A lot of leaks surroundingMario Kart 9have focused on the additional features that the game might bring.Mario Kart 9will reportedly be loaded with Nintendo crossover characters, which sounds like a pretty dramatic change for theSuper Mariospinoff franchise. Aside from potential new content like drivers and courses from non-Mariofranchises, however, fans want to know howMario Kart 9will handle the fundamentals of the series. For instance, in recent years,Mario Kartfans have gained the power to customize the wheels, body, and glider attached to their kart, giving them vastly more control over how their character feels on the racetrack.
Since kart customization has a positive reputation amongMario Kartfans, odds are good that it’ll stay, but ideally the feature will evolve in the next game. It won’t be enough if Nintendo simply adds more kart types and wheels to choose from during customization; ideally,Mario Kart 9will feature some entirely new customization mechanics that give fans more control over each vehicle’s statistics, as well as their appearances. Surprising new additions totheMario Kartcharacter rosterwill feel more meaningful ifMario Kart 9comes equipped with some significant mechanical changes too.
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Upgrading the Mario Kart Customization Tools
At the moment,Mario Kart’s customization system is pretty simple, since players only have control over three basic parts of their vehicle.Mario Kart 9could go a little further than that by separating certain segments of the kart’s body. For instance,Mario Kart 9might let players choose an engine that affects the vehicle’s acceleration, speed, and weight, whereas the choice of a steering wheel could have a major impact on handling. As long as Nintendo still offers some basic presets that players who aren’t interested in customization can choose from,a more vehicle-focusedMario Kartgamepaired with a wider character roster could be pretty compelling.
Aside from more mechanical depth, a kart editing update ought to give fans more control over what their karts look like. The various shapes thatMario Kartvehicles already come in are fun, but they could be even more entertaining if players can paint them to their liking. Nintendo could also consider letting players put small unlockable details and accessories on their karts to change its physical appearance. Even ifMario Kart 9merely offers a few different color palettes and detailsbased on its Nintendo crossover franchises, paint jobs and accessories seem like a logical upgrade.
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Mario Kart 9 Needs to Keep Growing
Odds seem good that kart customization will come back inMario Kart 9.The mechanic received praisewhen it premiered inMario Kart 7,and since then, multipleMario Kartgames have incorporated the mechanic as well. Unless Nintendo wants to simplify dramatically inMario Kart 9for the sake of its Nintendo crossover characters' vehicles, kart customization will probably return. Still, Nintendo can’t simply reinstate the mechanic.Mario Kart 9should find ways to make kart customization even more rewarding and compelling so that the feature feels fresh again.
TheMario Kartfranchise is generally slow to grow and change. While it occasionally dips its toe into major new mechanics, likeMario Kart: Double Dash!!with its paired drivers, but in most ways, the franchise plays the same as it always has. That’s not a bad thing, since newMario Kartcourses and items supply a lot of variety already.Mario Kart 9doesn’t have to reinvent the franchise in order to feel mechanically compelling. Still, after so many years without a newMario Kartgame, Nintendo ought to come up with some way to shake upMario Kartmechanics and get players excited, even if it’s relatively minor. Kart customization seems like a prime department for change inMario Kart 9.
