Thanks in no small part to theMario Kartfranchise, the kart-racer subgenre remains in demand among gamers of all ages. While it was not the first one to be released,Mario Kartwas a pioneer that brought the genre forward at blazing speeds into mainstream popularity. Since its release over 30 years ago, several titles have come along hoping to ape the popularity that Nintendo’s kart-racer created for the genre.
2025 looks like it’s going to be no different for the genre. It looks like there will be some major releases across the board, including new kart-racer entries featuring some ofgaming’s most iconic characters like Mario and Sonic. With these new titles vying for the attention of gamers, 2025 is shaping up to be a phenomenal year for kart-racers, especially those based on gaming’s biggest franchises.
Kart Racers Are Looking Exciting For 2025
Mario And Sonic Both Have New Kart Racers on the Horizon
Thepioneer of the kart-racer genre,Mario Kart, is set to receive its long-awaited new entry soon. 11 years after the release ofMario Kart 8- and eight years after its re-release,Mario Kart 8 Deluxe- Nintendo teased the nextMario Kartgame during the reveal of its next system, the Nintendo Switch 2. Putting it in the spotlight in this way suggests the new game could be a launch title for the Switch 2, which would represent a first for the series and could help it become one of 2025’s biggest games.
Mariois not the only platformer franchise receiving a new kart-racing game in 2025, as theSonic the Hedgehogseries will see a new releasein the form ofSonic Racing Crossworlds. First announced at The Game Awards 2025, this new Sonic racing game received a further gameplay showing at the recent PlayStation State of Play showcase. The new game looks to be combining elements of every previousSonicracing game to create the next definitive title.
Mario And Sonic’s Games Could Bring Back The Friendly Rivalry
While both games are kart racers and could therefore cannibalize each other,Sonic Racing Crossworldsand the nextMario Kartgame will likely be unique enough that they both fill their own niche.Sonic Racing Crossworldsseems to be going for an over-the-top vibe where racers can ride across land, sea, and air, whileMario Kart’s early teaser footagemainly celebrated the increased number of possible players per race. Of course, very little of the game has been shown and thus a lot can change, but it appears different enough from Sonic that neither will necessarily copy each other’s homework.
Having a newMario Kartand a newSonicracing game also helps to reignite—to a much friendlier degree—the classic rivalry betweenMarioandSonic. These two platformer mascots were heated rivals throughout the 1990s when Sega was still in the console market, and the two even duked it out in theMario & Soniccrossover games andSuper Smash Bros.titles. Having these two titles out at a similar time could inspire some healthy competition from these enemies turned friendly rivals.
Having a newMario Kartand a newSonicracing game also helps to reignite—to a much friendlier degree—the classic rivalry betweenMarioandSonic.
Mario And Sonic’s Racers May Land On The Same Platform
To that end, both of these titles could even join each other in the same space. WhileSonic Racing Crossworldshas not been confirmed fora Switch 2 release, a release late enough in the year could lead to Sega releasing the game on Nintendo’s next-generation platform. Thus, Sonic’s new racing adventure will slide right next toMario Karton Nintendo’s new system later this year.
It’s shaping up to be a fun time to be a fan of the kart-racing genre in 2025. With two big titles coming out of gaming’s two most iconic franchises - each with distinct gameplay styles - fans will have some great stuff to play when these games are ready to go. Here’s hopingSonic Racing Crossworldsand the nextMario Kartgame live up to the hype and deliver on their most promising concepts.
