10 Nintendo characters we want to see in the next Mario Kart

The next Mario Kart on Switch 2 holds a lot of possibilities, and the footage we have so far from the console announcement trailer hints at 24 players on the track at once. If this is the case, we’ll need an expanded roster to fill out a race.

So in the spirit of speculation, these are the Nintendo characters we want to see in the next Mario Kart for Switch 2. We’ve also released a list of all the confirmed characters in the next Mario Kart on Switch 2 if you’re interested!

Ashley (WarioWare)

Strangely, the WarioWare series characters have been largely left out of the main Mario spin-off titles like Mario Kart, Mario Party, and the sports games. Perhaps, the next Mario Kart could foray into the characters of this whacky mini-game series.

Ashley is one of the most well-known with a charming personality and a memorable song titled after her. One of the tracks could be the Diamond City mansion she lives in rather than the same old Luigi’s Mansion that keeps coming back. Her origin series has multiple recent entries on the Switch, so her inclusion is more likely than ever.

Pit (Kid Icarus)

Someone who hasn’t had a recent game in a long time, however, is Pit from the Kid Icarus series. He would fit straight into the whacky chaos of Mario Kart with third-wall jokes and funny animations inspired by his 3DS entry Kid Icarus: Uprising. He would ride in a chariot-like vehicle, racing around the gorgeous Skyworld alongside Mario, Luigi, and Peach.

It would be great to have more representation in the next Mario Kart from other Nintendo series like the Splatoon Kids and The Legend of Zelda‘s Link from the last entry.

The Broodals & Madame Broode (Super Mario Odyssey)

One of the newest sets of characters in the Super Mario series is The Broodals in Super Mario Odyssey. They’re the bosses you’ll come across throughout the game who are hired by Bowser to organize a wedding between King Koopa and Princess Peach.

Their bunny-like designs would stand out in this Mario Kart entry with Topper’s St. Patrick’s Day-like get-up and Hariet’s stylish purple dress. You could also include Madame Broode’s golden chain chomp as a weapon variety if that item returns to the series.

Honey Queen (Super Mario Galaxy)

The Honey Queen made her one and only appearance in Mario Kart 7 and should be brought back into the Switch 2’s Mario Kart. She would act as a larger character like Donkey Kong and Bowser, offering more variety to the roster. Super Mario Galaxy was also recently released for the Switch under the Super Mario 3D All Stars collection, making this character more relevant.

R.O.B (Gyromite)

Another character that hasn’t returned for a long time is ROB, who appeared in Mario Kart DS. This robot came during the classic NES era and was a neat accessory for a game called Gyromite. It also had an essential role in the storyline of Super Smash Bros. Brawl.

If Mario Kart 8 Deluxe can have more recent characters like the Splatoon Kids, it would be neat to see Nintendo referencing icons from an older period of time. The ROB-BLS kart is also a neat reference to the classic NES game that could return in the next Mario Kart for Switch 2.

Fox (Star Fox)

Fox is a beloved Nintendo character from the Star Fox series that would fit well into the Mario Kart franchise. He is already proficient at driving vehicles like the Landmaster and the Arwing, so a kart would be no problem at all. The sci-fi-oriented tracks he could bring into the game would be wonderful to see, especially on a next-gen system like the Switch 2. Additionally, it would be a great way to treat Star Fox fans after the disappointing Star Fox Zero and the arduous almost decade-long wait for a new game.

Captain Falcon (F-Zero)

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is a fantastic game, but one mistake it made is not including Captain Falcon from F-Zero.

His vehicle the Blue Falcon and some of the franchise’s legendary tracks like Big Blue made an appearance, but not the enthusiastic man himself. That should be fixed in the next Mario Kart entry on Switch 2 as the character’s upbeat personality would fit alongside the likes of Mario and Yoshi. While Nintendo’s at it, it should bring back F-Zero GX or a completely new entry to show the power of the new system at breakneck speed.

King Bob-Omb (Super Mario 64)

One character from my childhood I remember fondly at the top of Bob-Omb Battlefield is King Bob-Omb. His massive frame and funny white mustache would match the bonkers nature of the Mario Kart series, so it’s strange he hasn’t made an appearance yet as a playable racer in a mainline game.

He is unlockable in the mobile Mario Kart Tour. It would also be lovely to get a track based on the classic Super Mario 64 level.

Monty Mole

After many appearances as an obstacle in the Mario Kart series, Monty Mole finally got his break as a playable character in Mario Kart Tour. Unfortunately, he hasn’t made the leap as a roster member in a mainline entry, while he’s been playable in the Mario Party titles.

He is an adorable creature that would fit right in, and after many years of being hit by karts and shells, I think he deserves it.

Paper Mario

We’ve had Mario, Baby Mario, Metal Mario, Cat Mario, and other forms of the characters but never Paper Mario. It seems like quite a strange omission as there are many fans of this alteration of the Italian plumber.

It would be neat to see how flat the character would be when compared to other racers in the game. Nintendo could also implement paper effects to the items and kart effects during the race. The Paper Mario track would also be quite the sight to behold in the next Mario Kart entry on Switch 2.