As one of the core selling points of the Nintendo Switch, the portability of the unit is incredibly important for any gamer looking to take their game with them. As it turns out, each game varies in how demanding it is on the system and that directly influences the battery life for each and every title. For example,The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wildruns for almost exactly three hoursbefore the Switch’s battery depletes, which means that gamers awaiting Nintendo’s next big release,Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, are sure to be curious as to how long they’ll be able to play before their unit meets the same fate.
As it turns out, those hoping to take to the racetrack away from the Switch’s dock will have roughly the same amount of time as the aforementionedZeldabefore the system powers down. At a full charge (and with the screen brightness left at around 30%) the Nintendo Switch ranMario Kart 8 Deluxefor exactly 3 hours, 9 minutes, and 20 seconds – providing this user with a little over three hours worth of play time.
Given the co-op capabilities of the title, which are still present and accounted for when the system is undocked, the desire to detach the Joy-Con controllers for some multiplayer shenanigans is sure to rear its head. Therevamped Battle Modein particular is likely to draw the attention of fans, and that could also impact the battery life once players have disconnected the Joy-Con to share the experience with others.
Hardware developers are currently hard at work on developing battery extenders for the Nintendo Switch, one of whichgives Nintendo’s newest console 12 hours of additional play time, so there are options en route for those that prefer to remain mobile. For now, however, gamers will have to make do with a little over three hours of hands-on time that they’ll receive withMario Kart 8 Deluxe.
Mario Kart 8 Deluxearrives exclusively for the Nintendo Switch on Aug 06, 2025.
