It’s 2026, and I still can’t wrap my head around one glaring omission. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe has been a commercial monster since its launch in the summer of 2017, and even now, nearly a decade later, it remains one of the Switch’s most-played titles. The Booster Course Pass brought the total track count to an eye-watering 96, weaving in homages to everything from Animal Crossing to Yoshi’s Island and even F-Zero. Yet, while I’m boosting through nostalgia-soaked circuits inspired by long-dormant franchises, a certain flat-paper plumber is nowhere to be found. Why is Paper Mario still getting the cold shoulder?
For those who’ve been living under a blue shell, Deluxe has turned into the ultimate Nintendo crossover on wheels. We’ve got Animal Crossing villagers cheering from the sidelines, a Hyrule Circuit straight out of The Legend of Zelda, and even Mute City screaming F-Zero love. It’s a brilliant practice that not only celebrates beloved IPs but also acts as a gentle nudge to check out their latest releases. But the Paper Mario series? Barely a whisper.
This feels especially puzzling when you remember the massive buzz around Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door. Its 2024 remake brought the beloved GameCube RPG back into the spotlight, scoring critical acclaim and selling like hotcakes. You’d think Nintendo would seize the opportunity to plaster its stylized world all over its best-selling racing game. Instead, the only vaguely papery element I can spot is the “paper glider” accessory – a flimsy connection that honestly looks more like a generic origami piece than a direct nod to Mario’s flat-packed adventures.
Think about it: a Paper Mario-themed track would be an absolute joy to design. Imagine racing through a pop-up book landscape, dodging giant craft scissors, or taking a glider section across a torn-out page. The visual potential is staggering. So why is Excitebike – a franchise that hasn’t seen a new game since 2009 – allowed to hog a track while Paper Mario, still reveling in its 2024 glory, sits on the bench? I can’t help but feel we missed out on a golden marketing synergy. A sprinkle of papercraft assets in Deluxe would have been the perfect appetizer for anyone pondering a trip to Rogueport.
And let’s be real, Paper Mario isn’t alone in this neglect. I’ve been waiting years for a Star Fox track or even an Arwing kart. Fox McCloud and his crew have been completely ignored. Pikmin finally got a Mii racing suit during an update, but a full-fledged track overgrown with giant flora? No dice. Metroid and Kirby are also notably absent beyond some minor suit nods. It’s as if Nintendo carefully curated a sprawling museum but forgot to hang a few of its masterpieces.
This all begs the question: is this it for Mario Kart 8 Deluxe? The game has already cemented itself as one of the best-selling video games of all time, but with the Switch’s successor on the horizon, hopes for another wave of DLC feel dim. Rumors for the inevitable Mario Kart 9 have swirled for ages, suggesting the next entry will go full Smash Bros. Ultimate and turn the roster into a massive crossover, possibly even resurrecting double-racer karts from Double Dash!!. If those whispers are true, maybe Paper Mario’s relegation to the sidelines is just temporary. A flat-out spectacular lineup in Mario Kart 9 would be the perfect apology.
Until that day comes, though, I’ll keep circling Rainbow Road and wondering what could have been. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe remains a must-play masterpiece, but every time I pick that paper glider, I’m reminded of the charming, creased universe we’ve been denied. Hey, Nintendo – a Paper Mario cup in the next game, maybe?