Revolutionizing Mario Kart: How F-Zero X's Coolest Idea Can Take It to the Next Level

Mario Kart could potentially miss out on a significant opportunity by neglecting the best idea from F-Zero X. Despite Nintendo's limited attention towards the F-Zero series, it still holds considerable value and innovative concepts. Given the continued success of Mario Kart, with its latest entry being one of the Switch's most popular games, reviving one of F-Zero's finest ideas seems like the most logical choice. Not only would this benefit the next Mario Kart installment, but it could also serve as a groundbreaking innovation for the entire genre.

The Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Booster Course Pass has played a crucial role in the game's ongoing growth. Offering a wide variety of additional tracks and a small selection of new drivers, the game has experienced a resurgence years after its initial release. Alongside these fresh features, such as vehicle customization and auto-steering, Mario Kart has solidified its status as a series that consistently evolves. With the success of the Booster Course pass, it is only natural to question the future direction of the series. After all, it remains one of the Super Mario franchise's most renowned spinoffs.

F-Zero X's X-Cup Would Thrive In a Mario Kart Game

Despite the lack of any confirmed rumors regarding the return of F-Zero, there was an interesting feature in F-Zero X for the Nintendo 64 that deserves another look. The X Cup, which served as the final cup for players to unlock, presented a series of tracks that were randomly generated. These tracks varied in difficulty, ranging from surprisingly easy to incredibly challenging. The uniqueness of the X Cup meant that players always had a fresh challenge to face. It is unfortunate that the X Cup did not make a comeback in F-Zero GX and it seems that the concept has not been utilized elsewhere.

While a fantastic idea for the future of the series would be a course creator in Mario Kart 9, bringing back the X Cup in some form would also be a great plan for similar reasons. In fact, a modified version of the X Cup in a Mario Kart game has the potential to be an even more thrilling experience. Unlike F-Zero, where racers can only bump each other off the track, Mario Kart introduces a wide range of items such as Bananas and the dreaded Blue Shell. Incorporating these hazardous elements into the already treacherous randomized courses would create an even more exhilarating Mario Kart version of the X Cup.

The concept of random levels is gaining popularity in the gaming world, as seen in games like Starfield and roguelike games. F-Zero GX may have been ahead of its time in this aspect. It would be great if Mario Kart could incorporate randomly generated racetracks into the genre, as it is a promising idea that has been underutilized so far. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe has already raised the bar with its extensive content, but there is still room for improvement. One potential source of inspiration could be F-Zero X's X Cup, which introduces a unique twist to gameplay and offers replay value through its randomized nature. The next Mario Kart game should consider harnessing the potential of this underused concept to enhance the gaming experience.

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is available now for the Nintendo Switch.