Will Mario Kart 8 be the Wii U's Killer App?

Mario Kart 8's release date is right around the corner. This could be the Wii U’s killer app, the must have game as it features tournament play, a robust roster, and online multiplayer. Mario Kart is a great series, everyone enjoys the games and it may be the excuse some people have been waiting for to buy the Wii U. But will it be enough to move systems and keep gamers content until the next big AAA Nintendo release?

Nintendo is attempting to set itself up for success by releasing this game right before summer. Kids will want it. Nintendo is also offering a free game for those who purchase Mario Kart 8 either digital or physical. The free games include Pikmin 3, Wind Waker HD, New Super Mario Bros U, and Wii Party U, There is also the Mario Kart 8 Wii U bundle. This bundles contains a 32 GB Deluxe Wii U, Mario Kart 8, a Wii U wheel and a Mario Wii Remote Plus. The price for all of this is $330 which seems pricey. I was hoping for $300 and this higher price might be a hard sale for cash strapped gamers.  

I think a lot of shoppers will see this bundle as a good deal. It seems that Best Buy and Amazon will have these bundles. If gamers wanted a Wii U before Mario Kart 8 the average price for a Wii U was $250-$300. Smart shoppers can find them for less on sites like Cowboom, Amazon's Warehouse, eBay, or Nintendo’s own store with sell the refurbished 8GB models for $200. Most of the mainstream populace really doesn't know that a flash drive will work in the Wii U and make up for that extra missing space and thus they don't need to pay extra for the deluxe model.

As for Mario Kart 8 pushing sales of the consoles and game, it should work. Will it last? Who knows? Outside of Mario Kart and a few other games the release schedule for Nintendo is bare. Smash Brothers is supposed to come this year but there isn’t a release date. Still for those gamers who have held out this long this may be the ticket to buying a Wii U.