
Update:
Nintendo of America has now issued a press release confirming the details outlined below. It provides the exact same detail, while also confirming US prices of $7.99 for each individual pack or $11.99 for the double pack.
Original Article:
A listing on Nintendo's UK online store has revealed that Mario Kart 8 is getting DLC packs which will bring new characters, courses and vehicles to the game.
Two packs are promised, which both contain two entirely new cups with four courses each. It would appear that new courses will include some based around F-Zero, Excitebike and Animal Crossing. In the UK, the packs will retail for £7 each, while a double pack with both sets of DLC will be £11.
Here's the official skinny taken from the online store listing:
Each Add On Content pack will contain two new cups, each with four courses, which, in total, increases the number of available courses by 50 percent. The Add On Content packs include classics like Wario’s Gold Mine from Mario Kart Wii, as well as new courses, some taking place in the worlds of The Legend of Zelda and Animal Crossing. New vehicles will also arrive with each pack, including the Blue Falcon kart representing the F-Zero franchise in the first AOC pack.
Mario Kart 8 Pack 1 - Released: November 2014
Pack 1 includes:
- 3 Characters: Tanooki Mario, Cat Peach, Link
- 4 Vehicles
- 8 Courses
Mario Kart 8 Pack 2 - Released: May 2015
Pack 2 includes:
- 3 Characters: Villager, Isabelle, Dry Bowser
- 4 Vehicles
- 8 Courses
As a bonus for purchasing both packs - as a bundle or separately - you can get eight different-coloured Yoshis and eight different-coloured Shy Guys that can be used right away.
How do you feel about the chance to race as Link or pilot the legendary Blue Falcon? Let us know by posting a comment below.


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[source store.nintendo.co.uk]
Comments 593
Well now I'm sad.
So very sad.
Beginning of the end.
Getting it. GETTING IT!!
Im happy!
WHAT
Deff getting it.
Pretty awesome!...but now we got 3 Mario's and 3 peachs...next we get Dr.Mario....
Smash Kart?
They hype is real!!!!!
Holy... What in the.... Shock. Utter shock.
New courses?! Oh hell yeah!
This way it's going to be Nintendo Kart in the future...
But, why mario and peach clones?
I'm usually against DLC.
But if they offer good prices, it can be a way to lengthen the game's life, specially with those extra cups. I hope you can play them online too.
Now, this is some real DLC!
I WANT FOR NA!!!!! I was hopin we get link!
@IxC Care to explain why, or are you just whining for the sake of whining ?
I was going to bed, now this Eventhough we always hoped for something like this, but this came across pretty unexpected! Though I love the fact that we get new courses and cars and the fact that I will get it on day one, I don't know if I want characters from outside the mushroom kingdom to be honest.
@IxC Why are you sad?
Oh noooo... Nooo... Not DLC... Not DLC... Not paid DLC that adds characters and things that can't be unlocked through regular play... If Smash does this, I'm done. So done.
I can't wait! I will definitely be getting both packs!
@Einherjar
I don't like DLC.
It's that simple.
I'm throwing money at the screen but nothing's happening!
It Begins!! o_0
Wow, May 2015 for the second pack, that's so far away! But this was to be expected of course. I'm glad that they are going to include characters from other Nintendo franchises. New courses are even better!
Wow! This is great! Definite buy!
I agree with what Nintendo Force has said. This is the Year of Crossovers!
Holy crap! Omg I'm in shock! Yes!!
Why can't this come out now? I can't wait!
I'm experiencing a mix of shock and sheer excitement! Did not expect to see Link. Can't wait for the new tracks. Owning a Wii U just keeps getting more and more awesome.
@IxC @JulienIsTheMan
So you guys rather dont have more content at all ?
You do realize that this stuff was created AFTER the games release right ?
Well, you dont have to get it Your choice.
What the...!!, XD, Well, In my opinion, this DLC is some, "curious", but, well, for me, Is very funny! ^.^
YYYYYYYEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I would love to see Link and Ganondorf in a Mario Tennis game. In numerous Legend of Zelda games the final battle turns into a tennis match.
I wonder if Villager will be both a male and female one. I can only see a male one in the picture.
I'm sold. Link... awesome, plus 8 new courses??? AWESOME!!!!
Though I am now wondering if we will ever have another Mario Kart game. It might be Nintendo Kart as it is no longer just Mario
@NapalmOmega
don't like the clones? Don't buy then, simple as that.
@IxC
then don't buy it. If you then won't buy the games on the console, then go to a new console... oh wait.... they do DLC too... you better just quit gaming all together.
>We want Mario Kart DLC!
>Nintendo gives Mario Kart DLC
>NOOOO!! I HATE DLC NINTENDO!!
I loooove the internet.
Should have gone the whole way and made a Super Smash Kart. That would have been incredible.
@Einherjar
You have no proof of this contents development schedule.
Yes, I'd rather there was no extra content at all.
A game should be released complete.
Ok... feel great about it although a little confuse... is like want it, but really so mixed? Exciting hear about new cups & tracks though.
@IxC Then don't buy it. Problem solved! And you're also saying that developers shouldn't continue working on the game after release?
Well this sure as heck came out of the blue. It's so much more exciting than that obviously bogus Smash leak
YES. So we know DLC for Mario Kart 8 is real and happening.
And yes this is all exciting, these new additions look great.
New courses are always welcome and so is expanding the pretty lame existing roster of characters. It'll be cool to race as Link!
But if we're going to add new characters, why Tanooki Mario and Cat Peach? They just seem like an odd choice when we're still missing fan favorites like Diddy Kong and Bowser Jr. You would think we'd be good with Metal Mario and Pink Gold Peach as it is. Not to mention there's so many other interesting and unique characters to pull from the Mushroom Kingdom and add to the Mario Kart roster that something still feels lacking. I'm just being honest here.
There's also the Battle Mode that needs to be expanded, but the reality of Nintendo doing DLC for this game gives me hope that it'll be addressed sometime in the future.
I'm mixed about what we see right now but I'm excited for future DLC possibilities for this game and of course I'll probably be buying both of the packs shown here, given that they're priced correctly.
Lmao at peeps against DLC. Clearly if this was on-disc DLC, those hackers we heard about would have easily found it. Chill out, their extending the longevity of the game. As long as it's not like microtransactions, we're golden.
I can't contain my excitement this is exactly what I wanted.
@IxC The game is complete... They're just adding more content to a completed game.
Mario Kart 8.5!
Are people seriously complaining.
@SockoMario
Then it's not complete is it.
You can't add to something that is complete. That is the definition of "complete".
@SockoMario and i love you for bringing that up
Thats how i feel about some people on here in general
@IxC Uhm...the game WAS complete when it was released. This is EXTRA content. Whats so hard to understand about it ?
If developers have new ideas after a games launch, should they just throw them out the window ?
DLC is a great way to expand on a game. I personally hate cut content DLC, pre order stuff etc. But extending a game later is perfectly fine.
@Emaan The source in the article shows each pack as £7.
Really excited for this especially due to Wario's Gold Mine returning from Mario Kart Wii!
I was happy to see Mario Kart DLC (Because seriously why not, especially with Link and Villager being in it!), and then I realized two things.
1. Still not a thing on the Battle Mode that could desperately use arenas, which makes me pretty sad considering how much I want traditional battle mode in the game.
2. They added another Mario and Peach before Bowser Jr, Birdo, Dry Bones, or Diddy Kong. I mean come on, adding Link and Animal Crossing stuff is one thing, but adding additional suits of characters we have if frustrating. I mean come on shouldn't those above be priority considering they were in Wii?
Regardless still going to buy it, which I guess says a lot about me...
Wut. It's cool but its so random lol
Proper battle mode courses?
Claiming full credit for discovering this
@IxC so, according to your logic, a games development time should be around 426 years, till EVERY possible idea a developer comes up with can be implemented, otherwise, its not complete right ?
Youre a looney.
where is birdo, diddy kong, funky kong, dixie kong bowser junior, king boo, hammer bros, dry bones
Sigh...well, looks like Egadd isn't in the DLC-you know what, screw it! WE ARE GETTING A TOTAL OF 22 CHARACTERS IF YOU COUNT THE MULTICOLORED SHYGUYS AND YOSHIS! THIS IS F'ING AWESOME!
This is awesome fun candy!
Okay... Cups and characters, fine, but non-Mario characters? What is this, Super Smash Kart?
I'm really excited for this, I'd just prefer if the new characters were Mario characters that everybody's been asking for. Link riding a motorcycle is just kind of...odd.
Nice!
@IxC Yes you can actually. You can a complete a story arc, then add some extra content to the story later. "Complete" does not mean unchangeable or unaddable...
@IxC they released a complete game. No one can argue against that. They're adding extra content and you don't have to buy it. I'm happy Nintendo are doing DLC. This helps keep the games fresh! It looks freaking awesome.
This is excellent news! Nintendo bringing out some real fan service DLC/AOC! Cannot wait to play as Link.
Also is that an Excitebike track?
Wow.
@Einherjar
No.
Remember all those millions of games released to date that don't have dlc? Those are complete games. And their development time was not 426 years.
Stop being ridiculous. Why are you arguing with me anyway? We're not going to agree.
I would just like to point out that months ago, I said they should add other Nintendo characters into it as DLC. I got responses which mostly complied of "That will never happen" To them, I simply point, and laugh.
WOWEE ZOWEE!
@IxC: Why do you hate the idea of extra content?
SMASH KART CONFIRMED! OMG!
This is the best thing ever.
There is not enough YES for this situation.
We need no insults here -Lz
Now I really want Olimar playable with a Pikmin race track!
@WaLzgi
I want to pay one price for my games, once, and having access to that entire game. You know, the way we've done it since games began.
How will we play these courses in 10+ years when the Wii U is taken offline? You might say "nintendo will release a complete edition". True, they might. But they also might not. And the complete edition should've just been the standard game anyway.
I can't understand how nobody else objects to dlc on the grounds that most of this content will be unplayable once these consoles are taken offline.
THIS IS AWESOME!!! Eff yeah!! Getting both packs!
BUT
This fixes nothing, Nintendo.
GIVE US A NEW F-ZERO!
@AdmiralThrawn
The word you're looking for is "opinion". My opinion is entertaining you.
@Undead_terror Maybe we can get Dry Bones!
Well the release dates tell me this DLC was started after the game was shipped so atleast the anti-dlc squad will be appeased. Who am i kidding they will complain anyway.
Hopefully the pricing is reasonable for both, new race tracks do it for me.
Wait link, villager and isabelle? I cant deny that i always wanted mario kart to take the smash bros route. Lack of Kirby and the fact that Link doesnt ride his trademark horse seems like missed opportunity.
Yes YES and YES PLEASE!!! Its about time other franchises made an appearance.
OMG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Beautiful! It's... It's just SO BEAUTIFUL!
YES! I was hoping for DLC courses even for just retro courses but this is a million times better.
Do we really need versions of characters we already have with costumes added?
This made my yeaaaar! MK8 is my favorite game of 2014 so far and knowing all of this just makes me scream of happiness! LINK PLAYABLE OMFG! Never on my wildest dream I imagine that TBH.
Mario Kart 8 will have a happy christmas this holiday.
THIS IS MARIO KART!!!! NOT MARIO X ZELDA X ANIMAL CROSSING X INSANE KART!!!
Nintendo, Why? do we have all this stuff but no real battle maps?
At least make Super Smash Kart
Oh yes! Now gimme... BIRDO!
@3DSfan134 Mii's and Dry Bowser got to do for now
Nintendo! You have outdone yourself again!
Totally buying the DLC!
YEEEEES! ISABELLE!
FZERO STUFF! YES!!!
MUST GET NOW!
Thats months away yet.
FINALLY! Nintendo gets DLC right. Very happy for Nintendo for finally recognizing how important DLC is and how much its fans want them to do it. "TAKE MY MONEY!" Is what you'll keep hearing if you do more things like this. Now don't forget u have dozens of games that you can do DLC like this for and make even more money all while keeping your fans happy:). YES! YES! YES!
Omg does anyone else see the F-Zero themed race track
/hype
God, I wonder what's next.. Samus in Style Boutique? Captain Falcon in Cooking Mama?
Shoving Link in there is just like turning Silent Hill into a party game - it ridicules the character's and their origins.
Well, that means no more online for me from November onward. I'm not putting up with that joke.
They should release all the classic MK characters that are missing in this game (Diddy Kong, Birdo, Funky Kong, King Boo, Dry Bones, DK Jr.) or some actually new and creative characters (not just different 8 colors, 3 disguises or ages for the same old characters) from the Mario universe (Pauline, Wart, Nabbit, E.Gadd, Piantisimo, C. Syrup) before bringing characters from completely unrelated series
OMG! GUYS. THE HYPE IS REAL!!!
Amiibo racers confirmed!
Well this is way better than the Mercedes DLC but two things...
1. At this point Nintendo might as well just do a proper full Nintendo Kart/Racer imo, which I would have absolutely no problem with whatsoever.
2. This Blue Falcon DLC means either they're doing this because there's no F-Zero in development for Wii U, which means this is just a token gesture for all the frustrated F-Zero fans out there, or there is an F-Zero game in development and this is a little nod to that (which I would be so happy about). Sadly, I expect it's probably the former.
Going to be picking this up when it comes out. This is how you do good DLC.
WHAT'S GOING ON!?
First the Smash leaks, then Pokken Tournament, and now THIS!?
Nintendo, you know how starve wallets.
£7 each is very good value for 2 cups + extras. Bc when you think about it that adds up to £28 for 8 cups which is less than you would be paying if they released a follow up sooner instead. Well done Nintendo I will be buying for sure.
I LOVE YOU NINTENDO, THANK YOU....... On a side note, now add Bowser Jr, Diddy Kong, etc...
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Cheersdyrgfusjrbdhbddj- I can't put into words on how much this excites me!
@IxC
Stop complaining for sake of complaining. This is amazing news - they are listening to fans. Sorry, but you are in the minority on this one. You want Ninty to go the way of the dodo by keeping to the same ol ways? It's called getting with the times AND DOING IT RIGHT. DLC can be handled the right way, and they have done it right so far with other releases.
I don't want characters outside the Mushroom Kingdom in Mario Kart. What is this Mario & All-Stars??
Only eight Yoshis? I guess either Purple and Orange or Black and White are being ditched (my guess is the former). Still, it'll be awesome to race as eight kinds of Yoshi. That's one for every day of the week!
people complaining about DLC, You know who you are.. shouldn't ever run a software business. You have no clue what it's like to maintain customer satisfaction. "the game should be released complete." That argument makes no sense. You have to set the amount of content you're going to put into a final product for many reasons. Final shipping date, bug testing, etc. For this game, the amount of tracks was 32. Can't simply keep saying "we can put more in there." 3 million people bought this, not everyone is still content with what they purchased, thus the DLC.
Simple. Nothing wrong with this at all.
nice!
But I would pay more for a DLC that changes the coin item for something actually useful.
I hoped Nintendo would release new courses via dlc but didn't expect them to. Thumbs up. To the complainers, mario kart 8 was released with just as much content if not more than previous installments so quit whining about it already.
Ah those release dates are sooo far away! At least the link one comes out sooner!
I'll likely buy them but it truly saddens me that Nintendo has definately embraced these practices :___(
Hot damn, yea!!!
THIS IS THE BEST THING EVER, EXISTED EVER ON ANYTHING EVER
There's nothing wrong with these awesome packs, but in other hand I hope the upcoming "fix" for flawed battle mode isn't paid. Give us the classic arenas for free and I'll have no reasons to complain about MK8 DLC packs. Ever.
Simply amazing. A track set in the Zelda world has me excited.
@IxC

I am perfectly content with a 32 race Mario Kart and will play it till my Wii U dies.......The DLC is not needed for me to enjoy this game......Having said that I will buy both of these when they come out in NA and it will add to an already great game.
I assume new games will incorporate all Nintendo Universes moving forward if for nothing else but to add to the variety of tracks.
So cool, but I wish they were more creative with Pack 1's characters. Link is awesome, but Tanooki Mario and Cat Peach. That's 4 versions of each of them. It's a bit ridiculous. Still, I'm glad this game is getting more content, it certainly needed it.
I feared this day would come... Mario Kart has become Nintendo Kart. sigh
This is possibly the best news I've heard in ages. I'm excited...
@booker_steve - I won't forget ya for bringing the news to me first.
I'm interested by the inclusion of Animal Crossing characters in the May pack. Put there as a promotion to a future AC Wii U game perhaps?
This is GREAT news. Looking very much forward to seeing which courses are revealed. Retro courses from previous Mario Kart games? Themed tracks from other Nintendo franchises (like Hyrule's Castle/Death Mountain/Kokiri Forest, F-Zero's crazy outer space tracks, Metroid's subterranean environments, Advance Wars or Fire Emblem's battlefields, etc.). More third-party guest racers/tracks ala' Smash Bros. (Sonic, Mega Man, Solid Snake, etc.)?
LOTS of possibilities. And while some may argue such DLC would deviate too much from the Mario Kart formula, it's also been suggested for some time that the series could use more fresh ideas. And the Sonic and Sega All-Stars Racing series has proven that such crazy-sounding concepts can be AWESOME if done right (seriously, pick those games up if you've never tried them; the Afterburner, Skies of Arcadia, Golden Axe, and Panzer Dragoon tracks in particular are standouts and make you REALLY wish Sega still had a console out there!).
@IxC Eh, to each his own I guess. But your thinking is a bit outdated now...
@daveh30 What's the problem with that? It's a dream come true.
Fantastic Idea by Nintendo, a great way to keep people like myself playing! Hopefully the "bundle" is a season pass type deal where you get both for a a few bucks cheaper than what it would be together
i am sold. that is all
i am sold. that is all
@MrWalkieTalkie To me it's a nightmare. Mario Kart is losing its identity.
I...I...I...y....you win Nintendo, you win. Now shut up and take my money!
this is amazing i never expected new courses until the next mario kart and link being included? amazing
This is AWESOME NEWS!!!!!!!! Finally they're gonna have DLC for a MK game!!!! LINK!!!!!! F-ZERO!!!!!
@IxC
And go ahead and only pay for it once. That's your call. Just know that many people out there, myself included, feel the game was perfectly fine at release and felt complete. This is only ADDING TO THE GAME. I don't wanna hear your bs answers on whether it was finished or not. Doesn't matter. Like someone else said before, how do you know this stuff wasn't done post-release? Just as you're claiming to someone saying it was done prior to release. No one knows. And unless you worked on this game, no one can say otherwise.
Link in Mario Kart = All my money.

@DestinyMan Mega Man in the Sneaker would be my main.
@daveh30
I can't fathom why you would consider this a bad thing, other than it meaning they're probably not going to bother with separate games in the likes of the F-Zero franchise going forward but they weren't doing that anyway so that's hardly a loss at this point.
I'd love a new F-Zero game but if Nintendo simply isn't going to bother giving us one then I think it would be a great idea just to make a single Nintendo Racer going forward and let us select between different franchise characters, different courses and even different racing styles. It would mean cutting down on the amount of time and resources required to make two totally separate racing games/franchises, which means Nintendo can work on more new games in other franchises etc, but still give racing fans a little bit of everything they're craving for from a Nintendo racing franchise perspective.
Given that there seems to be no signs of a new F-Zero game coming down the line I actually hope they add a whole bunch of F-Zero themed courses and even a whole bunch of the F-Zero cars too. Assuming/presuming there's no new F-Zero game coming down the line of course...
A Nintendo Racer could be exactly the right way for Nintendo to go going forward, if it's handled right.
I'm not against this, but I would rather have more character diversity. Mario, Metal Mario, and Tanooki Mario is a bit too much. But nothing to complain about it.
This will definitely get me to play the game again.
PLEASE...
COME...
TO...
NA!!!
@WaLzgi
That doesn't mean it's wrong.
I'm genuinely surprised so few people have a problem with it to be honest.
Somebody else above suggested I quit gaming if I can't cope with dlc. That's looking quite likely to be honest. I don't see seem to be cut out for gaming in the current generation. Everythings gone horribly wrong.
Nothing I can do about it. Everybody else seems to like it. It's not going to stop if that's the case.
I'm just sad.
OMG i thought they joking on Miiverse!
This is really great and all, but this does not mean im happy about not having an f-zero game!! The blue Falcon should be in that game!
@Spartacus3765
I never speculated when this content was developed. I've no idea. Could be during main development or post. I just stated that someone claiming it was done post game couldn't know that.
What will happen to the online mode?
Will they create two groups, one for those who bought the extra tracks and another for those who didn't?
YESS!!! THIS IS AMAZING!!!
I actually can't wait to see that fully realised F-Zero circuit in all it's glory (that one tiny blurry image has me stoked)...
@IxC Beginning of the end? That would imply that Nintendo has never don this before, which would imply that things like the e-cards, Pokemon, Legend of Zelda: Four Swords Adventure, etc. didn't exist.
Nintendo, and other gaming companies for that matter, have been selling us incomplete games since long before DLC existed in its current form. I'm not disagree with you about DLC, just saying that this sort of thing has been common place for awhile.
Has been said before, but I want to reiterate:
BATTLEARENAS plzzzzz, they don't have to be new ones, just re-use the old ones ... they were fine, actually they were darn great. * throwing money at the screen *
@marc_max I'd assume we'll find that out tomorrow as some people will have downloaded the Mercedes DLC and some won't.
About time Mario Kart evolved into Nintendo Kart.
@IxC Seriously dude. You can't expect people to drop the argument if you don't give them any lee-way WHATSOEVER.
NINTENDO KART FTW!
@IxC So you have no points and really you don't have to buy this so why even complain it is extra content.
@IxC
Pretty easy. You'll turn on your Wii U and play the courses because they've been downloaded to your Wii U.
You understand the concept of downloading something, right?
This news made my day, it was speculated with the DLC in Mario Golf 3DS that this would be the way Nintendo would add content to the game. I will gladly buy both and any future packs. Take my money Nintendo! For those not interested simply don't purchase the DLC and keep playing what you have. Mario Katy Wii touched on add on content with weekly contests online, but this is way way better.
WHERE THE HELL IS PIKACHU?!? POKEMON DASH MUST LIVE ON!!! AND THE ABSENSE OF KIRBY IS SADDENING. NEED ANOTHER AIR RIDE!
Seriously this is epic news all of the proportions.
Super Smash Kart CONFIRMED!!
@Coldpancakes
And when you buy a Wii U 10+ years from now, from the "Retro" section of the game store?
How will you get the DLC then?
Much like you can buy N64's now. The Wii U will be retro one day. And people will buy it. And they will not be able to access any DLC for it.
@IxC I agree with you up to a point. For example, I refuse to buy any of the Resident Evil Revelations DLC on Wii U, because it was cut from the game, and released just a few weeks after the game came out. However, if it's new, extra content coming out later for a game, which many agree was complete before, then I don't see much problem with it. It depends on whether you feel this makes the original release incomplete. I think this DLC is okay, but I'm not going to insult you for your opinion, I can definitely see your point.
OMFG Nintendo! Shut up and take my coins and rupees!
@BensonUii Don't forget Bell. Xp
A-am I dreaming?
Link racing in Mario Kart. Weirdest thing I've ever seen. I like it! And I like the addition of Animal Crossing characters and new tracks! Too bad they don't add Captain Falcon as a playable character...
Anybody notice that tiny picture of an F-Zero track?
Some other disappointing characters though. I was hoping for Silver Diamond Tanooki Luigi, Platinum Gold Baby Wario, and 20 assorted colors of Yoshis.
Yipes... total randomness....
Link? VILLAGER?
OK, then
@RainbowGazelle
I feel it does make the original game incomplete. If it's possible to have less content for the game than someone else, then that copy of the game is incomplete. Thats how I define it anyway.
I didn't even realise there was any Resident Evil Revelations dlc. I'm going to agree that dlc cut from a game is worse than newly developed content. But I don't like either.
Thank you for being conversational about it though, rather than just insulting me. Makes things much easier.
"May 2015"
Oh my that's a long wait.
@Undead_terror Four Marios and Peaches if you count the babies...
This is random. I'll probably download both packs.
HOLY MOLY GUACAMOLE!
Villager! I have a new reason to get your Amiibo!
No king boo, but we get another mario and peach clone? Bah! I'm lukewarm to non-mario family being in the game, but that's ok. In spite of this being the internet, I'm not going to rage about something like that. Perhaps a sign of amiibo implementation?
Still will pick it up and enjoy it as I think high quality is going to be a given. Good to see warrio mines that's a good track IMHO.
@IxC
Its not that DLC is bad. Its how you use it. Street Fighter X Tekken did a terrible job with DLC stating that all the DLC content was on the disc and made you pay for it. If this is free Nintendo might add more.
You can still get the DLC if Nintendo doesn't remove the DLC on the Wii U. N64 didn't have DLC in the first place
@IxC
Wanna see bad DLC? See EA games and the recent Resident Evil games. Your ideology I understand is very traditional and that's well and fine. And I also understand your point because I loathed how these other companies were treating DLC by announcing it before the games even came out. But believe me, they can do this right. I believe they're listening to demands (all the baby characters, really?) and because we're in this generation of gaming, things like this can be done.
@IxC Your point is quite contradictory. Games now have so much more content than "complete" games back in the day. As the others have said, your argument is purely the fact that you don't like it and you don't exactly back it up very well aside from "I just don't like it". So with that said, I'm not ever going to see your point
@ModestFan93
Is that from Animal Crossing? sorry I've never played one. Anyway I was like:
WAT
@mariovslink62
The issue is that the Wii U will be taken offline in less than 10 years.
So when the Wii U is a retro system, like the N64, SNES, and even Gamecube these days. It will be impossible for 'newly' (obviously they'd be preowned) purchased consoles to get access to any DLC content.
dry bowser and link!
Damn it, this is NOT SMASH KART! Bring more Mario characters instead. Exited for Dry Bowser and Exitebike( I aprove tracks, at least) though.
@IxC Fair enough. I also agree with your point on not being able to get the complete game in many years' time. Right now, I'm annoyed that I can't get all the content for some DS games I bought recently, because of their online turning off. Lastly, you're welcome. I don't see any point in hurling insults around.
OK . . Normally I'm not very happy about paid DLC, BUT this is something I wished for since MK8 launched and I really don't care if it is paid DLC as long as it dosn't cost another 60€. I normally don't like the Idea of DLC, because most of them are more or less requierd to get the full expirience (It feels that way in certain titels) but in case of MK8 I have the feeling that as long as it dosn't totoly unbalance the game with really op characters or carts it's an OK.
Oh boy, I don't even have MK8 yet and I'm happy about this. Super Smash Kart is actually happening!
I just hope these DLC packs don't cost too much in the states.
@IxC Then by your logic no game is complete, ever! You can always add something else to a game, even if it is jam-packed with content. You have to call it finished at some point, but you can add a few extra things later on, too. The extra things aren't necessary, so don't worry about them if you don't want them. I'll enjoy them, though. These are pretty good extras, if you ask me, and I'm not one for DLC, myself.
Also, I think Toon Link would fit better...
Wait a minute, Is Isabelle driving a licensed car?
@IxC You have a point but don't diss DLC already.
Its better DLC than Mercedes Bendz
@IxC
I'm sorry but who told you Nintendo won't ever make a "complete edition" after they're done with all the patches and DLCs?
characters from outside the mario universe and even as DLC. i dont like this
16 new courses? Link? Villager?
Guys, this is awesome.
Wow i never though they would do that! Im so hyped for this!
@RainbowGazelle
I wasn't aware any DS games had DLC? Or do you just mean online play?
Yes I can't wait to race as link.
@IxC Even if the WiiU is taken offline in 10 years, you still have one of the finest racers, with 32 amazing tracks, a full roster, and several playing modes. DLC is EXTRA content, things that you don't need, and weren't expecting, but are getting anyway. If I give you an Ice cream, and you like it and eat it, and then I give you a tootsie roll would you act like a jerk and say the ice cream was incomplete?
@Crimzonlogic
No.
By my definition, every game ever released, that doesn't have DLC, is complete.
Super Kart Bros. I like it.
@IxC Well, like the extra dowloadable puzzles in the Layton games, or extra missions in Solatorobo. They are free, but already on the cartridge, and need to connect to the internet to unlock.
Sweet mother! Can't wait!
It's a smart move to release this around the holidays, it'll definitely help boost sales for MK.
@IxC
Then if they made DLC for those older games that you consider complete, they would cease to be complete? Doesn't really make sense to me...
@IxC
See it this way. Pay $20 for both DLC and enjoy it for quite some time; or go out for a night (Club etc.) - You will pay much more money on it for a single night.
The enjoyment you will get out of the DLC last a lot longer and is much cheaper. lol
[=== Just an example ===]
@IxC So by your logic, 99.99% of the games today is incomplete? Even though the games have much more content than say games that were released 20 years ago with 2 times the cost (including inflation and whatnot)?
No insulting -Lz
@Various
I'm sorry, there are too many comments to reply to now. But all your questions and arguments have been answered in other comments.
My objections mainly boil down to wanting the game to be complete and the uncertainty of the availability of the dlc in the long term.
I can't really explain more than that. So please do stop insulting me.
im disapoint about this =w=" i wouldnt have even cared if it was just characters but i kinda feel like im losing out on content now that more tracks are being made...
@Hy8ogen also not looking for a fight here, but maybe you could try not giving him any attention instead?
@Crimzonlogic
Yes. That is my opinion.
"Dab ab ab ab ab" I- How- What-. HUH? WHAT did I just read?
I actually agree with the "no insults" part...
Oh wow, best DLC ever! This is seriously great, 16 new tracks, 8 karts (plus 3 Mercedes), 6 characters, new Yoshi and Shy Guy colours, only £14! So cheap!
Hopefully this is a long term thing and Nintendo keeps adding DLC 'til MK10 on Wii 3.
(How about a MK7 update for DLC as well Ninty?)
@AtlanteanMan Agreed, Sonic Racing Transformed is off the chain, so much innovation and content, finally glad to see that Nintendo is taking notes from that game.
@RainbowGazelle
I never played the Layton series or Solatorobo. So I didn't know about that.
YES!!!!!!!!!!!
OMG, THAT IS SOOOOOO AWESOME!!!!!
Seriously, what's wrong with you people? Nintendo gives things for a cheap price and maybe for free, and you complain. Bunch of ungrateful hooligans.
Proof that Nintendo loves me! They can have all my money, I don't even care. I will buy it all.
@IxC
I wasn't trying to insult you, so I'm sorry if it came across that way. I just don't understand what you meant.
Some oddies here but either way Awsome!
@Crimzonlogic
I'm aware. I wasn't referring to you.
This is fantastic. There's the Dry Bowser I was looking for.
Also one of those tracks looks to be on top of a tree!
Huh, I didn't expect to see this when I opened up my web browser.
Anyways, my initial opinions are that this is pretty neat. However, my final opinion will hinge on the answers to the following three questions;
1. How expensive are these DLC packs? To me, $10 US would be an absolutely perfect price.
2. How balanced are the extra characters and karts? Because if they crush the standard characters and karts, then Nintendo would accidentally convert Mario Kart 8 into a pay-to-win game.
3. How are the DLC courses being handled in online play? Because if the new courses boot those who didn't buy the DLC, then Nintendo would have emulated the worst aspect of multiplayer games that have tons of DLC. (See; the Call of Duty and Battlefield series.)
@IxC
Just making sure. I hate making people mad at me.
I would've loved luigi circuit from the wii to get included. That track was insanely fun online.
@IxC
The standard game IS complete (well, ignoring the lack of proper battle arenas, but that's more about a slightly stupid design decision than the game missing content) and this is really just more extra/additional content coming out at a later date.
What you are complaining about is kinda like saying F-Zero X on N64 was "incomplete" because Nintendo decided to add a vehicle and track editor later on via the N64 DD expansion pack.
In this day and age you just can't reasonably expect every single game to be forever locked as it is from the second it's released and that's it (like it was back in the glory days of the NES and SNES era for example). I think that's a case where you are actually being the unreasonable one rather than the other way around.
As long as the initial game feels like a full, complete and satisfying product (whatever game it may be) then I certainly don't see a genuine problem with some good DLC coming down the line at a slightly later date (as long as that DLC is handled with respect too).
Sweet! I don't mind paying for extra DLC if it's truly extra. Mario Kart 8 gave us the standard 32 courses and plenty of character selection and kart customization. The only thing that was lacking was the battle mode, which I'm still hoping they will release a free patch for at some point.
How are people complaining? Mario Kart 8 is a completed game. It has more than enough content to justify a $60 purchase. Millions of sales prove that.
Now, Nintendo is allowing people who enjoyed the game to buy more characters if they like. In fact, DLC is just allowing people to buy part of a game cheaper to see if they like it, rather than have them spend $80 initially which is very off putting.
This is all you had to say -Lz
What an amazing surprise!!!! This is awesome news!!! Saying that I am super stoked is an understatement.
OMFG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I started asking years ago for Nintendo to cancel Mario Kart and make Nintendo Kart instead. FINALLY, it seems they've realized how much better Mario Kart could be if it wasn't just Mario.
Now, if the next gen Kart game doesn't have a half-assed cruddy roster of multiple forms of Mario and Peach, but instead uses something along the lines of a Smash Bros. roster, I'll be thrilled.
Captain Falcon and Marth need to be confirmed too! But instead, we get Tanooki Mario and Cat Peach. Really?
@Hy8ogen
I'll try to explain my position a little better.
I consider a copy of a game incomplete unless it has 100% of content available for it.
So, for example, if I have my bare bones copy of Mario Kart 8 with no extra content. And you have your copy of MK8 with all this new DLC. My copy is incomplete. Because there is other content that I don't have. It doesn't matter that its classified as "extra" or whatever. It's content for the game that I am missing. My copy is incomplete.
I consider this the case with every game. So it's not that 99.9% of games are incomplete. It's more that a percentage of the copies of most games these days are incomplete.
I hope that clarifies my opinion a little better.
The only thing that could get me more excited is if they add Samus and some legitimate battle courses such as the block fort from N64.
Excuse me...? Someone please pinch me...ow!...oh my gosh, it's real!!! WHAT THE CRAP?!? Count me in if I have the cash!!
Where is Diddy... Wait a minute. Tracks based off of Excitebike, F-Zero and Animal Crossing. Link playable? Blue Falcon returns? Wohoo! I still hate paid DLC since I'm so cheap, but I can't possibly pass this up.
DLC is perfect for a game like Mario Kart. It adds to the longevity of the title since Mario Kart is (thankfully) not a yearly release type game. I loved the Mario Golf World Tour DLC too so I'm definitely looking forward to this.
Side note: Link in Mario Golf, please.
@IxC Everyone's free to their own opinion, but I really do believe that Nintendo is doing everything they can to do right by their fan base. They have not thus far pulled content that was obviously meant to be part of the base game out and charged extra for it. They're not pulling any funny business with multiplayer unlock keys or garbage like that. Mario Kart 8 was released as a complete game, with the standard 32 tracks and plenty of characters. What is wrong them adding additional content for people who want to pay extra for it? I think it's a really smart move for them financially and so long as they continue to operate in good faith I will continue to support them. EA, on the other hand, can go to hell.......
I'd love to see at least a couple of those courses to be some different and/or better remade courses from N64.
@Damo you should know that both DLC packs are apparently sold out atm.
@IxC I'm sorry, but did you want Nintendo to wait 8 months to sell MK8, and basically leave the Wii U to die? I think you can make an exception here.
SWEET MOTHER OF MERCY
@IxC I suppose it's similar to the downloadable items in Animal Crossing or Tomodachi Life that are only available for a few weeks; if you miss them, that's them gone, unless you someone else who can give you one. But in the DS games, you can't get the extras from other people.
I just got hyped for MK8 all over again. O_O
@PvtOttobot: Dang. Guess we'll have to wait for the second wave...wait a second...
@WaxxyOne
I'm aware they're trying to do it right. They've said several times they're wary of how to do DLC correctly and they must make sure they do it properly.
It's just that my opinion is that there is no properly. I'm glad they're not doing the shadier side of it, cutting content and all that stuff like EA and so many others do. But I'd rather they didn't do it at all.
@SphericalCrusher The only unused track from MK64 is Wario Stadium.
A Blue Falcon Kart and an F-Zero course? Nintendo stop trolling and release a new F-Zero game already! It’s obvious you haven’t forgotten about the series.
@RainbowGazelle
Thats unfortunate. Hopefully you're not missing out on too much content.
This is my concern that I'm raising here, which is largely falling on deaf ears. By the time the 3DS gets taken offline. There's going to be plenty of content thats inaccessible. Much more than for DS.
I will get the 2 expansions, that is awesome, on a side note please release the 3 Mario Kart arcade games on a disk please
@IxC What if a game was complete...then some time later the developer decides to add something extra. Technically it was still complete when you bought it
Wait...am I missing something here? Will you be able to download it straight from the e-shop?
Now we know what those cup icons that were discovered by some hackers are intended for. Makes you wonder if the actual DLC course data isn't already on the disc too
This is pretty awesome. Seeing Link in there. Actual tracks. Perfect DLC and I will buy.
@sketchturner
Great ideas. Samus fits less than Link though for my sensibilities... maybe she could have a Gunship kart though.
@lxC
You'd be a happier person if you reconsidered your stance. Did Mario Galaxy 2 make Mario Galaxy "incomplete"? Just think of it as a sequel. Or a way to break up the game into smaller parts.
Consider this. If Nintendo decided to make a Mario Kart 9 for the Wii U, we'd have a long wait and some of the best features might be what these DLC packs are offering. This way, we don't have to wait for those features and if individual parts don't thrill us we don't have to pay for them.
If you had to wait for Mario Kart 9 for a year or three and then buy it with a bunch of stuff you didn't care for that would be better?
I'm of the mind that if the product is worth the price to you (as Mario Kart 8 is to many, many people) adding DLC options later can't be making it less valuable (or less complete) and it is only going to sell to those who want it anyway. This is especially true in a game like Mario Kart that has no story.
Be happy man. Your flower needs a smile.
@Prof_Clayton
Well I can't really comment on the Wii U's struggles, or Nintendo's release schedule. But there are other games coming out before, during and after the release of the DLC packs. So I don't think they'd be leaving the Wii U to die by not releasing them.
Awwww YEAAAH! Definitely getting this!
@MasterWario: I guess? But Nintendo of UK is doing the pointless preorder digital content...
@aaronsullivan: You need to post more often
@MasterWario I hope so, otherwise this would be the dumbest move ever.
@Retro_on_theGo Right on
@WaLzgi
Well that is the very definition of DLC really isn't it. If something extra is added months after a games release. That's just what DLC is. Or did I misunderstand your question?
@IxC really easy solution: keep your Wii U.
@IxC Yeah, that is a very good point. The only thing I could suggest in defence is that the (now incomplete) game would be cheaper years later, so you're paying less for less content. If it loses its value that is.
This is how I like my DLC managed, in packs instead of microtransactions and with the same or better value than the content on the original disc. That, and it will be impossible to criticize the roster with LINK in it.
Link driving a Mercedes... uh oh. Here come the trolls.
What in gods name happened? This is amazing they are going to make me play mario kart 8 for the rest of the year screw smash bros and bayonetta 2 online.Nah i love them both but this blew my mind.
@RainbowGazelle
A valid point.
I just think it would be nicer for the possibility of missing content to just not apply. I think that would be better. Clearly everyone disagrees though. Some disagree with baffling vitriol.
@IxC
It is a shame that future gamers might not have access to these tracks and costumes, but it will be available to those who purchased it ten years before.
The same can't be said for online play. Mario Kart Wii and Mario Kart DS will never be the same since the online play shut down. Does this make them lesser games? No, it's just that they are now in the past. You will never be able to see the original Star Wars in its original theatrical run. So in some ways, anytime you watch the movie, your experience is "incomplete."
DLC does not make the original release of the game incomplete. It's like a book receiving a sequel. You can choose to buy it and place it next to the original on your shelf, or you can choose to ignore it and enjoy the story contained in the first.
Claiming that gamers in the future won't be able to play the new courses is simply inaccurate. Used Wii U's might be sold as "Containing the Mario Kart 8 DLC." It will be harder to track down, but dedicated Nintendo fans of the future will be able to do it. Heck, maybe hackers will even make it possible. But the online portion of the game? One day that is all going away, and that experience to me is more sad than a handful of bonus tracks.
Besides, each entry in the Mario Kart series largely replaces the previous. No new 3DS user, after playing Mario Kart 7 for a long time, is likely to go back and buy Mario Kart DS. It would be a graphical downgrade with no online. For example I never played Mario Kart DS but I am not planning on it now, because Mario Kart 7 would be a superior replacement/alternative. So in the future, interest in MK8 is likely to be about at the level of current interest in Double Dash. Not much.
@IxC impermanence is a fact of life.
Smash Kart is upon us! YES!
@IxC Dude, your opinion is completely valid and is actually one shared by many (but not me). You've explained yourself enough, so cross out this tab, ignore these people, and go do something else.
SEE THIS IS WHY I LOVE NINTENDO!!! Dropping surprises like bombs!!! Smash leaks i got an idea lets hit them in the head with a surprise then an SSB direct with more stuff no one knew!!! I dont care about people complaining this right here is OFF THA HOOK!!!
@Coldpancakes Profound truth right there. Seriously.
WOW this is so AWESOME!! And it's so cheap! But why is the second pack being released in May, I guess they're developing it Too bad it's sold out on the online store, but we can buy it from the eshop anyway. No big deal, use Debit card or get a £15 eshop card.
HOLY MOTHER OF GOD!!!
Smash leaks, Pokken Tournament, and now Mario Kart 8 DLC Packs?!?!?!
THE HYPE TRAIN HAS NO BRAKES!!!!!!!

Where's my Pikachu???
@IxC I see. I apologize for my rude remarks. However I still disagree. The definition of "complete" is very vague. What is complete? Developers have been doing this for a long time with a different name called "Expansion Packs". Now with the advanced online infrastructure we have today, they can just release their expansion packs as DLC.
As you may know, games are getting more expensive to make and the game devs are still charging the same amount of money as they were 10 years ago. That is why they are loving DLCs so much because they can re-coup their loses.
Now I'm not saying that I'm a big fan of DLC, but I'm just neutral towards it. I've seen some greedy and horrible DLC moves *cough*cap*cough*com. But some developers are just doing it right. For instance this Mario Kart 8 DLC. It's totally optional and you buy it if you think you want it. In my optinion, the original game is "complete" enough to justify the 60 dollar asking price.
So in the end of the day ask yourself, do you want to pay 80 dollars upright for a so called "complete" game, or have the option to pay 60 dollars first and then decide later on if you want to add some more content to it? Me? I prefer the latter. Also remember, DLC enables the developers to make actually NEW content for the game after release.
DLC can be the best thing ever and can be the worst thing ever. It solely depends on how the developer approaches it. And for Mario Kart 8's DLC, it's the best thing ever. These packs are obviously made after the game is release no doubt.
if you are sad about this wats wrong with uuuu
Damn this has allot of comments, I guess it is time to call this Nintendo Kart instead. Anyway I think that this is kinda cool, I am not a fan of DLC and,especially paid DLC, but I know people asked for this and they got it.
@IceClimbers That might just be the best gif I have ever seen.
@Hy8ogen Extra content I always nice. I definitely approve of this. But couldn't Nintendo be...making...new games? Or for heaven's sake releasing Flipnote 3D?
Hell yeah! New courses!!! Nintendo actually listens!
So this is selling out? How can a digital download thingy sell out?
@Hy8ogen Pretty much spot on, some people abuse DLC's and others use them to add more content to a game that was completed anyways such as TES V Skyrim, I would definitively say that game was a complete (but buggy) game, and with DLC it added allot of additional content that would have in the past have to have been an entirely new game, that you would have paid 60$ for instead off 20 for added optional content. It purely depends on how the developer use's it.
@Kaze_Memaryu
Could you imagine Capt.Falcon with Mama serving up glasses of Punch?
Love it. Be nice if they could bring back Bowser Jr as a character and the Sneaker Bike as a new vehicle. ^^
Are people seriously complaining about this? I thought people WANTED Mario Kart DLC, in the form of new tracks, characters and vehicles. Well guess what?? Here it is!
This game (without DLC) is arguably just as big, if not bigger, than every single prior Mario Kart release in the past. And now that Nintendo has decided to prolong the longevity of the game, adding MORE tracks, characters, AND vehicles than ANY other entry in the franchise, people are complaining? Can Nintendo ever win in the eyes of their own fanbase? Or are they always going to be subject to scrutiny, even when great news like this comes out of nowhere?
This is excellent news. I for one will be more than enjoying the Mercedes DLC, and these next two DLC packs. And you know what? If you don't want this stuff, then don't buy it! It's not that complicated. It's a surprise treat from a company that loves to surprise and give robust gameplay experiences to its fans. If you don't want to take part in that, then don't.
Yes to new courses. No to branching out to other franchises. Link...hmm, I can deal with, but c'mon, the Animal Crossing characters? :/
I wish we could seperately choose to just get courses.
@Hy8ogen It wasn't a full game justifying the price. Smash Bros looks to be as was 3D World this wasn't they couldn't even be bothered doing easy normal hard versions of all the courses. The All Stars Racing Transformed World Tour was for me 100 hrs that is the competition.
(The only reason there is desire for it already is because there wasn't enough to start with).
@FlaygletheBagel Chances are the people who wanted Mario Kart DLC are not the same people who are upset about this. Chances are also that you aren't going to hear those people saying they don't want Mario Kart DLC until it's actually announced, just as those who want Mario Kart DLC won't stop asking for it until it's announced.
It's funny, the internet confuses itself sometimes...a lot of the time.
More retro tracks please, N64 Wario Stadium and some battle arena's
Oh yeah!!! I'm loving this new stuff, can't wait to get it!
What the...?! Totally unexpected, and pretty awesome! Extra tracks (including a Zelda one) and Link: Count me in!
After seeing the price: 7 pound is not 7 Euro I guess. Seems the packs are pretty expensive, so I'll wait and see.
@Hy8ogen
Expansion packs were a little different, although I wasn't keen on them either. They were different in that they came on discs. So even in 10-20 years time. It will still be possible to get a complete version of a game with an expansion pack. Original game + expansion disc = complete. Less of an issue.
Games being more expensive to make is a whole other discussion. Another one that I'm probably on the unpopular side of. Basically, I think developers are trying to go too far too soon. If it's too expensive to make games for the PS4/XBOX One, then just make games for the Wii U/PS3/360 instead. Or have the hardware take much smaller jumps in power each generation. But lets not get in to that. I don't want to start another clusterf***.
I'd rather have a higher base price, if it meant all content was there from the beginning with no DLC ever. But clearly, I'm the minority.
Thank you for being conversational! It's better this way.
Except, by your own logic, those games are not complete...
@lxC
Nintendo is a business and a business must make money... Not that Nintendo has been doing a good job of that lately.
Many people criticised the wii and now the wii u because it lacks DLC compare to the other consoles.
The majority of people are happy with DLC. It is now pretty standard in gaming.
Should Nintendo not do DLC to please a few people who hate it? Or please the majority who want it and bring in the revenue that keeps them in business?
I pretty much don't like DLC myself but it is not about me. It is about Nintendo making the choices that they believe to be the right ones to take the company out of the financial difficulty it is in.
With little third party support and having to pretty much supply the wii u software themselves I see absolutely nothing wrong with this.
This makes good business sense and that is the only sense a business needs to make.
Wow nice! So it begins...
But why more Mario and Peach variants as racers? Regular, metal/gold, and baby versions aren't enough?
Love that SNES Blue Falcon though! I'd love to see Samus's ship become a kart now; with her driving it of course.
You know, it's possible Nintendo only decided to do DLC because of how successful Mario Kart 8 ended up.
Ya know, like an encore.
This is truly amazing! Link will finally be racing with the Mario gang! As strange as it is to put Cat Peach and Tanooki Mario in and not classics like Bowser Jr, Dry Bones, or Birdo dumbfounds me, but either way these new additions are going to be brilliant.
TOLD YOU
I FREAKING TOLD YOU
They didn't need 250-300 people to make the base game of MK8!
I mean, May 2015? Really??? No.
@Hotfusion The upside of DLC you get from everyone other than Nintendo is GOTY versions. (I generally don't touch most of the 3rd party stuff until that point).
Definitely buying these. Looks like great DLC. Brilliant move by Nintendo. Also, there's no reason not to add folks to the roster of Mario Kart, a la Smash Bros.
Hope they have an Arwing-like vehicle to eventually.
Hope these aren't going to be temporary.
You guys complaining about paid DLC need to get over it and go away! It's 2014 and this is how things work now. With 32 tracks, 30 characters, free online play and more karts and configurations than any other MK entry, it's not like you guys bought an "incomplete" game.
I've vocalized my utter frustration with DLC and the Call of Duty games and how we're treated like second-class by Activision several times on other threads here at NintendoLife. Well now here's an AWESOME game that can't even be played on the other consoles and now we're getting the big DLC packs like CoD does to boot and it's all ours! When they announced the DLC that comes out tomorrow, I was happy to hear we were at least getting some DLC and it was free and all, but I was also immediately disappointed. I thought to myself "Oy, no new courses? No new characters? Just a few new karts?" Well, here we go... this proves Nintendo is listening and cares.
After both these packs come out, this is gonna be one MASSIVE beast of a Mario Kart game!
Whooo!!! I'm getting this for dang sure! That's why I have a job, so I can have things that I want! Take my money take it!!
@IxC Maybe Nintendo will make 'Nintendo selects' with all the dlc content on one disc for the people who are missing out? Who knows
OH MY.... Link in Mario Kart.... SO AWESOME
@IxC you said something like this "why don't people realize that all that DLC content will be unplayable when the Wii U is taken offline in 10+ years"
That's extremely, extremely ignorant, how can you hate DLC so much if you don't even have idea how it works???
Sign me up for some Tanooki Mario!
@Smooty
Unattainable. Once the Wii U is a retro system. The DLC will be inaccessible to new systems.
I didn't mean the content would just stop working without an internet connection.
The fact is that if the price is right then this is going to be some of the best DLC ever because 8 courses is around 6$ plus the 4 vehicles for 2$ and the characters for 3$ and that should total up to 10$ DLC!
@HyperSonicEXE What? They could have done this after the main game was done...
@Mk_II
I don't understand why people think this makes a difference. Work is work. Value is value. When it is done (or unlocked) has no bearing on the price from a consumer standpoint. If it is on the disk is it somehow less work?
@IxC Nothing is available forever. It will be available for this gen and possibly the next, by which time a new Mario Kart will be out by then, so that is more than enough time for the dlc to be downloaded and enjoyed imo.
Link in Mariokart?
WHAT?!
As a fan of crossovers, I think that's kinda silly. Having Link in Smash Bros., a game celebrating all of Nintendo's IPs, makes sense. Putting him on a go-kart as the only non-Mario character just seems kinda silly.
I'm probably going to buy these to grab the extra courses, though. Wonder what the situation online will be like now that some people will have extra courses and others won't....
EDIT: Just saw that Villager and Isabell are in too. I don't feel like those are as weird as Link. I mean, it just feels weird, putting Zelda characters in a racing game. Zelda is a franchise that should at least take itself semi-seriously.
I don't usually go for DLC, but this may be just a little too tempting!
Incredible news!!!!!!! This is a great move by Nintendo and will turn Amiibo into a force to be reckoned with..
And I hope Wii Coconut Mall is one of the DLC classic tracks..
I wonder will online players be able to play DLC tracks without buying first..?
I think this looks awesome, I'm excited! new courses, new characters, new vehicles how could it go wrong!
@IxC In theory, if they could add dlc to an older game and they knew it would sell (super hypothetical right now), does that mean that the game wasn't complete when it was released?
@aaronsullivan
Let's use this example:
Nintendo completely developed MK:DD with your upfront price of $50, including the All-Cup Tour and Petey Piranha/King Boo.
But then withheld that last part from the initial release of the $50 game, just to charge you more.
This feels like that.
@WaLzgi
I'd like proof from Nintendo of that. That's my only hesitation in getting this.
New tracks!!!!
Playing as Link will set my hype level for Zelda U off the charts. 8 NEW COURSES? 4 NEW VEHICLES? PLAYING AS LINK?!?!?!? And that's only Pack 1. ANIMAL CROSSING VILLAGER AND ISABELLE IN PACK 2? I need to lie down. My hype is just....WOAH.
@mystman12
@IxC 's opinion is absurd, but at least he admits it.
No one should have a problem with DLC, if the extra content is worth the price, and the original game was worth it's initial price.
Mario Kart 8 was a bargain at the original asking price. It was loaded with content and it's one of the best rated games of the year (press and consumers). The DLC is completely optional and adds a lot of content for a small amount of money.
@IxC If Nintendo take the two DLC packs(16 new courses and 6 new characters) and add that to returning characters and courses from Mario Kart 8 they could create Mario Kart 9... And it would be a complete game. They would/could justifiably charge full price.
By your logic MK9 would be preferable to these 2 DLC packs, which are drastically cheaper than a full priced game. I have no problem with your opinion, it just appears to not be based on a logical assessment of what's on offer.
@IxC oh... But still, for new users "in 10+" years, they will still be able to buy the mario kart 8/ nintendo DLC on the wii u, you know why? Cause even if nintendo decides to cease online functionality for wii u in some years, they wont close the ability to buy games/dlc through the eShop, just look at the Wii, you can still buy from the Shop there. You are wrong
When I search for it in the Online Store nothing appears, that's strange...
@justinluey Loaded with content is e.g 3D World / Smash Bros Brawl not Mario Kart 8 by any definition. Compared to its competition All Stars Racing Transformed it has basically no content. (And every lap is the same so it is dull almost straight away - hence why people desire DLC already).
Awesome. Awesome. AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!
Fantastic! 16 extra tracks for a reasonable price!!! Great value.
@unrandomsam
I agree that Mario Kart 8 doesn't offer the amount of content that those two games, but there is a lot of content there. I doubt there are many people who feel they didn't get $50-$60 worth of value.
I've been giddy since I heard this. SO AWESOME! I usually avoid DLC, but I'll happily pay for this! The price is so reasonable!
Tanooki Mario, Cat Peach, and multi colored Yoshi's and Shy Guys must die.
@IxC
You make some valid points, but consider that Nintendo has a history of releasing a lot of their downloadable content on disk too (Like the luigi U game), so you might be able to either get a "DLC Disc" or a "Gold edition" of MK that contains all of these add-ons in the case of the system "going retro" as it where.
Also games releasing with additional content for payment, is nothing new. We had expantion packs as far back as doom and quake. DLC is in its propper form (Not the on disc bullpoopoodoodoocacapoopledoople) is just the modern take on this, and makes a lot more sense now seeing as making additional content to a modern game takes a lot more money and hours of work to do.
I'm fine with the DLC model, if it means i can get more content for my games and enjoy them longer.
Would your position be the same if it where free? - i would imagine so with your whole "the game is not complete" rationale?
I would be standing with my pitchfork out, yelling "burn the witches", if i felt the original game was somehow lacking and you needed the DLC to get a propper game, but as it stands, this is simply not the case.
What the what! At first glance I thought this was a fan made video/mod, now I'm just speechless (glad I can still type). The whole crossover caught me completely off-guard.
Who says that Nintendo is not full of surprises.
@noctowl Owned. You made an argument that can't be won.
funny to see the haters trying to trap N gamers as contradictory, not seeing the awesomeness and value of this howshouldbedone DLC
As for the people who complain about Pack 2 arriving in May 2015: Nintendo does this to give the game some legs. And its probably needed, seeing as releases are very sparce (though it seems this is not mainly a Nintendo problem anymore).
I hope that the new stages are of good quality. And its probably also a way of testing the waters for a Nintendo Kart game (all the franchises in one Kart game) in the future.
I know it's unethical, but I can't help but celebrate this! I can't wait to play this!
HA! Take that DLC haters! lololo.
ok Sakurai now make DLC with Shadow as a playable character for Smash, I don't care if he's a trophy, just do it. Or at least Knuckles and some other cool stages too...
@vonseux So far that's how I've viewed Nintendo's DLC. "howshouldbedone" I like to think that Nintendo watched all these other companies completely muck up their DLC and learned from their failures on how to do it right. The only DLC from Nintendo that I've even considered slightly lame is Fire Emblem: Awakening. Other than that, I've been really happy with it. Pikmin 3's DLC was WELL worth the $3 per pack.
@Lizuka Did you not see my edit?
@IxC
Dude just stop. You think Nintendo is worried about people buying a Wii U in 2024 from the "Retro" section??
If you don't want this then don't download it. Plain and simple.
@Dipso Problem is at the moment there are no good tracks. (Like say Nights or Burning Depths from All Stars Racing Transformed. Best player always wins).
@Spuratis Rockstar still does it better. I only bought one bit of GTAIV DLC and used it as a paid demo. NSMB2 is pretty bad as well all the good levels are in the DLC. (Makes it a £60 game).
Nintendo is a lot like Apple. They often take longer to introduce certain features, but they usually get it right when they do.
Even without DLC Nintendo has the most "evergreen" games in the industry, if they add quality DLC to the mix and a more reasonable account system, their games can sell for 10+ years.
That's what so many people (analysts and fans) miss: Nintendo is playing the long game.
What the F***!!!?
Birdo? Diddy Kong? E. Gadd? Nabbit? Battle arenas?
At least I can't complain about the price.
There's only one question.

Awesome! I don't really care about Characters in Mario Kart. But 16 New tracks! That's fantastic! This is how you do DLC.
FOR THE LOVE OF ALL THAT IS GOOD AND HOLY!!!!! NA RELEASE DATE, PLEASE!!!!!
Edit: Samus and human form Midna please. Since Nintendo seems to wanna Smash things up.
I'm not all to large of a fan of throwing other Nintendo characters in (betting I'll warm up) and the price seems fair, so I can be happy with this.
This has been known for a while now: http://didyouknowgaming.com/post/95673085825/mario-kart-8#disqus_thread
@IxC For me, DLC is acceptable when I'm 100% satisfied with the game and I can't feel like there's anything missing. It's a lot easier to find that something is missing in a sequel of a well established franchise. For Mario Kart 8, one aspect I was disappointed in and felt was a rush job was the battle mode. All other entries in the series had battle mode specific stages so you can definitely tell they rushed it. If Nintendo started making these battle stages as DLC and made you pay for it, then I'd be ticked off.
Then there's the character selection which was (in my opinion) very lacking. The Koopalings and Metallic characters felt like they wasted character slots and they could've used those slots for a much better variety of characters. But in this case, I didn't expect Link or Animal Crossing to be in Mario Kart in the first place so it's acceptable. I also don't care about costumes for characters I never use like Mario and Peach. But if they start making you pay for characters that were originally in the previous mario kart games, then I would be disappointed in Nintendo.
So what I'm saying right now is Mario Kart 8 isn't a complete game to me but the DLC they're releasing is more optional than necessary so there's nothing wrong with it.
LINK! LINK! LINK! LINK! LINK! OH MY YES! This is amazing! I don't care what any of you naysayers say. You won't nay me away! It's an already amazing game, getting even more amazing! Yes, I want better battle mode too, but seriously. This is stupendously awesome!
Ive never been so excited..
The characters don't interest me very much, but I'll buy the DLC for the courses.
Actually the best people to do DLC were the people who did the Witcher 2. They realised they were making money hand over fist so just added it no charge. (I suspect that amount was much less than Nintendo is getting constantly from Mario Kart 8).
Luigi gives us the death stare again in his blue falcon.
@IxC
Also, who's to say that 2-3 years from now that Nintendo doesn't release Mario Kart 8: 1 Up Edition (or some similar subtitle) which comes with all the DLC already on the disc?? Not like any game has ever done that before (Skyrim comes to mind.)
There. Your argument is now completely dead.
How can they include Link but no Epona bike???
C'mon people, it's not like there's never been a crossover between Nintendo games before.
'TLoZ: Link's Awakening' is one example.
I for one am looking forward to expanding an already complete game as it stands right now with fun add-on bonuses.
I just hope they reskin the boomerang item for Link to a Zelda themed boomerang. Oh, and can you imagine Link throwing a volley of Cuccos instead of fireballs?! Yes!
Please, Nintendo, add different items based off the new characters!
@FubumblR
I'm thinking the Hookshot needs to be added!!
But still, only 2 different franchises added in the DLC? I think these may not be the last MK8 DLC packs we hear of. But I'm down with that.
@Grumblevolcano Hmm, since course remakes started with Wii, I don't think they've remade all 16 standard MK64 courses yet. I just want to see some more, don't care if they were remade on prior games since they are my personal favorite courses (out of the remakes).
Link racing in the Blue Falcon against Villager on the Excitebike track.
@tysonfury I'm also almost certain the DLC will have to be purchased to play the new courses! Allowing anyone to play the new tracks free online would severely decrease the DLC sales. Nintendo will likely split up the community, which sucks, but luckily the MK 8 community is more than large enough for it not to make a huge difference.
Heck to the yeah. I am so pumped for "Nintendo" Kart.
@Larryislife Three franchises, don't forget f-zero carts and tracks
Awesome!!! New courses!!! That's what I'm looking at!!!!
MAN... I,M SPEECHLESS!!! SPEEEEECHLESS!!!!
@Larryislife, I was thinking the same thing. I wouldn't be surprised if they're planning to actually release 4 DLC packs in total, which would be insane considering how many courses and characters that would come out to! But Nintendo knows how long the legs of MK are. People will be playing the game for years to come and there's always just 1 Mario Kart per system. It's not like Call of Duty or something where there's a new entry every year.
There was still a lot of people playing MK Wii online until the day the severs were shut down.
@SphericalCrusher Mario Kart DS was the first game with Retro courses. Everyone seems to forget that. I can't be the only person who really liked Mario Kart Ds.
NO ONE SAW THAT COMING MAN!
And you just know at some point they're going to do Sonic DLC. Sonic, Tails, Knuckles, and a course based on Green Hill Zone?? I'm not even a Sonic fan but that still excites me!
2014 is the BEST YEAR OF NINTENDO! Hands down!
I can play as Link in Mario Kart ahaahhahaaahaHAAHAAA!!!
CANNOT wait to try that man!!
If this continues, I will stop buy Nintendo games at release and instead buy the "Game of Year Edition" with all of the content.
I already do this for PC games on Steam. I will wait for this DLC to go on sale before I get it (that is if I get it). I still love Nintendo, but if you give them and inch they will take a mile. Just look at Ubisoft DRM and DLC practices if you want to know the future of Nintendo.
More tracks! More fun! YEAH! Great news! This is the right way to make DLC. No day 1 DLC crapp! This is the right thing! I'm very happy!
@Klunk23 Thank you for the reminder. I totally forgot this. I own this, got it when it came out but that was a odd period of my life I guess. @Grumblevolcano is absolutely correct then. I was thinking that there were five (Since I didn't count DS) but I stand corrected. They can still bring them Moo Moo Farm into beautiful HD though!
@Klunk23
Actually Mario Kart: Super Circuit on the GBA was the first game to have retro courses. It had all the courses from Super Mario Kart, meaning it was the first game in the series to have 32 courses total.
Just saying. But yes, Mario Kart DS is great!
As excited as I am about SIXTEEN NEW TRACKS; I can't stop thinking about how this tarnishes the longevity of the game. Super Luigi Bros U was DLC but also its own game; the same can't be said for MK8 sadly. Hopefully Nintendo releases another bundle or something for the next holiday season so that this game and its additional courses can be played 30 years from now.
@Lizuka
darn. You beat me to it lol
Hmm. 8 new tracks each? Sounds like a great value. But they still need to fix battle mode.
Writer(s), you may want to add that by pre-ordering tomorrow, you can get the Yoshi colours and the Shy Guy colours instantly.
2 hours after reading this the first time and I still cant say much more than OMFG!!!!!
@Diddy_kong @Lizuka Oh Cool. Never Played Super Circuit. Maybe If it comes to Wii U virtual Console I'll pick it up.
My favorite thing to do in DS was to do a full 32 Cup race. Took a little while but it was so much fun.
WHAAAAAAAAAT!?!?! No Epona kart?
So that makes possible for C.Falcon Character DLC in the future right!?!
Dream!!
@Diddy_kong
Yeah! Great idea! Maybe Link's shells should be Cucco shaped.
DLC for Mario Kart

New tracks? I wonder what.
This is great. Hoping for retro course track packs. I would buy them all.
@SphericalCrusher
Retro Cups started in Mario Kart DS, son!
(And all the SMK courses were in Super Circuit if you want to get technical.)
Now what about Lucas DLC with Pork Bean themed kart??? AND...New Pork City TRACK WITH THE MUSIC AND STUFF!!
I love how Nintendo handles DLC. This was obviously prepared after the game was finished. Good price too and clever pre-buy campaign for discount!
@Mr-DNA Read my revised comment, son!
I like this, but I have a bad feeling this is the end of F-Zero.
Meanwhile at Nintendo HQ...

Hooray Isabelle =w=
@unrandomsam I've never played S&ASRT but shouldn't it be that the most skilled played always wins? I've heard that that game is very skill based.
I hope we can play this tracks online.
Screw you people who think DLC is lame.
Because DLC may be lame depending on how its presented. But MK8 is a complete game, so why are you complaining?
Check out what I found!
I'm down with it. Worth $12 to me.
@SphericalCrusher
Sorry, man. Too many comments here tonight.
$12? I was thinking most optimistically it'll be $15. Thank you Based Nintendo!
Apparently the world in Xenoblade Chronicles X is more than FIVE times the size of the world in Xenoblade Chronicles. The news just keeps coming!
@IceClimbers That's old news, we've been talking about it on the forums all day!
Wait...so the double pack will be released the same time as Pack 1. Pack 2 SEPARATELY will be released in May? I don't understand.
@IceClimbers And full of 5 times the amount of content ideally. Big but sparse I don't see the point in.
How about Captain Falcon, Samus and Fox MacCloud on the PACK 3? ( ^_^)/
@Spoony_Tech Lol didn't see that! Still though, so. much. news.
A Triforce cup.
Amg!!!!
If Nintendo are sensible about things then this makes sense. DLC purely for skins is fine. It doesn't ruin things for anyone else.
HOWEVER
If any of the vehicle unlocks give advantages that aren't available to regular players then that's not remotely fine.
I'm not sure how I feel about having courses DLC. But on reflection, given the 8 cups in the regular game, 2 cups for £7 sounds about right, especially with the extra skin stuff on top.
I really hope they don't try something like this with SSB though. Huge difference between adding characters in Mario Kart where they all play pretty much the same, and that.
i will get the first pak. but the animal crossing one not buying!
@DBPirate They will probably do it like Mario Golf and make you pay for both up front then when it's released in May you just dl it.
@Mk_II (I haven't read beyond your post so I don't know if your question has been answered yet or not)
The cup icons for the DLC packs are a Triforce, a Yoshi Egg, an Animal Crossing leaf, and a Cat Bell. The Yoshi Egg is the only icon similar to the leaked DLC cup icons a few weeks back.
$12 for the double pack? And I was getting ready to shell out that much for a SINGLE pack. Wow, I really can't complain about the character choices at that price...but I still hope there are battle arenas.
@HyperSonicEXE except they used your $50 to put towards development of a huge amount of extra content, an insane amount of new tracks without charging $25 to add another 50% content. How do we know it's all new? Because it's been many months since the game has been out and pack 1 won't be out until November and pack 2 until over a year after the game's release.
This is nuts! Nintendo this is amazing! Can't believe all THIS is going to be in Mario Kart 8 as DLC come November! Like four cups, that's the number that comprised the entirety of both Mario Kart 64 and Double Dash. That's just crazy, this announcement was so unexpected, but it looks pretty sweet to say the least.
We really didn't need a 4th Mario and Peach. And the non-Mario characters don't make much sense, but their still cool. But count me excited for the new karts and tracks!
Now Nintendo please a battle mode tracks! You made the best battle mode in years. You fixed all the problems and went back to the original formula. It had the potential to be as good, or maybe even better, than the SNES and N64 versions. Then you decided for the first time ever to not make any battle tracks. And that instantly dropped it to being the worst.
I still like MK8's battle mode. Probably just because I see the potential...
Cat Peach is the cutest video game character beats Felicia. but theres now 3 Marios and 3 Peaches...and villager? ugh...Nintendo is lazy with these ckones.
Well there goes all my money.
@IxC
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PBhyHCzeP7E#t=42
for $12 I think it's worth it, considering all the extra content
Im really loving this! but im also kinda disappointed cause of nintendo tarnishing the image of the MK series (IMO).
@MadAdam81
Neither of us know who is right for sure until Nintendo comes out and says something. Until then, my gut instinct says that an organization that proclaims to be "short of people" wouldn't take salaries lightly and maximized their dollar, and withheld this content until it was safe, having learned from Mario Golf: World Tour.
Mute City and Coconut Mall as new tracks
@ferrers405 - Is that necessarily a bad thing?
@Abziwabzi I presume that the vehicle parts will have the same stats as other parts, take the gold kart for example, it is the same as some of the other parts.
Here are the details of packs, also showing the logo of the cups... Triforce cup, Catbell cup, etc: mariokart8.nintendo.com/dlc/
Are you tucking kidding me ??? This is going to be AWESOME !!! I have tears of joy in my eyes now !!!! Great !!! Fantastic #OperationPlatinum I love you so much Nintendo !!!!!!!!!!!AAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
@unrandomsam I'm sorry but this is not a sonic vs mario kart discussion.
But just to disagree with you, Mario Kart 8 has 32 tracks with mirror mode, lots of character to choose from, online mode and the game is extremely polish. I know you hate the game and prefer Sonic all stars but your opinion doesn't matter in this argument. Mario Kart 8 is well worth the asking price for the content it provides. Granted it may not be the besst value game out there, but calling it incomplete is just plain wrong. Also If it wasn't complete it wouldn't be getting high scores everywhere and selling so well. Period.
So, I read a comment above that summed up as "DLC makes my game incomplete" but it's not like this content is on the disc, or even done yet! I'm excited for more stuff and honestly $12? I would have payed $10 each!
Nice. Definitely getting it, altough I think it's kind of weird to announce the second pack now if it's only going to be available almost in the middle of next year.
@sagen nope, but they sure have to change the name.
Ok, so im not super hyped, but im not too mad
I like the ideas of new courses, but I'm not too sure about the non-mario franchise members being added to a mario game...I mean, if it were a nintendo kart then that'd work, but I don't see why they really added other players...though course and kart dlc has been something I've been waiting ages for
Link in Mario Kart?! YES
Oh heck yeah!
Take notes 3rd party devs. This is how you do DLC, w00t!
And people say Nintendo is doomed blah, blah.....This is happy news indeed!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Crap... I don't like this at all.
I mean about Link, specifically. It's obnoxious, really. I just want the new cups and courses.
@HyperSonicEXE You paid $60 for a full Mario Kart game with 32 tracks...
So where are the unethical decisions?
This is really awesome. ...but to be honest I'm personally kind of the most excited for those Yoshi colors right now! And those will be available TOMORROW! Best surprise ever for me! <3
@WaLzgi
Because I paid $60 for what I assumed was THE complete game, not some Bait and Switch tactic.
In fact? That's exactly what this is.
Looks like Nintendo learned there lesson.
Hmm I wouldn't mind boomerang Rosalina as another DLC
If Wario Mines are 1 of the 8 retro tracks (assuming 4/4 splits of new/retro) I wonder what the other 7 could be. MK7 had some really great original tracks I thought.
@Diddy_kong Took the words out of my mouth....first thing I thought was that they'll probably release a 'complete' edition of Mario Kart 8 next year once all the DLC is available....they've already released New Super Luigi U and (in the US at least) are releasing the NES Remix games on disc with gamers in mind who don't like downloading stuff.
More power to them I say. This is a great way for them to make even more cash out of their popular games. Nobody bats an eyelid when Microsoft or Sony do it, Nintendo need to move with the times too.
Oh my god, YES!
I don't care about the characters or karts so much, except that the roster isn't drowned out by the Koopalings and babies anymore (can we get a baby Link, though?), I'm mostly hyped for the new tracks! Specifically the new retro tracks. Crossing my fingers for Neo Bowser City...
@HyperSonicEXE
I don't think you understand what "Bait and Switch" is.
DLC: If you hate it and it's wrong don't buy it. Stick with the original full game you bought. It is not lessened by Nintendo offering more.
Ask yourself a few questions though:
If you think Nintendo shouldn't charge for additional content that Nintendo is paying employees to create why do you pay for anything Nintendo sells? How is price determined for games? Ask yourself why Nintendo doesn't charge $80 for it's games. Why not $20 for Mario Kart 8. If you buy something and it goes on sale later, were you wronged?
Wow, this comment section is huge!
@SavoirFaire
That reminds me, I wonder what'll happen when I use my Rosalina Amiibo on MK8? I'd think they'd use Fire Rosalina or Cosmic Rosalina. I mean, that's assuming you get Tanooki Mario/Cat Peach/Dry Bowser when you use your Amiibo. I could be wrong.
@aaronsullivan
Again, I'm assuming that Nintendo sold me a game that wasn't ever going to have DLC. Had I known that, well, I might've gotten it used or something to abate the price. Mario Kart hasn't had DLC heretofore. At least with Mario Golf: World Tour, I knew what was coming, since they were withholding already-developed content.
Again, my argument relies, hinges on the assumption that Nintendo developed this content along with the rest of the base game, and they've just been withholding it.
@MoonKnight7
Yeah, it's hard to post using my S3! ^_^'
Oh noooo... Optional add-on content that is not required at all... And that extends the life of the game for a very reasonable price, unlike some other games... I can't believe people are complaining about more game. Don't tell them about the optional "dessert" add-on for Dinner. They'll lose it.
I hope some of those new courses are tailored for battle mode.
I passed on Mario Kart 8 due to not having anything fresh or new but passing up on riding in the worlds of or riding as characters from F-Zero, Animal Crossing, Excite Bike, and The Legend of Zelda is TOO MUCH to pass up... I'M GETTING MK8 IN NOVEMBER!!! ....If the packs have enough new/revamped tracks on them as well. I've owned every Mario Kart so old tracks would really have to be revamped to matter to me.
I'm hoping for some Plessie or Baby Yoshi DLC actually. I love me some Yoshi, and Plessie is just necessary after they shrunk down Honey Queen for Mario Kart 7 as well!
@MoonKnight7 That's the power of DLC for you. People here can say it's a bad thing for whatever reason, but look at the insane response the announcement of real, meaningful DLC like this gets. Clearly the Nintendo community is starving for this!
I suppose it's such a big deal because it's not something us Nintendo gamers are really used to yet. Besides for New Super Luigi U, I can't think of any other major DLC like this coming from Nintendo. Many people are going to be racing these new courses, characters and karts for years to come online. This is sort of the dawn of a new era!
Damn look at all these comments!I'm guessing everyone is happy about this piece of news.
DANG I SHOULD HAVE NEVER SOLD MARIO KART 8!!
@DestinyMan That would be nice.
I'll probably get it for the new tracks (especially the Animal Crossing one) and the villager.
I'm not really interested in any of the other characters this has to offer.
I love this.
Sticking strictly with Mario characters only could make the franchise stale over time. By adopting a more 'Smash' feel this is sure to get a lot of Nintendo fans psyched. The pricing is extremely reasonable as well and ensures excited over this title well into next summer.
12 bucks for 16 tracks and new characters and kart... YES PLEASE.
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
WWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW
EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE
SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM
EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
@Jazzer94 It would be even more amazing if we could race as the two characters in your profile pic!
This news really opens up a realm of possibilities! Maybe we could get some Fire Emblem Awakening related tracks/racers (plz Nintendo)? This could also apply to Smash Bros. as well, maybe some DLC stages, music, and characters are on the way in coming years.
This is amazing DLC. Nobody was expecting non-mario themed courses and characters, and that many new tracks at such a good price.
If you're complaining about this news, you should stop playing video games, because you're doing it very wrong.
@Yosher
>Baby Yoshi
No more babies please.
@XFsWorld
Looks like you gotta buy it again, or get it used somewhere.
@gage_wolf I couldn't have said it better myself. MK8 was "complete" and well worth the money when it launched. And yet, like every other game in history, there are a few things I would have liked to see in the game that can now be added via DLC!
Once I golded all the Mirror Mode tracks, and took out some time trials, I was hungry for new courses... They are on their way. I felt like the "complete" roster was great, but could still use some more diversity - it's on its way!
I'm still keeping my fingers crossed for some legit Arena courses in the DLC to follow these, but I'm happy with what's been announced. These additions will really keep the game alive for me, and should ensure that the player base for the title keeps growing well into 2015.
Way to go, Nintendo! Coming through in a big way!
@IxC After Sonic and All Stars Racing Transformed was so great, I've said they should turn Mario Kart into Nintendo All Stars Kart, how can that possibly make you sad?
@blooper_88 You sound like an RPG character lol
just AWESOME! can't w8!!! ☺
.....so this is how F-Zero is going to get a new game?? Hahahahahahaha!!! XD "How ridiculous!" XD XD
All jokes aside, this is pretty cool. Not sure why more Mario & Peach stuff are being added. I mean, "Pink Gold Peach" is already 'over the top.' Give me Funky Kong! Give me Zelda! Give me...I dunno... 'Star Fox' as a character racer. XD Not more Mario & Peach stuff! XD
& waiting until May 2015 to get the 2nd half of this dlc....man...The wait is gonna hurt...
Holy ...!
Yes please. I'll be happy to pay for that!
Amazing value! Nintendo schooling the industry on how you do DLC. Nintendo, Rockstar and Bethesda are the only ones that get DLC...maybe Bioware.
Dem prices...dat value...Day 0. sold.
Nintendo Kart is finally a REALITY! Link...Villager...my goodness! Now we just Captain Falcon for this mighty lineup!
Now Nintendo, where's my Cat Toad? DX
12$ That is a steal!!!
LINK! HOLY PIECES OF THE TRIFORCE, ITS LINK!
I can't also wait to play as Isabelle. She is so cute~
Is this for Europe too?
Buying it. Awesome news, good packages each.
Nintendo's done DLC freaking right. I'm so getting this.
@IxC What's wrong with you and DLC? DLC isn't always "eh releze uncomplete game and thenz completez it wiz DLC lolzz". (EA)
No. The real purpose of DLC (Downloadable Content) is to add more content to your game to make the game more fresh for us so we don't get bored of the same content over and over again.
@Mr-DNA haha np man. Im just messing! I was incorrect and I got Mk DS at launch. Its like a black hole in memory lol
Now this is more like it.
Now this is more like it.
Now this is more like it.
I hate DLC, makes the game feel like a Iphone game. But i guess the characters look pretty cool, hmmm... Ok i'd get this if i had Mario Kart 8
Now if only they would add in some DLC like this for Mario Kart 7 & hopefully for the 4th Super Smash Bros on the 3DS.
Shut up and take my money!
This sounds like pretty respectable DLC. 8 new tracks per pack.
So, quick thought on the MAY 2015 DLC: Animal crossing theme? So far off? Maybe (just maybe) It's set to coincide with a Wii U AC game?
Thanks Nintendo. Link in Mario Kart 8? I must be dreaming. I will buy both. And more if to come...
@Diddy_kong It will indeed the greatest year for Wii U if they have sonic DLC. I think they should have a downloadable DLC, with 8 additional courses inspired by Sonic Transformed. Sega has been pretty steadfast in supporting Wii U, and it will be happy to potentially earn those extra money and increases its loyalty to develop for the console.
Day 1 purchase!
Makes sense really with amiibo being released, cannot wait for the levels
Hopefully they will fix battle mode and give me a new option to play as cannot stand battle mode the way it is
Wow...
Though I'm not really a fan of any sort of paid DLC, it's undeniable that there is a good amount of value in those two packs. 16 new+old tracks, that's half another Mario Kart game, and I'm truly excited for the new tracks based on F-Zero and Excitebike.
The only downside is the character selection, I'd rather had Diddy Kong and Bowser Jr. too, but who's to say there won't be a third pack?
@IxC So if they took these two packs and instead released it as Mario Kart 9 on the eShop as a download only game, would that make it better?
Is it really DLC that bothers you or the fact that it is download only? I assume it's the latter because you said that expansion packs sold on discs later on are alright with you. You started by stating that you are bothered because the game is incomplete bit then later on it seems that the download only part is what's bothering you. In that case, are you against any game that is download only? Like indie games, or even some Nintendo published games like Pushmo or the newer Mario vs. Donkey Kong games.
Furthermore, it seems as though your main concern is that people 10 years down the road won't be able to buy it. Why are you so worried about people in the future? Should be have to think about how something will be enjoyed in the future before enjoying it now?
Yes, you can go buy a preowned N64, but I guarantee you won't be able to buy very single game or every single accessory for it. Not unless you pay an arm and a leg to a collector. Heck, I'm sure there are some board games I played when I was young that I couldn't get anywhere today. Things cannot last forever.
But truth be told video games can survive aging better than anyone. If I want to play an old classic NES game, I no longer have to hunt down a used console along with accessories and wires and adapters that are in working condition just to play it. That's where the VC comes into play. It's not perfect but it is better than bargain hunting.
Maybe you should reconsider your outlook. Nothing is forever. Just enjoy it now and move forward with the memory if it doesn't last for 10 years.
Very happy with the content of this DLC but that price is eye watering yet again. I really hope Nintendo start releasing 'GOTY' editions with all DLC included about 12 months after initial release.
Woohoo!!!

Wow! I'm liking the packs so far, and including other Nintendo franchises is just smart.
But they seem to be pricing the DLC in similar rate to the main game, so if the packs keep on comin', this game will end up costing near a $100. x___x
And including franchises such as F-Zero seem to indicate that no new games in that series is in the works.
WOW I don't think I have ever seen so many comments for an article on this site!! I hope this is a good thing
I love when people complain about DLC
What, is it a bad thing for a developer to have more ideas they want to share?
Seeing Link there is shocking and weird O.O;
Not saying this is bad, but I'll definitely need time for get used to it XP
But yay for Isabelle, the character so cute that even who never played AC loves her!
Still... over 500 comments already? It's fair to say nintendo dropped the bomb succesfully XD
MIND BLOWN
still no Battle Mode though...
@HyperSonicEXE
Then thats your problem isn't it? You just assumed that there would be no DLC, that Nintendo wouldn't change a thing. Nintendo has been making DLC for its other games, so why wouldn't they do so for Mario Kart?
If your argument hinges on the assumption that the DLC was made along side the game then you have a rather weak case. We don't know either way. It may have been started while the game was still being developed, after all it makes sense for devs to move on to the next project after they finish the current one, but that doesn't mean it was finished by the time the game launched.
At any rate, 6 characters, 8, vehicles, and 16 tracks is a lot of content to just squeeze into development, and its not actually due out until November so what could they possibly doing if not working on it? If its already done as you assume why wait 6-months?
IxC: The thing is that these new additional courses would most likely never appear in Mario Kart if it wasn't for DLC. They keep getting great ideas for courses but they have to release the game at one point or another. They have a lot of great courses and characters they want to have in Mario Kart. Should they release DLC or should they make another Mario Kart game? If they decided to make a new game they'd have to make new menus, new items and all the other stuff and it would take more time and effort and while they're preparing the game they keep getting more great course ideas and some need to be cut when there's too many ideas. Out of these DLC courses and characters they'd most likely cut all things related to other series and they'd be never seen again. Unless they actually decided to make something like Nintendo or Smash Kart. I'm pretty sure there were a lot of great ideas that didn't make the cut in older Mario Kart games too because of time restrictions and DLC is a great way to keep most fans satisfied until the next installment is announced. This keeps me satisfied for a while since I thought Mario Kart 8 lacked something. Don't know what it is but I haven't inserted the disc in my Wii U more than ten times while I played Mario Kart Wii to death when I got it and still play it regularly.
... Pokémon mixed with Tekken? Smash leaks? And now Link in freakin' Mario Kart???
All aboard the hype train, everyone!
Yes Nintendo! That is how you do it. We where all worried the Mercedes DLC is all we getting.
525 comments already? Well I am excited and for 16 new courses that is not such a bad deal.
@JulienIsTheMan
I'm loving these type of news.
Especially that part where it says we will get loads of new tracks and Blue Falcon kart!
Now next we need is that Nintendo finally announces for 2015 either F-Zero GX HD for Wii U or an entirely new F-Zero game for Wii U. We the gamers demand that.
@HyperSonicEXE So having DLC automatically means the game is not complete? Man you're funny. Keep at it bro, you're doing real good.
8 new courses in both packs? Now this is the rare DLC i just can't miss! The price would seem to be appropriate as well.
I was originally against the idea of Mario Kart 8 DLC, but looking at what's being offered...and just for $12...that's a screaming good deal. That's basically $12 for HALF of a standard Mario Kart game.
I'm down for it. I'll be preordering tomorrow.
Excellent, DLC thats actually worth getting, good job nintendo
@Alpha2797
The cat bell? Then I guess we might get a course based on 3D World?! That would also explain the addition of the Tanooki and Cat suit. Nice. ^^
This was certainly a surprise to read first thing in the morning.
YESYESYESYESYEYS NERDGASM
Marry me Nintendoooooo
Seriously...this is EXACTLY what I wanted! Nintendo Kart! (no reason to not make one next time)
omg im all tingly
Villager and Death Stare Luigi in one game? Things will really get nasty next May.
An F-zero stage!!! And Wario's Goldmine!
OMG animal crossing! Someone hold me
You know, there are days when I remember why I love Nintendo so much.
Today is one of them.
Now this is how to do DLC.
Adding extra content to an already finished and polished game that in no way forces it to be purchased. Other publishers should hold their heads in shame...cough...cough...activision, ea...cough...cough.
I generally stay away from DLC and I'm amazed some people are obsessed by it, but these new packs means I'll be breaking my duck.
Oh, and I can see sales of MK8 improving, just when sales were easing off.
Nicely timed Nintendo.
@nomeacuerdo with you on the coin thing, my biggest gripe with mk8 is the coin pick up! Don't mind them in the game but they shouldn't be a power up!
I see it in Eshop now! I may purchase the Link Pack tomorrow!
@Dipso
Very good point.
@IxC
So what if these DLCs are given for free like Dispo said? You'd still feel sad because the game was released incomplete?
@HyperSonicEXE, @IxC,
The game was complete upon release. Cease thy foolishness.
You seem to be confusing Nintendo with EA.
Good to see this! I was hoping for more tracks, but I wasn't expecting a whopping 16 tracks!
Also, Link? That's awesome! ^_^
This is awesome!
This is fantastic! So happy they are taking this seriously and offering genuinely new content that extends the playability of the game. Can't wait!
Maybe all this F Zero exposure is a hint of things to come?
Just preordered it
DLC that doesn't give more gameplay is a waste of money.
DLC that gives you another half of a game for less money for half the game is worth it. Mario Kart is normally 32 tracks, and the MK8 gave us 32 tracks, so nothing has been cut out of the game. Round of applause for Ninty.
I wonder will the new tracks be select-able online? Are people who don't buy the DLC can still play online?
@DangerousDreams - I hope this is the case too. And that Pilotwings stage in Smash is also very intriguing.
How cool would Pilotwings be using the Gamepad...very cool!!!!
Cat Peach!
Cat Peach!
CAT PEACH!
Those F-Zero inclusions made me smile. It's about time I wake up to some good Wii U news (even if I reckon all DLC should be free, but...), it's not been an easy month of vacations for me, every time I read something Wii U related seems to be about third parties jumping ship.
@Undead_Terror And not just Dr.Mario........

Wow. This is beautiful and a must buy for me! I'm going to get 3 stars on the new cups straight away!
well this sure made everyone forget about the Smash leaks yesterday! Coincidence? I think not!
@Ichiban
My goodness.
The update was announced, like, some weeks ago!? And the DLC announcement came with the update.
@Einherjar
with you on that one buddy.
this is just too awesome. a f zero kart, amazing and painful wario track, not driving as but smashing into Villager, and a princess peach that looks like Princess Diana for bad taste re-enactments!
@Rin-go Hahaha!! I was only joking, take it easy dude!
ok i was confused a little bit there. The update was for all the DLC but it wont be available until certain dates. But the Mercedes Cars are free and available now
Going by the comments here 99% are happy with this DLC. I am going to take that as the general opinion of MK8 current and future owners.
Great move Nintendo. When you are struggling with lack of third party support expanding on big selling titles with this type of DLC is clever.
Like someone suggested an updated version of the game call MK8.1 should be released in a year or so on disc. I hope they do this.
I am so excited about this, been wanting Nintendo to use characters from other franchises and it keeps the game fresh as well!! Nice move. Can't wait to play as Link and The Villager.
@Hotfusion This will probably happen once nintendo introduces their best seller line for WiiU titles.
Or jump on the Bandwagon of "Game of the Year" titles.
Its funny how many GotYs can exist at the same time
http://mariokart8.nintendo.com/img/dlc/img-paiddlc-chart-zelda.png
http://mariokart8.nintendo.com/img/dlc/img-paiddlc-chart-ac.png
Someone might have posted these already
But, CAT PEACH AND TANOOKI MARIO? WHAT? WHY? WHY NOT E. GADD? CAPTAIN TOAD?
Wait, there could be a second wave. Hold on, what if Captain Falcon was in the second wave?
I doesn't matter when this DLC was coded. I don't think anyone could argue that MK8 isn't good value, it has just as much content as the previous games.
The price for this DLC seems reasonable compared to other DLC. Buy it or don't, simple choice. Hopefully online play won't be affected when some players have the extra tracks and some don't. The new tracks must surely work online.
I hope the discounted price applies regardless of when you buy. I don't want to wait until May 15 to buy just to get the discount.
F-ZERO??????? FOR REAL????????
Link, villager, and Isabelle in Mario Kart sounds weird, but seeing it it actually fits together pretty well. I guess Smash Bros. kinda helps with that, and Mario Kart isn't exactly canon to anything either so its not too far off.
For some reason looking at this version of villager I can't help but think of the old Animal crossing commercials.
Suffice to say, a number of you are dead-set on defending this as fact without any evidence to the timeframe of development, apparently.
I just remember a time when this content would have been included in the game for the initial outlay of my money.
@IxC Well, you got ONE thing right... you're sad!
Seriously though, to me all your arguments seems to boil down to not being able to buy the DLC on the future retro Wii U in 10+ years... You really think that's gonna be a big concern for anyone? Plus it'll probably be available digitally on the eShop equivalent WITH all content, don't you think!?
Anyways, as countless others have said, if you don't like it - don't buy it! Your retail game is COMPLETE, this is just EXTRA stuff!
I'm pretty excited. All of this DLC should make Mario Kart (although not really Mario anymore) even more awesome. Too bad I have to wait until November and May of next year.
Game of the Year editions are the most pathetic of marketing tricks
@IxC With your logic a game can never be complete then.
I am so excited about this, but I've spent more time thinking about and getting annoyed with these anti-DLC comments. I think it's worth remembering that whether this was planned from the start, in development from the start or planned and developed after the game's release, you are either saying that in lieu of DLC they should have waited until this was complete to release the game or devoted more resources to getting the DLC content in the retail release. Or, you are saying that the pricetag for the retail release was too high, and that Nintendo should have charged less for this and then the DLC would complete the full $60 pricetag. At a time when people are supposedly rooting for Nintendo and the company is looking for ways to thrive in an increasingly competitve market against financial losses, stockholder doubt and boundless criticism. You can't have it both ways. Either Nintendo fails or they continue to build on games with paid DLC. The same could be argued of amiibo. What Nintendo was doing before wasn't working, and when it has gone with the trend in the past (disc-based gaming, download sales, online multiplayer), it has proven a good thing for the company and in turn for the players. Nevermind the fact that this is essentially prolonging the game's lifespan and giving us more content than we had before, so I find it kind of ludicrous to argue against it in the first place. But in doing so, you are trying to have your cake and eat it too.
compare nintendos approach to many other big companies. you wouldnt be able to buy mario kart you would pay per play, the disc would be a key and nothing else. always on internet etc.
the value of mario kart 8 is staggering. quality of experience, single and multiplayer, the replayability, which just got a huge boost etc.
the negativity here is laughable. dont want to have fun, dont buy it.
some were even complaining about the mercedes cross promotion! a car company! what is it doing in mario kart? its not Kia or Seat or VW its merc who have a glorious racing pedigree. these people are also forgetting that Wario has been driving a cadillac for over ten years in this game series.
I reckon nintendo have handled this perfectly
This is what I'm talking about. This is how you extend the life of a great game. I'm getting all of this DLC.
Like a lot of older gamers I instantly bristle at the mention of DLC, but this really looks good value. Seems Nintendo have a better grasp of how to use DLC than most of the industry I.e. to extend the life pofna game without taking anything away from those who don't want it, rather than breaking up the original game into smaller chunks to artificially increase revenue.
Sold.
I like the Excitebike course. What a great idea
I'm not keen on DLC. but it's really good value, half a Mario Kart game for £11 is a bargain.
Still say Nintendo Kart will happen.
I love the addition of Tanooki Mario!
Don't give a hoot about the new characters, but I'm excited to see the new courses. Why didn't they show any of those off?
@staff You guys need comment pagination.
YUSSSS!!!! I'm preordering my DLC on my next payday. This is so awesome!
I want more, just so more a bit more
OHMYGOD!! NINTENDO KART!
First, we all knew this cross IP Mario Kart was bound to happen sooner or later. The nay-sayers will just have to get used to it. Playing as Link or Animal Crossing people won't bother me because they're all part of the same family. My only hope to appease the people complaining would be for nintendo to release a DLC toggle to remove the DLC if you want from a game so you can play the "vanilla" MK8.
This is an amazing deal. Will def be throwing down $12 for both packs. That's a lot of content.
Preordered it already, and enjoyed some races as Blue ShyGuy
The amount of pure fun I got out of Mario Kart 8 is incredible, a great game, then thanks to the promotion I got Wonderful 101, now this, what next? I so hope this opens the path for other track packs, with nods to Starfox, Metroid and why not something totaly crazy like Paper Mario or Xenoblade? Imagine racing on Gaur Plains or Satorl Marsh
SUPER SMASH KARTING
IT'S CONFIRMED GUYS! IT'S FINALLY HERE!!!!
They have all those different mario characters (golden Mario, silver Mario) in MK8. I do not think they need so many. Have they considered having Pikmins in MK8? That would be cool.
@WaLzgi
I'm with Ix. It shouldn't be realeased at all. Because when they release DLC like this, I'm suddenly stuck with an incomplete game unless I want to fork over more $$$.
@Lycidas
paper mario circuit is a brilliant idea
Oh, thank God! Tanooki Mario, Cat Peach and Dry Bowser, our prayers have been answered...............................................................................
Other than that, pretty awesome stuff. A bit strange to see cross-overs in MK, but I guess it was inevitable.
I think more fuss should be made the NOE have decided that 12 Euros is now £11 when in the past it would be £10.80. Both rates are behind the times (which is less than £10) and there may be bigger concerns to be had when it comes to eShop pricing but I feel this is a step in the wrong direction and trying it on a tad...and it seems to be working because "wots 20pee" "£11 is gr8 valu" and other statements that seem to miss the point.
I also don't like how the character and cup select show them, it is the kind of rubbing in your face I'd expect from a f2p game. Made even worse that it'll be like that until next May even if you bought the DLC
Character selection is a bit eh (but that seems to be Mario Kart these days). Did anyone want a 4th Mario, a 4th Peach and a second Bowser? Birdo would be nice, especially as the Yoshi and Shy Guy colours are missing Purple (Brown and light green too, so close to all Mii shirt colours too).
Link in a Mario Kart. My life is better than it was before I saw that.
I think this kind of DLC is a great idea for games like Mario Kart where the core gameplay wouldn't change from version to version, just content like characters, tracks, etc. It would also be great for sports games getting roster updates.
This could also be a great way to expand on something like Super Mario 3D World, and they've already done DLC for New Super Mario Bros. U that makes the game bigger. These are all games where the core concept stays the same from version to version, and there's no need to release Super Mario 3D World 2 when you could just have it as a really big DLC pack.
Moreover, think about the cool promotional ideas, etc. for a game like Smash Bros. You can add new characters and stages to go along with releases of new IPs or new games. For instance, a new Link costume and stage to go with the release of Zelda U. It's both a gold mine and a fun idea.
There's a limit of course, but I would LOVE to see this continue to keep MK8 alive for the duration of the Wii U's life. Especially little promotional freebies to accompany new releases, like "Buy Star Fox U and get a free Arwing Kart in MK8" or something like that. Just spitballin' here.
I DO NOT want unfinished games released for the sake of selling DLC, but I just don't see Nintendo doing that. They HATE releasing unfinished games.
WHAT... THE... HECK?!?!?
I AM BOTH EXCITED AND CONFUSED....
But, when I play in the Blue falcon, I'll be like...
XD
@vio
Yeah, you and I are on the same page. I'm perfectly fine with DLC if it's done right. In this case, it's done right. 16 courses (among other things) is a huge amount of extra content and the price really isn't bad at all. Nintendo is smart to attach DLC to this game around the holidays. If the DLC is good enough, it really can help give a game sturdy legs to sell for years to come.
Pffft, big deal, the Blue Falcon was already in Mario Kart Wii.
No Mario Kart game is truly complete without Pac-Man.
@earthboundlink I would rather have a separate game with tracks that are more like NSLU is to NSMBU.
Find it amazing I see so many people willing to buy the DLC now rather than wait until November. No way am I paying for something ahead of time.
@XCWarrior
I agree with that. The different color Yoshi's and Shy Guys are not enough to get me to bite early. I'm not paying for it until it releases.
An other reason that pays off if you're patient . I still haven't gotten Mario Kart 8. Which means in a bit time later we will see Mario Kart 8 plus or something being released on a disc as well. Lets being smart. Never buy a game at release with potentional DLC release. Nuff said
Name Options. Discuss:
Cool, I get to ride dirty with Luigi in the Blue Falcon
I hope we can play these courses online too.
@earthboundlink Mario Kart and friends.
(No one uses "and friends" anymore....)
i wish the second wasn't coming in may 2015
@vamkar
That... Is one of the most amazing things I've ever seen!
@BearHunger ''The Blue Falcon was already in Mario Kart Wii.''
Huh? Where?
On another note - as if it hadn't been pointed out already - there's also a pic of an F-Zero themed course!
Is the small lower right pic in the latter picture a Zelda course or a retro course?
@GreatPlayer ''Have they considered having Pikmins in MK8? That would be cool.''
Pikmin would seriously fit the bill. Imagine racing in some Pikmin levels.
Good news! Definitely have to get this. Looking forward to the Zelda inspired courses!!
@Moshugan Why, right here!
#OperationPlatinum YEAHHH!!!
Usually dislike DLC. I probably will support this though.
@SheldonRandoms That pic...lmao... XD
@Spoony_Tech Oh, well that's a shame. Really looking forward to Pack 2. I can't wait to see all the Animal Crossing stages. Hopefully, it's more than the one they showed.
Not sure what to feel about this. Link is a favourite character of mine but having him in Mario Kart seems odd. New courses would be nice. I'll likely hold off on getting it, talk with a few friends about it, then make up my mind.
Oh...
my...
GOODNESS! I am the 621st comment! O-M-GEESH!
I... feel... SPECIAL!! I can't believe this! This is the most dramatic moment of my life. I... LOVE... this... D-L-C!
Is this the most commented news article on nl? Feels like it.
@HyperSonicEXE
Isn't that what your doing? You have no proof of the time-frame of development either, yet you insist it "would have been in the game".
We don't know that for sure, but chances are if it wasn't released as DLC you'd either have to wait for MK9 or they wouldn't have made it at all. Thats usually what happens with scrapped ideas. The former would require you buy an entirely new console and a $60 game, this DLC can be had for Just $12. Which do you find more appealing?
@HyperSonicEXE I can say exactly the same for your baseless accusations. Nintendo put as much content as previous Mario Kart games, and now they are adding 16 tracks for $12! That's as many tracks as previous games which costed $30-$50. Explain your case to why this is bad.
My daughter and I were speculating about this the other day and she wondered if they'd use the cat suits, but I doubted it because they're just power-up suits. Given the presence of Metal Mario, however, I couldn't completely discount it, but I did think characters from previous entries like Bowser Jr. we're more likely.
So we were both right! I did think the idea of having other franchise characters only made sense - there's no real reason to make this a Mario Only game and not doing extra tracks given how many they can choose from of previous releases seemed like a no-brainer. I find this offering quite generous given they could have decided to charge on a per-track/cup/vehicle/character basis.
Mario Kart 8 will have legs farrrrr beyond previous entries and I'm very pleased with that!
What happens if i play online and i dont have the new DLCs. But others pick the new courses. Will i be able to play thenew course?
Well, I'm up for it. The existing Mario Kart 8 is already good value, £11 for a booster that doubles the number of courses IS a good deal. I'm a stingy, tight-fisted Yorkshireman and I'll be shelling out.
@BearHunger Oh! So it seems. Didn't know that.
Great. More Peach and Mario clones.
I'm actually more inclined to get the second pack, if only because it has three completely new models instead of...yeah.
I don't think you guys need to hate on IxC. He has a valid point, that that the new generation of gamers just don't understand. But that's ok too because gaming has changed a lot since the 80's and 90's. So let me try and explain. Back then the variety of good games was nill. You had a ton of generic rehashes (Disney platformers, there was like 30 of them), games that were innovative but badly playable (take doom for example. It defined the fps genera but from a gameplay viewpoint it was buggy, the controls were awkward, and 90% of the time you had no clue where you had to go or what to do and there were more glitches than a Bethesda game. If Doom released after the fps genera was established and was on par for the graphics of the time the game would have been considered a failure.) then there would be that one or two games a YEAR that was really good. So all year we would wait and only two games out of like 6 that release all year were worth buying. I remember holiday seasons where only three games were going to be released and I didn't care for any of them. Nowadays you have 8-12 games come out during the holidays and your frantically trying to get them all. Back on the day there just wasn't many good games so we held onto them and played the same ones for months if not years. So I guess for retro gamers who played during that time we expect that kind of replay value to be included in the original cost, and for game devs to work on more great games then to continue to work on the few great ones we already had. But times have changed and now there are ao many great games that come out all the time, you need extra content to come back to the games that have been out for a while. But you have to look at it from the perspective of older gamers. In our day the game market was saturated with generic crappy rehashes, now the market is saturated with great games. I'm neutral to DLC. But looking at the perspective of what IxC is saying I agree with him, back in the day we expected games to be made and the next project worked on so we would hopefully get another great game out of the sludge of crappy games and while we waited we also expected the game to have replay value for the original price, but I also know that today's gamers already have so many great games they need DLC to have replay value for their older games. Different generations, different experiences, different expectations. Doesn't mean you have to call his opinion into question and yell at him or be rude. I'm actually surprised to see this coming from Nintendo fans. We all have opinions and should have enough respect to not be mean and rude towards people who's opinions differ from our own.
Edit: I forgot to sum up my original point lol so back then we had the mentality of the games we buy, we will still be playing them in ten years because the selection will still be the same. That's just how we thought when buying a game, we held onto the few great games and expected to play them for a long long time. Someone said that why care about still playing games that are ten years old when there will be new great games to play, well that's true but back then we never knew when the next great game was coming out so we had to get all we could out of the games we had. So again, different generations of gamers are going to think differently. And by definition if you have DLC that adds content to a game and you have one copy with the DLC and one without then a copy is incomplete because one has less content, making the experience incomplete. I don't think that IxC was implying that MK8 is an incomplete game not worth $60 but that in 10 years retro gamers who buy it for the first time won't be able to have the same experience we did. I'm sure in the future you want to show your children the games of your generation just like we do today. But our kids can have the exact same experience we had, and playing old games we loved with our kids is the greatest feeling in the world . Better than even playing the new games with them because your sharing your childhood with your children.
Sorry for the feint wall of text, but it's a really complicated issue.
The DLC seems pretty reasonable for it's price but where is Funky Kong? I need me some Funky in MK8!
Since they gave us skins in the form of colours for Yoshi and Shy Guy, they could be giving us skins for Mario and Peach!?
Think about it. Move Tanooki/MM + Cat/PGP into a skins slot for Mario and Peach respectively (and thus out of my sight forever). That gives 10 more potential characters after DLC 1 and 2 to make an even 40 (or 58 including all the Yoshi/Shy Guy/Mario/Peach skins).
I would love to see: Nabbit, Admiral Bobbery (no entries from Paper Mario yet), Birdo, Olimar, Kamek, Prof. E. Gadd, King Boo, Dixie Kong, Kranky Kong, and a Chozo ghost.
Also, I'd love to see a Metroid kart where you actually float around on it and a Pikmin themed level racing around the body of one of the baddies. Dare to dream right?
And by definition if you have DLC that adds content to a game and you have one copy with the DLC and one without then a copy is incomplete because one has less content, making the experience incomplete. I don't think that IxC was implying that MK8 is an incomplete game not worth $60 but that in 10 years retro gamers who buy it for the first time won't be able to have the same experience we did.
No. The original without the DLC is the original. The DLC is additional. In ten years time, gamers playing the original MK8 will be having the same experience we are currently having.
By the way, I can't access the super secret courses and other hidden stuff on Super Mario World these days because Nintendo doesn't allow cheat devices to be used. I'm not having the experience I had back in the 90s. Is Super Mario World on the Virtual Console incomplete now?
but i don't have a wii u to get the dlc ;(
I was so hyped up for the Mario Kart 8 Deluxe 48 track DLC, I decided to dig through this website and find this original article for the Wii U version’s DLC. Very interesting looking back on this. $12 for 16 tracks is good enough, but $25 for 48 tracks is insane value.
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