Mario Kart 8 Deluxe update history

This is a detailed list of updates Mario Kart 8 Deluxe has received since launch. In order to play online, players must have downloaded the most recent software update.

Ver. 1.1.0

An update was released on May 17, 2017. The following changes were made:

• Opponents’ names are displayed in the rear view mirror view in online matches.
• Invincibility period after a spin-out or crash is longer in online matches.
• Up to two players can spectate a friend group while they wait to join.
• Worldwide and Regional modes add players to Mirror and 200cc matches less often.
• Can now properly create a friend lobby when you have 100 or more friends.
• Inkling Girl’s animation has been adjusted.
• The starting positions in online races now properly reflect the order in which the players join.
• Driver Mii characters now properly showing facial expressions.
• The Tournament clock now properly reflects real-world time.

Note

• The original animation for Inkling Girl resembled an obscene gesture.

Ver. 1.2.0

An update was released on June 28, 2017. The following changes were made:

• Players can use Pikmin-themed amiibo to unlock a Pikmin Suit for the Mii driver.
• Race rules and course name are now displayed on loading screens for online and wireless play, as well as Mario Kart TV.
• Players who are behind in online matches will receive items geared toward catching up more frequently.
• In online matches, no more than two Piranha Plants will be granted as items at the same time.
• Controls are no longer unresponsive when the timer runs out when choosing a Mii racing suit for online matches.
• When a player uses an item right after the Super Horn in online matches, that item will now remain available for other players.
• Item wheel no longer spins continuously in online matches.
• Online matches now end as intended 30 seconds after the first place racer finishes.
• The Boomerang now returns to the first slot, if possible, after a player catches it.
• Items shown in a player’s item slots now display correctly when holding an item behind them.
• No longer possible to use an item after it has been used to block an attack.
• Communication errors no longer occur frequently while spectating or after spectating online matches.

Ver. 1.2.1

An update was released on August 9, 2017. The following changes were made:

• Corrected an issue that prolonged the time to return to the lobby after races near the start and end times of online tournaments.

Ver. 1.3.0

An update was released on October 18, 2017. The following changes were made:

• Video capture compatibility added. Hold the Capture Button to capture up to 30 seconds of the previous footage.
  • The system must be updated to Ver 4.0.0 or higher to use this feature.
• Now more difficult to float down using the glider when Smart Steering is ON.
• Blue Shells no longer hit the second place player when the first place player hasn't yet crossed the finish line.
• Extended the invulnerability period after spinning out or crashing.
• Changes made to Online Play prior to Ver.1.2.1 now apply to Wireless Play and LAN Play as well:
  • When further back in a race, will receive better items to help catch up to other players.
  • No more than one Piranha Plant will appear at a time.
  • Updating to Ver 1.3.0 will prevent users from Wireless Play or LAN Play with users on Ver.1.2.1 or lower.

Ver. 1.4.0

An update was released on December 12, 2017. The following changes were made:

• Language support for Traditional Chinese, Simplified Chinese, and Korean has now been implemented.
  • Players can change languages in Settings on the console.
• An issue has been resolved that prevented background music from playing after you reach the finish line.
• When you download update data (Ver. 1.4.0), you will no longer be able to engage in local play or LAN play with those still using Version 1.2.1 or earlier.

Ver. 1.5.0

An update was released on June 25, 2018. The following changes were made:

• Now supports the use of the Toy-Con Motorbike from Nintendo LABO Toy-Con 01 VARIETY KIT.
  • You can now set whether or not to use the Toy-Con Motorbike from the Toy-Con settings in the top menu.
  • At the screen right before the game begins, please set the Joy-Con inside the Toy-Con Motorbike.
  • When using the Toy-Con Motorbike, the camera will look over the character’s shoulder, increasing immersion.
  • Press the downward directional button to play with normal view again.
• Addressed an issue where, after setting up a tournament, the “Search by code” feature would stop functioning.
• Addressed an issue that made it impossible for a player to proceed after colliding with a Star Thwomp.
• The latest update data is needed to play matches online.
• Once you have downloaded the latest update data, you will no longer be able to play “Local Wireless” and “LAN Play” matches with other players who have not downloaded this data.

Ver. 1.6.0

An update was released on July 19, 2018. The following changes were made:

• New character added: Link (Champion's Tunic)
• New vehicle added: Master Cycle Zero
• New tires added: Ancient Tires
• New glider added: Paraglider
• Update includes revisions to improve gameplay, as well as some content not listed here.

Ver. 1.7.0

An update was released on September 19, 2018. The following changes were made:

• Now compatible with Toy-Con Car in Nintendo Labo Toy-Con 03: Vehicle Kit.
  • Players can select which Toy-Con to use from “Toy-Con” settings in the main menu.
• Now compatible with the Nintendo Switch Online smartphone app.
  • If the application is running on any device when you enter an online match, you will automatically receive a prompt on your smartphone asking if you would like to join a voice chat with your opponent.
  • Worldwide, Regional, Friends, and Tournaments allow you to use this function.

Ver. 1.7.1

An update was released on January 23, 2019. The following changes were made:

• Fixed an issue that caused the game to become unresponsive to any input except for the HOME Button.
  • You will need to download this update to play with others online.
  • After you download the latest update data, you will no longer be able to play over local wireless or LAN with others until they download the update as well.

Ver. 1.7.2

An update was released on May 25, 2021. The following changes were made:

• Addressed an issue that caused tournament points to be reset.
• Addressed an issue that caused match history with friends to be reset.

Ver. 2.0.0

An update was released on March 17, 2022. The following changes were made:

Support for DLC

• Now supports paid DLC: Mario Kart 8 Deluxe – Booster Course Pass, Wave 1 (two cups and eight courses)
• If someone in the lobby has the “Booster Course Pass,” all players can select one of the pass courses.
  • This supports “Friends,” “Wireless Play,” and “LAN Play.”
• Starting March 21st, you can select course from the Booster Course Pass in online play.
  • Supports “Worldwide,” “Regional,” and “Tournaments.”
  • Even if the player does not own the “Booster Course Pass,” they can play courses from the pass randomly.

General

• Shortened the time it takes for an Item Box to regenerate when it gets taken by someone else.

Fixed Issues

• Fixed an issue where a communication error occurs when 12 people matched during online play.
  • You need to download the latest update data in order to play online.
  • If you download the latest update data, you will not be able to do “Wireless Play” or LAN Play” with other players who are using data from a previous update.
• The update data contains fixes to issues that improve gameplay experience, and other content that is not listed here.
• In order to download the update data, you need enough space on your system memory or microSD Card.

Ver. 2.1.0

An update was released on August 4, 2022. The following changes were made:

Support for DLC

• Now supports paid DLC: Mario Kart 8 Deluxe – Booster Course Pass, Wave 2 (two cups and eight courses).

General

• Increased the number of ghosts you can download from 16 to 32.
• Adjusted the extent to which a vehicle is thrown, depending on its weight.
• Further shortened the time it takes for item boxes to regenerate after another player takes them.
• Shortened the time it takes for one player to be able to pick up a coin that another player has dropped.
• Made it so that it is easier to face the way forward in mid-air when using Smart Steering.
• The cars that the Shy Guys are riding in in Wii Coconut Mall now move from time to time in all modes other than the Time Trial mode.

Fixed Issues

• Fixed issue where player could not choose a DLC course even though a player in the lobby in “Friends” has the Booster Course Pass.
• Fixed issue where player did not receive coins even though they used the Feather in Coin Runners to steal a rival's coins.
• Fixed issue where player could receive two items from one item box in N64 Toad's Turnpike.

Unlisted changes

• The course icons for the Booster Course Pass Wave 1 courses are now slightly brighter than at launch (with the exception of Ninja Hideaway, which is now slightly darker instead).
• Dirt marks are now left on tires when driving on Booster Course Pass Wave 1 courses.
• An issue where sounds of a character while boosting with a Mushroom or Super/Ultra Mini-Turbo were not properly randomized when viewing a replay was fixed.
• CPU drivers' speeds on 200cc on Hard difficulty have been adjusted on the Booster Course Pass Wave 1 courses on VS Races.
• How Lakitu decides where to respawn players on the track after they fall off has been adjusted.
• An issue introduced in version 2.0.0 was fixed where CPUs would no longer replace players who disconnected in a friend room in the subsequent race when the CPU racers option was turned on.
• This update patches a vulnerability, known as ENLBufferPwn, in the game's network code which enables hackers to take full, remote control of a user's (unmodified) Nintendo Switch system during online multiplayer sessions. This same vulnerability exists in many other first-party Nintendo games, such as Mario Kart 7.

Ver. 2.2.0

An update was released on December 7, 2022. The following changes were made:

Support for DLC

• Now supports paid DLC: Mario Kart 8 Deluxe – Booster Course Pass, Wave 3 (two cups and eight courses).

General

• Added “Custom Items” to item Rules.
  • This is a feature that lets you decide which items appear.
  • This is supported in VS Race, Balloon Battle, Coin Runners, Shine Thief, Renegade Roundup, Playing with friends, Tournaments, and Wireless Play.
  • Items that have not been set to appear may still appear according to the connection environment and game situation.
• When getting struck by lightning while gliding through the air, the glider no longer closes.
• The period of invincibility after spinning or crashing now changes, depending on the driver or machine parts.
• When a user cannot download any new ghost data, they can now delete all the ghost data they downloaded until then.
• Deleted “Recommended” in Tournaments.

Fixed Issues

• Fixed an issue where coins would not be added when touching an opponents’ Crazy Eight coin.
• Fixed an issue where there was a communication error when using the item Boo.
• Fixed an issue where using the Super Horn would not hit more than one opponent at the same time.
• Fixed an issue where images in SNES Mario Circuit 3 would look distorted.
• Fixed an issue where a player could not acquire multiple items in a row in GBA Snow Land.
• Fixed an issue where points would not be added to a member list, when spectating an online match.
• Fixed an issue where, when selecting a team, the COM characters that actually play in the game were not the same as shown on selection screen.
• Fixed an issue where the warning sound was not playing when a Red Shell or Spiny Shell comes from behind.
• Other adjustments and corrections were made to improve the gameplay experience.

Unlisted changes

• An issue introduced in version 2.1.0 was fixed where Metal Mario, Pink Gold Peach, Tanooki Mario, and Cat Peach no longer appeared as a driver's rivals in Grand Prix.
• A bug has been introduced where two coins previously thrown by the train on N64 Rainbow Road disappear immediately after being dropped.

Ver. 2.2.1

An update was released on December 21, 2022. The following changes were made:

Fixed Issues

• Fixed issue where, when playing online in Berlin Byways, the image would get choppy.
• Fixed issue where, when playing in London Loop, player is carried in by Lakitu after falling off of course and they were not returned to the appropriate location.

Ver. 2.3.0

An update was released on March 8, 2023. The following changes were made:

Support for DLC

• Now supports paid DLC: Mario Kart 8 Deluxe – Booster Course Pass, Wave 4 (two cups, eight courses, and one character, Birdo).

General

• Improved the performance of some characters and vehicle customizations.
• Made it so that the player can see the rear view mirror when spinning, crashing, or changed into Bullet Bill.
• Made it so, if the player uses a Super Star or Boo at the same time that they are hit by Lightning, their kart will not crash or become small.
• Made it so, when jumping from a Whomp in Tour Berlin Byways, karts can leap over the fence.
• Added Golden Mushroom to Custom Items in Renegade Roundup.
• Added “Booster Course Pass” button to main menu. If a player does not have the Booster Course Pass, a link to the Nintendo eShop will be displayed.

Fixed Issues

• Fixed an issue where, when the player’s kart became small after being hit by lightning, it would slip into the ground.
• Fixed an issue where, when the player’s kart ran into a wall, they would be carried over by Lakitu even though they had not left the course.
• Fixed an issue where the player character would not be able to hit an opponent with a red shell when that opponent was jumping on a half-pipe.
• Fixed an issue where the player character could not drift after jumping and landing in a half pipe.
• Fixed an issue so that the player can use another item other than Boo right after using Boo.
• Fixed an issue where the player could not throw a Boomerang after catching it and it entered the second item slot.
• Fixed an issue where, when a player character hit the Blooper in an opponent’s Crazy 8, they would have ink squirted on them even though they are using the Super Star.
• Fixed an issue where, when the player stops looking at the rear view mirror, the ink would disappear momentarily even though they had Blooper ink on them.
• Fixed an issue where, when player is hit with a red shell at the same time as changing into Bullet Bill, they would go off the course.
• Fixed an issue where, at the escalator in Wii Coconut Mall, there would be a communication error when a character could not move forward.
• Fixed an issue when changed into Bullet Bill in N64 Kalimari Desert, where the character would slip into the ground.
• Fixed an issue where the character would get stuck on the bridge posts right before and after the starting line in Tour London Loop.
• Fixed an issue where, on wavy floors in 3DS Rainbow Road, the character could be pushed way off the course.

Unlisted changes

• Every driver — except for Metal Mario, Gold Mario, Pink Gold Peach, Waluigi, Donkey Kong, Roy, Wario, Dry Bowser, Bowser, Morton, and Heavy Mii — has had their Ground, Water, Air, and Anti-Gravity Speed statistics increased by a value of 0.25 (1 point).
• Baby Mario, Baby Luigi, Dry Bones, Light Mii, Toad, Shy Guy, Larry, Peach, Daisy, Yoshi, Mario, Ludwig, Medium Mii, Luigi, and Iggy have had their Mini-Turbo statistic increased by a value of 0.25 (1 point).
• Every vehicle body — except for Pipe Frame, Varmint, City Tripper, Biddybuggy, Mr. Scooty, Landship, Streetle, Standard Bike, Flame Rider, Wild Wiggler, and W 25 Silver Arrow — has had their Mini-Turbo statistic increased by a value of 0.25 (1 point).
• Every tire — except for Roller, Azure Roller, Button, and Leaf Tires — has had their Mini-Turbo statistic increased by a value of 0.25 (1 point).
• The timer glitch in Time Trials rounding the times of some courses to the full frame has been fixed. This affected section courses (Mount Wario, N64 Rainbow Road, Big Blue, and 3DS Rainbow Road) and courses that have the drivers cross the finish line backwards (Tour Paris Promenade, Tour Sydney Sprint, Tour Berlin Byways, and DS Peach Gardens).
• When using the rear view mirror, the screen no longer "hops" when the player hops.
• The flags in Tour Berlin Byways no longer respawn the player upon being touched.
• When selecting certain characters with variants, other variants can no longer appear as a CPU opponent. Additionally, only one variant of the aforementioned character can appear as a CPU opponent at a time.
  • This applies to Mario/Tanooki Mario/Metal Mario/Gold Mario, Peach/Cat Peach/Pink Gold Peach, and Link/Link (Champion's Tunic).

Ver. 2.4.0

An update was released on July 11, 2023. The following changes were made:

Support for DLC

• Now supports paid DLC: Mario Kart 8 Deluxe – Booster Course Pass, Wave 5 (two cups, eight courses, and three characters).

General

• Improved the performance of some characters and vehicle customizations.
• Adjusted the invincibility time of some characters.
• Adjusted random item selection method in races where Custom Items is set, for when there are four players or less.
• Expanded range for when a warning displays when a Red Shell or Spiny Shell approaches from behind.
• Made it so that warnings about a Red Shell or Spiny Shell will be displayed with priority over other warnings.
• Made it so that a warning is not displayed when a Red Shell is targeting opponents.
• Made it so that L/R button operation on the class selection screen and course selection screen in the Grand Prix can be conducted on touchscreen as well.
• Lowered the appearance rate of Mirror and 200cc races in Worldwide and Regional settings.

Fixed Issues

• Fixed an issue where a communication error occurs when a character catches a boomerang at the same time that a Boo brings an item.
• Fixed an issue where, when equipping an item and catching a boomerang at the same time, the player could not throw that item.
• Fixed an issue where the graph for the Mii Heavy weight class’s parameters didn’t match the actual abilities.
• Fixed an issue where a warning would not appear when an opponent used a Bullet Bill in online matches.
• Made it so the kart doesn’t spin or crash when running into an obstruction if the player uses a Super Star, Bullet Bill or Boo at that same time.
• Fixed an issue where the kart would get stuck between a cliff and small mushroom and be unable to move in Wii Mushroom Gorge.
• Fixed an issue where the player would go off the course when transformed as Bullet Bill right in front of the goal in GBA Riverside Park.

Unlisted changes

• Cat Peach, Inkling Girl, Villager (Female), Tanooki Mario, Inkling Boy, and Villager (Male) have had their Mini-Turbo statistic increased by a value of 0.25 (1 point).
• Metal Mario (and Gold Mario), Pink Gold Peach, Rosalina, King Boo, and Link have had their Invincibility statistic increased by a value of 0.50 (2 points).
• Waluigi, Donkey Kong, and Roy have had their Invincibility statistic increased by a value of 0.75 (3 points).
• Wario, Dry Bowser, and Heavy Mii have had their Invincibility statistic increased by a value of 1.00 (4 points).
• Bowser and Morton have had their Invincibility statistic increased by a value of 1.25 (5 points).
• Baby Mario, Baby Luigi, Dry Bones, Light Mii, Koopa Troopa, Lakitu, Bowser Jr., Toad, Shy Guy, Larry, Cat Peach, Inkling Girl, and Villager (Female) have had their Invincibility statistic decreased by a value of 0.25 (1 point).
• Toadette, Wendy, Isabelle, Tanooki Mario, Inkling Boy, Villager (Male), Peach, Daisy, Birdo, and Yoshi have had their Invincibility statistic decreased by a value of 0.50 (2 points).
• Landship, Streetle, Pipe Frame, Varmint, City Tripper, Tanooki Kart, Koopa Clown, and Master Cycle Zero have had their Ground Speed statistic increased by a value of 0.25 (1 point).
• Tanooki Kart, Koopa Clown, Master Cycle Zero, Circuit Special, B Dasher, and P-Wing have had their Mini-Turbo statistic increased by a value of 0.25 (1 point).
• Bandwagon, GLA (kart), and Standard ATV have had their Mini-Turbo statistic increased by a value of 0.50 (2 points).
• Monster, Hot Monster, and Ancient Tires have had their Ground Speed statistic increased by a value of 0.25 (1 point).
• Off-Road, Retro Off-Road, Triforce Tires, Metal, Gold Tires, Slick, and Cyber Slick have had their Mini-Turbo statistic increased by a value of 0.25 (1 point).
• In the Korean version of the game, the name "파워풀 컵" was changed to "황금대시 컵," the former being a translation of the Golden Dash Cup's Japanese name and the latter being a translation of the cup's English name.
• The materials on Tour Singapore Speedway have been updated.
• The particle effects on DS Mario Circuit have been updated.
• The rotation of a vehicle's front wheels no longer properly matches the turning radius of a drift, prior to off-road or a wall being touched, or in some cases receiving airtime. This bug is purely visual and does not affect how tight a vehicle can drift.
• Vehicles are dropped to a lower speed after a boost runs out compared to before. The exact cause of this bug is unknown.

Ver. 3.0.0

An update was released on November 8, 2023. The following changes were made:

Support for DLC

• Added paid DLC: Mario Kart 8 Deluxe – Booster Course Pass, Wave 6 (two cups, eight courses, four characters, 17 Mii racing suits).

General

• Added “Music” button to the top menu.
  • This is a feature where you can listen to the background music that plays during the game, as you like.
  • Even players who don’t own the Booster Course Pass can listen to the background music of the DLC courses.
• Added feature where other players who aren’t friends can join in a Room.
  • After creating a room, press the + Button or – Button to display the Room ID on the Room screen, and tell your fellow racers the Room ID.
  • The other racers can join by entering the Room ID in “Search by Room ID.”
• Made it so that you can create a Room even if you have 0 friends registered.
• Added staff credits for the Booster Course Pass.
  • Conditions for seeing the credits
    • If you have the Booster Course Pass: Clear all DLC cups in Grand Prix mode ranked third or higher (for the second time and later, clear Moon Cup or Spiny Cup ranked third or higher).
    • If you don’t have the Booster Course Pass: After racing in the DLC courses in Online Play or Wireless Play 100 times or more, clear a random cup in Grand Prix mode ranked third or higher (for the second time and later, clear Bell Cup ranked third or higher).
• Increased the invincibility time of a portion of characters and vehicle customizations.
• Made it so that you can’t acquire strong items when taking an Item Box by stopping or driving in reverse, or taking an Item Box that is in same location multiple times during a race.
• Shortened the time between when an Item Box is acquired by someone until it is restored.
• Lowered the appearance rate of Mirror and 200cc in “Worldwide” and “Regional.”
• Made it so you can acquire the “Varia Suit” when using a Metroid series amiibo.
• Made it so you can acquire the “Hylian Suit” when using a Legend of Zelda series amiibo.
• Made it so you can acquire the “Kirby Suit” when using a Kirby series amiibo.
• Made it so you can acquire the “Daisy Suit” when using a Daisy amiibo.

Fixed Issues

• Fixed an issue where no Bob-omb car blows up in Wii Moonview Highway, but a Bob-omb car blows up for someone you are playing with online.
• Fixed an issue where, when racing against a Ghost in Time Trials on Yoshi's Island, the red road would not appear even though the Ghost touched the Winged Cloud.

Unlisted changes

• Streetle, Landship, Pipe Frame, Varmint, City Tripper, Comet, and W 25 Silver Arrow have had their Invincibility statistic increased by a value of 0.25 (1 point).
• Standard Bike and Flame Rider have had their Invincibility statistic increased by a value of 0.50 (2 points).
• Wild Wiggler has had its Invincibility statistic increased by a value of 0.75 (3 points).
• Mach 8 and Sports Coupe have had their Invincibility statistic decreased by a value of 0.25 (1 point).
• Teddy Buggy and Inkstriker have had their Invincibility statistic decreased by a value of 0.50 (2 points).
• Every tire — except for Roller, Azure Roller, Off-Road, and Retro Off-Road — has had their Invincibility increased by a value of 0.25 (1 point).
• New item rules:
  • Players can get a maximum of two strong items on every stationary item row.
    • Moving Item Boxes (such as on GCN Baby Park) counts each individual Item Box separately.
  • If Lakitu picks up the player, the item count for a given row resets to zero.
  • Players that slow down right before an Item Box will get weak items, no matter the item count.
• The main character select screen now shows the previously selected skin for characters with skins.
• The amiibo label on the Mii icon on the character select screen was removed; this makes it identical to its appearance in the original Mario Kart 8 before amiibo support was added.
• In the Latin American Spanish version of the game, the name "Circuito Luz de Luna" was changed to "Autopista de la Luna", the latter being the name originally assigned to Moonview Highway in Mario Kart Wii for that version.
• Nintendo of Korea, Nintendo Hong Kong, Nintendo Taiwan, and iQue are now credited in the original game's credits.
• When using Mii or Petey Piranha, the stem of the Super Glider, Wario Wing, Peach Parasol, Flower Glider, and the Gold Glider are now bent, rather than straight.

Ver. 3.0.1

An update was released on November 28, 2023. The following changes were made:

Fixed Issues

• Fixed an issue where the player was unable to acquire a strong item even though they did not take an Item Box by stopping or going in reverse during a race, or take an item countless times from an Item Box in same location, when the communication is unstable during an online match.
• Fixed an issue where the glider did not open when getting on a glide ramp that is past the suspension bridge in Tour Vancouver Velocity.
• Fixed an issue where the player might fall into a crevice in the cliff and not be able to move in Tour Rome Avanti.
• Fixed an issue where the player would be floating in mid-air after driving out of the course without being carried back in by Lakitu in DK Mountain.
• Fixed an issue where the player would sometimes not be able to move when riding on the statues in Wii Daisy Circuit.
• Fixed an issue where actions and expressions did not match for some characters that were added in the Booster Course Pass.
• Fixed an issue where a Mii’s head would get extremely large or small when playing the highlight reel.

Ver. 3.0.2

This version was exclusive to the Tencent Chinese version. Its changes are unknown.

Ver. 3.0.3

An update was released on September 11, 2024. The following changes were made:

General

• Several issues have been addressed to improve the gameplay experience.

Unlisted changes

• This update patches a vulnerability, known as KartLANPwn, in the game's network code which enables hackers to take full, remote control of a user's (unmodified) Nintendo Switch system during local and online multiplayer sessions.