With the release of Wave 4 of the Booster Course Pass, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe continues to add new content for the players, indicating there's no rush to work on a sequel. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is the best-selling Nintendo Switch game, but there's one way to make Mario Kart 9 break those numbers on the Switch or the next Nintendo console. Nintendo could take a Super Smash Bros. Approach and incorporate other Nintendo franchises into the next racing game.
A Super Smash Bros. Version of a Mario Kart game just makes sense. Not only would a Nintendo Kart garner a lot of attention and popularity in the gaming world, it would also be a potential bestseller if fans from other gaming franchises see their favorite characters racing along Mario and friends. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe and other past Mario Kart games have already included non-Super Mario characters into games already, although those special guest characters rarely stick around, aside from Nintendo's Miis.
Nintendo Could Bring Back All Racers to Mario Kart 9 Similarly to Smash Ultimate
The new Mario Kart game should imitate Super Smash Bros. Ultimate by returning all racers from previous games into the new roster. Every Mario Kart game always introduced new characters who often didn't stay for sequels. For instance, Mario Kart 7 featured Wiggler, who didn't return to Mario Kart 8. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe's latest DLC has already shown the game's ability to perform a similar idea to Super Smash Bros. Ultimate's "Everyone is Here!" As Birdo makes her return to the Mario Kart base games for the first time since Mario Kart Wii.
Wave 4 of the Booster Course Pass for Mario Kart 8 Deluxe already revealed five more DLC character slots, hinting at the possibility of new or returning characters. Fans would be ecstatic to see beloved characters return to the racetrack, including Diddy Kong, Funky Kong, and R.O.B. Yet, if those racers don't make the roster for Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, they should be included in the Mario Kart sequel as part of a big reunion with the cast and the players.
More Nintendo Franchises Should Appear in Mario Kart 9
Nintendo already has the formula and assets to create a Super Smash Bros. Ultimate racing game. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe already included several non-Super Mario characters in the base game, including the Inklings from Splatoon, Link from The Legend of Zelda, and the Villagers and Isabelle from Animal Crossing. It also has several courses based in non-Super Mario locations, such as Excitebike Arena and Hyrule Circuit. Interestingly enough, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe includes F-Zero courses Big Blue and Mute City, yet Captain Falcon doesn't appear as a racer.
New Mario Kart characters from other Nintendo games would have to be some of the most famous ones. Some characters that come to mind are Kirby, Pikachu, Samus Aran, and Princess Zelda. All four of those characters come from Nintendo's most popular video game franchises, and they would add on to the popularity of Mario Kart with their appearances. Players would find it adorable seeing Kirby and Pikachu driving karts and doing tricks in midair. Meanwhile, Samus and Zelda would add on to the growing female cast.
Of course, with every new Mario Kart game, there's always new tracks to be added. Nintendo could take inspiration from other Nintendo games for building fun and unique racetracks. For example, it would be cool to have a course taking place in a wild location reminiscent of Pokemon Snap, where players race around a track surrounded by various types of Pokemon. Nintendo could also remake courses from Kirby Air Ride, which should be nostalgic for those who played the game.
It wouldn't be a new Mario Kart without new vehicles either. There are a lot of properties in Nintendo video games that could look really look great as vehicles, as two examples are Samus' iconic gunship and Kirby's own Warp Star. Nintendo may not reveal any progress on a new Mario Kart game for a long time, but the company should be ambitious with the project. For now, players will have to settle and see what comes in the remaining two waves of the Booster Course Pass.
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is available now on Nintendo Switch.