Mario Kart has been a cornerstone of Nintendo’s lineup for decades, consistently delivering fast-paced, fun-filled racing action across multiple console generations. With Mario Kart 9 on the horizon, it’s worth taking a look back at the major turning points in the franchise’s history—games that introduced groundbreaking mechanics, expanded the series’ scope, and set the stage for what’s coming next.

Given that the upcoming Switch 2’s first officially announced title is Mario Kart, this new installment has a lot to live up to. Ever since Super Mario Kart debuted on the SNES, every major Nintendo home console (except for the Game Boy) has received its own Mario Kart entry. While Mario Kart 8 Deluxe was technically a revamped version of the Wii U’s Mario Kart 8, its massive success and the addition of the Booster Course Pass made it feel like an entirely new experience. With that in mind, a brand-new Mario Kart game was practically inevitable. But what could it learn from past games? Let’s explore some of the most important innovations that helped shape the series.

Expanding the Roster: How Mario Kart: Double Dash Pushed the Limits

For the first few entries in the Mario Kart franchise, the racer selection was pretty limited. The early games only allowed players to pick from eight characters, which, while iconic, left little room for variety. Then came Mario Kart: Double Dash on the GameCube, shaking things up in a major way. The game introduced a whopping 20 playable characters, 16 available from the start and four unlockable ones. This marked the beginning of Mario Kart’s shift toward larger rosters, a trend that has continued to this day.

Double Dash’s two-racer-per-kart gimmick was a big reason for this expanded lineup, but the introduction of unlockable characters was arguably its most lasting contribution. Since then, the series has embraced larger rosters, with more variety than ever before. In fact, Mario Kart 9 is rumored to feature an incredible 24 racers on the track at once, doubling the number that was once considered standard. That’s a massive leap, and it owes a lot to Double Dash’s early experimentation with bigger rosters.

More Than Just a Standard Kart: Customization Begins

Another key innovation from Mario Kart: Double Dash was the introduction of kart selection. Before Double Dash, every character drove the same kart, just with different color schemes. The GameCube entry changed that by offering a variety of kart designs, many of which were tied to specific characters. Players could choose different vehicles, each with unique stats, adding a new layer of strategy to the game.

This concept paved the way for the deeper kart customization that later appeared in Mario Kart 7 and Mario Kart 8, where players could mix and match bodies, tires, and gliders to build their ideal ride. With so many combinations available now, Mario Kart 9 has a strong foundation to expand upon. Whether that means introducing even more customization options or allowing for on-the-fly adjustments mid-race, the potential for innovation is massive.

The Birth of Retro Tracks: Mario Kart DS’s Lasting Legacy

One of the most beloved features in modern Mario Kart games is the inclusion of retro tracks—remastered courses from previous entries that let players relive classic races with updated graphics and mechanics. Surprisingly, this wasn’t always a part of the series. Mario Kart DS was the first game to introduce retro tracks as a core feature, dedicating four entire cups to returning favorites from earlier titles.

Since then, the tradition has continued, with each new Mario Kart game bringing back fan-favorite courses alongside brand-new tracks. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe took this to another level with the Booster Course Pass, adding even more remastered circuits to an already-packed game. With this in mind, Mario Kart 9’s selection of retro tracks will likely be a major talking point. Which classics will make a return? Will we see more remixes of fan-favorite courses? Given how much nostalgia plays into Mario Kart’s success, these are key questions for the next installment.

Looking to the Future: What Could Mario Kart 9 Bring?

The Mario Kart series has come a long way since its humble beginnings, and each new installment has built upon the innovations of the past. Without Double Dash’s expanded rosters and kart selection, we wouldn’t have the deep customization of today’s games. Without Mario Kart DS, we wouldn’t have the retro track tradition that keeps old favorites alive. And without Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, we wouldn’t have seen how DLC could breathe new life into a long-running game.

Mario Kart 9 has a lot of potential, and with the series’ rich history as a guide, it’s set up to be another massive hit. Whether it introduces bold new mechanics or refines what’s already there, one thing’s for sure—it’s an exciting time to be a Mario Kart fan.