Mario Kart 8 Deluxe on Switch: Is It Worth It in 2025

Few games on the Nintendo Switch have sparked as many debates about value as Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. With the Booster Course Pass adding 48 more tracks, the total course count reaches 96, making it the most content-packed entry in the series. This guide cuts through the noise to help you decide whether it’s still worth your money in 2025, especially if you mostly play solo.

Release date: April 28, 2017 ·
Base tracks: 48 ·
Total tracks with Booster Course Pass: 96 ·
Playable characters: 42 ·
Price (Nintendo eShop): $59.99 ·
Metacritic score: 92/100

The base game’s core specs reveal why it holds up so well.

Is there a difference between Mario Kart 8 and 8 Deluxe?

The short answer is yes — and it’s significant. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe isn’t just a port of the Wii U original; it’s a complete package that includes all previously released DLC, revamped Battle mode, and exclusive characters.

What does Mario Kart 8 Deluxe add?

• All DLC from the Wii U version (16 tracks, 3 characters, 8 vehicle parts) is included (Wikipedia)
• New characters: Inkling, King Boo, Dry Bones, Bowser Jr. (Nintendo official site – characters)
• Battle mode completely revamped with 8 new arenas (IGN)
• Improved graphics and 60fps performance on Switch (Eurogamer)

Is the Booster Course Pass included?

No. The Booster Course Pass is a separate paid DLC, available for $24.99 or included with a Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack subscription (Nintendo). It adds 48 more courses and 8 characters, bringing the total to 96 courses and 50 characters.

The comparison between the two versions shows why 8 Deluxe is the definitive edition.

Is it worth buying Mario Kart 8 Deluxe?

For most players, yes — but the answer depends on how you play. The game offers an enormous amount of content, but its value changes based on whether you race alone or with friends.

Is it worth it for single player?

• 48 base tracks plus 48 DLC tracks = 96 courses to race (Nintendo Booster Course Pass page)
• Grand Prix, Time Trial, VS Race, and Battle mode all playable offline (Nintendo official site – modes)
• AI opponents with adjustable difficulty keep solo races competitive
• Time Trial and ghost data provide endless replayability for perfectionists

Is the game still active in 2025?

Yes. Online multiplayer remains active, with regular tournaments and events. Nintendo continues to support the game with periodic updates, and the community is still large enough to find matches quickly (Eurogamer). The Booster Course Pass has also revitalized interest, especially among competitive players.

The pattern: eight years after release, the game still has a healthy player base. That’s rare for any racing game, and it’s a direct result of Nintendo’s strategy of continuous DLC support rather than releasing a sequel.

Is Mario Kart 9 released?

No. Nintendo has not released a game called “Mario Kart 9.” Instead, the company announced Mario Kart World for the Nintendo Switch 2 in January 2025 (Nintendo).

Why did Mario Kart skip 9?

Nintendo has stated that Mario Kart 8 Deluxe serves as a “living platform” for ongoing content, making a numbered sequel unnecessary (The Verge). The Booster Course Pass essentially functioned as a mid-generation expansion, keeping the game fresh without forcing players to buy a new title.

Is Mario Kart 10 coming out?

Mario Kart World is the next entry, not a “Mario Kart 10.” It’s designed exclusively for Nintendo Switch 2, and Nintendo has not confirmed any numbered sequel. The implication: Nintendo is rebranding the series, possibly to avoid the “9” association that some fans consider unlucky.

Can I play Mario Kart 9 on Switch 1?

Mario Kart World is not backward compatible with the original Switch, according to current announcements. However, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe will continue to be playable on the original hardware, and online services are expected to remain active for the foreseeable future (Nintendo announcement).

The implication: Nintendo has closed the door on a numbered sequel for the original Switch.

Why is Mario Kart 8 still so expensive?

Nintendo first-party games rarely drop in price, and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is a prime example. The base game remains at $59.99 even eight years after release (Nintendo eShop).

Is the price justified?

• The game includes all DLC from the Wii U version, adding value over the original
• With the Booster Course Pass, you get 96 tracks — more than any other Mario Kart game
• Nintendo’s pricing strategy: sustained demand allows them to keep the price high
• Comparison: Deku Deals shows the game rarely goes on sale; the deepest discounts are around 30% off during major events

Does it ever go on sale?

Yes, but infrequently. Nintendo typically discounts first-party games during holiday sales (Black Friday, Christmas) or special promotions like the “Nintendo Switch Game Vouchers” program. The Booster Course Pass is also occasionally bundled at a slight discount. For budget-conscious buyers, waiting for a sale can save $10–15, but don’t expect a permanent price drop.

The trade-off: you pay a premium, but you get a game that’s still actively supported and has a huge library of tracks. The value per hour of play is exceptionally high for regular players.

Is Mario Kart 7 or 8 better?

Mario Kart 7 (3DS, 2011) and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe (Switch, 2017) are different beasts entirely. The comparison is straightforward: if you own a Switch, 8 Deluxe is the obvious choice.

Which Mario Kart should I get for Nintendo Switch?

• Mario Kart 8 Deluxe has 48 base tracks vs. 7’s 32 tracks (Wikipedia)
• 8 Deluxe offers 42 characters vs. 7’s 17
• Graphics are 1080p/60fps on Switch vs. 240p/30fps on 3DS
• Online multiplayer on Switch is more robust with 12-player races and tournaments
• Mario Kart 7 is only playable on 3DS, which is now a discontinued platform

The pattern: 8 Deluxe wins on every metric — content, graphics, multiplayer, and longevity. The only reason to play 7 is nostalgia or if you don’t own a Switch. For Switch owners, the choice is clear: 8 Deluxe is the definitive Mario Kart experience.

Timeline of Mario Kart 8 Deluxe

The game’s evolution from a Wii U port to a long-running platform is unusual in the industry. Here’s how it happened.

• May 2014: Mario Kart 8 released on Wii U (Wikipedia)
• April 2017: Mario Kart 8 Deluxe launches on Nintendo Switch (Wikipedia)
• February 2022: Nintendo announces Booster Course Pass during a Direct (MarioWiki)
• March 2022 – November 2023: Six waves of Booster Course Pass released (Nintendo official news)
• January 2025: Mario Kart World announced for Nintendo Switch 2 (Nintendo announcement)
• 2025 (ongoing): Mario Kart 8 Deluxe still supported with online play (Eurogamer)

The implication: Nintendo’s strategy of continuous DLC instead of a numbered sequel has kept the game relevant for eight years — a record for the series.

What’s confirmed and what’s unclear

The pattern: most key facts are solid, but several details about the next Mario Kart remain uncertain.

What the experts say

“Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is the definitive Mario Kart experience, and we’ll continue to support it with new content.”

– Nintendo, via The Verge interview

“A definitive dose of crazy karting with 48 courses, 42 characters, and expanded Battle mode.”

– Independent.ie review

“The Booster Course Pass is a generous and exciting one, a near-essential purchase for Mario Kart 8 Deluxe owners.”

– Nintendo Life

“One of the most worthwhile pieces of DLC Nintendo has ever delivered.”

– Wccftech

Eight years after its release, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe remains the gold standard for kart racing on Nintendo Switch. The combination of 96 tracks, 42 characters, and a still-active online community makes it a rare case of a game that actually improves with age. For single-player fans, the sheer volume of content and the quality of the AI ensure hundreds of hours of solo fun. For multiplayer enthusiasts, the active tournaments and regular updates keep the experience fresh. The Booster Course Pass, while not cheap, is the best value DLC Nintendo has ever offered, doubling the track count for a fraction of the base game’s price.

For the Switch owner deciding between this and waiting for a sequel, the choice is clear: buy Mario Kart 8 Deluxe now, and enjoy the best Mario Kart game ever made, or risk being stuck with nothing while the next generation launches on a new console.

For a deeper look at the game’s value proposition, consider KiwiReviews detailed analysis, which compares the base game and Booster Course Pass.

Frequently asked questions