Originally releasing in 2014, it has been eight years since Mario Kart 8 first became available to gamers. With there being no new Mario Kart title in almost a decade, there were rumors floating around the internet earlier this year that Nintendo might unveil Mario Kart 9 at a Nintendo Direct. While the company didn't give fans a glimpse a look at a new Mario Kart title, it did give them some new track racing content in the form of Booster Packs.
Booster Packs are DLC for Mario Kart 8 Deluxe that add a mix of new and fan favorite tracks to the latest game. Yesterday, Nintendo unveiled the latest lot of new courses coming to Mario Kart 8 in the Booster Pack Wave 2, along with a new trailer showing off tracks like the new, sweet-themed Sky-High Sundae. For fans who want to try out these new courses before they buy them, or for those who don't have access to a Switch to play Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, it seems Nintendo has another way to access the new content.
It was announced alongside the introduction of Booster Pack Wave 2 that Nintendo would be bringing these new tracks for free to Mario Kart Tour, the mobile version of the track racer. These new courses won't be available on August 4, which is the date that Booster Pack Wave 2 comes to Switch, and instead will be playable at a later time. With some of the new tracks for Mario Kart 8 being taken from Mario Kart Tour, though, it seems some mobile players will already have access to part of the DLC.
However, it seems that this later date intended for the Booster Pack Wave 2 release on mobile might not be too distanced from August 4. According to speculation online, the Summertime Celebration event for Mario Kart Tour will begin on August 9. Given the theme of that event, some believe that a track like Sky-High Sundae could fit and be released for the mobile title. It would make sense for the new courses to come to Mario Kart Tour as soon as possible, given the popularity of the mobile title. Mario Kart Tour has proven to be such a hit that fans are hoping features from that game will come to Mario Kart 9 as well.
It seems that the introduction of the Booster Pack courses to Mario Kart Tour may not be the only big update to the game. Recently, a rumor was circulating online that Mario Kart Tour could be on its way to PC. However, given the attitude Nintendo has towards PC releases, it is best that fans take those rumors with a hefty pinch of salt.
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is available now on the Nintendo Switch. Mario Kart Tour is available on mobile.