Following the first reveal of the Switch 2, we were greeted with the sight of what appeared to be Mario Kart 9 running on Nintendo's new-gen console. While the brief teaser didn't officially announce a new Mario Kart game, it certainly seems like we might finally see the release of another entry in the long-running racing series. From a short glimpse of a track, some familiar faces behind the wheel - including some eye-catching Donkey Kong redesigns - there quite a few details in the teaser that are already sending fans in to overdrive.
While we're still waiting for Nintendo to actually confirm Mario Kart 9 - or whatever it actually ends up being (there's already a lot of debate about what it might be called) - the incoming Switch Direct 2 April showcase may well change that. We haven't seen a new Mario Kart game race into the picture since the release of Mario Kart 8 Deluxe back in 2017, which was actually initially released on the Wii U. That means it's been over 10 years, but the Mario racer continued to be one of the best-selling first-party Switch games, and Nintendo is even calling for players to hit the roads in some community challenges.
Still, we have every hope we'll be seeing a follow-up to one of the best Switch games very soon. It would certainly step things up a gear to see it confirmed among the upcoming Switch games or upcoming Switch 2 games in the future. As we await more news and official confirmation, read on below as we give you a recap of all of the speculation surrounding a potential Mario Kart 9.
Mario Kart 9 release date speculation
Currently, there is no confirmed Mario Kart 9 release date since Nintendo technically hasn't announced the game at all. However, despite the lack of announcements, the recent Switch 2 reveal contained footage of what looks to be a new Mario Kart game. So, we'll likely be getting a firm release date for the game during the Nintendo Switch 2 Direct on April 2, 2025.
From all the clues in the reveal trailer for the new console, it seems like Mario Kart will be a Switch 2 launch title. That means that as soon as we get a Switch 2 release window, we should have one for Mario's next zooming outing as well. For information on the Switch 2's release, head over to our guide on Switch 2 pre-orders.
In the meantime, we'll keep you posted as more details head our way!
Is there a Mario Kart 9 trailer?
While we don't have an official trailer for Mario Kart 9, fans are convinced that we saw our first glimpse of the game during the Switch 2 reveal (which you can check out for yourself above).
In the teaser, we see a desert track, with drivers zooming past Yoshi's Gas Station. Footage of the new Mario Kart is a blink-and-you'll-miss-it kind of deal. However, keen-eyed Nintendo enthusiasts have already spotted tons of details, like the fact that Donkey Kong has had a few design tweaks to align more with the character model seen in the recent Super Mario Bros movie. We expect to see a more in-depth trailer for Mario Kart 9 during April's Nintendo Direct, so keep an eye on this page for updates.
Mario Kart 9 platform speculation
We know that if Mario Kart 9 is indeed on its way, it will likely be a Switch 2 game. However nothing has been fully confirmed just yet.
The good news is that Nintendo said that it's new console will have backwards compatibility with some games, so Nintendo Switch owners may be able to pick up the title once (and if) it releases without grabbing the new Switch 2 as well.
One thing is for certain, though, like with all Mario games, platforms will be strictly Nintendo-owned and operated. So, don't expect to play Mario Kart 9 on your Steam Deck or PS5 anytime soon.
Mario Kart 9 characters and tracks
If the trailer shown during the recent Switch 2 reveal is indeed Mario Kart 9, then from what we saw from the footage, we know that there will be a new desert track that seems to be called the Mario Bros. Circuit. In this track, we see there are also 24 placements. This is a series first, as we've only typically seen 12 racers on a track in the series. Exciting times!
In the clip, we don't get a good look at all 24 racers. However, we do see shots of Mario, Luigi, Bowser, Toad, Daisy, Rosalina, Yoshi, Donkey Kong, and Peach. We're sure that other series mainstays, such as Wario, Waluigi, Boo, and Shy Guy will also get confirmed soon. Along with confirming some characters, we also see that there is a wide range of vehicles already on display. Of course, Rosalina has her iconic blue motorbike, and the wide range of different styles on display in the clip also hints towards customization returning in the game as well.
For more on Nintendo, head over to our guide on the Switch 2 design and our list of the best Switch exclusives.
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