Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Unlockables Guide

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is not just one of the best-performing games on the Nintendo Switch; it was the best-selling entry in the entire Mario Kart series, 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 of Mario Kart World has threatened to eradicate its console predecessor’s relevance, MK8 Deluxe is 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 in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe and how to get them, including the Booster Course Pass.

Updated July 4, 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 are all 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 include most of Mario Kart 8’s content 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 game on 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:

Racetracks Available From The Start

Make sure to update the game to the latest version as well to receive a new costume for Link, which dresses him up in his Champion’s Tunic from the beloved 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 alongside the 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 are 20 Mii costumes in 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:

How to Unlock Vehicle Parts

Rather than offer specific kart builds, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe allows 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 these parts need to be unlocked by collecting coins during 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 reaching 450 coins, they’ll unlock for every 50 coins collected. Once the total reaches 1500 coins, parts will only unlock for every 100 coins collected.

This means 3,100 coins are required to unlock (almost) every part. It’s also worth mentioning that any vehicle parts that were DLC for the original Mario Kart 8 are included in the base game and will be unlocked naturally. In Mario Kart 8, Deluxe has no paid DLC whatsoever, 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, the Gold Glider is perhaps the easiest, as it only requires collecting more coins. However, the total needed is 5,000 so this will take a lot of time.

The other two are significantly trickier. The Gold Standard body requires players to achieve a one-star ranking (54 points minimum) on all 12 Grand Prix Cups in Mirror Mode, where the racetracks are flipped vertically. Mirror Cups also boast tougher AI so this could take a while as well.

As for the Gold Wheels, players must defeat all 48 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 screen after earning every Gold Trophy in all of Mirror Cup and 200cc.

How to Unlock Gold Mario

Not factoring the Booster Course Pass, there’s only one unlockable character in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, while a new addition that was absent from the original Mario 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 must win 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 control while 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 by finishing each Grand Prix Cup with a Gold in each engine class. However, Mirror Mode and 200CC are now unlocked automatically at the start of Mario Kart 8 Deluxe as of patch 4.1.

Booster Course Pass

Besides the base content that launched with this edition, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe also received DLC content called the Booster Course Pass, which can be purchased for $25. The pack features six waves staggered from March 2022 to the end of 2023. Or, Switch Online Expansion Pack members can access the content for no added cost. The Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Booster Course Pass offers courses, both new and old, as well as returning Mario Kart characters to join the race.

Here are the courses released as part of the Booster Pass:

Booster Pass Battle Courses

Battle Stadium, Sweet Sweet Kingdom, Dragon Palace, Lunar Colony, Wuhu Town, Luigi’s Mansion, Battle Course 1, Urchin Underpass

Booster Pass Characters

The following characters were added through the Booster Course Pass:

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:

• ? Block Suit
• Birdo Suit
• Blooper Suit
• Castle Suit
• Chain Chomp Suit
• Cheep Cheep Suit
• Daisy Suit (Exception: Requires Daisy Amiibo)
• Dolphin Suit
• Dry Bowser Suit
• Goomba Suit
• Ice Cream Suit
• Koopa Clown Car Suit
• Moo Moo Suit
• Para-Biddybud Suit
• Petey Piranha Suit
• Pokey Suit
• Toadette Suit
• Wiggler Suit