Mario Kart 8 could act as a "catalyst" for sales of the Wii U with the Mario Kart franchise being described as "integral" by a Nintendo UK rep.
Roger Langford told MCV:
"I certainly feel that Mario Kart 8 can be the catalyst that will broaden Wii U's horizons. It's very important for us that we have a successful launch and continue the promotion throughout the year and beyond."
He added that the series has been key to Nintendo's consoles since the very first game.
"Mario Kart is one of our killer titles. Looking back at Super Mario Kart and then moving through the ages, you can see how integral Mario Kart is to Nintendo hardware. It always brings out the best in whatever hardware it is on."
Langford's comments echo those of Nintendo CEO and president Satoru Iwata who recently said a single game could be enough to revise the console's fortunes. "The fate of a video game system is often influenced greatly by the introduction of a single title," Iwata said, referring to the launch of Pokemon on Game Boy.
However, Nintedno is currently planning for its successor to the Wii U.
