2025 is most certainly going to be an exciting year for Nintendo fans with the release of the Switch 2, and the only officially confirmed Nintendo game so far is the first new mainline Mario Kart in over a decade. Since the first-look trailer, fans have been discussing the way that this new Mario Kart seems to be aiming for a more cute and simplistic style. Only two brief clips of gameplay were shared, but it’s true that the models of the Super Mario cast seem a bit more condensed to fit into smaller, less-detailed karts, which certainly gives the vibe that the series is aiming to go back to its roots, at least artistically.
It makes sense as to why Mario Kart might be aiming for a fresh start with the newest title, especially since Mario Kart 8 and MK8 Deluxe have been the one and only offerings it had since 2014. Mario Kart 8 in particular was famous for it’s zero-gravity wheels, which led a bit of a futuristic and science-fiction look and feel to the game, seen in impressive detail on tracks like Electrodome and special sections of others such as DK Jungle. After what it brought to Mario Kart 8 when it was introduced, there’s a strong argument for zero-gravity to return in the next Mario Kart game.
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Just because the Switch 2’s Mario Kart is aiming for a simpler vibe doesn’t necessarily mean that courses and mechanics will be the same way. If the new Mario Kart wishes to pull from other courses from other titles, then it may have to leave space for it by default by just how frequent the zero-gravity wheels were used. Leaving room for Mario Kart 8‘s unique gimmick also leaves room for the newer title to lean into it in a way that MK8 never got to. Now that the science fiction element has been played with enough, there’s plenty of room for zero-gravity to be a bit more relaxed or even pushed forward if this new game has a gimmick of its own.
In terms of gameplay, the zero-gravity aspects of Mario Kart 8 served as a great way to keep players on their toes with obstacles being made into speed boosts while driving along walls and ceilings. It was a great way to change what fans had come to expect with Mario Kart without taking away from what’s made it into one of the best kart racers out there. While it may have overstayed its welcome with how long Mario Kart 8 has had the spotlight, there’s a strong chance that Mario Kart races won’t be the same without walls to race on. Zero-gravity could easily be made a mainstay of the series, but it needs to prove that it’s more than a one-time kart racer gimmick.
The opposite approach may be the answer, as having zero-gravity sections without sacrificing the simpler theme may very well do the trick. Beginning courses could feature one or two zero-gravity sections in the first Cups, while later courses could take advantage by hiding secret walls to ride onto for a few careful shortcuts. Zero-gravity still holds potential in other modes such as Battle Mode which could use another game and a fresh outlook on the series to really bring something new to the table.
Mario Kart is known for being a fun, easy-going, yet still chaotic time, and allowing players to run along walls and ceilings for an extra boost when they know where it is ties into that association well. For now, time will have to tell if Mario Kart 8 will leave its mark on the series going forward. At the very least, knowing the first Mario Kart in 11 years is likely to come within a year is enough to excite long-time fans until more news arrives.
- Released
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May 30, 2014
- ESRB
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E for Everyone: Comic Mischief
- Developer(s)
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Nintendo EAD
- Publisher(s)
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Nintendo