Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, the Switch port of the original Wii U title, hasn't seen many major changes since its release for the system, until now. Nintendo has now revealed that The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild's Link and the Master Cycle Zero have been released for Mario Kart 8 Deluxe.

Breath of the Wild's Link wears the iconic blue tunic unique to the Switch entry to the series, and can be chosen as a character skin after choosing Link. The new bike is Breath of the Wild's Master Cycle Zero motorbike, and the vehicle set includes tires and Link's iconic hang-glider, both of which can be equipped to any vehicle.

The free update is a welcome one, and adding a Switch-only incarnation of Link is a good way to help refresh Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. Nintendo's Shinya Takahashi previously stated that Mario Kart 8 Deluxe would be receiving some updates, so it stands to reason that new skins for other characters - such as different hairstyles for Splatoon's Inklings or new Mario and Peach skins based upon Super Mario Odyssey - could be happening soon.

With the Nintendo Switch Online paid service rapidly approaching, Nintendo is likely trying to encourage players to sign up by releasing new content for their leading online titles. Splatoon 2 has also had its update schedule extended into the end of the year from the original end date of summer of 2018.

Many Nintendo fans dislike the lack of online friend communication options in the upcoming Nintendo Switch Online service, and hacking is becoming a major problem for the Switch. Nintendo has a lot of work to do to show that signing up for the online service will be worth it. Adding new content is one good way to do that, though solving its hacking problems that is likely at the top of the list for many.

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is available now exclusively for the Nintendo Switch.