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Why Is My Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Booster Course Pass Not Working?

Check the account, eShop download, membership status, and Switch 2 virtual game card to restore access to the Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Booster Course Pass.
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If the Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Booster Course Pass is not working, first check that you own it or have access through an active Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack membership, then confirm the correct user is selected and the DLC is downloaded. Restart the console, verify the pass in Nintendo eShop, and—on Switch 2—check that its virtual game card is loaded.

What you need for Booster Course Pass access

The Booster Course Pass is DLC for Mario Kart 8 Deluxe; the base game is required. Access comes either from a separate purchase or from an eligible Individual or Family Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack membership. Membership access is conditional on an active membership, and the user launching the game must have access through the relevant Nintendo Account. Nintendo also requires an internet connection at launch to verify Expansion Pack membership.

Nintendo’s game information describes the membership access option. If you are unsure which route applies, check the account that bought the DLC or the account holding the membership before purchasing the pass again.

Work through these checks in order

  1. Restart the console

    Hold the POWER button for at least three seconds, open Power Options, and choose Restart.

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    #1 Best Overall
    Mario Kart 8 Deluxe – Booster Course Pass - Nintendo Switch [Digital Code]
    • Racers who have an active Nintendo Switch Online plus Expansion Pack membership will have access to all of these newly-added courses as they are released at no additional cost.
    • Non-members can access the courses as they are released by purchasing the Mario Kart 8 Deluxe – Booster Course Pass on its own.
    • A total of 48 courses from throughout the Mario Kart series are racing to the Mario Kart 8 Deluxe game as paid DLC
    • Speed through location-based courses like Paris Promenade and nostalgic classics like Coconut Mall
    • Courses will release in 6 waves of 8 courses each from March 18, 2022 until the end of 2023. Full version of game required to use DLC. Sold Separately.
  2. Check the pass in Nintendo eShop

    Search for Mario Kart 8 Deluxe – Booster Course Pass in eShop. Nintendo says a separately purchased pass should show as purchased, while membership access should show as downloaded. If eShop offers the pass for download, download it.

  3. Choose a user with access

    Launch the game and select a user linked to the Nintendo Account that purchased the pass or has the eligible active Expansion Pack membership. Access tied to another account may not be available under the user you selected.

    Rank #2
    Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Bundle Standard - Nintendo Switch [Digital Code]
    • Guest characters Inkling Girl and Inkling Boy join Splatoon karts and the Urchin Underpass Battle course
    • Nintendo Switch Online membership (sold separately) and Nintendo Account required for online features
  4. Confirm membership and internet access

    If you rely on Expansion Pack access, confirm the membership is active and that the console is online when launching the game so Nintendo can verify it. You can check the membership in the Nintendo Switch Online app on the HOME Menu.

  5. Check the virtual game card on Switch 2

    Nintendo’s troubleshooting guidance for Switch 2 says the Booster Course Pass virtual game card may need to be loaded. If it is already loaded and access still fails, Nintendo recommends deleting the software and DLC, then redownloading them. Nintendo says deleting the software does not erase save data. If you play from a physical game card, you may need to download the game update again afterward.

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    Rank #3
    Mario Kart 8 Deluxe - US Version
    • Hit the road with the definitive version of Mario Kart 8 and play anytime, anywhere! Race your friends or battle them in a revised battle mode on new and returning battle courses
    • Play locally in up to 4-player multiplayer in 1080p while playing in TV Mode. Every track from the Wii U version, including DLC, makes a glorious return
    • Plus, the Inklings appear as all-new guest characters, along with returning favorites, such as King Boo, Dry Bones, and Bowser Jr.
    • Players can choose a new Smart Steering feature which makes driving and staying on the track easy for novice players and kids even at 200cc
  6. Redownload the DLC and update the game

    For membership access, open Nintendo eShop, choose the Nintendo Switch Online menu, find the Booster Course Pass under Expansion Pack content, and select Download. Also update Mario Kart 8 Deluxe to the latest version.

Nintendo’s DLC troubleshooting guide covers Switch and Switch 2. Nintendo UK also provides regional troubleshooting guidance.

Rank #4
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe + Booster Course Pass - For Nintendo Switch
  • Race your friends in the definitive version of Mario Kart 8, only on Nintendo Switch!
  • Race as every character on every track from the Wii U version, including DLC characters and tracks
  • Battle on new courses, like Urchin Underpass and Battle Stadium, or returning ones, such as GCN Luigi's Mansion and SNES Battle Course
  • Carry two items at the same time
  • Play your friends in local wireless multiplayer with up to 8 players
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Support on Ko-Fi

Check whether the DLC is recognized in-game

Look at the title screen. A Super Star icon immediately to the right of the software version means the DLC is downloaded and the selected user has access, according to Nintendo. If the star is present, enter a racing mode and press Up on the course-selection screen to view the additional courses.

If the star is absent, return to the eShop and account checks above: the pass may not be installed, or the selected user may not have access. If eShop does not show the pass as purchased or available through membership, confirm which Nintendo Account made the purchase or holds the membership before paying again.

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Best Value
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe - Nintendo Switch [Digital Code]
  • Hit the road with the definitive version of Mario Kart 8 and play anytime, anywhere! Race your friends or battle them in a revised battle mode on new and returning battle courses
  • Play locally in up to 4-player multiplayer in 1080p while playing in TV Mode. Every track from the Wii U version, including DLC, makes a glorious return
  • Plus, the Inklings appear as all-new guest characters, along with returning favorites, such as King Boo, Dry Bones, and Bowser Jr.
  • Players can choose a new Smart Steering feature which makes driving and staying on the track easy for novice players and kids even at 200cc

When to contact Nintendo Support

If the entitlement, selected user, download, membership verification, and (on Switch 2) virtual game card checks are correct but the Super Star icon remains absent, contact Nintendo Support. Nintendo’s troubleshooting process directs players to support when those steps do not restore access.

Quick Recap

Bestseller No. 3
Bestseller No. 4
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe + Booster Course Pass - For Nintendo Switch
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe + Booster Course Pass - For Nintendo Switch
Race your friends in the definitive version of Mario Kart 8, only on Nintendo Switch!; Carry two items at the same time

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.

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