All’s Fair In Love and Mario Kart
Photo by Tim McGuire
By Tim McGuire
On the final Friday night of September, the Esports Lounge hosted one of its two annual Mario Kart 8 Deluxe tournaments. Dozens of dedicated drivers arrived in hopes of taking home a prize. Although the game has been out for 6 years (10 years if you count the original Wii U release), this is one of the first Mario Kart tournaments hosted at CUA with all of the new DLC.
Starting on March 18, 2022, Nintendo began to release extra content for the game. By November 8, 2023, the number of courses had doubled, making a total of 96 different racetracks. Not only that but 8 returning/new characters were also added. With nearly a year to adjust to the gigantic update, it was bound to be a fierce race for all involved.
Photo by Tim McGuire
Four groups of four revved up their engines, and it was off to the races. The top two of each group would move on to the next round, causing the competitive spirits to clash immediately. While the racing game is about how well players can traverse its vibrant roads, there are many other elements at play. Players must be aware of the various items, the course’s trajectory and obstacles, how fast they are going, and most importantly, luck.
By the end of the night, this test of simultaneous skills came down to the final four, where only one would emerge victorious. The winners were James Young (1st), Isaac Loría (2nd), and Jacob Werner (3rd)! Alongside a complementary Mario series figurine given to all participants, the top three won special prizes: James won a projector, Isaac won a moon lamp, and Jacob won a LEGO set.
One of the top three finishers, Jacob Werner, is very familiar with the podium. “Mario Kart tournaments have been a tradition for me at this point…I’ve made it to four and I’ve gotten third place in three of them,” says Jacob. “It’s tough competition, too, especially when we partner with Gallaudet University it gets really intense. I can’t wait for the next one to try and go for my fourth 3rd!”
Jacob has proven himself to be a skilled contender and a true force to be reckoned with in these annual tournaments.
Whether anyone was a skilled veteran of the series or completely new to the game, it was a fun-filled night for all. The Esports Lounge offers events for Mario Kart and other games throughout the year alongside their regular hours of operation. Event announcements can be found on their official Instagram page: @catholicuesports.
