Mario Kart 8 Deluxe – Booster Course Pass Wave 3 Review

International sights and throwback tracks await players with Wave 3 of Nintendo’s Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Booster Course Pass. Do these eight new tracks manage to impress, or should players stick with previous hits?

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe – Booster Course Pass Wave 3

Much like Wave 1 and Wave 2 of the Booster Course Pass, tracks from Mario Kart Tour and previous entries make up the bulk of Wave 3’s selection. Most notably, London Loop and Berlin Byways make their console debut as part of the Rock Cup and Moon Cup.

In the case of the former, players will hit the UK as they race across the Tower Bridge and across the bustling British streets. The layout of each track changes every turn, with a ravenous Chain Chomp breaking free from his shackles as things progress. While we would have loved to climb the London Eye, we appreciate the variety on tap here.

The same can be said for Berlin Byways. Track layouts change every lap, and there are some unique twists on famous landmarks – expect to see some Thwomps and Whomps in the mix. The constant changes and sharp turns of this track take some getting used to, but those with the need for speed (especially at 200cc!) will enjoy this trip to Germany.

Perhaps the biggest addition to Wave 3 is the new track Merry Mountain. As we enter the holiday season, this timely track features snow, branching railways, zero-g segments, and plenty of places to get a much-needed boost. The craft and charm Nintendo are known for are on full display, bound to make a number of new fans in the process.

That’s not to say the other tracks in Wave 3 are slacking; just the opposite. Despite tracks from more than a decade ago making an appearance in these two cups, the team has spruced them up with a number of new elements. The glider and zero-g segments are alive and well here, not to mention the shiny coat of polish that brings tracks from as far back as the Game Boy Advance entry to the modern age. The choices here are somewhat odd, but still welcome nonetheless.

Despite all of their strengths, not everything is perfect as part of Wave 3. The perspective issue from previous tracks rears its ugly head once more, with toad and Yoshi characters magnitudes larger than the kart riders themselves. Graphical flourishes also fall a bit flat compared to the core pack of titles, with a softer palette compared to the detail of the core title.

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe continues to be the definitive karting experience with Wave 3 of the Booster Course Pass. While there are some cut corners at spots, the twists, turns, and tweaks made to tracks old and new will be a hit at one’s next shindig.

This review of Mario Kart 8 Deluxe – Booster Course Pass Wave 3 was done on the Nintendo Switch. The pass was purchased digitally.