The DEFINITIVE Mario Kart 8 DLC Tier List | Wave 1

Starting with Wave 1, I'm going to be ranking every single race of the Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Booster Course Pass in the same tier list. By the time we have every single DLC wave, we should have the most definitive Mario Kart DLC ranking list on the entire internet. Exciting!
Let me know what your rankings are in the comments, and SUBSCRIBE to the channel so we can hit our first major milestone of 100 subscribers!

[@patrickschornstaedt5913]

Disliked. Justice for toad circuit!! I can't believe you just glossed over the fact that there are GIANT FLOATING TOADS! I mean what more could you want? Graphics? No! A challenge? No! Giant toads? Yes please!

[@realPSherman]

My uncle works at Nintendo and I heard they’re gonna make the Toad Balloon a playable character in the next dlc wave.

[@calvinalejandrox7143]

Well, bein' completely objective, Toad Circuit is not the worst, but the less good from the first wave, but that doesn't mean is bad. Actually, is one of the best beginners courses in all senses. A course that deserves to be named the worst of all, is the first circuit from Mario Kart DS, which is very bland and completly empty.

[@GameGuy53]

@@calvinalejandrox7143 I can get behind that. If we get figure 8 circuit from DS in a future DLC wave, we’re gonna have to make a new tier for it.

[@harrybest2041]

@@realPSherman Toad Balloon is going to become the new creepypasta. Make way, Tails Doll.

[@harrybest2041]

@@calvinalejandrox7143 I played Mario Kart DS once on Download Play, and Figure-8 Circuit was the worst out of the courses I've played. I'm glad someone agrees with me. If it gets added to Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, it better get a brand new transformation like with most of the GBA courses in the game.

[@MGMVE]

I remember Toad's Circuit from 7 when I first played. I liked it a lot. Glad Nintendo put it in Wave 1. Playing it on the booster course pass was actually pretty fun.

[@GameGuy53]

One man’s F-Tier is another man’s S-Tier. This is a judgement free zone, and I’m glad to hear you’re enjoying the booster pass!

[@MrTCLawesome]

You’d be a good lawyer

[@dirtreynolds1456]

Shroom Ridge deserves justice. An actual challenging vehicle track (what we all though Toad’s Turnpike would be.) It’s so fun when you get a corner just right! The blind corner coming out of the tunnel can be troublesome, but it’s little things like that (and the gust of wind coming out of the tunnel) that I think make it a phenomenal track. A tier!

[@GameGuy53]

I hear you, and I have definitely had a change of heart since making this list about Shroom Ridge. I think after having spent more time on these tracks, I would probably swap Shroom Ridge with Tokyo Blur and keep everything else the same. May have to make the official amendment at the start of the wave 2 video!

[@ejparas8492]

mr. gameguy - I tried these tracks out for the first time a few weeks back. I really enjoyed all these maps (agreed that toad circuit is unfortunately an F - sorry patrick) but this was such a pleasant (and funny) watch. good stuff, bruv!

[@GameGuy53]

Thank you, sir! Glad we’re in agreement on the Toad Circuit situation.

[@crispbongo26]

For me, Tokyo Blur and Shroom Ridge should be switched, but this is a good ranking overall. Also, the quality and humor of this video are way too high for you to only have 56 subscribers, keep up the good work!

[@GameGuy53]

Totally fair, I was pretty close to putting Shroom Ridge higher, and it's even grown on me since I made this list. Those 6-4 spots were an honest tossup for me! And hey thanks for the compliment, I'm glad to be putting out content that at least some people can find enjoyable!

[@JAWNDOEmusic]

YES - he's ranking shroom ridge waaaay too low, also he keeps talking about 'oncoming traffic' - there's literally none of that on the track, all the cars are going the same direction as you lol

[@GameGuy53]

@@JAWNDOEmusic LOL good point - you got me there. I guess it ‘feels’ like it’s oncoming because we’re going faster than it. Also, not gonna lie, since I made this video Shroom Ridge has grown on me a bit and there may need to be some amendments at the start of the eventual wave 2 video.

[@lightdarksoul2097]

Cocoa Mountain makes me wanna try to take a bite of the mountain.

[@GameGuy53]

This is too true.

[@imaginationsquare]

"The remixed coconut mall theme is enough to make a gown man cry" As a person who has made a KZbin video on why the new music is that much worse than the original, I can understand why you'd cry :)

[@peterweiland7537]

i dont want to be that guy but you misspelled Road Circuit

[@thatoneguy7191]

Don’t worry, i’ll be that one guy for you

[@dg_777player5]

Good list overall. I don't agree with the new GBA Sky Garden being solid and DS Shroom Ridge being so close to GBA Sky Garden but beyond that I enjoyed the list. And by the way, ramp escalators actually exist in malls, not just stair ones (they are usually there to help you carry shopping carts up and down). Here's my personal choices: S - Tour Ninja Hideaway (I was blown away when I say this course popping up in Mario Kart Tour as it is super complex and fun to drive through in comparison to most original tracks from that game. I love all the alternate paths and the theming, it's one of the best courses of all time and definitely my favourite in the Booster Course Pass), Wii Coconut Mall (besides for the cars not moving anymore this course is still as amazing as it was in Wii, not much to say besides that) A - DS Shroom Ridge (I think this course is pretty underrated because it got overshadowed by masterpieces in DS. It's a pretty creative concept on the cars genre and really fun to drive on with all the curves), N64 Choco Mountain (I always loved this course in Mario Kart DS and the remake made it justice while changing things up a bit. It's pretty different from the original but I honestly like both versions in their own right (unlike GBA Sky Garden), Tour Paris Promenade (although this is just a spot above Tour Tokyo Blur, this course is leagues ahead of it and this is where courses start to be really good for me. I love the layout, the different paths, the theming and basically everything about it. It just isn't higher for the competing courses are just slightly better) B C - Tour Tokyo Blur (this is just too basic of a course and doesn't have much going for it. The only thing that saves it from being bad is the theming and the different paths each lap) D - 3DS Toad Circuit [not a bad course (in fact, I just despise GBA Sky Garden's remake) but certainly a questionable choice. I think it's good but too basic (rightfully so since it's a beginner course in 7 but still). I think 3DS Wario's Shipyard, 3DS Rosalina's Ice World or 3DS Shy Guy Bazaar would've been better choices] F - GBA Sky Garden (this used to be my favourite GBA course in its original form and it got completely ruined here. I hate how simplified, basic and small it became when compared to the original. The old version had a way better layout, size and clever shortcuts that, if done faithfully, could have become one of the best courses in Mario Kart history. It's just pathetic after seeing what they did with GBA Ribbon Road and GBA Cheese Land)

[@GameGuy53]

I can get behind your reasoning here on all of these - I was very close to dropping Tokyo Blur down a peg because of almost the exact reasons you said, for me it might’ve just been the “shiny new toy” feel that kept me from doing that. You’re so right that the GBA layout is far superior in Sky Garden, if they kept that layout with this art style, I think it would be an A or even an S. Also I’m glad you’re into Shroom Ridge, it’s such a satisfying course to drift, I was pretty close to having that higher too. The middle part of my list honestly could’ve been shuffled any which way, I felt that there was a relatively even level of quality throughout numbers 6 through maybe 3. But hey thanks for the thoughtful comment! I’m looking forward to seeing if the next wave changes how we look at these tiers at all. I also had no idea there were malls in the world that had ramps like those, thank you for enlightening me!

[@dg_777player5]

@@GameGuy53 I understand, since many people didn't play Tour that much it felt like a brand new and exciting course (especially with the different paths). GBA Sky Garden was just straight up ruined for me and there's almost nothing I like about the new one. I'm glad you were at least mixed on DS Shroom Ridge for I feel like that course is quite underrated. In Portugal those ramp escalators exist in malls alongside the stair ones (they haven't got arrows but still) so at least the immersion isn't gone from Wii Coconut Mall. Anyways, thank you for taking the time to read my lengthy comment.

[@goboom7]

Great content. I noticed the way you speak in your videos, very clear. I'm also trying to aim for this comedic yet scientific commentary.

[@GameGuy53]

Thank you! I checked some of your videos out too, you're off to a solid start. Keep up the great work!

[@donutsstars4897]

Quite fair, I can agree with most of these rankings

[@GameGuy53]

Thanks! I’m glad someone in this comment section isn’t here to defend Toad Circuit!

[@MGMVE]

@@GameGuy53 Lets face it, you gave Toad's Circuit an F it's easy for you to go with the flow since most Mario Kart fans don't like it. I had a lot of fun with it. regardless. I'm happy it's back!

[@thegreatLL500X]

Yeah I just found this guy today. This is great!! Better think twice about that Shroom Ridge though. Wait would I be considered an og if this channel blows up?

[@GameGuy53]

I’m glad you dig the channel, you will absolutely be considered an OG when we eventually shoot to the moon baby! And ya know, since I posted this video a few weeks ago, I’ve played the game a bit more and I may have had a change of heart about shroom ridge… there may need to be an amendment to the list at the start of the Wave 2 video

[@lolmaster1229]

If we were to rank these by their remixes then with no question that Shroom Ridge is at least a top 4 song out of the 8 DLC tracks so far

[@GameGuy53]

This 100%. That song absolutely shreds.

[@christiang9968]

You deserve so many more subscribers

[@GameGuy53]

Thanks man, I'm still working my way up the ladder. Glad to have you here!

[@CaidenTube]

dude this guy deserves so much more subscribers great content and great editing!

[@GameGuy53]

Thank you so much for the kind words! I only just started posting consistently about a month ago, so we’re still early in this journey. Hoping to build a community here!

[@CaidenTube]

@@GameGuy53 awesome

[@rocbot9479]

@@GameGuy53 you are so epic

[@MarioKartGamerDude]

Subscribed to you man, good video! Hope you get to 100 subs!

[@GameGuy53]

Thanks for the sub, we're almost there! I checked out your channel too, pretty creative stuff. A sub for you as well!

[@MarioKartGamerDude]

@@GameGuy53 Thank you, glad you like it!

[@imaginationsquare]

FINALLY someone adressing the artstyle as an ARTSTYLE and not a downgrade, THANKS! (don't start yelling at me, I also prefer the DLC artstyle, sure, but I HATE that the game is split into 2 artstyles now, heck, with Wave 3 seemingly going full not-so-mario realism again I'm even more irritated that now 1/6th of the game has a diffirent artstyle, *couldn't they just keep it nice and clean 50/50 omg* )

[@GameGuy53]

You're right, it does throw off the cohesive feel of the game a little bit for sure, could be enough to give someone Mario Kart-induced OCD! It did feel like Wave 2 skewed slightly back in the direction of the base game, but maybe that's just because they updated the graphics so we can get the wheels dirty again lol

[@adamajora1003]

It's so weird being in Wave 5, looking back at what people thought of Wave 1 at launch, with how off of a tier list this is. Mostly with the City tracks being so high, because now, people look at half of the City tracks, especially the ones in Wave 1, and call them okay at best.

[@GameGuy53]

This is so true. Between you and me I don’t even know if I think Ninja Hideaway is S anymore at this point. We’ll see at the end of it all. Wave 1 feels like it was a decade ago. Sometimes when I play with my friends and a Wave 1 track comes up they’re like “is this DLC or regular” and I’m like damn, we’ve really had these for a while!

[@mmarrone]

Gotta question your science degree if you're scientifically ranking Toad Circuit as F. Also, there is A L W A Y S time to play Pac Man Fever!

[@AlmightyBruce]

Paris Promenade - 8/10 Toad Circuit - 6/10 Choco Mountain - 8/10 Coconut Mall - 7/10 Tokyo Blur - 8/10 Shroom Ridge - 9/10 Sky Garden - 6/10 Ninja Hideaway - 10/10

[@GameGuy53]

I’d say these are pretty fair scores! Really looking forward to seeing how Wave 2 treats us this Thursday!

[@dakotawaller1695]

Thank you so much :)))

[@bimagamongmop419]

Justice for Toad Circuit! As a long time Mario Kart 7 player, I LOVE this track and the soundtrack remix is so good. I don't give 2 things about the visuals as long as I can see where I'm going

[@GameGuy53]

I love your reasoning, “as long as I can see where I’m going.” Very true and very valid!

[@LoganverseS1]

I might be classified as mentally insane but I like Toad Circuit

[@GameGuy53]

Should you get checked out by a mental health professional? Probably. But are you still welcome here? Absolutely.

[@LoganverseS1]

Ok cool

[@jkahl5596]

I pretty much completely agree with this list

[@bulborb8756]

I get this is a late comment, but at some point Coconut Mall was updated to actually have the cars move

[@GameGuy53]

It's funny you mention that here because I've been meaning to address that in every video since and I've just forgotten every single time. I swear it will make it into a video before the end of the DLC cycle lol

[@dibby4316]

Do you personally create all of the art and animated assets in your videos?

[@GameGuy53]

It’s a mix! I animate a lot of it myself, and the videos are entirely edited by me, but for the sake of saving time (because animating from scratch takes ages) I’ll pull some assets from After Effects packs I have licensed. I also have some talented artist friends who drew the cartoon image of me!

[@elkarlo1593]

I like the vibe of generic tracks that just focus on being simple fun But man, 4 of them in one wave of 8 was a terrible idea

[@GameGuy53]

My feelings exactly. Though it might be different if they were revamping the tracks a little more like they did with some of the remasters in the base game!

[@elkarlo1593]

@@GameGuy53 I feel like people wouldn't complain so much about Shroom Rigde specifically if it was either the only one or one out of two generic looking tracks of the wave, I'm glad people are finally putting the graphics aside and just appreciating how good of a track it actually is

[@jww1674]

My list DLC 8. Tokyo Blur (this track is good but it got boring after 5 minutes and this is the track I get the most bad luck on) 7. Toad Circuit (the graphics are terrible but I like simple tracks) 6. Paris Promenade (it would be 4 if the song wasn’t boring) 5. Shroom Ridge (the cars are annoying but I like this track) 4. Choco Mountain (everything about this track is good but not amazing) 3. Coconut Mall (love this track and you just got coconut malled) 2. Sky Garden (very good track the song is a banger) 1. Ninja Hideaway (by far the best track of all everything is perfect ranks 3 in my best track list apart from mount wario and big blue)

[@GameGuy53]

This is a unique list - I understand your reasoning behind it all though! Interesting that you have Sky Garden at 2, I haven’t seen many people placing it that high. Completely understand the Tokyo Blur placement, I’ve become less enthusiastic about it myself since creating this list. Thanks for sharing this!

[@JAWNDOEmusic]

this is my list - a liiiittle diff but our top 3 are the same: -MK8DX Wave 1 DLC review (not in order but scores out of 10): -Paris Promenade: 8.9/10 Nice layout/alternate paths Love the change up for the final lap doing the course in reverse Great Theme in the surroundings/Music -Toad Circuit: 7.2/10 Not bad, just boring but it’s an intro ‘circuit’ track Has one decent shroom/ramp shortcut I like how the glider ramp pops up after the first lap Simplified Graphics but gives it a clean aesthetic -Choco Mountain: 7.8/10 Good layout but way too short Pays homage to N64 while using simple but effective graphics Boulder section well implemented Awesome ‘chocolate’ aesthetic -Coconut Mall: 9.3/10 Looks very bright, cool location/theme incorporating surroundings like escalators etc Nice track layout especially the way they implemented the glider section Two different paths for much of the race -Tokyo Blur: 7.1/10 Interesting city location Cool layout with 3 unique laps laps and a shroom shortcut Way too short, not particularly interesting Glider Section is kind of pointless -Shroom Ridge: 8.3/10 Seems a little boring at first but simplicity works Two cool shortcuts, glider ramp and the air boost at the end The layout/angles of turns and spacing of the cars make it a joy to drift on -Sky Garden: 8.0/10 One of the best looking DLC tracks Decent shortcut near the end Fun track with good layout but too short Double leaf shortcut & glider section at the end are both kind of pointless -Ninja Hideaway: 9.2/10 Best looking track in Wave 1 with unique & well executed theme/music Multiple paths, taking advantage of the verticality Two different glider sections that are longer than usual and require skill Only issue are two turns that are a little awkward as far as the layout

[@GameGuy53]

I dig this take - I can totally understand Tokyo Blur being at the bottom here, despite the varying laps, none of the laps are particularly exciting. I think your point about Toad Circuit being an intro course speaks to a larger point of hoping that we don’t get too many more intro courses in later waves - feels like those slots could be better used for other more wanted courses. Glad we agree on the Sky Garden aesthetic! Also, someone else commented that they would want to take a bite out of Choco mountain, so yeah they definitely nailed the chocolate look. I really appreciate that you took the time to type an entire thought out list here - thanks for engaging!

[@imaginationsquare]

In Mario Kart Tour the props often also end up being very big tho, not THIs much, but for this detailed tracks I think this has always been an issue in Mario Kart

[@GameGuy53]

It's funny you mention that actually because after I started dissecting these courses and noticing the little (or in this case, large) details, I went back into the base game and noticed the same things in plenty of those courses too. Some toads are just thick I guess.

[@magnusb9783]

Honestly I mean I like ninja hideaway one of the good tracks to actually come out of Mario Kart Tour but I don’t really like the whole basically just being port straight from Mario kart tour with minimal enhancements. For me though coconut mall no longer really feels like coconut mall without the moving cars, miis, but also maybe it just feels off when it’s not on the wii.

[@thatoneguy7191]

Pretty good ranking! They really butchered coconut mall though, D-tier for me. Wii version was A-tier.

[@bastianhackett9102]

This is my ranking 8. 3DS Toad Circuit 7. GBA Sky Garden 6. Tour Paris Promenade 5. DS Shroom Ridge 4. Tour Tokyo Blur 3. N64 Choco Mountain 2. Tour Ninja Hideaway 1. Wii Coconut Mall

[@dakotawaller1695]

Lol I like sky garden lol

[@LuanaSouza-fw1iz]

I wonder how would be the tier list if you did put other non dlc tracks in it 🤭

[@GameGuy53]

We may just have to find out one of these days... it's crazy to think that we can eventually have a 96 track tier list, all from the same game!

[@lainezh]

good vid, in my opinion the dlc is overpriced for what it gives

[@GameGuy53]

I can see what you mean, hopefully, by the time all of the DLC Waves are out, it will be fully worth the price. Though I do think it would be nice if they gave us a few characters along with the courses, that would make the value even better!

[@SMPSMLParodies_]

*SPOIL ALERT* A track coming in Wave 2 Amsterdam From MKT is coming to the wave

[@mailpaper7754]

In my opinion, Paris Promenade is overrated. Sure it looks great but the whole gimmick to the city tracks are a different path each lap. Paris' first 2 laps are the exact same and then the last lap is just backwards, and each path aren't that eventful or fun. Not as boring as Tokyo Blur but its praised way more than it probably should be. (Also people are blinded by nostalgia so Coconut Mall being different is automatically trash to them. The original is iconic but it definitely is pretty ugly. Don't get how people prefer a plain white building with huge letters over this.)

[@GameGuy53]

I can understand your take on Paris Promenade - I think for me what keeps it on par with the other cities we’ve gotten since is the ambience. I prefer the Paris vibe to a lot of the others, it feels unique to me. And I actually recently played the Wii version for the first time in a while and I think I agree with you on coconut mall here! I think this is a fine take on the race.

[@mailpaper7754]

@@GameGuy53 I agree on that. I may not like the track itself but the ambience is nice and the track does work for the first in the game. And I do get the hate about the cars or escalators but this is a great remake and a visual improvement.

[@henweehee]

Just a heads up your white noise/static sound transitions are way too loud and annoying you might want to change that. otherwise good video

[@GameGuy53]

Noted, I’ll keep an ear out for it next time. Were you listening on headphones? Thanks for pointing it out.

[@henweehee]

@@GameGuy53 yea I was but maybe I just have sensitive ears seeing as no one else pointed it out. Just trying to help I dont mean to bash your work.

[@GameGuy53]

@@henweehee don’t feel bad I’m glad you said something, I always find myself questioning those little things when I edit so now I know for sure. I want to make sure even the people with sensitive ears can listen with no issues!

[@cesarmarroquin9930]

All these maps are great but what needs to fixed is the Mario Kart Meta....No offense but you are using a top tier Kart...Soon as I wake up brush up eat breakfast...I say to myself "Man, I feel like playing online mario kart". *Finds a lobby* People rocking the Caterpillar, lady bug thingy, Mr Scooter i think?Complete Dissapointment...not fun....Idk but Nintendo needs to fix thier 💩 its so bad lol

[@GameGuy53]

I don’t disagree - at the very least they could have used a cooler looking kart combo to be the best available option. But you’re right, I’d like to be able to pick any combo in the game and not feel like I’m compromising stats just to play as whatever I want online. I can’t tell you how many lobbies I’ve been in that are just 10 Waluigi + Wiggler players.

[@CrustyTrayson]

eh

[@lhmlmrkqazoojlbuzchd2497]

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