Character Stat Table: Listed By Descending Weight

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is one of the most popular kart racing games of all time. It’s the game that lets you race as one of your favorite characters from the Mushroom Kingdom and other Nintendo properties on a variety of colorful tracks. Mario Kart is different from other racing games because it has a lot of different characters, each with its own strengths and weaknesses.

To help you get the most out of Mario Kart, we've put together a list of all the characters in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, along with a breakdown of their stats and what makes them stand out.

In the game, there are three weight groups: light, medium, and heavy. Light characters are quick and nimble, which makes them good at getting around obstacles and finding shortcuts on the track. But it's also easy for bigger characters to knock them around. Medium characters are a good mix of speed and weight, so they can be used by all skill levels. Heavy characters move slowly and lumber around, but they're also fast on the straights. They're best for players who want to blow past the competition, but they can be a bit of a problem on tight, twisty tracks.

In Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, you can choose from 42 different characters. Each one has a different look, personality, and set of stats. Some of the most popular characters, like Mario and Luigi, are well-rounded and can be used in a variety of ways. Others, like Toad and Toadette, are quick and agile, but they may have trouble with characters who are bigger or stronger.

Some characters, like Wario and Waluigi, put a lot of emphasis on strength and size, which makes them best for players who want to smash their opponents. Others, like Princess Peach and Princess Daisy, have a good mix of speed and weight and are well-rounded.

So, whether you want a quick, light character to avoid obstacles or a strong, heavy racer to crush the competition, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is sure to have a character that's just right for you. With so many different characters to choose from, each with its own stats and way of playing, Mario Kart is always fun.

Mario

The iconic plumber with the red cap is a well-balanced racer that’s perfect for players of all levels. Mario made his first official appearance in 1985 in the classic NES title Super Mario Bros and has been zooming on the Mario Kart tracks since the series first launched in 1992. He’s a middleweight racer with balanced stats that can hold his own both in terms of speed and power. Beginners can learn the ropes by picking Mario while veterans can use his medium jumps and average acceleration to maintain the lead consistently. Mario is effective in pretty much any vehicle you put him in but gains a better edge when slotted into karts with higher-than-average speed.

Luigi

Mario’s green-suspendered counterpart and brother is a solid pick if you want to learn effective turning. Like his big bro, Luigi made his first appearance in the NES classic Super Mario Bros. as a player 2 character. He was also featured in the Mario Kart series since its original release on SNES in 1992. And again, like Mario, he’s a middleweight racer with an even distribution in most of his stats. However, that’s where the similarities end as Luigi has slightly better traction. This makes him a better choice if you want to handle turns like a pro so if you’re ready to graduate from using Mario, Luigi’s a good next step. The green plumber is at his best when driving a kart with superior handling.

Princess Peach

The ruler of the Mushroom Kingdom and consistent object of Mario’s adventures, Princess Peach is no damsel once she hits the tracks. Like the plumber brothers, she first appeared in Super Mario Bros. on the NES in 1985 and has been a staple presence in the Mario Kart series since its inception in 1992. Although she’s a middleweight racer like her Italian friends, she has one unique characteristic: she has a slight floating ability when she’s hit. This makes her a slightly harder character to pick up but can be a real beast on the courses when mastered as she can dodge obstacles and other drivers when timing her float correctly. Peach is at her peak when placed in a fast kart with roller wheels to take advantage of mini turbo.

Princess Daisy

The ruler of Mushroom Kingdom’s adjacent Sarasaland, Daisy is every bit as charming and amazing as her sister, Peach. Though not as frequently kidnapped as her sister, Daisy did find herself nabbed by the tyrannical alien Tatanga in Super Mario Land on the Game Boy in 1989. It took her a long time to join the karting tracks as she joined the series in 2003 in Double Dash on the Gamecube. Like Peach and the Mario Brothers, Daisy is a middleweight racer with near perfectly balanced stats. This makes her a great option for newcomers as well as veterans who want to play around with different kart combinations. Because of her stats, you can go with pretty much anything and tune her setup to your own playstyle.

Toad

Peach’s loyal follower and denizen of the Mushroom Kingdom is a zippy racer who you’d do well not to underestimate. You definitely should recognize Toad from his iconic first appearance in Super Mario Bros. in 1985 where he would always tell Mario that the “Princess is in another castle.” As a lightweight racer, Toad excels at extremely high acceleration and tight maneuverability, making a great first pick in this class of racer. He’s easily tagged by larger foes but his snappy moves make it easy to dodge them. Toad is best suited for karts that balance out his handling stats but if you’re feeling like being a real menace, pick up something that maxes out his acceleration.

Toadette

Toad’s eternally smiling female counterpart, Toadette is one of the most adorable racers in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. Toadette first burst into our hearts in Mario Party 4 when it launched on the Gamecube in 2002. A year later, she followed in Toad’s footsteps to take the Mario Kart courses by storm in Double Dash. Also like Toad, she’s a lightweight character with some pretty zippy moves. Although she can be incredibly vulnerable to crashes from heavier opponents, she’s got solid acceleration and handling to keep her out of harm’s way. Her low top speed and poor traction, though, make her challenging to control so pairing her with a vehicle that balances those stats is a must.

Yoshi

He’s green, adorable, and everyone’s favorite sticky-tongued dino, Yoshi is one of the best racers in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe if you want to score easy wins on your friends. His original appearance was in Super Mario World on the SNES in 1990 as a ride for Mario before he started riding in the original Mario Kart in 1992. As a racer, Yoshi is what you get when you combine Peach’s flutter with Toad’s incredibly high acceleration. He’s the ideal choice if you want to navigate tight turns and dodge obstacles with ease. As a lightweight, he finds himself in trouble when bumped by heavier foes but his speed and agility make them easy to deal with. Placing Yoshi on a bike with high acceleration unleashes his full potential.

Bowser

Mario’s nemesis and kind of all spiky-shelled beings, Bowser is a fearsome racer in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. He made his grand first appearance as the persistent kidnapper of princesses in 1985’s Super Mario Bros. and has been terrorizing the Mario Kart tracks since the original game in 1992. It’s easy to guess that this massive lizard-like monster is a heavyweight racer with a penchant for punting foes that stand in his way. Don’t let his slow acceleration fool you, though, as his top speed is top-notch, and his traction rivals that of Luigi’s. Although his weight needs a bit of getting used to, he’s an excellent pick for all skill levels and becomes quite a tough foe to beat when combined with karts with good handling.

Bowser Jr.

The apple doesn’t fall too far from the tree and Bowser’s son proves it in almost every way. In his first appearance in Super Mario Sunshine in 2002 on the Gamecube not only did he capture Princess Peach but also referred to her on occasion as “Mama Peach”. He switched gears and joined the tracks in 2003’s Mario Kart: Double Dash and has been wrecking racers ever since. He’s a lightweight character with a low center of gravity, making him a pretty solid choice if you want to have more control during tight corners and turns. As he lacks some of the other lightweight characters’ mobility, he has a bit of trouble dealing with heavier opponents. Slotting him into a high-acceleration kart helps make up for this flaw.

Donkey Kong

Big-time banana enjoyer and wobbly building climbing enthusiast, Donkey Kong is one of the most fun racers in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. A bit older than the red-suspendered plumber, he made his first appearance in his own arcade game, Donkey Kong, in 1981. It wasn’t until 1996’s Mario Kart 64 on the N64, though, that the gorilla with an attitude would storm the Mario Kart tracks. He’s a heavyweight racer like Bowser, meaning you better watch out when he comes crashing at you. Unlike his lizard counterpart, though, Donkey Kong has solid acceleration making him a tricky foe to shake off so if you’re looking to really annoy your friends, this is the ape for you. Donkey Kong becomes far more well-rounded when he’s plopped onto high-speed karts.

Wario

Mario’s direct opposite, Wario is a formidable force on the tracks and has the crazy personality to back it up. He made his debut in the red plumber’s world in Super Mario Land 2: 6 Golden Coins in 1992 and has been a terror on the Mario Kart tracks since the N64’s version of the game in 1996. Like most of Mario’s foes, he’s a heavyweight racer that specializes in bumping other drivers off the track. His high weight and resilience make him the perfect pick for players who want to smash through opponents and obstacles. His stats are quite versatile, allowing him to slot into pretty much any kart, though ideally, you’ll want to pair him with something with a bit more speed.

Waluigi

Just like this brother, Luigi also has a ying to his yang in the form of Waluigi, the lanky counterpart of Wario. Unlike his beefier older brother, Waluigi didn’t in fact make a first appearance in a platforming game, as his debut as a playable character occurred in Mario Tennis in 2000. His karting career didn’t start until a few years later in Mario Kart: Double Dash for the Gamecube in 2003. Since then, Waluigi has been a lightweight powerhouse that can go toe-to-toe with other light characters such as Toad. Waluigi is an ideal choice if you enjoy being annoyingly zippy on the track, bobbing and weaving around the competition. His high acceleration makes him quite a pest to deal with, particularly when he’s paired with a top-speed or acceleration-increasing kart.

King Boo

His Majesty the King of Scares himself, King Boo is a fierce racer despite his shy demeanor. He originally appeared as a villain to Luigi in Luigi’s Mansion in 2001. However, he didn’t take to the courses until Mario Kart: Double Dash on the Gamecube in 2003. Since then, he’s been a great alternative heavyweight option for players who love to take up more space and smash into their opponents. Being on the heavier side, King Boo has average acceleration which takes a bit of getting used to. Once you’re comfortable making slow starts, though, you’ll find that his excellent handling keeps you in the game more reliably. Because of his handling stat, he can pair with most karts and bikes to become a formidable foe.

Rosalina

Another princess storms the tracks. Rosalina is the protector of the Mario universe’s cosmos and has a unique attribute that other princess racers don’t. Rosalina first appeared in Super Mario Galaxy on the Nintendo Wii in 2007, then went off to the races in Mario Kart Wii in 2008. What makes this princess-like powerhouse special is that she’s a heavyweight character, meaning she has well above-average strength when colliding with other racers. What’s even more impressive is that she has high acceleration and top speed, making her one of the best racers on the Mario Kart 8 Deluxe roster. Because of these stats, you can easily place Rosalina in any kart or bike with high handling to round her off.

Tanooki Mario

An alternate form of Mario, Tanooki Mario brings a fair bit of personality and flair to the Mario Kart 8 Deluxe tracks. His first appearance was in Super Mario Bros. 3 as a power-up for Mario that enabled him to fly and hover. As a racer, he also served as an alternate version of Mario in 2013’s Mario Kart Arcade GP DX. As a middleweight character, he shares similar characteristics to Mario, including his balanced stats. Where he differs is in his slightly better handling and traction. This makes him an even better choice if you prefer a more well-rounded racer that gives you more precision and control. To get the most out of Tanooki Mario, you’ll want to put him in a high-acceleration kart with some high-speed wheels.

Cat Peach

Like her beloved Mario, Peach also joins the tracks with style and grace as Cat Peach. Her first appearance in the suit was in 2013 in Super Mario 3D World and could slip into it by picking up a bell power-up. A year later, Cat Peach took to the courses in Mario Kart 8 on the Nintendo Wii U. As she’s an alternate form of the legendary princess, Cat Peach is a lightweight racer that can maneuver around tight turns and dodge obstacles with feline precision and grace. On top of being very easy to knock out of the course by heavier opponents, she also has low top speed and traction, making her slightly challenging to pick up. Pair her with a kart with higher speed and tires with more grip, she can easily become a real threat in the tracks.

Koopa Troopa

The iconic turtle-like menace of the Mushroom Kingdom, Koopa Troopa joins the race to represent all of his brothers and sisters that were dunked on by the plumber bros. He first appeared in the original Super Mario Bros. game on the NES in 1985 and joined the Mario Kart roster in the original game that kicked off the series in 1992. Koopa Troopa is a lightweight racer, meaning he’s got the standard advantages of his class as well as its well-known weaknesses. He’s a nimble and agile racer that can run circles around heavier foes but finds himself in trouble when smashed into. His low top speed makes it also hard for him to stay ahead in the straights. To make the most of Koopa Troopa, you’ll want to place him in a kart with superior handling and some extra oomph.

Shy Guy

Everyone’s favorite masked Mario baddy, Shy Guy may be on the introverted side but put him behind the wheel of a kart and he’ll zoom away with the best of them. He first entered the Mario Bros. universe in the 1986 sequel to the original game on NES but needed a bit more time before joining the tracks as he became part of the MK roster in 2001’s Mario Kart Super Circuit. Shy Guy is a lightweight racer with excellent acceleration and high handling that allows him to stay ahead when turns are concerned. However, you can expect to struggle in straight lines due to his lower top speed. As such, he can be a bit tough for beginner players to work with but his stats can be balanced out with the right kit, such as a faster kart and more grippy tires.

Lakitu

Mario Kart’s legendary referee and host, Lakitu has been around since the series’s inception, transforming him into an icon. As a Mario Universe character, his first appearance was in the original Mario Bros. game in 1985, and has been holding things up with his fishing pole since the karting battles began in 1992. However, it wasn’t until Mario Kart 7 in 2011 that he became an actually playable racer. Since he’s practically on a cloud, he’s a member of the lightweight class of racers, making him an agile and nimble character with solid acceleration. He can easily be bumped off the track by even middleweight racers so he takes some getting used to. Pairing him with a kart that either emphasizes his acceleration or gives him so more top speed is the way to go.

Metal/Gold Mario

Another alternate form of Mario, Metal Mario, and his unlockable skin, Gold Mario, are a whole new spin on the classic racer. This form could first be used in Super Mario 64 in 1996 on the N64 and provided the red-capped plumber with temporary invincibility. As a racer, he originally joined the series in Mario Kart 7 in 2011 on the 3DS, while the Gold version was available from Mario Kart Arcade GP DX in 2013. This is a heavyweight form of Mario that’s highly resilient and has high top speed. On the flip side, his acceleration is poor and handling just average so he takes some getting used to. He’s primarily suited to players who prefer a straightforward, no-fuss approach to racing and can be balanced out with a cart that has extra grip.

Pink Gold Peach

One of Peach’s alternate forms, Pink Gold Peach riffs off the same concept as Metal Mario, giving the ruler of the Mushroom Kingdom an entirely new playstyle. Peach only ever had this form in the Mario Kart series, starting as an unlockable in Mario Kart 8 on the Wii U in 2014. However, she became available right off the bat in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe on the Switch in 2017. Like her Mario counterpart, Pink Gold Peach is a heavyweight version of the princess racer that gives her more resilience and speed, while trading off acceleration and handling. This makes her a challenge to control but if you’re a veteran, you can take advantage of her unique stats and win consistently. Giving her a kart with better grip and handling is the way to go.

Baby Mario

Another alternate form of Mario, Baby Mario is the red-capped plumber’s more adorable counterpart. Though half his size, Baby Mario is every bit as capable a racer as his adult version. His first appearance in this form happened in Yoshi’s Island: Super Mario World 2 in 1995 on the SNES. For Mario Kart, Baby Mario became a playable racer in Double Dash on the Gamecube in 2003. He’s a lightweight character that has super acceleration, making him an excellent choice for players who prefer nimble, quick-moving racers. Apart from his acceleration, the rest of his stats are balanced, making him highly versatile. Through customization, you can tailor Baby Mario to a playstyle that either favors solid handling or dominates the straights with higher speed. Just pick the gear that matches these stats and you’re good to go.

Baby Luigi

Just like his big bro, Luigi also has an infant form that puts an entirely new spin on his playstyle. Baby Luigi first appeared in Yoshi’s Island: Super Mario World 2 on the SNES in 1995 and joined the karting tracks in Mario Kart: Double Dash in 2003. As you’d expect, he’s half his adult form’s size so he’s a lightweight racer with amazing acceleration and fairly balanced stats. He’s pretty zippy and can be tailored to fit different situations depending on the kart or bike setup you give him. If you enjoy playing characters that are well-rounded but still have an edge in acceleration, then Baby Luigi is a great pick.

Baby Peach

If you thought Peach was not getting a baby form, think again. The ruler of Mushroom Kingdom storms the karting tracks in her infant form, Baby Peach. This adorable version of everyone’s favorite princess first appeared in Mario & Luigi: Partners in Time, and has been tearing up the Mario Kart courses since the Wii version in 2008. As a lightweight racer, she’s got amazing acceleration and can maneuver around tight turns and corners with ease. Her lack of high top speed makes her quite vulnerable to heavier opponents so using her agility is key to staying on the track. Skilled players can take advantage of Baby Peach’s stats but she can be balanced out with karts that have better handling and speed.

Baby Daisy

Princess Daisy also gets an adorable toddler counterpart with Baby Daisy, carrying the same spunky attitude as her adult counterpart. Baby Daisy has only ever appeared in Mario Kart games, with her debut occurring in Mario Kart Wii in 2008 as an unlockable racer. In both versions of MK8, though, she’s been playable from the get-go. As you’d expect from a baby racer, she’s a lightweight which means she’s nimble and bursty. She may not be able to knock heavier enemies off the tracks but she makes up for this with her great maneuverability and superb acceleration. You may need to have a few Mario Kart notches under your belt to take advantage of her stats but she can be more balanced with a heavier kart.

Baby Rosalina

The last of the karting princesses, Rosalina also gets the baby treatment with Baby Rosalina and she’s, as expected, very adorable. Like Baby Daisy, she’s only ever been available in Mario Kart games with her first appearance being in Mario Kart 8 as an unlockable racer. However, in Deluxe she’s available outright so you can start racing with her immediately. Like all toddler racers, Baby Rosalina is a lightweight character with better-than-average handling and acceleration. She’s not going to beat any heavies in a crash but she can outmaneuver them to keep herself out of harm’s way. She may need some getting used to but can be fairly balanced out with karts or bikes that increase her speed and weight. She's mostly a racer for players who value nimbleness and precision.

Dry Bones

When Dry Bones is on the track, it’s always like the Night of the Living Dead. His debut in the world of Mario games happened in 1988 in Shigeru Miyamoto’s masterpiece, Super Mario Bros. 3. Nearly two decades later, he joined the race tracks in Mario Kart DS in 2005 and has since been terrorizing other racers. The dead version of the Koopa Troopa is one of the lightest lightweight characters in the game with great handling, acceleration, and mini turbo. On top of that, he retains his classic revival ability that triggers when he’s knocked out of the course. He’s definitely a solid pick if you want a racer with a quirky playstyle. As with all lightweights, heavies are Dry Bones’ natural counters so be sure to balance out your stats with a kart that has high top speed.

Dry Bowser

The skeletal version of the lizard king himself, Dry Bowser is a true menace when he hits the tracks. His first official appearance in a Nintendo game was in 2006 in New Super Mario Bros. on the DS. Two years later, he took up pole position on the Mario Kart tracks in the Wii installment that launched in 2008. Dry Bowser is one of the most solid racers in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe thanks to his superbly balanced stats. He’s a heavyweight with great acceleration and handling which isn’t a combination you see often in this class. He also has the unique ability to knock foes away with his spikes. This collection of attributes makes him a great choice for players of all experience levels. Picking the right kart for him is as simple as going for something with high speed.

Lemmy Koopa

One of Bowser’s seven children, Lemmy is a Koopaling with style owing to his colorful mohawk and bright smile. He originally joined the ensemble of Mario characters in the legendary NES title Super Mario Bros. 3 in 1988. However, it wasn’t until 2014 that he made the cut to join the racing circuit in Mario Kart 8. As a lightweight character, Lemmy is fast and agile with fantastic acceleration and great turning capabilities. Obviously, his small frame makes him vulnerable to heavier opponents who can catch up to him in the straights and knock him out. Therefore, it’s important to learn how to dodge them with his quick movement. Lemmy is best suited in a kart that has been geared to have good tire grip and higher speed.

Larry Koopa

Larry is one of Bowser’s seven Koopaling children and is also one of the most devious of the bunch, owing to the fact that he’s stolen several magic wands. As is the case with his siblings, Larry first appeared as a Mario antagonist in 1988 in Super Mario Bros. 3. His karting career didn’t kick off before 2014, though, in Wii U’s Mario Kart 8. In Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, Larry is a speedy, lightweight character with good acceleration and handling. This makes him a great choice for players who like to make tight turns and perform stunts in the air. However, his light weight makes him more vulnerable to being knocked around by other racers and obstacles on the track. If you want to join the ranks of his dedicated fans, be sure to match him to karts that balance out his weaknesses.

Wendy O. Koopa

Wendy O. Koopa is Bowser’s fifth child and only daughter. As such, she’s an inseparable member of king lizard’s Koopalings. Just like her brothers, she stepped into the Mario Universe in Super Mario Bros. 3 in 1988 and join the Mario Kart circuits in 2014 in the Wii U version of the game. Also, like some of her siblings, Wendy is a lightweight racer with a temperamental attitude. She’s known for her swift speed, allowing her to navigate through tight corners and complex tracks with ease. She is a balanced racer, with a good balance of weight and acceleration, making her a solid choice for players who prefer an all-around playstyle. As she’s susceptible to being knocked around by heavier racers, she needs karts that give her a bit more grip and speed to become competitive.

Ludwig Von Koopa

Ludwig is one of Bowser’s seven Koopalings and one of his bigger children. Clearly inspired by classical musicians, his design is incredibly distinct. His first appearance came in Super Mario Bros. 3 in 1988 and he’s been tearing up the tracks in Mario Kart since 2014 in the Wii U installment. Ludwig is a middleweight racer which means his stats are fairly balanced, making him a strong all-rounder and a nice starting point for beginners. As such, he can be adapted into different playstyles depending on the kart and setup you choose. He is also known for his good traction and off-road capabilities, which makes him an ideal pick for players who enjoy a more aggressive playstyle.

Iggy Koopa

One of Bowser’s loyal children and a member of the seven Koopalings, Iggy is the nerdiest of the bunch. Like his siblings, he joined the world of Mario in 1988 in Super Mario Bros. 3 and took to the races in 2014 in Mario Kart 8 for the Wii U. Similarly to Ludwig, he’s a middleweight racer with a slightly higher weight that makes a perfect fit for players who want to play somewhat more aggressively. He’s an easy character to pick up if you’re new to the game but can also be adapted to a variety of playstyles for veterans who enjoy tinkering with their racing setups.

Roy Koopa

One of Bowser’s biggest children, Roy is one of seven Koopalings that terrorize the Mushroom Kingdom and Mario Kart tracks. His first appearance was in 1988’s Super Mario Bros. 3 while he made his way into karts in 2014 in Mario Kart 8. As a big boy, Roy Koopa is a heavyweight racer, meaning he’s got great top speed and has little trouble knocking his foes around the course. Of course, this also means his acceleration and handling suffer somewhat so he needs a bit of getting used to. Placing him in a kart with better traction and speed can turn Roy into a real powerhouse. Not the best character to start playing the game with but a solid pick for experienced players.

Morton Koopa Jr.

One of Bowser’s nastier children, Morton is one of the seven Koopalings that have been a menace to Mushroom Kingdom’s collective society for a long time. He kicked off his reign of terror in 1988 on the NES in Super Mario Bros. 3 and carried it over into Mario Kart 8 in 2014. He’s a heavyweight character, making him pretty strong in straight lines thanks to his solid top speed. At the same time, his weight allows him to stay firmly on the track while punting off his smaller, punier foes. While he’s not going to win any awards in the acceleration and traction departments, he can be fairly balanced out with a kart or bike that beefs up those stats. Beginners may find him a bit awkward to start with but veterans can definitely rock the tracks with Morton.

Inkling Girl

One of several cross-franchise guest characters, Inkling Girl is a colorful ray of sunshine that takes the Mario Kart tracks by storm. Although she never appeared in a Mario game, her first appearance as a playable character was in the original Splatoon in 2015 on the Wii U. She became a playable racer in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe and has quickly become a fan favorite. As a middleweight racer, Inkling Girl has well-balanced stats, making her an ideal choice for beginner players. She’s not as likely to be knocked about by heavier foes as lightweight characters but does need a fair bit of tinkering to make her a strong racer. Karts and bikes that improve her acceleration and traction are solid choices.

Inkling Boy

A cross-franchise guest character, Inkling Boy joins his female counterpart as a paint-spraying, fun-loving racer. He’s never been in a Mario game but his original appearance came in the first Splatoon game on the Wii U in 2015. He only joined the ranks of Mario Kart racers in MK8 Deluxe. Like Inkling Girl, he’s a middleweight racer with balanced stats that give him plenty of wiggle room to customize through kart and bike setups. With a bit of extra speed, he becomes a very beginner-friendly racer. Veterans may want to opt for building up Inkling Boy’s traction and acceleration to give him that added zippiness.

Link

One of Nintendo’s most well-known characters, Link is a guest character that fans have been clamoring to make an appearance in Mario Kart for ages. Obviously, he’s never been on a Mario adventure so his debut was in his own game, the Legend of Zelda on the NES in 1986. It took him a fairly long time to join the karting courses as he first joined the cast in Mario Kart 8 as a DLC character. He’s a heavyweight racer with amazing top speed and superior weight that prevents him from being knocked off the track too easily. This means, though, that he’s not a very maneuverable character and needs the right setup to make him into a true powerhouse. Beefing up his acceleration can give him that extra oomph. On the other hand, further improving his speed can double up what he’s good at.

Male Villager

Prefer a greater sense of relaxation in your Mario Kart races? Then you’ll love Male Villager, a cross-franchise guest character with a cozy flair. He’s not a Mario character per se, as he originally debuted in the life simulator series Animal Crossing, with the original title launching in 2001 on the GameCube. His Mario Kart debut happened in 2015’s Mario Kart 8 where he was a DLC character. Male Villager is a middleweight racer with balanced stats, making him a good choice for fresh players who are just getting to grips with the game. In the right hands and with a well-thought-out setup, though, he can become a real menace on the tracks. A solid choice if you enjoy altering and tweaking your playstyle.

Female Villager

As with her male counterpart, Female Villager brings a cozy and comfy feeling to the Mario Kart 8 Deluxe races. She first made her way to the gaming scene in the original Animal Crossing in 2001 on the GameCube. However, her very first Mario Kart appearance was as a DLC character in the Wii U installment of the series in 2015. Just like Male Villager, Female Villager is a middleweight racer who has stats that are near evenly matched. This makes her a nice choice for players of all levels to pick up and enjoy the game without worrying about minor details, such as weight. Don’t underestimate how strong she can be, though, as the right setup can make her a pretty strong racer who can stay on the track fairly easily.

Isabelle

Cute, adorable, and heartwarming, Isabelle is like a warm ray of sunshine when she hits the Mario Kart tracks. As a cross-franchise guest character, she’s not part of any Mario game. Her first appearance was in Animal Crossing: New Leaf on the 3DS in 2012 and she joined the cast of Mario Kart 8 in 2014 as a DLC racer. As you’d expect from her appearance, she’s a lightweight racer with similar stats to racers such as Toad. That means she excels at high acceleration and is able to zip around tight turns and corners. Naturally, she’s vulnerable to heavier foes so needs a slightly more skilled hand to reach her full potential. Placing Isabelle in a high-speed kart can really make her shine and balance out her inability to overtake in the straights.

Mii

Mii is a racer that is based on the custom character you create in your console. As the feature was originally introduced with the Nintendo Wii, which places this character’s debut in 2006 and has since been a part of various games. The Mii character joined the Mario Kart roster in 2008’s Mario Kart Wii and has been a staple in the roster ever since. What makes Miis different from other racers is that they don’t have a definitive weight class on their own. What class they’re placed in depends on how big or small you made your Mii when you created it. Small Miis fit the lightweight blueprint, Medium Miis are middleweights, and Large Miis fall into the heavyweight category. As such, they get the same characteristics and stats as other characters in their respective classes. Kart and bike customizations also apply.