Mario Kart 8: The 2nd wave of DLC tracks could come in the summer

The new tracks for MK8 are coming very soon.

The Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Expansion Pass brings us 48 new tracks by the end of 2023, coming in six “waves”. Nintendo released the first eight courses in March, but the DLC has been quiet since then. With a regular release, a new package would have to appear every four months – so it would theoretically be ready in July. And indeed, there are concrete indications that it could rain on new routes very soon.

Mario Kart 8 ad hints at 2nd DLC wave

It’s all about this: Twitter user PushDustIn spotted an interesting advert by 7-Eleven department store in Japan promoting the 1st wave of DLC tracks for Mario Kart 8. So far nothing new, but two aspects are interesting:

• First, as mentioned, the last DLC pack was released in March. Renting an expensive advertising space now actually makes no sense for Nintendo.
• Second, the ad comes with an expiration date—on July 17, it’s scheduled to be removed (or updated) again from 7-11.

Here you can get all information about the MK8 expansion pass:

And what does that mean now? In the comments below the tweet, several users point out that in the past DLC for Super Smash Bros. Ultimate could be predicted in exactly this way. Fans are counting on the new DLC tracks being released either before July 17th (i.e. this week) or shortly after (early next week).

But, attention: Of course, this is not an official confirmation, and so far Nintendo has not commented on the 2nd wave. However, there are many indications that we do not have to wait much longer.

The launch trailer shows the first legs of the DLC:

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Mario Kart 8 Deluxe: Launch trailer for the track pass DLC shows tracks of the first wave

How will the 2nd wave be announced? Of course, there needs to be a platform on which the new routes are shown. Some fans are expecting Nintendo to do a proper Direct again soon after the last presentation dedicated to games from third-party studios. But that’s unlikely in the middle of summer, and gamescom is taking place at the end of August, and the company won’t be there.

More news about Mario Kart:

A Direct is therefore not to be expected before September. But it probably won’t be that long before we’re allowed to speed over the new courses. So there is a good chance that Nintendo will only advertise it with a short video that will be distributed via Twitter and the other usual channels.

When do you expect the next DLC for Mario Kart 8?