Mario Kart 8 Deluxe – Still Worth Playing in 2025

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe has been the definitive racing experience on Nintendo Switch since its launch in 2017. With the completion of the Booster Course Pass in late 2023, the game now offers an unprecedented amount of content—96 tracks and 47 characters. As the gaming community looks toward the Switch 2 era, many players are revisiting the question of whether this seven-year-old title still holds value in 2025.

The answer depends largely on how you play. For those who already own the base game, the Booster Course Pass remains one of the largest DLC packs Nintendo has ever released for a racing title. For newcomers, the full package—base game plus DLC—represents hundreds of hours of multiplayer racing across courses drawn from every era of the franchise.

This guide covers everything you need to know: what’s included in the DLC, how many characters and tracks are available, where to find the best deals, and what the future looks like as Nintendo prepares its next console.

What Is the Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Booster Course Pass?

The Booster Course Pass is a paid DLC that adds 48 remastered tracks, 8 new playable characters, and several Mii racing suits to Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. Released across six waves between March 2022 and November 2023, it effectively doubles the game’s course count from 48 to 96.

Key Insights

• Mario Kart 8 Deluxe remains the best-selling Switch game and top party racing title in 2025.
• The Booster Course Pass added 48 remastered tracks, nearly doubling the base game content.
• Nintendo has not confirmed a native Switch 2 version, but backward compatibility is expected.
• The game offers the most content of any Mario Kart title, including 47 characters across 96 tracks.
• Digital purchase is recommended for convenience, but physical copies offer resale value.

How Many Characters and Tracks Are in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe?

With the Booster Course Pass included, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe features 47 playable characters and 96 tracks. The base game shipped with 42 characters and 48 tracks. The DLC added 8 characters and 48 tracks.

How to Unlock All Characters in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe

Base game characters are unlocked by earning coins in Grand Prix or VS races. The 8 DLC characters—Birdo, Petey Piranha, Kamek, Wiggler, Diddy Kong, Funky Kong, Pauline, and Peachette—are available immediately after purchasing the Booster Course Pass. No additional grinding is required.

What Are the Best Character Combinations?

Character stats vary by weight class. Heavy characters like Funky Kong and Bowser offer higher speed and weight, while lighter characters like Toad and Peachette have better acceleration and handling. The DLC characters, especially Kamek and Wiggler, are competitive choices for online play.

How Many Tracks Are Available With All DLC?

96 tracks in total. The base game’s 48 tracks plus the 48 from the Booster Course Pass. The new tracks are mostly remasters from previous Mario Kart games and Mario Kart Tour, with updated visuals and music. See the timeline section for the full release schedule.

What Is the Battle Mode Like?

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe includes a revamped Battle Mode with dedicated arenas (a feature absent from the original Wii U version). The Booster Course Pass added no new battle arenas, but the new tracks can be used in VS races.

Will Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Work on Nintendo Switch 2?

Nintendo has not issued an official statement regarding native Switch 2 support for Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. However, the game is a standard Switch title, and backward compatibility is widely expected for the next console.

Is There a Native Switch 2 Version?

According to available information, there is no evidence of a separate Switch 2 version being announced or in development. The Booster Course Pass remains a Switch 1 product. If backward compatibility is confirmed, the game will likely run in its current form on the new hardware.

Will My Save Data Transfer to Switch 2?

If the Switch 2 uses the same Nintendo Account system, cloud saves (with a Nintendo Switch Online subscription) should allow transfer. Physical cartridge saves may also move if the system supports local transfer.

Does the Game Run Better on Switch 2?

No performance data is available for Switch 2, as the hardware has not yet been released. The current version runs at 30fps in multiplayer and 60fps in single-player on Switch.

Where to Buy Mario Kart 8 Deluxe: Amazon vs GameStop vs Digital

The base game is available from major retailers including Amazon, GameStop, and the Nintendo eShop. The Booster Course Pass can be purchased separately for $24.99 or accessed at no extra cost with a Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack membership.

Is Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Worth It in 2025?

The DLC is broadly considered good value if you still play Mario Kart 8 Deluxe regularly. It adds another game’s worth of content and nearly doubles the course count. One review from TheGamer noted that the pass “brings 48 additional tracks” and “almost feels like that new game we’ve been waiting for.” If you are looking for brand-new Mario Kart experiences, the appeal is lower because the content is finished and no longer expanding. Subscribers to the Expansion Pack get the pass bundled, making it easier to justify.

What Is the Best Price for Mario Kart 8 Deluxe?

The base game typically retails at $59.99 but frequently drops to $39.99–$49.99 during sales. Price tracking sites like DekuDeals show historical lows. The DLC is fixed at $24.99 unless you subscribe to the Expansion Pack.

Is the Physical or Digital Version Better?

Physical copies allow resale and do not require a large download. Digital copies are always accessible without swapping cartridges. Both run identically.

Can I Buy the Booster Course Pass Separately?

Yes. The pass is available standalone on the Nintendo eShop for $24.99. It is not a physical product.

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Release Date and History

The game originally launched on Wii U in 2014. The Deluxe version arrived on Switch in 2017, bundling all previous DLC and adding a revamped Battle Mode. The Booster Course Pass was released from 2022 to 2023.

1. May 29, 2014 – Mario Kart 8 released on Wii U with 32 tracks and 30 characters.
2. November 2014 – April 2015 – Two DLC packs released for the Wii U version (Mercedes, Animal Crossing, Zelda content).
3. April 28, 2017 – Mario Kart 8 Deluxe released on Nintendo Switch, including all Wii U DLC, revamped Battle Mode, and new characters.
4. March 18, 2022 – First wave of the Booster Course Pass DLC released.
5. November 9, 2023 – Final wave (Wave 6) of the Booster Course Pass released, totaling 48 new tracks.
6. 2025 – Ongoing sales; Nintendo Switch 2 announcement pending backward compatibility details.

What Is Confirmed and What Remains Uncertain About Mario Kart 8 Deluxe?

Some aspects of the game are well documented, while others—particularly regarding next-gen support—are not.

How Does Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Fit Into the Switch Racing Landscape?

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe remains the best-selling racing game on Switch, far outpacing competitors like Crash Team Racing Nitro-Fueled and Sonic Team Racing. Its long-term appeal stems from the Booster Course Pass, which kept the game relevant through 2023. The pass added courses from Mario Kart Tour and older entries, giving longtime fans a reason to return.

The game’s role as a system seller is significant. It has sold over 35 million copies as of 2024, making it the best-selling game on the platform. Its continued popularity in 2025 is partly due to its depth—96 tracks and 47 characters make it the most feature-rich Mario Kart title ever released.

Compared to other Switch racing games, MK8 Deluxe offers the largest track selection and the most active online community. Crash Team Racing has a story mode and tighter mechanics, while Sonic Team Racing is more arcade-style. For sheer volume and polish, MK8 Deluxe leads.

What Do Official Sources Say About Mario Kart 8 Deluxe?

“Race across your favorite tracks with Mario and friends in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe for Nintendo Switch. Enjoy local and online multiplayer racing.”

— Nintendo.com official product page

“It was rereleased on the Nintendo Switch in April 2017 as Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, including the DLC, a revamped battle mode and other gameplay alterations.”

— Wikipedia – Mario Kart 8

“Critic Score: 92/100 – ‘Universal Acclaim’ based on 92 critic reviews.”

— Metacritic

Summary: Is Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Still Worth Playing in 2025?

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe remains a complete, polished racing game with an exceptional amount of content. The Booster Course Pass adds substantial variety, and the game is widely expected to be backward compatible with the upcoming Switch 2. For anyone who enjoys multiplayer racing and wants the largest track selection in the series, the full package—base game plus DLC—remains a strong investment. If you already own the game and play regularly, the pass is still worth considering.

For those interested in the DLC specifically, the official product page is Mario Kart 8 Deluxe – Booster Course Pass.

Frequently Asked Questions