The Wave 5 Booster Course tracks forMario Kart 8are finally here, with the brand-new Feather and Cherry Cups providing a nice mixture ofunderrated classicsand a few new additions that will help to freshen up the game and keep it fun and exciting. Just like with the other Waves, Wave 5 will be bringing eight new maps to the game, but as a bonus, it will also feature three new characters:Kamek, Wiggler, and Petey Piranha.
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Since this is the pre-ultimate Wave expansion forMario Kart 8, fans are expecting Nintendo to reserve some of the heavy hitters for the final drop, but they certainly haven’t held back this time around with a few classics being thrown into the mix, alongside what might just be the best new track in aMario Kartgame in the last few years.
8GBA Sunset Wilds
There’s no denying that Sunset Wilds is a truly beautiful track, with the sunset in the distance providing a delicate warm orange haze that makes each race feel very relaxed and chilled out, and while the map layoutreally isn’t complicated at all, it’s still a nice addition thatnewer playerscan get to grips with very quickly.
Unfortunately, it will probably be very easy for this track to get mixed up with the large selection of other circuit tracks that are currently available in the game, but it’s still worth trying out, even if it’s just to admire the amazing color palette that covers this track, which made its first appearance inMario Kart Super Circuit.
7Wii Moonview Highway
There’s no doubt that Moonview Highway is a real feast for the eyes in terms of its visuals, with the entire track having a very noir aesthetic to it thanks to the giant dark skyscrapers and the illumination provided by the moon, but the truth is, the track is fairly standard in its layout and doesn’t provide many surprises.
The Bob-omb cars that race by definitely ramp up the challenge and force players to always keep their eyes peeled while racing across the highway, but this is definitely a more underrated track fromMario Kart Wii, which didn’t blow people away as much as many of the other tracks in that game, but still a welcome addition nonetheless toMario Kart 8.
6Wii Koopa Cape
Mario Kart Wiiis a gamenotorious for its difficulty, with many of the tracks requiring precise drifting to be able to navigate through them without crashing or flying off the edge, and Koopa Cape was certainly included in that mix, with the water streams and Boost Panels causing every racer to move at a break-neck pace while sliding around every corner.
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Of course, the visuals of the track have been enhanced tremendously since its days on the Wii, with the bright colors of the Koopa Shells and lush greenery all coming together to create a wonderful medley of colors. To fit with the mechanics of the game, the underwater portion of the map has now been turned into an anti-gravity section, which is very good news considering how infuriating moving around in the water can be in theMario Kartgames.
5Tour Los Angeles Laps
While racing around the stunningly beautiful Tour Los Angeles track, keen-eyed players will be able to spot some native landmarks including the Santa Monica Pier, 777 Tower, and even the Beverly Hills City Hall, making it very easy to get distracted from the race itself. The track has a very nice pace to it, starting with a large beach before moving into much narrower sections where Shells of any kind are sure to deal some serious damage.
The jingle that plays in the background of this track is also incredibly infectious, and considering that each lap changes up the layout and moves into a different environment, the track does an excellent job at making the player feel like they are exploring thebig and wonderful city of Los Angelesin all of its glory.
4Tour Vancouver Velocity
Another map with plenty of landmarks to spot including the Rogers Arena and Vancouver Public Library, Tour Vancouver Velocity is a track that manages to provide the perfect balance of wide open spaces and smaller passageways that makes it extremely accessible and easy to get familiar with after a lap or two.
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While the streets of Vancouver will keep players on their toes thanks to the quick and sudden sharp corners, it’s the ice hockey rink where things can go wrong very quickly as the skating Shy Guy and a wide array of item boxes mean there’s going to be plenty of explosions going off, and even more Shells bouncing off the walls. The music that accompanies the track is also incredibly jovial and upbeat, bringing the whole city to life and making it a real joy to race through.
3Daisy Cruiser
While it unfortunately seemed like the iconicDouble Dashtrack,Daisy Cruiser, wasn’t going to make the final cut, luckily Nintendo listened to the fans and has brought the beloved track back in the latest DLC, with the updated visuals ushering this track into a brand-new era ofMario Kart.
The track is still admittedly quite short, but considering how many obstacles and surprises are scattered throughout each lap, it helps to even out the difficulty, making it a fairly simple but very enjoyable track to race through. The moving tables, giant staircases, andswimming Goombasare all here, and of course, that iconic seaside tune is also re-appearing to add to all the nostalgia and even features some brand-new violin melodies to modernize it a little bit.
2Tour Athens Dash
Out of all the real-life locations that were featured in the tracks fromMario Kart Tour, Athens is one of the most jaw-dropping in regard to the level of detail and care that Nintendo put in to make the environment feel as fully realized as possible, and while there have definitely been some creative liberties taken when designing the track, there are still plenty of references toGreek culturethat are well worth looking out for.
The Acropolis, Pantheon, and Erectheion all tower above the track in the background, while the racers explore the ancient ruins that are filled with Boost Panels and half-pipes that keep the action frantic and fun at all times. The two golden Danaides that can be seen at the beginning of the track give the player a good idea of what they’re in for, with wonderful architecture and dazzling Greek statues popping up all over the track and even a few branching pathways, which help to provide a different experience every time players jump onto the track.
1Squeaky Clean Sprint
Nintendo has put an incredible amount of effort into making their new tracks as exciting and unique as possible, and Squeaky Clean Sprint might just be the best one yet, with the whole track being set in a bathroom. As players race through this weird and whacky stage, they will need to avoid crashing into toothbrushes, bars of soap, and bottles of shampoo to reach the finish line in one piece, but what really helps this track stand out even more is just how varied it is.
One moment, players could be trying to land a lucky Shell shot while racing over a toilet seat, while the next they might be traveling underwater after falling down the drain of a sink. There are plenty of hidden routes in this track to look out for too, including a water geyser on a wooden shelf which can lead players to an alternate finish line that actually hovers above the regular one. All in all, this track is one of Nintendo’s best in many years and is sure to go down as a very memorable addition toMario Kart 8.
