Unlocking More Tracks in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe: Booster Pass and Expansion Pack Explained
As a passionate Mario Kart gamer and content creator, the most common question I see is "how do you unlock more tracks on Mario Kart switch?" So let‘s dive right in!
There are two ways to gain access to additional tracks in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe:
- Purchase the Booster Course Pass DLC – $24.99
- Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack membership – access included
I‘ll explore both options in detail. Buckle up – we‘ve got a lot of ground to cover on the road to even more Mario Kart greatness!
Booster Course Pass: Remastered Tracks in Waves
Announced by Nintendo in early 2022, this paid DLC unlocks 48 remastered tracks from previous Mario Kart games released in six waves over 2023 and 2024.
Let‘s break it down wave by wave:
Wave 1 (Released March 2022)
- 8 Tracks
- Highlights: Coconut Mall (Wii), Choco Mountain (N64)
Wave 2 (Released August 2022)
- 8 Tracks
- Highlights: Sky Garden (GBA), Mario Circuit 3 (SNES)
Wave 3 (Releasing Late 2022/Early 2023)
- 8 Tracks
- TBA
Wave 4, 5 and 6
- 8 Tracks Each
- 24 Tracks Total
- Release Timeframes TBA
Wow – 48 iconic remastered tracks…I love it! As a gamer who has played every Mario Kart, seeing old favorites revived with new visuals and gameplay twists will be an absolute blast.
Past Mario Kart DLC
For comparison, Mario Kart 8 on Wii U introduced 16 new tracks via paid DLC, while the much-loved Mario Kart Wii brought in 16 retro tracks as paid DLC.
So 48 resurrected tracks through 2024 is unprecedented and makes the Booster Course Pass a must-buy in my opinion!
Individual Track Highlights
While we await more concrete details on Waves 3-6, I did want to highlight some of my personal favorite tracks unveiled already…
Coconut Mall (Mario Kart Wii): Chaotic shopping center with lethal escalators! Master shortcut ramps for maximum satisfaction.
Choco Mountain (Mario Kart 64): Pure retro nostalgia. River chocolate rafting, anyone? Time those speed boost pads perfectly!
Sky Garden (Mario Kart Super Circuit): Gardens in the sky? I‘m mesmerized already! Soaring over clouds and dive-bombing Piranha Plants awaits.
Toad Circuit (Mario Kart 7): Vibrant Beginner track with bouncing Mushroom trampolines! Weave through giant Item Boxes and Super Mushrooms.
And that Rainbow Road?? Oh I‘m so ready – bring on the light dashing, twists and zero safety rails! Every Cup deserves the ultimate Rainbow Road challenge.
Can you tell I‘m getting fired up? Endless Mario Kart possibilities here!
Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack
Now if shelling out $25 for the Booster Course Pass isn‘t ideal, you can access the 48 additional tracks for free via a Nintendo Switch Online (NSO) + Expansion Pack membership.
NSO Expansion Pack Benefits
- N64 & Genesis Game Libraries
- All Booster Course Pass Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Tracks
- Happy Home Paradise DLC (Animal Crossing: New Horizons)
- Splatoon 2: Octo Expansion
- +Standard NSO Perks
At $49.99 annually for individuals or $79.99 family plan (up to 8 users), gaining full Mario Kart DLC access along with those other sweet perks makes the Expansion Pack a pretty good value overall!
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe: Best-Selling Switch Game
It‘s also worth noting that Mario Kart 8 Deluxe on Nintendo Switch is already the [best-selling game on the platform] with over 45 million copies sold (according to Nintendo‘s 2022 fiscal report).
The install base and active player counts are absolutely massive. This evergreen multiplayer title outsells everything year after year – from first party staples like Smash Bros to third party monster installments like Call of Duty.
Thus millions globally will now enjoy a staggering 96 total race tracks through the end of 2024!
Track Count Comparisons (Main Mario Kart Games)
- Mario Kart 64: 16 tracks
- Mario Kart Double Dash: 16 tracks
- Mario Kart DS: 32 tracks
- Mario Kart Wii: 32 tracks
- Mario Kart 7: 32 tracks
- Mario Kart 8: 32 tracks
- Mario Kart 8 Deluxe: 96 tracks with all DLC! Off the charts!
Rainbow Roads Through the Ages
No discussion of iconic Mario Kart tracks is complete without the legendary Rainbow Road! Often the longest and most challenging course in each game, mastering these rainbow-drenched beauties provides the ultimate rush.
Let‘s ride through Rainbow Road history together:
Super Mario Kart: 8 challenging track shapes! Mesmerizing sprite background.
Mario Kart 64: Floating among the stars. Frequent edge drops made controllers sweat! First 3D Rainbow Road paved the way.
Mario Kart Super Circuit: Colorful GBA classic with major jump ramps to launch over gaps. Perfection awaits!
Mario Kart 7: Underrated trick-friendly 3DS Rainbow Road where gliding felt fabulous. Should get more credit!
Mario Kart 8: Sensational light dashing antigravity mechanics that made racers glow! Who doesn‘t smile hitting those speed strips??
And now the recently announced Rainbow Road (3DS) coming to Mario Kart 8 Deluxe looks to fuse fantastic track design with new visual splendor and gameplay refinements! We are so ready!!
Well, that covers the key things to know about unlocking extra Mario Kart tracks on your Nintendo Switch! To keep that content train rolling, stay tuned right here for updates as future Wave packs are unveiled! Until then, may your Item Box pulls be triple Mushrooms and Bullet Bills!
[Source 1] [Source 2]