Right out of the box you get instant access to the two paid DLC packs that released on the Wii U before – including tracks like Hyrule Castle, F-Zero’s Big Blue and the Excitebike Arena – alongside the totally revamped Battle Mode that’s more reminiscent of how the head-to-head gameplay functioned in Mario Kart Wii. It's important to mention that, even without the Booster Course Pass added, Mario Kart 8: Deluxe is a generous offering. The result? Simply one of the best games on the console, and one of the most complete-feeling kart racers ever. And yet, slowly but surely throughout the course of 2023, Nintendo treated us to 48 new tracks across six waves, by way of the Booster Course Pass. With four new cups, 16 new courses, and multiple characters like The Legend of Zelda's Link and the Inkling from Splatoon added, I couldn’t imagine this already great kart racer getting any better.
Fortunately I picked it up day one on Nintendo Switch as the mightier, more bountiful Mario Kart 8: Deluxe.
But if I did, I can guarantee you that Mario Kart 8 would have been my most played game on it. After 10 years being Nintendo’s leading system-seller, Mario Kart 8: Deluxe goes out as one of the most complete packages ever.
