Which Mario Kart 8 Deluxe character from Splatoon is playable? The answer is Inkling.
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe added the Inklings from Splatoon to its roster, making them playable Nintendo crossover characters alongside the returning Mario cast. Players can choose Inkling Girl or Inkling Boy, with both versions using the same character slot category and distinct visual styling.
The Inklings arrived with the Nintendo Switch version of Mario Kart 8 Deluxe in 2017. Their inclusion reflects the game’s broader crossover design, which also features characters and courses connected to The Legend of Zelda, Animal Crossing, and F-Zero. The Splatoon connection extends beyond the driver models: the Urchin Underpass battle arena is also inspired by Splatoon.
The alternatives are all playable in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, which makes this question easy to confuse. Link is from The Legend of Zelda, while Isabelle and Villager come from Animal Crossing. Only the Inkling choices represent Splatoon.