Revisiting Classics: Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Booster Course Wave 1
After years of standard races, Nintendo finally expanded the horizons of its best-selling title with the Mario Kart 8 Deluxe – Booster Course Pass . Wave 1, which launched on March 18, 2022
, served as the opening act for a massive 48-track expansion plan. The Tracks: A Mix of Mobile and Memories
Wave 1 introduces eight remastered courses split across two new cups. Interestingly, a significant portion of these tracks made their console debut after originating in the mobile game, Mario Kart Tour Golden Dash Cup Paris Promenade (Tour):
A standout city track where the route actually changes on the final lap, sending you backward through familiar territory. Toad Circuit (3DS):
A straightforward, beginner-friendly track from the Nintendo 3DS era. Choco Mountain (N64):
A major glow-up from the Nintendo 64 version, featuring new cave sections and glider ramps. Coconut Mall (Wii):
The fan-favorite returns! While it lacks the moving cars at the finish line found in the original, the iconic music and mall layout remain intact. Lucky Cat Cup Tokyo Blur (Tour):
Another city track that shifts routes each lap to keep racers on their toes. Shroom Ridge (DS):
A bustling traffic-filled mountain pass that brings back a hit of DS nostalgia. Sky Garden (GBA):
A reimagined version of the classic Game Boy Advance course, updated with modern verticality. Ninja Hideaway (Tour):
Considered a highlight of the wave, this track is packed with multiple elevations and hidden shortcuts. How to Access the New Courses
You don't necessarily need to buy the pass to see these tracks. Here are the three ways to play: Standalone Purchase: Buy the full Booster Course Pass for $24.99 on the Nintendo eShop to own all 48 tracks forever. NSO + Expansion Pack: Subscribers to the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack
gain access to the DLC at no additional cost for the duration of their membership. Playing with Friends:
Even if you don't own the DLC, you can race on these tracks if you join a friend's online lobby who does. Final Thoughts
While some fans noted that the visual style of Wave 1 feels slightly different—less "realistic" and more "clean" than the base game—the sheer volume of content is hard to beat. It’s a great reason to dust off your kart and get back to the starting line.
Revving Up for a Classic: Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Booster Course Pass Wave 1
When Mario Kart 8 Deluxe first sped onto the Nintendo Switch, it was already considered the definitive kart racing experience. However, the release of the Booster Course Pass Wave 1 took that excitement to a whole new gear. For fans looking to expand their library with the NSP (Nintendo Submission Package) format for their digital collection, Wave 1 marked the beginning of a massive content injection that doubled the game's total track count.
Here is everything you need to know about the first wave of the Booster Course Pass and why it’s a must-have for any Switch racer. The Return of the Classics Mario Kart 8 Deluxe -NSP--Booster Course Wave 1...
Wave 1 introduced eight remastered tracks from across the Mario Kart series, divided into two new cups: the Golden Dash Cup and the Lucky Cat Cup. Rather than just simple ports, these tracks were visually overhauled to match the high-definition aesthetic of the Switch. Golden Dash Cup
Paris Promenade (Mario Kart Tour): A beautiful trip through the streets of France, featuring a dynamic path that changes every lap.
Toad Circuit (3DS): A classic, high-speed introductory track that focuses on pure racing lines.
Choco Mountain (N64): A nostalgia trip through the fog and chocolatey hills of the Nintendo 64 era, now with improved verticality.
Coconut Mall (Wii): Perhaps the most fan-requested track in history, bringing the chaotic energy of the shopping mall to the modern era. Lucky Cat Cup
Tokyo Blur (Mario Kart Tour): A neon-soaked dash through the heart of Japan, shifting routes to keep racers on their toes.
Shroom Ridge (DS): A treacherous cliffside road that requires precise drifting to avoid oncoming traffic.
Sky Garden (GBA): A reimagining of the Game Boy Advance classic, taking the race high above the clouds with modern shortcuts.
Ninja Hideaway (Mario Kart Tour): A fan favorite for its intricate vertical shortcuts and hidden paths through a traditional Japanese dojo. Why the Digital NSP Format Matters
For enthusiasts managing their digital libraries, the NSP file represents the standard format for Nintendo Switch titles and DLC. Accessing the Booster Course Pass via digital download ensures that you can jump into these new tracks instantly without swapping cartridges. Since the Booster Course Pass is an add-on, you must ensure your base game is updated to the latest version to recognize the new content. Performance and Visuals
While some fans initially noted a difference in art style compared to the base game tracks, Wave 1’s performance is rock solid. The tracks run at a silky smooth 60 FPS in both docked and handheld modes. The music has also been given the "Mario Kart Live Band" treatment, with many of the classic themes being re-recorded with high-quality instrumentation. How to Access the Content
The Booster Course Pass Wave 1 is available through several methods:
Direct Purchase: Buying the pass on the eShop grants access to all six waves (48 tracks total) as they are released.
Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack: Subscribers to this tier get the Booster Course Pass at no additional cost while their subscription is active. Final Verdict
The Booster Course Pass Wave 1 breathed new life into a game that was already a masterpiece. Whether you are drifting through the halls of Coconut Mall or dodging cars on Shroom Ridge, this first wave set a high bar for the 40 tracks that followed. It’s the perfect reason to dust off your controller and head back to the starting line.
Wave 1 of the Mario Kart 8 Deluxe – Booster Course Pass launched on March 18, 2022, introducing the first 8 of 48 remastered tracks to the game. This content is accessible either as a standalone purchase for $24.99 on the Nintendo eShop or at no additional cost for Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack subscribers. Wave 1 Track List The tracks are divided into two cups: Golden Dash Cup: Paris Promenade (Mario Kart Tour) Toad Circuit (Mario Kart 7) Choco Mountain (Mario Kart 64) Coconut Mall (Mario Kart Wii) Lucky Cat Cup: Tokyo Blur (Mario Kart Tour) Shroom Ridge (Mario Kart DS) Sky Garden (Mario Kart: Super Circuit) Ninja Hideaway (Mario Kart Tour) Key Details Mario Kart 8 Deluxe – Booster Course Pass Nintendo Switch
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Booster Course Pass: Wave 1 arrived on March 18, 2022, kicking off a massive expansion that ultimately doubled the game's total course count. This first wave introduced eight remastered tracks across two new cups, blending nostalgia with fresh layouts from the mobile title Mario Kart Tour Wave 1 Overview
The initial release consists of two cups, each containing four courses: Golden Dash Cup Paris Promenade (Mario Kart Tour) Revisiting Classics: Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Booster Course
: A scenic route through the French capital that changes paths each lap. Toad Circuit (3DS) : A straightforward, high-speed stadium course from Mario Kart 7 Choco Mountain (N64)
: A rugged mountain trek with falling boulders and winding turns. Coconut Mall (Wii)
: A fan-favorite vibrant shopping center with escalators and moving obstacles. Lucky Cat Cup Tokyo Blur (Mario Kart Tour)
: A fast-paced sprint through the neon-lit streets of Tokyo. Shroom Ridge (DS)
: A winding mountain pass with heavy traffic and treacherous cliffs. Sky Garden (GBA)
: A reimagined cloud-top circuit with tight turns and shortcuts. Ninja Hideaway (Tour)
: A complex multi-level track filled with traps and secret paths. Visuals and Sound
While the music received high praise for its high-quality remastered arrangements, critics noted that the graphical detail of Wave 1 tracks appeared slightly simplified compared to the base game, with flatter textures for environmental elements like grass and cliffs. How to Access the Content
The Booster Course Pass is available through two primary methods on the Nintendo eShop Standalone Purchase : You can buy the full 48-course pass for Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack
: Subscribers gain access at no additional cost while their membership is active.
The Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Booster Course Pass - Wave 1 is a strong, if visually inconsistent, start to the massive 48-track expansion. While it offers incredible value for fans wanting "more Mario Kart," it clearly bears the marks of its mobile origins. Overview of Tracks
Wave 1 introduces eight courses split into two new cups. The selection ranges from "safe" introductory tracks to complex, standout designs: Honest Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Booster Course Pass Review!
The Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Booster Course Pass Wave 1 was the first of six DLC drops for the Nintendo Switch title, officially released on March 18, 2022. It introduced eight remastered courses from previous entries in the series, including the first console appearances for tracks originally designed for the mobile game Mario Kart Tour. Wave 1 Content Overview This wave includes two cups with four tracks each: Golden Dash Cup
Paris Promenade (Mario Kart Tour): A scenic race through the streets of Paris.
Toad Circuit (Mario Kart 7): A classic, beginner-friendly stadium course.
Choco Mountain (Mario Kart 64): A nostalgic, bumpy ride through chocolatey peaks.
Coconut Mall (Mario Kart Wii): A fan-favorite vibrant shopping mall setting. Lucky Cat Cup
Tokyo Blur (Mario Kart Tour): A high-speed dash through the neon lights of Tokyo. Longtime Mario Kart fans craving nostalgia updated to
Shroom Ridge (Mario Kart DS): A busy mountain highway filled with traffic.
Sky Garden (Mario Kart: Super Circuit): A remastered race through the clouds.
Ninja Hideaway (Mario Kart Tour): A multi-path course set in a traditional Japanese castle.
How to Access Mario Kart 8 Deluxe – Booster Course Pass DLC Content
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Booster Course Pass Wave 1 was the initial installment of the massive DLC expansion that eventually doubled the game's total course count. Released on March 18, 2022, this first wave introduced eight remastered courses
from various eras of the franchise, organized into two new cups. Wave 1 Course Lineup
Wave 1 focuses on nostalgic hits and city-themed tracks originally from the mobile title, Mario Kart Tour Golden Dash Cup Paris Promenade (Tour)
: A city track where the route changes on the final lap, sending racers backward through previous sections. Toad Circuit (3DS) : A straightforward, beginner-friendly stadium course. Choco Mountain (N64)
: A classic mountain pass featuring falling boulders and updated visuals. Coconut Mall (Wii)
: A fan-favourite mall setting with escalators and moving car obstacles. Lucky Cat Cup Tokyo Blur (Tour)
: A high-speed dash through Tokyo's streets with path variations across laps. Shroom Ridge (DS)
: A cliffside traffic course where racers must dodge cars and buses. Sky Garden (GBA) : A redesigned aerial track set amongst the clouds. Ninja Hideaway (Tour)
: A complex multi-level track filled with traps, sliding doors, and vertical shortcuts. Key Features & Access : The Booster Course Pass is typically available for $34.99 CAD as a standalone digital purchase. Included with Membership : Active subscribers to the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack
gain full access to all waves, including Wave 1, at no extra cost for the duration of their membership. Requirement : You must own the base Mario Kart 8 Deluxe game to play the DLC. Availability : You can find the digital code at retailers like Best Buy Canada Nintendo eShop Note on "NSP" Files
: While you may see references to .NSP files in online discussions, these are typically related to homebrew or unofficial software installations. For the most stable experience and access to online multiplayer, it is recommended to use the official Nintendo eShop comparison of the best kart combos for these new tracks, or are you looking for specific shortcuts for Ninja Hideaway? Mario Kart 8 Deluxe – Booster Course Pass FAQ
When can I race on courses from the Mario Kart 8 Deluxe - Booster Course Pass? All content included with the Mario Kart 8 Deluxe - Nintendo Support
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe – Booster Course Pass FAQ | Nintendo Support
If you are looking for the Mario Kart 8 Deluxe – Booster Course Wave 1 [NSP], keep the following in mind:
v2.0.0 or v196608. Make sure you have the base game NSP installed first.[Base] + [Update] + [DLC] release.“Async shader building” to avoid stutters on Coconut Mall and Ninja Hideaway.For those arriving via the search term Mario Kart 8 Deluxe -NSP- Booster Course Wave 1, you are likely dealing with the digital file structure of the Nintendo Switch.