Mario Kart 8a game that was first released ten years ago on Wii U, still not finished. The 2017 Switch version of the game is currently in the midst of a series of downloadable content that not only brings new courses to the game, but also new drivers.
We welcomed Birdo (along with a Yoshi’s Island Route) in the latest update, released today, but this fresh screenshot taken after installation shows there’s still room for five more:
Five more! Five mysterious characters in a popular first-party Nintendo game! You know what that means, all of you. That means it’s time to speculation.
While the series previously liked to keep things in the mushroom kingdom, Mario Kart 8’s updates have slowly introduced characters from other Nintendo franchises, ranging from Zelda to Splatoon. This means that these five characters could indeed Smash Bros. fashion, come from everywhere.
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Maybe it will be a new one, but expected. Samus is an obvious choice here, especially since a car based on her ship would be such an obvious combination (and a Metroid-themed course would also kick ass).
Perhaps it will be another take on an existing character. There are more Marios here…is there room for another link? ONE Wind wakes up Link maybe? If it’s good enough for Super Smash Bros. Ultimateit is good enough for Mario Kart 8.
However, it could be someone else. After all, Nintendo has a long, long history. It’s a little strange that characters from F-zeroa Nintendo series about racing cars, is not included here Mario Kart 8, a Nintendo game about racing cars. Captain Falcon would walk right in, especially since there’s already one F-zero track (and vehicle!) in the game.
Maybe it’s time for some Pikmin? Knock out? Is Arms too unclear reference in 2023? Perhaps there will be room for the film versions of some famous ones Mario sign?
Maybe you should take over now. Nintendo-related speculation is hard work.
UPDATE: This can help narrow it down. Nintendo says in a press release accompanying today’s DLC that “Two upcoming waves of DLC are still on the way, featuring several returning tracks and characters from across the Mario Kart franchise”.
“Recurring characters” sure kills some of the wilder suggestions above! And leaving us with options like Petey Piranha and…Wiggler?