Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Guide: Differences, DLC & Multiplayer

Few racing games manage to keep players coming back seven years after launch, but Mario Kart 8 Deluxe has done exactly that. With a stack of DLC, refined multiplayer, and a library of 96 tracks, it’s become the definitive kart racer on the Nintendo Switch.

Release date: April 28, 2017 ·
Total tracks: 96 (48 base + 48 via Booster Course Pass) ·
Total characters: 50 (42 base + 8 DLC) ·
Local multiplayer: Up to 4 players (split-screen) ·
Online multiplayer: Up to 12 players ·
Battle modes: 5 (Balloon Battle, Bob-omb Blast, Coin Runners, Shine Thief, Renegade Roundup)

Seven key specs at a glance: the game’s identity in a few numbers.

How does Mario Kart 8 Deluxe differ from Mario Kart 8?

Core gameplay differences

• Mario Kart 8 Deluxe includes all DLC from the original (Nintendo official store)
• New items such as the Boo and Feather are exclusive to Deluxe
• Smart Steering prevents falling off edges (Wikipedia)

Content additions (characters, tracks, modes)

• 42 base characters plus 8 from the Booster Course Pass, including Birdo, Kamek, and Petey Piranha
• Battle mode was rebuilt — five distinct play modes replace the original’s cut-down version
• Renegade Roundup, a cops-and-robbers variant, is entirely new

Visual and performance upgrades

• Runs at 1080p (TV) and 720p (handheld) at 60 fps — the Wii U version managed 720p/60 fps (Wikipedia technical overview)
• Improved anti-aliasing and lighting effects on Switch hardware

The trade-off: Deluxe is the definitive version, but Wii U owners who already bought the DLC won’t find radically new tracks until the Booster Course Pass.

How many players can play Mario Kart 8 Deluxe on Switch?

Local multiplayer modes

• Up to 4 players on a single Switch in TV or tabletop mode (Nintendo official store)
• Split-screen automatically activates with two or more controllers

Online multiplayer details

• Up to 12 players in online races and battles (Nintendo official store)
• Regional and global matchmaking with friend lobbies

Split-screen support

• Yes — 2, 3, or 4 players can play on the same screen in split-screen format
• Battle mode also supports local split-screen for up to 4 players

Why this matters: for parties or families with a single Switch, the ability to race together on one couch remains the game’s biggest social draw.

Is Mario Kart 8 Deluxe worth buying in 2025?

Content value: base game vs DLC

• Base game offers 48 tracks and 42 characters — already generous for a kart racer
• Booster Course Pass adds 48 remastered tracks and 8 characters for $24.99 (Nintendo official news)
• Total: 96 tracks and 50 characters — more content than any previous Mario Kart

Longevity and community

• Active online community with regular tournaments (e.g., Nintendo’s own online events)
• Time trials and leaderboards keep competitive players engaged

Comparison to other Switch racing games

Three options, one winner for most players:

The pattern: Mario Kart 8 Deluxe leads in track count and online population, making it the best value for players who want long-term replayability.

What is included in the Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Booster Course Pass?

Track list overview

• 48 remastered courses from past Mario Kart games, including GameCube, DS, Wii, and more
• Organised into 12 new cups (each wave added two cups)

New characters added

• 8 new characters: Birdo, Kamek, Petey Piranha, Wiggler, etc.
• All characters are unlocked immediately after downloading the pass

Wave release schedule

Six waves, each with 8 tracks:

Source: each wave’s official Nintendo news page — Nintendo (Wave 6 announcement). The implication: Nintendo delivered all 48 tracks on schedule, a rare feat for post-launch DLC.

What new battle modes and features does Mario Kart 8 Deluxe add?

Battle mode variants

• Five modes: Balloon Battle, Bob-omb Blast, Coin Runners, Shine Thief, Renegade Roundup
• Renegade Roundup is a team-based capture-the-flag variant exclusive to Deluxe

Smart Steering and auto-accelerate

• Smart Steering prevents the kart from falling off edges — ideal for young children
• Auto-accelerate lets players focus on steering only

Additional gameplay tweaks

• New items: Boo (steal an opponent’s item), Feather (jump over obstacles in battle)
• Improved item balancing (Blue Shell appears less frequently in first place)

What to watch: Smart Steering is optional, so competitive players can disable it. The feature makes the game accessible without dumbing down the core experience.

Timeline

• May 2014 – Mario Kart 8 released for Wii U
• January 2017 – Mario Kart 8 Deluxe announced for Nintendo Switch
• April 28, 2017 – Mario Kart 8 Deluxe released
• February 2022 – Booster Course Pass announced
• March 2022 – Wave 1 released
• August 2022 – Wave 2 released
• December 2022 – Wave 3 released
• March 2023 – Wave 4 released
• July 2023 – Wave 5 released
• November 2023 – Wave 6 (final) released

Clarity

What the experts say

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

— Nintendo official website

“From March 2022 until November 2023, Deluxe received additional DLC, Booster Course Pass, which added 48 race tracks and eight characters.”

— Wikipedia article on Mario Kart 8 Deluxe

For a buyer sitting on the fence in 2025, the choice is clear: if you own a Nintendo Switch and want the richest local multiplayer racing experience available, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe with the Booster Course Pass is the strongest value. For those planning to move to Switch 2, the backwards compatibility guarantee means your investment carries forward — making it a safe purchase today.

Related reading: Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Booster Course Pass Wave 6 is now available

For a deeper look at whether the game still holds up, check out our detailed worth-it analysis which examines reviews and the Booster Course Pass in detail.

Frequently asked questions