Mario Kart World Debuted on Switch 1

The highly anticipated Mario Kart World was initially developed for the Nintendo Switch, but exciting changes were made when development shifted to the Nintendo Switch 2. Dive into the fascinating journey of how this new entry in the racing-kart series came to life and the significant adjustments the developers undertook to enhance the gaming experience.

Mario Kart World Developer Insights

Prototyping Began in 2017

Mario Kart World, set to launch alongside the Nintendo Switch 2, traces its roots back to 2017, during the development of Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. In a recent segment of Nintendo's "Ask the Developer" series on May 21, the creative minds behind Mario Kart World shared their journey. Producer Kosuke Yabuki revealed that prototyping started in March 2017, with full development commencing by year's end. Yabuki noted that having perfected the series' formula with Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, the team aimed to create something more expansive. He explained the decision to deviate from the expected Mario Kart 9 title, stating, "Our goal was to elevate the series beyond just adding more courses. Thus, we incorporated 'MARIO KART WORLD' into our concept art from the early development stages."

Shifting to Switch 2

Programming Director Kenta Sato shared that the shift to the Nintendo Switch 2 was contemplated as early as 2020. Although the team had a preliminary idea of the next-gen Switch's capabilities, actual development units were not available until later. Sato remarked, "Until then, we had to rely on provisional estimates for our development." The developers were keen on ensuring their vision could be realized within the performance constraints of the new console. Sato added, "While the original Switch could handle various games, incorporating everything we wanted into Mario Kart World's expansive universe would have compromised the 60 fps gameplay and led to framerate drops."

Once the team had access to the Switch 2’s capabilities, their concerns dissipated. Sato expressed his excitement, saying, "I was overjoyed when we discovered we could express even more than we'd originally planned." The transition to Switch 2 also necessitated enhanced asset quality. Art Director Masaaki Ishikawa noted the need for more detailed graphics, which the art team embraced with relief and enthusiasm. The move to the new console allowed for richer visuals, such as adding more trees to the terrain and enhancing the overall art, which was previously limited by the performance of the original Switch.

Cow Being a Playable Character

Fans were thrilled to see Cow introduced as a playable character in the game's trailer, a first for the series. Previously, Cow was merely a non-playable character, often seen in the background or as an obstacle. Ishikawa explained the inspiration behind this addition, stating, "One of our designers came up with a playful sketch of Cow racing, and I thought, 'This is it!' (Laughs) It made us realize the potential in the course surroundings." The inclusion of Cow felt natural and sparked ideas about featuring more NPC characters in future games, enhancing the sense of an interconnected world.

The developers have also focused on other aspects to bring their vision of an interconnected world to life. They've incorporated various types of food to add diversity to the game's universe, and made adjustments to the karts to suit different terrains. The tracks themselves have undergone constant changes to enrich the racing experience.

With all the exciting updates and insights, fans are eagerly anticipating the return of Mario in this expansive new racing world. Nintendo is set to make a significant impact with the Switch 2, launching one of its most beloved franchises on day one.

Mario Kart World is scheduled to release on June 5, 2025, exclusively for the Nintendo Switch 2. Stay tuned for more updates and information about the game by checking out our dedicated article below!