Even though not much has been revealed about the newest gameplay mechanics and content coming toMario Kart 9, its brief look in the Switch 2 reveal trailer has already caused waves of speculation among fans.Being revealed as a presumed launch title for the upcoming console has only made speculation aboutMario Kart 9skyrocket to even greater heights, with theories ranging from outlandish to surprisingly plausible. While fans will have to wait and see ifMario Kart 9manages to fully reinvent the franchise or simply add to the pre-existing formula, it already has some tough competition.
WithMario Kart 9being the first new title in the franchise in over 10 years, it could offer a brand-new experience for long-time fans of the series. The advanced hardware of the Switch 2 could also result in new mechanics and graphical fidelity, but fans will have to wait until the next Nintendo Direct in April for more news. While the Switch 2’sMario Kart 9already seems to be making some changes to stand out fromMario Kart 8 Deluxewithnew character redesigns, it’ll have to do more than that to outdo its long-lived predecessor.
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Has An Absurd Amount Of Content
Nearly A Decade’s Worth Of Content To Compete With
Over its long lifespan,Mario Kart 8received not only a remastered port for the Switch from the Wii U, but multiple DLC waves that added new characters and plenty of fun tracks to speed through.After years of content updates, the current edition ofMario Kartoffers a staggering 96 tracks throughout all its DLC, not to mention its 40 playable characters and range of customizable vehicles. While not all ofMario Kart 8 Deluxe’s 96 tracks are made equal with the same level of replayability, theMario Kartfranchise is filled with some incredibletracks that need to return forMario Kart 9.
There’s One Addition That Should Be Avoided For The New Mario Kart
The new Mario Kart game for the Switch 2 should avoid incorporating other Nintendo franchises, remaining as a celebration of all things Super Mario.
Even ifMario Kart 9aims to be the biggest entry in the franchise so far, there’s virtually no way it will include the same number of stages asMario Kart 8 Deluxeat launch. Given that 32 tracks was the standard number for a majority of entries, it’s the most likely candidate forMario Kart 9’s offering, although it may try to compete withMario Kart 8 Deluxe’s 48 at launch. WhileMario Kart 9is bound to be another success for Nintendo,matchingMario Kart 8 Deluxe’s initial offering of tracks would make it a much easier jump into the new venture for fans of the series.
It will be hard to follow up the massive offering of its predecessor.
Overall, it’s still impressive that Nintendo has continued to supportMario Kart 8over the years with reasonably priced expansion passes, providing countless hours of enjoyment with friends or through online play. WhileMario Kart 9is likely to add new mechanics that will take away from the resources dedicated to making so many new tracks, it will be hard to follow up the massive offering of its predecessor. EvenSuperSmash Bros. Ultimateis facing a similar problem with having to port over its massive and ever-growing roster of new characters, making a sequel with the same expectations an incredibly tough challenge.
The Next Mario Kart Needs To Be Great, Not Big
Providing A Quality Experience To Celebrate The Next Generation Of Nintendo
Rather than simply trying to match up with the same amount of content as its predecessor,Mario Kart 9should focus on adding brand-new features that make the game a worthy entry in the long-running franchise. There are already plenty offeatures fans want to see inMario Kart, giving Nintendo plenty of freedom and ideas on how it can revolutionize the series on next-generation hardware.
There’s One Change To The New Mario Kart That Is A Step In The Right Direction
Not much is known about the new Mario Kart coming to the Switch 2, but one obvious change is a great step in a new direction for the series.
Rather than focusing on the number of levels likeMario Kart 8 Deluxe, the ninth entry could focus more on introducing stages with more variety and routes, giving the same tracks even more replayability than before. WithMario Kart 8 Deluxealready having revised many tracks from the series,there aren’t as many great stages just waiting for a remaster. Given the inevitable comparisons with its predecessor, there’s plenty of incentive forMario Kart 9to focus on creating a limited selection of high-quality and unique stages fit for its new mechanics.
How Mario Kart 9 Could Escape 8 Deluxe’s Shadow
Settings Itself A Part With A New Design Philosophy
From the limited footage shown in the Switch 2 reveal trailer, it looks likeMario Kart 9already has some new mechanics that can set it apart from the series. While anew art styleis a good start,the seemingly 24-player races could be an excellent start to shaking up the formula of the franchise while sticking to what makesMario Kartso fun in the first place. While an expanded player count is certainly an exciting prospect, it isn’t enough of a selling point for a brand-new entry in the series. Thankfully, the speculation of expanded track sizes and new power-up mechanics could offer a pleasant surprise for players that are hoping for more than just a shinier version ofMario Kart 8 Deluxewith less content.
Given the lengthy development time since its predecessor and nature as a potential launch title for the Switch 2,players can likely expect some big changes coming toMario Kart 9that will set it apart from the series. Some fans have even speculated these changes couldtake the franchise in an open-world direction, combining racing games likeForza Horizonwith the mechanics and gameplay loop of aMario Karttitle.
While such a drastic change might not be the most likely outcome for the release ofMario Kart 9, the idea of expanded tracks that feature more off-track segments and shortcuts might be likely given the abundance of off-roading vehicles and tires seen in the trailer. WithMario Kart 8 Deluxebeing known for its flashy maps with gravity defying, flying, and underwater driving mechanics,Mario Kart 9will need to balance this new direction with the same level of fast-paced racing that its predecessor provided.
Mario Kart 9 Needs To Break This Franchise Tradition
Mario Kart 9 should move away from including older tracks, focussing instead on being something entirely original compared to previous entries.
Regardless of whetherMario Kart 9chooses to opt for quality over quantity at launch,the most important aspects of the next-generational sequel will boil down to how good the mechanics and track designs are. IfMario Kart 9manages to satisfy with its exciting new mechanics, it may finally push the franchise past the shadow thatMario Kart 8 Deluxehas had over the series for years.
