Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Complete Guide to Tracks, Characters, DLC, Controls and Best Setups

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is Nintendo’s expanded version of Mario Kart 8 for Nintendo Switch, combining fast arcade racing, local and online multiplayer, Battle Mode, dozens of playable racers, customizable vehicles, and a huge selection of tracks.

Originally released for Nintendo Switch on April 28, 2017, the game includes all tracks and DLC from the Wii U version, while the later Booster Course Pass added another 48 courses and eight playable characters.

Whether you’re starting your first Grand Prix or trying to improve your online performance, understanding characters, kart combinations, controls, tracks, and unlockables can make Mario Kart 8 Deluxe much more enjoyable.

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Nintendo Switch Overview

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Nintendo Switch takes the core gameplay of Mario Kart 8 and packages it into a more complete portable and home-console experience.

Players race through courses filled with jumps, shortcuts, anti-gravity sections, underwater areas, gliding sections, hazards, and familiar Mario items.

Nintendo Switch players can use the game in TV, tabletop, or handheld mode. The original Nintendo Switch version supports up to four players on one system, up to eight through local wireless, and up to 12 online.

The game also works on Nintendo Switch 2. Nintendo says a free update adds improved image quality, faster loading, and support for up to eight racers in local multiplayer on one Switch 2 system.

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Release Date

The official Mario Kart 8 Deluxe release date was:

April 28, 2017

Nintendo released the game exclusively for the Nintendo Switch family after the original Mario Kart 8 launched on Wii U.

Although it has been available for years, continued updates and the Booster Course Pass significantly expanded its content.

What Makes Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Different?

Mario Kart has always been designed to be approachable, but Mario Kart 8 Deluxe combines accessibility with enough mechanical depth to reward experienced players.

Some of its defining features include:

• Anti-gravity racing sections
• Drifting and mini-turbo boosts
• Gliding and underwater racing
• Double item slots
• Smart Steering
• Auto-Accelerate
• Motion controls
• Local multiplayer
• Online multiplayer and tournaments
• Battle Mode
• Vehicle customization
• 50cc, 100cc, 150cc, Mirror and 200cc classes

One of the biggest differences from the original Wii U game is that Deluxe starts with most characters and tracks already available.

Instead of spending hours unlocking the basic roster, players can concentrate on improving their driving and unlocking vehicle parts.

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Tracks

The selection of Mario Kart 8 Deluxe tracks is one of the game’s strongest features.

The base game contains 48 racing courses, covering original Mario Kart 8 tracks alongside redesigned courses from earlier Mario Kart games.

The Booster Course Pass later added another 48 courses, bringing the combined racing-course selection to 96 tracks. Nintendo released the additional courses in six waves of eight courses each between March 2022 and November 2023.

The variety is considerable. Some tracks emphasize technical drifting, while others feature long straight sections, anti-gravity routes or unusual layouts.

Popular returning tracks include Wii Coconut Mall, N64 Choco Mountain, Wii Maple Treeway, DS Waluigi Pinball and Wii Rainbow Road.

Original and Retro Courses

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe divides courses into cups.

The original selection mixes newly designed tracks with remastered classics from systems including:

• Super Nintendo Entertainment System
• Nintendo 64
• Game Boy Advance
• Nintendo GameCube
• Nintendo DS
• Wii
• Nintendo 3DS

The DLC expands that history further by incorporating courses from Mario Kart Tour, including city-based tracks such as Paris Promenade and Tokyo Blur.

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Booster Course Pass

The Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Booster Course Pass is the game’s major DLC expansion.

It adds:

• 48 additional racing courses
• Eight additional playable characters
• Additional Mii racing suits

Nintendo released the DLC across six waves, beginning March 18, 2022. The sixth and final wave launched on November 8, 2023.

Booster Course Pass Characters

The DLC added the following racers:

• Birdo
• Petey Piranha
• Wiggler
• Kamek
• Diddy Kong
• Funky Kong
• Pauline
• Peachette

Wave 4 introduced Birdo, Wave 5 added Petey Piranha, Kamek and Wiggler, while Wave 6 completed the roster additions with Diddy Kong, Funky Kong, Pauline and Peachette.

Do You Need the Booster Course Pass?

You don’t need the DLC to enjoy the core game. The base version already offers a substantial amount of racing content.

The pass makes more sense if you:

• Regularly play Mario Kart
• Want the largest possible track selection
• Enjoy classic courses from older Mario Kart titles
• Want DLC characters such as Diddy Kong, Pauline or Funky Kong
• Frequently play multiplayer

Nintendo also includes access to the Booster Course Pass while you have an eligible Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack membership. It can alternatively be purchased separately.

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Characters

The Mario Kart 8 Deluxe characters range from lightweight racers to heavy characters with very different driving characteristics.

Popular choices include Mario, Luigi, Peach, Daisy, Yoshi, Bowser, Donkey Kong, Rosalina, Waluigi, King Boo and several guest characters.

The game also includes Inkling Girl and Inkling Boy from Splatoon.

Does Your Character Matter?

Yes.

Characters have hidden statistical differences that influence areas such as:

• Speed
• Acceleration
• Weight
• Handling
• Traction
• Mini-Turbo performance

Heavy characters generally offer higher potential speed but lower acceleration.

Lighter characters are easier to recover with after being hit and normally provide stronger acceleration and handling.

Medium-weight characters often provide a useful compromise.

Your character is only one part of the equation, however. Kart body, tires and glider also influence the final statistics.

Best Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Setup

There isn’t a single best Mario Kart 8 Deluxe setup for every player and every track.

A high-level competitive combination that remains popular is:

Yoshi + Teddy Buggy + Roller/Azure Roller Tires + Cloud or Paper Glider

The setup is valued because it combines good speed with strong acceleration, handling and especially Mini-Turbo performance. Competitive players also use characters with statistics similar to Yoshi, including Peach, Daisy, Birdo and Peachette.

Recommended Setups by Play Style

Why Mini-Turbo Matters

Mini-Turbo influences the boosts generated by drifting.

Hold a drift long enough and sparks change color, eventually producing increasingly powerful boosts.

Because competitive Mario Kart involves frequent drifting, a build with strong Mini-Turbo can gain speed repeatedly instead of relying only on raw top speed.

That doesn’t mean beginners should copy a competitive setup immediately.

A combination that feels stable and predictable will usually produce better results than an unfamiliar “meta” setup that is difficult for you to control.

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Controls

Learning the Mario Kart 8 Deluxe controls is more important than constantly changing characters or vehicles.

The essential actions include:

• Accelerate
• Brake/reverse
• Steer
• Use item
• Hop/drift
• Look behind
• Perform tricks from ramps

Drifting deserves special attention because it provides Mini-Turbo boosts.

How to Drift Properly

Approach a corner and begin your drift shortly before turning sharply.

Continue steering while holding the drift. Colored sparks eventually appear from the wheels.

Release the drift button to activate the boost.

With practice, you can chain these boosts through multiple corners.

Smart Steering

Smart Steering helps prevent your kart from leaving the track.

It’s useful for:

• Children
• Complete beginners
• Players learning unfamiliar tracks

More experienced players often disable it because greater manual control can help with certain shortcuts and techniques.

Auto-Accelerate

Auto-Accelerate keeps the kart moving without requiring you to continuously hold the acceleration button.

This can make longer sessions more comfortable and is particularly useful for younger or casual players.

How to Improve at Mario Kart 8 Deluxe

Fast driving alone won’t consistently win races.

Good players combine racing lines, item management, track knowledge and positioning.

Learn Drift Timing

Don’t begin every drift at the same distance from a corner.

Tight corners require earlier setup, while gentle curves may need only a short drift.

Experiment in Time Trials without the distraction of other racers.

Collect Coins

Coins aren’t simply collectibles.

Your kart’s maximum speed improves as you collect coins during a race, up to the in-race limit.

Coins collected across gameplay also help unlock regular vehicle parts.

Use Items Strategically

Using an item immediately is not always the best move.

A defensive shell or banana can protect you from incoming attacks, while offensive items can be saved for moments where they provide more value.

Learn Shortcuts

Many tracks contain shortcuts that require:

• Mushrooms
• Precise drifting
• Ramp tricks
• Careful positioning

Practice them in Time Trials before trying them during competitive races.

Look Behind You

Knowing what another racer is carrying can change your decision.

If the player behind has a dangerous item, holding defensive protection may be more valuable than throwing it forward.

How to Get Gold Mario in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe

Players searching for how to get Gold Mario in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe or how to get Golden Mario in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe need to complete one of the game’s harder challenges.

To unlock Gold Mario:

Win every base-game Grand Prix cup at 200cc.

You need the gold trophy in all 12 original cups. Booster Course Pass cups are not part of this requirement. Gold Mario has the same gameplay statistics as Metal Mario, so the reward is primarily cosmetic and achievement-based.

Tips for Unlocking Gold Mario

200cc is dramatically faster than the standard racing classes.

To improve your chances:

• Brake while drifting through tight corners
• Use characters and vehicles with strong handling
• Learn the course before attempting the Grand Prix
• Avoid overusing raw speed builds
• Practice difficult tracks individually

Brake drifting is particularly important at 200cc. Holding or tapping the brake during a drift can prevent you from flying off the outside of a corner.

How to Get Gold Kart in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe

Players wondering how to get Gold Kart in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe are usually referring to the Gold Standard kart body.

To unlock it:

Earn at least one star in every base-game Mirror Mode Grand Prix cup.

A star rating requires consistently strong finishes throughout each cup.

Mirror Mode reverses track layouts, which can make familiar corners unexpectedly challenging.

Spend a few races adjusting to the reversed layout rather than relying entirely on muscle memory.

How to Get Gold Wheels in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe

To unlock the Gold Wheels, also called Gold Tires:

Beat every base-game Nintendo staff ghost in 150cc Time Trials.

There are 48 relevant base-game staff ghosts. Booster Course Pass ghosts are not required for the unlock.

Best Strategy for Gold Wheels

Time Trials reward consistency rather than item luck.

Focus on:

1. Learning the ghost’s racing line.
2. Saving mushrooms for effective shortcuts.
3. Maintaining clean drifts.
4. Avoiding walls and off-road surfaces.
5. Adjusting your kart setup for difficult courses.

You don’t need to beat the ghost by a huge margin. Finishing even slightly ahead is enough.

How to Unlock the Gold Glider

The Gold Glider has a simpler requirement, although it requires patience.

You need to collect:

5,000 coins

Once the requirement is reached, the Gold Glider becomes available among your vehicle parts.

Gold Unlock Requirements at a Glance

These challenges are completely separate, so completing one does not automatically unlock the other gold components.

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe DLC: Is It Worth Adding?

The Mario Kart 8 Deluxe DLC substantially increases the size of the game.

The Booster Course Pass effectively doubles the racing-course selection from 48 to 96 while introducing eight additional characters.

For occasional players, the original 48 tracks may already provide enough variety.

For households that play regularly, online players or fans of older Mario Kart entries, the expanded course selection adds significant replay value.

One important detail is that the base Mario Kart 8 Deluxe game is still required to use the Booster Course Pass.

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe ROM and NSP Searches: What to Know

Search terms such as Mario Kart 8 Deluxe ROM and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe NSP commonly appear online, but unofficial copies can create legal, security and reliability problems.

An NSP file is associated with packaged Nintendo Switch software, while “ROM” is often used more broadly for copied game data.

For ordinary players, the safest approach is to obtain Mario Kart 8 Deluxe through Nintendo’s official digital storefront or an authorized physical retailer.

Unofficial downloads can expose users to:

• Malware
• Modified or corrupted files
• Account or console problems
• Missing updates
• Broken online functionality
• Copyright concerns

If you own the game, follow the laws and platform rules that apply in your country before making or using backups.

Is Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Good for Beginners?

Yes.

Few racing games balance accessibility and competitive depth as effectively.

A beginner can activate Smart Steering and Auto-Accelerate and immediately participate, while experienced racers can spend hundreds of hours mastering drifting, shortcuts, item probabilities, racing lines and vehicle statistics.

The progression is also flexible.

You can start with:

50cc → 100cc → 150cc → Mirror → 200cc

Moving gradually through those classes makes learning much easier than jumping directly into 200cc.

Pros and Cons of Mario Kart 8 Deluxe

Pros

• Huge track selection
• Excellent local multiplayer
• Easy for beginners to understand
• High skill ceiling
• Strong character variety
• Extensive kart customization
• Multiple controller options
• 96 racing courses with DLC
• Online multiplayer support
• Portable and TV play

Cons

• Item randomness can frustrate competitive players
• 200cc has a steep learning curve
• Some of the largest content additions require DLC
• Hidden vehicle statistics aren’t clearly explained in-game
• Unlocking Gold Wheels can take considerable practice

FAQs About Mario Kart 8 Deluxe

How many tracks are in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe?

The base game contains 48 racing courses. The Booster Course Pass adds another 48, giving you 96 racing courses with the DLC installed.

When was Mario Kart 8 Deluxe released?

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe launched for Nintendo Switch on April 28, 2017.

What is the best Mario Kart 8 Deluxe setup?

A widely used competitive setup combines a Yoshi-class character with the Teddy Buggy, Roller or Azure Roller tires, and a lightweight glider such as Cloud or Paper. The best setup still depends on your driving style and the track.

How do you get Gold Mario in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe?

Win all 12 base-game Grand Prix cups in 200cc. DLC cups are not required.

How do you unlock the Gold Kart?

Earn at least one star on every base-game Grand Prix cup in Mirror Mode to unlock the Gold Standard kart body.

How do you unlock Gold Wheels?

Beat all 48 base-game Nintendo staff ghosts in 150cc Time Trials.

Do you need the Booster Course Pass?

No. You can play Mario Kart 8 Deluxe fully without it. The Booster Course Pass adds 48 additional courses, eight characters and additional Mii racing content.

Is the Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Booster Course Pass finished?

Yes. Nintendo released all six waves, with the final wave arriving on November 8, 2023.

Can you play Mario Kart 8 Deluxe online?

Yes. Nintendo lists online multiplayer for up to 12 players. A Nintendo Switch Online membership is required for the game’s standard online features.

Does Mario Kart 8 Deluxe work on Nintendo Switch 2?

Yes. Nintendo lists the game as compatible and has released enhancements for Switch 2, including improved image quality, faster loading and expanded same-system local multiplayer.

Final Thoughts

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe remains an unusually complete racing package because it works at several levels at once. A family can pick it up for a quick multiplayer race, while experienced players can spend countless sessions perfecting drifting, Time Trials and competitive kart combinations.

The base game already provides 48 tracks, extensive character choices and multiple racing modes. Add the Booster Course Pass, and the course total reaches 96, giving players an enormous range of circuits to learn.

New players should begin with a comfortable character and balanced vehicle rather than obsessing over the perfect build. Once drifting and track knowledge become second nature, experiment with setups such as Yoshi and the Teddy Buggy and work toward the Gold Mario, Gold Standard, Gold Wheels and Gold Glider challenges.

Ready to race? Pick a favourite character, practice your drift timing in Time Trials, and start learning one track at a time—the biggest improvements come from cleaner driving, not simply choosing the fastest-looking kart.

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