Joyrides And Joykillers
You load up the race and instantly sigh; it’s that track again. There are some courses that just never click. But a few others? They spark excitement every single time. It all comes down to creativity and just enough chaos. So, which ones fail, and which ones fly? Here’s where they all group, worst to best.
Sunshine Airport - King Boo - 150cc - Mario Kart 8 Deluxe 4K by 0CommentaryGaming
1. Rainbow Road (SNES)
Rainbow Road on the SNES set a precedent, and not a kind one. Unlike future versions, this one’s stripped down to brutal basics. Each corner punishes drift miscalculation. No safety nets and no visual distractions, just technical driving and high-stakes mistakes.
Mario Kart 8 Gameplay on SNES Rainbow Road 4K UHD 60FPS by 0CommentaryGaming
2. Toad's Turnpike
One of the most unique concepts in Mario Kart 64 quickly became one of its most criticized tracks. Toad’s Turnpike forces players into shared lanes with traffic that doesn’t play fair. There’s no dynamic flow or vertical play, only a slow grind made worse by item scarcity.
N64 Toad's Turnpike - Mario Kart 8 Deluxe 4K by 0CommentaryGaming
3. Bone-Dry Dunes
Introduced in Mario Kart 8, Bone-Dry Dunes suffers from layout fatigue. Despite a sandy desert theme, it offers very little in technical payoff. The turns are awkwardly spaced, and the anti-gravity segment adds no strategic value, which results in a rhythm-breaking slog that lacks flow or fun.
Bone Dry Dunes - Mario Kart 8 Deluxe [4K 60FPS] by 0CommentaryGaming
4. Ghost Valley 2
Ghost Valley 2 looks straightforward until you race it. Released in 1992, it’s built entirely on a suspended wooden platform with zero safety features. It’s a track that punishes even the smallest misjudgment and offers nothing in return but a reset screen.
SNES Ghost Valley 2 - Mario Kart Wii 4K 60FPS [Dolphin] by 0CommentaryGaming
5. Dry Dry Desert
This was once a clever desert map in Mario Kart: Double Dash!! that lost its appeal over time. The quicksand pit in the center remains a chaotic trap, while Pokeys roam with inconsistent hitboxes. Its updated MK8 version improved visuals but still kept frustrating elements intact.
Mario Kart 8 Gameplay on GCN Dry Dry Desert 4K UHD 60FPS by 0CommentaryGaming
6. Grumble Volcano
Racing on a collapsing volcano sounds thrilling until the track falls apart. Grumble Volcano from Mario Kart Wii features shifting terrain that punishes memorization and rewards luck. Surface cracks cause uneven traction, and certain speed-run glitches once broke the course’s balance in online play.
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe: Wii Grumble Volcano [1080 HD] by GamerJGB
7. Mario Circuit (GBA)
Despite being a legacy track from Mario Kart: Super Circuit, this one’s as flat as they come. Even its MK8 remix struggles to redeem it. The anti-gravity section feels stapled on, and the Piranha Plant hazards add more annoyance than challenge.
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe: GBA Mario Circuit [1080 HD] by GamerJGB
8. Ice Ice Outpost
Color-coded split paths should be interesting. On Ice Ice Outpost, they are just confusing. Players new to the track often pick slower lines without knowing. Slippery turns and a claustrophobic tunnel section make this MK8 course a flow killer.
Mario Kart 8: Ice Ice Outpost [1080 HD] by GamerJGB
9. Neo Bowser City
Sloppy pavement and endless curves define Neo Bowser City. First appearing in Mario Kart 7, it’s notorious for its hairpin-heavy layout and low traction. Rain pours throughout the race, which reduces visibility and margin for error. Competitive lobbies often avoid it.
Mario Kart 7: Neo Bowser City [1080 HD] by GamerJGB
10. Wario Stadium (DS)
The DS version of Wario Stadium goes on far too long. Its lack of environmental variety and repetitive jumps drag down the pacing. Even after remakes in MK8, it’s remembered more for being tedious than technically exciting. Racers often prefer tracks with sharper flow and smarter design.
Wario Stadium in 4K 60FPS Widescreen 16:9 | Mario Kart DS by RiazorMC
After all the chaos and clunky design, it’s time to hit the ones that get it right. Here come the tracks that truly know how to race.
1. Coconut Mall
Released in Mario Kart Wii, Coconut Mall set a new standard for course creativity. Escalators shift direction mid-race, Miis drive cars in the parking lot, and item boxes are perfectly placed for comebacks. It’s no wonder it returned in both MK7 and MK8 Deluxe.
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe: Wii Coconut Mall [1080 HD] by GamerJGB
2. Mount Wario
No laps, just one continuous downhill run. Mount Wario from Mario Kart 8 improved track design by mimicking a slalom course through frozen terrain, caves, forests, and a final ski-jump finish. The time trials on this course also remain a staple in the speed-running community.
Mario Kart 8 Gameplay on Mount Wario 4K UHD 60FPS by 0CommentaryGaming
3. Waluigi Pinball
Few tracks capture chaotic energy like Waluigi Pinball. Introduced in Mario Kart DS, it sends players through bumpers and giant pinballs. The eye candy pinball machine aesthetic affects strategy. Narrow lanes and electric hazards force skilled item timing and drift control that reward precision under pressure.
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe: DS Waluigi Pinball [1080 HD] by GamerJGB
4. Baby Park
Speed takes a backseat to survival in Baby Park. First seen in Double Dash!!, the track returns in MK8 Deluxe with a twist: anti-gravity boosts even more item collisions. There’s just lap after lap of pure tension, where holding first is nearly impossible until the last corner.
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe: GCN Baby Park [1080 HD] by GamerJGB
5. Electrodrome
Mario Kart 8 introduced Electrodrome as a techno-nightclub fever dream, but it’s more than just neon lights. The track’s rhythm-based design and balanced shortcut placement make it a technical favorite. It flows effortlessly, and even minor optimizations can shave seconds off time trials.
Mario Kart 8 (CEMU 1.8.1) | Electrodrome 4k by jonnyX06
6. Maple Treeway
Maple Treeway blends charm with challenge. Launched in Mario Kart Wii, it winds through an autumn forest canopy, across wobbly bridges and falling leaves. The return in MK8 Deluxe polished the visuals while keeping tight drift zones intact. Trick ramps and shortcut branches keep competitive racers coming back.
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe: Wii Maple Treeway [1080 HD] by GamerJGB
7. Sunshine Airport
This Mario Kart 8 original hits every mark. Visually, it’s clever: racing through a working airport and onto the wings of a plane. Mechanically, it balances drifting and off-road shortcuts with precision. Glider sections add strategic boosts to make this track a mainstay in tournaments.
Sunshine Airport - King Boo - 150cc - Mario Kart 8 Deluxe 4K by 0CommentaryGaming
8. Music Park
Every bump is a beat. Music Park, first introduced in MK7, responds to your kart’s movement with instrument-based sound effects. Beyond the charm, it’s a masterclass in flow. Wide corners and a satisfying glider section make it ideal for skill-based racing without overwhelming chaos or randomness.
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe: 3DS Music Park [1080 HD] by GamerJGB
9. Bowser's Castle (Wii U)
Fireballs aren’t the only danger in MK8’s Bowser’s Castle. Its dynamic layout, including a track-pounding statue and narrow stone bridges, forces calculated aggression. It’s a technical showcase for pros. This version is frequently picked in high-level lobbies for its skill-first layout.
Mario Kart 8: Bowser's Castle (Special Cup - Direct-Feed Wii U) by GameXplain
10. Yoshi Valley (N64)
Unlike most tracks, Yoshi Valley doesn’t show who's in first. That mechanic, combined with multiple pathways, adds psychological pressure. Originally launched in Mario Kart 64, it rewards map memory and decision-making. The MK8 Deluxe version solidifies its place as a mind-game favorite among top players.
