How to Have a LAN Party on Mario Kart 8 Deluxe

While at PAX East 2017, I had the privilege of sitting in on a private session of Mario Kart 8 Deluxe with the Nintendo crew and several other video game journalists. Due to the nature of the event’s many wireless signals, we tried out the game’s LAN (local area network) mode. Not only does playing over LAN allow for a strong connection between players, it also allows you to play with up to 12 racers at a time. Local wireless mode only allows for up to eight players.

We know many of you will want to have Mario Kart 8 Deluxe LAN parties when the game launches on April 28, 2017. In order to do so, you will need the following:

• A docked Nintendo Switch for every TV. However, each Switch/TV can support up to two players.
• A USB LAN adapter connected to each Nintendo Switch’s dock. You should be able to use anything on the market. We actually were using Wii LAN adapters at PAX.
• Controllers for everyone playing. Again, you can have up to two players per Switch/TV.
• A network hub that will allow for the number of Nintendo Switch consoles you are using. For example, if you will have eight Switches, you need at least an eight-port hub.
• A copy of Mario Kart 8 Deluxe for each Nintendo Switch. This game does not allow for download play, so every Switch is going to need its own cartridge or downloaded copy of the game.

After all the Nintendo Switches are started and have fired up the game, here is how you begin LAN mode:

1. Navigate to the game’s main screen.
2. Hold down your L and R buttons and press the left analog stick on the player-one controller.
3. You will see the “Wireless Play” change to “LAN Play.”
4. Confirm your controllers and Mii profiles.
5. Whoever is the host will choose “Create Room.” Others will select the room in the lobby.
6. Select your characters, karts, event, and track.
7. Have fun!

There is, of course, the possibility that Nintendo may update the software before launch to include LAN Play as a regular option on the main screen whenever you have a LAN adapter connected to a hub. For now, though, you will have to use the button combination that feels like an old-school cheat code, which is actually quite fun!

There you go! As you wait for Mario Kart 8 Deluxe to launch on April 28, be sure to get your LAN adapters and hubs ready!

Steve Cullum

Steve is the Senior Editor of NintendoFuse and co-host of the NintendoFuse Podcast. He’s been a Nintendo gamer since age 6 and has been on staff with NintendoFuse since 2008.