Back at the series' beginnings, theMario Kartgames, as the name implies, were kart racers purely for Mario characters. However, with the slow introduction of characters like R.O.B. and Mario-adjacent additions like the wider Kong clan, it was clear that the requirements for entry weren’t too strict.
It came to a head with 8, including more non-Mario characters than ever, with characters like Link from The Legend of Zelda, Inklings from Splatoon, and Villagers from Animal Crossing. While these inclusions are fantastic, it’s clear there are still more characters from Nintendo’s catalog who deserve a place in the kart racer.
10Ashley
WarioWare Series
With Wario being a Mario character, it leaves WarioWare as a strange Mario-adjacent series, akin to Donkey Kong. Because of that, while it’s not strange that there hasn’t been any direct WarioWare representation, it also wouldn’t feel out of place either.
There are plenty of contenders for WarioWare rep, with the series having a wide cast of recurring characters, but arguably one of the most iconic is the occult witch Ashley. With her devilish companion, distinct personality, and obvious sources for Kart inspiration, she’d be a fitting choice amongstthe rest of the racers.
9Captain Falcon
F-Zero Series
At this point, we’re going to have to admit that aside from F-Zero 99, Nintendo have put their other main racing series on the back burner indefinitely. It’s a shame since F-Zero has such a distinct feel from Mario Kart that makes them both exist simultaneously more than viable if Nintendo would just let it happen.
While 8 got closer to including the F-Zero protagonist, with kart designs and a whole course based on the series, they never took the final step of actually having Captain Falcon as a racer.The eccentric captaindefinitely has the personality for the job, and it would just be hilarious to see him among the more cartoonish Mario characters.
8Phantom Zelda
The Legend Of Zelda: Spirit Tracks
Link has already made his way into the Mario Kart universe with his introduction in 8: two different outfits to represent both a classic adult Link design and his Breath of the Wild appearance, a matching bike, andthen a course to match. The Zelda series has a firm hold on Mario Kart, so now it’s just a case of the leading lady herself appearing.
Zelda has a bit more variety in her designs compared to Link, so there are plenty of options, but to represent a completely different side of the series compared to Link’s Mario Kart form, then Ghost Zelda from Spirit Tracks would be the best choice. She’s the most expressive Zelda by far; her ghostly form lends itself perfectly to fun animations, and being from Spirit Tracks, a Zelda-themed train kart is the perfect choice for her signature vehicle.
7Chibi Robo
Chibi Robo Series
R.O.B. made a brief cameo in Mario Kart DS as one of the first non-mainline Mario racers, and then promptly dipped after one appearance. While a return of Nintendo’s mascot robot of yore would be a nice throwback, there’s another, arguably more adorable robot, who more than deserves the spot instead.
The Chibi Robo series has historically been done dirty by pretty much everyone involved, never given a chance to shine (lest we forget the DS entry being a Walmart exclusive), and has been in the basement since Zip Lash. So, if anything, a Mario Kart appearance from the helpful automaton would serve as a fitting reparation.
6Alolan Raichu
Pokemon Series
The Pokemon series has historically been a bit defensive of their iconic collection of creatures, but with how many collaborations the franchise features in, as well as having been a mainstay in Smash Bros. for decades now, it’s been long enough that we deserve Pokemon rep in Mario Kart.
Sure, Pikachu or Charizard would be the obvious pick, but obvious is boring, so instead, something still recognisable, but a little out of left field, like Alolan Raichu, would be a perfect choice for a Mario Kart racer. The surfing-inspired electric/psychic type has potential for some adorable trick animations, and a track riding through the islands of Alola would be the cherry on top.
5Pit
Kid Icarus Series
Nintendo has favourites, and with the existence of favourites comes the inevitable existence of the opposite. While not as egregious as some other publishers, Nintendo sits on some fantastic, underutilised IPs, and Kid Icarus is a prime example.
Uprising on the 3DS proved that the series has grounds for starting something amazing, but nothing has been done to build on that since 2012, and it’s tragic. Pit is one of Nintendo’s easiest to love protagonists, and the charming angel would fit right in with the Mario Kart crowd. If you squint, he looks like Daisy’s more angelic brother.
4Professor Layton
Professor Layton Series
While Level 5 is the official owner of the Professor Layton series, the puzzle games are synonymous with Nintendo’s handhelds, and while he’s taken a little bit of time out of the spotlight, the hiatus is over with New World of Steam on the Switch.
The polite English gentleman might stand out a little from the standard Mario Kart designs, but not too much to look out of place. It also helps that he comes with his signature kart: the iconic Laytonmobile. Who knows, maybe Luke could be chilling in the back as moral support.
3Kirby
Kirby Series
While it’s fun to ponder the more obscure Nintendo characters that would be fitting racers in Mario Kart, some more obvious picks require acknowledgement, and Kirby is up there.
Even though HAL’s pink puff technically has its racing series in Kirby Air Ride, it doesn’t change the fact that Kirby and his warp star would be right at home in Mario Kart. With multiple colour options, he would fit right in 8 Deluxe, but with all of his copy abilities, these would work just as well as different outfits in World.
2Gulliver
Animal Crossing Series
If you’ve ever found Gulliver on the shores of your Animal Crossing: New Horizons island, you’re more than aware that the seagull has been all around the world, so why not expand his horizons and let him join the world of Mario Kart?
The mysterious gull would make the perfect addition to the Mario Kart series, with plenty of options for a signature vehicle, but something to fit his nautical theme would be perfect. There’s plenty of competition for recurring Animal Crossing characters to show up in Mario Kart after the Villagers and Isabelle, but as a staple since the series' beginning, and having such a distinct design, Gulliver feels like the top option.
1Every Pikmin
Pikmin Series
The Pikmin renaissance has been a marvel to witness, and it’s fantastic to see this once-obscure series slowly gain the worldwide acclaim that was once only contained to Japan. What better way to celebrate the growing success of the series than with a representative in Mario Kart?
While Olimar feels like the obvious choice given his role in Smash, what would instead be more entertaining would be seeing all the main Pikmin species packed into a kart, desperately trying to steer the car using their teamwork. It fits the theme of the series with multiple Pikmin needing to pull off one task, and it’s a great way to make sure every Pikmin gets a chance to show off.
