User blog comment:Lumoshi/Koopalings confirmed for Mario Kart 8, as well as a release date!/@comment-25301601-20140214143338

He would happen to be the the first to go from a Assist Trophy to a playable character. Sakurai really deserves to get feedback for this. The Koopalings know how to drive, I never imagined this. I hope they add more characters. I really hope Sakurai bring one of the Melee chracters back to the game.