Christmas Day Release Confirmed for Ambitious Mario Kart ROM Hack
The fan-made Super Mario Kart Deluxe ROM hack has been given a December 25, 2026 release date through a teaser from creators MrL314 and ScouBsmk. The project expands the SNES original with additional racers, cups, multiplayer options, higher speed classes, a mission mode, and a new soundtrack. It also includes modes such as Shine Thief, Battle Race, Mirror Mode, and Endurance Mode.
The fan project Super Mario Kart Deluxe, also called SMKDX, has been in development for years. A teaser from creators MrL314 and ScouBsmk set its arrival for December 25, 2026. The hack builds on the 1992 SNES original.
It adds eight racers—Toadette, Wario, Kamek, Birdo, Dixie Kong, Waluigi, Bowser Jr., and Daisy—plus six cups, new multiplayer options, higher speed classes up to 300cc, a mission-based mode, and an updated musical score. Modes include Shine Thief, Battle Race, Mirror Mode, and Endurance Mode. Distribution details remain unannounced.
The release may energize retro gaming and ROM-hack communities, giving longtime Super Mario Kart fans a shared holiday event. It could also attract newcomers curious about fan-made expansions, strengthening interest in modding and game preservation. Because distribution details are unclear, broader reach may depend on accessibility and legal gray areas. Families and friend groups who played the original might reconnect through multiplayer modes.