
The upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 Mario Kart game is set to support races for up to 24 players, doubling the limit of Mario Kart 8 Deluxe (MK8D).
The exciting development was hinted at during the Switch 2 teaser released on Wednesday, showcasing the new console and briefly featuring the untitled Mario Kart game.
The Nintendo Switch 2, announced after years of wait, was tipped in a 141-second trailer which highlighted the device's design and capabilities.
The trailer demonstrated how the Switch 2 will support both docked and handheld gameplay, similar to its predecessor. Notably, the Mario Kart game appeared near the end of the video, suggesting that it will be a key title for the new console.
Next Mario Kart update for Nintendo Switch 2
According to Nintendo Everything, the trailer hints at the next Mario Kart instalment supporting up to 24 players. This feature is suggested by the presence of 24 starting positions on a track, arranged in four diagonal lines with six spots each.
Although the trailer does not show 24 racers, it does feature a double-digit number of them, indicating a significant increase in player capacity.
For comparison, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe allows up to 12 racers on any given track, with all of them being player-controlled during online play. Local multiplayer is limited to four players per console, but it is possible to pair two Switch consoles wirelessly for up to eight players.
Mario Kart game availability
Nintendo's track record suggests that the new game may be titled Mario Kart 9, although the reveal trailer did not mention the game by name.
Despite rumours of a March 3 release, the Switch 2 and its Mario Kart game are not expected to hit the market until June 2025 at the earliest.
Moreover, Nintendo has scheduled hands-on preview events for the Switch 2 throughout spring, culminating in a showcase in Seoul, South Korea, on June 1.