Let’s be real for a second. If you own a Nintendo Switch, you probably own Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. It’s basically the law. As of late 2025, the game has moved nearly 70 million units. That is an absurd number. It’s more than the population of most European countries. But for a game that everyone seems to have, there’s a weird amount of confusion about where it actually came from and when it actually arrived.
The mario kart 8 deluxe switch release date was April 28, 2017.
Wait. 2017? Yeah. It feels like it’s been around forever because, well, it has. But it wasn't just a "new" game. It was a lifeline.
The Weird History of the Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Switch Release Date
If you were one of the eleven people who actually bought a Wii U, you know the truth. Mario Kart 8 originally came out in 2014. By the time the Switch version rolled around in April 2017, the game was already three years old.
Nintendo was in a spot. The Wii U had flopped. Hard. But Mario Kart 8 was a masterpiece trapped on a sinking ship. When the Switch launched in March 2017 with Breath of the Wild, Nintendo needed a "Plan B" to keep the momentum going. They couldn't wait three more years for a ground-up sequel.
So, they "Deluxed" it.
The mario kart 8 deluxe switch release date of April 28, 2017, was strategically placed just one month after the console's launch. It was the "safe" bet. And man, did it pay off. On day one in the US alone, it sold 459,000 copies. That’s an attach rate of nearly 50%. Basically, every other person who bought a Switch also grabbed Mario Kart.
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What actually changed in the Deluxe version?
A lot of people think it was just a resolution bump. It wasn't. While the Wii U version ran at a shaky 720p, the Switch version hit 1080p when docked. It felt crisp. But the real changes were mechanical:
- The Double Item Slot: This changed the entire meta. In the original, you could only hold one shell or banana. Deluxe brought back the Double Dash feel, letting you hold two.
- Smart Steering: This was a godsend for parents. You could finally play with a toddler without them driving into a pit every six seconds.
- The Battle Mode Fix: The Wii U version’s battle mode was... bad. It was just balloon battle on race tracks. Deluxe actually gave us real arenas like Battle Stadium and Luigi's Mansion.
- New Blood: We got the Inklings from Splatoon, King Boo, and Bowser Jr.
Why 2017 Was Just the Beginning
Most games die after two years. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is a zombie that refuses to stop winning. For five years, nothing happened. We all thought we were just waiting for Mario Kart 9.
Then 2022 happened.
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Nintendo dropped the Booster Course Pass. Instead of a new game, they decided to double the size of the 2017 release. They released 48 more tracks in waves. The final wave—Wave 6—didn't even come out until November 9, 2023.
Think about that. A game that had its mario kart 8 deluxe switch release date in 2017 was still getting major "new" content six years later. That’s unheard of for a Nintendo first-party title. It’s why people are still Googling the release date today; the timeline is a messy, sprawling map of DLC drops and "Waves."
The "Mario Kart World" Factor
Now that we're in 2026, the landscape has shifted. The Switch 2 is out. Mario Kart World launched as its big day-one title. But honestly? Deluxe is still putting up a fight. Even with a shiny new sequel on the market, Deluxe sold over 600,000 copies in the first quarter of fiscal year 2026.
People are comfortable with it. It’s the "Old Reliable" of gaming. You know the physics. You know that 200cc on Rainbow Road is a nightmare. You know exactly how much you hate the Blue Shell.
Common Misconceptions
I hear this all the time: "Didn't it launch with the Switch?"
No. It missed the launch by about eight weeks.
"Is the physical version complete?"
Kinda. There are newer "complete" cartridges that include some DLC, but the vast majority of copies out there require a massive download for the Booster Course tracks. If you're a collector, check the back of the box carefully. The original 2017 printing obviously doesn't have the 2023 content on the rail.
What You Should Do Now
If you’re still playing Deluxe in 2026 (and let's be honest, you probably are), here’s the move. Don't feel pressured to jump to the Switch 2 version immediately if your friend group hasn't moved yet. The online community for the 2017 version is still massive.
Actually, check your firmware. Nintendo has been quiet lately, but there are still occasional stability patches. If you haven't touched the game since the Wave 6 DLC dropped in late '23, you’ve got characters like Diddy Kong and Funky Kong waiting for you.
Go back and 3-star the 200cc Acorn Cup. It’s harder than you remember, and it's the best way to prep your reflexes if you eventually decide to move on to whatever comes next. The mario kart 8 deluxe switch release date might be a decade in the rearview mirror soon, but the game itself isn't going anywhere.