
But wait.
During the off-season, you can often find the Switch OLED for around $330. If you value the screen and the better kickstand, the "savings" in the Mario Kart bundle start to look a little thin. You’re essentially trading the best hardware experience for a digital code of a game you can often find on sale for $40 anyway.
I've talked to parents who bought the bundle and then regretted not getting the OLED because they primarily play in handheld mode. If the Switch is going to live in the dock 100% of the time, the bundle is great. If it’s going to be in a kid’s hands in the back of a minivan, that LCD screen is fine, but it’s not the premium experience.
The Joy-Con drift elephant in the room
We have to mention it. The Nintendo Switch with Mario Kart 8 bundle comes with a pair of Joy-Cons. These controllers are... polarizing. They are ingenious pieces of tech, but they are also prone to "drift"—where the joystick registers movement even when you aren't touching it.
Nintendo has been better about offering free repairs for this, but it’s a hassle. If you’re playing Mario Kart and your kart starts veering into the lava on Rainbow Road because of hardware failure, you’re going to be frustrated. Most serious players end up buying a Pro Controller anyway.
That’s an extra $70.
Suddenly, your $300 bundle is a $370 setup. This is how Nintendo gets you. It’s the "printer and ink" model of gaming. The console is the entry point, but the accessories and the $60-per-game price floor (Nintendo rarely does deep discounts on first-party titles) are where the real cost lies.
Is the Booster Course Pass included?
This is a common question. Short answer: No.
Nintendo released the "Booster Course Pass" for Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, which doubled the number of tracks in the game. It added 48 more courses, including favorites from the mobile game and older consoles. This is NOT included in the standard bundle. You either have to buy it separately for $25 or have a more expensive "Expansion Pack" version of the Nintendo Switch Online subscription.
Without the pass, you’re still getting 48 tracks, which is plenty. But you will see those locked tracks in the menu, mocking you. It's a clever way to nudge you toward spending another $25 immediately after opening your gift.
Comparing the alternatives
If you aren't dead-set on the Nintendo Switch with Mario Kart 8 bundle, what are your options?
- The Switch Lite: It’s $199. It doesn’t connect to a TV. It’s strictly handheld. If you just want to play Animal Crossing under the covers, this is the one. But you lose the ability to play Mario Kart on the big screen with friends, which kind of defeats the purpose for many.
- The Switch OLED: As mentioned, it’s the "Pro" version in everything but name. The screen is gorgeous. The internal storage is doubled (64GB vs 32GB).
- The Refurbished Market: Nintendo sells refurbished units directly on their site. Sometimes you can piece together a Switch and a used copy of Mario Kart for less than the bundle, though you don't get the "new box" smell.
The "End of Life" dilemma
We're in a weird spot. It’s 2026. The rumors of the next-gen Nintendo console are deafening. Buying a Nintendo Switch with Mario Kart 8 bundle right now feels a bit like buying a brand-new iPhone 13 when the iPhone 16 is already out.
However, Nintendo consoles have a legendary "afterlife." People are still playing the 3DS. People are still obsessed with the GameCube. The Switch has such a massive library that even if a new console drops tomorrow, the current Switch remains a top-tier gaming device.
The real question is backward compatibility. If the "Switch 2" plays original Switch games, then buying the bundle now is safe. If it doesn't? Well, you've just bought into a closed ecosystem. But honestly, for the casual family, that doesn't matter. They want to play Mario Kart now. Not in six months.
Practical Steps for New Owners
If you decide to pull the trigger on the bundle, don't just stop at the box. There are a few things you need to do immediately to make the experience better.
First, buy a MicroSD card. The 32GB of internal storage in the bundle console is a joke. After you install Mario Kart and maybe one other big game like Fortnite or Warframe, you’re out of space. A 128GB or 256GB card is cheap and essential.
Second, get a screen protector. The Switch screen is plastic, not glass. It scratches if you even look at it wrong. Even the dock itself can scratch the screen if you aren't careful when sliding it in.
Third, check the eShop for "free-to-start" games. Fall Guys, Rocket League, and Pokémon Unite don't require a paid subscription to play online. This is a great way to expand your library without spending more money after the initial $300 hit.
The Nintendo Switch with Mario Kart 8 bundle isn't a "deal" in the traditional sense of a massive discount. It's a convenience package. It's the "it just works" option for people who want the definitive Nintendo experience without overthinking it. It’s the safe bet. And sometimes, in a world of complicated tech and endless configurations, the safe bet is exactly what you want.
Actionable Insights for Buyers
- Check the Model: Ensure the box features the red background; this confirms it's the V2 model with better battery life. Older "launch" boxes (white background) are still occasionally found in the secondary market and have significantly worse battery performance.
- Digital vs. Physical: Remember the game in this bundle is a digital download code. You won't get a physical cartridge. This means you can't resell the game later, and it will take up a chunk of your limited internal storage.
- Expansion Pack Value: If you plan on playing the DLC tracks for Mario Kart, check if it's cheaper to buy the $25 Booster Course Pass outright or upgrade your NSO subscription to the "Expansion Pack" tier, which includes the tracks for "free" as long as you're a subscriber.
- Controller Logistics: The bundle comes with two Joy-Cons, which can act as two small controllers for Mario Kart. However, they are tiny. If you have adult-sized hands, consider picking up a pair of cheap third-party "grips" that make the individual Joy-Cons feel more like real controllers.
- Wait for the Window: This bundle almost exclusively appears during the "Holiday" window (November–December). If you see it at MSRP ($299) in the middle of July, it might be a leftover unit—grab it, because they usually vanish by February.