Revving Up the Excitement: Mario Kart 9 Sets the Ultimate Racing Standard

Highlights

Mario Kart has become an iconic series for Nintendo, evidenced by the phenomenal sales of Mario Kart 8 Deluxe that underscore its widespread appeal and expansion.

Mario Kart 9 must surpass its predecessors and exceed fans' expectations by introducing impressive features and mechanics. As the series continues to grow, the anticipation for Mario Kart 9 only rises. Given the significant advancements made in the recent installments, the upcoming release faces high standards. While fans will undoubtedly seek the beloved classic gameplay, a mere solid racing experience may no longer suffice. Mario Kart is a monumental franchise for Nintendo, so each new installment must be a significant event.

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Has Greatly Raised Expectations For the Sequel

Mario Kart has become a pivotal franchise for Nintendo, a fact reflected in the impressive sales figures of the latest installment, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. What began as a simple concept of Mario and his friends racing in Super Mario Kart has since evolved into a series that continuously expands its horizons. Whether it's making the leap to 3D in Mario Kart 64 or embracing the world of mobile gaming with Mario Kart Tour, the franchise is renowned for its innovative spirit. In fact, it has arguably become one of Nintendo's staple titles, ranking only second to the main Super Mario platformers in terms of its presence on every Nintendo console.

The Booster Course pass has revolutionized the series, propelling it to new heights. With the upcoming release of the latest expansion for Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, the game will boast an impressive collection of 96 courses and 48 characters, solidifying its position as the largest console game in the franchise. True, a majority of this content was added post-launch, but its sheer magnitude cannot be overlooked. With a dedicated fanbase and thriving online community, the Mario Kart brand is currently at its peak. However, this success also casts a formidable shadow over the future release of Mario Kart 9, as it must surpass the towering legacy set by its predecessor.

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While Mario Kart 8 Deluxe holds the title as the most prominent installment in the series, it is not the only standout. Alongside Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, the widely-downloaded Mario Kart Tour offers its own unique content, including exclusive tracks, characters, and items. However, thanks to the Mobile Course Pass allowing certain tracks and even the character Kamek to crossover to console, Tour's exclusives could potentially be incorporated into future installments, such as Mario Kart 9. As the series is always in need of fresh features and retro tracks, these Tour exclusives may become fair game for future Mario Kart games.

The main concern for Mario Kart 9 is ensuring that it lives up to the standards set by its predecessors. Sequels are expected to surpass their predecessors in both scale and quality, and the Booster Course Pass in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe has made it quite the challenge to follow. To remain competitive, Mario Kart 9 will need to introduce a compelling array of features of its own. This could involve the introduction of completely new gameplay mechanics, the return of beloved yet underrated elements, or the inclusion of more non-Mario Nintendo characters. Link and the Inklings have already demonstrated the viability of incorporating non-Mario characters into the series, making it a potential avenue for future Mario Kart games.

Mario Kart seems to have reached its peak, which presents both benefits and drawbacks. This means that Mario Kart 9 will face a significant challenge upon its release, as it must strive to surpass its predecessors. Given the immense success of the previous installment, Mario Kart 9 will undoubtedly be compared to it, regardless of its own merits. To prevent disappointment, the game will need to introduce innovative elements right from the beginning. At this stage, being merely good is not enough for Mario Kart 9; it must be truly remarkable. Currently, players can enjoy Mario Kart 8 Deluxe on the Nintendo Switch.