Mario Kart 8 Deluxe features a roster of 48 characters, each with unique attributes and weights that influence gameplay. The roster includes characters from the Mario universe, as well as guest appearances from other Nintendo franchises. Characters are categorized by weight class—Light, Medium, and Heavy—which affects their speed, acceleration, handling, and off-road performance. Below is a list of all racers in the order they appear in the game, including their weight class, style, notable traits, and whether they are newcomers to the Mario Kart series.

Standard Characters

Mario

Mario is a balanced, medium-weight character, offering a good mix of speed and handling. He’s an all-around option suitable for players of any skill level.

Luigi

Luigi mirrors Mario’s medium-weight stats, providing balanced performance across all categories. He’s a reliable choice for steady gameplay.

Peach

Peach is a medium-weight racer known for her slightly higher handling and acceleration compared to Mario and Luigi. She’s a well-rounded option.

Daisy

Daisy, like Peach, is a medium-weight character with strong handling. She’s a popular pick for players who prefer precise control.

Rosalina

Rosalina is a heavyweight character with a focus on high speed and decent handling. Her elegant design sets her apart.

Tanooki Mario

Introduced in Mario Kart 8, Tanooki Mario is a medium-weight character. His stats are similar to Mario, with a slightly unique handling profile.

Cat Peach

Cat Peach, also new to Mario Kart 8, is a medium-weight racer with slightly higher handling. Her adorable design appeals to casual players.

Yoshi

Yoshi is a medium-weight racer with balanced stats and a focus on acceleration. His cheerful personality makes him a fan favorite.

Toad

Toad is a quintessential lightweight character with excellent acceleration and handling. He’s a staple in the Mario Kart series and a popular pick for beginners.

Koopa Troopa

A classic lightweight character, Koopa Troopa boasts excellent handling and acceleration. He is a fan favorite due to his simplicity and versatility.

Shy Guy

Shy Guy is a lightweight-to-medium-weight racer with a focus on acceleration and handling. He’s known for his charming anonymity.

Lakitu

Lakitu, a lightweight racer introduced in Mario Kart 7, offers high acceleration and tight handling. Known for operating the race-start signal, he’s a fun addition to the roster.

Toadette

Toadette, introduced in Mario Kart: Double Dash!!, is similar to Toad in her lightweight stats. She’s a cheerful and agile option for players.

King Boo

Returning from Mario Kart: Double Dash!!, King Boo is a heavyweight racer with a slight emphasis on acceleration. His spooky design is a hit with fans.

Baby Mario

Baby Mario is a lightweight racer, offering high acceleration and excellent handling. His small size makes him less susceptible to attacks but prone to being knocked around by heavier characters.

Baby Luigi

Similar to Baby Mario, Baby Luigi is a lightweight racer with high acceleration and handling. His stats make him ideal for new players learning the game’s mechanics.

Baby Peach

Baby Peach is another lightweight character, excelling in acceleration and maneuverability. She debuted in Mario Kart Wii and is a popular choice for players who favor control over speed.

Baby Daisy

Baby Daisy, introduced in Mario Kart Wii, has stats nearly identical to Baby Peach, focusing on quick acceleration and tight handling.

Baby Rosalina

A newcomer introduced in Mario Kart 8, Baby Rosalina is a lightweight racer with high acceleration. She offers an accessible option for players looking for an agile character.

Metal Mario

Metal Mario is a heavyweight racer with high speed and weight but lower acceleration. He’s a metallic version of the classic character.

Pink Gold Peach

Similar to Metal Mario, Pink Gold Peach is a heavyweight racer with identical stats. She adds a luxurious touch to the roster.

Wario

Wario is a heavyweight racer with high speed and weight. His aggressive style appeals to players who enjoy chaotic races.

Waluigi

Waluigi, a fan favorite, is a heavy-to-medium racer with balanced handling and speed. His unique design makes him a fun choice.

Donkey Kong

Donkey Kong is a heavyweight character with strong speed and weight. He’s a solid choice for experienced players who can handle his slower acceleration.

Bowser

Bowser is a heavyweight racer with high top speed but low acceleration and handling. His size makes him a powerful presence on the track.

Dry Bones

Returning from Mario Kart DS, Dry Bones is a lightweight character with high acceleration and handling. He is particularly effective on tracks with sharp turns.

Bowser Jr.

Bowser Jr. is a medium-heavy racer with balanced stats. His mischievous personality adds character to the roster.

Dry Bowser

Dry Bowser is a heavyweight racer with high speed and weight. His skeletal design makes him one of the most intimidating characters.

Koopalings

Larry Koopa

Larry is a lightweight racer with high acceleration and handling, making him agile and beginner-friendly.

Morton Koopa Jr.

Morton is a heavyweight racer with a focus on speed and power. His large size makes him a tank on the track.

Wendy O. Koopa

Wendy is a medium-weight character with balanced stats and unique handling characteristics.

Iggy Koopa

Iggy is a medium-weight racer with quirky animations and solid handling.

Roy Koopa

Roy is a heavyweight racer with high speed and weight. His stylish sunglasses make him stand out.

Lemmy Koopa

Lemmy is a lightweight racer with high acceleration and playful animations.

Ludwig von Koopa

Ludwig is a medium-heavy racer with strong handling and speed characteristics.

Guest Characters

Link

A guest character from The Legend of Zelda, Link is a medium-weight racer. His balanced stats and unique Master Cycle vehicle make him a standout choice.

Villager (Male & Female)

The Villagers from Animal Crossing come in both male and female forms. The male Villager is medium-weight, while the female Villager is lightweight, both offering good handling.

Isabelle

A guest character from Animal Crossing, Isabelle is a lightweight racer. She excels in handling and acceleration, making her a charming and effective choice.

Inkling Boy & Girl

Newcomers from Splatoon, Inkling Boy is a medium-weight character, while Inkling Girl is lightweight. Both offer high handling and modern flair.

Mii

The customizable Mii character can vary in weight and stats depending on the player’s design, making it a versatile option.

DLC Characters

Birdo

Birdo, introduced in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe’s Booster Course Pass, is a medium-weight racer. She comes in multiple color variations and has balanced stats, making her a versatile choice.

Petey Piranha

Returning from Mario Kart: Double Dash!!, Petey Piranha is a heavyweight character with high speed and weight. His larger size makes him a formidable presence on the track.

Wiggler

Wiggler, from Mario Kart 7, is a medium-heavy racer with unique animations. He offers a mix of speed and acceleration, suitable for various track types.

Kamek

Kamek, a newcomer, is a lightweight character with strong handling and acceleration. His addition has been highly anticipated by fans of the Mario series.

Pauline

Pauline, from Super Mario Odyssey, is a medium-weight racer. Her high handling and speed make her a balanced option for competitive play.

Peachette

Peachette is a lightweight racer introduced in the Booster Course Pass. She offers high acceleration and handling, making her ideal for players who prefer agile characters.

Diddy Kong

Returning from Mario Kart Wii, Diddy Kong is a medium-weight racer with excellent handling. His playful animations and charm make him a popular pick.

Funky Kong

Funky Kong, a fan favorite from Mario Kart Wii, is a heavyweight racer with high speed and unique animations. His laid-back style resonates with players seeking top-tier performance.

• • Baby Rosalina is the only baby character with a unique voice clip when she crosses the finish line.

  • Link from The Legend of Zelda is a guest character in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe and appears in the game as part of the game's DLC.

  • King Boo can hold two items at once, a unique ability for a heavyweight character.

  • Pink Gold Peach is a heavy character introduced in Mario Kart 8 as a new version of Princess Peach.

  • Metal Mario and Pink Gold Peach share identical stats except for their appearances, both being heavy characters.

  • Toadette was introduced as a playable character in the Mario Kart series for the first time in Mario Kart: Double Dash!! but has been a regular in later games.

  • Shy Guy is a secret unlockable character, and one of the most popular characters in the Mario Kart series.

  • Lakitu, known for being the referee who keeps players in line, is a non-playable character, but players can see him as a background figure.

  • Waluigi was originally a partner for Wario in Mario Kart: Double Dash!! and has since become a popular solo racer in the series.

  • Donkey Kong is one of the few heavy characters in the game that doesn’t have a special ability, unlike others such as King Boo.

  • Rosalina made her debut in Mario Kart in Mario Kart 7, and her appearance in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe brought her special star powers.

  • Tanooki Mario is a special character variant introduced in Mario Kart 8 and is inspired by Super Mario 3D Land.

  • Baby Mario and Baby Luigi are the only characters to have specific "baby" versions in the game, focusing on acceleration and handling.

  • Bowser Jr. has appeared in every Mario Kart game since Mario Kart: Double Dash!!.

  • Yoshi can be customized in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe by selecting various colors, with each color offering a different visual appearance but identical stats.

  • Princess Daisy is one of the light-medium characters in the game and offers an interesting mix of acceleration and handling.

  • Mario is one of the few characters whose voice is performed by the series' longtime creator, Shigeru Miyamoto, though in later games it’s done by Charles Martinet.

  • Wario is known for his strong top speed and heavy character class but struggles with acceleration.

  • Peach has two playable versions: her standard form and her Cat Peach form from Super Mario 3D World.

  • Toad is often considered one of the fastest characters in terms of acceleration, and he’s frequently used in time trials.

  • Link’s inclusion in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe marks the first time a non-Mario character was part of the main roster in a Mario Kart title.

  • Dry Bones has a unique skeletal design, and it was the first time he appeared as a playable character in Mario Kart 8.

  • Baby Rosalina is a baby version of the adult Rosalina character from Super Mario Galaxy.

  • Koopa Troopa returns in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe after his absence in Mario Kart 7.

  • Luigi is known for his high handling and drift capabilities, which makes him an excellent choice for players looking to navigate tight corners.

  • Metal Mario shares the same stats as Gold Mario, which is unlocked by collecting all 10,000 coins in the game.

  • Gold Mario is a color swap of Metal Mario, unlocked after completing a difficult coin challenge.

  • King Boo’s design was influenced by his ghostly appearance in the Luigi's Mansion series.

  • Mii characters can be customized with various outfits and accessories, allowing players to have personalized avatars.

  • Cat Peach has a unique feature that allows her to cling to walls, making her useful in off-road sections.

  • Lakitu is the game's guide for players who fall off the track, making sure to bring them back on.

  • Baby Luigi shares similar stats to Baby Mario but has a different appearance and a distinct voice.

  • Shy Guy first appeared as a playable character in the Mario Kart series in Mario Kart DS.

  • Toadette is known for her high handling and acceleration, making her a great choice for beginners.

  • Metal Mario is a heavier variant of Mario with metallic armor, giving him higher top speed but lower acceleration.

  • Mario Kart 8 Deluxe features over 40 playable characters, including DLC characters like Link and Villager.

  • Villager (Male) and Villager (Female) are also guest characters in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, originating from Animal Crossing.

  • Baby Rosalina is voiced by the same actress who voices Rosalina in Super Mario Galaxy.

  • Rosalina's outfit is inspired by her appearance in Super Mario Galaxy, complete with her starry theme.

  • Mii characters are based on the player's custom avatars from the Nintendo Mii system, and their stats vary based on weight class.

  • Yoshi has the highest number of color variations in the game, each one offering a different visual representation.

  • Baby Mario and Baby Luigi share similar stats to their adult counterparts but are lighter and faster in terms of acceleration.

  • Wario is the only character whose personal vehicle, the Badwagon, is a unique kart with special stats.

  • Donkey Kong is one of the heaviest characters in the game, focusing on high speed and power.

  • Link’s Master Cycle Zero is modeled after a futuristic motorcycle, giving Link a unique ride compared to other characters.

  • Princess Peach is one of the most balanced characters in the game, suitable for both novice and experienced players.

  • Shy Guy has a signature ability that allows him to blend into the background of certain tracks.

  • Baby Peach is often considered the fastest in acceleration, making her a great choice for players who prioritize quick starts.

  • Waluigi is a favorite character for competitive players due to his good balance of speed and handling.

  • Bowser Jr. is a skilled racer, capable of competing against both light and heavy characters.

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