Recently, Nintendo revealed the Switch 2. A follow up to the original Switch featuring the same hybrid console setup and mechanics, the console was exactly what people expected from the company, and what was needed at this point in time in general.
However, while the Switch 2 was interesting enough in its own right, it was actually the Mario Kart game that interested us even more. Why? Because in just a few seconds of gameplay, we actually saw a fair few awesome changes and additions we didn’t expect to see.
So here’s our analysis of the game, featuring some discussion of the more interesting aspects.
24-Player Mario Kart
Starting with the big one; 24 player Mario Kart is seemingly now a go.
Yup, as shown by the starting grid having 24 spaces, the game seemingly supports 24 characters on the track at once. It’s exciting stuff, and makes us wonder how chaotic online races will inevitably be because of it.
As you can see by our labels, there are 24 starting positions
It’s also quite funny in terms of timing too. Why? Because recently, CTGP Revolution (a mod pack for Mario Kart Wii) also unveiled the beta for 24 player races. This was shown off heavily in Troy’s videos over the last year or two, and makes us wonder whether Nintendo has taken some inspiration from the modding scene here.
Either way, 24-player races are now a-go. Pretty nifty, we must say!
DK’s Design Differences
Moving onto characters now, there are some interesting details here too. Most notably, DK’s design.
Yep, for whatever reason, DK’s new design seems to have taken a fair bit of inspiration from the Super Mario Bros Movie, complete with the same dark shadowy eyes his grandfather had in the arcade games.
DK’s design is pretty different in Mario Kart `0
From what we can tell, it’s part of a slow shift to redesign DK into something more closely resembling Cranky Kong’s appearances in the arcade games, and with aspects of the design cropping up in Nintendo artwork for merchandise and Super Nintendo World.
You can see aspects of DK’s new design in this artwork for Super Nintendo World
So why the shift? Why is DK slowly turning into his grandad’s younger self?
Personally, we’d guess it’s related to Nintendo trying to standardise appearances between media. To make the versions of characters in the games, films, theme parks and merchandise look a lot more consistent with each other overall.
DK looks basically identical in the Super Mario Bros Movie
It’s an interesting design change, though we’re still undecided on whether it’s an improvement to DK’s existing one.
The Rest of the Roster
Regardless, let’s talk about the other characters, because there are a quite here. You’ve got the usual standbys, like Mario, Luigi, Peach, Yoshi, Toad, Bowser and DK. You’ve got Wario, Waluigi, Daisy, Birdo, Rosalina and Koopa just out of frame…
You can barely make out Waluigi in the footage
And it seems you’ve got Pauline making another appearance too. Yep, everyone’s favourite arcade and Odyssey staple is apparently a starting character in the next Mario Kart game too, indicating she’s become a core part of the series spinoff roster in general.
Pauline is clearly visible in some shots, confirming she’s become a main character in the series
Finally, it seems like the rest of the typical 8 roster is present and accounted for. Baby Mario, Luigi, Peach, Daisy and Rosalina seem present, as does Lakitu and King Boo.
So, there’s an interesting selection of characters, even in the short piece of footage we have right now.
A Desert Like Mario Circuit
Either way, that brings us to the track itself. And interestingly, this one has a few quirks of its own.
Most notably, it seems to be the first Mario Circuit equivalent set in a desert rather than a stadium or grass land. In fact, the whole theme seems to be based on an American desert highway, complete with the Yoshi shaped diner and signs.
It’s a neat concept, and certainly a good way to change things up from the usual starting course fare.
As you can see, the track is a desert with a Yoshi style diner and moving traffic
What’s more, it’s also seemingly a traffic course too. Yep, as shown in the video, various cars and trucks can be seen driving about the place too, and presumably act as obstacles if the racers hit them.
So yeah, we’re getting a very different starting course, that’s for sure.
Boost Panels
And we’re also getting a very different boost panel design too. Indeed, as pointed out by one of our friends earlier, the panels seem to be crystal based rather than arrow based, differentiating them significantly from their older counterparts.
The boost panels look different too, with a more crystal like design
Huh, guess every course element has gotten a bit of an update as well.
Different Track Layouts?
Speaking of course elements, remember how Mario Kart Tour added tracks that change every lap? Or how the Booster Course Pass applied that system to both the city tracks and certain retros?
Well, it seems that mechanic may be returning for this game too. Why? Because in the starting shot, you can see what’s clearly another route behind a sign pointing to the right. So, while lap 1 may have us drive off into the desert…
Lap 2 might stick to the stadium itself, or take a very different path.
As you can see, there’s an inaccessible section of track behind the circle.
It’s a neat setup, especially now it seems to be integrated into the tracks in a far more natural looking way than before.
Either way, that’s everything we noticed in Mario Kart for the Switch 2. There are a few neat details here for sure, and they make us very excited to see what else the game has in store when shown off in the Direct later this year.
So what do you think? What interesting details did you spot in the brief teaser we got? Are there any big changes or inclusions we missed?
Leave your thoughts in the comments below, on social media, or over on our Discord server today!