This may seem blasphemous for a Nintendo fan, such as myself, to say, but I was not going to buy Mario Kart 8. After playing seven different versions of Mario Kart, I’ve honestly had my fair share. I really didn’t want to pay to get more of the same. That is until downloadable content, or DLC, came into the picture.
Becoming Stale
Don’t get me wrong, I love the Mario Kart games. I’m not much of a racing game junkie at all, so if I had to choose from all the racing games out there, Mario Kart definitely comes out on top.
Even with all the koopa shell tossin’, banana slippin’, and the joy of racing as my favorite characters from the Super Mario universe, my interest in the series was waning. Aside from enhanced graphics (and the new anti-gravity gimmick), Mario Kart 8 was not delivering a new experience. It stayed true to its safe and successful formula.
The eighth rehash of the same, old Mario Kart? Thanks, but I’ll pass this time.
This is partly why I love Nintendo games, because I’m buying a tried-and-true gaming experience. That’s the Nintendo Seal of Quality for ya. This predictability also comes with its shortcomings though. Eventually, despite guaranteed quality, I’m going to want something different.
Without some notable changes, the value for what’s going to be marketed as a “new” gaming experience significantly decreases. Why should I pay to play Mario Kart 8 when I can still get similar entertainment from Mario Kart 7 or Mario Kart Wii? I prefer to spend my money on games that deliver new, fun experiences. Something I feel would get me a lot more bang out of my buck.
The eighth rehash of the same, old Mario Kart? Thanks, but I’ll pass this time.
The DLC Makeover
On August 26, 2014, a few months after Mario Kart 8‘s release, Nintendo made a big announcement. Massive Mart Kart 8 DLC packs were on their way, adding 16 new courses, plus new drivers and karts.
This was not just some update that added Mercedes-Benz cars. This was fresh and exciting new content for the Mario Kart series.
For the first time, the Mario Kart series was getting crossover characters like Link from The Legend of Zelda franchise and Isabelle and Villager from the Animal Crossing series. Even better, some of the new courses will take place in the worlds of The Legend of Zelda and Animal Crossing too.
This was not just some update that added Mercedes-Benz cars. This was fresh and exciting new content for the Mario Kart series.
This is exactly what Mario Kart 8 needed to convince me to purchase it. With the addition of these new characters and courses, Mario Kart 8 was now able to distance itself from its predecessors and deliver its own unique Mario Kart experience.
Mario Kart 8 DLC Details
I’ve never been a big proponent of DLC before. To be honest, this is really the first time I’ve been excited about DLC. I really want to play as Link and race around Hyrule.
The packs are available for advance purchase and are scheduled to deliver the following:
Pack 1: The Legend of Zelda X Mario Kart 8 (Release Date: November 2014) – $7.99
- 3 Characters: Tanooki Mario, Cat Peach, Link
- 4 Vehicles
- 8 Courses
Pack 2: Animal Crossing X Mario Kart 8 (Release Date: May 2015) – $7.99
- 3 Characters: Villager, Isabelle, Dry Bowser
- 4 Vehicles
- 8 Courses
Pack 1 + Pack 2 Bundle – $11.99
- 6 Characters: Tanooki Mario, Cat Peach, Link, Villager, Isabelle and Dry Bowser
- 8 Vehicles
- 16 Courses
- As a bonus for purchasing both packs bundled or individually, buyers receive eight new colors for Yoshi and Shy Guy. Those who advance purchase both packs can begin using the Yoshi and Shy Guy characters immediately.
Mario Kart 8 is becoming more like “Nintendo Kart” now, but I’m glad to see Nintendo take advantage of its IPs (intellectual properties) in fun and exciting ways. In this case, the Mario Kart 8 DLC has gained them one more consumer of their product. Surely, I’m not the only one.