Now, I wouldn't consider myself the best Mario Kart player (I might have thought so before, but then I met Kurtiss), but I'm one of its biggest fans. I've played every game in the series (including the Arcade Versions) except for the original (ironic, I know.)

So needless to say I'm excited for Mario Kart 3DS. Despite the fact that not much information has been released, there are some surefire things that I can safely say we can expect in Mario Kart 3DS. I thought I'd write them down and see what you guys think.

Online/Wireless Capability
Mario Kart has been Nintendo's proving ground for multiplayer in recent years. Sure, it was already a great multiplayer game from the start, but Nintendo used it to test their internet capabilities on the DS and furthered that experimentation on Wii.

Because of this, Mario Kart 3DS will be one of Nintendo's key games in utilizing both the internet and wireless capabilities the 3DS to see what works and what doesn't. In fact, it's already confirmed that it will utilize the 3DS's tag mode, which will likely be used to trade Ghost Data, as well as Profile information.

But as I said, Mario Kart is one of Nintendo's best online games, and that trend should continue in it's 3DS iteration. I would expect to see the return of VR and BR points, and the ability to have 12 racers per match would not be surprising given the 3DS's processing capabilities.

Retro Tracks
Since Mario Kart DS, Nintendo has regularly included tracks from previous games as a simple way of beefing up their level count (Mario Kart: Super Circuit (GBA) did this as well, but doesn't really count, since it simply included all of the original game's levels). There's no doubt that this version will include some as well. With 6 games under their belt (8 including the arcade versions) Nintendo has a wide selection of levels available, but based on some information we already have available, we can guess at the types of levels they may bring back.

The video demonstration featured at E3 featured a point where Mario and Luigi were sent high above the track and then fell down, with the ground racing (no pun intended) up toward them. Now, considering that the Gameboy Advance and SNES versions of Mario Kart had nearly entirely flat courses, those games will have a seemingly random selection of levels chosen, but the other four will contribute levels that showcase long views as well. This means tracks with less turns and more straightaways, as well as levels featuring cannons which fire the player above the track, will compose much of what we see returning.

Something else worth noting is that, with 6 games to bring games back, it will be tough to fit a reasonable amount of levels from each game within the alotted 16 spaces. Mario Kart Wii had two SNES and two GBA levels return, with 4 returning from each of the other 3 games. With 6 games to draw from now, this would require that more games have less levels (if you're curious about the math, the simplest solution would be that 4 of the games would feature 3 levels returning, and 2 would have 2.) What I find more likely, however, is that Nintendo may add another cup to both the New and Retro classes. After all, Super Mario Kart (SNES) featured 5 courses in all 4 cups, and Mario Kart: Super Circuit had 5 cups total, so it wouldn't be unheard of. This would allow them more room to add retro levels, and give them an excuse to add 4 more new tracks.

Characters
Mario Kart featured 8 characters total as a standard. With the exception of the Koopa Troopa, who was replaced by Wario, and Donkey Kong Jr., who was replaced by (or possibly just grew into) Donkey Kong, these characters were Mario, Luigi, Peach, Yoshi, Bowser and Toad. Obviously, we will see these racers once again. Double Dash!!, having 2 racers at a time, required more to be added to the roster, and added 12 new characters, upping the count to 20. Mario Kart DS dropped back down (which is within reason, due to the lack of the Double Driver gameplay) to 12 characters. Mario Kart Wii doubled that number up to 24, because the change from 8 cars a race to 12 made it reasonable. Seeing as this is a handheld version, it is my belief that we will see fewer characters once again. Now, Nintendo may prove me wrong, but I'd rather take a conservative approach in any case because then it's easier to see who is likely to return.

Now, assuming I'm correct (which like I said, I might not be) we probably won't see more obscure, less often used, and new to the series characters return. This means that it's unlikely we will see Dry Bowser, Funky Kong, Rosalina, or Baby Daisy return. Dry Bowser was kind of a joke anyway, Funky Kong was just put in to even out the roster, Rosalina to tie in with the then-new Mario Galaxy, and Baby Daisy was as new here as Waluigi was in Mario Tennis. As I said, it's not unfathomable that Nintendo may keep one, or, at most, two of these characters, but if any have to go, they'll be the first to (and for the record, the two that I think have a chance of staying are Dry Bowser and Baby Daisy.) Plus, Nintendo will want to include some new racers as well, so there's a chance we'll see Toadette, Bowser Jr., Koopa Troopa and Baby Peach scrapped in favor of characters who haven't gotten their hands on the wheels yet.

But, in case I haven't said it enough, I sure hope I'm wrong. It'd be awesome if all 24 of the characters of Mario Kart Wii returned along with a few more, but I don't think that's likely.

New Features
Now, if Nintendo didn't have something tricky up their sleeve, they wouldn't be Nintendo. Double Dash!! saw a huge roster of new characters and and a few varied karts instead of the standard ones, Mario Kart DS saw online, an even further expanded variety of Karts, and Mission Mode, and Mario Kart Wii had the Wii Wheel, Bikes (speaking of which, I hope we see those again), and Tricks to add to the set.

Because of this, I don't think for a minute that Nintendo will be content to have 3D be in the game and call it good. But then, at the same time, I have no idea what they could add. My vaguest ideas are a track editor, possibly similar to what was seen in Diddy Kong Racing for the DS, and mid race track changes, as in Excite Truck/Excitebots. This is where you guys come in.

What do you guys think we can expect to see in Mario Kart 3DS, new or old?

Thanks for reading!

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I agree with your prediction on better online, I hope with the addition of some kind of in game chat feature. A track editor would be cool. And some kind of community point/ranking system. And if any Nintendo game could use achievements mario kart is the one.

Also, I can't wait to play battle mode online!

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Nice topic, but I wonder if it will go back to 8 people per race or continue on with the 12 people per race.

Holy crap, now this is what I call a thread! Nice job!~

And I hope the online is similar to the Wii, open rooms for friends etc. Maybe a lobby too, And chat using the mic!

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We can expect this game to be one of the many games thats going to push sells for the 3DS. Hardcore and casual gamers "love" Mario Kart games. As for features for the game, I'm thinking they'll add a new control feature or add a new weapon that utilizes 3d. Smokescreen maybe?

Smokescreen would be smexy over the Blooper.

Nice, dude! Do I have permission to post this to my blog?

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bringing back multiplayer grandprix would be awesome.

I think they will remove all Mode 7 courses for Wii courses instead. Because Mode 7 does nothing for 3D.

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Hey, I would love that! I read 3DSConnect all the time. Thanks man!

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