Element14 | Mario Kart Deluxe 8 Tournament Rules

  1. The tournament will consist of 32 participants.
  2. The tournament will be played using the standard rules and settings of Mario Kart 8 Deluxe on the Nintendo Switch.
  3. The tournament will be played in a double elimination. 
  4. It will now be 4 players in a match. Each player will compete with each other, and computer scores will not be considered. The highest placed player among the group of 4 will advance in the winner's bracket, and the other 3 will go into the loser's bracket, with the only exception of Grand Finals being a 1v1. There will also be a 3 Player race at the end consisting of the 3 players that lost in Loser's final to determine 3rd place
  5. The bracket will be randomly generated and displayed at the start of the tournament.
  6. Each match will consist of four races, and the total points earned by each player over the four races will determine the winner of the match. This scoring system allows for consistency over the course of the match and ensures that a single lucky or unlucky race doesn't determine the winner.
  7. The top player in each match will advance to the next round of the tournament.
  8. Players will choose their characters and karts before the start of each match, and cannot change them during the match.
  9. Items will be set to normal, and smart steering will be turned off. This is to ensure a consistent playing field and reduce the influence of items and assists on the outcome of the race. By turning off smart steering, players will have more control over their kart and will not be assisted by the game in steering. This ensures a more skill-based competition, as players must rely on their own abilities to navigate the course and use items effectively.
  10. Races will be played on 150cc difficulty level. This level provides a suitable balance of challenge and accessibility for players of varying skill levels.
  11. In the event of a tie, a fifth race will be played to determine the winner.
  12. The higher-seeded player will have first choice of character and kart in the first race, and will alternate choices with the lower-seeded player for each subsequent race. This ensures that each player has an equal chance to play with their preferred combination of character and kart and prevents one player from having an unfair advantage by always getting to choose first. The higher seed is determined by their ranking in the tournament and is usually based on their performance in previous matches. By alternating choices, both players have an equal opportunity to play with their preferred character and kart combinations, making for a more balanced and fair competition.
  13. Players must report to their assigned console at the designated time for their match. If a player is not present within five minutes of the designated start time, they forfeit the match.
  14. Players are not allowed to use any cheat codes, hacks, or glitches during the tournament. Any players found to be using such methods will be disqualified.
  15. The tournament organizers reserve the right to make final decisions on any disputes or issues that arise during the tournament. This ensures a fair and impartial outcome in the event of any issues or disagreements.