head to head
vs
Mario Kart 8vsSpelunky
Mario Kart 8 leans Execution (Twitch Chaos); Spelunky leans Execution (Twitch Chaos).
Mario Kart 8Spelunky
Axis by axis
Execution6 vs 8
Spelunky leans harder on execution: Tight platforming and whip control under constant threat.
Reads1 vs 1
Even - both lean on reads about the same.
Variance6 vs 7
Spelunky leans harder on variance: Procedural caves and item rolls shape every run.
Optimization5 vs 6
Spelunky leans harder on optimization: Hell route and shortcuts reward solved knowledge.
Two games can score the same on an axis and still test it in very different ways - read each rationale, not just the number.