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"Nintendo has posted a brand new Mario Kart 8 Direct presentation. The latest Nintendo Direct introduces a number of new characters, items and gameplay features.      The game will feature 12-person multiplayer, giving users the chance to search for global and regional opponents, and challenge friends and rivals. Players will also be able to download ghost riders to race against, including members of the development team. Beating a developer unlocks a stamp. Elsewhere, the upcoming racing sequel introduces &amp;#039;Mario Kart TV&amp;#039;, an in-game channel packed with highlights and game clips. Users will be able to upload videos directly to YouTube and Miiverse. New characters include Pink Gold Peach, Baby Rosalina and Bowser&amp;#039;s seven Koopa kids. A brand new Super Horn can be used to blow away items and shells, while the Crazy Eight unlocks eight different items in one pickup.      Finally, Nintendo has announced a free games promotion for Mario Kart 8 customers. If fans register the game with Club Nintendo by July 31, the firm will send out a code for a free Wii U game by August 31. Titles include Nintendo Land, New Super Mario Bros. U, Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate, Game &amp;amp; Wario, Pikmin 3, The Wonderful 101, The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker HD, Sonic: Lost World, Mario &amp;amp; Sonic At The Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games, and Wii Party U. The video also talks about Kart customisation, the difference between bikes and traditional vehicles and the music of Mario Kart 8. Mario Kart 8 will launch alongside a number of Wii U hardware bundles on May 30. Watch a trailer for Mario Kart 8 below:  "^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<http://www.digitalspy.com/gaming/wii-u/news/a567882/mario-kart-8-adds-mario-kart-tv-new-characters-free-games-more/>