Considering that Mario Kart 8 was originally a Wii U game, Nintendo should be commended for getting their money’s worth out of it. The original release was fantastic, but due to its launch on a sub-par platform, a port to the Nintendo Switch was the next logical step in the form of Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. Somehow, MK8D then became one of the most consistently popular and successful games on the Nintendo Switch, to the point that 5 years after launch, Nintendo announced the Booster Course Pass, adding even more tracks to the game.
Now that we’re here at the end of 2023 and the Booster Course Pass has concluded, there’s never been a better time to jump into the world of Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. With nearly 100 tracks, dozens of characters to choose from, and all the regular features like online multiplayer, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe earns its place as the best kart racing game of all time.
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe’s original 48 tracks were a great mix of old and new, with the anti-gravity sections giving some tracks a bit of a F-Zero flair, but with the Booster Course Pass, the emphasis this time around is on nostalgia and familiarity above all else. Most of the tracks have been lifted from previous Mario Kart entries, while the Mario Kart Tour tracks are based on real-world locations like Sydney, New York, Madrid, Paris and other famous cities. The layouts of those tracks might not be familiar, but they’re filled with recognisable cultural touchstones, though the sight of Bowser drifting around the Arc De Triomphe is a bit silly.
For many, the nostalgia of tracks from their beloved Mario Kart games is what makes the initial purchase of Mario Kart 8 Deluxe + Booster Course Pass such an easy one. We all love tracks like Coconut Mall, Maple Treeway, DK Mountain, Waluigi Pinball and Mushroom Gorge, so being able to play them all again, either with up to four players locally or with 11 friends/randoms online, is a tough opportunity to pass up. However, there’s reasons beyond those few tracks you remember being included that make this such an essential purchase.
Something that Nintendo should be commended for when recreating some of their older tracks is how much effort has gone into modernizing them. While none of the DLC tracks reach the ridiculous lengths that some of the base game tracks do when it comes to their zero-gravity sections, tracks like Bowser’s Castle 3, Snow Land and Boo Lake have really benefited from the transitions to 3D. The simplicity of the track design for these oldies remains, but that added dimension gave Nintendo more scope to alter the more basic tracks in new and intriguing ways.
The Tour tracks also add their own gimmicks to the proceedings, with each Tour track changing layout from lap to lap. You could argue it adds a bit too much to Mario Kart, as having to pay attention to a changing track design amidst all the shells, bananas, lightning, piranha plants and more shells can be overwhelming for some players, but Nintendo were also smart to make sure the Tour tracks had their own identity and charm. They’re probably not going to be a firm favorite for anyone, but it’s always nice to see a racing game play with the established conventions.
The real highlights of the Booster Course Pass though are some of the new tracks added to the game, as they feel up to the same standard of tracks introduced in the main game. Ninja Hideaway is a highly detailed, technical track with plenty of different routes and shortcuts to take, while Squeaky Clean Sprint is all about racing in and around a bathtub. Forget playing with rubber duckies when you need to dodge red shells coming at you from every direction.
The personal favorite when it comes to Mario Kart 8 Deluxe’s Booster Course Pass’ new tracks might just be Sky-High Sundae though, as it takes the simplistic oval track and doses it with enough sugar to make my diabetes flare up. An ice cream inspired race track is a straightforward idea, but the way it’s executed makes it a definite, chaotic highlight. Its use of antigravity as well, with those boost pylons dotted around the tracks, means it’s one of the fastest tracks available too, even on lower CCs.
On top of all these tracks, Nintendo even broadened the scope of the Booster Course Pass from after it was officially announced, throwing in an extra 8 characters to the game, including Birdo, Pauline, Wiggler and Funky Kong, and an additional 18 Mii Racing Suits. Sure, the Mii suits were lifted from Mario Kart Tour, but more content for a pass that players already bought isn’t anything to grumble about.
Still, you could say there’s a genuine complaint to be made about how many tracks from Mario Kart Tour were included. Of the 48 tracks included in the Pass, 14 of them are Tour tracks based on real-world locations, with the next highest fraction being 8 Wii tracks. There’s a case to be made that Nintendo opted for some easy Tour ports in order to make some more money off Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, but the real baffling question is “why didn’t they do it sooner?” People love Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, so why did it take five years for some additional tracks?
Hopefully, the next Mario Kart game will be better when it comes to post-launch support, as a Mario Kart game that has as much long-term backing as games like Splatoon 3 would be incredible for Nintendo. We’re still waiting for Nintendo to announce what the next iteration of Mario Kart will look like, so until then, enjoy Mario Kart 8 Deluxe with the Booster Course Pass, because this is the best the series has ever been.
A code for Mario Kart 8 Deluxe’s Booster Course Pass was provided by PR.
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