Mario Kart 8 Deluxe gets new tracks at last

Mario and Link racing in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe
(Image credit: Nintendo)

Nintendo has finally announced new Mario Kart 8 Deluxe DLC. Released alongside the Nintendo Switch nearly five years ago, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe has long been needing an update or a sequel. And, not one to go small, Nintendo today announced 48 new tracks are coming to the racing game.

Some of the tracks are remastered versions of classic races, such as Coconut Mall from Mario Kart Wii, the N64’s Choco Mountain, and Tokyo Blur from Mario Kart Tour. Nintendo’s phrasing in the Direct wasn’t clear but it suggests there will be new tracks, too. “You may recognize some courses from past Mario Kart games,” the announcer said.

However, as VGC points out, in the first wave there are only remastered tracks.

The courses won’t be released all at once. Nintendo is releasing the tracks in six waves of eight. Staggering the releases out until the end of 2023. With the first Mario Kart Booster Course Pass’ release date set for March 18th, it seems the booster packs will be released roughly every four months.

Nintendo didn’t reveal the release dates of the later waves but it did reveal the pricing structure. To get all six waves of courses you can pick up the Booster Course Pass for $24.99.

Although, you get the Booster Course Pass as part of your Nintendo Switch Online subscription if you've also purchased the expansion pack. If you've not already signed up for the expansion pass, that's going to be a very tempting offer. 

While Nintendo isn't openly talking about Nintendo Switch 2, extending the life of Mario Kart 8 until the end of 2023, could mean we don't see Mario Kart 9 launch on this console. Although, it is allegedly in "active development".

If you're not looking to keep playing a Switch launch title. Why not try these:

Julian Benson
Contributor, TechRadar Gaming

Julian's been writing about video games for more than a decade. In that time, he's always been drawn to the strange intersections between gaming and the real world, like when he interviewed a NASA scientist who had become a Space Pope in EVE Online,  or when he traveled to Ukraine to interview game developers involved in the 2014 revolution, or that time he tore his trousers while playing Just Dance with a developer.