Despite the original version of Mario Kart 8 being released in 2014, the game continues to receive consistent software updates in its Nintendo Switch iteration. In the most recent wave of updates, Nintendo has brought back classic courses from the franchise's history, as well as iconic Super Mario Bros characters who were noticeably absent from the game's roster.
Across the many original courses in Mario Kart 8 and ones from previous entries in the franchise, there are many references to iconic locations from the Mario franchise. However, there are some quite important locations from the Mario series that have yet to be represented through Mario Kart racetracks, including these memorable worlds.
10 Bob-Omb Battlefield
One of the most recognizable locations from the 3D Mario games is Bob-Omb Battlefield, the first level of Super Mario 64. From the second fans hear the course's bouncy music, they're instantly transported to their first experience of Mario in 3D. Even design-wise, the course seems perfect to be raced on by Mario and his friends.
Little would have to be redesigned of Bob-Omb Battlefield's layout, with players starting at the beginning of the level, racing their way up past the Chain Chomp, and climbing the spiral mountain to confront King Bob-Omb. Perhaps the level could even include a nod to Koopa the Quick, who challenges Mario to a race in various Super Mario 64 levels.
9 75m
The Mario franchise began in 1981 with Donkey Kong for arcades, which has become an iconic installment in the franchise's history. Its featured red construction platforms have been referenced throughout the franchise, not only in a Super Smash Bros level based on the 75m level but also in the Mario vs. Donkey Kong series of games on handheld consoles.
75m could be the perfect level to translate into a Mario Kart course, as racers dodge falling barrels courtesy of an angry pixelated Donkey Kong at the course's top. The level could even coincide with adding in Pauline, who appears as a playable racer in the mobile game Mario Kart Tour, but has yet to return in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe.
8 Rogueport
It's surprising that, despite the popularity of the Paper Mario series, a course representing the RPG series hasn't appeared in Mario Kart yet. The racing franchise has referenced other Mario spin-offs in their course roster, including Luigi's Mansion and Yoshi's Island, so the beginning area from Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door is a no-brainer.
Though some elements of the starting level may have to be excluded from the family-friendly game, including the hangman's noose in the town square, it'd be the perfect location to reference the Paper Mario franchise. Plus, it would touch the nostalgia of many fans who grew up playing The Thousand-Year Door on the Nintendo GameCube.
7 Pinna Park
The only representation Super Mario Sunshine has received in the Mario Kart franchise is Delfino Square, which appeared in Mario Kart DS and Mario Kart Wii. The level finds players racing in one of the more iconic areas of Super Mario Sunshine, Delfino Plaza, but it may not be the most energetic choice from the variety of courses in the GameCube title.
Particularly, one of the levels in Super Mario Sunshine is Pinna Park, an amusement park filled with rollercoaster rides. It would make the perfect setting for a potential Mario Kart course, especially by referencing the boss battle against Mecha-Bowser that happens when players first unlock the area.
6 Comet Observatory
If all the potential Mario Kart courses from Super Mario Galaxy and its sequel, Super Mario Galaxy 2, were mentioned, readers would be here for quite a while. The Comet Observatory would be the most obvious choice, given that it's the fascinating hub world that Mario can explore in-between levels of the original Nintendo Wii title.
Putting a Mario Kart racetrack in the middle of the Comet Observatory could feature a lot of cameos from throughout the level, including Captain Toad and the Toad Brigade, Lumas, and even Gearmo, the maid robots who appear in the 3D Mario games. Of course, this location also holds a lot of meaning for fans of Rosalina, who is a racer in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe.
5 Honeyhive Galaxy
Out of all the galaxies Mario explores in the original Super Mario Galaxy, Honeyhive Galaxy is perhaps the most iconic. As one of the earliest worlds Mario can explore in the game, it's where players are introduced to the Bee Mushroom, which allows Mario to climb honeycomb walls and blend in among the bee-themed people, including Queen Bee.
Queen Bee even appeared in Mario Kart 7 as a playable racer, and even though she hasn't made her return yet to Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, she could still find a place in the Nintendo Switch title by being featured in the Honeyhive Galaxy level. It would even be a great way to utilize the zero gravity mechanic introduced in Mario Kart 8, with racers scaling honeycomb walls.
4 Starship Mario
In a similar vein to the Comet Observatory, the Starship Mario is the sphere-shared hub world of Super Mario Galaxy 2. As such, it has a lot of the same reasonings behind including it as a Mario Kart stage, especially with its possibility of cameos from Lubba, Star Bunnies, Jibberjays, and Whittles.
What Starship Mario offers also is an interior area to race in, with players able to enter the Engine Room that displays Mario's discovered power-ups. This level could also take advantage of the unique power-ups available in Super Mario Galaxy 2, including the Cloud Flower and Spin Drill, which can offer variety in how racers navigate the course.
3 Diamond City
WarioWare is grossly underrepresented in Mario Kart, despite Wario's consistent presence as a playable racer. No other characters from the series have appeared, despite such great choices like Mona, 9-Volt, or Ashley. Though its vibrant hub, Diamond City, appeared in the arcade-exclusive Mario Kart games, it has yet to appear in a mainline Mario Kart.
In potential Diamond City courses, racers could pass by significant locations from the WarioWare franchise, including Club Sugar, Dr. Crygor's Lab, and Mona Pizza. Of course, the level could also more specifically take place in the WarioWare, Inc. building where Wario produces his microgames and runs his business.
2 Really Rolling Hills
Super Mario 3D World was released on the Wii U in 2013 and has remained a relevant installment in the franchise after its rerelease on Nintendo Switch in 2021. Out of the many unique levels throughout the game's Sprixie Kingdom, one that stands out to many fans is Really Rolling Hills, which appeared in one of the game's first trailers.
The level has many aspects that would make for a unique Mario Kart course, including its titular spinning hills. The clear pipes that make Super Mario 3D World a unique entry in the franchise would be an interesting gimmick. Another alteration on the level could reference the later level in the game, Night Falls on Really Rolling Hills.
1 Tostarena
Super Mario Odyssey is the most recent original 3D Mario game and features many of the most unique settings the franchise has had to date. While New Donk City got its representation in Super Smash Bros Ultimate for Switch, perhaps Mario Kart 8 Deluxe could benefit from showcasing the other open-world level, Tostarena, of the Sand Kingdom.
While the level could start in the vibrant, Mesoamerican-inspired town of Tostarena, racers could later find themselves navigating a course that takes them up the Inverted Pyramid. This could also be a good reason for Nintendo to add a kart or bike inspired by the Jaxis, a Sphinx-like animal that Mario can ride across the desert in the Switch game.