Nintendo aims for fans to complete one million laps in Mario Kart 8.

      Nintendo

      Although the upcoming Mario Kart release is one of the most eagerly awaited games for the Nintendo Switch 2, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is not yet ready to relinquish its crown. To mark Mario Day (March 10), Nintendo is inviting fans to take part in a community event aimed at completing one million laps across its various tracks. This event runs from March 7 to March 17, and Nintendo is offering a 14-day trial of Nintendo Switch Online to encourage fans to participate.

      Participants can earn up to 310 Platinum Points for their racing efforts. Joining in is straightforward; just start Mario Kart 8 Deluxe during the event period, select Online Play > Tournaments > Search by Code, and enter 1152-2501-4827 to begin racing.

      Note that you'll need to compete online against other racers for the lap count to be effective, which actually plays to your advantage. The total laps are calculated based on the number of racers in each race, meaning a three-lap race with 12 players would count as 36 laps. Given this setup, reaching one million laps should be achievable quite quickly, especially if you race on the seven-lap Baby Park or other courses with more laps.

      Nintendo has also introduced a Super Mario-themed tote and a Mario Kart 8 Deluxe License Holder, which can be redeemed with your points as potential physical rewards.

      The million-lap community challenge is just one of the many ways Nintendo encourages fans to celebrate its most iconic character. For 2025, Nintendo has gone all out, even launching a custom JetBlue airliner named the Cloudtop Cruiser, adorned with depictions of Mario characters along its sides and featuring playable Mario games onboard during flights.

      Sweepstakes for a trip to Super Nintendo World are also being offered, along with the Alarmo clock, which will be available on March 9.

      Patrick Hearn writes about smart home technology, including Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, smart light bulbs, and more.

      With its final DLC, Mario Kart 8 solidifies its status as a multiplayer classic.

      I never fully appreciated the brilliance of Nintendo's Mario Kart formula until I became engrossed in mastering Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. Similar to Mario Kart Wii, this title allows players to engage casually or delve deep, learning everything to boost their online VR points and achieve higher ranks.

      While that was enough to make Mario Kart Wii the standout entry during its time, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe has elevated the series throughout its nearly ten-year lifespan. With the release of its final Booster Course DLC, Nintendo has firmly established the kart racer as one of the premier multiplayer games of all time.

      Achieving perfection

      Mario Kart 8 initially launched on Nintendo's Wii U and quickly became one of the system's top-sellers. When the Nintendo Switch was introduced, Nintendo promptly took advantage of the opportunity by re-releasing Mario Kart 8 under the Deluxe title. This version included new content and modes, alongside an extensive DLC plan, confirming it as one of the Switch's major successes.

      The final wave of Mario Kart 8 Deluxe's Booster Course Pass will debut on November 9, concluding the game's long series of updates. Wave 6 will feature several classic Mario Kart tracks, including the highly sought-after Wii Rainbow Road.

      When it comes to multiplayer features, Nintendo can be inconsistent. Unreliable online servers and underwhelming co-op experiences designed for younger audiences can leave its titles lacking. Fortunately, this is not the case with Super Mario Bros. Wonder. In fact, this new 2D adventure may offer the best Nintendo multiplayer experience on the Switch, next to Mario Kart 8 Deluxe or Super Smash Bros. Ultimate.

      At any time while playing Super Mario Bros. Wonder, players can connect online with the push of a button from the main menu. This action unlocks several multiplayer features simultaneously. One option is traditional online multiplayer. Simply press a button to "play with friends," allowing you to explore both the overworld and levels together. Similar to the New Super Mario Bros. series, four players can collaborate to complete levels, which can be both chaotic and enjoyable.