Super Mario Kart Deluxe ROM Hack Announces December 2026 Release Date

Super Mario Kart Deluxe, one of the most comprehensive ROM hacks of the original SNES Mario Kart, will arrive on December 25th, 2026. The announcement came from developers ScouBsmk and MrL314 in a video published on September 29th, 2026, marking the first confirmed release window for the project since its initial announcement in 2021.

The hack expands the original game significantly. New playable characters include Wario, Daisy, Bowser Jr., Kamek, Waluigi, Birdo, Dixie Kong, and Toadette. The game will feature 6 additional cups beyond the original 8, each with unique podium scenes. A new mission mode includes custom boss encounters, and players can race tracks in mirror mode, a feature absent from the original SNES version.

Speed options have been substantially expanded. Rather than the original three classes, Super Mario Kart Deluxe will support 50cc, 100cc, 150cc, 200cc, 250cc, and 300cc, giving players more granular difficulty tuning. New items, music, and sound effects round out the content additions.

Multiplayer modes include Shine Thief, Gate Battle, Battle Race, and others not detailed in the announcement. The developers have confirmed the hack will work on both real SNES hardware and emulators. PAL and NTSC versions are planned, though current development focuses on NTSC.

Earlier in July 2025, ScouBsmk showcased an "Endurance" mode exclusive to the hack. This mode challenges players to complete consecutive laps within a shrinking time window. Each lap grants additional time based on the previous lap's duration plus a configurable margin, rewarding consistency over single fast runs. Lap counters produce a 1Up sound when surpassing 99 laps.

The project has been developed by a small team over five years. Original artwork comes from Cajarito, and original music was composed by Pinci for the hack.