Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is one of the best Nintendo racers around. Despite being launched in 2017, it runs laps around other games in its class. It boasts a vibrant art style that has helped keep the game fresh years after its release. The beautiful soundtrack drastically improves the player experience as well, and its vast array of beloved characters ranging from DK to Link makes the game a must-try for Nintendo diehards.

The February 2022 Nintendo Direct promised a tempting update for the title. The Japanese video games giant promised a whopping 48 new courses to be added to MK8 Deluxe through 2023. These remastered tracks featuring fantastic retro entries from across the Mario Kart catalog make this the best time to jump into the fray and dominate the opposition.

However, half the fun of Mario Kart is present in the tracks you outpace your rivals on. So here is a ranking of the best racetracks Mario Kart 8 Deluxe has on offer for your racing pleasure.

7. Sunshine Airport

If you just want to pick a track without having to run laps around the selection screen, you can’t go wrong with Sunshine Airport. It is an inoffensive track that has quite a few things going for it. Composed of some simple hairpins and a few alternate routes, Sunshine Airport is like the happy place of Mario Kart 8’s tracks.

It boasts a tense anti-gravity section before the finishing line so players have to stay on their feet throughout the race. And for those of you wondering, yes, you get to fly through an airplane. If you’re new to the title or just want to wind down with a relaxing game, this is the track to go for.

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6. Yoshi Circuit (GCN)

Have you been on the lookout for a track in the shape of a Yoshi? Well, Yoshi Circuit would suit you very well. One of the more chaotic tracks on the list, Yoshi Circuit makes for great drifting practice as you could almost get whiplash in real life from all the times you have to do it during the race. If you want a track in Yoshi’s image, then curves come with the territory.

Yoshi Circuit’s massive popularity from being the only track in the series to be shaped like a playable character means it has appeared in more Mario Kart titles than any other course, as reported by Traxion. So buckle up for a turbulent race and watch out for those Piranha plants.

5. Bowser’s Castle

A track worthy of the ‘Big Bad’ of the series, Bowser’s Castle can be played just for its aesthetics alone. It takes heavy influence from Bowser’s peculiar interior decor habits, as game-wrecking traps line every inch of the course. From laser beams to behemoth Bowser statues that would obliterate you with a single swing, this track has it all.

This track is not for the faint of heart, as giant wrecking balls could cut your winning streak short at any moment. Players need to display some skills with the sticks as sudden right-angled turns and sections, where you could be knocked off, are all too common.

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4. Hyrule Circuit

This was a DLC track based on The Legend of Zelda that came free with Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. Expanding the roster to other Nintendo franchises, Hyrule Circuit is one of the best tracks MK 8 Deluxe offers. Not only is driving through a castle extremely appealing, but the course rewards player skill and track awareness.

The course boasts several shortcuts that veterans can use to cruise ahead of the competition, and a tricky drifting segment opens up the Master Sword route. Furthermore, the track merges Mario Kart with the Zelda themes perfectly as coins are replaced with Rupees and a Zelda background score serenades you. A must-try for every Nintendo fan.

3. Ribbon Road

If you were to ask a Mario Kart fan their favorite track, they would probably say Ribbon Road. The course is strewn with little details that make it endearing for players. Significantly, you can even find a poster for Mario Kart 8 Deluxe in the top-right corner, making this track meta-humor approved!

However, that’s not all the track boasts. It sports cinematic jump sections, demanding zero-gravity segments, and even a last-minute shortcut that might make your opposition rage quit. Ribbon Road is a labor of love and that shows in its polished nature. A definite must-try for those with the chops to pull it off.

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2. Mount Wario

No Mario Kart 8 course ranking could ever be complete without the high-octane Mount Wario. This track is like a cinematic masterpiece, and definitely would make you feel like the protagonist for besting its plethora of tricky environments. Easily one of the most innovative tracks in the series, it is actually three separate parts rolled into one.

The player will leap from a helicopter and drift alongside massive cliffs, enter a cave, and exit into an industrial region. A lot more craziness ensues before you end with a massive ski jump. This is a track that demands every second of the player’s attention, as you could fall off at any moment. And its graphical brilliance is just the cherry on top.

1. Rainbow Road (N64)

Coming down to number one, this spot has to go with the track that is synonymous with the Mario Kart franchise itself. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe makes Rainbow Road into a space station full of conveyor belts, curves, and even some Easter eggs for sharp-eyed observers to discover. One of the best depictions of the track in the franchise, the nostalgia itself is enough to warrant it a place on the list.

However, its breathtaking visuals, coupled with amazing level design, make it worthy of its number one spot. Players are always at a risk of falling off the course. Furthermore, this track shares a similar level design to Mount Wario. Its three separate segments rolled into one. These elements combine to make Rainbow Road the most enjoyable experience in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe.

Which is your favorite Mario Kart course? Let us know in the comments below.