Summary
While nothing has been officially revealed yet, there is a strong chance that Nintendo is hard at work developing the nextMario Karttitle. The series is one of the biggest that Nintendo has, and not a console goes by without a brand-new entry. So, if the studio is working on a new console, then it is probably working on aMario Kartas well. And if it actually is, Nintendo will have to try extremely hard to make fans care about it.
Based on the franchise’s history,the nextMario Kartwill probably be a success no matter how much content it has. However,Mario Kart 8 Deluxehas cemented itself as the biggest title in the franchise to date. Because of that, it may be hard to convince fans to leave it behind for whatever comes next. Just like withSuper Smash Bros. Ultimate, once a studio crafts the ultimate version of its franchise, it is almost impossible to go any bigger.
Mario Kart’s Future May Have a Hard Time Beating Its Present
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Has Become the Premier Mario Kart
As of now,Mario Kart 8has been the focal pointof the franchise ever since the Wii U era. The game launched in 2014 and took the series to new heights by delivering a fantastic kart racing experience. It was then further expanded upon with DLC, which was a first for the series. That support and quality made it the best-selling Wii U game of all time, which is why it was probably expanded upon when the Switch rolled around.
Instead of moving on to a new title, Nintendo portedMario Kart 8over to the Nintendo Switch throughMario Kart 8 Deluxe. It included all the DLC, improved upon the weaker parts of the original, and introduced several new elements. Fans seemed to love it, as seen by the fact it has become the best-selling Switch game of all time. And while players thought theMario Kart 8fun would end there, Nintendo surprised everyone when it announceda new wave of DLC in 2022.
The Booster Course Pass expandedMario Kart 8 Deluxegreatlyby doubling the track count over the course of six waves. Not only did it bring back fan-favorite courses fromMario Kart’s past, but it also introduced a few new ones along with some new characters. All of that helped make it the biggestMario Kartexperience to date, with some even comparing it toSuper Smash Bros. Ultimate.
Mario Kart 9 Will Have to Try Hard to Make an Impact
Now that the DLC forMario Kart 8 Deluxeis seemingly over, all eyes are on what Nintendo will do next with the franchise. WhileMario Kart Live: Home Circuitwas an interesting twist on the formula, most players are waiting to see where the mainline series goes from here. And becauseMario Kart 8 Deluxehas become the premier kart racer, that next step does not seem very obvious.
A ninthMario Kartis likely on the horizon, and it may be hard for it to make an impact. If it launches with less content than the eighth game currently has, then fans may have little reason to make the jump over. Unless it introduces a slew of exciting new mechanics and delivers a game unlike any other, it could be overshadowed by its predecessor.
If Nintendo is not careful, thenMario Kartmay quickly be forgotten about. Even though the DLC forMario Kart 8 Deluxehas been fantastic, delivering all of that content in one game just makes it so that the next game has to blow audiences away, and hopefullyMario Kart 9will be able to do just that.
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe
WHERE TO PLAY
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is a racing game in the world-renowned racing game series. The game was released in 2017 for Nintendo Switch and was at the time the first Mario game on the platform. It is an improved version of the Wii U game Mario Kart 8. It comes with added characters and changes in Battle Mode.Burn rubber across Mushroom Kingdom raceways—underwater, in the sky, upside-down in zero-g, and past the finish—for the win! Get revved up for local multiplayer, online in-game tournaments, a revamped battle mode, and more!Stay fresh in the Mario Kart™ 8 Deluxe game by playing as guest characters Inkling Girl and Inkling Boy! You can use their Splatoon inspired karts on their battle mode stage, Urchin Underpass.There are also returning items, like Boo, the item-stealing ghost, and the Feather, used exclusively in battle mode. Veterans rejoice—you can hold two items at once! Prove you’re the world’s best racer and battler in online tournaments, or simply race and battle friends online. With many control options and handheld mode, there’s always a way to play on the Nintendo Switch™ system!
