Yesterday, Nintendo teased the Switch 2 for the first time. During the video, Mario Kart passed by, but is it a new game or an existing one?
Mario Kart is one of Nintendo’s most popular games. Still, we have been waiting almost 11 years for a sequel to volume 8. Given the images from the Nintendo Switch 2, it seems we can finally expect a new Mario Kart.
Or is it a polished version of Mario Kart 8 after all? Here’s everything you need to know and what to expect.
A new Mario Kart on the way for the Nintendo Switch 2?
Let’s be clear right away: this really does seem to be a completely new game for the Nintendo Switch 2. In fact, there are several clues that confirm this. Indeed, it seems that Nintendo is making some major changes.
The most striking clue from the Nintendo Switch 2 trailer is a new race track. This track was not in Mario Kart 8, nor does it appear to be from a DLC pack.
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Judging from the starting line, Mario Kart 9(????) seems to have 24 players per race, which is insane. pic.twitter.com/yWCKQOyepP
– Rimea (@The_Rimea) January 16, 2025
There is also another notable detail: the trailer shows 24 starting spots. That’s more than in the current Mario Kart games. This would mean that you can race with up to 24 players at once on the Nintendo Switch 2. How cool would it be to play with that many racers online? That’s three times more than in the current version.
Open-world and new features
The environment around the kart track seems much grander. More depth can be seen, and the tracks themselves seem wider. It looks like Nintendo may be opting for an open-world concept, as we know from games like Forza Horizon and Need for Speed. This could make the new Mario Kart on the Nintendo Switch 2 a unique and fantastic experience.
Another notable detail in the trailer is the addition of a gasoline tank. This could be a gimmick, but it looks like you can further customize your kart and refueling might become a gameplay element. In addition, we see a greater variety of vehicles.
Also seen on the side of the track is a Yoshi restaurant that seems to offer boosts during the race. This is different from the regular item boxes we are used to.
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That Mario Kart track looks so big that the game probably has an unseen gimmick. There’s just no way you have a track like that and it plays the same as 8. pic.twitter.com/DQwMXEVA5z
– LonelyGoomba (@LonelyGoomba) January 16, 2025
What else do we know?
Nintendo has yet to officially announce anything about the new game. Still, all these clues seem to indicate that an all-new Mario Kart is in the works.
Details, such as the name and release date, are likely to be heard on April 2. That’s when Nintendo will present the Nintendo Switch 2 during a special Direct.