The DLC additions to Mario Kart 8 keep coming!

Two new downloadable content packs coming to Mario Kart 8, which launch this fall and in spring of 2015, and are available for advance purchase starting August 27th at $7.99 each (or $11.99 for both). Included in the packs are crossover characters like Link from The Legend of Zelda franchise and both Isabelle and the Villager from the Animal Crossing series.

In addition to these two new downloadable content packs, a previously announced game update goes live August 27th that adds a variety of new features, including three free Mercedes-Benz cars that players can race.

“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.”

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Mario Kart 8 is on its way towards being a one million seller.

In data released today by Nintendo, the latest Mario racer has sold 470,000 physical and digital units in the month of June in the United States. Add that to May sales and the current number at the end of last month sit at 885,000 in the U.S. alone.

Nintendo also reports that total sales for the Nintendo Wii U console have increased by 48% and software sales are up 129% over the same period last year.

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Nintendo of Canada has announced that they will celebrate the launch of Mario Kart 8 by giving fans a chance to play the game this Saturday, before the game is released next week. The special previews will take place at select Best Buy stores across Canada. The celebration will continue with special karting events in Toronto and Montreal on Saturday, May 31.

“Mario Kart 8 will drive players wild with fun, challenging tracks, new playable characters and its anti-gravity feature which will flip kart racing on its head,” said Ron Bertram, Nintendo of Canada’s vice-president and general manager. “Nintendo of Canada is sharing in the excitement of Mario Kart 8 by giving fans a chance to play the game before it launches at select Best Buy stores and at Mario’s Canadian Karting Day events hosted in Toronto and Montreal on launch weekend.”

On Saturday, May 24, these locations will kick Mario Kart 8 into high gear with hands-on demonstrations from 12pm to 4pm. The first 50 players at the store in Toronto and Montreal will receive a voucher to a local karting track for a free race. Additional giveaways will be available for the duration of the retail events, while supplies last.

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One month from today, Mario Kart 8 will be released for the Nintendo Wii U, and in preparation for that release Nintendo presented a brand new Nintendo Direct video that announced some additional news, including a Mario Kart 8 Wii U bundle, a free downloadable game offer for Wii U owners who buy Mario Kart 8, details about online features, new characters and new items.

“Everyone loves Mario Kart,” said Scott Moffitt, Nintendo of America’s executive vice president of Sales & Marketing. “It’s a franchise that brings people together for fun at a family gathering, a frenzied race against friends or just an afternoon break at the office. The numerous new features of Mario Kart 8 make this the most ambitious version yet, and one that will have players of all skill levels racing for the checkered flag.”

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