Honestly, it feels like a lifetime ago. Back in early 2017, the Nintendo Switch was this weird, risky little tablet that everyone hoped wouldn't flop like the Wii U. Then came April.
The release date of Mario Kart 8 Deluxe was April 28, 2017.
If you weren't there for it, it’s hard to describe the vibe. We’d all been playing Breath of the Wild for a month straight, and while Link’s adventure was incredible, the Switch desperately needed a "party" reason to exist. When April 28 hit, everything shifted. Suddenly, you weren't just playing a solo RPG in bed; you were handing a tiny Joy-Con to a friend at a bar or on a plane.
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What happened on April 28, 2017?
Nintendo didn't just dump a port and call it a day. While the original Mario Kart 8 hit the Wii U on May 29, 2014, the "Deluxe" version was a different beast. It launched globally on that Friday in April, and the numbers were staggering. In the US alone, it sold 459,000 copies on day one.
Think about that. Nearly half of every Switch owner at the time bought the game the second it came out.
It wasn't just a "Game of the Year" edition. Nintendo fixed the one thing everyone hated about the original: the Battle Mode. Instead of just racing on regular tracks and popping balloons, we finally got real arenas like Urchin Underpass and Battle Stadium. Plus, they gave us two item slots. That sounds like a small tweak, but it completely changed the strategy of every race.
The weird timeline of the Booster Course Pass
For years, we thought the game was "done." Then 2022 rolled around, and Nintendo pulled a fast one. They announced the Booster Course Pass, essentially doubling the game's size long after most people expected a sequel.
The rollout was a slow burn that lasted nearly two years:
- Wave 1: March 18, 2022 (The return of Coconut Mall!)
- Wave 2: August 4, 2022
- Wave 3: December 7, 2022
- Wave 4: March 9, 2023
- Wave 5: July 12, 2023
- Wave 6: November 9, 2023
The final wave on November 9, 2023, was basically the "true" final release date of Mario Kart 8 Deluxe's content cycle. It added characters like Funky Kong and Pauline, finally making the roster feel complete.
Why does a 2017 game still matter in 2026?
Here is the reality: as of right now in 2026, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe has sold nearly 70 million copies. It is the undisputed king of the Switch. Even with the launch of the Switch 2 and its big day-one title, Mario Kart World, people are still obsessed with the 8 Deluxe meta.
Why? Because it’s balanced.
Most experts, including the folks over at IGN and Nintendo Life, point to the "Smart Steering" and "Auto-Accelerate" features added in the Deluxe version as the reason the game never died. It's the first Mario Kart that a toddler and a competitive pro can actually play together without someone throwing a controller.
Misconceptions about the launch
A lot of people think the game was a launch title for the Switch. It wasn't. The Switch came out March 3, 2017. We had to wait almost two months for Mario and the gang. That gap is actually what helped it rank so high; the hunger for a new Switch game was at a boiling point.
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Another common mix-up? The price. People complained about paying $60 for a "port" of a 2014 game. But when you factor in the included DLC from the Wii U version (which cost extra back then) and the revamped Battle Mode, the value was actually there.
What you should do now
If you’re late to the party or just dusted off an old console, don't worry about the 2017 release date making the game "old."
- Check your version: Make sure you’re on version 3.0.1 or higher to ensure all the balance tweaks and Booster Course support are active.
- Get the DLC: If you have the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack, the 48 extra tracks are free. Don't pay for them twice.
- Learn the "Mini-Turbo" drift: The Deluxe version added a third tier of drift (the pink sparks). If you aren't hitting those, you're losing.
The release date of Mario Kart 8 Deluxe wasn't just a spot on a calendar; it was the moment the Switch proved it was more than just a Zelda machine. It’s the definitive version of the best-selling racing game of all time, and honestly, we’ll probably still be talking about it when the Switch 3 arrives.
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Next Steps for Players:
Verify if your Nintendo Switch Online subscription includes the Expansion Pack before purchasing the Booster Course Pass separately. Navigate to the eShop and check the "Nintendo Switch Online" tab to confirm your membership status and download the 48 additional tracks at no extra cost. Once downloaded, ensure your game is updated to the latest software version via the "Options" menu on the Switch home screen to access the final wave of characters including Diddy Kong and Peachette.