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Link Made Mario Kart 8 Better

Link Made Mario Kart 8 Better

Mario Kart 8 is one of the Wii U’s best games. Universally loved by both fans and critics, it’s proven itself a solid installment in the series. It makes people happy. Yet, I can’t help but feel the game’s best days are ahead of it, in part due to the newly added presence of the hero of Hyrule, Link.

The newly arrived Mario Kart 8 DLC pack is a boon, to be sure, breathing life into a six month old game as its luster was beginning to fade. The addition of eight new tracks, four new vehicles, and three new characters is unquestionably great. But we all have to admit that it’s Link that has made a great game even better.

It’s the little things that struck me as I first enjoyed using this iconic, tunic-ed hero in Mario Kart 8 . The care that went into making him a perfect replica of the character we’ve known in love. The inclusion of his unique voice, which stands out so vividly against the other characters. The flourishes as he speeds around the track. Every time I hear him yell, “Ha!” as he starts off a race or see him brandish his sword, I smile.

Especially since Link and his complementary accoutrements perfectly exemplify Nintendo’s willingness to open up Mario Kart 8 to new ideas. It may be parroting the Sonic & Sega All-Stars Racing series, but that doesn’t matter. What matters is that Mario Kart 8 now has the potential to be open to other series’, and that Nintendo is ensuring these mashups work. Hyrule Circuit, the Master Cycle, and the other cross-overs that have leaked into the installment thanks to the first DLC pack fit perfectly within the realm of the game. None of it ever feels like a cash-in. Everything naturally blends together.

Link Made Mario Kart 8 Better

However, the main reason for my jubiliation over Link’s appearance comes down to one thing: I hated the Mercedes Benz free DLC for Mario Kart 8 . I felt it was intrusive and never used it. The funny thing is, Link makes the Mercedes Benz look good. As much as I hated this marketing ploy, I can’t help but stick this iconic hero in a real world car for the lulz. Once he’s inside, he looks like one of those kids, riding around in one of those 12 Volt ride-on toys. Link’s inclusion makes me happy that DLC exists.

We can all agree that Mario Kart 8 is a good game, one that people can enjoy for months and years after its release. But, now that the first DLC has appeared, I hope we can all also agree that Link’s presence as a playable character makes the game even better. Not only does it immediately make everything feel shiny and new again, but it also allows us to take heart in the fact that future DLC will hopefully be just as well implemented.

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