Nintendo has deployed Mario Kart 8 Deluxe update 2.4.0, adding support for the 5th wave of the paid Booster Course Pass as well as packing numerous tweaks and improvements.

　　As said, this brand-new update adds support for Wave 5 of the paid DLC Booster Course Pass (which is included with the Switch Online Expansion Pack), sporting two new cups, eight new courses, and three new characters. In addition, this patch addresses various issues, including an issue where, when the player’s kart became small after being hit by lightning, it would slip into the ground. It also fixes an issue where, when a player is hit with a red shell at the same time as changing into Bullet Bill, they would go off the course.

　　This update also adds a new 'Booster Course Pass' button to the game's main menu. The patch notes mention improved performance of some characters and vehicle customizations, although these improvements haven't been specified in Nintendo's official notes. Luckily, the Japanese Mario Kart blog has listed these changes, which have been picked up by Twitter user Meester Tweeter. We've included some of the changes below, as posted on the Nintendo Switch Reddit.

　　Balance Changes:

　　Cat Peach, Inkling Girl, Villager (Female), Tanooki Mario, Inkling Boy, and Villager (Male) have had their Mini-Turbo statistic increased by a value of 0.25 (1 point).Metal Mario (and Gold Mario), Pink Gold Peach, Rosalina, King Boo, and Link have had their Invincibility statistic increased by a value of 0.50 (2 points).Waluigi, Donkey Kong, and Roy have had their Invincibility statistic increased by a value of 0.75 (3 points).Wario and Dry Bowser have had their Invincibility statistic increased by a value of 1.00 (4 points).Bowser, Morton, and Heavy Mii have had their Invincibility statistic increased by a value of 1.25 (5 points).Baby Mario, Baby Luigi, Dry Bones, Light Mii, Koopa Troopa, Lakitu, Bowser Jr., Toad, Shy Guy, Larry, Cat Peach, Inkling Girl, and Villager (Female) have had their Invincibility statistic decreased by a value of 0.25 (1 point).Toadette, Wendy, Isabelle, Tanooki Mario, Inkling Boy, Villager (Male), Peach, Daisy, Birdo, and Yoshi have had their Invincibility statistic decreased by a value of 0.50 (2 points).Landship, Streetle, Pipe Frame, Varmint, City Tripper, Tanooki Kart, Koopa Clown, and Master Cycle Zero have had their Ground Speed statistic increased by a value of 0.25 (1 point).Tanooki Kart, Koopa Clown, Master Cycle Zero, Circuit Special, B Dasher, and P-Wing have had their Mini-Turbo statistic increased by a value of 0.25 (1 point).Bandwagon, GLA (kart), and Standard ATV have had their Mini-Turbo statistic increased by a value of 0.50 (2 points).Monster, Hot Monster, and Ancient Tires have had their Ground Speed statistic increased by a value of 0.25 (1 point).Off-Road, Retro Off-Road, Triforce Tires, Metal, Gold Tires, Slick, and Cyber Slick have had their Mini-Turbo statistic increased by a value of 0.25 (1 point).New characters:

　　Petey Piranha shares statistics with Metal Mario, Gold Mario, and Pink Gold Peach, except for using large vehicle size instead of medium, and with an Invincibility statistic increased by a value of 0.75 (3 points).Wiggler shares statistics with Waluigi, Donkey Kong, and Roy, except for using medium vehicle size instead of large.Kamek shares statistics with Luigi and Iggy, and uses medium vehicle size.We suggest reading the full patch notes, as released by Nintendo, right here. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is available globally now for the Nintendo Switch.