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[Neiteio]

Lakitu, in the Steel Driver on Wario's Gold Mine. Pleasantly surprised how smoothly it handles, despite looking bulky:

DK's dong expanding as he takes in the delicious sun-baked cheddar and amazing theme song of Cheese Land.

Cat Peach is adorable, bordering on lethal levels of sugary sweetness. Seen here in Wild Woods and Animal Crossing [Summer]:

Dry Bones and Dry Bowser duking it out on Royal Raceway. Note the silver-and-pink checkerboard walls — love those:

The impossibly cute Isabelle, of Animal Crossing fame, soaring on her paper airplane glider through the stormy skies of Neo Bower City:

 

[Neiteio]

Thanks!

Lmao that Tanooki Mario gif

Speaking of Tanooki Mario, this shot I took reminds me of Garfield, lol. One pajama-clad person glowering at another!

Also like how Cat Peach looks flailing about when she's hit (and how Daisy happens to be driving a cat-themed vehicle):

If you showed me these screenshots in the 90s when I was playing Mario Kart 64... damn.

I can still hardly believe we're playing a game this good-looking in the present, and I say that as someone who's been playing on high-end PCs for quite some time. :-O

MK8 isn't just about pushing tech; obviously there are games that push more. But it's about executing an artistic and creative vision pretty much flawlessly.

 

[sleepnaught]

This why art style is way more important to me than raw power. I've barely touched my gaming PC since getting Zelda and MK8D with my Switch. Nintendo games have a certain charm you just can't find anywhere else. I can not freakin' wait to see what odessey has in store for us.

 

[Milly Osworth]

It's not just art style though. MK is super fluid and the animation is really good.

 

[Neiteio]

So what is everyone's favorite course in terms of world design, visual style, iconic imagery, etc?

 

[Milly Osworth]

Royal Raceway for me because of the connection to Mario 64 and it just looks gorgeous.

 

[Neiteio]

Royal Raceway for me because of the connection to Mario 64 and it just looks gorgeous.

Wow, I actually feel the same way. MK64 was the game of my childhood, and Royal Raceway was my favorite course in it. But even if it didn't have that connection, it'd still be a favorite in MK8D.

It just feels like a special event. The confetti and cherry blossoms fluttering down; the hot air balloons in the pastel pink skies and swan boats on the quicksilver lake; the jeweled crown over the grandstand; the massive ramp with its garland arches and church bells, and white doves scattering at the last moment; the snapping piranha plants and checkered walls on the roadside; the signage for the "Women of Racing Organization" (featuring a conspicuously absent Birdo); the gated-off castle, and the electronic billboard with team names like "LORD BOWSER," etc.

It's detail overload in a game full of detailed courses!

A few screens from it:

 

[Vic]

Bullshots, all of them.

/s

Seriously, they look like pre-rendered shots.

 

[RGVNOE]

some shots from today

 

[Neiteio]

Great shots, RGVNOE. I especially like the Tick-Tock Clock ones — the varnished wood floor being my favorite visual flourish. To think we've come from the foggy emptiness of Tick-Tock Clock in SM64 to the fully realized clocktower in MK8D today. Makes me wonder what a Bob-omb Battlefield course would look like. :-O

 

[mohuerta]

Some of my shots. Playing mostly handheld mode, but some docked mode screenshots mixed in there too. Click on image to see full resolution.

 

[Neiteio]

Hey Mohuerta, I'm clicking on the thumbnails but it's not bringing up the high-res images (I'm on mobile at the moment). Also, how do you embed thumbnails like that?

 

[mohuerta]

Hey Mohuerta, I'm clicking on the thumbnails but it's not bringing up the high-res images (I'm on mobile at the moment). Also, how do you embed thumbnails like that?

Clicking on them worked on pc. Just tried on my tablet and not working the same. Try touching the image on mobile and open in New tab in your browser for full res.
As for the thumbnails, after I uploaded to postimage.org it gave me the code to post the thumbnails.

 

[Neiteio]

Clicking on them worked on pc. Just tried on my tablet and not working the same. Try touching the image on mobile and open in New tab in your browser for full res.
As for the thumbnails, after I uploaded to postimage.org it gave me the code to post the thumbnails.

I'm checking them out now on my laptop, and they look great! You should try taking the direct link to the high-res original and just posting it in quotes here, though. That way, their "thumbnail" will display bigger.

 

[RGVNOE]

Great shots, RGVNOE. I especially like the Tick-Tock Clock ones — the varnished wood floor being my favorite visual flourish. To think we've come from the foggy emptiness of Tick-Tock Clock in SM64 to the fully realized clocktower in MK8D today. Makes me wonder what a Bob-omb Battlefield course would look like. :-O

thanks, yea definitely love how that stage looks, and one that I do enjoy racing on. I used to love playing on battle on Block fort, would love for them to bring that one back

 

[bobbychalkers]

Saw the title of the thread, went in, thought "This looks like a Neiteio thread" and then looked at the topic creator and lo and behold I was right

I did the same thing.

 

[OrbitalBeard]

Great thread! Loving all these screenshots.

Playing Mario Kart 8 Deluxe in handheld mode is a mind-blowing experience. What a game.

 

[toadsworth]

This shot is incredible.

I love how much attention this game is getting, it's incredibly well made.

 

[Jintor]

Anyone have any track comparisons for the ported tracks?

Want to get that maximum relativity

 

[HooYaH]

No evil Luigi so thread fails.

 

[TZchassis]

I want to see the same complexity of these gorgeous courses (details of sand, snow, wood, etc. / different weather / attention to details ) on a HD Super Mario platforming game. 3D World looked really nice but the levels were way more minimalistic in their appearance. Odyssey seems to be more of what I want.

Imagine roaming around that Dry-Bones or Thomp levels.

 

[Neiteio]

Inkling Girl in the Pipe Frame (an N64 classic) racing along Dragon Driftway — love the red lanterns, the cliffside trees, the pagodas, etc.

Some Isabelle and Inkling Girl action in the warm waters of Dolphin Shoals (including the infamous eel from SM64). Dolphin Shoals is one of my favorite new courses:

Continuing with my Inkling Girl shots, here are some scenes from Animal Crossing [Autumn], featuring a variety of villagers. Note the shot showing her mid-transformation!

 

[Col.Asher]

if there is one thing nintendo knows how to do, it's making gorgeous games that are fun to play.

 

[Griss]

N64 Rainbow Road is probably my favorite. This is actually one of my favorite screenshots for anything ever:

Rosalina's look of wonder, that perfect view of the nightlit downtown, the Toad firework...it's like Christmas for the eyes!

Still remember the night that course was revealed.

If you were commissioning a piece of art to celebrate Mario Kart, you couldn't dream up or frame a better piece than this. The rainbow track bisecting the image, the perfect semi-circle of the toad town, the fireworks, the warm, inviting lighting, Roslina's positioning adhering to the rule of thirds... it's perfect. It really is one of the best screenshots I've ever seen.

It's just the way that Rosalina has the exact same look on her face that the player does while playing it... "I can't believe this... is this real? What is this sheer joy I'm feeling?"

 

[cacildo]

If only they had games in which you could explore stages as beautiful as these, instead of just rush through it

(I love mk8, but to just see these stages without an adventure game to explore em is torture)

 

[VanWinkle]

This why art style is way more important to me than raw power. I've barely touched my gaming PC since getting Zelda and MK8D with my Switch. Nintendo games have a certain charm you just can't find anywhere else. I can not freakin' wait to see what odessey has in store for us.

I think it's a PERFECT example of the benefits of added power, actually. Look at Mario Kart Wii (or Mario Kart 7 if you want to compare it to their last handheld) and compare it to this, and see what modern shaders, lighting, and normal maps can do for a game.

 

[EhrgeizVII]

Looking at the screenshots and playing the game makes me so happy. Something about that Nintendo feeling.

I hope Super Mario Odyssey will use this engine. Would be great to have this artstyle in an open worldish 60 fps platformer.

 

[Jo Shishido's Cheeks]

Unquestionably the best looking Nintendo game, leaves me in awe often.
I spend way too much time in MKTV and yet spot new details every time I do.

Just yesterday I drove into a rock on the Animal Crossing course and a coin came out. Bravo.

 

[Panajev2001a]

Games like this are actually why some of us would like Nintendo to push for much more powerful hardware as we are sure Nintendo developers and artists would take advantage of it properly. The same Wayne i feel like Team ICO always took advantage of the HW it was on to make the game experience as a whole better and not to waste it on Just prettier pixels for the sake of it.

This game looks glorious even in 2 players split screen in handheld mode.

 

[Neiteio]

I quite like this combination: Iggy with the Wild Wiggler ATV, Leaf Tires and Waddlewing. Nice woodland theme!

When I think of Iggy, I think of Super Mario World, so let's go to Donut Plains 3. Note the wet sheen after he goes through water, and watch for the photo finish at the end:

Moving over to Bowser Jr., I finally unlocked the Clown Car, and decided to take it for a spin in the new Bowser's Castle:

 

[TheTeacher]

So what is everyone's favorite course in terms of world design, visual style, iconic imagery, etc?

Has to be Ribbon Road. The makeover it got is staggering and the track design in itself is class. Feels like a classic MK track through and through. Bowser Castle is also a fantastic looking track although it can get pretty busy at times. Shoutout to Hyrule Castle too. Music, sound effects and the Master Sword easter egg is pure fan service.

Rainbow Road has to be my least favourite. Having the insanely good looking N64 track in the same game doesn't help it. I know some of you appreciate it but I can't stand it metal (?) look.

 

[blu]

Haha, they went for *that* gesture!

This shot is incredible.

I love how much attention this game is getting, it's incredibly well made.

That shot also demonstrates perfectly the very good global illumination approximation that the game engine does - note how Wario being entirely in the shadow gets lots of blue light bounced from the water beneath.

 

[Litri]

Damn! That's beautiful!

 

[MCN]

Haha, they went for *that* gesture!

Isn't that considered super-offensive in some countries, including France?

 

[blu]

Isn't that considered super-offensive in some countries, including France?

I think it's offensive in 2/3rds of Europe : )

 

[Neiteio]

Meanwhile, at the Electrodrome:

And on Hyrule Circuit:

And at Wario Stadium:

 

[Kissenkopf]

The game looks so amazing. Both in photos and in motion. Add the brillant gameplay and music to the great visuals and you know why people love to double dip on that game.
They perfectly nailed all the different characters with some small gestures, different and personal mimic and the overall animations. They feel so alive and somehow they managed to put all those different game franchises in one big kart racer without any of them feel off as he doesn't belong in there. I think that is a big accomplishment with doesn't get enough credit.

 

[spekkeh]

Neiteio doing God's work with that capture card. I really hope Nintendo improves their photo sharing features.

Edit: wait you did just use the photo option? What the hell is wrong with their export to Facebook lol.

 

[Celine]

It's indeed a beautiful looking game (and the best Mario Kart ever), now with even better IQ on Switch.

 

[Neiteio]

Neiteio doing God's work with that capture card. I really hope Nintendo improves their photo sharing features.

Edit: wait you did just use the photo option? What the hell is wrong with their export to Facebook lol.

I hit the Capture Button on the Switch to take screenshots. They're saved to a microSD card, which I then put in my PC and upload to abload.de to share here. Not sure if that answers your question...?

 

[forknknife]

It blows my mind that the switch can produce a game that looks as good as this.

 

[Spring-Loaded]

Is this squid kid giving the "up yours" gesture?

 

[Neiteio]

Some shots I took on the new Mario Circuit, arguably the game's signature track:

 

[Neiteio]

Is this squid kid giving the "up yours" gesture?

Haha, pretty sure she's just grabbing her bicep, as though to say, "I'm strong!"

Then again, those Inklings have a lot of attitude...

 

[JonnyDBrit]

N64 Rainbow Road is probably my favorite. This is actually one of my favorite screenshots for anything ever:

Rosalina's look of wonder, that perfect view of the nightlit downtown, the Toad firework...it's like Christmas for the eyes!

While the Rosalina one is just perfect, I feel like both of these screenshots in particular look like professional, promotional shots. Griss covers Rosalina pretty well, but Donkey Kong showboating for the camera seems to kinda perfectly capture the whole 'just look how good this game looks' feel.

 

[Jonneh3003]

I want Animal Crossing on Switch yesterday:

Bonus Mute City

 

[Neiteio]

If you were commissioning a piece of art to celebrate Mario Kart, you couldn't dream up or frame a better piece than this. The rainbow track bisecting the image, the perfect semi-circle of the toad town, the fireworks, the warm, inviting lighting, Roslina's positioning adhering to the rule of thirds... it's perfect. It really is one of the best screenshots I've ever seen.

It's just the way that Rosalina has the exact same look on her face that the player does while playing it... "I can't believe this... is this real? What is this sheer joy I'm feeling?"

While the Rosalina one is just perfect, I feel like both of these screenshots in particular look like professional, promotional shots. Griss covers Rosalina pretty well, but Donkey Kong showboating for the camera seems to kinda perfectly capture the whole 'just look how good this game looks' feel.

That Rosalina shot is from Nintendo. They used it to promote Mario Kart 8. It's not his screenshot, and he never said it was. It's probably so perfect because they were able to use debug to place things just so.

 

[JonnyDBrit]

That Rosalina shot is from Nintendo. They used it to promote Mario Kart 8. It's not his screenshot, and he never said it was. It's probably so perfect because they were able to use debug to place things just so.

Ah damn. Way to kill the dream there; still can praise the Donkey Kong one though... right?!

 

[Neiteio]

Jonneh3003, I love the bonus pic of Mute City. That whole course is sleek beyond words.

Also, I agree, Animal Crossing on Switch needs to happen... Here's hoping it'll be at E3!

 

[Finale Fireworker]

I'm getting real tired of these terrific threads, Neiteio. You have to stop. I need to rest.

Gaming publications should just start sourcing your screenshots every time they need an image reference for games. Your pictures are the best in the business, but for you it's not business, it's personal.

You make most other screenshots out there just feel pointless and redundant, especially mine. Mine always have a hair on the lens or ghastly red-eye. How does this happen in screenshots, you ask? Gross incompetence triggered by the inescapable shadow of your excellence. For others, you inspire them to take their own tremendous stills that could come right from a magazine. For me, I wane into patheticism.

It's like you got all the good screenshot-taking genes and I got all the bad ones. You and I are enemies now.