Mario Kart 9 Release Date News, Rumours, and Everything We Know

Mario Kart 8 was initially released way back in 2014 for the Wii U. Then, in 2017, the Nintendo Switch received an enhanced version of the original title with more content, gameplay tweaks, and upgraded graphics. This would be known as Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. 

Since then, we have had countless updates, DLC drops, and unwanted blue shells filling our Nintendo Switch screens, and we couldn’t be happier! However, considering there has been such a huge break since the last true-blue mainline Mario Kart game, fans have begun speculating as to when or if Mario Kart 9 will ever appear. 

Well, here’s everything we know so far about the mysterious Mario Kart 9. 

Mario Kart 9 – What We Know So Far

Mario Kart 8 is still steadily receiving multiple waves of DLC, with the third wave planned to drop sometime during the 2022 holiday season. Suffice it to say; we will not be receiving Mario Kart 9 or any Mario Kart 9-related news until all of this DLC comes out. 

While there is a chance it could happen, it just does not make sense from a business perspective to announce a new sequel while still releasing content for the original. 

January 7, 2022

That being said, a leaker (industry analyst Dr. Serkan Toto who wrote speculations for the upcoming game for Gamesindustry.biz) stated that Mario Kart 9 was, at the very least, in the early stages of development. 

He also went on to suggest that the game would be returning with a brand-new twist. Mario Kart 8 introduced us to the world of zero-gravity courses, and we hope that whatever new gimmicks Nintendo has up its sleeves for the next title are just as entertaining. 

December 19, 2021

Another leaker has reportedly seen the makings of a brand-new Nintendo racing game. Apparently, this potentially has nothing to do with Mario Kart in a sense but will take the Super Smash Brother approach, including characters from various other Nintendo properties. 

The main idea and the best way to describe it was like a MK x Smash Bros with a big focus in the online community with lots of weekly stuff to do and new ways to race (not just Karts and bikes) and new ways to take down other racers.

— markomaro (@Newmarkomaro) December 19, 2021

While this may not be released as “Mario Kart 9,” it is certainly a step in the right direction and would do a great deal to shake up the long-existing franchise. We have already seen some crossovers with Link and Inkling in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, so perhaps this is the start of a new era for Mario Kart!

Mario Kart 9 – Release Date

8 long years have gone by since Mario Kart 8’s initial release date. If Nintendo is looking to make Mario Kart 8 the definitive Mario Kart (similar to Super Smash Brothers Ultimate), then it makes sense as to why they are still continuing to release DLC for a nearly decade-old game. 

6 waves of DLC, each containing 8 courses, have been announced for Mario Kart 8 Deluxe and are planned to release throughout this year and the next. The final wave of DLC is set to release by the end of 2023. 

This means that the earliest likely date we will receive any information about Mario Kart 9 is in 2024. Mario Kart 8 will be ten years old by that point, and it is very hard to imagine Nintendo continuing to push content for a game this old. Additionally, we may have information about the next generation of Nintendo consoles at that time, at which point it is very likely a new Mario Kart will be announced to help push the sales of Nintendo’s next big venture. 

Mario Kart 9 – New Characters

If Mario Kart 9 takes the Super Smash Brothers Ultimate approach, we may be seeing a return from characters long since passed. Below is a list of every character to have ever appeared in a Mario Kart game. Stay on the lookout for any possible returning faces!

• Baby Daisy
• Baby Luigi
• Baby Mario
• Baby Peach
• Baby Rosalina
• Birdo
• Bowser
• Bowser Jr. 
• Cat Peach
• Princess Daisy
• Diddy Kong
• Donkey Kong
• Dokey Kong Jr. 
• Dry Bones
• Dry Bowser
• Funky Kong
• Gold Mario
• Honey Queen
• Iggy Koopa
• Inkling Boy
• Inkling Girl
• Isabelle
• King Boo
• Koopa Troopa
• Lakitu
• Larry Koopa
• Lemmy Koopa
• Link
• Champion Link
• Ludwig
• Luigi 
• Mario
• Metal Mario
• Mii
• Morton Koopa Jr.
• Koopa Paratroopa
• Pauline
• Musician Mario
• Princess Peach
• Petey Piranha
• Pink Gold Peach
• R.O.B
• Rosalina
• Roy Koopa
• Shy Guy
• Tanooki Mario
• Toad
• Toadette
• Villager Boy
• Villager Girl
• Waluigi
• Wario
• Wendy O. Koopa
• Wiggler
• Yoshi
• Peachette
• Kimono Peach
• Hakama Mario

For more on the game, check our section dedicated to Mario Kart 8 news, guides, updates, tips, and more.

Featured image courtesy of Nintendo.