Rumors suggest thatMario Kart 9will be very different from its predecessors in terms of its list of playable characters. Nintendo may have plans to crossMario Kartover with various other Nintendo franchises to diversify the roster. Although the specific plan is surprising, the general idea isn’t; theMario Kartcharacter roster is a flexible but fundamental part of the franchise that’s rich for positive change. While Nintendo is possible working on creating change through the character roster, it should examine some otherMario Kartfundamentals that could use an update. For instance, the list of items available inMario Kartcould use an upgrade inMario Kart 9.
Mario Karthas generally worked with the same pool of basicSuper Mario-themed items for many years now, but each game has at least a few special additions. WhileMario Kart 9’s items could include various references to other Nintendo franchises, ideally it’ll tap into theSuper Mariofranchise too. There area lot of semi-obscureSuper Mariopower-upsthat seem like they could be a lot of fun inMario Kart 9, especially thanks to the creative new courses that star inMario Kartnowadays.Mario Kartowes everything toSuper Mario,after all, so it should make use of its source material as best it can.
Super Mario Bros. 3’s Frog Suit
The thirdSuper Mario Bros.gamefeatured quite a few unique power-ups that Mario and Luigi could use, like the Hammer Suit and the Tanooki Suit, but the Frog Suit is simultaneously one of the game’s most distinct power-ups and one of the most obscure. Generally only found in special locations like Toad Houses, this item was ideal for traversingSuper Mario Bros. 3’s water levels, thanks to its increased swimming power.Mario Kartfrequently features underwater levels nowadays, meaning the Frog Suit could prove useful toMario Kartdrivers. The Frog Suit could provide a constant speed boost while the player is in water while additionally increasing the height they get when jumping off ramps.
Super Mario Galaxy 2’s Rock Mushroom
The small 3D planets ofSuper Mario Galaxyallowed for all kinds of unique platforming challenges, as well as special items that made good use of quickly curving planets. The Rock Mushroom fromSuper Mario Galaxy 2was one such item, allowing Mario to transform into a rolling boulder that could crush enemies and objects. Rock Mushrooms could be extremely useful inMario Kartthrough both power and durability. Using it could transform the player into huge rock for a few seconds, allowing them to knock enemies aside to get an advantage. While they’re in this for,Mario Kartracers might be tough enough to ignore small obstacles and incoming Shells, making the Rock Mushroom as useful defensively as it is offensively.
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New Super Mario Bros.’s Penguin Suit
TechnicallyMario Kartalready has an ice-themed powerup in the form ofMario Kart Tour’s Ice Flower, but the Penguin Suit from theNew Super Mario Bros.games could provide an upgraded version of the ability inMario Kart 9.Mario Kart Tourcharacterswho use the Ice Flower can freeze opponents solid by hitting them with icy projectiles, and while the Penguin Suit could give characters that ability, it could also briefly give players better traction on slippery surfaces like ice. Much like the Frog Suit, the Penguin Suit could be extremely helpful when navigating the environments of certainMario Kartcourses.
These are only a few of theSuper Marioitems that haven’t made their way intoMario Kartjust yet. The franchise is full of unique abilities that could introduce some valuable variety toMario Kartraces. These items may not necessarily have good odds of appearing inthe rumoredMario Kart 9,but their traits make them more than worthy of an appearance. Hopefully Nintendo plays intoSuper Marionostalgia a little while assemblingMario Kart 9’s roster of items.
