‘I’m Not Sure That’s the Slam Dunk That People Think It Is’ Ex-Nintendo Employees Comment on Mario Kart Switch 2 Game

Two former Nintendo employees have commented on the prospects of the upcoming Mario Kart game on the Switch 2. Specifically, they revealed the next Mario Kart might not be as huge of a success for Nintendo as many might think and have shared some of their reasons why this could be the case.

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Nintendo is gearing up for the Switch 2 Direct on April 2, promising to unveil more details about the next console and its games. While fans will have to wait until then to learn more about the system, the developer has already given fans a glimpse at a new Mario Kart for the Switch 2. During the console reveal on February 16, Nintendo shared a brief look at gameplay for what appeared to be Mario Kart 9. Understandably, this reveal of a new game in the racing series sparked widespread excitement online, with many thinking this meant the game would be a launch title.

In a recent YouTube video, ex-Nintendo PR managers Kit Ellis and Krysta Yang talked about the challenges the upcoming Mario Kart could face in becoming a system seller. While the enduring popularity of the Mario Kart series has led many fans to believe the next game on the Switch 2 will be massive, the former Nintendo employees have some doubts about its ability to spur gamers to buy the new console in the same way Mario Kart 8 Deluxe did on the original Switch. “I’m not sure that’s the slam dunk that people think it is,” Ellis said when talking about the game’s future release. Among the challenges mentioned was the amount of content in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. That game features 96 courses when factoring in the Booster Course Pass and has 48 playable characters. According to Ellis and Yang, this could dissuade some users from upgrading to a new console that could cost over $400, given the content already available in the Switch title.

Former Nintendo Employees Think Mario Kart 9 Needs to Stand Out From Mario Kart 8 Deluxe

In addition, they noted that the next Mario Kart has the challenge of innovating on what has already come before. “How is Nintendo going to convince me that I want to get the new Mario Kart?” Yang asked. The game could need a new gameplay mechanic to convince gamers to justify the purchase of the new system instead of sticking with what they already have. This went along with what Ellis and Yang considered minor visual improvements compared to the graphics on display in Mario Kart 8 and the Switch version.

It is worth mentioning that Ellis and Yang still believe the next installment in the series will be very successful regardless of how much it innovates. However, they question whether the game might not be as good at moving console units as something like The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild on the Switch. They pointed out that the 2017 open-world game delivered a very innovative experience for Zelda gamers, offering something different from what was available on previous consoles.

With more than 67 million copies of Mario Kart 8 Deluxe sold, it seems possible that the series’ previous success could hamper the next Mario Kart. Nevertheless, there is a chance the popularity of the series could do the inverse and cause even more gamers to purchase a Switch 2. In addition, it should be noted that the game has not been officially announced as a launch title. Ultimately, fans will have to wait and see how things pan out.

Nintendo Switch 2

The Nintendo Switch 2 is the successor to Nintendo Switch, scheduled for release in 2025. Confirmed as backwards compatible, it will play both physical and digital Nintendo Switch games. A full reveal is pencilled in for April 2, 2025.

Brand

Nintendo

Original Release Date

2025