Mario Kart 8 is home to many characters, mostly from the Super Mario franchise. While the DLC adds more drivers from games featuring the title hero, it also expands the selection to include characters from other games under Nintendo’s umbrella. The introduction of drivers like Link from The Legend of Zelda and Isabelle from Animal Crossing into the game opens the door for more figures from different series to make their debuts.
As crossovers between franchises are not uncommon, especially for Nintendo, it is possible that if more DLC is added, the company will choose to include some other fan favorites into the racing game. But who are the best options that haven’t been added yet?
Tom Nook
With the fairly recent inclusion of Villagers and Isabelle in both the Super Smash Bros. and Mario Kart franchises, it is the appropriate time for the businessman of the Animal Crossing series to receive the attention he deserves.
A frequent subject of internet debates and theories, Tom Nook is extremely popular, and fans would certainly love to see him as a playable driver. Although Mario Kart 8 has already released an Animal Crossing-themed DLC pack, players would certainly be excited to see another introduced if it meant the introduction of Tom Nook.
R.O.B.
As a popular character that has been featured in several Nintendo titles, R.O.B. is a great candidate for a DLC addition to Mario Kart 8. One reason is that he was a playable driver in Mario Kart DS, so he and the series have a history, even if he is one of the most difficult characters to unlock in the franchise.
With the amount of attention R.O.B. has received in his time in Nintendo games, it is reasonable that the company would include him as a driver in a future DLC pack.
Kirby
This pink ball of uncertain origin is perhaps one of the most recognizable video game characters of all time. A major figure in both the Super Smash Bros. series and his own long-running franchise, Kirby would be an entertaining addition to Mario Kart 8.
His signature high-pitched voice would be perfectly suited to the game, as drivers make a small cheer when they perform a trick in the air. Kirby has proven to be one of Nintendo’s most beloved mascots, and his introduction to the racing game would be an easy way for the company to gain more DLC fans.
Impa
Perhaps less well-known to newer players than other DLC candidates is Impa from The Legend of Zelda. She has been featured in many games through the years but has gained increasing popularity following her appearances in Breath of the Wild and Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity.
Since she will probably be making notable appearances in future Zelda titles, adding her to Mario Kart 8 would help unfamiliar players to familiarize themselves with her. This would also make Zelda fans happy since Impa would be getting deserved attention from a broader audience.
Pikachu
The mascot of the Pokémon franchise is a highly recognizable figure in popular culture, and Pikachu’s inclusion in Mario Kart 8 would be a welcome addition to the game. Pokémon has had a significant resurgence on the world stage in recent years, meaning that making Pikachu a playable character would guarantee more DLC sales.
While it could be odd to see the small creature behind the wheel of a car, the series already features babies driving, so it is clear that audiences can suspend their disbelief while playing this game.
Samus
As a staple of Nintendo, Samus Aran is no stranger to crossover titles, even being considered one of the best characters in Super Smash Bros. 64. With her long history, it is surprising that she has never appeared as a playable driver in Mario Kart.
She is an iconic figure with a loyal fanbase that would be excited to race as her. With Metroid Dread coming out soon, adding Samus to the roster of this game could provide more publicity for the character, making now the best time to introduce her.
Zelda
With a game series bearing her name, Zelda is an easy choice as a future DLC driver. Since Link is already playable, it is clear that characters from The Legend of Zelda are welcome to join the roster of Mario Kart 8, and Zelda herself should be introduced.
With the number of recent and upcoming games in her franchise, she is incredibly well-known, and fans would enjoy seeing her alongside other Nintendo characters. As she is a consistently featured figure in Super Smash Bros. games as well, it would not be jarring to see her in a crossover format.
Mr. Game & Watch
If the game could properly implement a character like Mr. Game & Watch, it would be a fascinating visual feature. His two-dimensional figure in three-dimensional space would be an incredible aesthetic feat that fans would certainly appreciate.
While he is playable in several Super Smash Bros. games, the platformer nature of that series does not radically change how he is presented between two-dimensional and three-dimensional spaces. In Mario Kart 8, however, his model would be a dynamic change from other drivers, making his design all the more interesting.
K.K. Slider
An unlikely candidate but a welcome one nonetheless, the singing, guitar-playing dog K.K. Slider deserves to be added to Mario Kart 8 DLC. His relaxed demeanor and soothing music are beloved by fans of the Animal Crossing series, and he is often considered to be one of the best Animal Crossing characters.
As improbable as it may seem that he would be included, the presence of Villagers and Isabelle in the game make it a possibility. While his entry as a racer into the racing franchise would surprise players, it would surely be appreciated.
Fox
The main protagonist of the Star Fox series, Fox McCloud would fit in well with his fellow Nintendo characters. One reason for this is because he is a familiar character in crossover games featuring Mario, being a prominent figure in every Super Smash Bros. title. The idea of Fox operating a vehicle is also perfectly fitting, as he is a pilot in his own series.
He has never been playable in Mario Kart before, but since figures from titles unrelated to the Super Mario series have already been added, there is potential that Fox could join the beloved racing game.
