8 Characters That Should Be Added to Mario Kart

The definitive edition of Mario Kart 8 for the Nintendo Switch is out now! Here are some characters we think should join in on the Kart racing chaos!
The definitive edition of Mario Kart 8 for the Nintendo Switch is out now! Here are some characters we think should join in on the Kart racing chaos!

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, the definitive edition of Mario Kart 8 released this week for the Nintendo Switch, and has been a highly anticipated title for most Nintendo fans.

Mario Kart 8  for the Wii U was the first game in the franchise to introduce new characters as DLC, which will all be included in Mario Kart 8 DX, along with a few added characters exclusive to the game.

Although Mario Kart 8 DX contains all the previous DLC from Mario Kart 8 and at this time no additional DLC has been announce for the DX version, here are 10 characters who should either be added to the next Mario Kart title or added to Mario Kart 8 DX as extra DLC.

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Goomba

Well Known Enemy in Super Mario Franchise

Yeah Goombas don't have hands, so what? It's about time they get the upgrade from obstacle to driver. How will it drive? Who knows? You're already playing a game where turtles, mushrooms, and squid people are kart racing, so is that really the question you should be asking?

Goombas are the first enemy encountered in the very first Super Mario Bros., before Koopas or ParaKoopas and long before King Koopa Bowser himself. As such, Goombas have become some of the most well-known and iconic enemies in the entire Mario series, appearing in almost every title.

Maybe Goombas don't have hands, but that just adds humor to them driving a kart.


Paper Mario

Main Character of the Paper Mario Video Game Series

Fans of the Paper Mario series haven't been as fond of the franchise in recent years, with the latest entry, Paper Mario Color Splash, releasing near the end of the Wii U's lifespan and releasing to mixed reviews.

The Paper Mario series may be on the decline, but maybe putting the titular character in Mario Kart will help satisfy some fans, if only temporarily.

They could even have his kart turn into a paper airplane when jumping off of ramps for long jumps.

Paper Mario may not be the most likely addition to a game in which several different versions of Mario are already playable, but maybe the paper plumber will make an appearance one day.


Professor E. Gadd

Character in Luigi's Mansion Series

This popular character from the Luigi's Mansion series is long overdue for his appearance in Mario Kart.

This ghost hunting old man could have his own unique variation of the Poltergust 4000 kart and a special ability when getting the Boo item stealer.

There is apparently evidence in a prototype demo that the gibberish speaking inventor was to be a playable character in Mario Kart DS, but was replaced by Dry Bones in the final version, a character also returning in Mario Kart 8 DX.


Pac-Man

Main Character of Pac-Man Franchise

After appearing in a racing game of his own, known as Pac-Man World Rally, as a playable character in the most recent Super Smash Bros. title, and in the Mario Kart Arcade GP series, it's about time for Pac-Man to be added to Mario Kart proper. There are even race tracks in the Arcade GP series that can be added alongside Pac-man, such as the Pac Labyrinth and Pac Mountain tracks.

In the original Mario Kart 8, the Pac-Man Amiibo can be scanned to obtain a special Mii outfit featuring Pac-Man's classic sprite. But its time for fans to get the real thing.


Sonic the Hedgehog

Main Character of the Sonic the Hedgehog Franchise

Mario and Sonic seem to have plenty of fun in Super Smash Bros. and at the olympic games, so why not put the blue blur in Mario Kart as well?

Sonic himself has already been in two kart racing games, Sonic & Sega All Stars Racing, as well as the sequel, Sonic & Sega All Stars Racing Transformed, so he would be a welcome addition to Mario Kart.

With how fast the Mario Kart series has become, Green Hill Zone and Emerald Coast would be great additions to the selection of race tracks, especially with the addition of the 200cc mode introduced in Mario Kart 8.

Like Pac-Man, the Sonic Amiibo unlocks a Sonic Mii Oufit, but it's about time for the real blue hedgehog to start racing again.


Don-Chan

Character Mascot for Taiko Drum Master Game Series

This adorable Japanese mascot has recently had some cameo appearances in other Nintendo games, such as appearing in the most recent Super Smash Bros. as one of the characters Pac-Man can call upon at random when using his Namco Roulette taunt, and as a befriendable Yo-Kai in Yo-Kai Watch 2 for the Nintendo 3DS. Don-Chan has also appeared as a playable character in the Japan exclusive Mario Kart Arcade GP DX.

Don-Chan should be added to Mario Kart proper because of his cuteness, and as a way to gauge interest in the Taiko no Tatsujin (Taiko: Drum Master in English) video game series. If Don-Chan became more popular and recognizable to gamers in the west, maybe a guest a appearance in Mario Kart could help the next game in the Taiko series get a western release.


Captain Falcon

Character in the F-Zero Series and Popular Super Smash Bros. Character

The Falcon Punching, anti gravity racing pilot may not have a new game in his own series to star in at the moment, but he could at least have a cameo in Mario Kart.

Putting Captain Falcon in Mario Kart also actually makes a bit more sense than it does for other characters. How does Link even know how a Kart works? There were never any cars in Hyrule. At least Captain Falcon is from a racing game, and he'd fit right in on any course in a 200 CC circuit, although that still may be too slow for him.

Hopefully Captain Falcon will show us his moves in Mario Kart someday soon.


Shigeru Miyamoto

Former Respesentative Director/Current Creative Fellow of Nintendo

Honorable Mentions: Satoru Iwata, Reggie Fils-Aime

Shigeru Miyamoto is perhaps one of the most well known video game creators of all time. From games like Super Mario Bros., The Legend of Zelda, and Star Fox, as well as a plethora of other games, Shigeru Miyamoto has become a household name for most gamers.

Of course, you could just make a Mii character of Miyamoto to use in the game and call it a day, but that would be a missed opportunity. At E3 2015, the Nintendo Direct presentation included puppets for Shigeru Miyamoto, Satoru Iwata, and Reggie Fils-Aime, created by Jim Henson Studios. Muppet Miyamoto would fit right in as a Mario Kart character, and would easily translate to the games more cartoon like graphical style.

It may be a long shot, but it would be cool to see this acclaimed video game creator appear as a playable character.


Kart Racing in Style

There have been no additional DLC characters or new titles for the franchise announced yet, so it's hard to determine if any of these or other characters will be added in the future.

With plenty of unique tracks  and vehicles to be included alongside these wanted characters, it would be a shame if Nintendo didn't add at least a few of them to their popular kart racing franchise.

What characters do you think should be added to Mario Kart? Let us know in the comments!

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Author
Erroll Maas
Writer pursuing a career in Games & Entertainment media. Specialties include coverage of non-Pokémon monster taming RPGs, event coverage, indie game coverage, and coverage of various Japanese games.