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Unable to Access DLC (Mario Kart 8 Deluxe)

Nintendo Switch 2, Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch Lite, Nintendo Switch - OLED Model

Follow these steps if you are unable to race on courses or use characters included with the Mario Kart 8 Deluxe – Booster Course Pass on Nintendo Switch 2 and Nintendo Switch.

Before you start

You will need:

  • Your Nintendo Switch 2 or Nintendo Switch console
  • Mario Kart 8 Deluxe software, updated to the latest version
  • Access to the Mario Kart 8 Deluxe – Booster Course Pass, either by purchasing it through the Nintendo eShop or downloading it for free through a Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack membership
  • An Internet connection

Complete these steps

  1. Restart the console.
  2. Open Nintendo eShop and search for the Mario Kart 8 Deluxe – Booster Course Pass to confirm that it displays as "Downloaded" (if obtained through a Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack membership) or "Purchased" (if purchased separately).
  3. Open Mario Kart 8 Deluxe from the HOME Menu and select the User that will be playing.
  4. At the title screen, check the lower-left corner of the screen for a Super Star icon, directly to the right of the software version number. A Super Star icon is displayed in the lower-left corner of the Mario Kart 8 Deluxe title screen
  1. Do you see the Super Star icon?

  2. The Super Star icon indicates that the Mario Kart 8 Deluxe – Booster Course Pass is currently downloaded on your system and that you have selected a User with access to the DLC.

    To race on a course from the Mario Kart 8 Deluxe – Booster Course Pass, select your number of players and racing mode (such as Single Player, Grand Prix). When you reach the course-selection screen, press Up on the control stick to view the available courses included in the Mario Kart 8 Deluxe – Booster Course Pass.

    If the Super Star icon does not appear on the title screen, then the Mario Kart 8 Deluxe – Booster Course Pass is not currently downloaded on the system, or the User selected does not have access to the DLC.

    How did you obtain the Mario Kart 8 Deluxe – Booster Course Pass?

  3. The virtual game card for the Mario Kart 8 Deluxe – Booster Course Pass may not currently be loaded on the system, or the data for the DLC may not be downloaded on the system.

    1. Select Virtual Game CardsThe Virtual Game Cards icon shown on the Nintendo Switch HOME Menu. Tarjetas de juego virtualesEl icono de tarjetas de juego virtuales se muestra en el menú HOME de Nintendo Switch. Cartes de jeu virtuellesL’icône des Cartes de jeu virtuelles affichée sur le menu HOME de la Nintendo Switch. Cartões de jogo virtuaisO ícone dos Cartões de jogo virtuais exibido no Menu HOME do Nintendo Switch. from the HOME Menu. Check whether the virtual game card for the DLC needs to be loaded on the system.
    2. If it is already loaded, delete the Mario Kart 8 Deluxe software and DLC from the system, then redownload it. Save data is not lost when deleting the software. If you use a physical game card for Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, this will delete the update data and you'll need to update the software again.
      • How to delete downloadable software on Nintendo Switch 2
        1. From the HOME Menu, select System Settings.The System Settings icon highlighted on the HOME Menu on Nintendo Switch 2
        2. Scroll down the options on the left and select Data Management.
        3. On the right-hand side select Manage Software, then select the software you would like to delete.
        4. Select Delete Software. The software and icon will be deleted from the HOME Menu. It can be redownloaded using the Nintendo Account that purchased it.

        For more information, please see How to Manage or Delete Downloadable Software on Nintendo Switch 2.

      • How to delete downloadable software on Nintendo Switch
        1. From the HOME Menu, select System Settings.
          System Settings icon highlighted on the HOME Menu Screen
        2. Scroll down the options on the left and select Data Management.
        3. On the right-hand side select Manage Software, then select the software you would like to delete.
        4. Select Delete Software. The software and icon will be deleted from the HOME Menu. It can be redownloaded using the Nintendo Account that purchased it.

        For more information, see How to Manage or Delete Downloadable Software.

      • How to redownload software or DLC without loading the virtual game card
        1. Enable the "Online License" setting for your Nintendo Account:
          1. Select your user icon from the HOME Menu.
          2. Scroll down and select Online License SettingsAjustes de las licencias en líneaParamètres des licences en ligneConfigurações de licenças online.
          3. Update the " Use Online License Utilizar licencias en líneaUtiliser les licenses en ligne Usar licença online " setting to On Sí Oui Sim .
        2. Select Virtual Game CardsThe Virtual Game Cards icon shown on the Nintendo Switch HOME Menu. Tarjetas de juego virtualesEl icono de tarjetas de juego virtuales se muestra en el menú HOME de Nintendo Switch. Cartes de jeu virtuellesL’icône des Cartes de jeu virtuelles affichée sur le menu HOME de la Nintendo Switch. Cartões de jogo virtuaisO ícone dos Cartões de jogo virtuais exibido no Menu HOME do Nintendo Switch. from the HOME Menu.
        3. Select the user that purchased the game or DLC.
        4. If you have enabled user verification, you may be prompted to confirm your identity by re-entering your password or entering a PIN.
        5. Select the game or DLC you want to redownload from the list of your virtual game cards.
        6. Select Options Opciones Options Opções .
        7. Select Download Data Descargar datos Télécharger les données Baixar dados .
        8. The game or DLC will begin downloading automatically. You can check the download status on the HOME Menu.

        For more information, including how to download software and DLC that is not a virtual game card, please read How to Redownload Nintendo Switch 2 or Nintendo Switch Digital Content

      • How to update game software
        1. Ensure the console is connected to the Internet.
        2. From the HOME Menu, select (but do not start) the icon for the software you wish to update.
        3. Press the + Button or – Button on your controller, then select Software Update followed by Via the Internet.

        For more details, see How to Update Software on Nintendo Switch 2 or How to Update Software on Nintendo Switch.

    3. Start the Mario Kart 8 Deluxe game again and confirm that the Super Star icon now appears on the title screen.
    Do you see the Super Star icon?

    When downloaded as part of the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack membership, only Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack members can access the Mario Kart 8 Deluxe – Booster Course Pass content. It is not treated as a virtual game card, nor accessed through the virtual game card menu. Follow these possible solutions until the Super Star icon appears on the title screen when the game is opened:

    • Complete an internet connection test to confirm that your console is currently connected to the internet. An internet connection is required when launching the Mario Kart 8 Deluxe game to verify the User is a Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack member.
    • Open Nintendo Switch Online from the HOME Menu, select your User, and confirm that you have an ongoing Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack membership.
    • Delete the Mario Kart 8 Deluxe software and DLC from the system, then redownload it. Save data is not lost when deleting the software. If you use a physical game card for Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, this will delete the update data and you'll need to update the software again.
      • How to delete downloadable software on Nintendo Switch 2
        1. From the HOME Menu, select System Settings.The System Settings icon highlighted on the HOME Menu on Nintendo Switch 2
        2. Scroll down the options on the left and select Data Management.
        3. On the right-hand side select Manage Software, then select the software you would like to delete.
        4. Select Delete Software. The software and icon will be deleted from the HOME Menu. It can be redownloaded using the Nintendo Account that purchased it.

        For more information, please see How to Manage or Delete Downloadable Software on Nintendo Switch 2.

      • How to delete downloadable software on Nintendo Switch
        1. From the HOME Menu, select System Settings.
          System Settings icon highlighted on the HOME Menu Screen
        2. Scroll down the options on the left and select Data Management.
        3. On the right-hand side select Manage Software, then select the software you would like to delete.
        4. Select Delete Software. The software and icon will be deleted from the HOME Menu. It can be redownloaded using the Nintendo Account that purchased it.

        For more information, see How to Manage or Delete Downloadable Software.

      • How to redownload software or DLC without loading the virtual game card
        1. Enable the "Online License" setting for your Nintendo Account:
          1. Select your user icon from the HOME Menu.
          2. Scroll down and select Online License SettingsAjustes de las licencias en líneaParamètres des licences en ligneConfigurações de licenças online.
          3. Update the " Use Online License Utilizar licencias en líneaUtiliser les licenses en ligne Usar licença online " setting to On Sí Oui Sim .
        2. Select Virtual Game CardsThe Virtual Game Cards icon shown on the Nintendo Switch HOME Menu. Tarjetas de juego virtualesEl icono de tarjetas de juego virtuales se muestra en el menú HOME de Nintendo Switch. Cartes de jeu virtuellesL’icône des Cartes de jeu virtuelles affichée sur le menu HOME de la Nintendo Switch. Cartões de jogo virtuaisO ícone dos Cartões de jogo virtuais exibido no Menu HOME do Nintendo Switch. from the HOME Menu.
        3. Select the user that purchased the game or DLC.
        4. If you have enabled user verification, you may be prompted to confirm your identity by re-entering your password or entering a PIN.
        5. Select the game or DLC you want to redownload from the list of your virtual game cards.
        6. Select Options Opciones Options Opções .
        7. Select Download Data Descargar datos Télécharger les données Baixar dados .
        8. The game or DLC will begin downloading automatically. You can check the download status on the HOME Menu.

        For more information, including how to download software and DLC that is not a virtual game card, please read How to Redownload Nintendo Switch 2 or Nintendo Switch Digital Content

      • How to redownload the DLC as a Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack member
        1. Select the Nintendo eShop icon on the HOME Menu to open the Nintendo eShop.
        2. Select the Nintendo Switch Online menu on the left.
        3. Under "Expansion Pack Content", select the icon for the Mario Kart 8 Deluxe – Booster Course Pass DLC.
        4. Under "Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack Content", select Download.
      • How to update game software
        1. Ensure the console is connected to the Internet.
        2. From the HOME Menu, select (but do not start) the icon for the software you wish to update.
        3. Press the + Button or – Button on your controller, then select Software Update followed by Via the Internet.

        For more details, see How to Update Software on Nintendo Switch 2 or How to Update Software on Nintendo Switch.

    Do you see the Super Star icon?

  4. The Super Star icon indicates that the Mario Kart 8 Deluxe – Booster Course Pass is currently downloaded on your system and that you have selected a User with access to the DLC.

    To race on a course from the Mario Kart 8 Deluxe – Booster Course Pass, select your number of players and racing mode (such as Single Player, Grand Prix). When you reach the course-selection screen, press Up on the control stick to view the available courses included in the Mario Kart 8 Deluxe – Booster Course Pass.

    If you are still unable to access the Mario Kart 8 Deluxe – Booster Course Pass content, please contact us for support.

    The Super Star icon indicates that the Mario Kart 8 Deluxe – Booster Course Pass is currently downloaded on your system and that you have selected a User with access to the DLC.

    To race on a course from the Mario Kart 8 Deluxe – Booster Course Pass, select your number of players and racing mode (such as Single Player, Grand Prix). When you reach the course-selection screen, press Up on the control stick to view the available courses included in the Mario Kart 8 Deluxe – Booster Course Pass.

    If you are still unable to access the Mario Kart 8 Deluxe – Booster Course Pass content, please contact us for support.

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