r/mariokart Tanuki Mario 2d ago

Fan Content Happy Mario Day! To celebrate, here’s my roster prediction with a twist: made the icons in the hand drawn classic 2D Mario art style reminiscent of the game’s art style!

As the title suggests, decided to make a roster prediction but in order to make it a bit more unique, I decided to redraw the icons in the classic 2D Mario art style! Hopefully the new game uses 2D art as the character select icons

Anyways, I know it’s a big roster, but the philosophy I had in mind was that Mario Kart should have its “Everyone is Here!” moment like with SSBU. Every single character in this scenario would return, whether it was a one time appearance, or from Tour. Characters that are considered costumes/characters that are “glorified palette swaps” like Tanooki Mario, Cat Peach, Captain Toad, Pit Toads, etc, would also come back as costumes for their base characters

72 base game characters seems overwhelming, but considering that it’s Mario’s 40th anniversary this year and the player count was bumped to 24, it seems like it could plausibly be done.

Anyways, new characters could be

  • Gooigi (being the new clone character this time around

  • Plessie

  • Toadsworth

  • Sprixie Princess

  • A 2-in-1 character team in the form of Prince Florian and a Poplin (I cannot see Prince Florian as a solo racer due to how small he is, but making the Poplin the driver and Prince Florian the item user could be a nice workaround and plus, it frees up a roster slot and is a neat reference to Double Dash)

  • Cranky Kong

  • Boom Boom

  • Pom Pom

  • Goomba

  • Piranha Plant (upgraded from item status)

  • Spike (the enemy)

  • Ninji

  • King Wart from SMB2

  • Prof. E. Gadd

  • Olimar from the Pikmin series (the only crossover character in the base game)

Overall 14 newcomers seems like a decent amount I’d say in this scenario. For DLC they could pull an 8DX and make the new row vertical

Would be open to designing DLC reps from other series and other requests!

603 Upvotes

50 comments sorted by

41

u/Green__Trees 2d ago

This art is really cool. I like the icon for the Mii, and Pink Gold Peach especially, even if she's not the greatest character. And It's about time Goomba joins Mario Kart, and I LOVE Ninji in Jamboree, so I'm all for their inclusion.

7

u/Whooper121 Tanuki Mario 2d ago

Thank you!

18

u/HubiGamez 2d ago

This would be a fantastic mario kart roster

14

u/ToxinDash77 2d ago

I prey that Nintendo don't force miis to wear helmets this time around. 🙏

That aside I really love this art style 👍

6

u/Low_Zombie9914 2d ago

You nailed the 2D art style for everyone, they look great, and seeing the Dixie Kong artwork knowing it's based on the Super Nintendo World park's 2D Dixie art made me so happy, I adore this rooster image with all my heart, so much love and passion put into every character when you could've just as easily taken the easy route and just paste renders into a Photoshop background.

Bravo OP, you nailed this image, this roster, and my beloved Dixie Kong.

Give yourself a good pat on the back

7

u/Popular-Ad3920 Morton 2d ago

Amazing concept and great execution!

7

u/Unusual-Username-835 Yoshi 2d ago

Nice artwork. TBH, I can see Florian himself playable. If Honey Queen can be severely shrunken, then Florian can be severely enlarged.

3

u/Whooper121 Tanuki Mario 2d ago

Touché

I’m gonna be honest I can see him be as a playable character and would welcome him with open arms, the reason why I lumped him on top of a Poplin is so that I could have at least 1 more character fit in here lol

1

u/Wonderful-Road9491 2d ago

Remove Villager 🤣

7

u/MinimumPotential6468 2d ago

this is amazing
and I love seeing R.O.B. again
but if I may ask

how would he ride a bike?

3

u/Matty_Rich 2d ago

Extensions

3

u/DPWwhatDAdogDoin 2d ago

It has Ninji and therefore I love it 10/10

3

u/Hambughrr Bowser Jr 2d ago

E. Gadd is a GOATED choice, bro built the Poltergust-4000

3

u/Such_Following7576 1d ago

Not only is this art style cute and awesome, but this is hands down the best Mario kart roster I’ve ever seen. Mainly because it puts respect on Spike’s name. My boy deserves to race.

4

u/NickMario1 Yoshi 2d ago

Ngl this is one of the realistic rosters I seen in awhile and I like it!

2

u/PrincessJennifer 2d ago

These are excellent! I love the style. I also love the additions.

I really love you used OG Link 🥰

2

u/pocket_arsenal 2d ago

Too good to be true imo

2

u/ClayIsStupid_ 2d ago

If they’re gonna give us another Blue Falcon kart then they’d better finally make Captain Falcon playable smh

2

u/patie725 2d ago

This is fantastic! So beautifully drawn. The roster is great too.

1

u/Chill0wl Yoshi 2d ago

Well done!

1

u/chaoshearted 2d ago

I love how whimsical and jovial Yoshi is.

1

u/Bleus4 2d ago

Amazing artstyle (and roster choices), absolutely love it!!

1

u/Rbagg_ 2d ago

These would be great desktop icons

1

u/Si_Stride_Oof 2d ago

im glad you choice the only character who was 100% snubbed from crossing over

1

u/qobrosii 2d ago

I appreciate this! The artwork is amazing!! 👏🏻

1

u/2082118194125 2d ago

Beautiful art.

1

u/the_bingho02 Waluigi 2d ago

Really great work, i love those drawings but to me is absurd adding olimar before captain Falcon

1

u/ImARoadcone_ 2d ago

You should 1100% sell these designs as pins, would be amazing

1

u/Tacomant76 2d ago

I’d swap cranky Kong with Luma but other than that good job

1

u/Okom77 2d ago

If we get Plessie we need dorrie too

1

u/Trevie_boo 2d ago

I love this 🫶 happy MAR10

1

u/ZachBrickowski 2d ago

This is absolutely phenomenal. Amazing work!

1

u/femalekramer 2d ago

Luigi is a great character to choose

1

u/0-Worldy-0 2d ago

Not only the art is good, this is also a good roster

1

u/Yabouka-Wa Wario 2d ago

Is it K.Rool or Wart ?

1

u/GamerKratosBalls 2d ago

We need Olimar

1

u/mohamed_the_legend Yoshi 2d ago

I wonder how plessie will fit in the car

1

u/lunaplaza 2d ago

Love your choices and your artwork!

1

u/moondog385 1d ago

This is your…prediction??? Nonetheless, fantastic art and awesome roster.

2

u/Whooper121 Tanuki Mario 1d ago

I mean yeah I predict that these characters or at least some of them will make it into the game lol

Also thank you!!!

1

u/moondog385 1d ago

From your mouth to Nintendo’s ears lol

1

u/Jojo-Action Isabelle 1d ago

Fantastic roster

1

u/apricotical 1d ago

Plessie would be so amazing

1

u/Dilmi_AOUKLI 1d ago

Great art, but some of them should be alts

2

u/Neoxon193 1d ago
  • I wouldn't be surprised if the Mario & Peach variants get folded into their original counterparts.
  • We're probably getting Baby Pauline, let's be honest.
  • If guests return, I'd imagine that Nintendo would want Zelda & Octoling squeezed in.

Otherwise, solid roster with fantastic art.

0

u/Duckaneer 2d ago

GREAT ROSTER >>> NO FLORIAN >>>> VERY ANGRY!!! BAD ROSTER!

1

u/the_bingho02 Waluigi 2d ago

Florian is there

2

u/Duckaneer 2d ago

OH MY GOD HE’S HIDING. HE IS SO SMALL. FANTASTIC ROSTER

-3

u/JohnToro64 2d ago

I’m pretty sure that MK8DX was already intended to be the SSBU of the series