Booster Course Wave 4 for Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is here, and we’re checking out All Changes
and differences made for the returning courses.
The final race of the Fruit Cup is Yoshi’s Island.
This magical land is a loving re-creation of the location of Yoshi’s big adventure
of the same name and its various environments, such as the vast flower garden by Yoshi’s
House, an underwater castle surrounded by a lush jungle, and even the clouds high in
the sky, above where Goonies fly.
So how do the Tour and Switch versions differ from each other?
Let’s find out!
Yoshi’s Island is the second Tour-related course that initially launched as part of
the Booster Course Pass, after Sky-High Sundae.
Featuring in the 2023 Yoshi Tour less than a month after its Switch debut, the track
likely was designed for Tour originally.
Despite the near-identical model—not including the well-made variants—a surprising number
of differences exist between the two versions.
Moreover, the references to the game that inspired the course are numerous, and we will
cover them along with the aesthetic changes.
For now, let’s go over the gameplay changes.
At the first bend, a ramp can be seen in the flower bed on the right in Tour that isn’t
present for Switch.
Towards the back of the area, the Huffin Puffin and Pufflings are out of bounds and frozen
in place.
But in 8 Deluxe, they tread the path as obstacles and will reflect most items launched at them.
The ramp leading into the underwater section differs in shape and style, being the standard
in Tour, but flatter and made of wood for Switch.
Taking the plunge, we see that the geyser on the right is further away in 8 Deluxe,
but Tour has it aligned with the other geyser.
The Sidesteppers here seem to be in slightly different positions, too.
Past the castle and cave, the Glide Ramp at the top of the mountain has dimensions based
on game standard, with the other further ahead handled the same way.
For the Switch version, a ramp is placed on the first cloud.
This isn’t present in the counterpart, but the cloud is bouncy instead.
Perhaps one of the most significant differences is that the Winged Cloud is stationary and
easier to hit in Tour, contrasting the bobbing and swaying in 8 Deluxe that presents more
of a challenge.
The bridge that appears from hitting this unfurls a little more quickly in the Switch
version, too.
And at the end, coins are presented for those who pass through the Goal Ring, but points
are rewarded in Tour instead.
Now where’s that bonus stage?
And now let’s switch to the aesthetic changes and various nods as we take a tour around
Yoshi’s Island.
The mini-map has a 90-degree orientation difference between the versions, but only 8 Deluxe has
the first cloud portion represented.
Coins here are unique in this version also, featuring Yoshi’s face and sound effects
in 16-bit audio.
The massive Nep-Enut—an anagram of Neptune—paces in the sea, but it seems larger for the Booster
Course.
At least it won’t chase us here!
And all throughout the island, arrow signs are present in the style of the SNES game,
with most being version-exclusive.
Make this like an egg hunt and spot the difference for each sign!
Starting from Yoshi’s House in the World 1 area, fallen leaves can be seen blowing
in the wind for Switch, seeming to reflect World 4’s autumn theme.
But in Tour, these are flower petals, more aligned with the theming of World 1.
Here, the course banner has wrinkles only in 8 Deluxe.
The nearby windmill also has higher top speeds in this version with a sound not heard in
Tour.
Poochy, Yoshi’s faithful canine companion, is propped up on the mailbox.
Throughout the race, he may be asleep, barking, or both jumping and barking—remaining in
the same state until a new race starts.
In Tour, Poochy is not present in the course, because this great doggo has become a racer
in the game!
Moving forward, fewer puffs are off-road compared to Switch, likely to keep everything running
smoothly.
Incoming Chomps from Level 1-2: ‘Watch Out Below!’
can be seen far in the background, but their animations are more advanced in 8 Deluxe.
Featured in Level 1-6: ‘Shy Guys on Stilts’, the Stilt Guys have their colours reversed
between versions.
They produce a sound effect inspired by their debut title, like a combination of when an
enemy is defeated and a frog jump.
Two red Petal Guys roam just out of bounds to the right in the Booster Course.
But both stand in place with one being green in Tour, and two more are just ahead on the
left.
For Switch, bumping into a Huffin Puffin triggers a classic sound effect for bouncing on a spring,
while defeating one produces the bubble-popping noise.
These babies aren’t projectiles!
Way in the distance, the row of green hills calls back to those from World 2.
Is that shadow cast from a floating middle hill?
Well, in the Tour version, some evergreen trees further support the reference to this
location.
More importantly, the tower to the right of them is none other than The Potted Ghost’s
Castle of World 2.
The Piranha Plant on the tree branch hangs and bites in the general style of Yoshi’s
Island.
Hitting it with an item triggers the classic sound effect for defeating one.
Amidst the tropical vegetation and refreshing waterfalls, Naval Piranha’s Castle from
World 3 is seen partially submerged.
Despite being abandoned, fire burns on the torches with effects that are pretty different
between versions.
Underwater, the crystal to the left exists only in 8 Deluxe, but the light beams to the
right are Tour-exclusive.
Sidesteppers stand in for Clawdaddies here in both versions, being foam-free.
Within the castle, the pots on the windowsills are just like those found in some forts and
castles in Yoshi’s Island.
Entering the cave beyond, the first set of crystals on the left have three growths for
Switch, but only two for Tour.
Gotta optimise to the finest detail, eh?
Just outside, another tower comes into view.
This one is Hookbill the Koopa’s Castle of World 4, although it looks more like Marching
Milde’s Fort.
Most of this area is the first half of World 5, though, with freezing fog in the atmosphere
only in Tour.
A flock of Goonies swarm the sky beyond the ledge, with 15 present in the Switch version.
We were able to count up to 21 in Tour!
We can’t ride these, though!
What are these sticks along the road?
They look very familiar...
The volcano at the top spews lava in the Switch version, but it is dormant in Tour.
Soaring to the clouds, Raphael the Raven’s Castle marks the start of the second half
of World 5.
A trail of footprints can be seen in Tour only.
The pipes are taller and skinnier in this version, too.
An unknown tower is at the top of the clouds, previously only depicted as a hut on the mountain,
high above where King Bowser’s Castle of World 6 was—or would be.
Smoke rises from the stovepipe vent in Tour.
With all of the castles, that from World 1 is not found anywhere.
Ah, you will be missed, Salvo the Slime...
Along the descent, bursting the Winged Cloud produces the same bubble pop sound as before,
followed by the familiar bridge creation loop.
The time-out and disappearance for this bridge also have the same sound effects as in Yoshi’s
Island, namely the switch timer and egg ricochet—or morph block—respectively.
Below, smoke coming from the chimney of Yoshi’s House is modelled in Tour like from the tower,
and the canopy leaves differ greatly.
In addition, the alcove inside the final bend has less space compared to Switch, with the
encompassed elements accommodating this detail.
Oh, little birds have come to this bend for 8 Deluxe!
At the end, both versions feature a Goal Ring with the looping sound from its original design.
Finally back home, we are welcomed by a classic painting of Yoshi and Baby Mario, straight
from Yoshi Touch & Go.
These two have been a great team for such a long time!
The music is a blast from the past in more ways than one.
Just before the race begins, a familiar beat can be heard that originally cued the stage’s
opening, called Game Start.
The classic used jungle drums with two entirely different timbres—audio textures—to deliver
its iconic rhythm...
Ah, memories...
This beat was in Yoshi Touch & Go and Yoshi’s Island DS also.
The Tour and 8 Deluxe versions sound very similar, with the drums seeming to be the
same instrument now...
That does the trick!
During the actual race is an arrangement of the Athletic theme from the first title of
the Yoshi franchise.
It’s Dixieland—contemporary jazz from early 20th century New Orleans.
The classic made history on the SNES, presenting brass, reed, a swinging beat, and even a bridge
without a proper melody, giving the accompaniment a chance to shine...
Yeah, it was out of this world!
This tune since appeared in various games, such as Yoshi Touch & Go, the Fortune Street
games, and the Super Smash Bros. series—a testament to its impact.
The arrangements for both Tour and Switch are the same general reimagining of the original
Athletic theme.
They feature a snare lead-in and a syncopated melody in the repeat of the A section, with
creative liberties taken all around—including the omission of the bridge without a melody.
However, the intro beat makes a little cameo at the end!
Tour’s take has a somewhat muted sound and consistent chords playing—with some like
F6 at the end of the A section—giving a 1930s jive feeling heard from a radio or phonograph...
It’s quite good!
But the performance of the Mario Kart Band feels most in line with the referenced genre,
throwing us back to that era rather than providing an analogue recording of it...
What a great take on the classic!
Even the race finish and results reflect the Goal and Score of the source.
The original was a festive polka, with a lot of brass and congas that fit the setting...
All right!
Tour’s sequenced arrangement enhances the piece with more percussive instruments and
bells, swapping the piano counterpoint for xylophone and allowing a clarinet to take
the lead...
It’s cheerful, but rather soft for such an exciting moment.
While the fanfare is the same, the live performance after feels much more hard-hitting, like a
celebratory marching band.
It has a tuba playing the bass instead of piano and more aggressive percussion...
Now that’s more like it!
By the way, if you enjoy game music analyses like these, check out Melodies of Gaming.
A link to the playlist can be found in the description.
And that’s about it for All Changes we found in Yoshi’s Island!
The Tour version is very good and more accessible for some—possibly oversimplified, but with
brilliant reverse and trick variants that are worth trying.
Meanwhile, the Switch version holds as a great experience for veterans, with so many fond
memories of the game that inspired it all.
But what do you think?
Have you found any notable changes that we missed?
Let us know in the comments below.
And of course, stay tuned to GameXplain for coverage on Booster Course Wave 5 for Mario
Kart 8 Deluxe, and other things Nintendo, too.
Thanks for watching!
Until next time, ciao!