HORI Mario Kart Racing Wheel Pro Deluxe Review: 8/10
Mario Kart can feel like a party game—until you bolt a full-size wheel to the table and suddenly everyone in the room wants “one more race.” That’s the promise behind the Nintendo Switch Mario Kart Racing Wheel Pro Deluxe By HORI—and across Best Buy reviews, a detailed Reddit compatibility thread, and a GamesRadar+ review, the verdict is consistent: it’s a fun, well-built way to make racing games feel more “arcade,” as long as you’re realistic about mounting and “sim wheel” expectations. Verdict: Conditional buy (8/10)—great for families and arcade racers, less compelling for players chasing force feedback or rock-solid suction mounting.
Quick Verdict
The Nintendo Switch Mario Kart Racing Wheel Pro Deluxe By HORI is a conditional yes: buy it if you want a wired, clamp-friendly wheel that makes Mario Kart nights louder and more immersive; skip it if you need suction cups to work reliably or want premium sim features like force feedback.
| What matters | What users liked | What users didn’t | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fun factor | “takes mario kart to a new level” (Best Buy reviewer) | Learning curve vs controller | Families, party play |
| Mounting | Clamp “keeps everything rock solid” (GamesRadar+) | “suction cups did not work well” (Best Buy reviewer) | Desk/table setups |
| Feel | “steering wheel feels solid” (Best Buy reviewer) | No rumble/force feedback | Arcade-style racers |
| Compatibility | “works great… on my pc” (Best Buy reviewer) | Some games steer “digital only” (Best Buy Q&A + Reddit) | Multi-game racing fans |
| Tuning | Sensitivity/deadzone adjustments praised | Sensitivity changes “isn’t as easy” (Best Buy reviewer) | Tinkerers |
Claims vs Reality
Digging into the official feature list, the Nintendo Switch Mario Kart Racing Wheel Pro Deluxe By HORI is marketed as “fully featured” with “270º rotation,” “fully programmable buttons,” “analogue foot pedals,” and two mounting options—“clamp / suction pads” (HORI Europe product page). The broad claim is that you’re getting an authentic racing-style setup that works beyond Mario Kart.
In real-world feedback, the core promise largely holds—especially for the clamp mount and for supported games. A Best Buy reviewer celebrated the “arcade feel,” writing: “can confirm this works with cruzin blast . gives you that arcade feel . steering wheel feels solid.” Another emphasized cross-platform use: “works great with mario cart… i’ve even used it on my pc for need for speed heat and it works great.” That aligns with the official “compatible with pc (windows 11/10)” language (HORI Europe).
But the mounting story is where marketing and reality diverge the most. While the product is advertised with “two attachment options: clamp / suction pads” (HORI Europe), multiple users and one professional review warned the suction option is the weak link. GamesRadar+ put it bluntly: “straight off the bat, i’ll tell you to ignore the suction option,” adding they “never managed to get this thing to reliably stick on any tabletop.” Best Buy reviewers echoed it: “the suction cups did not work well,” and another complained: “suctions cups dont really work — they re just not sticky enough.”
There’s also a “simulation” gap. GamesRadar+ framed it as great value, but not for hardcore sim fans: enthusiasts “will need to look further up the range for something a little more premium,” and specifically noted “no fancy direct-drive systems or force feedback.” Best Buy’s Q&A section reinforces that expectation-setting: asked about rumble, the answer is direct—“no, the racing wheel does not support rumble vibration.”
Cross-Platform Consensus
Universally Praised
A recurring pattern emerged across Best Buy reviews and the GamesRadar+ write-up: this wheel is often bought to make racing feel more physical and social, not to shave lap times. One Best Buy reviewer called it a “must have to enjoy playing mario kart,” while another described it as a family catalyst: “takes mario kart to a new level… the whole family loves using these to do races.” For households that treat Mario Kart as an event, the wheel becomes a centerpiece—something kids, friends, and even grandparents want to try. One Best Buy reviewer summarized the vibe with: “awesome - we got two!… it’s a blast for our family to race this way.”
Build feel and “toy that doesn’t feel like a toy” comes up repeatedly. In GamesRadar+, the wheel is described as “thoughtful design and robust build quality,” and the reviewer said it’s “a well-built piece of kit” with confidence it will survive “even the most frenzied of mario kart sessions.” Best Buy buyers often translate that into simple language: “steering wheel feels solid,” “very sturdy,” and “greatest quality steering wheel… very acurate steering.” For parents buying for kids, durability is a practical concern, and one reviewer framed it directly: “great wheel for kids… it can handle some pretty good use and wear and tear.”
Customization and tuning is another consistent win—particularly for players who want to adjust steering feel per game. GamesRadar+ praised “excellent range of customization options” and highlighted the ability to shift between “270º” and “180º” rotation for tighter Mario Kart courses. In the Reddit thread, the original poster gave a practical tip tied to that feature: for “mario kart 8… i recommend using the 180° setting instead of the 270° setting to help with quick turns.” Best Buy Q&A answers also emphasize quick remapping: “the included manual clearly tells you how to reprogram the buttons and it takes less than 10 seconds to do so.”
Finally, compatibility—when it works—creates some of the strongest advocacy. The Reddit post reads like a field report: “grid autosport: works perfectly, including the analog pedals,” and “fast rmx: works perfectly.” That sentiment shows up in Best Buy reviews too, where buyers list off racing games beyond Mario Kart: “nascar heat & rivals, grid… wreckfest extremely fun!” and “need for speed heat… works great.” For Switch owners who also dabble on PC, that dual-use is part of the value proposition.
Common Complaints
Mounting is the loudest complaint, and the frustration is remarkably consistent across sources. GamesRadar+ warned the suction cups “won’t reliably hold,” describing multiple failed attempts on different tables. Best Buy reviewers say the same in everyday terms: “the suction cups did not work well,” and “suction cups… would not stick to the table which was annoying.” Even when the clamp works, it doesn’t solve everyone’s setup. One reviewer explained the clamp “only [works] on a table that has enough of an edge and thickness,” and without a dedicated mounting seat “this might not have an easy spot in your living room.” Another buyer noted the practical reality: “if you don’t have a computer desktop table is going to be a little difficult to use.”
The second common pain point is that this is not a premium feedback wheel—and some buyers bump into that expectation gap quickly. A Best Buy reviewer was happy overall but made the tradeoff explicit: “not wireless and no rumble.” Best Buy’s Q&A confirms it more formally: “no, the racing wheel does not support rumble vibration.” GamesRadar+ contextualized it as a price-tier limitation: “there are no fancy direct-drive systems or force feedback fun here.”
Pedals are generally liked, but complaints do appear—especially around ergonomics and stability. One Best Buy reviewer didn’t mince words: “steering wheel is good but i and my son hated the pedal. its angled pretty bad and will cause ankle fatigue.” Another reviewer enjoyed the wheel but found the pedals too light: “the pedals are a bit lighter than i’d like… makes it easier to slide around on non-carpeted floors.” These issues disproportionately affect longer sessions and adult players who want a more “sim rig” posture.
Finally, setup and tuning can be less intuitive than expected. While many call it “easy set up with clamps,” others mention sensitivity adjustments being fiddly. One Best Buy reviewer wrote: “it can be a little touchy, and had to end up changing the sensitivity which isn’t as easy as you’d think.”
Divisive Features
Compatibility is both a selling point and a trap, depending on the game’s input handling. On one hand, players rave about titles that support proper analog steering and analog pedals. Reddit user reports like “grid autosport… including the analog pedals” turn the wheel into something closer to an “arcade cabinet at home.” A commenter even responded: “that’s sick that it works with full analog controls in grid.”
On the other hand, multiple user reports show that some games interpret wheel steering as digital left/right, making them “unplayable.” Reddit user (no visible username in the provided data) listed “asphalt” as “not compatible” because steering “only registers 100% left and 100% right turns.” In Best Buy Q&A, a detailed answer warns similarly: “asphalt 9… the steering is digital only… it’s impossible to steer,” and also calls out “virtua racing” as “unplayable with the wheel.” So while the wheel may be detected broadly, the experience varies sharply by game.
Mario Kart itself can also be divisive in one specific way: it’s fun, but not always faster. GamesRadar+ admitted their performance “wasn’t as good as it would have been with a trusty controller,” even though it was “miles more fun.” A Best Buy reviewer echoed the skill-adjustment reality: “mario kart is much more difficult to play with the wheel… it’s going to take a lot of time for me to get used to the controls,” while noting their child still loved it.
Trust & Reliability
Across the provided sources, “trust” concerns are less about scams and more about whether the wheel will hold up—and whether it will stay put on your furniture. GamesRadar+ characterized the build as “solid, durable,” and several Best Buy reviewers match that confidence with statements like “very sturdy” and “durable, great quality.” For buyers worried it’s “plasticky,” one reviewer expressed concern: “it is very expensive… its all plasticky and im a bit concerned about the durability… i dont know if it will last for years.” That’s a minority note in the sample, but it highlights how material feel can affect perceived longevity.
Long-term follow-ups are limited in the provided data, but the Reddit thread’s owner did offer an early durability snapshot: when asked “how’s build quality?” they responded: “super solid and after a week it’s holding up great.” The more consistent “reliability” narrative is mounting reliability—especially suction cups—where the recurring pattern is that buyers end up using the clamp or hunting for the right surface. One Best Buy reviewer summed up the workaround approach: “we have been using the suction clamps on a table we eventually found that worked.”
Alternatives
Only a few alternatives are explicitly mentioned in the provided data, and they come from GamesRadar+. The clearest “step up” options are sim-leaning wheels like the Thrustmaster T248 and the Logitech G293, both referenced as having “greater rotation degrees” and “force feedback technology.” GamesRadar+ positioned them as what “serious simulators will require,” implying the HORI wheel is more of a gateway wheel than an endgame rig.
Within the HORI lineup, GamesRadar+ also compares the Hori Mario Kart Mini version, describing it as better for smaller hands and younger players, while the Pro Deluxe’s full-size 280mm wheel can feel big for little kids. The review’s buying advice is specific: “those buying for younger children stick with the mini version,” while “kids around 8 and older will likely be able to handle the full thing.”
Price & Value
At retail, the Nintendo Switch Mario Kart Racing Wheel Pro Deluxe By HORI is commonly listed around $99.99–$109.99 (Amazon listing excerpt and HORI Europe). The value argument in user feedback hinges on two things: how much you care about “arcade feel” and whether you’ll use it beyond Mario Kart. Best Buy reviewers repeatedly frame it as worth it for household fun: “best wheel… must have,” and “so fun! totally enhances mario kart experience.”
Resale market data from eBay suggests prices can dip significantly below retail. Listings show the Pro Deluxe appearing around the mid-$50s to $80s in used/refurbished contexts (eBay category results and example item pages), which aligns with the product’s age and the fact that many buyers treat it as a “party accessory” rather than a permanent rig. For bargain hunters, community advice implicitly points to prioritizing the clamp and making sure all parts are included. An eBay seller description notes: “comes with wheel, pedals, clamp kit, suction cups,” and that the manual “may not be included but can be downloaded.”
Buying tips rooted in user experience tend to be practical rather than brand-loyal: plan your mounting first, and expect a learning curve. Best Buy reviewers who were happiest often had the environment ready—“easy set up with clamps”—or were willing to adjust sensitivity. One reviewer’s satisfaction was conditional on tuning: “just adjust the steering sensitivity and its just like the arcade.”
FAQ
Q: Does the Mario Kart Racing Wheel Pro Deluxe have rumble vibration?
A: No. A Best Buy Q&A answer states: “no, the racing wheel does not support rumble vibration.” Several buyers also mention this in reviews, like the Best Buy reviewer who noted it’s “not wireless and no rumble,” framing it as a tradeoff for the price and simple plug-in setup.
Q: Do the suction cups actually work for mounting?
A: Often not reliably. GamesRadar+ warned: “ignore the suction option” because they “never managed” to get it to stick consistently. Best Buy reviewers echo this: “the suction cups did not work well” and “suction cups… would not stick to the table,” with many recommending the clamp as the stable option.
Q: Is it compatible with other racing games besides Mario Kart 8 Deluxe?
A: Yes, but results vary by game. Best Buy reviewers report success with titles like Cruis’n Blast (“works with cruzin blast”) and PC games (“need for speed heat”). Reddit and Best Buy Q&A also warn some games treat steering as digital-only—making Asphalt 9 and Virtua Racing “unplayable” with the wheel.
Q: Can you change rotation from 270° to 180°?
A: Yes. A Best Buy Q&A response explains: “press the assign button and zr button at the same time” to set 180° (LED turns blue), and “assign and zl” to return to 270°. Reddit user feedback also recommends 180° for Mario Kart’s quick turns.
Q: Will two of these wheels work for local multiplayer?
A: Yes. In Best Buy Q&A, a buyer answered directly: “yes you can. that is how i always used them.” Several Best Buy reviews also describe buying two for family racing, reinforcing that two-wheel setups are a common use case for couch multiplayer.
Final Verdict
Buy the Nintendo Switch Mario Kart Racing Wheel Pro Deluxe By HORI if you’re a family that hosts Mario Kart nights, an arcade racer fan chasing that “Cruis’n USA” vibe, or a Switch player who also wants a basic PC-compatible wheel without sim-tier pricing. Avoid it if you need suction cups to hold on typical furniture, require rumble/force feedback, or mainly play racing games known for digital-only steering.
Pro tip from the community: Reddit user feedback recommends setting Mario Kart to the 180° rotation mode because it “help[s] with quick turns,” and multiple Best Buy reviewers suggest clamping it down rather than fighting the suction cups.
