Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is the best-selling Switch title, having sold over 43 million copies as of December 31, 2021, according to Nintendo's Investor Relations. This is impressive considering it's an enhanced Wii U port, complete with racers beyond the Super Mario cast. Rumors circulated earlier this year that Mario Kart 9 would be revealed with a focus on crossovers, but instead Nintendo announced Mario Kart 8 Deluxe's Booster Course Pass with 48 courses. Still, these rumors underscored an interest in more Nintendo crossovers that Mario Strikers: Battle League could capitalize on.
Mario Strikers: Battle League was announced at the February 2022 Nintendo Direct alongside Mario Kart 8 Deluxe's upcoming content, and is arguably a much bigger surprise. Next Level Games' original Super Mario Strikers released for GameCube in 2005, and was followed up by Mario Strikers Charged on Wii in 2007. Battle League already stands out as the 15-year return of a franchise, but crossover characters akin to Mario Kart 8 would help it topple Mario's numerous other sports franchises.
Where Mario Kart Crossovers Falter
Mario Kart 8 was well on its way to becoming the ultimate Nintendo crossover experience. After releasing on Wii U in 2014, the racing game received paid DLC packs adding Link from The Legend of Zelda, as well as Isabelle and Villager from Animal Crossing. Each series also received its own racetrack, and alongside those came courses based on F-Zero and Excitebike. A Splatoon track came to Mario Kart 8 Deluxe in 2017 alongside Inklings, and later a Breath of the Wild costume was introduced for Link.
All of these additions were welcome in a game many decried for having an uninspired roster of characters like Pink Gold Peach and the Koopalings, but the idea of crossovers in Mario Kart is inherently more restrictive than a game like Super Smash Bros. People watched Super Smash Bros. Ultimate's guest fighter rollout intently to see not only who would be added, but also how their original mechanics would translate to Smash combat.
Mario Kart 8 certainly gave its crossover characters their own flavor via racetracks with gimmicks like Animal Crossing's seasons, plus vehicles with unique horn sounds. Yet, driving as Luigi ultimately isn't that different from driving as an Inkling. Characters in Smash Bros. can all use their own attacks, but a kart racer demands its vehicles handle similarly.
How Mario Strikers: Battle League Crossovers Could Be a Cut Above
On its face, Mario Strikers: Battle League has plenty of room for DLC. There are classic Mario characters who don't appear in its trailer, with fans expressing interest in a playable Princess Daisy. If she or other fan-favorites don't appear at launch, DLC could rectify this while implementing new courts that have different hazards, a host of custom gear, items to throw, and more. Given the track record of prior Switch spin-offs like Mario Tennis Aces and Mario Golf: Super Rush, a lot of post-launch additions could come free.
It would behoove Nintendo to keep Battle League alive considering its title alludes to a greater focus on online play; the upcoming game will let up to 20 users form clubs that compete. While online tournaments should keep plenty of fans interested, releasing crossover DLC in the vein of Super Smash Bros. may build up a serious, speculative community. The differences between each character in Mario Strikers warrant this idea far more than Mario Kart.
For example, Mario Strikers: Battle League has "Hyper Strike" moves that scores two goals instead of one; such as Luigi kicking his ball into an electrified tornado. The franchise is also known for giving each major character "sidekicks" that serve as the rest of their soccer team. Crossovers could introduce new sidekicks like Bokoblins from Hyrule, or even Pikmin from PNF-404, if Next Level Games is willing to stretch its game to more ridiculous levels.
Nintendo purchased Next Level Games in January 2021, which means theoretically the studio could have access to Nintendo's whole catalog — well beyond references like Kremlins in the original Mario Strikers. While character abilities, arenas, and sidekicks would all draw in audiences, no doubt the biggest selling point for crossovers in Mario Strikers: Battle League is the chance to see popular characters rendered in its gritty, sketched art style. Custom gear could offer players the chance to dress Mario up in Samus' power armor, but full-on DLC is worth considering all the same.
Mario Strikers: Battle League releases on June 10, 2022, for Nintendo Switch.