Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Booster Course Pass Wave 3 Releasing Next Week

Eight more courses are bringing festive fun to the Mario Kart 8 Deluxe game with the Mario Kart 8 Deluxe – Booster Course Pass DLC* for the Nintendo Switch system on Dec. 7! With the addition of Wave 3 courses, 24 of the 48 courses in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe – Booster Course Pass will be available to play.

The Wave 3 courses include the frolicking fields of DS Peach Gardens and the frosty merriment of Merry Mountain, which features seasonal sights and sounds to take in while cruising around the track’s frigid peaks and towering pines. Plus, enjoy the colorful views of London Loop from the Mario Kart Tour mobile game and navigate galactic turns in the 3DS Rainbow Road course, just to name a few. To see all eight Wave 3 courses in action, check out an overview trailer here: https://mariokart8.nintendo.com/booster-course-pass/.

Wave 3 features the Rock Cup and the Moon Cup, with classic courses appearing from the Mario Kart series across the Wii, Game Boy Advance, Nintendo DS, Nintendo 3DS and Mario Kart Tour games. Each course can be played locally or online. Cups are divided as follows:

• Rock Cup
• Tour London Loop – Gobsmack your rivals as you drift around familiar landmarks and into first place in this England-inspired course originating from the mobile game Mario Kart Tour.
• GBA Boo Lake – Get your feet wet on this spooky, Boo filled track set on a haunted lake in this course that originated in Mario Kart: Super Circuit!
• 3DS Rock Rock Mountain – Careful, sharp turns and bouncing boulders abound on this high-altitude course. Here’s a mountaineering tip: Ramp over a warp pipe to put some wind in your sails!
• Wii Maple Treeway – Leap through the fall foliage and race across massive trees on this course from Mario Kart Wii – just don’t disturb the Wigglers enjoying an autumnal stroll!
• Moon Cup
• Tour Berlin Byways – Watch out for falling Whomps and Thwomps as you make your way around the stunning sights in this course that originated in Mario Kart Tour.
• DS Peach Gardens – Chirping birds, bopping Chain Chomps and fields of flowers flourish on this course set in the vast gardens of Peach’s castle from Mario Kart DS! Can you spot all the familiar topiaries?
• Merry Mountain – Hit the halfpipe and bank up the snowy hills on this charmingly festive course from Mario Kart Tour that features massive candy canes and wrapped gifts galore. And … is that a flying sleigh train?
• 3DS Rainbow Road – Look up in the sky – it’s … Mario! Rainbow Road winds and twists around multiple planetoids on this celestial course that originated in Mario Kart 7 on Nintendo 3DS.

With the upcoming launch of Wave 3, which will join Wave 1 and Wave 2, half of the Mario Kart 8 Deluxe – Booster Course Pass courses will be playable, with another 24 still to come next year! The roster of currently raceable courses already includes Wii Coconut Mall, N64 Choco Mountain, DS Waluigi Pinball, Wii Mushroom Gorge and Sky-High Sundae, as well as Ninja Hideaway, New York Minute and Tokyo Blur from Mario Kart Tour, and more. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe – Booster Course Pass includes six separate waves, with eight courses each, which will all be released by the end of 2023.

Super Mario Maker 2, 2.0 Update Adds Link, New Ninji Speedruns Mode, New Course Parts And Enemies

Super Mario Maker 2 is getting a legendary update. On December 5th, a free update to Super Mario Maker 2 for Nintendo Switch adds Link from The Legend of Zelda series as a playable character, plus new course parts and a new gameplay mode. Check out the Super Mario Maker 2 – The Master Sword, new course parts and more! trailer.

After downloading the Ver. 2.0.0 update, the new Master Sword item will be available to use exclusively in the 8-bit Super Mario Bros.style. When this new course part is picked up, Mario will transform into Link, equipped with a new set of moves like attacking with a sword, shooting arrows and dropping bombs.

In the recently released The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening for Nintendo Switch, Link encounters familiar characters from the Super Mario games like Piranha Plants and Goombas, but this time Link is joining a Super Mario game in Super Mario Maker 2.

Transforming into Link using the Master Sword opens up a whole new world of design possibilities for creators. Using his arrows, Link can shoot far off switches that Mario would normally not be able to hit. His new down thrust move with the sword will defeat usually protected enemies like spike-covered Spinies. And with bombs, some walls that would normally be impassable by Mario and friends can easily be blown up.

In addition to Link, the update also adds more course parts and enemies, as well as a new Ninji Speedruns mode, perfect for players looking for a challenge.

• Dash Block: Available in the Super Mario 3D World style, the Dash Block course part gives Mario a major speed burst when stepped on.
• Frozen Coin: These coins are surrounded by a block of ice and can only be released if melted by fireballs or other fire elements, including a certain angry sun.
• P Block: When a P Switch is hit in the course, invisible P Blocks temporarily turn into hard platforms, or vice-versa.
• Spike: This classic enemy coughs up massive spike balls and launches them at Mario. If used in the snow environment, Spike will toss snowballs instead!
• Pokey: The iconic stacked cactus from multiple Super Mario games joins Super Mario Maker 2 for the first time. Players can even edit the height of each Pokey.

In the new Ninji Speedruns mode, players can take on a timed challenge in courses created by Nintendo exclusively for this mode. Other players’ Ninji Ghosts will run alongside players as they compete against rivals from around the world. The Ninji Ghosts that appear are selected from player data at a similar performance level, so players can gradually improve their performance by running the course alongside other players’ Ninji Ghosts. Players can also collect stamps by clearing courses and redeem them in-game to get special Mii costumes.

Each Ninji Speedrun event will run for about one week, with new courses distributed periodically. During the event, players will be ranked by their play time in that course. Players can still run the course alongside Ninji Ghosts and collect stamps even after the event period has ended.

Mario & Sonic 2020 Coming In November, Features Classic 2D Events

SEGA has revealed that Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 will feature 10 classic events in 2D giving them a nice retro feel. The game releases on Nintendo Switch system on November 5th in North America and November 8th in Europe. Check out the trailer below. 

Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 takes the series to a new dimension with 10 classic 2D events. The game releases Nov. 5 in the Americas & Nov. 8 for EU!https://t.co/ADEy17y2ZL#Tokyo2020 #OfficialVideoGame #MarioandSonic pic.twitter.com/l9X5uJnD37

— Sonic the Hedgehog (@sonic_hedgehog) August 20, 2019

Breath Of The Wild Content Now In Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Via Update

Nintendo has announced a new update to Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, which adds some Zelda content from Link's latest adventure to his Mario Kart races. Here are the patch notes, for version 1.6.0:

• New character added: Link (Champion's Tunic)
• New vehicle added: Master Cycle Zero
• New tires added: Ancient Tires
• New glider added: Paraglider

The content here comes from Breath of the Wild. Link's blue Champion Outfit is as close to a canon outfit as you can get in a game that lets you change clothes on the fly. The Master Cycle, introduced in the Champion of the Ballads DLC, is Link's motorcycle, making a natural fit for the Mario Kart series.

A new update to #MarioKart 8 Deluxe is available now for #NintendoSwitch! Race like a champion with the Master Cycle Zero and Champion’s Tunic Link from The Legend of #Zelda: Breath of the Wild! This update also includes the Ancient Tires and the Paraglider parts! pic.twitter.com/cpxwRpdhcB

— Nintendo of America (@NintendoAmerica) July 20, 2018

Mario Is Coming To Google Maps For Mar10 Day

Google has announced that it’s teamed up with Nintendo for Mar10 Day on March 10th. Nintendo’s iconic plumber will feature in Google Maps for the week. All you will need to do is update the Google Map app and you can then switch the blue navigation arrow that marks your car’s position in navigation mode into Mario. To get this to work simply click on the yellow question mark block found in the Mario games at the bottom of the Google Maps app. 

Wahoo! Now you can navigate the world as Mario in @GoogleMaps to celebrate #MAR10Day! Check out #MarioMaps on Google Maps now for a week. pic.twitter.com/iX3uZMfLrc

— Nintendo of America (@NintendoAmerica) March 9, 2018

Nintendo Confirms Animated Super Mario Movie

Nintendo has officially confirmed the animated Super Mario Bros. movie. Nintendo is partnering with Illumination to make the movie. The movie will be co-produced by Shigeru Miyamoto and Chris Meledandri. The announcement was made on Twitter.

Nintendo and Illumination are partnering on a movie starring Mario, co-produced by Shigeru Miyamoto and Chris Meledandri! pic.twitter.com/wVRPLIzcGJ

— Nintendo of America (@NintendoAmerica) February 1, 2018

Nintendo Expects The Super Mario Bros Movie To Release By 2020

Nintendo president Tatsumi Kimishima has told Japanese publication Kyoto Shimbun that he hopes to make an agreement soon regarding the upcoming animated Super Mario Bros movie. Nintendo doesn’t have a partner yet for the movie, but it’s thought that they are teaming up with Illumination Entertainment. If everything works out the file should be ready by 2020.

Super Mario Cereal Is Real But Only Coming To US

You can put your suspicions to rest as the Super Mario Odyssey themed cereal images floating around the web is indeed real. It turns out that it’s even being produced by Kelloggs in the United States. Unfortunately it doesn’t seem to be releases outside of the US. It also looks like the cereal will even feature Amiibo support for Super Mario Odyssey. 

Hey I don't know if this is a legit cereal coming up, but if it is I want to help show that there is demand for it in the UK.

— Infin (@SwintendoNitchy) November 29, 2017

It’s Been Confirmed, Mario is Punching Yoshi In The Head In Super Mario World

On the official Nintendo website, Nintendo developers Takashi Tezuka and Shigefumi Hino were interviewed about the creation of Super Mario World. During the interview, the longstanding debate regarding Mario’s animation when he’s riding Yoshi was brought up. People have often debated whether Mario was pointing at Yoshi to command him to use his tongue, or if in fact, he was punching Yoshi in the back of the head.

Hino has cleared this up, by explaining what he meant in his original drawings. “Lots of people think that while Mario is pointing his finger forward, he’s saying ‘Go,’ and Yoshi’s tongue comes out,” said Hino. “However, the set up that I drew was that when Mario punches Yoshi in the head, the character’s tongue shoots out in surprise.” “What’s more,” Hino continued, “there’s an added ‘bop’ sound. However, it seemed like people would say ‘Poor Yoshi,’ so that’s why it became that Mario is saying ‘Go.'”

Thoughts ? All this time I though Mario was just pointing forward. 

Mario Party: The Top 100 Coming To Nintendo 3DS In November

During the September 2017 Nintendo Direct video presentation, Nintendo revealed Mario Party: The Top 100 for Nintendo 3DS. It seems to be a compilation of the series’ best minigames. It’s launching on November 10th.

Featuring a curated list of classic minigames, #MarioParty: The Top 100 launches on the Nintendo #3DS family of systems November 10th. pic.twitter.com/bndxZHHGNQ

— Nintendo of America (@NintendoAmerica) September 13, 2017

Super Mario Run Has Been Downloaded More Than 150 Million

After being released 7 moths ago, Super Mario Run has been downloaded 150 million times. As a free-to-play title, how many of those downloads lead to actual purchases? Nintendo president Tatsumi Kimishima confirmed to Pocketgamer.biz that the game has been purchased by fewer than 10% of the people who've downloaded it. "This may be due to the price or the payment methods, so in the future we will consider not only a single set price, but other methods that incorporate a wider variety of elements to allow as many consumers as possible to play," Kimishima said.

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Has Been Updated To Version 1.2

A new update for Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is now available, bringing the game to version 1.2. Among the notable additions include more amiibo functionality, tweaks to online matches, item regulations and various bug fixes. The complete list of changes in version 1.2 is as follows:

• Players can use Pikmin-themed amiibo to unlock a Pikmin Suit for the Mii driver.
• Race rules and course name are now displayed on loading screens for online and wireless play, as well as Mario Kart TV.
• Players who are behind in online matches will receive items geared toward catching up more frequently.
• In online matches, no more than two Piranha Plants will be granted as items at the same time.
• Controls are no longer unresponsive when the timer runs out when choosing a Mii racing suit for online matches.
• When a player uses an item right after the Super Horn in online matches, that item will now remain available for other players.
• Item wheel no longer spins continuously in online matches.
• Online matches now end as intended 30 seconds after the first place racer finishes.
• The Boomerang now returns to the first slot, if possible, after a player catches it.
• Items shown in a player’s item slots now display correctly when holding an item behind them.
• No longer possible to use an item after it has been used to block an attack.
• Communication errors no longer occur frequently while spectating or after spectating online matches.

Miyamoto Doesn’t Wanna Remake Mario Games’ While Believing Mario Still Has Potential

Legendary video game developer Shigeru Miyamoto has revealed in a recent interview that despite fans requests he doesn’t feel like he wants to remake any Mario titles.

"Despite that new, more fleshed-out design for Mario, Miyamoto says he has little interest in revisiting his older games, even with new technology. “I don’t really feel like I want to remake any of them. It’s more natural to always create new mechanics and new games.”

He went on to say he still believes Mario has potential. 

“As a child I wanted to be a manga artist, and as a manga artist usually you have this symbolic character that’s yours. And you try to use that character in many different stories and episodes that you create, almost like how Hitchcock is in every one of his movies. For me, Mario is that, and I want to create as many different games as possible using Mario. And I still think there’s a lot of potential and possibility left.”

Here’s Info On The Rumored Mario-Rabbids Game

Famed for her Nintendo information leaks, Emily Rogers has given some new info on an unannounced game that supposedly features Nintendo’s mascot Mario and Ubisoft’s Rabbids. She has said the following:

“Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle” has eight playable characters — including Mario, Luigi, Peach, and Yoshi — and they each have their own sci-fi weapons, laser guns, arm cannons, etc. But you don’t control the characters — you control Tuttorio, a small floating dish, to guide them through the worlds. There is also co-op multiplayer.

It’ll be interesting to see if this game gets announced at E3. Thoughts ?

Super Mario Run Runs On The Unity Engine

According to the official Unity Twitter account, Super Mario Run will use the Unity video game engine. Unity is more or less the main video game engine for mobile game development but it’s nice to have confirmation by the team. Super Mario Run is set to be released in December on iOS.

We are thrilled that the legendary creators @NintendoAmerica are bringing Mario to mobile for the first time, and it's #madewithunity pic.twitter.com/iN7a2Ptee5

— Unity (@unity3d) November 1, 2016

Shigeru Miyamoto Reveals Mario’s Age

In an interview with independent, Nintendo’s Shigeru Miyamoto revealed some interesting facts about their mascot. According to Miyamoto, Mario is only 24 years old. Apparently, this is one of the only defined elements of Mario’s character. While Mario’s facial hair may suggest otherwise, the plumber is yet to enter his thirties. Thoughts on Mario’s age? For some reason I always thought he was in his 30’s. 

Shigeru Miyamoto Says Mario And VR Aren’t Right For Each Other

In a USA Today interview, Shigeru Miyamoto was asked if Mario is ready for virtual reality as he is coming to smart devices. The answer from Miyamoto was that virtual reality and Mario just wouldn’t work. “I would agree that adapting Mario to new platforms is a key to keeping him relevant,” he said. “But we want families to play together, and virtual reality (which requires players to be closed off from the real world) doesn’t really fit well there. We also like people playing for a long time, and it’s hard to do that in VR.” Thoughts ?

Nintendo Announces Super Mario Run For iOS

During Apple’s media event today, Nintendo and Apple have announced that they’re teaming up to bring Super Mario to the iPhone. The game is called Super Mario Run and is a side scrolling 2D adventure where Mario runs automatically to the right. The longer you hold down on the screen the higher Mario jumps and progress is tracked by score. There’s also a new battle mode called “Toad Rally.” The game is set to launch this holiday season exclusively on the iPhone and will come to Android at a later date.

An epic moment. Mario is heading to iPhone & iPad. #SuperMarioRun. Only on the App Store. https://t.co/RUoFlEfsyP pic.twitter.com/JATw7l30xb

— App Store (@AppStore) September 7, 2016

UPDATE 9/8/16 - The upcoming Mario game won’t arrive on Android devices in 2016, according to Mario creator Shigeru Miyamoto. 

No Mario’s Sky Renamed Due To A Copyright Claim

Nintendo has taken down No Mario’s Sky (a mix of Super Mario and No Man’s Sky) due to a copyright claim. However that hasn’t stopped the team who were behind the game as they have cleverly  relaunched the game as DMCA’s Sky. ASMB who created the game in just 72 hours also released a statement due to the takedown notice. The game is free and is available to download, here.

Mario Appears At The Closing Ceremony For The Rio 2016 Olympics

The 2016 Olympics have come to a close, but not before a familiar face in gaming made a surprising appearance at the Closing Ceremony. Tokyo will be hosting the next Summer Olympics in 2020. As per tradition in Olympic closing ceremonies, the current hosting country hands over the reigns of Olympic hosting over to the successor country. The successor country then “introduces themselves” to the world in a segment of their own. A skit was done where, after realizing he wouldn’t make it to Rio on time, Japanese prime minister Shinzō Abe transformed into Mario and eventually arrived in the center of the closing ceremony via a warp pipe. Abe removed his Mario costume, waved to the crowd, and then the segment ended with ended with some holographic imagery. The classic Mario victory fanfare for completing levels played when the fireworks went off at the end of the ceremony. Just the mere appearance of Mario caused Nintendo to experience a slight jump in its stocks. Check out video of the segment, along with a couple of tweets on Nintendo’s stocks below.

#Tokyo2020 already stepping the game up!!! pic.twitter.com/HBbDZCAztS

— . (@lmfaofa) August 22, 2016  

This is what happens when Nintendo show Mario at the Rio Olympics.... pic.twitter.com/kgWtTuA7ar

— Daniel Ahmad (@ZhugeEX) August 22, 2016