During the most recent Nintendo Direct it was announced that Mario Kart 8: Deluxe will be receiving a huge update. A roster of new tracks will be added via an upcoming paid DLC; 48 in total. However, it has since been revealed appears players will be able to access the new tracks without buying the Booster Course Pass DLC or upgrading their Nintendo Switch Online membership.
The official UK website has revealed new details on how the content can be accessed. According to this update, players of Mario Kart 8: Deluxe will be able to race others on the new tracks even if they don’t own the Booster Course Pass DLC themselves. This can be done through the game’s ‘Friends and Rivals’ online mode. Here, the host of the ‘room’ must own the DLC, but those joining the room need not. This option will be immediately available as soon as the Booster Course Pass DLC launches on 18th March, 2022.
Furthermore, players who opt for a random course when playing Global or Regional races. This will offer a chance that one of the DLC tracks will be selected. These new tracks will be incorporated into the rota from 22nd March, 2022.
Nintendo does have a history of experimenting with shared content, especially with the Mario Kart franchise. Mario Kart DS, for example, offered a feature called ‘DS Download Play’. This allowed players with a game card to offer friends without a game card a small download that would enable head-to-head gameplay. Although very limited, it was an opportunity for players who hadn’t yet purchased the game to experience it, and potential become convinced that they also needed a copy. Likely, this is also the idea behind the free access to the Booster Course Pass DLC.
The Booster Course Pass DLC will be contain 48 new tracks in total. These will arrive over the course of the next two years, divided into six waves. Each wave will bring eight new tracks to the game, with the first coming on 18th March, 2022. The Booster Course Pass DLC will cost $25 USD / £22.49 GBP, and is available as part of the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack subscription.
Are you planning to purchase the Mario Kart 8: Deluxe Booster Course Pass? Or are you just going to let your friends jump in first? Let us know in the comments below!
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