November 22nd 2024.
The beloved racing game, Mario Kart, has been dominating the gaming world with its latest installment, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. As the golden goose of the Nintendo Switch generation, it has left fans wondering what a sequel could possibly do to top its success. It's hard to believe that the game we're still playing over 10 years later is the same one that launched on the Wii U in 2014. The Switch has given new life to many neglected Wii U games, but with Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, it felt like Nintendo had reached the peak of kart racing perfection.
And the sales numbers speak for themselves. With over 64.27 million copies sold since its release in April 2017, and a total of 72.73 million when including the Wii U version, it's no surprise that Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is the best-selling game on the Switch. Its closest competitor, Animal Crossing: New Horizons, falls behind with 46.45 million copies sold. This success is not only evident for the Switch, but also in the history of the Mario Kart series. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe's predecessor, Mario Kart 7, sold 18.99 million units, while the best-selling game on the Wii, Mario Kart Wii, sold 37.38 million. These numbers are less than half of what Mario Kart 8 Deluxe has achieved so far.
The longevity of the Switch is a key factor in these impressive sales, but it also speaks to the quality of Mario Kart 8. Its timeless visual style, exceptional orchestral soundtrack, and a total of 96 tracks (thanks to new DLC) make it a masterpiece. Its long lifespan has turned it into a "greatest hits" version of Mario Kart, leaving fans wondering where a potential sequel could go from here.
Although Nintendo has yet to confirm the development of another Mario Kart game, it's almost a certainty given the company's history and the success of Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. The Switch is the first Nintendo console (outside of the Game Boy) to go without a new Mario Kart game during its lifetime. So not only is Mario Kart 9 inevitable, it's long overdue.
But with the Switch's backwards compatibility, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe will still be looming over any potential sequel. Nintendo will have to provide a clear reason why players should buy a new Mario Kart game when they can simply play the one they already have. Leaked specs for the Switch 2 suggest that it will be just as, if not more powerful than the PlayStation 4. In a time where visual upgrades are becoming increasingly minimal, it's hard to imagine a new Mario Kart game relying solely on graphical improvements as its main selling point.
So what can the next installment offer? Throughout the series, Mario Kart games have differentiated themselves with new gimmicks or additions based on the capabilities of the hardware. Mario Kart 8 introduced anti-gravity, Mario Kart: Double Dash had two drivers per kart, Mario Kart Wii utilized motion controls, and Mario Kart 64 introduced 3D graphics. It's likely that the next game will be tied to a specific feature of the Switch 2, but recent leaks suggest that the new system won't be a drastic overhaul in terms of design. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe's main appeal was the ability to play a high-quality Mario Kart game on the go, but now that this novelty has become the norm, a new game will need to offer something more.
The idea of a broader "Nintendo Kart" game has been floating around for a while, similar to the popular Super Smash Bros. franchise. While more crossover tracks like Hyrule Castle seem like a given, it's not necessarily a major selling point when characters and tracks from other Nintendo games are already featured in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. Not to mention, tracks based on F-Zero and Excitebike are also included.
But with Mario Kart 8 Deluxe's massive success, the next game will need to offer something significant to stand out. Nintendo has conducted mysterious playtests for a game with a massively multiplayer online framework, which may not necessarily be related to Mario Kart, but it does suggest a renewed interest in significant online modes for its games. Splatoon already has an online plaza where players can customize their characters and interact with others. Expanding on this idea for the Mushroom Kingdom, or even all of Nintendo's IP in a similar fashion to Nintendo Land, could make Mario Kart 9 feel more distinct.
If Mario Kart's success is due to its reputation as a party game, the next evolution could be global, appointment viewing events. Throughout the Switch's lifespan, we have seen online exclusive games that have experimented with the battle royale format, such as Tetris 99, Super Mario Bros. 35, and most recently F-Zero 99. It's not hard to imagine this format being applied to Mario Kart or other limited-time modes, similar to how popular games like Fortnite operate.
However, it's worth considering how appealing an online-focused Mario Kart would be to casual players. But it could be a meaningful evolution for the series and establish Nintendo's online plans for the next console, an area where the company has fallen behind its competitors.
There are, of course, other ways in which Mario Kart can evolve its concept on a smaller scale. For example, Mario Kart 7 introduced hand gliders and underwater sections. But with the massive success of Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, it's fair to say that Nintendo is in a bit of a bind. When you've perfected the formula with one of the best racing games ever made, it's going to take more than a few tweaks to achieve the same success on the Switch 2.
Could Mario Kart take some cues from Splatoon? Only time will tell. We can't help but wonder what new innovations and updates the next installment will bring. We'll just have to wait and see. In the meantime, if you have any thoughts on the future of Mario Kart, feel free to email us, leave a comment, follow us on Twitter, and sign up for our newsletter. And for easier submission of letters and features, you can use our Submit Stuff page. Who knows, maybe the next Mario Kart game will surprise us all and become the first PS5 game on the Nintendo Switch. Anything is possible in the world of gaming.
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