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Buckle Up! A Deep Dive into the Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Booster Course Pass and Wave 1’s Launch

The question on every kart racer’s mind: When did the first wave of Mario Kart DLC come out? The answer is March 18th, 2022. This marked the beginning of a thrilling journey that significantly expanded the beloved Mario Kart 8 Deluxe experience on the Nintendo Switch. But that’s just the starting line! Let’s delve into the details of the Booster Course Pass, exploring its impact, content, and the exciting waves that followed.

The Road to More Tracks: Introducing the Booster Course Pass

Before Wave 1 zoomed onto the scene, Nintendo announced the Booster Course Pass during a February 2022 Nintendo Direct. This announcement sent shockwaves of excitement through the Mario Kart community. The promise of 48 additional courses, doubling the total number of tracks, was a game-changer. These weren’t just any tracks; they were remastered classics from previous Mario Kart iterations, bringing a wave of nostalgia and fresh challenges to the already expansive Mario Kart 8 Deluxe.

The Booster Course Pass was structured as a paid DLC, offering a treasure trove of content for a one-time purchase. Alternatively, Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack subscribers gained access to the pass as part of their subscription. This dual access method ensured that a wide range of players could enjoy the new courses.

Wave 1: The Starting Line

March 18th, 2022, arrived, and with it, Wave 1 of the Booster Course Pass. This initial offering set the stage for the exciting waves to come, showcasing the quality and variety that players could expect. Wave 1 included eight tracks divided into two cups: the Golden Dash Cup and the Lucky Cat Cup.

The Golden Dash Cup consisted of:

Paris Promenade (from Mario Kart Tour)
Toad Circuit (from Mario Kart 7)
Choco Mountain (from Mario Kart 64)
Coconut Mall (from Mario Kart Wii)

The Lucky Cat Cup featured:

Tokyo Blur (from Mario Kart Tour)
Shroom Ridge (from Mario Kart DS)
Sky Garden (from Mario Kart Advance)
Ninja Hideaway (from Mario Kart Tour)

The reception to Wave 1 was overwhelmingly positive. Players praised the faithful remasters of classic tracks and the inclusion of courses from Mario Kart Tour, bringing a mobile-gaming flair to the Nintendo Switch console experience. Coconut Mall and Ninja Hideaway quickly became fan favorites, showcasing the blend of nostalgia and new experiences that the Booster Course Pass aimed to deliver.

Navigating the Waves: What Came After

Following the successful launch of Wave 1, Nintendo continued to release new waves of the Booster Course Pass approximately every few months, keeping the Mario Kart 8 Deluxe experience fresh and exciting. Each wave introduced eight new tracks and maintained the same level of quality and attention to detail that defined Wave 1. Here’s a brief overview of the subsequent waves:

Wave 2: Launched in August 2022, featuring courses like New York Minute, Mario Circuit 3, Kalimari Desert, and Waluigi Pinball.
Wave 3: Arrived in December 2022, bringing Merry Mountain, Peach Gardens, London Loop, and Maple Treeway.
Wave 4: Released in March 2023, introducing Birdo as a new character and tracks such as Yoshi’s Island, Riverside Park, and DK Summit.
Wave 5: Launched in July 2023, adding Kamek, Wiggler, and Petey Piranha as new racers, along with courses like Athens Dash, Los Angeles Laps, and Squeaky Clean Sprint.
Wave 6: The final wave, released in Winter 2023, featured Diddy Kong, Funky Kong, Pauline, and Peachette as new characters, and courses like Daisy Circuit and DK’s Jungle Parkway.

FAQs: Everything You Need to Know About the Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Booster Course Pass

1. What is the Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Booster Course Pass?

The Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Booster Course Pass is a paid DLC that adds 48 additional courses to the Mario Kart 8 Deluxe game. These courses are remastered versions of tracks from previous Mario Kart games.

2. How many waves are in the Booster Course Pass?

There are a total of six waves in the Booster Course Pass, each containing eight courses.

3. How can I access the Booster Course Pass?

You can access the Booster Course Pass by either purchasing it directly from the Nintendo eShop or by subscribing to Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack.

4. How much does the Booster Course Pass cost?

The Booster Course Pass typically costs around $25 when purchased separately.

5. Do I need Nintendo Switch Online to play the Booster Course Pass courses?

You only need Nintendo Switch Online if you want to play the courses online with other players. You can play the courses offline in single-player or local multiplayer without a Nintendo Switch Online subscription, provided you have the Booster Course Pass.

6. Are the Booster Course Pass tracks only available in the Booster Course Pass?

Yes, the Booster Course Pass tracks are exclusively available through the DLC and are not included in the base game.

7. Are there new characters in the Booster Course Pass?

Yes, several waves of the Booster Course Pass introduced new playable characters, including Birdo, Kamek, Wiggler, Petey Piranha, Diddy Kong, Funky Kong, Pauline, and Peachette.

8. What was included in Wave 2 of the Booster Course Pass?

Wave 2 included courses like New York Minute (from Mario Kart Tour), Mario Circuit 3 (from Super Mario Kart), Kalimari Desert (from Mario Kart 64), and Waluigi Pinball (from Mario Kart DS).

9. What was included in Wave 3 of the Booster Course Pass?

Wave 3 included courses like Merry Mountain (from Mario Kart Tour), Peach Gardens (from Mario Kart DS), London Loop (from Mario Kart Tour), and Maple Treeway (from Mario Kart Wii).

10. What was included in Wave 4 of the Booster Course Pass?

Wave 4 introduced Birdo as a new character and included courses like Yoshi’s Island (from Mario Kart: Super Circuit), Riverside Park (from Mario Kart: Super Circuit), and DK Summit (from Mario Kart Wii).

11. What was included in Wave 5 of the Booster Course Pass?

Wave 5 added Kamek, Wiggler, and Petey Piranha as new racers, along with courses like Athens Dash (from Mario Kart Tour), Los Angeles Laps (from Mario Kart Tour), and Squeaky Clean Sprint (a brand-new course).

12. What was included in Wave 6 of the Booster Course Pass?

Wave 6 added Diddy Kong, Funky Kong, Pauline, and Peachette as new characters, and courses like Daisy Circuit (from Mario Kart Wii) and DK’s Jungle Parkway (from Mario Kart 64).

13. Will there be more waves of the Booster Course Pass after Wave 6?

Wave 6 was the final wave of the Booster Course Pass, and Nintendo has not announced any plans for additional waves.

14. Are the courses in the Booster Course Pass fully remastered, or are they just ports?

The courses in the Booster Course Pass are remastered, meaning they have been updated with improved graphics and other enhancements to take advantage of the Nintendo Switch‘s capabilities.

15. What is the Games Learning Society?

The Games Learning Society, or GamesLearningSociety.org, is a group that explores the combination of play, games, and learning and how they can be integrated into a variety of settings.

The launch of Wave 1 on March 18th, 2022, marked a significant moment for Mario Kart 8 Deluxe fans. The Booster Course Pass not only doubled the number of tracks available but also brought a wave of nostalgia and excitement with its carefully remastered classic courses. As the final wave has already launched, players can now enjoy the full 48 DLC tracks, and several beloved characters. So, grab your steering wheel, choose your favorite character, and get ready to race through all the exciting content the Booster Course Pass has to offer!