While there’s still no sign of the long-rumoredMario Kart 9,Mario Kart 8 Deluxe’s newBooster Course Passis definitely the next best thing, containing enough racetracks to act as an entirely new game basically. Announced during the most recent Nintendo Direct, the additional courses aren’t original, but are remastered variants from previous games, including theMario Kart Tourmobile game.
Since the Booster Course Pass is paid DLC, theNintendo Directannouncement never specified whether anyone who doesn’t purchase the pass would be able to try out these tracks on online multiplayer. It has since been discovered that, yes, that will be the case.
RELATED:Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is Now the Best Selling Entry in the Franchise
On Nintendo’s own website, the small print mentions that courses from the first wave of newMario Kart 8 Deluxecourses can be played in either local or online multiplayer with friends as long as one person has access to the DLC. From March 22nd, four days after the first wave releases, those courses will start appearing in the Random selection when playing online with anyone.
The small print doesn’t say anything about subsequent waves, but it’s safe to assume that the same will apply to those too. After all,Super Smash Bros. Ultimatenever prevented those who didn’t purchase its DLC from playing against those with DLC characters or fighting on the DLC stages, so it wouldn’t make sense forMario Kart 8 Deluxeto not do the same.
As a reminder, the Booster Course Pass will consist of 48 tracks split across six waves of eight, which will be released throughout the rest of the year and 2023. The first wave arrives on March 18th and includes Paris Promenade, Tokyo Blur, and Ninja Hideaway fromMario Kart Tour, Toad Circuit fromMario Kart 7, Choco Mountain fromMario Kart 64, Coconut Mall fromMario Kart Wii, Shroom Bridge fromMario Kart DS, and Sky Garden fromMario Kart: Super Circuit.
The release of this DLC raises further questions about the status of the nextMario Kartgame. Rumors pointed to it potentially addingguest stars from other Nintendo franchises, but with the DLC lasting until the end of 2023, Nintendo likely won’t acknowledge a new entry until 2024 at the absolute earliest.
Mario Kart 8 Deluxeis available for Nintendo Switch.
MORE:Tracks That Should Be Added with Mario Kart 8’s Booster Course Pass
