Summary

Ever since its debut on the SNES in 1992,Mario Karthas been one of Nintendo’s most consistently good franchises, bringing together all their star characters and having them battle it out on courses filled with weapons, traps, and other drivers, all looking to finish in first place. Over thirty years later, the franchise is still going strong, andMario Kart 9is poised to be one of the most hypedlaunch games for theSwitch 2, which launches sometime in 2025.

With an eye to the future ofMario Kartand its upcoming ninth entry, one can’t help but think about what courses are going to be included, as the series tends to include a good mix of both classic and new courses.OlderMario Kartcoursesare constantly being brought back, and it’s exciting to think about what these iconic tracks could look like with the improved hardware of the Switch 2. These courses run the gamut, chronicling a list from the long and storied history of this iconic racing series, as many of these haven’t been seen since their initial game and would be a perfect fit forMario Kart 9.

First appearing inMario Kart: Super Circuitfor the Game Boy Advance,Cheep Cheep Islandtakes place on a delightful series of land masses, all of them beset by a gorgeous sunset overlooking the sandy dunes and lighthouses. It is one of the best handheldMario Kartcourses of all time, as Nintendo leveraged the power of the Game Boy Advance to create an experience similar to the original game on the SNES, but with remarkable graphics and some spectacular music.

It would be aperfect fit forMario Kart 9, as its lush landscapes, cozy tropical island vibe and gigantic Cheep Cheeps jumping in and out of the water would benefit greatly from the improved hardware of the Switch 2. AsMario Kart: Super Circuitwas a 2D game, it would also be absolutely fantastic to see the course remade in 3D, which Nintendo is no stranger to, as they have done so with numerous tracks from the older games.

Nintendo clearly still sees value inSuper Mario Sunshine, as they released it as part of a collection for the Switch to celebrate their mascot’s 35th anniversary in 2020. So, withMario Kart 9on the horizon, it is the perfect time to continue that trend by including an updated version ofDelfino Square, which incorporates all the charm and magic ofSunshinein a single course.

Debuting inMario Kart DS, Delfino Square takes the racers through a seaside village that is loaded with shops, hazards, and an adorable cast of Piantas, the island locals. It has such a soothing vibe, and with a lot of rumors surroundingMario Kart 9’smassive player count and being somewhat of an open-world experience akin toForza, it would make sense to bring Delfino Square back and really open it up to encompass more ofSunshine’senvironments.

If there’s anything thatMario Kartalways tends to have, it’s a course that is covered in snow, embracing a chilly winter vibe and inviting atmosphere. WithMario Kart 64, Nintendo produced what is still one of the best winter-themed tracks withSherbet Land, a slippery jaunt that sees racers trying to avoid a large range of different sized penguins as they look to knock them off the track and into the freezing waters.

Sherbet Land would also appear in the Wii iteration of the series from 2008, and while it seemed like an obviouschoice for theMario Kart 8Deluxebooster pass, it has been absent from the series ever since. That said, it’s high time to bring this delightful course back and see what it looks like on improved hardware, as the Switch 2 version ofMario Kartis bound to feature some internal improvements that will make this winter wonderland shine like never before.

For the next-gen version ofMario Karton the GameCube in 2003,the appropriately titledDouble Dash, Nintendo added two drivers per vehicle and the ability to hold two weapons at once. It wasn’t just about the new mechanics though, asDouble Dashalso features one of the best track selections in the entire series, and one of the best of those isLuigi Circuit, a traditional racecourse that unfolds with the classicMario Kartmayhem the franchise is known for.

If rumors of 24 participants per race are true, then Luigi Circuit would be a perfect course to bring back inMario Kart 9, as the wide open spaces of the track would be outstanding for the increased player count. Luigi Circuit is one ofMario Kart’sall-time greatest tracks, and bringing it back with the enhanced power of the Switch 2 is an absolute no-brainer.

3Koopa Troopa Beach

This N64 Course Would Benefit Greatly From An Update On Switch 2

The N64 iteration ofMario Kartcontinues to be one of Nintendo’s most timeless creations, and it’s thanks to excellent tracks likeKoopa Troopa Beachthat it remains as such some twenty-eight years later. This bright, sunny beach is filled with dangers of all sorts, from gigantic leaps across treacherous rocks to hostile creatures emerging from the sand, and like any greatMario Kartlevel, it uses them all to perfection.

Re-introducing Koopa Troopa Beach, one of the franchise’s most popular courses, would be a wise move forMario Kart 9. In addition to its spectacular design, it also has one of thefranchise’s most well-known shortcuts, as players can use a mushroom to leap off a ramp and dive into a cave that cuts through a waterfall and can save a lot of time. Recreating this iconic track inMario Kart 9would also have to include this memorable shortcut, as this excellent course deserves a spot in one of Switch 2’s most anticipated games.

2Waluigi Stadium

This Iconic Double Dash Track Deserves A Comeback

Waluigi Stadiumhas been a consistent presence inMario Kartever sinceDouble Dash, having also appeared in the Wii version,Tour,and theMK8 Deluxebooster pass. When it comes to tracks that could return forMario Kart 9, including this iconic course for another run makes a ton of sense, as it would effortlessly tie in to the game’s rumored increase in driver count.

Waluigi Stadium has the energy of a large motocross track, taking place on a dirt course that features jumps, fire hazards, and gigantic piranha plants. It shares some similarities with Wario Stadium fromMario Kart 64, but is much larger and features more traps, along with some excellent music.Waluigi Stadium is a must-haveforMario Kart 9, as its legendary status in the franchise deserves to be celebrated on Switch 2.

1Moo Moo Farm

A Nostalgic Return To Moo Moo Farm Would Be Excellent On Switch 2

Moo Moo Farmhas only appearedin twoMario Kartgames, debuting in the N64 release and getting an upgrade in the DS iteration. A similar track, Moo Moo Meadows, appeared inMario Kart Wiiand was remade for theMK8 Deluxebooster pass, but the original version is in need of an update, and the Switch 2 is the place to make it happen.

This charming course takes place on a sprawling, wide-open farm that features one of the best pieces of music in the franchise’s history and has some dastardly traps in the form of Monty Moles popping up from the ground. Of all the classic courses, Moo Moo Farm remains the one most in need of a return inMario Kart 9and would be an absolutely perfect way to show just how far this franchise has come in nearly thirty years.