As one of the top-selling racing games, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe maintains its popularity in the gaming industry. Initially launched for Nintendo’s Wii U in 2014 under the title Mario Kart 8, the game was later reissued for the Switch console in 2017, captivating a vast player community and selling over 50 million copies. Nevertheless, as the game approaches its ten-year milestone next year, speculation regarding its anticipated sequel has begun to surface.

Nintendo, on the contrary, remains tight-lipped regarding the upcoming release, possibly titled Mario Kart 9. Meanwhile, the rumor mill is abuzz with a plethora of speculations regarding the game’s appearance. Here, we have compiled the most prevalent rumors for your convenience.

Mario Kart 9: Potential New Gameplay Features

In the latest installments of the Mario Kart series, each game has introduced a fresh gameplay element. Mario Kart Wii revolutionized the series by introducing bikes, which have since become a trademark feature. Mario Kart 7 took it a step further by adding gliders, enabling racers to soar through the air for the first time. And in the most recent release, Mario Kart 8, antigravity mode was introduced, allowing karts to hover above the ground and effortlessly navigate walls and ceilings.

Mario Kart 7 saw the implementation of point-to-point racetracks, which caused a significant change in the gameplay. Unlike the traditional closed circuit races, players now had to race from a specific starting point to a designated finish line. Additionally, each race consisted of three distinct sectors, instead of the usual three laps (or seven in the case of Baby Park).

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Hence, it is highly anticipated that Mario Kart 9 will introduce a fresh innovation. Although no decisions have been finalized, a plausible concept would be the inclusion of aerial racing, a first for the franchise. This addition would also pay homage to Diddy Kong Racing, which introduced this element to Nintendo 64 players back in 1997. Moreover, if Nintendo wants to go the extra mile, they might consider incorporating vehicle transformations akin to those seen in Sonic & Sega All-Stars Racing Transformed.

Nevertheless, Nintendo’s track record in game design demonstrates that they frequently introduce unexpected gameplay twists.

Mario Kart 9: Vehicles And Courses

It is evident that as the racing action expands into new territories in the Mushroom Kingdom, the vehicles must adjust accordingly. While specific information is currently unavailable, it is anticipated that we might witness the introduction of additional aircrafts – ideally ones that possess the ability to fly, unlike Bowser’s Hurricane in Mario Kart DS.

It is likely that Nintendo will struggle to avoid keeping certain fan favorites. The Biddybuggy and the Master Cycle have gained popularity among players worldwide, while the F-Zero-inspired Blue Falcon has made numerous appearances in the Mario Kart franchise. There is even a possibility that they will retain the Fashion Scooter, which offers a similar feel to the real-life Vespa.

The concepts that Nintendo might introduce for new Mario Kart courses remain uncertain. Predicting their choices is challenging, given the history of unique track concepts, such as a racetrack in a bathroom. However, we can make a rough estimation regarding the number of tracks that may be available in Mario Kart 9.

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Mario Kart 8 Deluxe was launched with a total of 48 tracks, which included the original 32 tracks from Mario Kart 8 and the additional 16 DLC tracks. It is highly probable that Nintendo will continue this trend in Mario Kart 9, including 48 tracks in the base game. Additionally, there may be an expansion pass similar to Mario Kart 8 Deluxe’s Booster Course Pack, offering another 48 tracks for players to enjoy.

It is highly likely that the core 48 tracks will be divided into 24 fresh tracks and 24 remakes from older games (retro tracks). However, it is challenging to anticipate the exact composition of an expansion pack. It would be fascinating to witness another remake of the retro tracks from Mario Kart DS, as they felt quite antiquated even on a more advanced console. Nintendo certainly has an abundance of tracks to choose from, thanks to the addition of thrilling new circuits in Mario Kart Tour.

Mario Kart 9: Release Date Expectation

There are numerous rumors circulating about the upcoming release of , but Nintendo has been relatively forthcoming with information about it. It is anticipated that their new competitor in the console market will launch in 2024, creating a logical opportunity for Nintendo to release their next Mario Kart game on that console as well.

The system of launching a brand-new Mario Kart game per console would also apply, with the Switch being a slight deviation due to Mario Kart 8’s initial release on the Wii U.

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Considering the uncertainty surrounding the release date of Mario Kart 9, it’s important to acknowledge that Nintendo continues to provide support for Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. While the game’s booster course continues to introduce new tracks, the majority of additional cups have already been released. The upcoming Wave 6 of the Booster Course Pass is anticipated to mark the completion of the expansion pass, with an expected release date falling sometime between late 2023 and early 2024.

In 2024, there will be a possibility of a new Mario Kart game release, allowing space for another exciting entry. Nintendo typically announces their games a few months ahead, so it is likely that an announcement for a 2024 Mario Kart release will occur in the first half of the upcoming year.