How do you change controller settings on Mario Kart 8?
I still remember the first time I booted up Mario Kart 8 on my brand new Nintendo Switch. I was so excited to jump into my favorite racing game that I didn‘t even consider customizing any settings. "How different could it be from older Mario Karts?" I naively thought. Boy was I wrong.
After struggling mightily with the default control scheme, I finally dug into the settings menu and discovered a wealth of tuning options. Remapping buttons, adjusting sensitivity, and enabling motion controls fully transformed the gameplay. Once I had the controls configured just right, I began racing better than ever before.
If you want to get the most out of Mario Kart 8 (MK8), taking the time to set up controls to match your preferences is a must. In this guide, I‘ll show you exactly how to access all of the settings so you can get your controller working the way you want it to. Let‘s dive in!
Accessing Mario Kart 8‘s Controller Settings Menu
The controller settings in MK8 are conveniently accessed from the character and vehicle selection screens. Before starting a race or series, choose your preferred character first. Then when you get to picking karts and parts, follow these steps:
- Press either the + or – buttons in the top or bottom corners of the screen
- This will open the "Options" menu overlay
- Select "Controls" to open the full settings page
|  | Credit: GameBanana |
The controls page may look slightly different depending on whether you are using Joy-Cons, a Pro controller, or third-party gamepad. But the available settings themselves are the same.
Now let‘s explore what tuning is possible…
Types of Mario Kart 8 Controller Settings
MK8 gives you control over a few key settings that can have a big impact on handling and gameplay:
Button Mapping
One of the first things I recommend doing is opening up the button mapping sub-menu. Here you can reassign any button on your controller to alternative functions. For example, you could swap drift and item use if that feels more intuitive.
|  | Credit: IGN Wiki |
Based on playing over 50 hours of MK8 with different controllers, here is my personal recommended button mapping:
- Y/X = Drift/Hop
- L/R = Accelerate/Brake
- ZL/ZR = Items
I‘ve found this gives the best ergonomics for prolonged drifting and performing hop boosts. Configure yours however suits your hands best!
Motion Controls
The tilt motion mechanics of the Switch Joy-Cons allows for intuitive steering control by physically turning the controller. This can feel more natural than using an analog stick.
However in my experience, motion aiming causes unwanted swerving on straight sections of tracks. For precise racing, I actually disable motion on my Joy-Cons. But the option is there to test out and see if you enjoy it.
Steering Assist
For brand new Mario Kart players, steering assist is enabled by default. This provides a helping hand by automatically preventing you from driving off course.
As you get more experienced though, steering assist becomes more frustrating than helpful. The forced corrections dampen your ability to take tight lines and manage drifts. I encourage turning this setting off ASAP once you get the basic hang of steering!
Controller-Specific Setup Considerations
While all controllers can make use of the above tuning options, certain default properties impact feel and may influence your changes. Here are key factors to consider for popular Switch controller choices:
Joy-Cons
Keep in mind the asymmetrical layout between using single Joy-Cons versus pairing them. When playing local multiplayer with a friend or separated on the charging grip, actions like drifting may need different finger positioning. Get used to each before deciding on final button mapping.
Additionally, consider configuring steering sensitivity and acceleration curve appropriately for motion controlled steering. The sensitivity of the gyroscope impacts how drastically horizontal and vertical tilts adjust turning.
Pro Controller
The officially licensed Switch Pro Controller works great out of the box for MK8. The full size, comfortable grips and familiar button labeling from previous Nintendo controllers make it easy to pick up.
Veteran Mario Kart players will feel right at home with the tactile buttons and responsive triggers/bumpers for accelerating, braking and drifting. While custom mappings are possible, I personally stuck with default on the Pro Controller.
Third-Party Alternatives
When using a third-party gamepad, either officially licensed or generic, be extra vigilant for any compatibility quirks. Note that non-Nintendo controllers may lack HD rumble or advanced motion support for instance.
I‘d recommend browsing Reddit or gaming forums to check for recommended settings profiles from others using the same device. For the best experience, consider investing in a quality controller from PowerA or 8BitDo for example. Their products almost rival Nintendo‘s own Pro line for MK8 playability.
Troubleshooting Mario Kart Controller Problems
Despite best efforts tweaking options, you may occasionally still run into controller responsiveness issues:
Control Stick Drifting
If your kart constantly drifts left/right on its own, this is likely a hardware issue known as stick drift. Before replacing the controller, try recalibrating the control sticks under System Settings first.
Navigate to Controllers and Sensors –> Calibrate Control Sticks and follow the on-screen guide. For more severe drift, consider spraying compressed air underneath the stick cap itself to clean out any debris.
Sticky Buttons
Unresponsive or inconsistently triggering buttons can disrupt critical actions like drifting and item usage. Carefully clean around any troublesome buttons using a soft toothbrush and check for stuck mechanisms.
Avoid using any liquids which could seep inside. Re-test button tapping after cleaning to see if responsiveness improves.
Unexpected Steering Loss
Sudden inability to steer coupled with a flashing wheel icon is caused by active steering assist kicking in unintentionally. Quickly disable all steering help by tapping the L button on your controller.
If issues persist, open controller settings and toggle off steering assist completely. Verify no other accessibility options that could interfere are enabled.
Uncontrollable Drifting
Drifting is key to competitive racing in MK8; however uncontrolled slides can easily send you off-track. Master the technique by feathering the drift button and making micro steering adjustments to stay on line.
Light brake tapping helps stabilize exiting drifts before losing traction fully. Stay centered whenever possible and avoid initiating drifts at edges.
For recurrent hardware-related drift or response problems, you may ultimately need to replace your controller rather than endlessly troubleshooting tweaks.
Customization is Key
Getting used to how to access and change controller settings in Mario Kart 8 is an investment that pays off hugely in racing enjoyment and performance. Don‘t just accept the default scheme without first trying out your own customizations.
Button mapping, motion controls, and steering assist tuning can all provide noticeable benefits. Keep an open mind for non-standard configurations that feel natural for your hands and playstyle. Stay alert to compatibility considerations for alternative controller types as well.
With the tips in this guide, you now have all the tools needed to set up controls perfectly for your needs. So take charge of those settings, then grab first place on the tracks! Let me know in the comments if you have any other questions about optimizing Mario Kart control.
