Mario Kart 8 Deluxe (Switch): all the updates (latest: Ver. 3.0.1)

29 November 202329 November 2023 Lite_Agent Mario Kart 8 Deluxe

In this post, you will find all there is to know about the various updates for Mario Kart 8 Deluxe (originally released on April 28th, 2017 in Europe, Japan, and North America).

Click here for more Software updates!

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe – Ver. 3.0.1

Release date: November 28th 2023 (North America) / November 29th 2023 (Europe, Japan)
Maintenance: Yes (more details)
Patch notes:

Fixed an issue where the player was unable to acquire a strong item even though they did not take an Item Box by stopping or going in reverse during a race, or take an item countless times from an Item Box in same location, when the communication is unstable during an online match.

Fixed an issue where the glider did not open when getting on a glide ramp that is past the suspension bridge in Tour Vancouver Velocity.

Fixed an issue where the player might fall into a crevice in the cliff and not be able to move in Tour Rome Avanti.

Fixed an issue where the player would be floating in mid-air after driving out of the course without being carried back in by Lakitu in GC DK Mountain.

Fixed an issue where the player would sometimes not be able to move when riding on the statues in Wii Daisy Circuit.

Fixed an issue where actions and expressions did not match for some characters that were added in the Booster Course Pass.

Fixed an issue where a Mii’s head would get extremely large or small when playing the highlight reel.

Additional notes: none.
Official website: Nintendo

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe – Ver. 3.0.0

Release date: November 8th 2023 (North America) / November 9th 2023 (Europe, Japan)
Maintenance: Yes (more details)
Patch notes:

Support for DLC

Now supports paid DLC: Mario Kart 8 Deluxe – Booster Course Pass, Wave 6 (new characters, two cups, eight courses, 17 Mii racing suits) [more details]

General

Added “Music” button to the top menu.

This is a feature where you can listen to the background music that plays during the game, as you like.

Even players who don’t own the Booster Course Pass can listen to the background music of the DLC courses.

Added feature where other players who aren’t friends can join in a Room.

After creating a room, press the + Button or – Button to display the Room ID on the Room screen, and tell your fellow racers the Room ID.

The other racers can join by entering the Room ID in “Search by Room ID.”

Made it so that you can create a Room even if you have 0 friends registered.

Added staff credits for the Booster Couse Pass.

If you have the Booster Course Pass: Clear all DLC cups in Grand Prix mode ranked third or higher (for the second time and later, clear Moon Cup or Spiny Cup ranked third or higher).

If you don’t have the Booster Course Pass: After racing in the DLC courses in Online Play or Wireless Play 100 times or more, clear a random cup in Grand Prix mode ranked third or higher (for the second time and later, clear Bell Cup ranked third or higher).

Increased the invincibility time of a portion of characters and vehicle customizations.

Made it so that you can’t acquire strong items when taking an Item Box by stopping or driving in reverse, or taking an Item Box that is in same location multiple times during a race.

Shortened the time between when an Item Box is acquired by someone until it is restored.

Lowered the appearance rate of Mirror and 200cc in “Worldwide” and “Regional.”

Made it so you can acquire the “Varia Suit” when using a Metroid series amiibo.

Made it so you can acquire the “Hylian Suit” when using a Legend of Zelda series amiibo.

Made it so you can acquire the “Kirby Suit” when using a Kirby series amiibo.

Made it so you can acquire the “Daisy Suit” when using a Daisy amiibo.

Fixed Issues

Fixed an issue where no Bob-omb car blows up in Wii Moonview Highway, but a Bob-omb car blows up for someone you are playing with online.

Fixed an issue where, when racing against a Ghost in Time Trials on Yoshi’s Island, the red road would not appear even though the Ghost touched the Winged Cloud.

Pictures:

Additional notes: none.
Official website: Nintendo / Nintendo

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe – Ver. 2.4.0

Release date: July 11th 2023 (North America) / July 12th 2023 (Europe, Japan)
Maintenance: Yes (more details)
Patch notes:

Support for DLC

Now supports paid DLC: Mario Kart 8 Deluxe – Booster Course Pass, Wave 5 (new characters, two cups and eight courses) [more details]

General

Improved the performance of some characters and vehicle customizations.

Adjusted the invincibility time of some characters.

Adjusted random item selection method in races where Custom Items is set, for when there are four players or less.

Expanded range for when a warning displays when a Red Shell or Spiny Shell approaches from behind.

Made it so that warnings about a Red Shell or Spiny Shell will be displayed with priority over other warnings.

Made it so that a warning is not displayed when a Red Shell is targeting opponents.

Made it so that L/R button operation on the class selection screen and course selection screen in the Grand Prix can be conducted on touchscreen as well.

Lowered the appearance rate of Mirror and 200cc races in Worldwide and Regional settings.

Fixed Issues

Fixed an issue where a communication error occurs when a character catches a boomerang at the same time that a Boo brings an item.

Fixed an issue where, when equipping an item and catching a boomerang at the same time, the player could not throw that item.

Fixed an issue where the graph for the Mii Heavy weight class’s parameters didn’t match the actual abilities.

Fixed an issue where a warning would not appear when an opponent used a Bullet Bill in online matches.

Made it so the kart doesn’t spin or crash when running into an obstruction if the player uses a Super Star, Bullet Bill or Boo at that same time.

Fixed an issue where the kart would get stuck between a cliff and small mushroom and be unable to move in Wii Mushroom Gorge.

Fixed an issue where the player would go off the course when transformed as Bullet Bill right in front of the goal in GBA Riverside Park.

Additional notes: none.
Official website: Nintendo

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe – Ver. 2.3.0

Release date: March 8th 2023 (North America) / March 9th 2023 (Europe, Japan)
Maintenance: Yes (more details)
Patch notes:

Support for DLC

Now supports paid DLC: Mario Kart 8 Deluxe – Booster Course Pass, Wave 4 (new character, two cups and eight courses) [more details]

General

Improved the performance of some characters and vehicle customizations.

Made it so that the player can see the rear view mirror when spinning, crashing, or changed into Bullet Bill.

Made it so, if the player uses a Super Star or Boo at the same time that they are hit by Lightning, their kart will not crash or become small.

Made it so, when jumping from a Whomp in Tour Berlin Byways, karts can leap over the fence.

Added Golden Mushroom to Custom Items in Renegade Roundup.

Added “Booster Course Pass” button to main menu. If a player does not have the Booster Course Pass, a link to the Nintendo eShop will be displayed.

Fixed Issues

Fixed an issue where, when the player’s kart became small after being hit by lightning, it would slip into the ground.

Fixed an issue where, when the player’s kart ran into a wall, they would be carried over by Lakitu even though they had not left the course.

Fixed an issue where the player character would not be able to hit an opponent with a red shell when that opponent was jumping on a half-pipe.

Fixed an issue where the player character could not drift after jumping and landing in a half pipe.

Fixed an issue so that the player can use another item other than Boo right after using Boo.

Fixed an issue where the player could not throw a Boomerang after catching it and it entered the second item slot.

Fixed an issue where, when a player character hit the Blooper in an opponent’s Crazy 8, they would have ink squirted on them even though they are using the Super Star.

Fixed an issue where, when the player stops looking at the rear view mirror, the ink would disappear momentarily even though they had Blooper ink on them.

Fixed an issue where, when player is hit with a red shell at the same time as changing into Bullet Bill, they would go off the course.

Fixed an issue where, at the escalator in Wii Coconut Mall, there would be a communication error when a character could not move forward.

Fixed an issue when changed into Bullet Bill in N64 Dry Dry Desert, where the character would slip into the ground.

Fixed an issue where the character would get stuck on the bridge posts right before and after the starting line in Tour London Loop.

Fixed an issue where, on wavy floors in 3DS Rainbow Road, the character could be pushed way off the course.

Additional notes: none.
Official website: Nintendo

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe – Ver. 2.2.1

Release date: December 21st 2022 (North America) / December 22nd 2022 (Europe, Japan)
Maintenance: Yes (more details)
Patch notes:

Fixed Issues

Fixed issue where, when playing online in Berlin Byways, the image would get choppy.

Fixed issue where, when playing in London Loop, player is carried in by Lakitu after falling off of course and they were not returned to the appropriate location.

Additional notes: none.
Official website: Nintendo

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe – Ver. 2.2.0

Release date: December 7th 2022 (North America, Europe, Japan)
Maintenance: Yes (more details)
Patch notes:

Support for DLC

Now supports paid DLC: Mario Kart 8 Deluxe – Booster Course Pass, Wave 3 (two cups and eight courses) [more details]

General

Added “Custom Items” to item Rules.

This is a feature that lets you decide which items appear.

This is supported in VS Race, Balloon Battle, Coin Runners, Shine Thief, Renegade Roundup, Playing with friends, Tournaments, and Wireless Play.

Items that have not been set to appear may still appear according to the connection environment and game situation.

When getting struck by lightning while gliding through the air, the glider no longer closes.

The period of invincibility after spinning or crashing now changes, depending on the driver or machine parts.

When a user cannot download any new ghost data, they can now delete all the ghost data they downloaded until then.

Deleted “Recommended” in Tournaments.

Fixed Issues

Fixed an issue where coins would not be added when touching an opponents’ Crazy Eight coin.

Fixed an issue where there was a communication error when using the item Boo.

Fixed an issue where using the Super Horn would not hit more than one opponent at the same time.

Fixed an issue where images in SNES Mario Circuit 3 would look distorted.

Fixed an issue where a player could not acquire multiple items in a row in GBA Snow Land.

Fixed an issue where points would not be added to a member list, when spectating an online match.

Fixed an issue where, when selecting a team, the COM characters that actually play in the game were not the same as shown on selection screen.

Fixed an issue where the warning sound was not playing when a Red Shell or Spiny Shell comes from behind.

Other adjustments and corrections were made to improve the gameplay experience.

Additional notes: none.
Official website: Nintendo

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe – Ver. 2.1.0

Release date: August 4th 2022 (North America, Europe, Japan)
Maintenance: Yes (more details)
Patch notes:

Support for DLC

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

General

Increased the number of ghosts you can download from 16 to 32.

Adjusted the extent to which a vehicle is thrown, depending on its weight.

Further shortened the time it takes for item boxes to regenerate after another player takes them.

Shortened the time it takes for one player to be able to pick up a coin that another player has dropped.

Made it so that it is easier to face the way forward in mid-air when using Smart Steering.

The cars that the Shy Guys are riding in in Wii Coconut Mall now move from time to time in all modes other than the Time Trial mode.

Fixed Issues

Fixed issue where player could not choose a DLC course even though a player in the lobby in “Friends” has the Booster Course Pass.

Fixed issue where player did not receive coins even though they used the Feather in Coin Runners to steal a rival’s coins.

Fixed issue where player could receive two items from one item box in N64 Toad’s Turnpike.

Additional notes: none.
Official website: Nintendo

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe – Ver. 2.0.0

Release date: March 17th 2022 (North America, Europe, Japan)
Maintenance: Yes (more details)
Patch notes:

Support for DLC

Now supports Mario Kart 8 Deluxe – Booster Course Pass (Wave 1: 8 courses)

If someone in the lobby has the “Booster Course Pass,” all players can select one of the pass courses.

This supports “Friends,” “Wireless Play,” and “LAN Play.”

Starting March 21st, you can select course from the Booster Course Pass in online play.

Supports “Worldwide,” “Regional,” and “Tournaments.”

Even if the player does not own the “Booster Course Pass,” they can play courses from the pass randomly.

General

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

Fixed Issues

Fixed an issue where a communication error occurs when 12 people matched during online play.

You need to download the latest update data in order to play online.

If you download the latest update data, you will not be able to do “Wireless Play” or LAN Play” with other players who are using data from a previous update.

The update data contains fixes to issues that improve gameplay experience, and other content that is not listed here.

In order to download the update data, you need enough space on your system memory or microSD Card.

Additional notes: none.
Official website: Nintendo

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe – Ver. 1.7.2

Release date: March 25th 2021 (North America) / March 26th 2021 (Europe, Japan)
Maintenance: Yes (more details)
Patch notes:

Addressed an issue that caused tournament points to be reset.

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

Additional notes: none.
Official website: Nintendo

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe – Ver. 1.7.1

Release date: January 22nd 2019 (North America) / January 23rd 2019 (Europe, Japan)
Maintenance: Yes (more details)
Patch notes:

Fixed an issue that caused the game to become unresponsive to any input except for the HOME Button.

You will need to download this update to play with others online.

After you download the latest update data, you will no longer be able to play over local wireless or LAN with others until they download the update as well.

Additional notes: none.
Official website: Nintendo

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe – Ver. 1.7.0

Release date: September 19th 2018 (Europe, North America, Japan)
Maintenance: Yes (more details)
Patch notes:

Now compatible with Toy-Con Car in Nintendo Labo Toy-Con 03: Vehicle Kit

You can select which Toy-Con to use from “Toy-Con” settings in the main menu.

Now compatible with the Nintendo Switch Online smartphone app.

If the application is running on your device when you enter an online match, you will automatically receive a prompt on your smartphone asking if you would like to join a voice chat with your opponent.

Worldwide, Regional, Friends, and Tournaments allow you to use this function.

List of changes:

adds support for the Nintendo Labo Toy-Con 03: Vehicle Kit

Additional notes: none.
Official website: Nintendo

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe – Ver. 1.6.0

Release date: July 19th 2018 (North America) / July 20th 2018 (Japan, Europe)
Maintenance: Yes (more details)
Patch notes:

New character added: Link (Champion’s Tunic)

New vehicle added: Master Cycle Zero

New tires added: Ancient Tires

New glider added: Paraglider

Update includes revisions to improve gameplay, as well as some content not listed here.

Additional notes: none.
Official website: Nintendo

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe – Ver. 1.5.0

Release date: June 25th 2018 (North America) / June 26th 2018 (Japan, Europe)
Maintenance: Yes (more details)
Patch notes:

Now supports the use of the Toy-Con Motorbike from Nintendo LABO Toy-Con 01 VARIETY KIT.

You can now set whether or not to use the Toy-Con Motorbike from the Toy-Con settings in the top menu.

At the screen right before the game begins, please set the Joy-Con inside the Toy-Con Motorbike.

When using the Toy-Con Motorbike, the camera will look over the character’s shoulder, increasing immersion.

Press the downward directional button to play with normal view again.

Addressed an issue where, after setting up a tournament, the “Search by code” feature would stop functioning.

Addressed an issue that made it impossible for a player to proceed after colliding with a Star Thwomp.

The latest update data is needed to play matches online.

Once you have downloaded the latest update data, you will no longer be able to play “Local Wireless” and “LAN Play” matches with other players who have not downloaded this data.

Additional notes: if you update the game, you can no longer play online, or via local wireless with players with Ver. 1.4.0 or earlier. Click here for more details about the Nintendo Labo functionality.
Official website: Nintendo

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe – Ver. 1.4.0

Release date: December 12th 2017 (North America) / December 13th 2017 (Japan, Europe)
Maintenance: Yes (more details)
Patch notes:

Language support for Traditional Chinese, Simplified Chinese, and Korean has now been implemented.

You can change languages in Settings on your console.

An issue has been resolved that prevented background music from playing after you reach the finish line.

Additional notes: if you update the game, you can no longer play via local wireless with players with Ver. 1.2.1 or earlier.
Official website: Nintendo

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe – Ver. 1.3.0

Release date: October 18th 2017 (North America) / October 19th 2017 (Japan, Europe)
Maintenance: Yes (more details)
Patch notes:

Video capture compatibility added. Hold the Capture Button to capture up to 30 seconds of the previous footage.

The system must be updated to Ver 4.0.0 or higher to use this feature.

Now more difficult to float down using the glider when Smart Steering is ON.

Blue Shells no longer hit the second place player when the first place player hasn’t yet crossed the finish line.

Extended the invulnerability period after spinning out or crashing.

Changes made to Online Play prior to Ver.1.2.1 now apply to Wireless Play and LAN Play as well:

When further back in a race, will receive better items to help catch up to other players.

No more than one Piranha Plant will appear at a time.

Updating to Ver 1.3.0 will prevent users from Wireless Play or LAN Play with users on Ver.1.2.1 or lower.

Additional notes: if you update the game, you can no longer play via local wireless with players with Ver. 1.2.1 or earlier.
Official website: Nintendo

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe – Ver. 1.2.1

Release date: August 9th 2017 (North America) /August 10th 2017 (Japan, Europe)
Maintenance: Yes (more details)
File size: ???MB
Patch notes:

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

Additional notes: none.
Official website: Nintendo

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe – Ver. 1.2.0

Release date: June 28th 2017 (North America) /June 29th 2017 (Japan, Europe)
Maintenance: Yes (more details)
File size: ???MB
Patch notes:

Players can use Pikmin-themed amiibo to unlock a Pikmin Suit for the Mii driver.

Race rules and course name are now displayed on loading screens for online and wireless play, as well as Mario Kart TV.

Players who are behind in online matches will receive items geared toward catching up more frequently.

In online matches, no more than two Piranha Plants will be granted as items at the same time.

Controls are no longer unresponsive when the timer runs out when choosing a Mii racing suit for online matches.

When a player uses an item right after the Super Horn in online matches, that item will now remain available for other players.

Item wheel no longer spins continuously in online matches.

Online matches now end as intended 30 seconds after the first place racer finishes.

The Boomerang now returns to the first slot, if possible, after a player catches it.

Items shown in a player’s item slots now display correctly when holding an item behind them.

No longer possible to use an item after it has been used to block an attack.

Communication errors no longer occur frequently while spectating or after spectating online matches.

Additional notes: naturally, the update is required is keep playing online.
Official website: Nintendo

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe – Ver. 1.1.0

Release date: May 16th 2017 (North America) / May 17th 2017 (Japan, Europe)
Maintenance: Yes (more details)
File size: ???MB
Patch notes:

Opponents’ names are displayed in the rear view mirror view in online matches.

Invincibility period after a spin-out or crash is longer in online matches.

Up to two players can spectate a friend group while they wait to join.

“Worldwide” and “Regional” modes add players to Mirror and 200cc matches less often.

Can now properly create a friend lobby when you have 100 or more friends.

Inkling Girl’s animation has been adjusted.

Starting positions in online races now properly reflect the order in which players join.

Driver Miis now properly showing facial expressions.

Tournament clock now properly reflects real-world time.

Various fixes to improve the gameplay experience.

Additional notes: naturally, the update is required is keep playing online.
Official website: Nintendo

How to update Mario Kart 8 Deluxe for the Nintendo Switch?

To download the updates manually, you have two options:

try to launch the game from the Home Menu while being connected to the internet. You should get a prompt when doing so: simply follow the instructions on screen;
select the game > press either + or – to go to the Options page > select Software update > select Via the Internet.

To check that you have the latest version installed, simply launch the game: you should be able to see the Version number just below the game’s title on the Title Screen (in that case, Ver. 1.8.0):