Summary
While the announcement of the Nintendo Switch 2 has the company’s fans excited, there was a subtle detail about the reveal trailer that may have slipped under some fans' noses. The first look atMario Kart 9seems to indicate it will be one of the console’s launch titles, coming over a decade afterMario Kart 8was first released for the Wii U.
Fans don’t know much about this nextMario Kartgame, so there remains a lot of mystery over what will be in the final version. However, even a few days after the announcement, fans have already begun writing up their wish-lists for what this newMario Kartgame builds upon compared toMario Kart 8and its Switch expansion,Mario Kart 8 Deluxe.
10New Vehicle Types
There Should Be More Than Karts And Bikes
Mario Kart Wiiwas the first entry in the seriesto expand beyond typical karts and introduce bikes, whileMario Kart 8featured another vehicle type in ATVs. However, there are still a lot of places to go in terms of new vehicle types. Some of these could even incorporate gameplay mechanics from the series' most recent installments.
Some courses could allow players to race in boats or planes, while hovercrafts could be perfect for characters like Bowser or Bowser Jr., who often ride the Clown Car in the games. These new vehicle types could also add variety to a character’s specific weight and speed, making some options better for heavier characters versus bikes and karts.
9Expand Online Mode
Nintendo Games Always Have Lackluster Multiplayer
Online mode was first introduced inMario Kart Wii, butMario Kart 8didn’t make many changes to its formula. It allows 12 players to join in online matchmaking, but aside from that, there’s not a lot to it to make the online mode more interesting than racing against CPU opponents.
Perhaps an easy fix would be to encourage players to go online through achievements, rewarding players more than they normally are by playing more online matches. Private lobbies could also be more of a focus, encouraging players to join up with friends via the internet.The Nintendo Switch 2 could also introduce shareplay, so only one copy is needed for a group to play together.
8Ditch The Anti-Gravity Gimmick
Bring Mario Kart Back To Basics
The big innovation ofMario Kart 8was zero gravity racing, allowing courses to force players to ride along walls or even upside-down. It was a great way to add variety to the series, but functionally, zero gravity racing was nothing more than a clever aesthetic. Races aren’t more or less difficult, since the camera will always stay in the perspective of the racer.
Hopefully,Mario Kart 9has a brand-new gimmick they can show off in levels, but if not, that’s fine, too. It’s been over a decade since the last normalMario Kartgame, so perhaps the best way to introduce the Nintendo Switch 2 would be by making aMario Kartthat has no gimmicks. All players really need is great level design, a good character roster,and a lot of replay value.
7Courses Should Represent The History Of Mario
Let Players Race Through Iconic Levels
There have been many courses based on locations from theMariofranchise, but inMario Kart 9,it could be fun to lean into the nostalgia of the series. Games likeSuper Mario SunshineandSuper Mario Galaxycould be referenced by having courses take place in Delfino Plaza or the Comet Observatory, or even New Donk City fromSuper Mario Odyssey.
Another great way to pay tribute to Mario’s history is by including courses from spin-off titles, like aPaper Mario-inspired level, oreven one based onSuper Mario RPG, which recently got a remake on the Nintendo Switch. Either way, moreMario-inspired levels would be great, while they can ditch courses like Electrodome which have no relevance to the franchise.
6Alternate Characters Become Costume Changes
The Roster Shouldn’t Be Padded
The roster ofMario Kart 8was controversial at the time for including a lot of slots taken up by non-unique characters. Costumed versions of Mario and Peach, as well as the baby forms of many characters, took precedence over Diddy Kong and Birdo, both of whom were made available via DLC expansions years later.
LikeSuper Smash Bros., a lot of these alternate characterscould simply be costume changes, which would even add a new level of fun by seeing what costumes each character has. Mario could have Dr. Mario, while Luigi could have Mr. L from thePaper Mariogames. Plus, the roster’s slots could be saved up for characters that would get players a lot more excited.
5New Characters Make Their Kart-Racing Debut
Fan-Favorites Should Make The Cut
There are some iconicMariocharacterswho have yet to appear in theMario Kartseries. Take, for instance, King K. Rool, who made hisSuper Smash Bros.debut inSuper Smash Bros. Ultimate. Other belovedMariocharacters, like Geno and Mallow fromSuper Mario RPG, could also make for exciting additions to theMario Kart 9roster.
Of course, there are also more predictable choices for the series, like Captain Toad, Nabbit, and Professor E. Gadd, some of whom already appeared as playable in the mobile-exclusiveMario Kart Tour. There could even be new additions from spin-off franchises likeWarioWare, allowing 9-Volt, Ashley, Mona, and Orbulon to become playable.
4Re-Introduce One Specific Non-Mario Character
Nintendo’s First Racer Deserves A Second Chance
Mario Kart 8already introduced non-Mariocharacters: Link, Villager, Isabelle, and Inklings. While it’s unlikely for the franchise to fully become “Super Smash Kart,” there’s one other Nintendo character who deserves a spot on theMario Kart 9roster: Captain Falcon. The belovedSmash Brosstaple was Nintendo’s original racer in the abandonedF-Zerogames.
SeveralF-Zero-inspired tracks (and even a Blue Falcon kart) appeared inMario Kart 8via DLC, which made it even more egregious that Captain Falcon was left out of the roster. Hopefully,Mario Kart 9remedies this by giving one of the most iconic Nintendo characters another chance to hit the tracks.
3Mario Kart Should Have A Story Mode
Increase Single-Player Appeal
Mario Kartgames have never had much of a story. However, even a loose framing device could do a lot for the series. Perhaps, like Classic Mode ofSuper Smash Bros., there could be one-on-one races that encourage players to complete with different characters, and incentivize them by making others unlockable via this single-player mode.
This could also be a great way to re-introduce an abandoned mechanic fromMario Kart DS: boss battles. Characters likeKing Bob-Omb, Eyerock, and King Boowere all battled in the DS title’s Mission Mode. Bringing this mode back with a little more narrative to it would be a fun way to innovate this franchise.
2Team-Ups Return FromDouble Dash
A Creative Way To Mix Up Races
One of the most beloved entries in theMario Kartfranchise wasMario Kart: Double Dash. In this game, players choose two characters to ride in one kart, with one driving while the other throws items. This could allow for lots of unique combinations of riders, such as Mario and Bowser or Petey Piranha and Yoshi, but it could also lead to some fun new gameplay mechanics forMario Kart 9.
With the series' new focus on each character having different weights and preferences for karts, this could bea good way to encourage strategic racing. Some parts of courses could work best with a lighter driver, while others might require a firm and grounded heavy rider. It could even allow for two players to control one kart at the same time.
1Players Should Be Able To Make Their Own Courses
If Mario Maker Can Do It, Why Can’t Mario Kart?
One gameplay mechanic that has never been included in anyMario Karttitle is course creation. Other Nintendo spin-offs, likeSuper Smash Bros.andSuper Mario Maker, have implemented this as a way for players to share their creations online and make games their own.Mario Kart 9making this a main mechanic would be a great way to engage players (as well as off-load level design onto them).
Obviously, there are limits to how creative a course could be in a customizableMario Kart, but even aesthetics aside, players could create some challenging courses that make Rainbow Road look like a cakewalk. Hopefully,one of these wishes will come truewhen the Nintendo Switch 2 (and presumably, the nextMario Kart) is explored in April’s upcoming Nintendo Direct.
