Mario Kart 9 Needs More Tracks Like Ninja Hideaway

gamerant.com:

Even as Mario Kart 8 Deluxe continues to thrive, demand for Mario Kart 9 is high. Leakers painted the picture of a compelling new Mario Kart game featuring lots of guest characters and Item Box reworks, but instead Nintendo recently revealed the Booster Course Pass DLC for Mario Kart 8 Deluxe that gives the Switch title more tracks five years after launch. It's a shame that Mario Kart 9 doesn't appear to around the corner, but at least the Booster Course Pass is a valuable opportunity for fans to experience a broader range of Mario Kart history — especially for players who haven't tried Mario Kart Tour.

The first wave of Booster Course Pass courses includes a number of courses from Mario Kart Tour, emphasizing the mobile game's tracks based on real-world cities, but Lucky Cat Cup also features Ninja Hideaway. This ninja-filled dojo premiered in Mario Kart Tour in 2021 and puts players' navigation skills to the test with a layered design offerings lots of optional paths. Ninja Hideaway is a particularly rich addition to Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, and it ought to be a symbol of the franchise's future. Mario Kart 9 deserves more clever course designs like Ninja Hideaway.

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe's New Tracks All Add Something New

Mario Kart courses are generally linear since all players need to share the same objectives, but that doesn't stop Ninja Hideaway from pushing its limits. Many of the courses added in Wave 1 of the Booster Course Pass are pretty strictly organized. Tracks like Choco Mountain and Sky Garden have some unique obstacles and the occasional shortcut, but they're ultimately simple paths that keep all racers on the same road. Ninja Hideaway couldn't be more different; full of branching paths and multiple levels that