Unlocking Mario Kart 9: How Past Games Shaped the Future of Racing!

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Currently, the “Mario Kart” series is among Nintendo’s most successful franchises, with “Mario Kart 9” expected to continue this trend. Throughout the years, several games in the series have introduced significant changes and paved the way for the anticipated success of “Mario Kart 9”. As we eagerly await its release, it’s worth reflecting on those groundbreaking titles and recalling the transformative journey from the era of “Super Mario Kart”.

From its inception, the Switch 2’s “Mario Kart” has been eagerly anticipated as the first officially confirmed title for the console, and with good reason. Since the Super Nintendo era, almost every significant Nintendo console, apart from the Game Boy, has been graced with a new “Mario Kart” game, ranging from “Super Mario Kart” on the SNES to “Mario Kart 8 Deluxe” on the Switch. To be fair, the latter was an enhanced version of “Mario Kart 8” originally designed for the Wii U, but it eventually expanded with a wealth of new content via the Booster Course Pass. Given this trend, the expectation of another “Mario Kart” game for Nintendo’s upcoming console was more or less inevitable.

Mario Kart Has Grown in a Few Very Important Ways Throughout its History

Mario Kart: Double Dash Expanded the Roster For the First Time

In the early days of Mario Kart, there were only eight characters to choose from in each race. However, with the release of Mario Kart: Double Dash, the roster expanded significantly, featuring a total of twenty drivers, sixteen of whom were available from the start and four who could be unlocked by playing the game. The expansion of the roster was partly due to the game’s unique feature of having two racers per kart, but the inclusion of unlockable characters was a new twist for the franchise. From that point on, larger rosters became a common aspect of the series, culminating in twelve characters racing simultaneously. It seems that Mario Kart 9 aims to increase this number even further, up to 24 racers per race.

Double Dash Also Gave Players Their First Kart Choice

Double Dash was instrumental in expanding the customization options for the Mario Kart series. Earlier versions only allowed players to pick racers with distinct stats who all drove identical karts with different colors. However, Double Dash brought a diverse array of karts for selection, including ones themed after every character and a Parade Kart. This set the stage for the more complex customization that debuted in Mario Kart 7. Now that players have numerous combinations to choose from, Mario Kart 9 can build upon this strong foundation for its own custom creations.

Mario Kart DS Started the Tradition of Retro Tracks

One delightful aspect of each new installment in the “Mario Kart” series is revisiting the classic, or retro, race tracks. These aren’t just normal tracks; they are remade versions of tracks from earlier games, and some of the most beloved ones include Waluigi Pinball and Baby Park. The concept of retro tracks was first introduced in “Mario Kart DS,” which included four cups full of them along with its new tracks. Since then, every game has featured a selection of retro tracks, with “Mario Kart 8 Deluxe” offering an exceptional number through the Booster Course Pass. The choice of retro tracks in “Mario Kart 9” is likely to spark conversation again once it’s released.

Although they weren’t labeled as classic tracks, the courses from Super Mario Kart could be accessed as bonus levels in Mario Kart: Super Circuit.

The Mario Kart franchise has made significant strides over time, so it’s plausible that we might see some fresh maneuvers in Mario Kart 9. Considering the groundbreaking developments of earlier games, some beloved features could have never emerged without them. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe greatly profited from these improvements and became the best-selling game in the series. With its strong foundation, Mario Kart 9 is poised to flourish.

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2025-02-12 21:07