The Ultimate Journey: Mario's Iconic Character Joins Console Mario Kart at Last!

The long-awaited next update to Mario Kart 8 Deluxe will introduce a new racer who has been highly anticipated for over two decades. The Booster Course Pass in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe has proven to be incredibly successful, revitalizing the game and offering fans a glimpse into the series' past with the addition of new tracks. These new tracks have not only expanded the game's content but have also reintroduced tracks that were once only featured in the series once before. However, perhaps the most exciting aspect of the Booster Course Pass lies in the introduction of new drivers.

Since the introduction of DLC characters through the Booster Course Pass in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, fans have been eagerly speculating on who will be added next. Over the years, the Mario Kart franchise has expanded significantly from its original eight racers in Super Mario Kart. Following the first major roster expansion in Mario Kart: Double Dash!!, each subsequent game has continued to expand the roster, often surprising players with unexpected additions such as R.O.B. in Mario Kart DS. The Mario Kart series has continually evolved and grown, with Mario Kart 8 Deluxe's Booster Course Pass being a testament to this expansion.

Kamek Has Been Waiting 26 Years To Get Into a Mainline Mario Kart

In an early version of Mario Kart 64, there was supposed to be a new driver named Kamek. However, during the development process, he was replaced by Donkey Kong. Despite this change, early footage still shows Kamek on the character select screen. Unfortunately, Kamek's appearance in the Mario Kart series never materialized and he disappeared from the game for over two decades. It's interesting to note that an icon was even created for him in the original version of Mario Kart 8, but he still didn't make it into the final game.

The continuous exclusion of Kamek from the series is surprising, especially considering his notable presence in older Mario games. Ever since his debut in Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island, Kamek has frequently appeared as an antagonist. While he may not be featured in every Mario game, when he does make an appearance, he typically plays the role of Bowser's right-hand man or a high-ranking member of his army. In fact, Kamek has even been playable in certain spin-off titles like Mario Golf: World Tour. However, for the longest time, Mario Kart remained out of his reach.

Kamek finally found his way into the main Mario Kart series with the announcement of the 5th DLC wave for Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. Although he made his debut in the mobile spin-off Mario Kart Tour, this version of the game had simplified controls for mobile gameplay. Now, players can fully control Kamek in the classic Mario Kart style in the biggest game of the series. While Mario Kart 64 is a classic, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe provides the perfect platform for Kamek to make his long-awaited appearance.

It has been a long wait of 26 years between Kamek's supposed appearance in Mario Kart 64 and his introduction in the newest installment of the series. With his history and significance as one of Bowser's key allies, it was only fitting for Kamek to join Mario Kart 8 Deluxe as a DLC character, much like the first Booster Course Pass character, Birdo. It is a great sight to see Kamek finally receiving the recognition he deserves and taking his rightful place in the Mario Kart lineup. This achievement is definitely worth celebrating after such a long journey.

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is available now for the Nintendo Switch.