Mario Kart Switch 2 Might Not Be the Game We Think It Is

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Summary

  • Former Nintendo employees Kit Ellis and Krysta Yang question how well the new Mario Kart will be able to sell Switch 2 consoles.
  • The next Mario Kart could face an uphill battle to become more successful than Mario Kart 8 Deluxe.
  • Despite the potential challenges, Ellis and Yang still believe the next Mario Kart will be very successful.

Two ex-Nintendo staff members have weighed in on the potential performance of the upcoming “Mario Kart” game on the Switch 2. They hinted that the next “Mario Kart” may not garner as significant success for Nintendo as some anticipate, and they’ve outlined a few possible explanations for this prediction.

As a dedicated fan, I can hardly contain my anticipation as Nintendo prepares for the Switch 2 Direct on April 2. The promise of more insights into their next console and its lineup has left us all on tenterhooks, but even before that, Nintendo has given us a tantalizing sneak peek at a fresh installment in our favorite racing series – Mario Kart! During the console unveiling on February 16, they showcased a fleeting glimpse of gameplay that looked suspiciously like Mario Kart 9. Needless to say, this teaser for a new game in the beloved series has set the internet ablaze with excitement, leading many to speculate that it might even be a launch title!

As a dedicated Mario Kart fan, I recently found myself reflecting on the upcoming installment of this iconic series, considering its potential impact as a system seller for the rumored Switch 2. While my enthusiasm has led me to anticipate an epic game experience, former Nintendo PR managers Kit Ellis and Krysta Yang have raised some intriguing doubts about whether it will have the same effect on console sales as Mario Kart 8 Deluxe did on the original Switch. In their perspective, the game’s success may not be the ‘slam dunk’ that many fans believe.

One of the challenges they mentioned was the sheer amount of content in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe itself – a game that boasts an impressive 96 courses when you factor in the Booster Course Pass, along with 48 playable characters. Ellis and Yang speculate that this extensive content library could deter some users from upgrading to a new console, especially if it comes at a price point over $400 – given the existing wealth of content available on the original Switch title.

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

Furthermore, they pointed out that the upcoming “Mario Kart” game faces the task of creating something fresh while building upon its predecessors. Essentially, they were wondering how Nintendo could persuade players to desire the new “Mario Kart” instead of staying with their current versions. To achieve this, the game might require a unique gameplay feature that justifies spending money on the new system rather than keeping what’s already owned. This sentiment was shared by Ellis and Yang, who saw the potential visual enhancements as relatively minor compared to the graphics shown in “Mario Kart 8” and its Switch version.

As an ardent fan, I can’t help but share their sentiments: Ellis and Yang are confident that the upcoming sequel in our beloved series will shine brightly, regardless of its innovative elements. Yet, they ponder whether it might not outsell console copies as swiftly as the extraordinary masterpiece, “The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild” on the Switch. They emphasized that the 2017 open-world game was a revolutionary leap for Zelda enthusiasts, providing an entirely unique experience that surpassed what was previously available on other consoles.

Considering over 67 million units of Mario Kart 8 Deluxe have been sold, there’s a possibility that the past success of the series might impact the next installment of Mario Kart. However, it’s also plausible that the series’ popularity could work in the opposite way, drawing even more gamers towards a potential Switch 2. It’s important to mention that the game hasn’t been confirmed as a launch title yet. Essentially, we can only speculate about its future until more details are revealed.

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2025-03-28 03:33