Following the newMario Kart’s debut during thereveal trailer for the Nintendo Switch 2, the new entry in the series has created huge excitement among fans. This level of anticipation for the title is perfectly understandable, considering this game will markthe first new mainlineMario Kartentry to release on console for 11 years. Of course, the tons of excitement garnered over the newMario Kartgame will also come with some hefty expectations for the title to surpass its predecessors, pushing the series into an ambitious direction.
Luckily, the newMario Kartlooks to be doing just that. For example, the recent footage shown during the Switch 2 reveal trailer suggests the game will allow for more players in a single race, with the new track including a total of 24 starting positions.This revelation alone hints towards a bigger scale compared to what previousMario Kartentries offered, sending players into a frenzy imagining what else this entry has in store. While the possibilities seem endless, there’s one avenue Nintendo should avoid to prevent the newMario Kartfrom losing the series' signature charm and appeal.
Mario Kart Should Avoid Other Nintendo Franchises
It Could Risk The New Game Becoming An All-Star Kart Racer
The newMario Kartshould avoid including other signature Nintendo franchises, at least in the base release.Mario Kart 8marked the first time in the main series that Nintendo chose to incorporate other franchises into the character roster and track selection, withThe Legend of ZeldaandAnimal Crossingbeing incorporated as DLC, whileSplatoonwas included with the release ofMario Kart 8 Deluxe.The addition of these franchises was a welcome inclusion, serving as a bonus on top ofMario Kart 8’s already impressive character rosterand track selection.
TheMario Kartseries had previously done crossovers with other franchises by Bandai Namco as part of a series of arcade games that the company developed. However, these are not considered a part of the mainlineMario Kartseries.
However, continuing this trend could have a negative effect on the newMario Kartgame. The more Nintendo franchises that are included, the more the focus shifts away from theSuper Marioseries itself. With each franchise that’s added to the game’s character roster or track selection,the new title risks devolving into an all-star kart racer, rather than the celebration ofSuper Mariothat previous entries encompass, making theMario Kartname redundant.
Mario Kart Thrives In Its Connection To The Series
Mario Kart Is A Homage To The Super Mario Franchise
The reason this change would be detrimental to the newMario Kartis how the series' charm comes from its connections to the overallSuper Mariofranchise. Many signature elements of theSuper Mariofranchise are used to create theMario Kartseries' variety of inventive and mesmerizing racetracks, alongside a range of powerful items that adds an extra level of chaos to the gameplay.Mario Kartis not only a loving homage to theSuper Mariofranchise, butit’s this connection that allows the series to thrive, becoming one of the best kart racing series in history.
That’s not to say other Nintendo franchises can’t be utilized in the same way, with the tracks inMario Kart 8serving as a great example. That being said,their inclusion would quickly oversaturate the newMario Kartgame, causing it to lose its sense of identity as a celebration ofSuper Mario. Without that core focus, the newMario Kartwould lack a sense of direction, becoming a disjointed and more generic kart-racer that lacks that same sense of imagination and wonder the series is known for.
Of course, other Nintendo franchises could find their way to the newMario Kartin the future, again serving as a bonus to the core game. Given the success ofMario Kart 8’s DLC and theDeluxeversion for Switch, it’s possible that players will eventually see a similar thing occur in the newMario Kart. However, it’s vital that the upcomingMario Kartprioritizes itself as aMariotitle first and foremost, foregoing the inclusion of other franchises in the base game to deliver on the creativity and charm that makes the series so beloved today.
