Mario Kart 9 Rumors: Switch 2 Trailer Clues And Everything Else We Know So Far
Mario Kart 9 is expected to be a Switch launch title
When will Mario Kart 9 be released?
Nintendo hasn't even announced the next Mario Kart game, so there is no word when it may release. That said, a report said Nintendo was preparing Mario Kart 9 to be a Nintendo Switch 2 launch title (as well as a new 3D Mario). If the system launches in June, as rumored, then that's when Mario Kart 9 could be released.
Preorder Mario Kart 9
Preorders for Mario Kart 9 are not open yet. When preorders do arrive, you can expect to be able to preorder the Switch 2 game in all the usual places, including from retailers and Nintendo itself.
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Mario Kart 9 trailer information
Again, Mario Kart 9 has not been officially announced, but the Switch 2 announcement video contained a new look at what might be the next Mario Kart game. The trailer was filled with potential clues for the next entry in the long-running series, including the possibility of 24-player races and more. The footage in the Switch 2 trailer of what looks like the next Mario Kart sure looks like a new Mario Kart with little deviation stylistically from Mario Kart 8. If you enjoy Mario Kart, it appears Nintendo is giving us all more of that.
Mario Kart 9 new features
The supposed Mario Kart 9 trailer contains a number of hints at where the game could go, if it is indeed real. For starters, the video showed a start-line with spaces for 24 racers--this would be double the number of supported racers from Mario Kart 8 (12). Additionally, the video showed a course that appeared to be considerably larger than what we've come to expect from the Mario Kart series, sparking speculation from fans about courses with multiple paths similar to Yoshi's Valley and others.
Then there was a mysterious glowing item seen in a still, with some believing it could be a brand-new item for the series or potentially connected to a new feature where players have to fuel up their karts. People are theorizing that the "new twist" in Mario Kart 9 is that karts now have fuel tanks and that players can seek out special items to fuel up and obtain a special boost. None of this is confirmed as of yet, however.
haven't seen anyone else talk about this but the gimmick of mario kart 9 is definitely a fuel tank
— chloe (@payapaberii) January 16, 2025
karts have conspicuous fuel tanks now and there's something on this track that doesnt look like an item box
it'll be a resource you can use freely to boost pic.twitter.com/bhGnEOe8Xo
Mario Kart 9 platforms
Mario Kart 9 is expected to be a Switch 2 launch title, and it's expected to be exclusive to that console.
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Mario Kart 9 characters
The Switch 2 announcement video showed off popular characters like Mario, Luigi, Bowser, and Donkey Kong--sporting what appears to be a new design. Social media user RHVGamer dug through the trailer and spotted 23 total characters, and they are listed below. For comparison, Mario Kart 8 had 36 playable characters, both in the base game and unlocked through DLC.
- Mario
- Luigi
- Donkey Kong
- Rosalina
- Toad
- Daisy
- Bowser
- Peach
- Baby Mario
- Wario
- Yoshi
- Toadette
- Waluigi
- King Boo
- Birdo
- Koopa Troopa
- Pauline
- Baby Luigi
- Baby Peach
- Baby Daisy
- Baby Rosalina
- Bowser Jr.
- King Bomb-Omb
Who's developing Mario Kart 9?
Mario Kart 9 is expected to be developed internally at Nintendo, with Nintendo EAD and Nintendo EPD, the developers of Mario Kart 8, likely the teams responsible for the sequel.
Mario Kart 9 development news
Nintendo is expected to share lots more details on the Switch 2 during a special Nintendo Direct broadcast set for April 2. If Nintendo has more information to share about Mario Kart 9, it may be announced here.
Mario Kart 9 has big shoes to fill, as Mario Kart 8 Deluxe has sold 64.27 million copies, which includes copies sold in hardware bundles. It is far and away the Switch's best-selling game ever, far outpacing the No. 2 game, Animal Crossing: New Horizons, which has sold 46.45 million copies.
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe embraced a live-service strategy, too, releasing 48 courses over time as paid DLC, and it'll be interesting to see how Nintendo embraces post-launch support for Mario Kart 9. Keep checking back with GameSpot for the latest.
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Mario Kart 9 Mario Kart 8 Nintendo Switch 2This story originally appeared on: GameSpot - Author:UK GAG
