Nintendo's iconic mascot Mario has tried his hand at a variety of sports over the years, including tennis, golf, soccer, and basketball. However, his most popular venture comes in the form of the hugely fun and chaotic Mario Kart franchise. The gameplay has remained largely the same since its first iteration on the Super Nintendo Entertainment System in 1992, but each successive installment has brought with it several new features, such as the Wii's motion-controlled steering wheel, to keep the franchise fresh and exciting.

One of the most beloved entries is Mario Kart: Double Dash!!, which was released in 2003 for the Nintendo GameCube. It remains unique for introducing dual-seater karts which, despite their popularity, have never been seen again. Rumors are already circulating that Mario Kart 9 will include a “new twist”, so fans are excited to find out more about the still-unannounced title. However, the series doesn’t need to look too far afield for its inspiration. Reintroducing and adapting Double Dash's twin-seater karts would make fans very happy, and would certainly help Mario Kart 9 to be the best in the franchise.

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Mario Kart Double Dash

Double Dash's twin-seater karts were a lot more than just a fancy gimmick. They elevated the gameplay in multiple ways and created a far more in-depth and tactical experience. For example, players could switch the driver and passenger to choose between their different held items. The fact that players had to choose two characters at the start of a match also meant they had to finely balance weight and skill to find the team that best suited their driving style.

The greatest thing about the two-person karts, however, was that they opened up the option for Mario Kart co-op. Not only was this incredibly fun to play, but it was also a great way to get newer players involved. In co-op, one player would be the driver, and the other would control the items and have the ability to punch other karts to steal their items. If both players nailed the perfect start, they'd also perform a "Double Dash," giving them a major boost off the line. It was incredibly fun to work together and beat other racers, and it had the added bonus of helping newer players to have fun without needing to get the hang of driving right away.

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Of course, Mario Kart has come a long way since 2003, so simply copying this feature won't be enough to make Mario Kart 9 feel special. Nintendo would need to adapt and improve the system alongside introducing brand-new ideas to keep fans happy. One way the co-op aspect could be improved would be by increasing the responsibility of the passenger. In Double Dash, the success of the race was primarily reliant on the driver, so there's a lot of room to improve the balance. For example, passengers should be given more control over drift boosts, and there should be more importance placed on dodging and punching other karts. There could also be strategically placed item boxes or coins that could only be reached if the passenger jumped at the right time.

Racers at the starting line in Mario Kart Double Dash

Another new gameplay tweak could be characters' respective weights shifting the balance and control of the kart depending on who sat in which position. This finer level of detail could be further elevated by allowing the passenger to lean or crouch to create better traction or aerodynamics. Nintendo could also introduce new item combinations, in-race challenges, and rewards for those who combine the skills of their characters effectively. These minor changes would be perfect for adding a welcome new level of challenge for experienced players without overhauling the simple yet wildly enjoyable gameplay that has made Mario Kart so popular.

Nintendo is yet to officially announce the next installment of the Mario Kart franchise, so it seems fans hoping for a new game still have a wait ahead of them. In the meantime, the company is releasing DLC for Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, featuring 48 tracks from across the franchise's history. These are being released in six separate waves throughout 2022 and 2023. When the time does finally come for a new game though, Nintendo will need to ensure it lives up to fans' expectations. By looking to the past and bringing back and adapting Double Dash's beloved twin-seater karts, Nintendo can achieve this goal.