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No—not as a native PC game. Nintendo has not released an official version of the mainline Mario Kart games for Windows, macOS, Linux, SteamOS, or Steam Deck. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe runs on the Nintendo Switch family; Mario Kart World is exclusive to Nintendo Switch 2. You can use a PC to display or capture console gameplay, but the Nintendo console still runs the game.
Which Mario Kart games are available, and where?
| Game | Native PC version? | Official platform |
|---|---|---|
| Mario Kart 8 Deluxe | No | Nintendo Switch family, including Nintendo Switch 2 compatibility |
| Mario Kart World | No | Nintendo Switch 2 only |
| Mario Kart Tour | No native desktop version | iOS and Android |
| Older entries, including Super Mario Kart, Mario Kart 64, Double Dash!!, and Mario Kart Wii | No official modern PC ports | Their original Nintendo systems |
Nintendo’s Mario Kart 8 Deluxe site and Mario Kart World page list Nintendo hardware, not PC operating systems or PC storefronts. There is no official Mario Kart release to install from Steam, Epic Games Store, GOG, or the Microsoft Store for PC. A Switch purchase also does not grant a Windows or Steam license, and adding an emulator or console-streaming shortcut to Steam does not change that.
How can you play Mario Kart if you have a PC?
The supported route is to run the game on Nintendo hardware. You can play on the console’s screen or connect it to a TV or monitor. If you want the PC involved—for example, to record or stream gameplay—you can route the console’s video output through a compatible capture card and display it in suitable software.
- The console remains the game system. A capture card or streaming setup sends its video to the PC; it does not install the game or supply a PC license.
- Check the video path before buying equipment. A capture-card setup generally needs compatible hardware and cabling. A normal USB cable does not make every Switch model output video to a PC.
- Consider latency. The capture and display chain can add delay. For responsive play, use a suitable low-latency setup, or play directly on the console or a monitor.
- Use a controller for console play. Official Mario Kart is designed around controllers. Keyboard mapping in an unofficial setup is not Nintendo-supported.
Which game and console should you choose?
Choose Mario Kart World for the newest entry
Mario Kart World launched June 5, 2025, and is exclusive to Nintendo Switch 2. Nintendo lists the game at a U.S. MSRP of $79.99 and the Switch 2 at $449.99; those are U.S. prices, not a guarantee of current retail pricing. The listed download size is 22 GB. Nintendo’s product page lists one to four players on one system, up to eight over local wireless, and up to 24 online. See the Mario Kart World product page for current product details.
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This is the route if you want the latest game and its larger online races. It requires Switch 2 hardware, not merely a gaming PC or a Switch purchase.
Choose Mario Kart 8 Deluxe for the established Switch game
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is available for the Nintendo Switch family. Nintendo’s U.S. site lists the digital game at $59.99. Its optional Booster Course Pass costs $24.99 when purchased separately and adds 48 courses and eight characters; Nintendo also offers access through an active Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack membership, subject to its terms. Check the official game site and Booster Course Pass FAQ for details. These are Nintendo’s listed U.S. prices, not promises of a retailer’s current price.
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If you already own a Switch, this is the less expensive software path to official Mario Kart. Switch 2 owners can also play it. Its additional courses are DLC, not a separate game.
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What does unofficial emulation mean?
An emulator is software that imitates a console’s hardware. It is not a Nintendo PC release, and it does not itself provide a licensed game copy. Some users have run older Nintendo games through unofficial emulators, but compatibility can vary with the emulator build, game update, downloadable content, operating system, drivers, and hardware. Possible problems include shader-compilation stutter, controller mapping issues, crashes, and audio faults. A report that one configuration works is not a guarantee for another PC.
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The legal question depends on the jurisdiction and the specific conduct. Do not assume that emulator software, game files, firmware, encryption keys, or the way they were obtained all have the same legal status. Nintendo states that unauthorized copies obtained through third-party file-sharing sources are pirated copies in its Intellectual Property & Piracy FAQ. Avoid unauthorized downloads and preconfigured packages that include copyrighted game files or other console data.
For Mario Kart World, Nintendo identifies the game as a Switch 2 exclusive; that does not establish dependable unofficial PC compatibility. Do not treat videos, old setup guides, or emulator listings as proof of stable performance, legality, or official online access. The same caution applies to Steam Deck: it runs SteamOS, but that does not make Mario Kart a supported Steam game. Older guides about particular emulator projects can also become obsolete.
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Can you play online or with friends?
Yes, on the supported Nintendo hardware. The player counts below are the modes Nintendo lists; local wireless means nearby systems, while online play uses Nintendo’s online service.
| Game and mode | Players | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, one console | Up to 4 | Local multiplayer on a single console |
| Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, wireless | 2–8 total; up to 2 per console | Local wireless play across consoles |
| Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, LAN | Up to 12 | Local network play |
| Mario Kart World, one system | 1–4 | Local play on one Switch 2 |
| Mario Kart World, local wireless | Up to 8 | Nearby wireless play |
| Mario Kart World, online | Up to 24 | Online races on Nintendo hardware |
Nintendo’s Mario Kart 8 Deluxe multiplayer instructions describe its local, wireless, LAN, and online modes. Relevant online features require internet access, a Nintendo Account, and a Nintendo Switch Online membership; consult Nintendo’s Nintendo Switch Online FAQ for service terms. Since there is no PC version, there is no official PC-to-console cross-play. Unofficial emulator multiplayer is not equivalent to Nintendo’s supported online service, and its availability should not be assumed.
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- Cool Comfort: Enjoy a stable surface with our lap desk's dual bolster cushion, designed for comfort and airflow, keeping your lap cool during extended use.
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Is cloud gaming a way to play Mario Kart on PC?
Nintendo’s cloud-version information does not offer Mario Kart as a general PC cloud-streaming game. A capture or stream from your own Switch is still console-based play, not a Nintendo PC cloud release. See Nintendo’s cloud versions FAQ for the scope of its cloud-game support.
What if you want a game installed directly on your PC?
Official Mario Kart is not the right fit if a native Windows, macOS, Linux, or SteamOS installation is essential. Look for a PC kart racer instead, and check its own store page for split-screen play, online multiplayer, controller support, handling style, Linux or Steam Deck compatibility, and any paid DLC. Those details differ by game and change over time, so they need to be verified for the specific title rather than inferred from its resemblance to Mario Kart.
Quick Recap
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