How to access the Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Booster Course Pass tracks

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Booster Course Pass Wario
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Booster Course Pass Wario (Image credit: iMore)

Even if you've purchased the Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Booster Course Pass, the new tracks won't automatically be accessible in your game unless you download the DLC separately. It's not the most intuitive thing in the world, but fortunately, it isn't hard either. Once the Mario Kart DLC has been downloaded, you'll need to make a very specific step in order to actually see the new Cups and courses available to you. Then you can race these new tracks to your heart's content.

How to access the Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Booster Course Pass tracks

You must have the base Mario Kart 8 Deluxe game in order for the Booster Course Pass DLC to work.

  1. From the Nintendo Switch's main menu, select the Nintendo Switch Online button.
  2. Select + Expansion Pack.Source: iMore

Nintendo Switch Online Button Home Menu (Image credit: iMore)

Nintendo Switch Online Expansion Pack Tab (Image credit: iMore)
  1. Scroll to the Booster Course Pass box on the right.
  2. Select Details.Source: iMore

Nintendo Switch Online Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Booster Course Pass (Image credit: iMore)

Nintendo Switch Online Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Booster Course Pass Details (Image credit: iMore)
  1. Select Download.
  2. If you already have the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack subscription, select Download. If you want to purchase the Mario Kart DLC, select Proceed to Purchase.Source: iMore

Nintendo Switch Online Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Booster Course Pass Download (Image credit: iMore)

Nintendo Switch Online Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Booster Course Pass Download Again (Image credit: iMore)
  1. Go through any transaction details you need to complete and then select Download.
  2. Once that's all done press the Home button to go back to the main menu.Source: iMore

Nintendo Switch Online Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Booster Course Pass Download Third Time (Image credit: iMore)

Nintendo Switch Online Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Booster Course Pass Close (Image credit: iMore)
  1. Select the Mario Kart 8 Deluxe icon and start the game.
  2. Press the A button to get past the opening menu.Source: iMore

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Icon (Image credit: iMore)

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Main Menu (Image credit: iMore)
  1. Choose which mode to play in. There's Single Player, Multiplayer, Online Play, or Wireless Play.
  2. Select Grand Prix.Source: iMore

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Mode (Image credit: iMore)

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Grand Prix (Image credit: iMore)
  1. Choose which speed you want to play in. The higher the number, the faster players go and the harder it is to control your kart.
  2. Now have every player choose their character.Source: iMore

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Speed (Image credit: iMore)

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Character (Image credit: iMore)
  1. Have each character confirm their vehicle, wheels, and glider then press A to continue.
  2. When you get to the next screen, press the R button to cycle from the original courses to the new Booster Course Pass courses. You'll know you're in the right place if the background has changed from blue to purple.Source: iMore and Rebecca Spear / iMore

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Vehicle Wheels Glider (Image credit: iMore)

How to tell if your Pokémon have Pokérus in Sword and Shield on Switch by showing: Pressing R button on Switch (Image credit: Rebecca Spear / iMore)
  1. Now select one of the available courses. At the moment only Golden Dash Cup and Lucky Cat Cup are available.
  2. Select OK to start the race.Source: iMore

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe R Button (Image credit: iMore)

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Ok (Image credit: iMore)

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe was already one of the best Nintendo Switch games out there, but now it's gotten even better. Check out those remastered courses and prove who's the best on the track. More Cups and tracks will be added as time goes on, with 48 new tracks total being added with the DLC by sometime in 2023.

The required software

In order to access this new Mario Kart DLC, players must purchase the Booster Course Pass and own the original Mario Kart 8 Deluxe game. If you haven't done those things yet, you can do so by using the following links.

Rebecca Spear
Gaming Editor

Gaming aficionado Rebecca Spear is iMore's dedicated gaming editor with a focus on Nintendo Switch and iOS gaming. You’ll never catch her without her Switch or her iPad Air handy. If you’ve got a question about Pokémon, The Legend of Zelda, or just about any other Nintendo series check out her guides to help you out. Rebecca has written thousands of articles in the last six years including hundreds of extensive gaming guides, previews, and reviews for both Switch and Apple Arcade. She also loves checking out new gaming accessories like iPhone controllers and has her ear to the ground when it comes to covering the next big trend.