Topic: Would you be okay with Mario Kart having even more non-Mario characters, stages, etc?

With the non-Mario characters being added to Mario Kart 8 and Deluxe, it seems Nintendo may be testing the waters for an increasingly non-Mario Kart. Are you be okay with this?

What I'd want is the most up to date version of Mario Kart 8 to basically appear early on in the next console's lifespan. So like Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is the complete Wii U version + extra content and then Mario Kart 8 Super Deluxe for the Switch's successor is the complete Switch version + extra content, etc. Same with Smash Wii U being the basis for all future Smash games.

Sure, as long as they don't actually change the name.

I would be happy with Smash Kart so it could invite characters from other non Nintendo IPs.

I'd be fine with it as long as they don't change the name. It would be absolutely stupid to change the name as there is so much value behind the name.

I dunno...they're basically the same thing, right?

Mario Kart isn't restricted to the Mario Universe any more - with Link, Villager, Inkling Boy/Girl etc., the franchise is already broadening its horizons to include the wider Nintendo family...it's just a name - an established name that helps to sell consoles - I don't see any point in a rebrand...

Plus, 'Mario' and 'Nintendo' aren't really mutually exclusive...the only reason SEGA created Sonic back in the day is because there was so much attachment between the Nintendo brand and its mascot; Nintendo = Mario, Mario = Nintendo...they're one and the same.

I can't see how they can push Mario Kart any further for the next entry without it becoming Smash Kart after Deluxe's character roster (and guest tracks)

It doesn't matter that much to me honestly. I can say i would be interested in the possibility tough, if it means more characters and other things. Just think about using Samus or Ridley in a Metroid themed track

@FGPackers Ridley is too big for Mario Kart!

As long as they stick with the Mario Kart name/brand, I'm good. Nintendo Kart is a stupid name change for the series and has no ring to it whatsoever. "Mario Kart" at least has a rich legacy to its name.

Don't see a reason why this should happen. The Mario universe has plenty of characters to fill a complete roster with, it doesn't need other Nintendo characters.

For me, no. Mario Kart is one of the strongest brand names in gaming. It would be foolish to change the name. I also don't think an increasingly bloated character roster is necessary for the game to remain appealing, but maybe that's just me. Personally, the purist in me doesn't like all this crossover stuff. Mario Kart may be a spinoff, but it's still set in the Mario universe, it's still canon, so it doesn't make any sense for Link to appear in a ridiculous looking motorbike thing. It's not like Smash Bros. which is its own unique thing where normal rules don't apply. But mainly because I think Smash Bros. should be the crossover franchise. If everything becomes a crossover not only does everything become an ugly confused mess, but Smash Bros. loses its USP.

I wasn't referring to a name change, that was just my way of saying adding all Nintendo franchises to the mix.

I'd be happy for more characters to be added to the roster, but not at the expense of the traditional Mario Kart cast.

But what I think would be interesting to see was of each character had a special move of some sort to differentiate them a bit more.

Exactly ... Mario = Nintendo.. no need to change the name everyone associates mario with nintendo anyway

I'm fine with new characters, as long as the old ones are here too!

As long as it still has the "traditional" Mario characters, I don't see why it would be a bad thing - I mean, that's what MK8 has turned into, basically. They have, what, like a half-dozen non-Mario characters now? The Mii, a couple Animal Crossing, Inklings, Link. It's pretty much already happened lol. Same thing with the stages. Probably about half-dozen that are not "Mario."

agreed, at first I thought this was an old thread, its already filled with non-Mario

I'm kinda done with Mario Kart in general anyways, so, meh.

Heresy!