Based on some new footage of Mario Kart 8 Deluxe on the Nintendo Switch, it looks like Nintendo has successfully removed the controversial fire hopping trick from the racing game. The change, while small, should help bolster fan excitement for the upcoming Mario Kart 8 Deluxe release.

For those who didn’t play Mario Kart 8 on Wii U, players figured out that they could gain small boosts by hopping left and right while coming out of a boost. The result was a small, but often beneficial boost to the players using the trick.

Much of the frustration for players around fire hopping came from how difficult it was to perform, making it a useful trick for those who mastered it. Granted, as the YouTube video below explains, the trick isn’t needed to win, but can help players shave off a couple seconds of their time, which could be enough to turn the tides in a race.

It’ll be interesting to see if Nintendo has patched any other glitches or exploits in Mario Kart 8 when the deluxe edition releases on Switch. After the massive success of The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild on the new Nintendo console, there’s little doubt the gaming giant is hoping for a strong showing with Mario Kart 8 Deluxe.

In fact, it seems Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is the perfect title for the Nintendo Switch’s multiplayer-on-the-go functions to shine. Since the Nintendo Switch can be used as a couch co-op device when in handheld mode, with players each using a separate Joy-Con, it’s imperative that the game sells well.

With Nintendo increasing production for the Nintendo Switch, and demand for the console still strong, having a successful launch of Mario Kart 8 Deluxe will help drive sales toward Nintendo’s goals.

mario kart 8 deluxe

Now, if only Nintendo would release a powerful Nintendo Switch battery boost so players could enjoy Mario Kart 8 Deluxe for longer than the expected 3 hours and 9 minutes currently available with the in-unit battery. For anyone who’s enjoyed a good Mario Kart rivalry, the excitement and competition is usually only getting started three hours in.

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is set to release on Nintendo Switch on April 28, 2017.

Source: YouTube - GameXplain