Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesYes. In Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, one Joy-Con is enough for one player: hold it horizontally and press SL and SR when the game asks you to choose a controller. Two people can play on one console with one Joy-Con each, subject to the console and mode limits below.
Can you play Mario Kart with one Joy-Con?
Yes—this setup is supported in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. A single Joy-Con can control one player in solo play or as one player’s controller in multiplayer. The instructions here apply to Mario Kart 8 Deluxe; they should not be assumed to apply to every Mario Kart game or console generation.
Can two people play Mario Kart with one Joy-Con each?
Yes. Each person uses a separate Joy-Con, held sideways, so two players can share one console without needing a full pair of Joy-Cons per player. Nintendo lists local multiplayer for two to four players on Nintendo Switch and, following its September 1, 2026 update announcement, up to eight players on one Nintendo Switch 2 system with enough controllers.
Local multiplayer cannot be played in Handheld Mode. For shared-console local play, use a supported non-handheld setup, such as TV or tabletop play. Do not confuse this with other multiplayer modes: LAN play can support up to 12 players across connected consoles, while online play requires a Nintendo Switch Online membership.
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How do you use one Joy-Con in Mario Kart?
- Open Mario Kart 8 Deluxe and choose solo play or the multiplayer mode you want.
- At the controller selection screen, hold one Joy-Con horizontally.
- Press SL and SR on the top edge of the Joy-Con when prompted to register it as a single-Joy-Con controller.
- Select your character and race settings, then start the race.
Nintendo also supports selecting the Joy-Con Wheel option for a player using one Joy-Con. The wheel is an optional grip accessory; it is not required to play.
Which multiplayer setup fits your game?
| Mode or setup | Players and controller setup | Important limit |
|---|---|---|
| Solo | One player can use one Joy-Con. | Register the Joy-Con horizontally with SL and SR. |
| Local multiplayer on Nintendo Switch | Nintendo lists two to four players; each player needs a controller, and two players can use one Joy-Con each. | Local multiplayer is unavailable in Handheld Mode. |
| Local split-screen on Nintendo Switch 2 | Up to eight players on one system, with enough controllers, according to Nintendo’s September 1, 2026 announcement. | Local multiplayer is unavailable in Handheld Mode. |
| LAN play | Two players sharing a console can each use one left or right Joy-Con; Nintendo lists up to 12 players across connected consoles. | Player count is across consoles, not 12 on one system. |
| Online play | One Joy-Con can be registered for a player. | Nintendo Switch Online membership is required for online play. |
What if the Joy-Con does not register as one controller?
- Hold it sideways, rather than vertically.
- Press both SL and SR at the controller-selection prompt; pressing the face buttons alone does not complete the single-Joy-Con registration step.
- Check that you are using a mode and console setup that supports the kind of multiplayer you selected. In particular, local multiplayer is not available in Handheld Mode.
Nintendo’s setup instructions and mode details are in its Mario Kart 8 Deluxe local and online multiplayer guide. The Switch 2 eight-player announcement is on Nintendo’s update notice, and the LAN details are in Nintendo’s LAN play guide.
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