You’re staring at that vibrant, saturated box in the electronics aisle. Maybe you’re scrolling through a listing on your phone. You see the Switch OLED Mario Kart bundle or perhaps you're just wondering if the game looks better on the newer screen. Let’s be real for a second. If you already own an original Switch from 2017, spending another $350 feels like a lot just to see Mario's mustache in slightly deeper blacks.
But honestly? It’s complicated.
The Switch OLED isn’t a "Pro" console. It doesn't have a better processor. It won't make Mario Kart 8 Deluxe run at a higher frame rate or load tracks faster. If you’re playing exclusively on your TV, the experience is identical to the base model. Zero difference. However, for those of us who actually use the "switch" part of the Nintendo Switch—the handheld mode—the jump to the OLED model is probably the single biggest quality-of-life improvement Nintendo has ever released. It’s about the glass. It’s about the color. It’s about not squinting when you’re power-sliding through Rainbow Road.
Why the Switch OLED Mario Kart Experience Hits Different
The heart of this discussion is the display technology. Standard LCD screens use a backlight. This means even when a pixel is supposed to be "black," there’s light leaking through, resulting in a murky, grayish color. OLED is different. Each pixel is its own light source. When a pixel is off, it is completely, 100% black.
This matters for a game like Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. Think about the Neon lights in Electrodrome or the shimmering stars in the background of the Space-themed tracks. On an LCD, those colors look fine. On the OLED, they pop with a level of contrast that makes the game feel almost three-dimensional. The colors are punchier. The reds of Mario’s cap and the bright yellows of the coins look far more vivid. It's an aesthetic upgrade that's hard to go back from once you've seen it.
The screen is also bigger. 7 inches versus 6.2 inches. That sounds tiny on paper. It’s less than an inch! But in your hands? It’s massive. Because the bezels (those black borders around the screen) have been slimmed down, the screen fills almost the entire face of the handheld. It makes local split-screen in tabletop mode actually playable. If you've ever tried to play 2-player Mario Kart on a 6.2-inch screen at a coffee shop, you know the struggle. The OLED’s kickstand—which is now a sturdy, full-width flap—actually keeps the console upright while you and a friend squint at the 7-inch panel.
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The Battery and Audio Factors
You’ve probably heard people talk about the battery life. To be clear, the Switch OLED uses the same "V2" battery efficiency found in the red-box models released after 2019. If you are upgrading from a launch-day 2017 Switch, you’re going to see a massive jump in playtime. We’re talking going from maybe 2.5 or 3 hours of Mario Kart to nearly 5 or 6 depending on your brightness settings.
Then there’s the sound. Nintendo redesigned the speakers for the OLED model. They are "enhanced," which is marketing-speak for "louder and clearer." Mario Kart’s soundtrack is iconic. The jazz-fusion horns and the thumping bass lines of the Big Blue track sound significantly less tinny on the OLED. Is it a replacement for a good pair of headphones? No. But it’s a noticeable bump in quality for casual sessions.
Technical Realities: No, It Won't Fix Your Drift
We need to address the elephant in the room. The Joy-Cons.
The Switch OLED Mario Kart experience still uses the same Joy-Con technology as the original models. This means the dreaded "Joy-Con drift" is still a potential issue. While Nintendo has made subtle iterative tweaks to the internal dust guards and contact pads over the years, the fundamental design remains the same. If you buy the OLED, you aren't buying immunity from stick issues.
Furthermore, let's talk resolution.
- Handheld Mode: 720p.
- Docked Mode: 1080p.
Even though the OLED screen is higher quality, the game is still rendering at 720p in your hands. Because the screen is larger, the "pixel density" is technically lower than on the original Switch. Most people don't notice this because the contrast is so much better, but if you have a very sharp eye for "aliasing" (those jagged edges on 3D models), you might notice things look slightly softer on the OLED.
Does Mario Kart 8 Deluxe actually run better?
Short answer: No.
Long answer: Still no.
The internal hardware—the Tegra X1 chip—is essentially the same. You will still get a rock-solid 60 frames per second (fps) in single-player and 2-player modes. If you drop into 3-player or 4-player split-screen, the frame rate will still dip to 30fps. The OLED doesn't have the "oomph" to overcome that software-level limitation. It’s a visual shell upgrade, not a performance engine upgrade.
Breaking Down the Bundle Value
Nintendo loves a good bundle. Usually, the Switch OLED Mario Kart bundle includes the console, a digital code for the game, and a 3-month subscription to Nintendo Switch Online.
Is it a deal?
Usually, the bundle retails for around $349.99. Given that the OLED console by itself is $349.99, you’re essentially getting a $60 game and a $7 subscription for free. If you are a first-time Switch buyer, this is a no-brainer. It's the best value in the Nintendo ecosystem. However, if you already own the game digitally or on a cartridge, the bundle loses its luster. You're better off buying a standard white or neon OLED and selling your old unit to recoup costs.
Keep in mind that Mario Kart 8 Deluxe now has the Booster Course Pass. This isn't usually included in the base bundle. To get all 48 extra tracks (bringing the total to a staggering 96), you either need to buy the DLC separately for $25 or subscribe to the "Expansion Pack" tier of Nintendo Switch Online. For the full experience on your shiny new OLED, you’re probably going to want those extra tracks.
The "Switch 2" Dilemma
We have to be honest here. We are late in the Switch's lifecycle. Rumors about a "Switch 2" or a next-generation Nintendo console are everywhere. Experts like Serkan Toto and various supply chain analysts have been pointing toward a 2024 or 2025 release for a new machine.
So, do you buy the Switch OLED Mario Kart bundle now?
If you are a parent buying for a kid, or someone who just wants to play the best version of Mario Kart available today, go for it. The library is massive. There are over 10,000 games on the eShop. Even when a new console comes out, the Switch OLED will remain a fantastic handheld device with a screen that might even be better than whatever the "Standard" version of the next console uses (as many rumors suggest the next Nintendo console might launch with an LCD to keep costs down).
But if you are someone who hates the idea of your tech becoming "obsolete" in 12 months, you might want to wait. Mario Kart 8 is a masterpiece, but a new console will almost certainly bring a new Mario Kart with it.
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What Most People Get Wrong About the OLED
People think "OLED" just means "brighter." It's actually the opposite. OLED is great because it can go dimmer and more accurate. If you play in bed at night while your partner is sleeping, the OLED is a godsend. You can lower the brightness significantly and still see every detail because the contrast remains high. On the old LCD Switch, lowering the brightness just makes the whole image look like a muddy, gray mess.
Also, the Ethernet port. The OLED dock has a built-in LAN port. For Mario Kart players who take online races seriously, this is huge. WiFi on the Switch has always been... flaky. Hardwiring your console into your router reduces lag and prevents those frustrating "A communication error has occurred" messages just as you're about to cross the finish line in first place.
Storage Realities
The OLED comes with 64GB of internal storage. The original has 32GB.
Is 64GB enough?
Kinda.
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is about 7GB. The Booster Course Pass adds a bit more. If you plan on buying other games like Tears of the Kingdom (16GB) or Digital versions of 3rd party games, you will still need a MicroSD card. Don't let the "double storage" marketing fool you into thinking you don't need an SD card. You do. 128GB or 256GB cards are cheap these days and essential.
Actionable Next Steps for Potential Buyers
If you’ve decided the Switch OLED Mario Kart combo is for you, here is how you should actually set it up to get the most out of it.
First, check your screen settings. The OLED has a "Vivid" mode enabled by default. Some people find this too "neon" and unrealistic. If the colors look like they're burning your retinas, go into the System Settings and switch the Console Screen Colors to "Standard." It’s more color-accurate, though most people actually prefer the "Vivid" look for Nintendo's bright art styles.
Second, get a screen protector immediately. The OLED screen is made of glass, but it has a "scattering anti-shatter film" on top of it. You are NOT supposed to peel this film off. However, that film can scratch. Putting a tempered glass protector over the anti-shatter film is perfectly safe and highly recommended.
Third, if you’re upgrading, use the "Transfer Your User Data" tool. Do not just move your SD card. The SD card data is encrypted to the specific console. You’ll have to redownload your games, but your save data—your gold trophies and unlocked car parts—needs to be moved via the wireless transfer tool in the settings menu.
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Finally, consider the grip. The OLED is slightly heavier than the original. If you have larger hands, the flat back can get crampy during a long 200cc Grand Prix. Companies like Satisfye or Skull & Co make grips specifically for the OLED model that make handheld play significantly more comfortable.
The Switch OLED isn't a revolution. It’s a refinement. It’s the "Definitive Edition" of the hardware. For a game as visually vibrant as Mario Kart, it’s the best way to play, even if the internal guts haven't changed. It’s about the vibe. It’s about that deep, bottomless black of a midnight track and the searing neon of a boost pad. If that matters to you, the upgrade is worth every penny.