In a recent video, Ellis and Yang spoke about how, even if a new Mario Kart were to come out alongside the Switch 2, the game might not end up hitting the critical mass of popularity that Mario Kart 8 Deluxe hit back when it came out on the Switch. The duo also don’t believe that Mario Kart 9 would be as much of a system seller as Mario Kart 8 Deluxe ended up being.

“Everybody has the expectation, ‘oh my gosh Mario Kart it’s a slam dunk, it’s a system seller, this is definitely the right game to put in front of this new system,'” said Ellis in the video. “but I think you’re right because if you look at the situation of Mario Kart up to this point, it’s a little bit different than what has been in the past and I’m not sure that transition for Nintendo or for the people who have been playing Mario Kart, I’m not sure that’s the slam dunk that people think it is.”

Yang spoke about how Nintendo has traditionally focused on showcasing brand new games as launch titles for its consoles. Using The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild as an example, even thought it was a new game in the seminal Zelda franchise, Breath of the Wild changed up just about every aspect that players familiar with the franchise would be able to recognise. Mario Kart 9, on the other hand, would be more of an evolution of Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, and is unlikely to feature brand new genre-defining gameplay changes.

“It’s a bit unconventional to have a game coming out that’s probably going to be the premier launch title for your new console to have this kind of history,” said Yang. “This is very unlike Nintendo. Usually when they have a launch title, like Breath of the Wild for example, it’s like this new game-breaking, genre-bending thing that’s never been seen before, and that’s what’s going to make you want to buy the new hardware.”

“But we’re kind of in a bit of a different situation with Mario Kart and honestly it’s because of how successful Mario Kart 8 Deluxe has been for Nintendo,” she continued.

Considering the fact that the Switch 2 will also support games from the original Switch through backwards compatibility, Yang also questioned how Nintendo will be able to confuse its player base to leave the older (still playable) title behind and instead buy a brand new game.

“How is Nintendo going to convince me that I want to get the new Mario Kart?” Yang questioned. “That I need a Switch 2 to get the new Mario Kart?”

“I do think there are going to be some people who ask themselves, ‘I’m pretty happy with the Mario Kart I’ve been playing,’ and… Mom: ‘hey kids, we have Mario Kart at home…’ like, looking at this box and be like, ‘hmm, I’m not sure we need this Timmy,’” responded Ellis.

“I have no doubt this is going to be an incredible game,” he continued. “I have no doubt that every Mario Kart sells well. But in terms of the hill that this one in particular has to get over… This is Nintendo’s goal. This is always their goal: ‘we have to do better than the last one.’”

“It’s like, well are you really going to do better than 75 million? And it’s the same question with the Switch 2. It’s like, ‘oh you just did the best-selling console ever.’ It’s just these goals that they have for themselves are going to be incredibly hard to match.”

While Nintendo is yet to confirm any launch titles for the Switch 2, Mario Kart 9 is expected to be one of the big announcements since a new game in the Mario Kart franchise was spotted in the Switch 2 announcement trailer. While it may include other features, Mario Kart 9 is also expected to feature larger online races with more players.

Nintendo is slated to reveal more details about the Switch 2 during a Direct on April 2.

Why is this important beyond confirming that the Switch 2 supports Mario Kart 8 Deluxe? As some have pointed out, this may not be the same game due to different character models and a more open track. Donkey Kong’s look also resembles that of The Super Mario Bros. Movie.

There are also 15 racers on screen over the usual twelve, meaning that Nintendo can support more racers on its new console. Whether it’s 18, 20, or 24 remains to be seen, but the possibilities for chaos and salt are intriguing.

The Nintendo Switch 2 doesn’t have a release date, but it’s out this year (potentially in June). Various cities can go hands-on with the console starting in April – head here for more details.

That might not be entirely accurate though. In an article published by GamesIndustry in which several industry analysts have made predictions for the industry in 2022, Dr. Serkan Toto of Kantan Games stated that Mario Kart 9 is currently in the works, and, interestingly enough, that it “comes with anew twist.” Toto also predicts that Nintendo could tease the game sometime this year.

“I am aware Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is still selling very well on the Nintendo Switch, but Mario Kart 9 is in active development (and comes with a new twist) and Nintendo could tease it this year,” he said.

Meanwhile, Toto also predicts that Nintendo will be launching another one of its established properties on mobile devices sometime this year.

“On mobile, Nintendo has been very silent since Mario Kart Tour’s launch in 2019, but I think 2022 is when we will see an established IP arriving on smart devices again,” he said.

Rumours last year claimed that a new mainline Mario Kart game had been in development for three years, and that it could launch sometime in 2022. Read more on that through here.

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe launched over four years ago, but the last new mainline Mario Kart game was the original Mario Kart 8 for the Wii U back in 2014. Fans have been craving a new game in the series for a long time now, but with how well Mario Kart 8 has sold, and given that it refuses to slow down, many have said that it’s unlikely a sequel will happen any time soon. After all, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe has sold over 35 million copies by now, while the original for the Wii U had sold around 8.5 million a year ago, so with all of that sales momentum, why would Nintendo bother making a new game?

Well, according to known Nintendo insider Zippo, a new game is indeed coming, and coming soon. In a recently published blog update, the leaker wrote that series producer Kosuke Yabuki and his team have been working on a new mainline game in the series for three years, and stressed that this project had nothing to do with the likes of mobile title Mario Kart Tour, AR title Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit, or the Universal theme park ride.

Zippo is unsure of exactly what the nature of this game is, but states that it’s looking likely it will launch either Holiday 2021, or early 2022.

It’s always best to tread with caution where unverified insider leaks are concerned, especially when it comes to the notoriously secretive Nintendo- so, you know… tread with caution.

In the same blog update, Zippo also wrote that the sequel to Breath of the Wild is unlikely to launch this year, and that a new Donkey Kong game, developed by the Super Mario Odyssey team, will be revealed at E3.