Mario Kart World, the highly anticipated addition to the iconic racing series, was initially developed for the Nintendo Switch. Delve into the fascinating journey of its creation and the pivotal changes that occurred when the project transitioned to the Nintendo Switch 2.

Mario Kart World Developer Insights

Prototyping Began in 2017

Set to launch alongside the Nintendo Switch 2, Mario Kart World marks a new chapter in the beloved racing-kart series. Its development, however, began in 2017, concurrent with the team's work on Mario Kart 8 Deluxe.

In a recent installment of Nintendo's "Ask the Developer" series on May 21, the creators of Mario Kart World shared their development journey. Producer Kosuke Yabuki revealed that after crafting a prototype in March 2017, the project was greenlit by the end of the year. Building on the success of Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, Yabuki and his team aimed to expand the series' scope significantly.

Yabuki also shed light on why the new game isn't titled "Mario Kart 9." He explained that the team's vision extended far beyond merely expanding the course list; they sought to elevate the entire series. "We added ‘MARIO KART WORLD’ to our concept art right from the early stages of development," he noted.

Shifting to Switch 2

Programming Director Kenta Sato disclosed that the shift to developing for the Nintendo Switch 2 was first considered in 2020. Initially, the team had only speculative data on the next-gen console's capabilities, but they had to proceed with what they had. "Until we got the development units, we relied on provisional estimates," Sato explained.

The developers were keen to ensure their ambitious vision would fit within the performance limits of their target hardware. "The original Switch could handle diverse games, but our vast world would have led to frame rate issues," Sato added.

With access to the Switch 2's actual hardware, the team's confidence soared. "We were thrilled to find we could achieve even more than we'd planned," Sato remarked.

This transition to the more powerful Switch 2 allowed for significant enhancements in asset quality. Art Director Masaaki Ishikawa noted that the graphics required more detail. Rather than feeling overwhelmed, the art team welcomed the opportunity to enrich the game's visuals, adding elements like more detailed terrain and richer art that were previously restricted by hardware limitations.

Cow Being a Playable Character

Fans were thrilled to learn from the game's trailer that Cow, previously a non-playable character, would now be a playable racer. In past games, Cow appeared in the background or as an obstacle.

Ishikawa shared the amusing story behind Cow's inclusion. "One of our designers sketched Cow racing, and it just clicked," he laughed. "It showed us that the course environments held untapped potential." Surprisingly, Cow's addition felt natural and sparked ideas about integrating more NPCs into the game, enhancing the interconnected world they were building.

Beyond Cow's debut as a racer, the developers have focused on creating a diverse, interconnected world. They've emphasized different types of food to add variety and have made adjustments to the karts to suit various terrains, constantly tweaking the tracks to enhance the gaming experience.

With Mario Kart World's release set for June 5, 2025, exclusively on the Nintendo Switch 2, fans are eagerly awaiting the return of their favorite plumber in this expansive new racing universe. Nintendo's commitment to launching one of its flagship franchises with the new console underscores their confidence in both the game and the hardware.

Stay tuned for more updates on Mario Kart World by checking out our article below!