Although Mario Kart Super Circuit was the first game in the series to have older tracks, DS is the first game to introduce retro tracks as players know them. Ever since then, retro tracks not only reflect the aesthetics and design philosophy of the era they were brought back for, but they also tend to make up half of the track roster. Ever since Mario Kart DS introduced this practice, and Wii made it a habit, fans have come to hypothesize about which old tracks will return in subsequent Mario Kart games as much as they discuss potential new characters or gimmicks. Retro tracks will most likely come back in Mario Kart 9, but considering certain circumstances, this game should tackle the feature differently.
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The Evolution of Remaking Older Mario Kart Tracks
In their earliest days, retro tracks were as straightforward as possible. For a while, the closest thing a retro track had been to being properly remade was Baby Park being given less laps to make the race go by quicker. Otherwise, the only difference between retro tracks and their original counterparts was presentation. Mario Kart Wii was the first game in the series to have bikes and stunts. Naturally, the new tracks would be designed around these new mechanics. However, the game decided to follow in Mario Kart DS’ footsteps and normalize the format for retro tracks. As a result, tracks like Super Mario Kart’s Ghost Valley 2 and Mario Kart Double Dash’s Waluigi Stadium provide opportunities for players to do wheelies and stunts in areas that were previously ordinary.
Mario Kart 7 went even further and introduced the idea of paragliding and “laps” representing individual sections of one larger track. The game’s new Rainbow Road exemplifies the latter concept. It also brought back coins. Some retro tracks, such as Maple Treeway, not only have secret coins in previously irrelevant segments, but also replaced entire segments with sections dedicated to glider mechanics. With Mario Kart 7, retro tracks were not only being reintroduced with tweaked graphics, but they were now integrated into the game’s core identity.
Mario Kart 8 continued this trend, but went even further with its Rainbow Roads. The SNES Rainbow Road (as well as Baby Park) shows a willingness to bring back an old track more than once, and the N64 Rainbow Road being radically different from its original counterpart shows that the series may now take older tracks and make them superficially recognizable.
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A Possible Design Strategy for Mario Kart 9’s Retro Tracks
The implementation of retro tracks was an interesting process. As Mario Kart modernized itself, so did the execution of retro tracks as a concept. If Mario Kart 9 wants to have a unique take on retro tracks without alienating Mario Kart fans, it needs to create a compromise between modernity and preserving the older tracks’ integrity. The way Mario Kart 8 tackled the N64 Rainbow Road is currently unique in the series, but could become a template.
Following in Mario Kart 8’s footsteps completely would be a problem, as the only recognizable aspects of the game’s take on the N64 Rainbow Road are the fireworks and the track itself. Otherwise, it is an amalgamation of previous Rainbow Roads, especially the ones in 7 and Double Dash. Mario Kart 9 should strive to put emphasis on the tracks’ strongest traits without necessarily sacrificing the least memorable parts by shoehorning modern mechanics. The aim is to polish older beloved tracks, not turn them into something unrecognizable.
Since Mario Kart 8 opened the gates for such a possibility, this hypothetical new installment should try bringing back old retro tracks while continuing the series tradition of giving neglected tracks a chance. However, due to the number of potentially new retro tracks getting increasingly smaller and the options becoming more centered toward specific games, then Mario Kart 9 might have to rely on doing repeats. Fan favorites that haven’t been seen in over a decade, like Waluigi Pinball and DK Mountain, could benefit from getting the experimental treatment seen with N64 Rainbow Road. More straightforward tracks, like the character-themed circuits and raceways, could benefit from plain remakes and simple testing of new mechanics.
In order to assert itself as different, Mario Kart 9 will have to learn from past entries while toning down potentially radical changes. With Mario Kart Tour around, the number of potentially new retro tracks has become increasingly smaller. Some tracks can afford being retooled due to how recognizable their concepts and gimmicks are, but retooling a track too much may as well be the creative process of a brand-new track. Mario Kart 9 should strike a balance between modernizing outdated tracks and polishing praised ideas, providing a mix of faithful remakes and more experimental redesigns.
A new Mario Kart game is rumored to be in development.
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