PR: Mario Kart 8 DLC to cost $7.99 per pack, $11.99 for both

REDMOND, Wash.–(BUSINESS WIRE)– Two new downloadable content packs will take the world of Mario Kart 8 in directions the franchise has never seen before, while significantly expanding game-play options. The packs, which launch this fall and in spring of 2015, and are available for advance purchase starting Aug. 27 at $7.99 each (or $11.99 for both), deliver a ton of new content, including first-time crossover characters like Link from The Legend of Zelda franchise and both Isabelle and the Villager from the Animal Crossing series.

Two new downloadable packs, which launch this fall and in spring of 2015, and are available for advance purchase now at $7.99 each (or $11.99 for both), deliver a ton of new content, including first-time crossover characters like Link from The Legend of Zelda franchise. (Photo: Business Wire)

In addition to these two new downloadable content packs, a previously announced game update goes live Aug. 27 that adds a variety of new features, including three free Mercedes-Benz cars that players can race: the modern Mercedes-Benz GLA, the 300 SL Roadster from the 1950s and the legendary Silver Arrow of the 1930s. Go to http://ninten.do/6181WR6B to view a video of the in-game karts in action.

“More than 1 million Wii U owners in the United States alone are already enjoying the fun of Mario Kart 8,” said Scott Moffitt, Nintendo of America’s executive vice president of Sales & Marketing. “Mario Kart 8 already includes the largest number of characters, karts and options of any Mario Kart game to date, and these amazing expansion packs give players even more choices.”

Each pack will contain two new cups, each with four courses, which, in total, increases the number of currently available courses by 50 percent. The DLC packs include classic courses like Wario’s Gold Mine from Mario Kart Wii, as well as new courses, some taking place in the worlds of The Legend of Zelda and Animal Crossing. New vehicles will also arrive with each pack, including the Blue Falcon kart representing the F-Zero franchise in the first DLC pack.

Mario Kart 8 owners who purchase both packs starting Aug. 27 will get access to eight new colors of Yoshi and eight new colors of Shy Guy to race with immediately. To purchase the packs in advance, users with a broadband Internet connection can click the new “Shop” icon in the game or visit the Nintendo eShop on Wii U.

The DLC packs are scheduled to include the following:

Pack 1: The Legend of Zelda X Mario Kart 8 (Release Date: November 2014) – $7.99

• 3 Characters: Tanooki Mario, Cat Peach, Link
• 4 Vehicles
• 8 Courses

Pack 2: Animal Crossing X Mario Kart 8 (Release Date: May 2015) – $7.99

• 3 Characters: Villager, Isabelle, Dry Bowser
• 4 Vehicles
• 8 Courses

Pack 1 + Pack 2 Bundle – $11.99

• 6 Characters: Tanooki Mario, Cat Peach, Link, Villager, Isabelle and Dry Bowser
• 8 Vehicles
• 16 Courses
• As a bonus for purchasing both packs bundled or individually, buyers receive eight new colors for Yoshi and Shy Guy. Those who advance purchase both packs can begin using the Yoshi and Shy Guy characters immediately.

For more information about Mario Kart 8, visit http://mariokart8.nintendo.com. Remember that Wii U features parental controls that let adults manage the content their children can access. For more information about this and other features, visit http://www.nintendo.com/wiiu.

$11.99 is not that bad for both packs if you ask me.  That means you can add 16 new courses, 8 new vehicles, and plenty of new characters for less than half the cost of Mario Kart 8 by itself.  Nintendo is opening up preorders for the DLC packs starting tomorrow.  I don’t usually like to pay for content until it’s closer to release but $11.99 is close to an impulse buy for me since I’d probably forget to do it later and you get the Yoshi/Shy Guy colors immediately.

Are you guys excited for the DLC packs?  Do you think $11.99 is a fair price?  Let us know if the comments.