10 Classic Tracks Mario Kart needs to Remake!

With February’s Nintendo Direct revealing that 48 classic tracks from Mario Kart‘s rich history will be available as downloadable content in Mario Kart 8: Deluxe (including some iconic stages from Mario Kart Wii), I’ve been left wondering which tracks will get the HD treatment. So here are 10 of the best tracks that deserve to shine again!

1. Delfino Square (DS)

Originally on the DS(with a remaster on the Wii) Delfino Square features Super Mario Sunshine‘s iconic Piantas racing through the market squares, over a giant drawbridge and several shortcuts! To take advantage of this would be a triumphant return to one of the best tracks on the Wii.

2. Wario Shipyard (7)

One of the less often mentioned tracks from 7 utilised the new underwater driving mechanic well and would only need a graphical touch up to give it an entire new un-life. With the spooky fog amongst destroyed ships and branching paths this track would be perfect for the chaotic nature of 200cc.

3. Airship Fortress (DS)

First of all—airships— second of all, a dark sunset skybox with orange hues in HD would be absolutely stunning! Not to mention the hazards that will plague you whilst spiralling down the broken tower in frantic mode. No one will be safe from the absolute carnage.

4. Waluigi Pinball (DS)

I don’t feel like I need to explain the beauty and joys of Waluigi Pinball, from its iconic music to the presence of a giant mechanical Waluigi, the track sparks joy for anyone that has experienced it and it would be a crime to keep it locked to the DS and 3DS systems.

5. Mushroom Gorge (Wii)

Probably the most iconic stage from Mario Kart Wii, having branching paths filled with mushrooms and crazy corner skips if you can manipulate boosts correctly make this stage incredibly fun to master.

6. Maple Treeway (Wii)

From its beautiful autumnal leaves and the orange skies looming over the tree, just imagining the shimmering light with the HD visuals and improved lighting is a joy in and of itself. Combine some of the brutal cornering with the new speeds of 200cc and this track can become your worst nightmare.

7. Koopa Cape (Wii)

Clearly inspired by Roo’s Tubes, Koopa Cape takes fast flowing rapid rivers through a giant ocean floor pipe with fast reactions being a must to stop yourself from being hit by lightning in the tubes or cascading into a giant rock, lots of chaotic fun to be had here regardless of the speed class.

8. Dry Dry Ruins (Wii)

This is a completely biased opinion, but Dry Dry Ruins is my favourite desert track. With the big temple that slowly fills with sand with every lap you take, and plenty of corner-cutting that can be taken with the right manoeuvring and manipulation of items and drifts this track can cause major upsets with relative ease.

9. DK Mountain (Double Dash)

Probably the most iconic track from the GameCube sees you being launched up a mountain only to race back down avoiding boulders, other racers and giant ravines twisting down the slope. And to top all that off, if you get hit on the bridge to the finish you can kiss that first place position goodbye on even the best of days, truly a classic track.

10. DK’s Snowboard Cross (Wii)

DK Mountains’ younger brother features the same concept—being thrown up a mountain only to come bellowing down—but with the added twist of being on a snowboarding course. Flowing through the deep snow, bumpy hills and big jumps it’s everything you loved about his good ol’ mountain and more and you simply shouldn’t have one without the other.

Those are my top 10, what tracks would you love to see get added to Mario Kart 8 Deluxe? Let me know!