Mario Kart 8 Deluxe offers a variety of flexible control schemes, allowing players to race using Nintendo Switch Joy-Cons (in grip or handheld mode), a Nintendo Switch Pro Controller, or even Wii U GamePad and Wii Classic Controller if connected. The game is designed to be intuitive for newcomers while offering depth for experienced racers.
Core Racing Controls
The primary controls for Nintendo Switch Joy-Cons and Pro Controller are detailed below:
| Action | Nintendo Switch Input (Joy-Con / Pro Controller) | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Accelerate | A Button, Y Button, or Right Stick (Up) | Press and hold to speed up your kart. Releasing will cause you to slow down. |
| Brake/Reverse | B Button or Left Stick (Down) | Hold to slow down or come to a stop. If you're completely stopped, holding it will make you reverse. For the Wii Classic Controller, this action is mapped to the B button. |
| Steer | Left Stick or Motion Controls (Tilting) | Use the Left Stick to navigate turns. You can also enable motion controls and steer by physically tilting your Joy-Cons or Pro Controller. On the Wii Classic Controller, the Left Control stick is used for steering, and you can also steer by tilting the Wii U GamePad. |
| Use Item | L Button or ZL Button | Deploy your equipped item, whether it's an offensive projectile, defensive shield, or speed boost. |
| Hop/Drift | R Button or ZR Button | Tap to hop over small obstacles or off-road patches. Hold to initiate a drift around corners. Timing your drift releases (mini-turbos) grants speed boosts. On the Wii Classic Controller, use the ZR button or R button to hop and drift. |
| Look Behind | X Button | Briefly look behind your kart to check for approaching opponents or item usage. |
| Horn | Press Left Stick (L3) | Certain vehicles or items (like the Super Horn) may allow you to honk. |
Driving Assist Features
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe includes optional assist features that can be toggled on or off from the pause menu or before a race. These are especially helpful for new players:
- Smart Steering: When enabled, your kart will automatically steer away from the edges of the track and prevent you from falling off, even on tight turns. An antenna icon will appear behind your kart when active.
- Auto-accelerate: With this feature on, your kart will constantly accelerate without you needing to hold the accelerate button. You only need to focus on steering and using items.
Motion Control Steering
For an immersive experience, players can opt for motion control steering. By enabling this in the controller settings, you steer by tilting your Joy-Con or Pro Controller horizontally, mimicking a steering wheel. This can be combined with Smart Steering for a very casual racing style.
