Unveiling the Exciting Future of Mario Kart: The Ultimate Booster Course Pass Experience

Highlights

The introduction of the Booster Course Pass has established Mario Kart 8 Deluxe as a prominent hub for previous installments in the franchise. However, this achievement presents a formidable challenge for Mario Kart 9. The sequel can either opt to adhere to the existing model or embark on a path of innovation by introducing entirely novel tracks.

Choosing to go for completely fresh tracks and a new beginning for the franchise would be a thrilling and groundbreaking move for Mario Kart 9. This would provide players with an unparalleled experience, introducing novel mechanics, items, karts, and drivers.

Having achieved the status of the highest-selling Nintendo Switch game and the second best-selling Nintendo game ever released, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe has undoubtedly demonstrated that the kart racing franchise is still filled with boundless potential. Despite consistently strong sales on all previous consoles, the monumental success of Mario Kart 8 Deluxe has propelled the company to maximize its potential before shifting its focus to the next venture.

Enter the Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Booster Course Pass, a remarkable expansion pack that continues to enhance the game with fresh tracks and racers, even years after its initial release. For a mere $25, or absolutely free with a Nintendo Switch Online subscription, players can promptly unlock an impressive collection of 40 tracks, with the majority being superbly revamped versions of acclaimed maps from the extensive Mario Kart series. However, the availability of these beloved tracks sets the stage for an enthralling sequel that can take the franchise in an entirely new and exciting direction.

Mario Kart 9 Should Have Only New Tracks At Launch

Over the past decade, the Mario Kart franchise has followed a consistent formula, where each new game release incorporates a mix of fresh tracks and revamped classics. Mario Kart 8 followed suit by introducing 16 brand new tracks alongside 16 remastered ones. These remastered tracks were carefully chosen from the extensive catalogue of Mario Kart history, spanning multiple console generations including GameCube, SNES, and Wii.

With the introduction of the Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Booster Course Pass, Nintendo has truly exceeded expectations. In addition to featuring five entirely new tracks, the Booster Course Pass has incorporated a whopping 35 remastered courses into Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. While previous installments in the series have included beloved tracks from various games, the Booster Course Pass delves even deeper by including lesser-known tracks from less popular titles such as Mario Kart Tour and Mario Kart: Super Circuit for the GBA. Moreover, there are still eight more tracks yet to be released. In essence, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe has now become a hub for past entries, much like Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, which puts Mario Kart 9 in a fascinating position.

In theory, Mario Kart 9 has two primary options. The first option is to follow the same formula that Mario Kart has employed for the past decade, featuring a plethora of new tracks alongside remastered classics. However, with Mario Kart 8 Deluxe already exhausting the available options, Mario Kart 9 may struggle to find untapped classic tracks for remastering. If Mario Kart 9 were to merely recycle the same maps used in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, it could be perceived as a low-effort approach.

However, the more exciting option is for Mario Kart 9 to introduce something entirely different. To create a truly unique experience, Mario Kart 9 should feature only fresh and original tracks, completely designed from scratch. Nintendo could leverage this creativity as the game's main selling point, promoting it as a fresh new beginning for the franchise unlike anything seen before. This approach could even extend to the game's mechanics, introducing new gimmicks, items, karts, and drivers. As Mario Kart 8 Deluxe has already perfected the original formula, it is time for Mario Kart 9 to embark on a new journey.

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is currently available for Nintendo Switch.