Rumors have been circulating for some time that Nintendo is working on its next console, and fans cannot wait to see what is in store. The Nintendo Switch has been a massive commercial success for the company, and its game library is filled with some amazing titles. It was exactly what the studio needed after the Wii U's shortcomings, and hopefully the Switch's successor will be able to repeat its success. One of the best ways to do that would be with the long-awaited Mario Kart 9.

The Mario Kart franchise is one of Nintendo's most popular series, but it has been over a decade since the last mainline title launched. Fans have been looking for something new to sink their teeth into, and Nintendo may be listening. Rumors suggest that Mario Kart 9 is indeed on the way, and there is a strong chance that it could lead Nintendo's hotly anticipated Nintendo Switch successor.

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Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Led the Switch Era

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe footage of Isabelle and the Villager from Animal Crossing racing karts with Mario

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe may have been a re-release of a Wii U title, but that did not stop it from becoming a massive commercial success on the Nintendo Switch. The game not only included every piece of post-launch DLC from the original, it also revamped the battle mode and fixed a lot of longstanding problems. It quickly became the definitive Mario Kart experience and has gone on to serve as the best-selling Nintendo Switch game of all time.

While some fans thought that Nintendo was going to reveal Mario Kart 9 in 2022, the studio chose to announce a brand-new wave of DLC instead. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe's Booster Course Pass has made it even better and has helped cement it as the quintessential kart racer. It is not only a celebration of this iconic franchise, but also a must-have for any Nintendo Switch owner that showed the Mario Kart brand is here to stay, and the success of spin-offs like Mario Kart Tour have only further exemplified this.

Mario Kart 9 Will Likely Repeat Its Predecessor's Success

Mario Kart Anti Gravity

It has been almost 10 years since the last mainline Mario Kart title hit store shelves, and the fanbase is clamoring for something new. Mario Kart 8 was able to become the best-selling Wii U title, and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe was able to lead the Nintendo Switch era. This success and popularity will likely translate to the eventual Mario Kart 9, and the long wait will only help boost its sales numbers; especially if a new console is on the horizon.

Rumors suggest that Nintendo is currently developing Mario Kart 9, and that it may be announcing the title soon. It will allegedly feature a brand-new twist, but no one knows quite that that means yet. Mario Kart Tour and Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit have already been experimenting with the franchise, and Mario Kart 9 should take it to the next level. If the studio ensures that it is as frantic as ever, fans will probably flock to it.

If the Mario Kart brand is strong enough to make a 10-year-old title among the best-selling games on two different platforms, then Mario Kart 9 will likely explode onto the scene. The community has been waiting forever for a new title, and a new console would let the studio do all sorts of innovative things with the franchise. It seems like the perfect recipe for success, and could hopefully lead to another groundbreaking kart racing experience.

Mario Kart 9 is rumored to be in development.

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