Summary
Two former Nintendo employees have commented on the prospects of the upcomingMario Kartgame on the Switch 2. Specifically, they revealed the nextMario Kartmight not be as huge of a success for Nintendo as many think and have shared some of their reasons why this could be the case.
Nintendo is gearing up for theSwitch 2 Direct on April 2, promising to unveil more details about the next console and its games. While fans will have to wait until then to learn more about the system, the developer has already given fans a glimpse at a newMario Kart. During the console reveal on February 16, Nintendo shared a brief look at gameplay for what appeared to beMario Kart 9. Understandably, this reveal of a new game in the racing series sparked widespread excitement online, with many thinking this meant it would be a launch title.
In a recent YouTube video, ex-Nintendo PR managers Kit Ellis and Krysta Yang talked about the challenges the upcomingMario Kartcould face in becoming a system seller. While the enduring popularity of theMario Kartseries has led many fans to believe the next game on the Switch 2 will be massive, the former Nintendo employees have some doubts about its ability to spur gamers to buy the new console in the same wayMario Kart 8 Deluxedid on the original Switch. “I’m not sure that’s the slam dunk that people think it is,” Ellis said when talking about the game’s future release. Among the challenges mentioned was the amount ofcontent inMario Kart 8 Deluxe. That game features 96 courses when factoring in the Booster Course Pass and has over 40 playable characters. According to Ellis and Yang, this could dissuade some users from upgrading to a new console that could cost over $400, given the content already available in the Switch title.
Former Nintendo Employees Think Mario Kart 9 Needs to Stand Out From Mario Kart 8 Deluxe
In addition, they noted that the nextMario Karthas the challenge of innovating on what has already come before. “How is Nintendo going to convince me that I want to get the newMario Kart?” Yang asked. The game could need an engaging new gameplay mechanic to convince gamers to justify the purchase of the new system instead of sticking with what they already have. This went along with what Ellis and Yang considered only minor visual improvements compared to the graphics on display inMario Kart 8and the Switch version.
It is worth mentioning that Ellis and Yang still believe the next installment in the series will be very successful regardless of how much it innovates. However, they question whether the game might not be as good at moving console units as something likeThe Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wildon the Switch. They pointed out that the 2017 open-world game delivered a veryinnovative experience forZeldagamers, offering something different from what was available on previous consoles.
With more than67 million copies ofMario Kart 8 Deluxesold, it seems possible that the series' previous success could hamper the nextMario Kart. Nevertheless, there is a chance the popularity of the series could do the inverse and cause even more gamers to purchase a Switch 2. In addition, it should be noted that the game has not been officially announced as a launch title, meaning it could come later. Ultimately, fans will have to wait and see how things pan out.
Nintendo Switch 2
The successor to 2017’s Nintendo Switch continues down the same path as its predecessor, providing a hybrid experience that supports both home and handheld gaming. Launching on June 17, 2025, with games like Mario Kart World, the basic Nintendo Switch 2 bundle comes with the console, Joy-Con 2, straps for the controller, a dock, an AC adapter, an HDMI cable, and a Joy-Con 2 grip.
