The years of rumors, leaks, and false starts were worth the wait, as Nintendo has finally revealed the Switch 2. It's been eight years since the OG Nintendo Switch launched with The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, soon to be followed by other best-sellers including Super Mario Odyssey and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe.
The latter was a revamp of 2014's Mario Kart 8 that was released on the disappointing Wii U, and living up to the 'deluxe' part of its name, the Switch version added an expanded roster, an overhauled battle mode, and even new tracks.
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is by far and away the best-selling Switch game of all time, but like the sun is setting on the console itself, Nintendo is waving the checkered flag on the beloved game.
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Nintendo initially downplayed the idea that we'd get Mario Kart 9, instead releasing the maligned Booster Course Pass to keep things fresh.
Over a decade after we last got a wholly new Mario Kart game, the Switch 2 reveal trailer has spoiled the surprise that another one is on the way.
There's no official word on what we should call the mystery Mario adventure, but for now, everyone is calling it Mario Kart 9 - after all, it makes the most sense.
The Switch 2 trailer included brief snippets of what's clearly a Mario Kart game, and unless we're getting Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Deluxe, gamers should finally be getting behind the wheel of a proper sequel.
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This footage includes a pretty standard lineup of Mario, Luigi, Yoshi, Peach, Bowser, Toad, DK, and Daisy. Looking in the background, eagle-eyed players also spotted Wario, Baby Mario, Baby Luigi, and Koopa, although we expect the roster to be the biggest yet (fingers crossed for Tears of the Kingdom's Impa).
Similar to when Super Mario Odyssey was teased alongside the OG Switch reveal in 2016, this Mario Kart game is a way to whet the appetite and ensure we're all tuning in for the April 2 Nintendo Direct that's expected to showcase more games coming to the Switch 2.
Although unconfirmed, it seems like a guarantee that the Switch 2 will launch with Mario Kart 9 as its flagship release. It's a shrewd move considering the success of Deluxe, and if nothing else, we'll hopefully be able to get our hands on a special launch bundle.
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Even if the Switch 2 reveal has left some underwhelmed, gamers were pumped that Mario Kart is making a major comeback after what feels like years of recycled content.
Cheering the iconic racer's return, one fan said: "Mario Kart 9 is 100% gonna be the Mario Wonder of the series in terms of looks judging from the stylized models April can't come here f**king faster."
Another said, "I speak for everyone when I say we will be buying," while a third applauded: "They all look way cuter than they did in Mario Kart 8, love this style."
One major aspect has been flying under the radar, with some saying the starting lineup makes it look like there will be 24 racers. This would be a massive uptick from Mario Kart 8 Deluxe's eight racers, so bring on the carnage.