Hello, I'm bored, and possibly getting withdrawal from the Smash Ultimate prediction thread. So here's a little hit of that disappointing high, once again.
There's one more wave in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe's Booster Course Pass, and 2 more characters still hidden behind question marks.
So let's guess who they are!
It's worth remembering that these mystery characters were advertised as coming from previous Mario Kart titles, so go ahead and predict Wart if you want, but do so in the knowledge that you're very likely shooting yourself in the foot.
And because I have far too much time on my hands, here's every character from other games that aren't in 8 DX yet. Except the arcade Mario Kart games, no-one cares about those.
Donkey Kong Jr.
Appears in Super Mario Kart and Tour
Donkey Kong's dad, despite being younger then Donkey Kong whenever he actually shows up in a game. Eh, Baby Mario's in Mario Kart, anyway. That weird ship has proper sailed.
The most notable thing about DK Jr is that when he unexpectedly reappeared in Tour, he did so looking like the SNES sprite, probably the main reason people would like him to be in 8 Deluxe.
Well, it's my main reason, at least.
Koopa Paratroopa
Appears in Double Dash, almost appeared in Wii
One of only three characters that aren't in Tour. Basically brought in as a partner for Koopa Troopa for Double Dash. It was planned to be in Wii, but got cut for some reason.
It's a Koopa with wings, hardly the most cutting edge of character design here. And yet I prefer it to the green Koopa, red's just a nice aesthetic, I guess.
Diddy Kong
Appears in Double Dash, Wii, and Tour
Donkey Kong's nephew, don't think too much about the fact he's not a gorilla. Originally brought in to serve as DK's partner, he weirdly failed to show up in 8, and I'm not sure why.
Honestly, it's baffling. You'd think DKC Returns would've secured that position, but nope. Yeah, he came back for Tour, but so did everyone, that's not impressive.
R.O.B.
Appears in DS
Mario Kart's first ever non-Mario character! Truly ahead of it's time, despite being from the 80's. And yet, when 8 Deluxe shoved in Zelda and Animal Crossing stuff, R.O.B. was nowhere to be seen.
Also, doesn't show up in Tour. I mean, it's not all bad, I guess, it's been in 3 Smash entries now. Who needs Mario Kart, anyway?
Funky Kong
Appears in Wii and Tour
There's two things that playing Mario Kart Wii online eventually made me despise. One of them was Coconut Mall, the other was this gurning idiot.
Funky Kong is the reason why you don't give characters unique stat boosts, because then one of them inevitably becomes better then all the others, which means in a game with 25 characters, you only ever see 1!
If I never have to hear those voice clips again, it would be far too soon!
Honey Queen
Appears in 7
Yes, that's the best plushie I could find. There's no official one. Which goes to show just how much demand there wasn't for it. But in the most misguided attempt at nailing the zeitgeist of Mario fans, Waluigi and Diddy was dropped for this. It certainly wasn't the second Rosalina, and the fact she hasn't shown up in Tour yet speaks volumes.
Anyway, for the sake of my sanity, I'm gonna ignore the stupid amount of costumes that Tour has for loads of characters. If you really think the likes of Gold Dry Bowser has a shot here, then I can't help you.
Hammer Bro
Appears in Tour, almost appeared in Wii
Everyone's favourite most hated enemy is no stranger to being playable in Mario spin-offs. Baseball, parties, football, etc.
Low-key, I'd be fine with Hammer Bro in 8 Deluxe, it's always been my favourite Koopa minion. I also dig the voice.
Monty Mole
Appears in Tour
I guess Super Mario Party was too traumatic for our poor half-blind rodent here. It's why he didn't come back for MP Superstars, you know?
I'm not sure Mario Kart was the best choice though, but you do you.
Pauline
Appears in Tour
Isn't she a mayor!? What the hell is she doing driving go-karts with turtles and apes!? Do your job, damnit!
Honestly, I'm amazed she's not one of the characters that the Booster Course Pass has already added.
Captain Toad
Appears in Tour
What? How dare you!? Captain Toad is not just a Toad in an explorers outfit, he can't jump! You take that back and give him some damn respect!
I swear, some people...
Poochy
Appears in Tour
Hey, remember when Wave 4 included a Yoshi's Island course, and gave us Birdo as a playable character?
And then 2 weeks later, Tour got Poochy.
Why the flying fudge did we get lumped with Birdo!? No-one wants Birdo, when Poochy is right there!
I'm still angry about this!
King Boo
Appears in Tour
Hmm? King Boo is already in 8 Deluxe? Nah, mate. That King Boo is from Mario 64 DS. This one is the actual King Boo from Luigi's Mansion.
Totally different character, trust me, I'm a bit of a Boo aficionado.
Dixie Kong
Appears in Tour
Diddy's girlfriend. She's only in Tour because of Tropical Freeze, let's face it.
No, actually, she's in it to fuel the gacha money machine.
Then again, so is everyone in Tour... Now I'm sad...
Nabbit
Appears in Tour
Everyone's second favourite purple Nintendo rabbit! He got nerfed after New Super Luigi U, he's no longer invincible in Mario Kart. So what's even the point?
King Bob-omb
Appears in Tour
Correct me if I'm wrong, but is King Bob-omb the first case of a Mario enemy getting a crown slapped on it and treating it like a completely different character? I think it might be.
That's not relevant to Mario Kart, mind, but what else can I say about a Bob-omb with twice the limbs?
Nice moustache, though.
Chargin' Chuck
Appears in Tour
No official plushie for this guy, way more custom made ones, though. Honey Queen still the least popular Mario Karter, I'm afraid.
This guy's had a bit of a resurgence in recent times. Thanks, 3D World!
And that's it! So go on, which two of these numpties do you think will get in?
My heart wants R.O.B. and Poochy, but my head says to predict Pauline and Diddy Kong.