What Is Included in The Mario Kart 8 Deluxe – Booster Course Pass?

The Mario Kart 8 Deluxe – Booster Course Pass requires players to purchase and own the Mario Kart 8 Deluxe game on the Nintendo Switch. On February 9th, 2022, Nintendo held an exciting Nintendo Direct that included the announcement for the Mario Kart 8 Deluxe - Booster Course Pass. This Booster Course Pass is a DLC expansion that marks the first wave of DLC content of six that will be released over the course of 2022 and 2023. That means there will be forty-eight more tracks available for Mario Kart 8 Deluxe.

The courses are remastered and come from almost every game in the Mario Kart series. Yes, this includes the lesser-played Mario Kart Tour game on mobile. The first wave of content was released on March 18th, and it has two beloved tracks: Choco Mountain and Coconut Mall. The remaster does not only include visual improvements to the game but upgraded (or even new) music too.

What Is Needed to Play the Mario Kart 8 Deluxe - Booster Course Pass?

If you’re already subscribed to the Nintendo Switch Online plus the Expansion Pass Membership, then Mario Kart 8 Deluxe - Booster Course Pass is available as long as you own Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. However, those who do not have the Expansion Pack Membership would need to purchase the Booster Course Pass on their own. It’s up to players to decide if they want to have the Booster Course Pass at no additional cost if they want to take advantage of the Expansion Pack membership that could bring value to other Nintendo Switch games they’re interested in.

What Tracks Are Included in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe - Booster Course Pass?

The first wave of Booster Course DLC has two cups: The Golden Dash Cup and the Lucky Cat Cup. Let us take a look at the tracks included with each cup.

Golden Dash Cup: Paris Promenade

Paris Promenade is a track from Mario Kart Tour where players can race through some of Paris’ famous locations, such as the Eiffel Tower. This track made its first appearance in the 2019 Paris Tour in the Peach Cup and has players zooming through buildings towards the Jardins du Trocadéro or the famous Arc de Triomphe.

Golden Dash Cup: Toad Circuit

Fans of the Mushroom Cup in Mario Kart 7 will recognize the giant Toad balloons as they race around the various turns and boost ramps this course has to offer. In Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, the toad balloons are completely remastered because of the graphical improvements. Do not get too distracted, you do not want to take a turn too hard and lose your spot in the race!

Golden Dash Cup: Choco Mountain

Choco Mountain is the first track that comes from Mario Kart 64 in this DLC and older players who have experience with the Flower Cup should know the obstacles this track brings. There are a couple of changes from the removal of the ramps before the cavern to the addition of Shy Guy spectators. If you listen closely, you will also notice the music too has changed.

Golden Dash Cup: Coconut Mall

Coconut Mall is a fan favorite, and its music has even graced fans of the Mario & Sonic series. The Coconut Mall comes from the Mario Kart Wii game and has players racing through the shopping center on Isle Delfino. In Mario Kart 7, Coconut Mall appears again, albeit a bit shorter than its predecessor. This was mostly because the technical limitations of the Nintendo 3DS could not handle such a grueling course. In the Mario Kart 8 Deluxe DLC, Coconut Mall gets a much-needed graphical overhaul and has some changes from the music to the addition of some background objects.

Lucky Cat Cup: Tokyo Blur

Tokyo Blur comes from the Mario Kart Tour game and has players racing around an exaggerated Tokyo area. It is also a popular enough track to have appeared in multiple tours from the Tokyo Tour to the 2nd Anniversary Tour. Now, Tokyo Blur shows up again in the Mario Kart 8 Deluxe - Booster Course Pass and has players moving through the various Tokyo Blur stages. Unfortunately for some players, the Thwomps are still there to get in the way of your victory, so time your race accordingly!

Lucky Cat Cup: Shroom Ridge

Fans of Mario Kart DS will remember Shroom Ride from the Mario Kart DS game in the Flower Cup. Players will also remember the nail-biting mountain ridge that has no railings. However, if you are into that sort of anxious driving, then you will be happy to know that the Lucky Cat Cup brings Shroom Ridge to Mario Kart 8 Deluxe in the first Booster Course Pass DLC. Just be wary of some of the environmental factors that may hinder your chances of winning. At least they added some guard rails to Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, but they do not last the entirety of the track, so do not get too comfortable.

Lucky Cat Cup: Sky Garden

Remember Mario Kart: Super Circuit with the Lightning Cup? This course goes all the way back to the Game Boy Advance, but it shows up completely remastered for Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. Upgraded graphics, airships, Koopa Paratroopas, and more appear on the track to make it feel like a brand-new track, even for those who remember when it was slightly remade as a retro track for Mario Kart DS.

Lucky Cat Cup: Ninja Hideaway

Ninja Hideaway is the final track in the first wave of Booster Course Pass DLC for Mario Kart 8. This track is relatively new, showing up in the Ninja Tour in Mario Kart Tour. There are plenty of twists and turns in this track, so players should pick up a full wireless Nintendo Switch controller for those gripping moments!

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe – Booster Course Pass will bring us to some of the most memorable tracks we have seen in almost twenty years of Mario Kart. Make sure you’re not at a disadvantage and pick up everything you need for the Nintendo Switch so you can take turns and dodge obstacles masterfully in your bid to be the best racer in Mario Kart!