Quick Links
Mario Kart 8 Deluxeis not just one of the best-performing games on the Nintendo Switch; it was thebest-selling entry in the entireMario Kartseries, at least before the Switch 2’s debut. This is a particularly impressive feat considering it’s not a wholly original entry, but an updated re-release/port of the Wii U game. While the existence ofMario Kart Worldhas threatened to eradicate its console predecessor’s relevance,MK8 Deluxeis still a massive and great all-around experience that will likely be revisited for years to come.
Like previous entries in the series, there are several unlockables with various requirements, and some aren’t as obvious as others. So, here’s a rundown of every unlockable inMario Kart 8 Deluxeand how to get them, including the Booster Course Pass.
Updated August 06, 2025 by Mark Sammut:Mario Kart 8 Deluxe had an almost decade-long run as Nintendo’s definitive kart racer, a position that has been usurped by Mario Kart World. While the latter is the latest flagbearer for the franchise, it is building on the great foundation set by its impeccable predecessor. At this point, MK8 Deluxe should be complete, as the Booster Course Pass waves ended in 2023. Here areall of Mario Kart 8 Deluxe’s unlockables.
Everything Available from the Start
With it being a re-release of a game many people had already bought and played, Nintendo opted to includemostofMario Kart 8’scontent available right from the start. Specifically, most of the playable roster of characters and every racetrack, including the ones that were sold as DLC as a gameon the underperforming Wii U.
Characters Available From The Start
The following roster of characters are available to players the moment they begin their karting escapades:
Every Character In Mario Kart 8 Deluxe
Very Light
Baby Daisy, Baby Luigi, Baby Mario, Baby Peach, Baby Rosalina, Lemmy, Dry Bones, Mii.
Light
Koopa Troopa, Lakitu, Larry Koopa, Shy Guy, Toad, Toadette, Wendy, Isabelle, Bowser Jr, Mii.
Medium
Princess Daisy, Princess Peach, Yoshi, Tanooki Mario, Cat Peach, Villager, Inkling Boy, Inkling Girl, Mii.
Mario, Luigi, Ludwig, Iggy, Mii.
Heavy
Donkey Kong, Metal Mario, Pink Gold Peach, Rosalina, Roy Koopa, Waluigi, Link, King Boo, Mii.
Hyrule Circuit
Big Blue
Make sure to update the game to the latest version as well to receive anew costume for Link,which dresses him up in his Champion’s Tunic from thebeloved and innovative Nintendo game,Breath of the Wild. The revised Battle Mode and 200cc engine class are available from the start, too.
How To Unlock Mii Costumes
Miis, the customizable avatars introduced alongsidethe Nintendo Wii, can be selected from the start, but players will only have access to their regular racing attire. To unlock the various Mii costumes, players will need to own the corresponding amiibo figure.
There are20Mii costumesin total, each one based on a different Nintendo character (as well as a few guest stars). Those with the right amiibo can acquire them by selecting the amiibo symbol on the main menu and tapping their figure on the NFC touchpoint on their controller.
The 20 themed costumes and which amiibo are needed to unlock them are listed below:
Needed Amiibo to Unlock
Mario
Mario (Classic Colors) or Mario (Modern Colors) amiibo from the Mario 30th Anniversary Collection
Mario or Dr. Mario Amiibo from theSuper Smash Bros.Collection
Super Smash Bros.Yoshi amiibo
Super MarioYoshi amiibo
Green Yarn Yoshi, Pink Yarn Yoshi, Light-Blue Yarn Yoshi, or Mega Yarn Yoshi from theYoshi’s Woolly WorldCollection
Super Smash Bros.Donkey Kong amiibo
Super MarioDonkey Kong amiibo
Turbo Charge Donkey Kong or Turbo Charge Donkey Kong Dark amiibo fromSkylanders Superchargers
Link (Ocarina of Time)
Link (The Legend of Zelda)
Link (Twilight Princess)
Toon Link (The Wind Waker) amii bo from theThe Legend of ZeldaCollection
Link, Toon Link, or Young Link amiibo from theSuper Smash Bros.Collection
Samus or Zero Suit Samus amiibo from theSuper Smash Bros.Collection
MetroidSamus amiibo
Pikmin amiibo from thePikminCollection
anyAnimal Crossingamiibo
anyAnimal Crossingamiibo card from series 1 – 4
theSuper Smash Bros.Pac-Man amiibo
theSuper Smash Bros.Sonic amiibo
Splatoon
Callie, Marie, Inkling Girl, Inkling Boy, Inkling Squid, Octoling Girl, Octoling Boy, or Octoling Octopus amiibo from theSplatoonCollection
Super Smash Bros. Inkling amiibo
How to Unlock Vehicle Parts
Rather than offer specific kart builds,Mario Kart 8 Deluxeallows players to customize their vehicle, be it a kart, bike, or ATV, through three different parts: a body, wheels, and a glider. The vehicle’s stats will change depending on the parts selected, allowing for balanced options or something well-versed in a particular area like speed or handling.
Most of theseparts need to be unlocked by collecting coinsduring races. They can be found scattered across the racetracks or in item boxes, so players will pick them up naturally, especially since they also increase a racer’s top speed.
However, there is no in-game shop to spend them on. Instead, collecting coins adds to a total, which gradually rewards you with randomly selected parts at certain milestones.Parts will start to unlock for every 30 coins collected.Upon reaching450 coins, they’ll unlock for every 50 coins collected.Once the total reaches1500 coins, parts will only unlock for every 100 coins collected.
This means3,100 coins are required to unlock (almost) every part.It’s also worth mentioning that any vehicle parts that were DLC for the originalMario Kart 8are included in the base game and will be unlocked naturally. InMario Kart 8, Deluxehasno paid DLCwhatsoever, which is honestly a missed opportunity.
All Karts (23)
Standard Kart, Pipe Frame, Mach 8, Steel Driver, Cat Cruiser, Circuit Special, Tri-Speeder, Badwagon, Prancer, Biddybuggy, Landship, SneekeSneakerts Coupe, Gold Standard, GLA, W 25 Silver Arrow, 300 SL Roadster, Blue Falcon, Tanooki Kart, B Dasher, Streetle, P-Wing, Koopa Clown
All Bikes (17)
Standard Bike, The Duke, Flame Rider, Varmint, Mr. Scooty, Master Cycle Zero, City Tripper, Comet, Sport Bike, Jet Bike, Yoshi Bike, Master Cycle, Standard ATV, Wild Wiggler, Teddy Buggy, Bone Rattler, Splat Buggy (new), Inkstriker (new)
All Tires (21)
Standard, Monster, Roller, Slim, Slick, Metal, Button, Off-Road, Sponge, Wood, Cushion, Blue Standard, Hot Monster, Azure Roller, Crimson Slim, Cyber Slick, Retro Off-Road, Gold Tires, GLA Tires, Triforce Tires, Ancient Tires, Leaf Tires
All Gliders (14)
Super Glider, Cloud Glider, Wario Wing, Waddle Wing, Peach Parasol, Parachute, Parafoil, Flower Glider, Bowser Kite, Plane Glider, MKTV Parafoil, Gold Glider, Hylian Kite, Paraglider (new), Paper Glider
How to Unlock the Gold Vehicle Parts
Three special Gold vehicle parts area lot more challenging to unlock. Of the three, theGold Glideris perhaps the easiest, as it only requires collecting more coins. However, the total needed is5,000so this will take a lot of time.
The other two are significantly trickier.The Gold Standard bodyrequires players to achieve aone-star ranking(54 points minimum) onall 12 Grand Prix Cupsin Mirror Mode, where the racetracks are flipped vertically. Mirror Cups also boast tougher AI so this could take a while as well.
As for theGold Wheels,players must defeat all48 staff ghosts in 150cc Time Trials.While players don’t need to worry about other racers interfering like in the Grand Prix, anyone eager to get every vehicle part will need to master drifting, learn the racetracks inside out, know where the best shortcuts are, and when to best use the limited Mushrooms provided at the start, which give a short burst of speed.
How To Unlock Alternate Title Screens
One neat little easter egg is the ability to unlock a handful of somewhat unique title screens when performing certain tasks.
Players can have Bowser, Link, Luigi, Rosalina, Peach/Yoshi, Villager (male)/Isabelle, Baby Rosalina/Baby Mario/Baby Luigi, Koopalings, Mario/Bowser appear on the title screenafter earning every Gold Trophy in all of Mirror Cup and 200cc.
How to Unlock Gold Mario
Not factoring the Booster Course Pass,there’s onlyoneunlockable character inMario Kart 8 Deluxe, while a new addition that was absent from theoriginalMario Kart 8, it’s technically just a variant of Metal Mario:Gold Mario.Aside from being a different color, he has the same stats as Metal Mario.
Players mustwin a gold trophy in every Grand Prix Cup at 200cc,the fastest engine class to unlock him. Aside from challenging AI opponents, it’s very easy to lose controlwhile racing at 200cc, so this will require a lot of practice. Fortunately, no star ranking is needed; just come in first overall,d don’t worry about meeting a minimum point threshold.
Mirror Mode And 200cc - Is It Included?
Mirror Mode, which flips each of the stages and adds some new challenge, was once unlocked byfinishing each Grand Prix Cup with a Gold in each engine class.However, Mirror Mode and 200CC are nowunlocked automatically at the start ofMario Kart 8 Deluxeas of patch 4.1.
Booster Course Pass
Besides the base content that launched with this edition,Mario Kart 8 Deluxealso received DLC content called the Booster Course Pass, which can be purchased for$25.The pack featuressix wavesstaggered from March 2022 to the end of 2023. Or, Switch Online Expansion Pack members can access the content for no added cost. TheMario Kart 8 DeluxeBooster Course Pass offers courses, both new and old, as well as returningMario Kartcharactersto join the race.
Here are the courses released as part of the Booster Pass:
Rainbow Road
Booster Pass Battle Courses
Battle Stadium, Sweet Sweet Kingdom, Dragon Palace, Lunar Colony, Wuhu Town, Luigi’s Mansion, Battle Course 1, Urchin Underpass
Pauline
Mii Costumes
Along with new courses and characters, the Booster Pack’s Wave 6 also added 18 new Mii Suits to the game. One exception aside, these costumes are all available immediately and do not require Amiibos. Here are all of them:
