The 10 best tracks that aren't in the Mario Kart 8 DLC
With Wave 6 of the Mario Kart 8 DLC released, we now have full confirmation of all the tracks that aren’t being updated for the game, and as expected, there are some that fans aren’t happy about missing out on. While most of the truly big tracks made it into the game, there are still some fan favorites that we’re shocked weren’t chosen to be updated.
Of course, it could be because Nintendo is holding some back for a potential Mario Kart 9, but time will tell on that one. For now, we’ve picked out the best tracks that didn’t make the cut for Mario Kart 8’s DLC.
If you want to see what we think of the tracks that are in the game, check out our list of every Mario Kart 8 Deluxe track ranked from best to worst.
Luigi Circuit – Mario Kart Double Dash
Nintendo
While this isn’t a complex track layout, it is a fun loop thanks to the gimmick of the two main straights being side-by-side, allowing players to cross over with each other. The chaos of drivers and items potentially colliding on this straight was a lot of fun and could easily turn a race around under the right circumstances, so it’s sad we don’t get to see it in a modern game.
Frappe Snowland – Mario Kart 64
Nintendo
This isn’t the most visually interesting map, but it is one of the more famous MK64 tracks thanks to communities, like speedrunners, turning it into something special. Plus, it’s ice to have a bit more of a chill course every now and then to put the real racers to the test.
Dry Dry Ruins – Mario Kart Wii
Nintendo
It’s true that we have plenty of desert tracks (and Mario Kart Wii tracks) in Mario Kart 8 now, but Dry Dry Ruins was always one of the more interesting. The portion of the course that takes you through the ruins gives it a bit of variety compared to the usual sandy planes of most desert maps, and it has some challenging twists and turns in there too.
DK Jungle Parkway – Mario Kart 64
Nintendo
This is one of the most memorable tracks from MK64 thanks to the massive river that’s used as the central feature of the track, especially with the riverboat going up it. With the way MK8’s DLCs have remixed a lot of the tracks, there are easy ways to make this track more of a visual spectacle than it was before.
Maka Wuhu/Wuhu Loop – Mario Kart 7
Nintendo
We’ve combined these two tracks as they achieve the same thing, touring you around the classic island from Wii Sports Resort. With other Nintendo properties like Zelda, Animal Crossing, and F-Zero all getting representation in MK8, it’s a shame that this location never got a chance to shine on modern hardware.
Dino Dino Jungle – Mario Kart Double Dash
Nintendo
It’s a giant course filled with big dinosaurs. Show me someone who doesn’t want to see that on Switch and I’ll show you a liar.
Toad’s Factory – Mario Kart Wii
Nintendo
It’s quite a shock Toad’s Factory never made it to MK8, as it was easily one of the most requested tracks when the DLC was first announced. This square track has plenty going on from a visual perspective, but also allows for a lot of wild racing with the factory floor having plenty of moving parts and obstacles along the way.
Luigi’s Mansion – Mario Kart DS
Nintendo
Given that Luigi’s Mansion is almost Luigi’s whole identity at this point, it’s a real surprise that this map didn’t get ported into MK8. Opening straight into the grand mansion, there are all kinds of opportunities to use the zero-gravity mechanics as we descend down to the bottom of the course. Then the outside section through the woods has lots of tricky turns and muddy patches to slow people down – it’s a perfect Mario Kart course.
Mushroom Bridge – Mario Kart Double Dash
Nintendo
Highway tracks are fair numerous in MK8, but that doesn’t mean we can’t have just one more, as this is easily one of the best versions of those tracks. Mushroom Bridge is a nice open trac to drive around that makes the most of its setting, giving us ocean views, a tunnel section, and a grand bridge right at the end.
Airship Fortress - Mario Kart DS
Nintendo
Widely agreed upon to be one of the best Mario Kart tracks of all time, and yet MK8 completely snubbed it. After driving across a big stone pier you make your way across the deck and through the bowls of the airship, dodging moles and fire along the way before being fired out of a god-damn canon across the map, into a big spiral tower that takes you back to the start. It’s an incredible ride from start to finish, and Mario Kart 9 needs to happen just so we can get a modern version of this track.
