Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Unlockables Guide

The game “Mario Kart 8 Deluxe” on Nintendo Switch isn’t just one of the top-performing games; it held the title as the best-selling game in the entire “Mario Kart” series, at least until the release of the Switch 2. This is quite remarkable given that it’s not a completely new game but rather an upgraded version or port from the Wii U game. Despite the emergence of “Mario Kart World”, “MK8 Deluxe” remains a fantastic and enduring gaming experience, likely to be revisited for many years to come.

Just like other games in the series, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe features numerous unlockables with different conditions, some of which may not be immediately clear. To help you out, here’s a breakdown of every unlockable item in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe and how to obtain them, including the Booster Course Pass:

1. Characters: Unlock characters by playing Grand Prix races with different Mushroom Cup, Flower Cup, Star Cup, Special Cup, and Retro Cup drivers.

2. Karts & Bikes: Earn gold in Grand Prix or Time Trials to unlock new karts and bikes.

3. Badges: Win gold in Grand Prix races to earn badges. Collect enough badges to unlock special characters.

4. Golden Dash Mushroom: Complete 200 races, time trials, or battle mode matches to unlock this item.

5. Blooper Hat (Mii Costume): Obtain a perfect in all of the 150cc Grand Prix races.

6. Booster Course Pass: Purchase the Booster Course Pass from the Nintendo eShop to access new courses.

Everything Available from the Start

In this re-launch of Mario Kart 8, Nintendo decided to make most of the game’s content immediately accessible, catering to those who had previously purchased and experienced the game. This means that nearly all playable characters and every racetrack are included, even ones initially sold as downloadable content for the underperforming Wii U game.

Characters Available From The Start

The list of characters that players can choose from when they start their go-kart adventures is immediately accessible.

Players have access to a selection of characters as soon as they embark on their go-karting journey.

Both versions convey the same information in clear and easy-to-understand language.

Weight Classes Every Character In Mario Kart 8 Deluxe
Very Light Baby Daisy, Baby Luigi, Baby Mario, Baby Peach, Baby Rosalina, Lemmy, Dry Bones, Mii.
Light Koopa Troopa, Lakitu, Larry Koopa, Shy Guy, Toad, Toadette, Wendy, Isabelle, Bowser Jr, Mii.
Medium Princess Daisy, Princess Peach, Yoshi, Tanooki Mario, Cat Peach, Villager, Inkling Boy, Inkling Girl, Mii.
Medium Heavy Mario, Luigi, Ludwig, Iggy, Mii.
Heavy Donkey Kong, Metal Mario, Pink Gold Peach, Rosalina, Roy Koopa, Waluigi, Link, King Boo, Mii.
Very Heavy Bowser, Wario, Morton, Dry Bowser, Mii.

Racetracks Available From The Start

Mushroom Cup Flower Cup Star Cup Special Cup Egg Cup Crossing Cup
Mario Kart Stadium Mario Circuit Sunshine Airport Cloudtop Cruise Yoshi Circuit Baby Park
Water Park Toad Harbor Dolphin Shoals Bone-Dry Dunes Excitebike Arena Cheese Land
Sweet Sweet Canyon Twisted Mansion Electrodrome Bowser’s Castle Dragon Driftway Wild Woods
Thwomp Ruins Shy Guy Falls Mount Wario Rainbow Road Mute City Animal Crossing
Shell Cup Banana Cup Leaf Cup Lightning Cup Triforce Cup Bell Cup
Moo Moo Meadows Dry Dry Desert Wario Stadium Tick-Tock Clock Wario’s Gold Mine Neo Bowser City
Mario Circuit Donut Plains 3 Sherbet Land Piranha Plant Slide Rainbow Road Ribbon Road
Cheep Cheep Beach Royal Raceway Music Park Grumble Volcano Ice Ice Outpost Super Bell Subway
Toad’s Turnpike DK Jungle Yoshi Valley Rainbow Road Hyrule Circuit Big Blue

Be sure to upgrade the game to its most recent version for a chance to obtain a fresh costume for Link, modeled after his Champion’s Tunic from the cherished and groundbreaking Nintendo game, “The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild”. The enhanced Battle Mode and 200cc engine class are accessible immediately upon updating as well.

How To Unlock Mii Costumes

Initially, when using Miis, the personalized characters launched with the Nintendo Wii, you can choose them right from the get-go, but they’ll initially appear only in their standard racing gear. However, if you want to unlock different Mii costumes, you’ll need to own the specific amiibo figure associated with those costumes.

In summary, there are a total of 20 unique Mii costumes available, each one inspired by various Nintendo characters, as well as some special guest stars. To obtain these costumes with the correct amiibo, simply navigate to the main menu, choose the amiibo symbol, and then tap your figure onto the NFC sensor on your controller.

The 20 themed costumes and which amiibo are needed to unlock them are listed below:

Themed Costume Needed Amiibo to Unlock
Mario Mario (Classic Colors) or Mario (Modern Colors) amiibo from the Mario 30th Anniversary Collection
Mario or Dr. Mario Amiibo from the Super Smash Bros. Collection
Super Mario Mario amiibo
Super Mario Odyssey Wedding Mario amiibo
Luigi Super Smash Bros. Luigi amiibo
Super Mario Luigi amiibo
Peach Super Smash Bros. Peach amiibo
Super Mario Peach amiibo
Super Mario Odyssey Wedding Peach amiibo
Yoshi Super Smash Bros. Yoshi amiibo
Super Mario Yoshi amiibo
Green Yarn Yoshi, Pink Yarn Yoshi, Light-Blue Yarn Yoshi, or Mega Yarn Yoshi from the Yoshi’s Woolly World Collection
Donkey Kong Super Smash Bros. Donkey Kong amiibo
Super Mario Donkey Kong amiibo
Turbo Charge Donkey Kong or Turbo Charge Donkey Kong Dark amiibo from Skylanders Superchargers
Link Link (Archer)
Link (Link’s Awakening)
Link (Majora’s Mask)
Link (Ocarina of Time)
Link (Rider)
Link (Skyward Sword)
Link (The Legend of Zelda)
Link (Twilight Princess)
Toon Link (The Wind Waker) amii bo from the The Legend of Zelda Collection
Link, Toon Link, or Young Link amiibo from the Super Smash Bros. Collection
Captain Falcon Super Smash Bros. Captain Falcon amiibo
Kirby Super Smash Bros. Kirby amiibo
Kirby Collection Kirby amiibo
Samus Samus or Zero Suit Samus amiibo from the Super Smash Bros. Collection
Metroid Samus amiibo
Fox Super Smash Bros. Fox amiibo
Toad Super Mario Toad amiibo
Bowser Super Smash Bros. Bowser amiibo
Super Mario Odyssey Wedding Bowser amiibo
Super Mario Bowser amiibo
Skylanders SuperChargers Hammer Slammer Bowser amiibo
Wario Super Smash Bros. Wario amiibo
Super Mario Wario amiibo
Rosalina Super Smash Bros. Rosalina & Luma amiibo
Super Mario Rosalina amiibo
Pikmin Super Smash Bros. Olimar amiibo
Pikmin amiibo from the Pikmin Collection
Animal Crossing any Animal Crossing amiibo
any Animal Crossing amiibo card from series 1 – 4
any Animal Crossing: New Leaf amiibo card
any Animal Crossing: New Leaf – Sanrio Collaboration Pack amiibo card
Super Smash Bros. Villager amiibo
Mega Man the Super Smash Bros. Mega Man amiibo
Pac-Man the Super Smash Bros. Pac-Man amiibo
Sonic the Hedgehog the Super Smash Bros. Sonic amiibo
Splatoon Callie, Marie, Inkling Girl, Inkling Boy, Inkling Squid, Octoling Girl, Octoling Boy, or Octoling Octopus amiibo from the Splatoon Collection
Super Smash Bros. Inkling amiibo

How to Unlock Vehicle Parts

In Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, players have the freedom to personalize their racing vehicles – whether it’s a kart, bike, or ATV – by adjusting three distinct components: body, wheels, and glider. The performance of your vehicle will vary based on the parts you choose, offering a mix of well-rounded options or specialized ones focusing on areas like speed or handling.

In many instances, you’ll find that these components must be obtained by gathering coins while participating in races. These coins are often hidden on the race courses or tucked away inside item boxes. Consequently, players will likely accumulate them effortlessly as they play, given that they also boost a racer’s maximum speed.

You won’t find a shop within the game to spend your coins. Instead, accumulating them gradually earns you various components at specific thresholds. For instance, after gathering 30 coins, you’ll begin to unlock parts. Then, once you reach 450 coins, the rate increases to every 50 coins collected. Lastly, when you have amassed 1500 coins, the rate slows down again and you’ll only unlock components for every 100 coins gathered.

To put it simply, approximately 3,100 coins are needed to open up almost all the game sections in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. It’s important to note that any downloadable content (DLC) vehicle parts from the original Mario Kart 8 have been integrated into the base game and will be unlocked automatically. Regrettably, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe doesn’t offer any paid DLC expansions, which could have added an extra layer of excitement.

All Karts (23)

1. Standard Kart: My basic go-to kart when I’m starting out in the racing world.
2. Pipe Frame: This quirky kart has a unique pipe structure that sets it apart from the rest.
3. Mach 8: When speed is essential, this sleek racer helps me reach top speeds quickly!
4. Steel Driver: I love the robust feel of this sturdy kart as I navigate through challenging tracks.
5. Cat Cruiser: This feline-inspired vehicle is perfect for those who want a bit of agility and style on the track.
6. Circuit Special: Designed specifically for racing, this car helps me dominate the competition with ease.
7. Tri-Speeder: A versatile three-wheeled vehicle that’s great for off-road adventures and high-speed chases.
8. Badwagon: This menacing truck is equipped with powerful weapons, making it ideal for battle-race scenarios.
9. Prancer: A swift and nimble sleigh perfect for navigating icy tracks during winter races.
10. Biddybuggy: A compact buggy that’s easy to maneuver, ideal for newcomers or those who prefer a more agile vehicle.
11. Landship: This massive armored tank is perfect for dominating the battlefield and withstanding heavy fire.
12. SneekeSneakerts Coupe: My favorite car for stealthy missions, its rubber tires make it quiet and hard to detect.
13. Gold Standard: The ultimate racing machine, boasting unparalleled speed and maneuverability.
14. GLA: A versatile SUV that excels in off-road conditions as well as high-speed races.
15. W 25 Silver Arrow: This classic race car harkens back to the golden age of motorsport, with sleek design and impressive performance.
16. 300 SL Roadster: A luxurious roadster that blends style, speed, and agility for an unforgettable driving experience.
17. Blue Falcon: A futuristic racer with advanced technology, helping me dominate the competition in no time.
18. Tanooki Kart: This magical kart grants me special powers, making it easier to overcome obstacles and defeat enemies.
19. B Dasher: A nimble and agile racing machine, perfect for those who prefer a more responsive driving experience.
20. Streetle: A compact city car that’s great for navigating tight streets and crowded urban environments.
21. P-Wing: This powerful glider can soar through the skies, making it ideal for long-range missions or quick escapes.
22. Koopa Clown: A whimsical kart decorated with clown motifs, perfect for those who want a fun and playful driving experience.

All Bikes (17)

1. Standard Bike – Basic Road Cycling Machine
2. The Duke – Aggressive Street Motorcycle
3. Flame Rider – Fire-Breathing Motorbike
4. Varmint – Small Off-Road Quad Bike
5. Mr. Scooty – Electric Scooter
6. Master Cycle Zero – Advanced Racing Motorcycle
7. City Tripper – Urban Commuter Bicycle
8. Comet – Fast, Sporty Motorbike
9. Jet Bike – High-Speed Motorbike with Jet Engine
10. Yoshi Bike – Cartoon Character-inspired Bicycle
11. Master Cycle – Advanced Racing Motorcycle (from a popular video game franchise)
12. Standard ATV – Basic All-Terrain Vehicle
13. Wild Wiggler – Off-Road Quad with Suspension System
14. Teddy Buggy – Compact, Cute Off-Road Vehicle
15. Bone Rattler – Rugged, Durable Off-Road Vehicle
16. Splat Buggy (new) – New Model of Off-Road Vehicle
17. Inkstriker (new) – New Version of Off-Road Vehicle with Ink-Based Design

All Tires (21)

1. Regular: Standard (a simple and straightforward way to say the same thing)

2. Powerful: Monster (implies a powerful and intimidating vehicle or object)

3. Smooth-rolling: Roller (suggests something that moves easily and smoothly)

4. Slimline: Slim (describes an item that is thin or narrow)

5. Shiny: Slick (implies a smooth, polished, and reflective surface)

6. Push-button: Button (refers to an object with a button that can be pressed to activate it)

7. Off-road capable: Off-Road (suggests a vehicle designed for driving on rough or difficult terrain)

8. Soft and absorbent: Sponge (implies something that can absorb liquids easily)

9. Wooden: Wood (describes an item made primarily of wood)

10. Cushioned: Cushion (suggests something that provides comfort or support through padding)

11. Deep Blue: Blue Standard (indicates a standard item with a deep blue color)

12. Hot Rod: Hot Monster (refers to a customized and powerful vehicle, especially a car)

13. Sky-blue: Azure Roller (describes a roller with a light blue color, reminiscent of the sky)

14. Scarlet Red: Crimson Slim (indicates a slim item with a deep red color, often associated with passion or power)

15. High-tech: Cyber Slick (suggests an advanced and futuristic item with a sleek design)

16. Vintage off-road vehicle: Retro Off-Road (describes an older off-road vehicle with a nostalgic feel)

17. Gold wheels: Gold Tires (refers to tires with gold accents or coloring)

18. Mercedes-Benz tires: GLA Tires (suggests tires specifically designed for the Mercedes-Benz GLA model)

19. Triforce design tires: Triforce Tires (implies tires featuring the iconic Triforce symbol from The Legend of Zelda series)

20. Ancient relic tires: Ancient Tires (suggests tires with an old and mysterious appearance, possibly from an ancient civilization)

21. Leaf-shaped tires: Leaf Tires (describes tires with a leaf-like design or shape)

All Gliders (14)

1. Super Glider: A propelled gliding device that allows characters to soar through the air.
2. Cloud Glider: A gliding device that lets characters travel across wide gaps using clouds.
3. Wario Wing, Waddle Wing: A pair of makeshift wings used by Wario and Waddle Doo for flight.
4. Peach Parasol: Princess Peach’s parasol, which can be used to glide when opened up.
5. Parachute: A device that allows characters to safely descend from great heights.
6. Parafoil: A type of parachute that uses air pressure to steer and control the descent.
7. Flower Glider: A gliding item found in Super Mario Bros. 3 that allows Mario and Luigi to fly with a mushroom-shaped glider.
8. Bowser Kite: A kite used by Bowser, often seen during airborne battles.
9. Plane Glider: A large aircraft that can be controlled by characters for flight.
10. MKTV Parafoil: A paragliding item from the Mario Kart TV feature in Mario Kart 8.
11. Gold Glider: A golden version of the Paraglider, often found in Mario Kart games as a reward or unlockable item.
12. Hylian Kite: A kite used by Link from The Legend of Zelda series for flight.
13. Paraglider (new): An upgraded version of the classic Paraglider, featuring improved controls and maneuverability.
14. Paper Glider: A simple paper glider, often crafted by characters in various games for flight.

How to Unlock the Gold Vehicle Parts

Unlocking three unique components for a gold-colored vehicle can be quite tricky. Out of these three, the Gold Glider might be the most manageable, given that it mainly involves gathering more coins. However, you’ll need an impressive 5,000 coins to unlock it, which means it will undoubtedly take some time and dedication.

The other two options prove to be more challenging:

The Gold Standard demands players to earn a one-star rating (minimum 54 points) on every one of the 12 Grand Prix Cups in Mirror Mode, which features racetracks flipped vertically. Additionally, the AI in these Mirror Cups is tougher, making it potentially time-consuming.

To conquer the Gold Wheels, players must vanquish all 48 spectral staff members in the 150cc Time Trial events. Unlike Grand Prix races, there’s no need to fret about other racers causing trouble. However, those aiming to collect every vehicle component will have to hone their drifting skills, memorize each track intimately, discover secret shortcuts, and strategically use the limited Mushrooms available at the start, which provide a brief speed boost when needed.

How To Unlock Alternate Title Screens

One interesting hidden feature allows you to access several distinct opening menus by completing specific actions.

Players can make an appearance on the game’s title screen once they have collected every Gold Trophy in both the Mirror Cup and 200cc, which will include characters like Bowser, Link, Luigi, Rosalina, Peach/Yoshi, Villager (male)/Isabelle, Baby Rosalina/Baby Mario/Baby Luigi, Koopalings, and either Mario or Bowser.

How to Unlock Gold Mario

Disregarding Booster Course Pass content, there’s only one single playable character in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, and that is Gold Mario, who was a fresh addition not present in the original Mario Kart 8. Technically speaking, Gold Mario is just a color variant of Metal Mario, but he shares the same stats.

To gain access to an unlocked status, a player must emerge victorious with the gold trophy in each Grand Prix Cup at the 200cc engine class. Given that this is the fastest engine category, racing becomes quite challenging due to the AI opponents and the risk of losing control. However, there’s no need to fret about earning stars; simply aim for the overall first place finish without worrying about meeting a specific point requirement.

Mirror Mode And 200cc – Is It Included?

In the past, you could unlock Mirror Mode by successfully completing every Grand Prix Cup with a Gold medal in each engine class. But starting from Mario Kart 8 Deluxe update 4.1, both Mirror Mode and the 200CC class are now available for play right at the game’s start.

Booster Course Pass

In addition to the initial game content, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe has an extra content pack called the Booster Course Pass. This additional content can be bought for $25 or is free for Switch Online Expansion Pack members. The Booster Course Pass consists of six waves released between March 2022 and the end of 2023, offering a mix of new and classic courses along with returning Mario Kart characters to compete.

Here are the courses released as part of the Booster Pass:

Golden Dash Cup Lucky Cat Cup Turnip Cup Propeller Cup Rock Cup Moon Cup
Paris Promenade Tokyo Blur New York Minute Sydney Sprint London Loop Berlin Byways
Toad Circuit Shroom Ridge Mario Circuit 3 Snow Land Boo Lake Peach Gardens
Choco Mountain Sky Garden Kalimari Desert Mushroom Gorge Rock Rock Mountain Merry Mountain
Coconut Mall Ninja Hideaway Waluigi Pinball Sky-High Sundae Maple Treeway Rainbow Road
Fruit Cup Boomerang Cup Feather Cup Cherry Cup Acorn Cup Spiny Cup
Amsterdam Drift Bangkok Rush Athens Dash Los Angeles Laps Rome Avanti Madrid Drive
Riverside Park Mario Circuit Daisy Cruiser Sunset Wilds DK Mountain Rosalina’s Ice World
DK Summit Waluigi Stadium Moonwiew Highway Koopa Cape Daisy Circuit Bowser Castle 3
Yoshi’s Island Singapore Speedway Squeaky Clean Sprint Vancouver Velocity Piranha Plant Cove Rainbow Road

Booster Pass Battle Courses

As a gaming enthusiast, here’s how I might rephrase those game names in the first person perspective as a gamer:

1. Battle Stadium: “I command my troops in this strategic warzone.”
2. Sweet Sweet Kingdom: “I rule over this delightful and enchanting realm.”
3. Dragon Palace: “I reside within the majestic dwelling of dragons.”
4. Lunar Colony: “I explore this futuristic outpost on the moon.”
5. Wuhu Town: “I’m a local in this vibrant and bustling village.”
6. Luigi’s Mansion: “I spend my nights ghost-hunting in Luigi’s haunted mansion.”
7. Battle Course 1: “I race against time and opponents on this challenging track.”
8. Urchin Underpass: “I navigate the tricky underwater tunnels filled with sea urchins.”

Booster Pass Characters

The following characters were added through the Booster Course Pass:

Wave 4 Wave 5 Wave 6
Birdo Petey Piranha Funky Kong
Wiggler Diddy Kong
Kamek Peachette
Pauline

Mii Costumes

In addition to fresh courses and characters, the Booster Pack’s Wave 6 also incorporated 18 brand-new Mii Costumes into the game. With only one exception, these outfits can be accessed straight away without needing any Amiibos. Here they all are:

1. Astronaut
2. Caveman
3. Cowboy
4. Detective
5. Dino
6. Elf
7. Fairy
8. Firefighter
9. Giant Penguin
10. Golf Pro
11. Jock
12. Knight
13. Pirate
14. Robot
15. Skeleton
16. Surgeon
17. Swimmer
18. Viking

  • ? Block Suit
  • Birdo Suit
  • Blooper Suit
  • Castle Suit
  • Chain Chomp Suit
  • Cheep Cheep Suit
  • Daisy Suit (Exception: Requires Daisy Amiibo)
  • Dolphin Suit
  • Dry Bowser Suit
  • Goomba Suit
  • Ice Cream Suit
  • Koopa Clown Car Suit
  • Moo Moo Suit
  • Para-Biddybud Suit
  • Petey Piranha Suit
  • Pokey Suit
  • Toadette Suit
  • Wiggler Suit

Read More

2025-07-04 15:21