Mario Kart 9

Mario Kart Switch
Promotional cover art
Developer(s)	Nintendo EPD
Publisher(s)	Nintendo
Director(s)	Kosuke Yabuki
Producer(s)	Yabuki Kosuke
Designer(s)	Yasuyuki Oyagi
Artist(s)	Yusuke Nakano
Composer(s)	Kenta Nagata
Series	Mario Kart
Platform(s)	Nintendo Switch
Release	November 20, 2026 (2026-11-20)
Genre(s)	Kart racing
Mode(s)	Single-player, multiplayer

Mario Kart Switch is a kart racing video game developed and published by Nintendo for the Nintendo Switch. It is the ninth mainline entry in the Mario Kart series, following Mario Kart 8 Deluxe (2017), and was released worldwide on 20 November 2026.

Designed as a full generational leap rather than an incremental update, Mario Kart Switch introduces large-scale track design, expanded vehicle physics, and new competitive systems inspired in part by the high-speed, skill-driven gameplay of Mario Kart Wii. The game places increased emphasis on player expression, risk–reward mechanics, and dynamic race flow while retaining the accessibility traditionally associated with the series.

Upon release, Mario Kart Switch received critical acclaim and achieved strong commercial success, becoming one of Nintendo’s fastest-selling titles of 2026.

Gameplay

Mario Kart Switch retains the core premise of the series—kart racing using items and character abilities—while introducing substantial mechanical changes intended to deepen competitive play and replayability.

Races support up to twelve players and are contested across a new generation of tracks designed around multiple viable routes, verticality, and environmental interaction. Unlike previous entries, many circuits feature branching paths that remain competitive across an entire lap rather than functioning as short-term shortcuts.

Vehicle handling and physics

The game introduces a revised physics model inspired by Mario Kart Wii, prioritising momentum, speed retention, and mechanical skill. Drifting mechanics have been reworked, with players able to chain extended drifts and store boost energy for strategic release. Bikes and karts now exhibit more distinct handling characteristics, with bikes favouring agility and technical control while karts emphasise stability and raw speed.

Wheelies return in a revised form for bikes, providing short-term speed boosts at the cost of increased vulnerability to items. Advanced techniques such as slipstream chaining and manual boost timing reward skilled play without being mandatory for casual racers.

Item system

The item system has been rebalanced to reduce randomness while preserving unpredictability. Item probability now scales dynamically based on race context rather than position alone, factoring in player performance, proximity to opponents, and recent item usage.

New items introduced include:

• Chain Chomp – Temporarily drags the player forward while damaging opponents in its path.
• Pow Block – Returns as an area-of-effect hazard that can be avoided through precise timing.
• Boo Swarm – Steals items from multiple opponents simultaneously.

Classic items such as the Blue Shell and Lightning have been reworked to allow limited counterplay, including defensive timing windows and environmental avoidance routes on certain tracks.

Race formats

In addition to traditional Grand Prix and VS Race modes, Mario Kart Switch introduces new race structures:

• Marathon Cups – Extended races across interconnected tracks with persistent positioning.
• Elimination – The last-place racer is eliminated at fixed intervals.
• Team Relay – Teams rotate drivers mid-race using pit zones.

Battle Mode

Battle Mode has been rebuilt around larger, purpose-designed arenas with dynamic objectives. Modes include Balloon Battle, Coin Control, and the new Territory Clash, where teams compete to capture and defend zones across evolving arenas.

Online and multiplayer

Online play supports ranked and unranked matchmaking, seasonal leaderboards, and spectator viewing. Local multiplayer supports up to four players split-screen, with additional players able to join wirelessly.

Tracks

The game features 24 new circuits at launch, alongside a curated selection of remastered tracks from earlier entries. New tracks emphasise scale and variety, including:

• Neo Bowser City Rise
• Wario Shipyard Run
• Skyway Summit
• Koopa Canyon

Several tracks feature dynamic events such as collapsing sections, moving platforms, and weather changes that alter racing lines mid-race.

Development

Development of Mario Kart Switch began in 2020 at Nintendo EPD. Following the extended success of Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, Nintendo opted to delay a new entry until it could deliver a meaningful evolution of the series rather than a graphical update.

Developers cited Mario Kart Wii as a key inspiration, particularly its emphasis on speed, mechanical mastery, and high-skill ceiling. The team sought to reintroduce depth without alienating less experienced players by layering advanced mechanics on top of an approachable baseline.

Track design shifted toward larger environments with interconnected routes, drawing influence from both traditional circuit racing and open-area design experiments. The physics engine was rewritten to support higher speeds, more complex collision interactions, and environmental dynamics.

The game was designed to scale across Nintendo Switch hardware revisions, with enhanced resolution, frame rate stability, and draw distance on newer models.

Mario Kart Switch was officially revealed during a Nintendo Direct presentation in June 2026, followed by a public demo at Gamescom 2026.

Reception

Reception

Aggregate score

Aggregator	Score
Metacritic	93/100

Review scores

Publication	Score
Electronic Gaming Monthly	5/5
GameSpot	9/10
IGN	9.5/10

Critics praised the game’s renewed focus on skill-based racing, expansive track design, and refined online systems. Many reviewers highlighted the successful balance between competitive depth and accessibility, comparing its impact on the series to that of Mario Kart Wii.

Some criticism was directed toward the game’s steeper learning curve compared to Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, particularly in online ranked play.

Commercial performance

Mario Kart Switch debuted at number one in multiple territories and sold over ten million copies within its first two months. Nintendo cited the title as a key driver of late-generation Switch hardware sales and online engagement.

Legacy

Mario Kart Switch is widely regarded as a defining entry in the franchise, credited with revitalising competitive interest in the series while maintaining broad appeal. The game established a new foundation for future Mario Kart titles and ongoing online competition.

External links

• Official website