I've analyzed every frame of the new Nintendo Switch 2 Mario Kart game footage, here's everything I've found

24-player racing?

Features By Rhys Wood published 16 January 2025

(Image credit: Nintendo)

It's finally begun. The Nintendo Switch 2 has been officially revealed, and we've been keeping you abreast of any and all updates in our Nintendo Switch 2 live coverage all day.

Now what stood out to me most in the official Nintendo Switch 2 reveal trailer - aside from the hardware itself of course - was the unveiling of a brand new Mario Kart game. And no, it doesn't look like another port of Mario Kart 8, thank heavens.

As a Mario Kart superfan, I've spent the last hour poring over the gameplay footage frame by frame, and I've come away with a surprising amount of information. Nothing's set in stone until we get a full reveal of course, but there's plenty here already to speculate on how the new Mario Kart game will shake up the series formula.

Nintendo Switch 2 – First-look trailer - YouTube

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Up to 24 racers on a circuit?

The very first shot we get of the new Mario Kart game is an overhead look at a brand new course: Mario Bros. Circuit. We also see that the start line has a total of 24 race start positions marked onto the track.

While this could of course be nothing more than a scenery element, having 24 racers on any given track would double the maximum amount from Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. Not only that, it'd be a great showcase of the Nintendo Switch 2's increase in power and performance.

It's a little hard to make out how many racers are on track in the gameplay footage, but in the very final frame - where the camera pans back to reveal a track with exceptional breadth and draw distance - we can make out around 16 karts racing at the same time. I'm pretty confident, then, that the new Mario Kart game will be a favorite among Nintendo Switch Online subscribers.

Everyone is here, and they're looking very retro

There appears to be a good mix of familiar faces in the new Mario Kart game that we can play as. In the initial shot, we can see Mario and Luigi alongside Bowser, Peach, Yoshi, Toad, Daisy, Rosalina, Donkey Kong, Wario, Koopa Troopa and Pauline. Elsewhere, we catch glimpses of Waluigi, Baby Luigi and Shy Guy.

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