--- title: "New Mario Kart Makes First Appearance in Nintendo Switch 2 Reveal" date: "2025-01-16" modified: "2025-01-16" authors: - name: "Adam Ismail" job_title: "Senior Editor" link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/adam-ismail" url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/new-mario-kart-makes-first-appearance-in-nintendo-switch-2-reveal" categories: - "Culture" - "News" - "Video Games" --- # New Mario Kart Makes First Appearance in Nintendo Switch 2 Reveal ![A Mario Kart game playing on a Switch 2 console from Nintendo's announcement video.]() *\Nintendo\* After weeks of nonstop leaks, Nintendo finally decided Thursday morning that now was the time to officially announce the Switch 2. The trailer arrived with zero fanfare from the company itself, and mostly just involved a spinning model of the hardware, and close-ups of the new Joy-Con controllers, showcasing different ways in which they can be used compared to their predecessors. But one game was shown, and although we don't yet know its title, the consensus is that we've had our first look at *[Mario Kart]() 9*. I'll admit—the roughly 20 seconds of gameplay looks like it could be of *Mario Kart 8 Deluxe* to the untrained eye. Much as I love racing games, it's been a minute since I picked up *MK8*, and I never did try that Booster Course Pass that lifted the game's total number of tracks to a whopping 96. But the Wild West-looking venue, seemingly called "Mario Bros. Circuit," that appears in this snippet doesn't match anything from *MK8*. It also has 24 grid spaces, which would be the highest number of simultaneous competitors in series history, and in this particular race, there are 14 karts on track. https://youtu.be/itpcsQQvgAQ?si=UALYLdyvhFZblv2W&t=100 What's more, the character models are a little different. Credit *[Kotaku]()* for highlighting [this post on X](), which shows how Mario and Donkey Kong's models in this unnamed title are changed from those in *MK8*, and more like their appearances in *Super Mario Bros. Wonder* and 2023's *Super Mario Bros. Movie*, respectively. If this was just an update to *MK8*, it'd be a pretty transformative one. Plus what would Nintendo even call the result? *Mario Kart 8 Double Deluxe*? > Not only does Donkey Kong have his new movie design in Mario Kart 9(???), Mario's slightly more cartoon-y Wonder proportions also seem to be the default now. [pic.twitter.com/McJGad4KnM]() > — Rimea (@The\_Rimea) [January 16, 2025]() We don't exactly know what we're looking at here, but my guess is *MK9*. After all, it's been referenced many times in the past, across a variety of leaks from supposedly plugged-in individuals. And since we're seeing it alongside the first glimpse Nintendo has shared of the Switch 2, [it wouldn't be far-fetched to peg it as a launch title](). At this point, I'm just curious how *MK9* will differentiate itself from the previous entry. It certainly won't attempt that through quantity of content, unless it's carrying over all those old tracks. But those courses would presumably have to be widened to suit a possible 24 racers—far greater than eight in the earliest entries—which also calls into question whether retro tracks from the Super Nintendo and N64 days will make a return, without considerable modifications. We'll just have to wait and see. Nintendo has a Direct presentation planned for April 2, so expect to hear more then. The gaming world's already waited years—what's another two-and-a-half months? *Got tips? Send ’em to tips@thedrive.com* ## Author Adam is a Senior Editor at The Drive, concentrating on curating and developing the site's slate of daily journalism, from initial pitch to final copy edit. When he's not at his desk researching leads and working with writers, he's testing vehicles or reviewing racing games, new and old. He joined The Drive in 2023, following seven years of covering consumer technology and cars. A car lover and gamer since his earliest memories, Adam came to know the automotive world through video games. First it was Daytona USA, Sega Rally, and Ridge Racer; then came Need For Speed, which inspired an encyclopedic knowledge of '90s supercars, and, of course, Gran Turismo. If not for them, he'd assuredly be doing something else right now. Adam is based in the suburbs outside Philly, where there are ample roads for his hot hatch to stretch its legs. In his car, he's probably listening to indie rock, drum and bass, or Yankees baseball. ### Author social links [Bluesky]() [Instagram]() [LinkedIn]()