While the next mainline entry in the Mario Kart series had been rumored for a late 2020 release,Nintendomay have delayed it into 2021.
Rumors for aMario Kart 9on Switch began in January by noted leaker Sabi. Further, the insider mentioned Mario Kart as a potential holiday release. The same leaker accurately reported that a newPaper Mariowould come out this year, a point that proved true.
But the Mario Kart sequel is now delayed to 2021, according toComicBookand industry insider,Vergeben. Vergeben previously leaked the development of 2019’sResident Evil 2andSuper Smash Bros.Ultimatefighters Ice Climbers and Simon Belmont, which later proved accurate.
A reason for the delay was not given, though the coronavirus has causedindustry-wide disruption.
Digital Trends reached out to Nintendo for comment but did not receive an immediate response.
For now,Mario Kart Tourholds its place as the latest release in the Mario Kart franchise. The popular mobile title regularly gets updated with new events in the form of “tours,” which include new vehicle parts and racers.
AndMario Kart 8 Deluxestands as one of the Nintendo Switch’s most successful games and one of thebest multiplayer games on Nintendo Switch.Given Nintendo’s track record with the series,Mario Kart 9is strongly expected to enter the playing field eventually. However, the wait may take a bit longer than initially predicted.
Given the game’s original rumored release window of late 2020, Switch owners may have a while to go for more big first-party releases afterPaper Mario: The Origami King.The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild 2andBayonetta 3were also pushed out of the 2020 window, and the latter half of this year looks dry for the Switch.
As forMario Kart 9, the game hasn’t received an official announcement yet. However, it is feasible that Nintendo fans will get a preview by the end of 2020 if the game is in development. This year marksSuper Mario Bros.‘ 35th anniversary, so it would make sense for there to be more Mario-related announcements for Nintendo Switch. Further, aMario Kart 9announcement would be a welcome one for fans of the franchise.
