If you're a citizen of the United Kingdom you can pre-order Mario Kart 8 and get a pretty awesome bonus in the retail version. The limited edition boxed set comes with a replica of the infamous blue spiny shell--essentially the BFG 9000 of Mario Kart. Naturally this is frustrating for me, an American gamer, as I'd LOVE a replica blue shell but for now, no dice.
So rejoice, UK gamers. You've won this round. But once I get my copy of Mario Kart 8 and take it online, it's payback time!