Wave 1 was the "Extra Quality" proof of concept. The goal wasn't just to port old tracks, but to breathe new life into them. When Mario drifted onto , the crowd roared. The escalators were humming, the Miis were cheering in the shop windows, and the music—remastered with live horns—echoed through the atrium. It felt like a homecoming.
You cannot talk about the extra quality of Wave 1 without mentioning the music. Nintendo’s live audio team completely rearranged the soundtracks for these courses.
On February 9, 2022, during a Nintendo Direct, the company announced the . This was a paid downloadable content (DLC) expansion designed to add a staggering 48 remastered courses to the game, which would effectively double the total number of tracks to a whopping 96. The content was released in six separate "waves" of eight courses each, spread out over a period from March 2022 to November 2023. The pass could be purchased on its own for $24.99 through the Nintendo eShop or accessed at no additional cost for members of the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack service. mario kart 8 deluxe nspbooster course wave 1 extra quality
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Booster Course Pass Wave 1 features eight remastered tracks divided into two cups. While the selection provides nostalgic variety, initial player and critic feedback noted a "mobile-game" aesthetic due to many tracks being ported from Mario Kart Tour
From the live-recorded horn sections in Coconut Mall to the traditional Japanese instruments blended with modern rock in Ninja Hideaway , the music adds an undeniable premium feel. The audio tracks are dense, energetic, and perfectly mixed to match the escalating tension of the final lap. The Verdict on Wave 1 Wave 1 was the "Extra Quality" proof of concept
: A triumph of remastering. Nintendo added dynamic fog, flying pastel-colored bats in the cave, and a massive rockfall hazard. The wet, muddy texture of the chocolate track looks exceptional.
| Cup | Course Name | Original Game | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | | Paris Promenade | Mario Kart Tour | | | Toad Circuit | Mario Kart 7 (3DS) | | | Choco Mountain | Mario Kart 64 | | | Coconut Mall | Mario Kart Wii | | Lucky Cat Cup | Tokyo Blur | Mario Kart Tour | | | Shroom Ridge | Mario Kart DS | | | Sky Garden | Mario Kart: Super Circuit (GBA) | | | Ninja Hideaway | Mario Kart Tour | The escalators were humming, the Miis were cheering
A reimagined cloud-based track with bouncy mushrooms and shortcut opportunities.