Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is arguably the pinnacle of the Mario Kart series, boasting an impressive 96 tracks, over 40 characters, and a vast selection of karts and parts. While Mario Kart: Double Dash!! remains a strong contender for the best entry, Deluxe stands out with its sheer volume of content, including characters and tracks from other Nintendo franchises. Link, Animal Crossing villagers, Isabelle, and the Inklings from Splatoon have already joined the race, fueling fan speculation about which beloved Nintendo characters might appear in the next installment. With so many iconic IPs to choose from, narrowing down a wishlist is challenging, but here are ten Nintendo crossovers we’d love to see in Mario Kart 9.
Banjo & Kazooie
Banjo & Kazooie
Although Banjo & Kazooie are now associated with Microsoft, their roots lie firmly in Nintendo’s history. The original Banjo-Kazooie and Banjo-Tooie were Nintendo 64 classics, and developer Rare also created the kart racer Diddy Kong Racing. Given this history, and even the racing elements present in Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts, their inclusion in Mario Kart 9 seems like a natural fit. Spiral Mountain, the iconic starting location from the original game, would make a perfect track, and the duo would likely fall into the heavyweight category.
Pikachu
Bringing Pokémon into Mario Kart 9 is perhaps the most anticipated crossover, given its status as a flagship Nintendo franchise. Pikachu, the series mascot, is the obvious choice, though other popular Pokémon like Charizard or Eevee could also make an appearance. Pikachu’s energetic personality would add a vibrant touch to the roster, showcasing Nintendo’s powerhouse IP. A Poké Ball or Pokédex-themed kart would be fitting, and a track based on the Kanto region, perhaps featuring iconic locations like Celadon City or Saffron City, would be a dream come true for fans.
Kirby
Kirby, another beloved Nintendo character, would be a perfect fit for Mario Kart 9. With Kirby’s ever-growing popularity and charming aesthetic, it’s surprising he hasn’t already joined the Mario Kart roster. As a staple character in the Super Smash Bros. series, Kirby’s inclusion feels overdue. His weight class could fall into either lightweight or middleweight, depending on how Nintendo interprets his copy abilities. A kart resembling the car from Kirby and the Forgotten Land would be a fun addition, and Dream Land would serve as an ideal track.
Samus Aran
Samus Aran, the iconic bounty hunter from the Metroid series, would be another excellent addition. With the recent success of Metroid Dread and Metroid Prime Remastered, and the anticipation for Metroid Prime 4, Samus’s inclusion in Mario Kart 9 would be a welcome celebration of the franchise. She’d likely be a heavyweight character, given her power suit. Her gunship would be a natural choice for a kart, though a Metroid larva could also be a morbidly intriguing option. Chozo Ruins would provide a visually stunning and thematically appropriate track.
Fox McCloud
Continuing the space theme, Fox McCloud from the Star Fox series would be a fantastic addition. The Star Fox franchise has been somewhat neglected on the Switch, and including Fox in Mario Kart 9 could revitalize interest in the series. Fox would likely be a balanced middleweight character. His iconic Arwing would make a perfect kart, and a track set in the Lylat System, perhaps resembling Rainbow Road, would be a visually spectacular addition.
Marth
Despite the numerous Fire Emblem characters in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, the series has yet to cross over into Mario Kart. Mario Kart 9 could rectify this by including Marth, the most recognizable Fire Emblem protagonist. Other characters like Lyn, Byleth, or Alear could also be strong contenders. Marth’s weight class could be either middleweight or heavyweight. A kart inspired by Fire Emblem’s various vehicles, such as a mobile castle or a horse-drawn carriage, would be fitting. A war-torn battlefield, complete with soldiers and perhaps even a dragon, would make a unique and engaging track.
Spring Man/Ribbon Girl
ARMS, one of Nintendo’s newer IPs, achieved surprising success. Following Min Min’s inclusion in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, Mario Kart 9 presents another opportunity to showcase the vibrant world of ARMS. Spring Man and Ribbon Girl are the most recognizable characters and would likely be middleweights. Karts based on their unique designs would be fitting, and any of the ARMS stages, such as Ribbon Ring or Ninja College, could be adapted into a dynamic track.
Captain Olimar
With the resurgence of the Pikmin series, Captain Olimar would be a charming addition to Mario Kart 9. His diminutive size would place him firmly in the lightweight category. His spaceship would be the most logical choice for a kart. A track based on a Pikmin crash site, with oversized everyday objects forming the environment, would be a visually interesting and thematically relevant choice.
Captain Falcon
Captain Falcon’s absence from Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is a glaring omission, especially given the inclusion of his iconic Blue Falcon kart and two F-Zero inspired tracks. With the recent success of F-Zero 99, his inclusion in Mario Kart 9 feels almost mandatory. Captain Falcon would likely be a heavyweight character. While the Blue Falcon is already present, other F-Zero machines, such as the Golden Fox or Wild Goose, could also be introduced. Tracks like Sand Ocean or Fire Field would offer exciting new racing environments.
Shulk/Rex
The Xenoblade Chronicles series has thrived on the Nintendo Switch, and its representation in Mario Kart 9 would be a welcome continuation of that success. Shulk, Rex, or Noah would all be suitable protagonists to represent the series, likely as middleweights. Karts could be designed based on their weapons or iconic creatures like Bionis, Ouroboris, or Azurda. A track inspired by the sweeping landscapes and landmarks of their respective games would offer a visually stunning racing experience.
While this list represents our top picks, other excellent candidates include Isaac from Golden Sun, Pit from Kid Icarus, Ness from Earthbound, Andy from Advanced Wars, or Little Mac from Punch-Out!!. Whether Nintendo chooses to include crossover characters in Mario Kart 9 remains to be seen, but we certainly hope they do.
