Mario Kart 9’s Potential Twist: Open World and More Theories
We only saw 17 seconds of Mario Kart footage in the Nintendo Switch 2 reveal, but that’s enough to spark wild speculation. From familiar faces and vehicles to new tracks and mysterious details, fans are abuzz with theories about the promised “new twist” for the game. Let’s dive into three of the most intriguing ideas about what’s next for the karting king.
Open World Mario Kart
The most popular theory is that Mario Kart 9 might embrace an open-world design. After all, we’ve had Super Mario World—why not Mario Kart World? This theory stems from subtle details in the reveal.
The gameplay shows the location as “Mario Bros. Circuit,” but could this be a hub world instead of a standard race track? Notably, there are no item boxes visible in this clip, suggesting we’re not seeing an actual race. Instead, this might be a lobby-like open world where up to 24 racers can gather before competing.
Adding to the mystery, a glowing yellow object appears under the giant burger at Yoshi’s drive-thru. It doesn’t resemble a traditional item box, leading fans to speculate it might be a fuel pickup or another mechanic like vehicle repair. This idea aligns with a “1-Up Fuel” logo spotted on Mario’s kart. Could fuel tanks or custom speed boosts play a role? Exploring an open-world Mushroom Kingdom for upgrades, collectibles, or hidden vehicles sounds exciting—think Forza Horizon, but with Koopa shells.
Finally, the trailer ends with a camera zoom out, revealing a vast desert landscape. The open road appears to stretch endlessly, unlike the closed circuits of previous games. Could this hint at a free-roaming karting experience? We’ll have to wait and see.
Off-Road Racing Focus
If not open world, perhaps the new twist focuses on expanded off-road racing. The desert scene might indicate tracks with diverse terrain, encouraging creative driving routes.
In the teaser, we see ramps and unguarded track edges, suggesting a rally-style design with off-road shortcuts. Rosalina’s snowmobile-like Snow Skimmer, seen in the trailer, could handle both snowy and sandy conditions. Meanwhile, Bowser’s oversized tires hint at customization for rougher terrain.
The addition of off-road segments could make vehicle selection and setup more strategic, adding a new layer of depth to races.
Celebrating Mario’s Legacy
Could Mario Kart 9 be part of Super Mario Bros.’ 40th anniversary celebration? The track’s name, “Mario Bros. Circuit,” and the desert aesthetic evoke nostalgia for Mario’s early games, like Super Mario Bros. 2. There’s even a glowing “Shine Sprite” sign, a callback to Super Mario Sunshine.
Interestingly, characters from other franchises, like The Legend of Zelda or Animal Crossing, are absent from the teaser. This could mean a focus on Mario’s core cast and history. Imagine tracks inspired by iconic Mario games, with a highway leading to New Donk City from Super Mario Odyssey—a perfect tribute to Mario’s legacy.
What’s Next?
What do you think Mario Kart 9’s twist will be? Is an open world in store, or have we overanalyzed these 17 seconds of footage? Share your comments!
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