All 96 Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Tracks Ranked

As a seasoned gamer with over two decades under my belt, I must say that the Yoshi’s Island track in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe has left an indelible mark on me. Growing up, I was always captivated by the whimsical world of Yoshi, and this track truly encapsulates everything that makes the series special.

2021 stands out as a remarkable year for numerous factors. Among these, we welcomed fresh games into our daily routines, inducted a new group into the Shacknews Hall of Fame, and celebrated significant gaming milestones. One celebration that warranted particular focus by Shacknews was the ten-year anniversary of Mario Kart 8’s initial release on the Wii U. This installment in Nintendo’s esteemed franchise has outlasted all its predecessors, remaining popular during the Wii U era and consistently ranking among the highest quality and best-selling games for the Nintendo Switch since then. In honor of this milestone, Shacknews undertook the task of ranking the 96 tracks in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe.

It sounded like a simple task. How hard could it be to rank 96 tracks, right? The Shacknews staff learned real fast, as we frequently butted heads over the course of the year, talking about which track was better than another, which deserved to be at the top of the list, and which deserved to sit at the bottom. Eventually, a spirit of reasoned debate, scientific methods, and fair play prevailed, and the team was able to assemble our definitive ranked list of Mario Kart 8 Deluxe’s tracks.

We’re sharing our compiled list with you, encouraging passionate discussions among readers in the comments section and beyond. Let the debate begin!

All 96 Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Tracks Ranked

If you’re interested in joining the Shacknews team as they replay, debate, and rate the various tracks in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, we recommend checking out their videos on the Shacknews YouTube Channel.

96. Baby Park

Steve Tyminski, host of The Stevetendo Show, received heartfelt criticism from Shacknews staff regarding this particular course. They found it to be a repetitive, chaotic sequence of close-quarters combat, but not in an enjoyable manner. The compact nature of the track causes items to collide with players randomly without any apparent logic or tactical consideration. To add insult to injury, the track design is also uninspired.

How this Mario Kart Double Dash track made it back into the rotation for Mario Kart 8 is anybody’s guess. It’s about as fun as an actual park full of crying babies.

95. Cheese Land

It was easy to come up with the worst track in the game, but coming up with the second worst was a journey that nearly lasted to the end of our streams. Ultimately, the ignominious honor went to Cheese Land. After getting tripped up on the track’s many potholes (it’s cheese, get it?) and losing momentum through its many unintuitive turns, the staff realized that nobody was really having any fun here.

Even the typically enjoyable presence of a Chain Chomp couldn’t prevent Cheese Land from occupying this position on our list, with only Baby Park keeping it from achieving complete notoriety.

94. Rome Avanti

93. New York Minute

92. Mushroom Gorge

91. Dry Dry Desert

90. Ice Ice Outpost

89. Grumble Volcano

88. Shroom Ridge

87. Rosalina’s Ice World

86. Shy Guy Falls

85. Piranha Plant Slide

As a gamer, I was really looking forward to taking on the Piranha Plant Slide track. The concept of an underground pipeway sounded exciting, offering the chance to ride along with the river’s current for speed. However, the track design seems to undermine this idea by littering it with unnecessary obstacles and sharp turns that slow down any potential high-speed maneuvers. More often than not, something gets in my way, making the experience less enjoyable. It’s a real shame because I think with some tweaks, this track could have been a real winner.

As a devoted fan, I had high hopes for this track to place higher, but following an extended debate among us, it ultimately found its spot here.

84. London Loop

83. Donut Plains 3

82. Super Bell Subway

81. Rainbow Road (Wii U)

80. Riverside Park

79. Big Blue

78. Piranha Plant Cove

77. Rainbow Road (SNES)

In this timeless course, you might find yourself clouded by the rose-tinted lenses of nostalgia. Veteran gamers definitely recall the thrill of their inaugural Rainbow Road experience. Navigating to this track was a feat and the initial race across it sparked awe in everyone who did it for the first time.

In essence, excluding the Wii U (which is surprisingly the most recent), Nintendo has generally improved upon the Rainbow Road concept in the subsequent years after its release. However, while racing through this remastered version, I didn’t feel that same enchantment as before. Moreover, the ground reacting to shockwaves slightly diminished the overall action experience.

I’ve seen my fair share of Rainbow Roads over the years, and while this track isn’t terrible, it doesn’t quite measure up to some of the masterpieces that followed. It’s like comparing a delicious appetizer to a mouthwatering main course – both are tasty, but one leaves you craving more.

76. Sunset Wilds

75. Mario Circuit (GBA)

74. Bone Dry Dunes

73. Dolphin Shoals

72. Dragon Driftway

71. Sky-High Sundae

70. Cloudtop Cruise

As a devoted gaming enthusiast, I must express my appreciation for the captivating atmosphere of Cloudtop Cruise in Super Mario Galaxy. The stunning visuals and immersive music truly elevate its presentation. However, I find myself puzzled as to why it seems to have been ranked relatively low among some fellow gamers.

At the two takeoff points, there seems to be a lack of ideal positioning, leading to a perceived loss of speed. It’s almost like these spots are the antithesis of a “perfect jump.” Additionally, factors such as the dashboard layout and the ever-present risk of lightning strikes add to the inconvenience. All these elements combined make the track less enjoyable, causing it to rank lower on our preference list.

69. Boo Lake

68. Ninja Hideaway

67. Toad Circuit

66. Wild Woods

65. Snow Land

64. Singapore Speedway

63. Koopa Cape

62. Hyrule Circuit

Without a doubt, the team at Shacknews has openly expressed their affection for The Legend of Zelda series. One might assume that the Zelda-themed track would be a favorite, but surprisingly, this isn’t the case. Despite Nintendo delivering an impressive presentation and capturing the essence of Zelda in terms of visual aesthetics, if you strip away all the familiar elements associated with the series, what remains is a rather dull track.

At the end of the track, there are quick access points and a location within the castle for taking a jump from a ramp. These features prevent the track from ranking lower on the list. However, with some improvements, it could have been significantly better.

61. Mario Kart Stadium

60. Water Park

59. Daisy Circuit

58. Mario Circuit (Wii U)

57. Berlin Byways

56. Athens Dash

55. Mario Circuit DS

54. Tokyo Blur

53. Mario Circuit 3 (SNES)

Approaching the middle of this list, let’s spotlight a track that embodies “middle-ground.” There’s nothing objectionable about Mario Circuit 3 from the vintage Super Nintendo era. Yet, it doesn’t have any outstanding features either. In fact, it wasn’t the most exceptional Mario Circuit in that game, making its return somewhat intriguing.

This isn’t necessarily negative. It offers opportunities for shortcuts, thoughtfully arranged dashboard layout, and engaging track design that fosters fundamental gameplay. However, it doesn’t stand out in any particular area, placing it squarely in the middle of the list.

52. Vancouver Velocity

51. LA Laps

50. Paris Promenade

49. Yoshi Circuit

48. Sweet Sweet Canyon

47. Electrodrome

The Electrodrome received mixed reactions from the staff and may potentially stir up debate regarding its placement. Some appreciate it due to its distinctive style, thrilling gliding segment, and anti-gravity section, while others are less enthused. Supporters often praise its unique presentation, the well-integrated glide portion, and the anti-gravity area. Critics, however, point out issues with the implementation of the split green and pink pathways, as well as certain spots where it’s easy to lose balance and fall off the track.

In simpler terms, we found a balance with this one. Some of us really enjoy this track, while others don’t. Therefore, it falls slightly towards the higher end in our rankings.

46. Wario Stadium

45. Moonview Hideaway

44. Squeaky Clean Sprint

43. Sydney Sprint

42. Amsterdam Drift

41. Bangkok Rush

40. Madrid Drive

39. Choco Mountain

38. Bowser Castle 3

Delighted was the Shacknews team to find Bowser Castle 3 revamped as part of the Booster Course Pass DLC. However, unlike our memories suggested, it seemed more akin to its Mario Kart Tour version rather than the Super Nintendo original. Nevertheless, the visuals were exceptional, and the anti-gravity segments were handled skillfully. The turns have been softened slightly compared to before, which might irk purists, but we appreciated the effort to enhance speed sensation.

It’s clear that Bowser excels at designing exciting racetracks, as demonstrated here and another one coming up in the list.

37. Animal Crossing

36. Kalimari Desert

35. Mute City

34. Sky Garden

33. Wario’s Gold Mine

32. Waluigi Stadium

31. Daisy Cruiser

As a fan, I found myself initially hesitant about Daisy Cruiser due to some of its seemingly gimmicky aspects that threatened to undermine its overall appeal. However, despite these reservations, the game managed to impress me in several ways.

On the spacious decks outside, the ship offered an exciting spot for picking up speed. During our study period, these areas often saw thrilling conclusions due to their open expanse.

30. Coconut Mall

29. Toad’s Turnpike

28. Sherbet Land

27. DK Summit

26. Rock Rock Mountain

25. Twisted Mansion

In various iterations of Mario Kart, spooky mansions and ghost houses have been quite diverse, offering both thrills and challenges – somewhat like Halloween’s “trick or treat” concept. Among these, the Twisted Mansion in Mario Kart 8 stands out by taking advantage of its advanced mechanics. It features an engaging underwater segment, plays with one’s perception, and includes a gliding section that allows racers to land on either of two distinct stages.

Enhance it with a few Hammer Bro figurines, and you’ve got one of Mario Kart 8’s intriguing courses that effectively employs Mario’s spectral villain cast.

24. Neo Bowser City

23. Toad Harbor

22. Merry Mountain

21. Thwomp Ruins

20. Peach Gardens

19. Rainbow Road 64

18. Sunshine Airport

At Sunshine Airport, racers are challenged to reach extreme speeds, experience moments of flight, and feel the rush like nowhere else. The expansive lanes along the airport’s perimeter create a unique track layout with two distinct paths – one above and one below the plane’s wings. This setup culminates in an exhilarating leap at the end of each lap, as all racers perform a thrilling landing back at the airport’s main entrance.

As I soar through the skies, the sweeping curves and expansive runways of Sunshine Airport offer a thrilling sight that ranks among my favorite tracks in this game.

17. Rainbow Road Wii

16. Bowser’s Castle Wii U

15. Music Park

14. Yoshi Valley

13. DK Jungle

12. Moo Moo Meadows

11. Cheep Cheep Beach

10. Ribbon Road

Ribbon Road captivated the Shacknews team with its distinctive visual charm, crafted from assorted crafting materials and toys. A transparent ribbon forms the primary pathway, while the curves are intuitive, jumps are delightful, and the challenges are fresh without being overbearing. Additionally, some areas offer opportunities for shortcuts across turns and through gliding sections, making it an exciting track to experiment with.

9. Waluigi Pinball

This particular track has gained classic status and uniquely, it’s associated with Waluigi. Racing through this track feels akin to stepping into a time machine, transporting competitors back to the 70s and 80s, an era when pinball reigned supreme. Remarkably, one of the standout features of this track is a stretch over a massive pinball playfield complete with flippers, bumpers, and a giant pinball that can move in any direction. Luckily, the field is spacious enough to steer clear of the pinball, but its unpredictable movement makes it tricky to stay on course.

That’s the fun of Waluigi Pinball, one of the most dazzling concepts in franchise history.

8. Excitebike Arena

Some tracks attempt to mimic their originals too closely, resulting in a rather dull experience. This was true for Hyrule Circuit, Animal Crossing, and the two F-Zero tracks. However, Excitebike Arena managed to avoid this pitfall. It successfully captured all the excitement of the original Excitebike, from its visual design to the layout of ramps. At the same time, it maintained a fun and lively feel as a Mario Kart track, offering thrilling jumps and expansive lanes for speeding up.

In terms of crossover tracks, it’s only second to our top track.

7. Maple Treeway

The Wigglers constructed an outstanding course filled with entertaining half-pipes and inviting jumps, which navigate racers through a strategically arranged tree track. Piles of leaves serve as unique obstacles since they may obstruct the driver’s path but occasionally hide useful items such as stray Mushrooms. The turns are skillfully designed to boost speed and feature thoughtfully placed dash panels that can result in thrilling collisions with fellow competitors.

As a gamer navigating through Maple Treeway, I’ve found that this game keeps me on my toes with its unforeseen twists and turns. But beware, those pesky Wigglers are quite formidable!

6. Tick-Tock Clock

Somebody got the idea to turn this classic Super Mario 64 stage into a Mario Kart track and the result is sublime. With numerous dash panels and moving gears, the potential is there to build a head of speed. While this was originally a Mario Kart DS track, it took Mario Kart 8’s addition of glide ramps to help Tick-Tock Clock reach its full potential, launch players across moving gears and pendulums before making a landing and hitting the gas to pick up even more speed.

The visual presentation is out of this world and the metronome-style beat of the music makes Tick-Tock Clock a Mario Kart classic.

5. Rainbow Road 3DS

This exemplifies the ultimate concept of the Rainbow Road: an exhilarating track from the series, skillfully blended by Nintendo with both perilous and fantastical elements. The course remains as challenging as any Rainbow Road, yet offers ample opportunities for enjoyment, particularly towards the end where it seems a racer is plummeting to their demise, only to miraculously land on the lunar surface instead.

The Rainbow Road that typically springs to mind upon hearing its name is a track brimming with delightful leaps, testing curves, and an indelible ambiance – a veritable classic!

4. DK Mountain

Among various Mario Kart tracks, DK Mountain is undeniably the most thrilling, as it commences with an explosive burst from a DK barrel and escalates in intensity throughout. The descent offers an exhilarating experience, allowing players to choose between executing sharp maneuvers or careening into daring halfpipe ramps for maximum speed.

As you near the end of the wooden bridge, things can become quite challenging, particularly if the competition is neck-and-neck. This part marks the climax of a truly exhilarating journey.

3. Mount Wario

One way to rephrase the given text is as follows: Instead of the typical three-lap structure in Mario Kart, there are tracks that feature a single path from start to finish. Among these, Mount Wario stands out for its unique snowy mountain design, which is divided into three distinct sections. These sections include slalom paths, a rapid river adorned with dash panels, and a thrilling final straightaway where players soar through the air before hitting one last S-curve to finish.

After reaching the finish line, there’s just enough moment to let out a contented sigh before every racer halts their kart. This finalizes an extraordinary adventure that is uniquely Mario Kart.

2. Royal Raceway

The Royal Raceway embodies the essence of straightforward Mario Kart design, offering a course laced with straight paths, easy curves, and abundant opportunities for mushroom-boosted shortcuts. This layout emphasizes traditional Mario Kart strategies, ensuring that skillful racers tend to emerge victorious. However, it’s not without contemporary updates – the track features an exhilarating gliding segment where competitors fly side by side, a nod to newer additions in Mario Kart 8. Moreover, the finishing straight has been optimized to discourage racers from veering onto the grass and instead focus on the thrilling race to the end line.

In Mario Kart 64, we used to be able to go on a detour to Peach’s Castle, but now it seems that option is no longer available. However, this doesn’t diminish the grandeur or the fantastic design of Royal Raceway in any way.

1. Yoshi’s Island

In the realm of Mario Kart, Yoshi’s Island signifies numerous aspects. It’s among the latest original courses developed by the Mario Kart team, distinct from those initially conceptualized for Mario Kart Tour. This track also serves as one of the last collaborations, merging seamlessly with Yoshi’s delightful spin-off franchise. Among these crossovers, Yoshi’s Island stands out as the best, maximizing its theme and crafting a stunning track around it. Unlike tracks like Hyrule Castle or Animal Crossing where removing the theme could result in an average or below-average course, Yoshi’s Island shines brilliantly on its own. This track is meticulously designed, boasting essential turns and straightaways, culminating in one of the game’s most delightful jumps.

Of course, the theme certainly doesn’t hurt. The Yoshi theme is everywhere, from the song that plays over the race, to the various Yoshi’s Island rogues gallery walking around during different phases of the race, to the secrets that make those games so engaging. The shortcut on the final jump is a total “chef’s kiss” moment. This is a shortcut that needs to be earned by performing a precision glide over the “?” cloud, which activates a platform in total Yoshi’s Island style. Anyone who watches the hidden bridge unfurl out of thin air feels a sense of accomplishment unlike anything else in the game. It’s a rare example of a moment that feels like it hits the crossover theme right while also being a standout Mario Kart moment.

Following our vibrant journey across Yoshi’s native lands all year round, the Shacknews team always leaves with a smile on their faces once they reach the end. Essentially, it’s like playing classic Mario Kart at its finest, which is why we confidently call it the superior track in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe.

2024-12-19 21:28