Mario Kart 8 DeluxeRated
Important: photosensitivity / seizure warning
Flashing or strobe effects (Offline races vs computer (50cc, assists on)): No game-specific source. Nintendo's general photosensitivity warning applies. Still checking: Check Rainbow Road and item effects for flashing. One anecdotal r/Epilepsy thread mentions lightheadedness. Source
Flashing or strobe effects (Online races): No game-specific source. Nintendo's general photosensitivity warning applies. Still checking: Check Rainbow Road and item effects for flashing. One anecdotal r/Epilepsy thread mentions lightheadedness. Source
If your child has epilepsy or is sensitive to flashing lights, please talk to your doctor and preview this part of the game yourself. See also general photosensitivity information.
At a glance
| Platforms | Nintendo Switch (src: ESRB) |
|---|---|
| ESRB rating | E (ESRB record) |
| Ways to play | Single-player; local & online multiplayer (verify) |
First 10 minutes
Smart Steering and Auto-Accelerate are on by default and can be toggled from the pause menu (Polygon). Start at 50cc (Can I Play That). If losing is hard for your child, set a different goal like 'finish the race' (Steady Strides). Nobody on our team has played the opening yet.
Sensory scale
Each item is scored from 0 to 3: 0 = None; 1 = Mild, or can be turned off; 2 = Frequent; 3 = Intense and can’t be avoided. “Not enough info yet” means we couldn’t find good evidence, so we didn’t guess. For “Ease of stopping”, a higher score means it’s harder to stop.
Mode: Offline races vs computer (50cc, assists on)
| What we check | Score | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Flashing or strobe effects | Not enough info yet | No game-specific source. Nintendo's general photosensitivity warning applies. Source for Flashing or strobe effects, Offline races vs computer (50cc, assists on) Still checking: Check Rainbow Road and item effects for flashing. One anecdotal r/Epilepsy thread mentions lightheadedness. |
| Sudden loud sounds | 2 of 3 | Steady Strides: racing games 'can be loud and high energy'. FGD lists Balance Audio Levels. Source for Sudden loud sounds, Offline races vs computer (50cc, assists on) Still checking: This source talks about racing games in general. Confirm for this game. |
| Timers or time pressure | Not enough info yet | No source on time pressure. Speed can be lowered with 50cc (FGD: Adjust Speed). Source for Timers or time pressure, Offline races vs computer (50cc, assists on) |
| Failure and losing | 2 of 3 | You can lose races. Steady Strides suggests changing the goal to 'finish the race' if losing upsets your child. Source for Failure and losing, Offline races vs computer (50cc, assists on) |
| Difficulty spikes | 1 of 3 | 50cc speed plus Smart Steering and Auto-Accelerate, both on by default (Polygon; Can I Play That). Source for Difficulty spikes, Offline races vs computer (50cc, assists on) |
| Scary content and jump scares | Not enough info yet | No source on scary content. Common Sense Media describes the violence as cartoonish. Source for Scary content and jump scares, Offline races vs computer (50cc, assists on) |
| Screen motion and camera speed | Not enough info yet | No source on camera speed or screen shake. Source for Screen motion and camera speed, Offline races vs computer (50cc, assists on) |
| Competition and online strangers | 1 of 3 | Competitive against computer racers, but no strangers offline. Source for Competition and online strangers, Offline races vs computer (50cc, assists on) |
| Ease of stopping | Not enough info yet | No source on pausing or saving mid-cup. Source for Ease of stopping, Offline races vs computer (50cc, assists on) |
| Reading load and text speed | 0 of 3 | FGD lists Simple Minimal Reading. Source for Reading load and text speed, Offline races vs computer (50cc, assists on) |
Mode: Online races
| What we check | Score | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Flashing or strobe effects | Not enough info yet | No game-specific source. Nintendo's general photosensitivity warning applies. Source for Flashing or strobe effects, Online races Still checking: Check Rainbow Road and item effects for flashing. One anecdotal r/Epilepsy thread mentions lightheadedness. |
| Sudden loud sounds | 2 of 3 | Steady Strides: racing games 'can be loud and high energy'. FGD lists Balance Audio Levels. Source for Sudden loud sounds, Online races Still checking: This source talks about racing games in general. Confirm for this game. |
| Timers or time pressure | Not enough info yet | No source on time pressure. Speed can be lowered with 50cc (FGD: Adjust Speed). Source for Timers or time pressure, Online races |
| Failure and losing | 2 of 3 | You can lose races. Steady Strides suggests changing the goal to 'finish the race' if losing upsets your child. Source for Failure and losing, Online races |
| Difficulty spikes | 1 of 3 | 50cc speed plus Smart Steering and Auto-Accelerate, both on by default (Polygon; Can I Play That). Source for Difficulty spikes, Online races |
| Scary content and jump scares | Not enough info yet | No source on scary content. Common Sense Media describes the violence as cartoonish. Source for Scary content and jump scares, Online races |
| Screen motion and camera speed | Not enough info yet | No source on camera speed or screen shake. Source for Screen motion and camera speed, Online races |
| Competition and online strangers | 2 of 3 | Races against other players online. FGD: no online chat (or preset phrases only). ESRB: online interactions not rated. Source for Competition and online strangers, Online races |
| Ease of stopping | Not enough info yet | No source on pausing or saving mid-cup. Source for Ease of stopping, Online races |
| Reading load and text speed | 0 of 3 | FGD lists Simple Minimal Reading. Source for Reading load and text speed, Online races |
Concerns to check
Losing races, loud/high energy (per source); use assist options
Loud or sudden soundsFailure or difficulty
Where to buy
Sources
- Steady Strides ABA (autism Switch guide)
- ESRB rating record
- Family Gaming Database accessibility report
- Common Sense Media review
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