Nintendo has finally announced new Mario Kart 8 Deluxe DLC. released next to Nintendo Switch nearly five years ago, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe has long been in need of an update or a sequel. And not to get too small, Nintendo announced today that 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, Choco Mountain from N64 and Tokyo Blur from Mario Kart ride. Nintendo’s phrasing in the Direct was unclear, but it does suggest that there will also be new tracks. “Can you recognize some courses from previous Mario Kart games,” said the announcer.
However, as VGC points out, on the first wave there are only remastered tracks.
Courses will not be released all at once. Nintendo is releasing the tracks in six waves of eight. Staggering releases through the end of 2023. With the release date of the first Mario Kart Booster Course Pass set for March 18, it looks like boosters will be released approximately every four months.
Nintendo didn’t reveal release dates for later waves, but the gap could be a blessing. The Booster Course Pass price is $24.99. If they’re all the same price and there isn’t a package released at a discount, you’ll be spending just under $150 over the next two years.
Lightly rubbing salt into the wound, the first wave is free for Nintendo Switch Online subscribers, but only if they also purchase the expansion pack.
While Nintendo isn’t talking openly about Nintendo Switch 2extending the life of Mario Kart 8 to the end of 2023 could mean we don’t see mario kart 9 start on this console. Although, supposedly, it is in “active development”.
For the money Nintendo is asking, you can buy a stack of Switch games. Why not try these:
