Mario Kart World: Key Items from Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Missing in Franchise’s Latest Entry

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe has long been a flagship title on the Nintendo Switch, distinguished not just by its fast-paced racing action but also by a vibrant lineup of inventive items.

With the unveiling of Mario Kart World, fans were eager to see which of their favorite features would return.

However, Nintendo has confirmed that a few well-known items from Mario Kart 8 Deluxe will not be featured in Mario Kart World, signaling a significant shift in gameplay dynamics for the upcoming release. One of the most notable exclusions is the Crazy Eight item.

Originally introduced as an enhancement of the Lucky Seven in Mario Kart 7, Crazy Eight stands out by granting players eight unique items simultaneously—Banana, Green Shell, Red Shell, Bob-omb, Star, Mushroom, Blooper, and Coin.

In Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, these items rotate around a player’s kart, introducing both strategic opportunities and risks, such as the chance for opponents to snatch away power-ups mid-race.

The rarity and power of Crazy Eight made it a spectacle, but its absence in Mario Kart World appears to be rooted in game balancing decisions.

Additionally, Crazy Eight’s association with the number eight was a fitting nod to its predecessor’s title.

Since Mario Kart World diverges from number-based branding, Nintendo’s decision to remove the item aligns with the new game’s thematic direction. Another fan-favorite missing from Mario Kart World is the Piranha Plant item.

Debuting in Mario Kart 8, this item provided players with a unique tactical advantage—allowing users to bite nearby opponents, consume obstacles, and gain speed boosts whenever the Piranha Plant took action.

This not only offered crowd-control advantages, especially on crowded tracks, but also contributed a whimsical, visually dynamic element to races.

However, the utility of Piranha Plant was often situational, and its overall impact on gameplay was sometimes limited.

The decision to retire this item may be influenced by its evolving role within the franchise; notably, in Mario Kart World, Piranha Plant makes its debut as an interactive obstacle character, marking a new type of challenge for competitors. According to statements from the development team, these omissions result from a desire to create a balanced, fresh experience tailored for Mario Kart World’s new tracks and mechanics.

The team aims to streamline the item roster, prioritizing those that best complement the upcoming game’s design philosophy. Mario Kart World’s ability to refresh and reinvent core gameplay elements while respecting the legacy of past entries highlights Nintendo’s continued commitment to innovation on the Nintendo Switch and future hardware.

As the release date approaches, longtime fans and new players alike will be watching to see how these changes impact the game’s enduring appeal. Mario Kart World is set to launch soon on Nintendo Switch, with additional details to be shared via upcoming Nintendo Direct presentations and official eShop announcements.

For now, the exclusion of items such as Crazy Eight and Piranha Plant sets the stage for a new era in the storied Mario Kart franchise.

Mario Kart Mario Kart World Mario Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Mario Kart 8 Piranha Plant Kart Nintendo Crazy Eight Nintendo Switch