How to Start a Local or Online Multiplayer Game (Mario Kart 8 Deluxe)

Nintendo Switch 2, Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch Lite, Nintendo Switch - OLED Model

Steps for how to start an online or in-person multiplayer game in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe.

Important: The Toy-Con Motorbike from Nintendo Labo is only compatible with the original Joy-Con for Nintendo Switch.

Before you start

A Nintendo Switch Online membership is required to play online.
Make sure everyone playing with their own copy of the game has updated their software to the latest version.
- How to update game software
  1. Ensure the console is connected to the Internet.
  2. From the HOME Menu, select (but do not start) the icon for the software you wish to update.
  3. Press the + Button or – Button on your controller, then select Software Update followed by Via the Internet.
  For more details, see How to Update Software on Nintendo Switch 2 or How to Update Software on Nintendo Switch.
When playing on Nintendo Switch 2, a compatible USB camera, such as the Nintendo Switch 2 Camera, can be connected to enable CameraPlay in Multiplayer and Online Play modes.

What to do

Which game mode would you like to play?

Multiplayer (2-8 players on Nintendo Switch 2 or 2-4 players on Nintendo Switch)
1. Highlight Multiplayer on the game’s title menu.
2. Highlight the number of players on the console and press the A Button.
3. Have Player 1 adjust the race options as desired until you reach the character select screen.
4. Choose the appropriate controller type for each player. Multiplayer cannot be played in Handheld Mode. You will be prompted to detach the Joy-Con 2 or Joy-Con controllers or connect additional controllers.
  - Nintendo Switch 2 controller options
    Nintendo Switch 2 controllers
    
    For players using a single Joy-Con 2 each, hold the controller horizontally and press the SL and SR buttons on top (players using the Joy-Con 2 Wheel should select this option).
    
    For players using both Joy-Con 2 controllers, hold them vertically and press the L and R buttons on top.
    
    For players using the Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller, press the L and R shoulder buttons.
    
    Nintendo Switch controllers
    
    Note: only seven Nintendo Switch controllers can be connected to the Nintendo Switch 2 console.
    
    For players using a single Joy-Con each, hold the controller horizontally and press the SL and SR buttons on top (players using the Joy-Con Wheel should select this option).
    
    For players using both Joy-Con controllers, hold them vertically and press the L and R buttons on top (players using the Toy-Con Motorbike should select this option).
    
    For players using the Nintendo Switch Pro Controller, press the L and R shoulder buttons.
  - Nintendo Switch controller options
    For players using a single Joy-Con each, hold the controller horizontally and press the SL and SR buttons on top (players using the Joy-Con Wheel should select this option).
    
    For players using both Joy-Con controllers, hold them vertically and press the L and R buttons on top (players using the Toy-Con Motorbike should select this option).
    
    For players using the Nintendo Switch Pro Controller, press the L and R shoulder buttons.
5. Once the controllers are set for each player, have Player 1 press the button indicated on the screen to continue.
6. Select the characters and additional racing options, then select OK Aceptar OK OK to begin the race.
  - Certain game modes allow you to adjust the items that appear in the race or battle, such as the Frantic Items option (powerful items will appear more frequently) or the Skilled Items option (powerful items will appear less frequently).
  - Players using the Toy-Con Motorbike should insert their Joy-Con when prompted, before selecting OK Aceptar OK OK to begin the race.
Online Play (2-12 players, up to two per console)
1. Highlight Online Play on the game’s title menu.
  
  Highlight the number of players on the console and press the A Button.
  
  If more than one person will be playing on the console, complete these additional steps:
  
  Choose the appropriate controller type for each player. Online multiplayer with more than one person using the same console cannot be played in Handheld Mode. You will be prompted to detach the Joy-Con 2 or Joy-Con controllers or connect additional controllers.
  
  Nintendo Switch 2 controller options
  
  Nintendo Switch 2 controllers
  
  For players using a single Joy-Con 2 each, hold the controller horizontally and press the SL and SR buttons on top (players using the Joy-Con 2 Wheel should select this option).
  
  For players using both Joy-Con 2 controllers, hold them vertically and press the L and R buttons on top.
  
  For players using the Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller, press the L and R shoulder buttons.
  
  Nintendo Switch controllers
  
  For players using a single Joy-Con each, hold the controller horizontally and press the SL and SR buttons on top (players using the Joy-Con Wheel should select this option).
  
  For players using both Joy-Con controllers, hold them vertically and press the L and R buttons on top (players using the Toy-Con Motorbike should select this option).
  
  For players using the Nintendo Switch Pro Controller, press the L and R shoulder buttons.
  
  Nintendo Switch controller options
  
  For players using a single Joy-Con each, hold the controller horizontally and press the SL and SR buttons on top (players using the Joy-Con Wheel should select this option).
  
  For players using both Joy-Con controllers, hold them vertically and press the L and R buttons on top (players using the Toy-Con Motorbike should select this option).
  
  For players using the Nintendo Switch Pro Controller, press the L and R shoulder buttons.
  
  Once the controllers are set for each player, have Player 1 press the button indicated on the screen.
  
  Select a Mii for the second player to continue.
  
  Have Player 1 select a racing mode.
  
  Which racing mode would you like to play? Worldwide Regional Friends Tournaments
2. Select VS Race or Battle.
  
  Select the characters and additional racing options, then select OK Aceptar OK OK to begin the race.
  
  Certain game modes allow you to adjust the items that appear in the race or battle, such as the Frantic Items option (powerful items will appear more frequently) or the Skilled Items option (powerful items will appear less frequently).
  
  Players using the Toy-Con Motorbike should insert their Joy-Con when prompted, before selecting OK to begin the race.
  
  Select VS Race or Battle.
  
  Select the characters and additional racing options, then select OK Aceptar OK OK to begin the race.
  
  Certain game modes allow you to adjust the items that appear in the race or battle, such as the Frantic Items option (powerful items will appear more frequently) or the Skilled Items option (powerful items will appear less frequently).
  
  Players using the Toy-Con Motorbike should insert their Joy-Con when prompted, before selecting OK Aceptar OK OK to begin the race.
  
  The host player (Player 1) needs to create the room and race settings.
  
  Have Player 1 select Create Room, then Yes.
  
  Adjust the racing character and options to appear in the room.
  
  Have Player 1 press the A Button to bring up the game settings.
  
  Adjust the race or battle type (i.e. 150cc, Balloon Battle, etc.) and the race settings, such as the Teams and Race Count settings.
  
  Certain game modes allow you to adjust the items that appear in the race or battle, such as the Frantic Items option (powerful items will appear more frequently) or the Skilled Items option (powerful items will appear less frequently).
  
  Once they are set, press the B Button to return to the room.
  
  Once the room is created, all other players need to join the room.
  
  Locate Player 1's name under "Friends". Select Player 1's name to continue.
  
  Adjust the racing character and options to appear in Player 1's room.
  
  Once all the players have joined the room, have the host player press the A Button twice to confirm the settings.
  
  After the players in the room have selected their characters and karts, players will be asked to select their preferred course, and then the match will start.
  
  Do you want to create a new tournament, or search for an existing one? Create a Tournament Search by Code Search by Tournament Type Search Active Tournaments
3. Select Create a Tournament.
  
  Select OK Aceptar OK OK, then Yes.
  
  Choose an icon for the tournament.
  
  Enter a name for the tournament.
  
  Select the rules and additional racing options, as well as the time that the tournament will be active.
  
  Select options for the player rating and whether to require a code to join the tournament.
  
  Once all the settings have been selected, select OK Aceptar OK OK to finish creating the tournament. A code for the tournament will appear on the screen that can be shared with other players.
  
  When the tournament is active, select it from your Favorites list.
  
  Note: While the tournament is not active, you can choose to adjust the settings or delete the tournament here.
  
  Select Join.
  
  Select your character and kart settings.
  
  Select your preferred course.
  
  After the players in the room have selected their characters, karts, and preferred courses, the match will start.
  
  Select Search by Code.
  
  Enter the 12-digit code for the tournament, then select OK Aceptar OK OK.
  
  Select Join.
  
  Select your character and kart settings.
  
  Select your preferred course.
  
  After the players in the room have selected their characters, karts, and preferred courses, the match will start.
  
  Select Search by Tournament Type.
  
  Adjust the various tournament settings to filter the search, then press the A Button.
  
  Select a tournament from the results.
  
  Select Join.
  
  Select your character and kart settings.
  
  Select your preferred course.
  
  After the players in the room have selected their characters, karts, and preferred courses, the match will start.
  
  Select Search Active Tournaments.
  
  Select a tournament from the results.
  
  Select Join.
  
  Select your character and kart settings.
  
  Select your preferred course.
  
  After the players in the room have selected their characters, karts, and preferred courses, the match will start.
Wireless Play (2-8 players, up to two per console)
1. Have all participating players highlight Wireless Play on the game’s title menu, and select either the 1P or 2P option.
2. If more than one person will be playing on a console, complete these additional steps:
  1. Choose the appropriate controller type for each player. Wireless multiplayer with more than one person using the same console cannot be played in Handheld Mode. You will be prompted to detach the Joy-Con 2 or Joy-Con controllers or connect additional controllers.
    - Nintendo Switch 2 controller options
      
      Nintendo Switch 2 controllers
      
      For players using a single Joy-Con 2 each, hold the controller horizontally and press the SL and SR buttons on top (players using the Joy-Con 2 Wheel should select this option).
      
      For players using both Joy-Con 2 controllers, hold them vertically and press the L and R buttons on top.
      
      For players using the Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller, press the L and R shoulder buttons.
      
      Nintendo Switch controllers
      
      For players using a single Joy-Con each, hold the controller horizontally and press the SL and SR buttons on top (players using the Joy-Con Wheel should select this option).
      
      For players using both Joy-Con controllers, hold them vertically and press the L and R buttons on top (players using the Toy-Con Motorbike should select this option).
      
      For players using the Nintendo Switch Pro Controller, press the L and R shoulder buttons.
    - Nintendo Switch controller options
      
      For players using a single Joy-Con each, hold the controller horizontally and press the SL and SR buttons on top (players using the Joy-Con Wheel should select this option).
      
      For players using both Joy-Con controllers, hold them vertically and press the L and R buttons on top (players using the Toy-Con Motorbike should select this option).
      
      For players using the Nintendo Switch Pro Controller, press the L and R shoulder buttons.
  2. Once the controllers are set for each player, have Player 1 press the button indicated on the screen.
  3. Select a Mii for the second player to continue.
3. The host player (Player 1) needs to create the room and race settings.
  1. Have Player 1 select Create Room.
  2. Adjust the racing character and options to appear in the room.
  3. Have Player 1 press the A Button to bring up the game settings.
  4. Adjust the race or battle type (i.e. 150cc, Balloon Battle, etc.) and the race settings, such as the Teams and Race Count settings.
    - Certain game modes allow you to adjust the items that appear in the race or battle, such as the Frantic Items option (powerful items will appear more frequently) or the Skilled Items option (powerful items will appear less frequently).
  5. Once the settings have been adjusted, press the B Button to return to the room.
4. Once the room is created, all other players need to join the room.
  1. Player 1 should now be displayed under "Lobby". Select Player 1's name to continue.
  2. Adjust the racing character and options to appear in Player 1's room.
5. Once all the players have joined the room, have the host player press the A Button twice to confirm the settings.
6. After the players in the room have selected their characters and karts, players will be asked to select their preferred course, and then the match will start.
LAN Play (2-12 players, up to two per console)

For help setting up a LAN mode multiplayer game, see How to Use the LAN Play Feature of Mario Kart 8 Deluxe.