I’ve pored over the new Mario Kart footage shared with the Nintendo Switch 2 announcement, mostly because there’s nothing about the console itself that is worth overanalysing. We all immediately deduced that it’s a new game, but other factoids were more difficult to come by.
I must say, I was a little disappointed that there weren’t any dual-rider karts, as I’d worked myself into thinking that 2 Double 2 Dash would be arriving with the Switch 2. However, there are an impressive 16 racers on the track – and 24 starting positions – which assuaged my fears a little. We’ll still have plenty of chaos, then.
Another thing I noticed is the gas station. I mean, I’m fairly certain everyone who wasn’t watching blindfolded noticed that, but it made me think of the gameplay reasons for it being there. Will it work like a pit stop where we can change our tyres mid-race? Will we need to take off our slicks if the weather changes? That could add an interesting strategy element to the game. But I don’t think it’s very Mario Kart.
What could be more likely is that these are some kind of hub. A place you can stop off at to pick up new challenges, to start races, or to collect bounties in return for completing a time trial or suchlike. Maybe it’s a rest stop, maybe you can pay currency to refill your tank and go and take on more races.
There’s clearly an item there. It looks almost like a gold-coloured item box. Either this is a redesign for item boxes for this new game (which, if Nintendo is following the same boring naming practices as it is with its consoles, will be Mario Kart 9, yawn), or it’s a new item. A ‘start challenge’ marker, perhaps? It’s more likely than you might think.
Mario Kart 9 Could Borrow From Forza Horizon
Mario Kart likes to switch things up every now and then. It’s why it’s one of the most memorable and replayable arcade racers out there. From adding extra riders, to reinventing the rainbow each time around, Mario Kart has never once felt tired. Just look at the longevity of Mario Kart 8 for proof of that.
I think that this one little pit stop could be a sign that Mario is borrowing from the Forza Horizon series in Mario Kart 9. That’s right, we could be getting an open-world Mario Kart game. One that allows you to drive around freely, taking up races wherever you see fit. Maybe you head towards the mountains for a snowy time trial? Or perhaps you see Bowser’s castle looming ominously on the horizon (pun very much intended) and zoom over there to challenge him in a straight-up race through his maze of corridors and lava-filled bedrooms.
The one thing Mario Kart has never had is freedom. You’re always constrained by the limits of whichever track you’re racing. Sure, there’s a shortcut through the alley in Delfino Plaza and if you’ve got a mushroom you can skip a hairpin bend on Yoshi Circuit, but real freedom? With nothing but the open road ahead of you and the tyres beneath your feet to carry you? Nothing of the sort.
I’ve got more evidence to support this theory. The track itself. It appears straight, it goes on towards the, um, horizon. I’ve got to stop using that word. It’s clearly a Route 66-inspired track, but could that be because it’s one part of a larger world? Mario Kart 8 introduced races that didn’t loop around, the likes of Big Blue and Mount Wario, but combined with the pit stop I think Nintendo is hinting at something bigger. Something opener. Something worlder. You get the picture.
A couple of older Rainbow Roads also don’t loop, but they were outliers in their respective games.
I’m not certain that this is what Nintendo is planning. I’m not a leaker, nor do I have any insider knowledge. But this is a conclusion I have reached from studying the Switch 2 trailer for longer than any man should. And it’s a wishlist, too. If I can’t have my Double Dash sequel, then an open-world Mario Kart game in the style of the frivolous Forza Horizon fun would be right up my alley, around my plaza, and over my finish line.
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Mario Kart 9 Needs A Big New Gimmick To Set It Apart
After more than a decade of Mario Kart 8, it’s time for some big changes.