Circuit 25: Mario Kart 9

Circuit 25: Mario Kart 9
Developer(s)	Nintendo EPD Bandai Namco Entertainment
Publisher(s)
Platform(s)
Series	Mario Kart series
Predecessor	Mario Kart 8 (2014)
Release Date(s)	June 30, 2017 July 7, 2017 July 8, 2017 July 9, 2017 September 1, 2017
Mode(s)	Single player, local multiplayer, online multiplayer
Media Included	Switch cartridge, digital download

Circuit 25: Mario Kart 9 (also known as Mario Kart Switch) is a 2017 kart-racing game for the Nintendo Switch. It is the twelfth installment of the Mario Kart series overall, and the ninth in the main series.

Circuit 25 serves as the 25th anniversary title of the series. It commemorates the release of the series' first game, Super Mario Kart, which debuted for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System in 1992. This game has more vehicle options, items, cups, courses, and characters than any Mario Kart game before it. The 12-place standings have been increased to 16. Coins are more abundant and easier to maintain. Circuit 25 makes several references to its eight predecessors, such as the return of the victory/loss themes from each game, and more.

Changes/advances in gameplay

• If the player uses a Mushroom before entering water, (s)he will skid atop the water's surface, similar to a speedboat. Once the Mushroom's (or Mushrooms') boost is gone, the player will sink into the water like normal. By pressing up on the control stick, (s)he can opt to go into the water regularly instead.
• The introduction of a weather and day/night mechanic. While day/night is just aesthetics, weather does affect gameplay. For example, rain will make steering slightly more difficult since the track will be slick, and it puts a decrease on traction. Snow also affects turning, and it also cuts acceleration. The tracks that include weather mechanics are a select few, as some take place in buildings (Birdo Boutique, Delfino Aquarium), so weather would be pointless. Other tracks already have snow (Frost Forest, Wii U Mount Wario). Some tracks will only get rain, such as Plessie Lagoon.
• The absence of Coins in Time Trial. Players will now be at their top speed automatically.
• The availability of 100cc, Mirror Mode, and 200cc in Time Trial. 100cc is meant to be a "practice mode" and therefore the player's time will not be recorded.
• An additional level of mini-turbo, bringing the total to 3. Light green sparks appear when the player's drift has reached this level. The difference between the boosts from mini-turbos is also made to be more distinguished. The first level (blue sparks) provides a small yet noticeable boost, the second level (yellow sparks) provides a boost greater than the first, and the third level provides a boost power slightly weaker than a Mushroom--allowing players to take small shortcuts (like the right turn near the beginning of Wii U Toad's Harbor).
• Four place standings have been added since Mario Kart 8, bringing the total from 12 to 16. This was done to accommodate for the sheer amount of playable characters. With this addition, point distribution in Grand Prix changes as follows:
  

Point Spread Comparisons (GP)
	1st	2nd	3rd	4th	5th	6th	7th	8th	9th	10th	11th	12th	13th	14th	15th	16th
Super Mario Kart Mario Kart 64 Mario Kart: Super Circuit	9	6	3	1	0	0	0	0	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
Mario Kart: Double Dash!! Mario Kart DS	10	8	6	4	3	2	1	0	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
Mario Kart Wii	15	12	10	8	7	6	5	4	3	2	1	0	-	-	-	-
Mario Kart 7	10	8	6	5	4	3	2	1	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
Mario Kart 8	15	12	10	9	8	7	6	5	4	3	2	1	-	-	-	-
Circuit 25: Mario Kart 9	20	16	13	12	11	10	9	8	7	6	5	4	3	2	1	0
Grove-green signifies victory results (great clapping, character(s) cheering), unique finish music, and best after-race music Yellow-limegreen signifies moderate results (mild clapping, moderate character reaction), same music in Wi-Fi as winner Normal bg signifies losing results, losing music (no clapping, character(s) showing sad expression - means not available.

• The absence of Spin Boost pillars. This was done to encourage players to focus on spin boosting off one another, promoting the somewhat hectic nature of anti-gravity driving.
• The increased abundance of Coins, thus making it easier for players to obtain and manage their Coins.
• After the player is hit by an item, (s)he will receive a few frames of invincibility. This was done to prevent other characters (specifically other players in the online modes) from ganging up on the player when (s)he is already down.

Playable characters

Not including DLC, there are 40 playable characters in Circuit 25—25 default, 15 unlockable. This is the largest cast of any Mario Kart game to date, beating Mario Kart 8, which had 30 (also not including DLC). There are five weight classes: Feather, Light, Medium, Cruiser, and Heavy. Each weight class evenly consists of eight characters.

Default

Baby Mario FEATHER		Baby Luigi FEATHER		Baby Peach FEATHER		Toad FEATHER		Koopa FEATHER
Peach LIGHT		Yoshi LIGHT		Shy Guy LIGHT		Kamek LIGHT		Paragoomba LIGHT
Mario MEDIUM		Luigi MEDIUM		Diddy Kong MEDIUM		Hammer Bro. MEDIUM		Noki MEDIUM
Donkey Kong CRUISER		Waluigi CRUISER		Rosalina CRUISER		Metal Mario CRUISER		Pianta CRUISER
Wario HEAVY		Bowser HEAVY		Boom Boom HEAVY		Honey Queen HEAVY		Wiggler HEAVY

Hidden

	Baby Daisy FEATHER Criteria: Gather a collected total of 150 boosts from Mushrooms
	Toadette FEATHER Criteria: Play Time Trials on 24 tracks
	Dry Bones FEATHER Criteria: Win gold trophies for all 100cc Retro Cups
	Daisy LIGHT Criteria: Win 4 gold trophies as Peach
	Lakitu LIGHT Criteria: Use every default kart customization option once
	Dixie Kong LIGHT Criteria: Complete 5 missions
	Birdo MEDIUM Criteria: Unlock 12 expert staff ghosts in Time Trials
	Bowser Jr. MEDIUM Criteria: Win gold trophies for all 150cc Retro Cups
	Tiny Kong MEDIUM Criteria: Complete 15 missions
	Lubba CRUISER Criteria: Win a gold trophy for 150cc Special Cup
	Pom Pom CRUISER Criteria: Unlock 28 expert staff ghosts in Time Trials
	Big Tail Goomba CRUISER Criteria: Survive the "Goomba Ring" mission for 3 minutes
	King Boo HEAVY Criteria: Play Time Trials on all tracks
	Petey Piranha HEAVY Criteria: Win gold trophies for all Mirror Nitro Cups
	King K. Rool HEAVY Criteria: Complete all missions

Items

Item	Description
Coins	Gives the player two extra Coins
Mushrooms	Provide the player's kart with a small speed boost
Triple Mushrooms	Give the player three Mushrooms (this item no longer orbits the player)
Golden Mushrooms	Give the user an infinite amount of boosts for a short time
Bananas	Protect the player from incoming items, and spin out other racers that hit them
Triple Bananas	Three Bananas that orbit the player
Green Shells	Travel in a straight line and knock over any racer they hit
Triple Green Shells	Three Green Shells that orbit the player
Red Shells	Home in on the closest racer in front of the user and knock him/her over
Triple Red Shells	Three Red Shells that orbit the player
New! Golden Shells	Earn the user one Coin every time they collide with a wall
Blue Shells	Target the racer in first place, knocking over any other racers caught in its path
New! Spiny Eggs	Act similarly to Green Shells, but they move faster and can knock over three racers instead of one
Stars	Provide the user invincibility from all terrain and items, also giving a speed boost
New! Feathers	Lift the user in the air, allowing him/her to use shortcuts inaccessible by any other means, as well as providing a boost upon landing; also allow the user to dodge items, including Bob-ombs and Blue Shells
Fire Flowers	Allow the user to, for a short time, throw fireballs that cause other racers to spin out on impact
New! Double Cherries	Form a clone that drives directly beside the user, protecting him/her from one item (except Bob-ombs, Blue Shells, and Super Horns, which destroy the clone as well as hit the user)
New! Red Boos	Turn the user temporarily invisible, granting them immunity from items and most obstacles, while also stealing an item from a racer ahead of the user
Bloopers	Spray ink on all racers ahead of the user and reduce their visibility and some of their traction (the effect can be lifted with a boost from a Mushroom or dash panel)
Piranha Plants	Automatically chomp on obstacles and other racers, giving a short speed boost for each bite
New! Inky Piranha Plants	Instead of chomping, they fire Blooper ink-balls at other racers, giving a short speed boost for each shot; if a shot misses, it forms a black puddle opponents can slip on
Bob-ombs	Explode after a short time when thrown or dropped, knocking over any kart within their blast radius
New! Cappy	Can be thrown up to four times, hitting racers forward and when he returns, while also being able to do a 360-degree spin attack; when thrown near a non-gliding jump, the user can bounce off him for slightly more airtime and a larger boost
New! Lumas	Temporarily gives the player a variant of the Star Spin, where (s)he can strike other racers, deflect items, and knock away most obstacles
Super Horns	Emit a radial shock wave hitting racers, as well as destroying all obstacles, including the Blue Shell
Bullet Bills	Transform the user into a Bullet Bill, rocketing through the track automatically and providing invincibility from all terrain and items
Lightning	Causes all opponents to drop their items, shrink, and drive slowly for a short time

Cups and tracks

Nitro

Mushroom Cup

	Track Name	Description
First Race	Peach Circuit	A simple beginner's course that cuts through a gorgeous floral meadow. Toads can be seen all over the track cheering you on. Includes gliding
Second Race	Plessie Lagoon	A sparkling road coursing through dense yet small bodies of water. Be wary of the plesiosaurs swimming around; they stop you in your tracks if you hit one. Includes diving
Third Race	Storm Station	A track within a flying storm research facilioty. In the final part of the lap, a giant puffy thunderhead will try to zap you, but this is easily avoided if you're quick. Includes anti-gravity
Fourth Race	Slip Sled Slide	Inspired by a certain level from Super Mario 64, this slide hidden in the back of a cottage uses sections instead of laps. Tiny penguins like to get in your way here. Includes gliding and anti-gravity

Flower Cup

	Track Name	Description
First Race	Sunset Bay	A twisty highway next to an empty beach. A bright sunset in the distance paints the sky orange. Civilian cars also trek this road, and they'll make you spin out if you hit one. Includes gliding
Second Race	Mario Circuit	An Olympic-style stadium outside Peach's Castle. Thousands of people from all over the Mushroom Kingdom are here to watch some nail-biting races! Includes gliding and anti-gravity
Third Race	Crazy Canopy	A wooden racetrack built within the top of a forest. Hungry plants and insects will try to snag you from your path and gobble you for lunch, so watch out! Includes gliding and anti-gravity
Fourth Race	Shooting Starway	A stargazer's paradise atop a cloudy hill. On rare occasions, a Star will fall onto the track. Includes anti-gravity

Egg Cup

	Track Name	Description
First Race	Yoshi Circuit	This Yoshi haven is surrounded by a racetrack that weaves through the entire islet. While underwater, some local Cheep-Cheeps may try to get in your way. Includes diving
Second Race	Horror Manor	This house of terrors is inhabited by Boos and Ghosts alike. If you don't pay attention, you may even lose your way. Includes gliding and anti-gravity
Third Race	Toad City	This big, boisterous, Toad-themed metropolis offers one of the largest tracks in the game. Uses sections instead of laps. Includes gliding, diving, and anti-gravity
Fourth Race	Bowser Jr.'s Crisis Carnival	A sprawling track within a demented circus. Think you can dodge this place's tricks and traps? Includes gliding and anti-gravity

Heart Cup

	Track Name	Description
First Race	Birdo Boutique	A salon combined with a massive clothing shop. Players start the race in the parking lot. Be careful not to drive into the cars! They pack a wallop! Includes gliding
Second Race	Baby Circuit	This colorful course takes place in a giant playroom, perfect for toddlers like Baby Mario. A giant pink Yoshi will stand off to the side, overlooking the race as it goes on. Includes gliding and anti-gravity
Third Race	Delfino Aquarium	A course taking place in numerous undersea exhibits. The only thing racers have to worry about is the deep sea exhibit, where Gooper Blooper will try to bat you off the track with his arms. Includes diving and anti-gravity
Fourth Race	Crown Cove	A large and peaceful reef. Players can perform a multitude of tricks off the dozens of rocks placed all over the course. Includes diving

Star Cup

	Track Name	Description
First Race	Honeyhive Haven	This giant beehive is home to hundreds, or maybe even thousands, of honeybee workers. Honey enthusiasts will love its nectar rivers. Includes diving
Second Race	Wario Highway	A gloomy, barren wasteland that has...a perfectly paved road? With traffic? And construction sites? Scratch the "barren" part. Uses sections instead of laps. Includes gliding, diving, and anti-gravity
Third Race	Koopa Canyon	A rocky road built on the edges of a mountain summit, and also a home for numerous Koopas and Paratroopas. Includes gliding and anti-gravity
Fourth Race	DK Island	The home of the DK Crew. The race begins by Donkey Kong's hut, then swerves through the beach, then into a cave, then finally through King K. Rool's lair. Includes gliding, diving, and anti-gravity

Special Cup

	Track Name	Description
First Race	Frost Forest	The race begins on a snowy mountain. Then, after weaving through the tree area, players will enter a cannon that takes them back to the start. Includes gliding
Second Race	Bullet Bill Battlefield	This war-torn No Man's Land takes place on top of a plateau, where Bullet Bills fly around waiting patiently for something to step in their path. Does not include gliding, diving, or anti-gravity
Third Race	Bowser's Castle	A Mario Kart staple returns, freshly revamped! This course uses sections instead of laps. It takes inspiration from the main series games as well as past Bowser's Castles. Includes gliding, diving, and anti-gravity
Fourth Race	Rainbow Road	Another staple in the series, this track is designed to feel like a true galactic adventure. The Comet Observatory can be seen in the distance. Includes gliding and anti-gravity

Retro

Shell Cup

	Track Name	Changes from Original
First Race	DS Figure-8 Circuit	The track's two turns are anti-gravity sections A large dash panel has been put under the bridge located behind the finish line
Second Race	SNES Ghost Valley 1	The straight portion, located in the middle of the track, has been turned into a gliding section The final turn is a steep anti-gravity section
Third Race	GBA Riverside Park	Two infamous shortcuts have been removed The last third of the track is a diving/anti-gravity section The final jump has been turned into a gliding section
Fourth Race	3DS Shy Guy Bazaar	None

Banana Cup

	Track Name	Changes from Original
First Race	N64 Frappe Snowland	The beginning portion of the track has been turned into a diving section The snowmen are larger and can slowly move around The cliff area is an anti-gravity section
Second Race	Wii U Water Park	None
Third Race	Wii Toad's Factory	The double-conveyor belt portion is an anti-gravity section The large jump exiting the factory has been turned into a gliding section over a large body of water (which holds coins and Item Boxes)
Fourth Race	GCN Mushroom City	Bob-omb cars are excluded The addition of a new shortcut that ends with a gliding section

Cherry Cup

	Track Name	Changes from Original
First Race	DS Shroom Ridge	A new anti-gravity/gliding shortcut has been added near the tunnel portion
Second Race	Wii U Toad Harbor	None
Third Race	SNES Vanilla Lake 1	The course now mostly consists of diving sections Penguins waddle around the track The area has been updated to have a vanilla ice cream motif
Fourth Race	GBA Luigi Circuit	A new plane hangar area has been added to the main track, and also holds an anti-gravity section The number of puddles has been reduced

Leaf Cup

	Track Name	Changes from Original
First Race	N64 Choco Mountain	The previously inaccessible water area has been turned into a diving shortcut (it is the largest shortcut in the game, but requires two Mushrooms to be utilized fully)
Second Race	Wii Daisy Circuit	The jump after the staircase shortcut has been turned into a gliding section The tunnel portion is lengthened and an anti-gravity section
Third Race	3DS Maka Wuhu	None
Fourth Race	GCN DK Mountain	The ravine is an anti-gravity section The bridge, located at the end of track, has been replaced by a gliding section

Feather Cup

	Track Name	Changes from Original
First Race	DS Mario Circuit	The Piranha Plants now try to bite racers instead of spitting fireballs at them The dirt road portion is an anti-gravity section The pipe bridge has been lengthened and turned into a diving section
Second Race	Wii U Cloudtop Cruise	None
Third Race	SNES Bowser Castle 3	Whereas the Thwomps were removed in the Super Circuit version, they return in this game
Fourth Race	Wii Dry Dry Ruins	The temple area is an anti-gravity section

Lightning Cup

	Track Name	Changes from Original
First Race	N64 Banshee Boardwalk	The entire track is anti-gravity The shack has been updated and replaced by an abandoned pirate ship, and has also been turned into a diving section Bats have been replaced by Deep Cheeps and Spiny Cheep Cheeps
Second Race	GBA Lakeside Park	When a rock from the volcano hits the track, a small flame will linger Small diving sections are added The final jump has been turned into a gliding section
Third Race	GCN Bowser's Castle	The floor now shakes whenever a Thwomp stomps it, letting players perform tricks The outer castle portion is an anti-gravity section The final jump has been turned into a gliding section
Fourth Race	3DS Rainbow Road	The first and third sections are anti-gravity

Downloadable content

Kirby FEATHER		Pikachu LIGHT		Pauline MEDIUM		R.O.B. CRUISER		King Dedede HEAVY

Poké Ball Cup	Warp Star Cup	Bell Cup	POW Cup
Vast Poni Canyon	Butter Building	GBA Sunset Wilds	Wii U Electrodome
Viridian Road	Mt. Dedede	SNES Koopa Beach 1	N64 Mario Raceway
Ramen Bowl	New Donk City	Wii Moonview Highway	DS Delfino Square
Corneria City	Wii U Mute City	3DS Rosalina's Ice World	GCN Wario Colosseum

• Mario Kart + Pokémon: Pikachu, Pauline, R.O.B. (pre-order bonus), Poké Ball Cup, Bell Cup
• Mario Kart + Kirby: Kirby, King Dedede, Warp Star Cup, POW Cup

Trivia

• During development, Circuit 25 was also known as "Mario Kart MAX".
• Toadsworth, Dry Bowser, Nabbit, Baby Donkey Kong, and another member of the Dry Bones species were originally slated to be playable, but were removed to prevent overstuffing the roster.
• This is the third Mario Kart game to have a colon (:) in the title.
• It is also the second game to have "Circuit" in its name.
• Many sound effects, such as the item roulette and countdown beeps, are reused from Mario Kart 8.
• Paragoomba and Big Tail Goomba share the same voice clips.
• Bowser says more intelligible words/phrases than any game he's been in. Some things he says include: "Bowser 25!" (title screen), "Showtime!" (when selected, also a reference to Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story), "I'm the fastest!" (1st place), and "You're all gonna pay!" (9th-16th place). Also, at the beginning of Bowser's Castle, a giant Bowser statue will roar "Welcome home!" when the player enters the gates.
• Shy Guy, Honey Queen, and King Boo are the only characters who use recycled voice clips. They were taken from Mario Kart 8, Mario Kart 7, and Mario Kart Wii, respectively.
• The music for the Mario Kart 8 retro tracks is completely unchanged.
• The Koopalings appear as cameos in Bowser's Castle.
• This is the first time in a Mario Kart game where the Golden Mushroom is depicted without a crown on its top.
• DK Island and Vast Poni Canyon are the game's longest lap-using tracks. Plessie Lagoon, DS Figure-8 Circuit, and Bullet Bill Battlefield are the shortest.
• Despite being created for Super Mario Odyssey, Circuit 25 will be Cappy's first console appearance.
• Pianta, Noki, Petey Piranha, and Delfino Aquarium were added to help celebrate the fifteenth anniversary of Super Mario Sunshine (2002).
• And, to help celebrate the tenth anniversary of Super Mario Galaxy (2007), Honey Queen is brought back from Mario Kart 7, Lubba is added, Luma is an item, Cloudtop Cruise returns, and Shooting Starway is given a heavy Galaxy motif.
  • Also, the music for Bowser Jr.'s Crisis Carnival is a remix of Jr.'s boss battle theme from Galaxy. Megaleg and Megahammer make cameos in the track as well.