On March 3, 2023, Nintendo announced the release date for the highly anticipated Wave 4 DLC for Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, which will be available for download on the Nintendo Switch on March 18, 2023. The announcement was made through an exciting new trailer that showcases the new features and characters that players can expect from the upcoming update.
The trailer opens with an exciting montage of clips from the game, showcasing the high-speed racing action that Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is known for. We see familiar characters like Mario, Luigi, and Princess Peach, as well as some of the newer additions to the roster like Inkling Boy and Inkling Girl from Splatoon.
The trailer then introduces the new features that players can expect from the Wave 4 update, starting with the new tracks. There are three new tracks in total, each with their own unique challenges and obstacles. The first track is called “Gusty Gardens,” and it takes place in a vibrant, colorful garden filled with swirling winds that can push players off the track if they’re not careful. The second track is “Sunken City,” which takes place in an underwater city that has been flooded due to a massive storm. Players will have to navigate through the city’s winding streets while avoiding obstacles like submerged cars and debris. The final track is “Rainbow Road Redux,” a reimagining of the classic Rainbow Road track that features a new layout and new hazards to avoid.
In addition to the new tracks, the Wave 4 update also introduces three new characters to the game. The first is Bowser Jr., the mischievous son of the infamous Bowser. Bowser Jr. is a lightweight character who excels at handling and acceleration. The second new character is Dixie Kong, the spunky sidekick of Donkey Kong. Dixie Kong is a medium-weight character who is great at handling and drifting. The final new character is Funky Kong, the laid-back surfer dude who first appeared in Donkey Kong Country. Funky Kong is a heavy character who is great at speed and power.
The trailer then goes on to showcase some of the new kart parts that will be available in the Wave 4 update. There are three new karts in total, each with their own unique design and handling. The first is the “Bullet Bill Buggy,” a fast and nimble kart that looks like a miniature version of the infamous Bullet Bill. The second is the “Kritter Cruiser,” a kart designed to look like the iconic enemy from the Donkey Kong series. The Kritter Cruiser is a heavy kart that is great at speed and power. The final new kart is the “Rainbow Roadster,” a sleek and futuristic kart that is great at handling and acceleration.
Finally, the trailer concludes with a montage of gameplay footage showcasing the new characters, tracks, and karts in action. We see Bowser Jr. speeding around Gusty Gardens, Dixie Kong drifting through Sunken City, and Funky Kong blasting through Rainbow Road Redux. We also see some of the new kart parts in action, like the Bullet Bill Buggy jumping over obstacles and the Kritter Cruiser smashing through barriers.
The Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Booster Course Pass Wave 4 release date has been officially announced by Nintendo for March 9th, 2023. All eight of the future courses were shown in a new trailer, which also highlighted Birdo’s comeback as a playable character.
Thanks to all of the content in these Wave DLCs, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe has been operating on autopilot for a while now with no sequel in sight. Despite the fact that there is less new content now, it is still enjoyable to see so many returning courses.
Unexpectedly, more Mario Kart Tour courses than anticipated are included, including Singapore Speedway, Bangkok Rush, and Amsterdam Drift. With the Doctor Tour from last month, Mario Kart Tour just barely caught up to the initial waves of the Booster Course Pass.
Super Mario World 2: Yoshi’s Island, a significantly undervalued game with upbeat music and a distinctive art style, served as inspiration for the new course in Wave 4. Its settings had a hand-drawn appearance, and controlling Baby Mario was enjoyable. While you’re frantically attempting to stop Baby Mario from floating away, there’s a unique kind of urgency.
Thankfully, the new course includes a lot of the essential visuals from Yoshi’s Island, such as those blooming golden meadows and other lovely settings.
Undoubtedly, Birdo, who will surely fall into the Medium weight category, is the centerpiece of the trailer. New racers are rather infrequent, and Birdo has long been a fan favorite. The teaser released today revealed the reappearance of even more historical figures. There are only two more waves, so it will be intriguing to watch the choices the developers choose.
Overall, the Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Wave 4 trailer is an exciting preview of what players can expect from the upcoming update. With new tracks, characters, and karts, as well as a ton of new gameplay features, the Wave 4 update is sure to be a hit with fans of the game. Whether you’re a seasoned veteran or a newcomer to the world of Mario Kart, there’s something for everyone in this exciting new update. So mark your calendars for March 18, 2023, and get ready to hit the road!