I think I know the secret behind Mario Kart 9 on Nintendo Switch 2 Readers FeatureGameCentralPublished January 18, 2025 1:00am Mario Kart 9 is going to be something very different (YouTube)A reader examines the footage so far for Mario Kart 9 and thinks hes worked out several new features not yet announced by Nintendo.We might have only got one game reveal in the Nintendo Switch 2 unveiling but, as has been already pointed out, the few seconds of Mario Kart 9 that we did get is a lot more than it first seems. Not only does it seem to confirm 24-player online action, which is going to be insane, but theres clearly some kind of open world element going on.You dont notice at first but theres no actual track. The race starts off with a dead end to the road they start on, then they all immediately go off-road and then down what looks like a long highway that disappears off into the distance. At no point is there a track and definitely nothing that looks like its going to loop round in laps.That is a pretty major change for Mario Kart. I dont know whether thats the main mode or only online or something, but it looks to me that youre making the course up yourself as you go along, kind of like the Dakar Rally. First of all, I think thats a genius idea, but I also dont think thats the only innovation at play.Who knows how big the actual map is youre racing around in, but you can see lots of dirt paths in the footage and a very big and obvious roadside convenience. I think that not only are you going to be making your own path through the game but youre going to be picking up fuel as you go as well.I dont know what happens when you run out, maybe Lakitu lends you a petrol can or something, but I do believe that everything that you can see in the footage is very purposefully chosen as a clue as to what the new game is about.To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a webbrowser thatsupports HTML5videoUp NextHowever, I believe theres more secrets theyre purposefully not revealing. One obvious one is non-Mario characters. Mario Kart 8 had quite a lot already, so I see no way that the new game wont as well, considering it supports much more human players at once. And Im all for turning it into a full-on Smash Bros. racing game.We can go deeper though, because if Mario Kart 9 is a launch game, then Nintendo is going to want it to show off as many of its features as possible. The Joy-Cons working as mice is a big one, but no one wants to control a car with a mouse, so what else could that feature be used for?I think its obvious: a map creator. Its never really been practical for Mario Kart before but now, with PC style controls, itd be super easy to scribble your own course and turn it into something you can drive on. The mouse would make it easy to add smaller details and Im sure Nintendo could just adapt the software they already use and put it in the game.Ill go further though and imagine that creating your own course is probably part of the main gameplay, so youd have a big map of the area and draw on that the route you want to take and then it could appear in-game as a path to follow. Doesnt that sound great?More TrendingIm going to be really disappointed if thats not what happens, but Im convinced that at least some version of what Im talking about is going to happen and I cannot wait to get my hands on the game. Roll on April 2!By reader Pinky 24-player online is a big change for a start (YouTube)The readers features do not necessarily represent the views of GameCentral or Metro.You can submit your own 500 to 600-word reader feature at any time, which if used will be published in the next appropriate weekend slot. Just contact us at gamecentral@metro.co.uk or use our Submit Stuff page and you wont need to send an email.GameCentralSign up for exclusive analysis, latest releases, and bonus community content.This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Your information will be used in line with our Privacy Policy