Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is now not only the best-selling Mario Kart game ever, but also the best-selling Nintendo Switch game. That alone is an impressive achievement, but considering the game was originally released in 2014 for the Wii U (a console that sold poorly), it becomes all the more remarkable. It's no surprise, though, given how fun it is to whizz around anti-gravity tracks and play renegade roundup with friends. The game's flawless execution makes it difficult to imagine Nintendo releasing a sequel that outperforms Mario Kart 8.
At this point, the necessity of such a sequel is worth debating. The newly released tracks for Mario Kart 8 show that Nintendo is still very much invested in the title, and while Mario Kart 9 is rumored to be in development, it probably won't release for a long time. Almost anything that could be added to a new game in the series could be added as DLC to Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, similar to Super Smash Bros. Ultimate or Animal Crossing: New Horizons. The prospect of regular updates makes the idea of a sequel seem redundant.
Mario Kart 8's DLC Tracks
Prior to February's Nintendo Direct, the idea of Mario Kart 9 didn't seem so far-fetched. It had been five years since the release of Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, and while the game was still selling well, its content had run its course for many players. Then, Nintendo announced that eight courses were to be added at a time, over six waves of releases, right up until the end of 2023. Reactions to Mario Kart 8 Deluxe's DLC were mixed, but the game’s lifespan had almost instantly been rejuvenated because of this announcement.
New Online Content for Mario Kart
If Nintendo is willing to put out DLC for new racetracks, then what's stopping the company from doing something similar with racers or game modes? Mario Kart 8 Deluxe already provides a substantial roster of characters to choose from, including characters from both the Mario universe and other games like Splatoon and Animal Crossing. Even so, there are still plenty of others that could be added, like Birdo, Funky Kong, and Wiggler. It would make sense to offer such characters as DLC akin to how Super Smash Bros. Ultimate provided new fighters.
Moreover, Nintendo could regularly update the game with free content, too. Weekly challenges and rotating game modes would give Mario Kart 8 Deluxe ongoing, live content. Rather than having to wait for the next wave of DLC, players would have an opportunity to play something new each week. It's another addition that helps justify the arguably steep price of Nintendo Switch Online's Expansion Pack.
More and more developers are utilizing a live-service approach to games. The technology that makes this possible is relatively new, and like other trends in gaming, Nintendo was slow to embrace the change. In some ways, that's a good thing, but Nintendo will have to make difficult decisions when updating games like Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. Otherwise, the company risks putting out titles that are redundant for gamers to buy. Nintendo has admittedly released a handful of redundant titles in the past, though, at least in the case of the New Super Mario Bros. series.
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is available now for Nintendo Switch.