Nintendo fans in Australia and New Zealand, get ready for some exciting and competitive action! Nintendo Australia has announced the Splatoon 3 AU/NZ Championship 2023 and the Mario Kart AU/NZ Championship 2023, two tournaments giving players a chance to show off their skills in these popular Nintendo Switch games.

The winners of these tournaments will be crowned as the Australian and New Zealand champions, and will also receive some awesome prizes and glory. The best part is, the finals of these tournaments will take place live at PAX Australia 2023, one of the biggest gaming events in the region.

Gamers interested in participating in these tournaments will need to register here for the online qualifying events starting in August, and running until September. These online events are open to players of all experience levels, so whether a casual gamer or a hardcore racer, everyone can join in the fun. See below for details of the Mario Kart 8 Deluxe AU/NZ Championship 2023.

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe AU/NZ Championship 2023 Details

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is lets Nintendo gamers enjoy the thrill of speed and fun with their favourite characters from the Mario universe. In this game, players choose from over 40 characters, vehicles, and customisations, and race across over 40 tracks featuring gravity-defying twists, turns, loops, and jumps. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe also features new items such as the Boomerang Flower, the Piranha Plant, and the Super Horn; new modes such as Battle Mode and Time Trials; and new features such as Smart Steering and Auto-Accelerate that make it easier for beginners to join in.

The Mario Kart AU/NZ Championship 2023 will determine who is the fastest and most skilled racer in Australia and New Zealand. Players interested in participating will need to register and compete against other players in 150cc Race Mode with normal items across a variety of courses. Players who perform well will accrue points in each race, and the top two racers per qualifier (for a total of 12) will qualify for the Live Finals at PAX Australia on Sunday, 8th October 2023.

The schedule for the online qualifying events for the Mario Kart 8 Deluxe AU/NZ Championship 2023 are below:

Nintendo Switch GameOnline EventDateTime
Mario Kart 8 DeluxeOnline Qualifier #11st September4:00pm – 10:00pm AEST
6:00pm – 12:00am NZST
Mario Kart 8 DeluxeOnline Qualifier #22nd September12:00pm – 6:00pm AEST
2:00pm – 8:00pm NZST
Mario Kart 8 DeluxeOnline Qualifier #33rd September12:00pm – 6:00pm AEST
2:00pm – 8:00pm NZST
Mario Kart 8 DeluxeOnline Qualifier #49th September12:00pm – 6:00pm AEST
2:00pm – 8:00pm NZST
Mario Kart 8 DeluxeOnline Qualifier #510th September12:00pm – 6:00pm AEST
2:00pm – 8:00pm NZST
Mario Kart 8 DeluxeOnline Qualifier #611th September10:00am – 4:00pm AEST
12:00pm – 6:00pm NZST
Mario Kart 8 DeluxeLive Finals8th OctoberTo be confirmed

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is currently available for the Nintendo Switch. Gamers who wish to take part in these tournaments, will need to have a Nintendo Switch Online membership, which allows access to online play in these games and many others. Gamers who do not have a membership, can get a free seven-day trial directly through the Nintendo Switch eshop.

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Owner, founder and editor-in-chief at Vamers, Hans has a vested interest in geek culture and the interactive entertainment industry. With a Masters degree in Communications and Ludology, he is well read and versed in matters relating to video games and communication media, among many other topics of interest.