Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Booster Course Pass announced

From VGC: "Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Booster Course Pass will provide 48 DLC tracks across 6 waves. The first wave will release March 18 2022 and will cost $24.99/£24.99.

The courses will include remakes of classic tracks from across the series from games such as Super Mario Kart, Mario Kart 64, Mario Kart Double Dash, Mario Kart Wii, as well as handheld entries and the mobile game, Mario Kart Tour."

[darthv72]

As much as i enjoy them adding new tracks... 48 sounds more like this should have been a stand alone Mario Kart 9 instead.

[VenomUK]

If I heard right in the Nintendo Direct it maps would be released through to 2023. This makes me think Switch 2 is coming in 2024.

[ZeekQuattro]

Or Expansion pass 2. That's usually how those work.

[brewin]

A 2024 Switch 2 with BotW 2 and MK9 at launch would be pretty epic 😳 Whatever they do it needs to play all Switch games seamlessly out of the box. There is no excuse anymore.

[PhillyDillyDee]

Nintendo said the switch is only about halfway into its lifecycle

[MasterChief3624]

This is basically Mario Kart 9 to me. I'm so excited. I know they're tracks we have already had, but I'm excited to play them in a new engine, and I'm curious if they will add any elements some didn't already have, like anti-gravity sections and ramps that lead to gliders. Even if they don't put in that kind of effort, I'm still really excited as these are tracks I haven't touched in many, many, many years.

[--Onilink--]

Well they already did that in the remakes of some of the older maps that they did before so I expect them to also do it in these ones

[Nerdmaster]

If they released it as MK9, people would say "but the gameplay itself is the same, so wasn't it released as a DLC for M8 instead of releasing a full priced sequel?"
This way, we get a full game worth of content, for $25 (the above text from the article makes it seems like only the first wave is $24.99, but that's the price for the whole pass containing 6 waves).

[Petebloodyonion]

Why release Mario Kart 9 at 60$
When you can release 6 dlc of remakes maps at 25$ each DLC for a nice 150$ total?

[--Onilink--]

Its only $25 for all 48 tracks

[Petebloodyonion]

@Onilink
It's actually quite ambiguous
they are saying that the DLC will be part of the Nintendo expansion's online service at no charge but they are not saying that future DLC are gonna be free they are just saying: Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Booster Course Pass will provide 48 DLC tracks across 6 waves. The first wave will release March 18 2022 and will cost $24.99/£24.99.

So what does cost 25$? the complete pack or the 1st wave?

[darthv72]

I believe its $25 for the pass as a whole. And the pass is all 48 tracks released in 8 track increments.

Just like on wiiu, the two track packs were $6 ea and contained 4 teacks ea as well as new vehicles and characters. This pass is only tracks (no other content).

[Nerdmaster]

It's not ambiguous at all. The pass with 48 tracks costs $24.99/£24.99, and it will be distributed in 6 parts.
If you didn't see the trailer (at 1:22) and went only by the article paragraph written at the top of this page, just access the pass page at the Switch eShop. It's explicit that you'll pay that price once and get all 48 tracks.

[Neonridr]

it's $25 total, but thank you for trying.

[Petebloodyonion]

@Darthv72
It seems to be like you said, the screenshot in the trailer is more detailed or clearer. So if the case it's a great price point. ( Sucks that I only have the Wii u version).

@Nerdmaster
Tks for the info regarding the trailer cause I didn't watch it.
It's more clear and like I said to Darth, quite a fair price point.

[Neonridr]

could have done a Super Smash Bros style and had every racer in history along with every track.

That being said, that's still a lot of value there.

[Stonilein]

Gaming in 2022 ....sad

[Muigi]

Lol this is being toted as one of the best potential years in gaming since 07. I get your point about the DLC and MT part though.

[XbladeTeddy]

"Lol this is being toted as one of the best potential years in gaming since 07."

It's not though is it.

[Muigi]

@XbladeTeddy speak for yourself buddy. Horizon GT7 GOW Elden Ring Starfield Kirby Botw2…should I continue?

[Wrex369]

Yeah it's going to be a pretty incredible year i hadn't really sorted it out for myself actually

[lucian229]

@Xblade

If you only own a switch it isn't lmaooooo

[XbladeTeddy]

Horizon and GT7 looks sweet defo, but overall the whole line-up feels no different from last year. BotW is a Zelda game I hated, I don't really get Kirby and Elden Ring just isn't my thing, but sure it's gonna be good for those who like it.

[Sgt_Slaughter]

48 tracks for a game that already has 48 courses for only $25 (or $0 if you have the Expansion Pass) is fantastic, Nintendo always has good DLC prices so not even sure what you're on about.

[Stonilein]

48 old tracks that is

[Neonridr]

@Stoneilein - old tracks remastered to look like new tracks.

[EvertonFC]

You must have a Xbox, sorry it's nxt year you've got to wait for games again or is it the year after that?

[XbladeTeddy]

I have a gaming PC, not owned a console for a couple of years now. And it's probably the year after next yeah. Absolutely none are being released on PC...

[brewin]

I usually hate this kind of milking, but MK8 is still great so I'm not going to complain about 48 new tracks! I am ready for the inevitable MK9, but can definitely squeeze this fruit a bit more until it's ready. My family still plays this together fairly often.

[Stonilein]

48 old tracks

[darthv72]

^^do you complain the same when its the same tracks in each new iteration of a game like GT or Forza? i mean there are only so many tracks in the world (based on real world locations). They get remakes and facelifts each time a new version comes out. I dont hear anybody complaining..... except you.

[Gardenia]

I haven't played Mario Kart 8 in a long time but adding 48(!) tracks is insane. After all those years Mario Kart 8 is still going strong.

[-Foxtrot]

So as a stand-alone without the online it’s £25 for one wave?

That’s insane

[Snookies12]

Wha-? Nah, it's 25 for the entire set of 48 tracks. No idea how the individual waves will be priced yet.

[yuukiliu]

I pre-ordered it and it shows all 6 waves as part of the pre-order, even nintendo couldn't get away with that high of price for 8 old maps.

[KingofBandits]

can't they though? I mean you paid the $25 and all you got was 8 tracks and the promise of more with no release schedule

[-Foxtrot]

I just red the article, not the video as it wasn't loading at the time

The way they've phrased it in the article comes off like that...

"Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Booster Course Pass will provide 48 DLC tracks across 6 waves. The first wave will release March 18 2022 and will cost $24.99/£24.99"

Across 6 waves...first wave in March....and will cost £24.99

Makes out like that was the price for the first wave

[Sgt_Slaughter]

Clearly showed $25 for all 48 tracks. Go watch it again.

[gold_drake]

nah for all of them, but its still alot. for a game this old.

[FallenAngel1984]

They should release new characters with each pack as well

[King_Noctis]

Hey that is actually a good idea. Make Mario Kart similar to Smash in term of characters.

[darthv72]

They did on the WiiU. But since all those same characters carried over to the switch version... tracks (and plenty of em) is what you get for $25. On WiiU it was $6 for 4 tracks, 4 characters and 4 vehicles which made up the DLC as a whole. and they released two DLC packs. So $12 for 8, 8 & 8 and this one is $25 for 48 of just tracks alone.

Maybe they could have done it like the WiiU and instead made 16 tracks, 16 characters and 16 vehicles but the main game already has way more to choose from in the later two.

[PhillyDillyDee]

Thats… thats wild. Now it seems there might be a reason to own the expansion pass other than animal crossing and a few n64/sega games

[DefaultComment]

So basically 25 bucks for 48 new tracks....not a bad deal actually. Altrhough it would be nice if they include a few more karts from previous games.

[XxINFERNUSxX]

I will probably get this, Mario Kart 9 is still being developed. But one thing Nintendo really needs to fix is their laggy shitty eShop. When you scroll through it with a fast connection it should be fast and snappy and all game preivews should just pop up but it feels like I'm on dial-up. I mean come on Nintendo do better fix your broken crap 🤣

[corpsemaker]

Seriously. I’m pretty sure my Xbox 360 ran smoother back in 2007…..

[XxINFERNUSxX]

I believe it! It's just terrible on the eShop 😡

[northpaws]

Would love new Mario Kart 9 instead but if the mechanic is fine, I really don't see the need of MK9 until the next gen for Nintendo.

$24.99 for 48 tracks isn't so bad.

P.S. I have a Switch but I don't like the recent Nintendo, just evaluating this News on its own.

[Unknown_Gamer5794]

Agreed, and given that Nintendo keeps their games at MSRP with even sales being scarce and usually amounting to 30% off, $24.99 USD for 48 tracks isn’t actually terrible coming from them. Maybe it’s telling that even I pick my battles with them, but I’ll take it. There are other hills to die on.

[King_Noctis]

I mean at this point Mario Kart 9 wouldn’t look any different from Mk8 on the Switch. Better wait for next gen Switch so we could get more improvements.

[Cuzizkool]

This. I’m glad Nintendo didn’t do what they did to Zelda Skyward Sword. They released it right at the end of Wii’s life, so we couldn’t get stunning visuals of a Zelda game on WiiU for the systems launch. I would hate to see MK9 released at the end of Switch’s life right before new hardware came out. Now it can be a visually stunning launch title for Switch 2.

[Neonridr]

yes and no. I mean this is still a Wii U game at the end of the day. Just pushing higher resolution and locked framerates. A game built from the ground up for the Switch should be able to do a little more.

[SurgicalMenace]

What about some new IP for those of us who had a WiiU? MK8, BoTW, etc. were on WiiU, would really like Nintendo to get on something new. Not sure if milking is the word to describe what's going on here.

[GoodGuy09]

Makes sense because of business lol. Still dunno how the game still sells so much.

[Sgt_Slaughter]

MK9 wouldn't make sense financially because MK8 Deluxe sells at the very least $500,000,000 PER YEAR for the Switch right now, and this just adds to the value of the game. It will have 96 tracks total once this pack is done.

[Orchard]

Just give us MK9 already. $25 DLC (which is clearly meant to push people towards their online subscription) for old tracks? Yeesh.

[--Onilink--]

Complaining about $25 for FORTY EIGHT (completely reworked) maps? Yeesh

[Orchard]

48 old maps for an 8 year old game you mean. Yes, I am complaining. I love MK8 but it's time for MK9.

[--Onilink--]

And MK9 would also have old maps, literally every mario kart does it. Not to mention, just because they are old doesnt mean they arent being done from scratch, just as they did for the remade tracks that came with MK8.

The gameplay is already great in MK8 and there is great value in the amount of tracks for the price

[Teflon02]

Rather a brand new MK, 8 has been milked enough

[SurgicalMenace]

My point exactly.

[Fntastic]

Not even a mission mode. Guess the Switch successor isn't coming anytime soon.. kinda lame.

Also where are Pilotwings and Starfox? Or do we have to wait ages for those? They keep milking junk games like Pokemon instead.

[SullysCigar]

Just FYI: to all intents and purposes, Pilotwings is on VR now, called Ultrawings.

It's massively derivative of Pilotwings, but is actually pretty awesome on PSVR - you can even use a HOTUS flight stick!

A sequel is on its way too.

[ken2813]

$150 for DLC???

[BrainSyphoned]

Naw the journalists just did their normal thing and fucked the wording of basic information. It's $25 for everything not 25$ for each wave as they release.

[SoulWarrior]

48 is... a lot, and I like MK8, but I really wanted to finally ase an MK9 announcement.

[SimpleSlave]

24.99 for 48 Courses is ok, I guess, maybe. 24.99 for each Wave? That's a fuck Nintendo deal.

[TargusX]

Boo to Pass, yay to DLC

[RaiderNation]

This was literally the only announcement during the direct that I cared about. It also tells me that MK9 isn't coming anytime soon. Nintendo is probably developing it as a Switch 2 launch game.

[TheTony316]

48 tracks? This could have been MK9, lol.

[Cuzizkool]

I really hope that people take note of the price for this. Nintendo is notorious for charging high prices for games/remakes/remasters, but this is the first time they’re releasing DLC that has enough content to be its own standalone game for only $25 (or giving it away free if you have the online expansion pack). This doesn’t cover up their other mistakes, but it’s a step in the right direction. I hope this sells well so Nintendo gets the hint.