"Mario Kart World: Initially Planned for Switch 1"

Discover the fascinating journey of Mario Kart World, originally conceived for the Nintendo Switch, and how its development evolved to fit the capabilities of the Nintendo Switch 2. Dive into the insights shared by the developers and learn about the significant changes made during the transition.

Mario Kart World Developer Insights

Prototyping Began in 2017

Mario Kart World, the latest addition to the iconic racing-kart series, is set to launch with the Nintendo Switch 2. Its development journey began in 2017, running parallel to the work on Mario Kart 8 Deluxe.

In an engaging session of Nintendo's Ask the Developer series on May 21, the Mario Kart World team provided a deep dive into the game's origins. Producer Kosuke Yabuki revealed that the project's prototype was crafted in March 2017, with full development commencing by year's end. Yabuki explained that having refined the series' formula with Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, the team aimed to expand further, seeking to create a larger, more ambitious title.

Moreover, Yabuki clarified the decision to forego the expected title of Mario Kart 9, opting instead for Mario Kart World. He emphasized the team's vision to go beyond merely adding new courses, stating, "So, we'd already added ‘MARIO KART WORLD’ to the concept art from the early stages of development."

Shifting to Switch 2

Programming Director Kenta Sato shared that the shift to the Nintendo Switch 2 was first considered in 2020. Initially, the developers had only conceptual ideas about the next-gen console, but access to development units came later. Sato noted, "Until then, we just had to proceed with development based on provisional estimates."

The team's primary concern was ensuring their ambitious vision could be realized within the performance constraints of the new hardware. Sato elaborated, "Of course, the Switch system's performance is sufficient for developing different kinds of games, but if we had included everything we wanted to in this game's vast world, then it wouldn't have run at 60 fps and would have suffered from constant framerate drops."

With a clear understanding of the Switch 2's capabilities, the developers felt reassured and excited about the possibilities. Sato recalled, "I remember being overjoyed when I discovered we could express even more than we'd originally set out to."

The transition to the Switch 2 also necessitated an upgrade in asset quality. Art Director Masaaki Ishikawa mentioned that the graphics needed to be more detailed. The art team welcomed this challenge, feeling relieved that they could now enhance the game's visual richness, such as adding more trees to terrain and improving overall art quality, which were previously limited by the original Switch's performance.

Cow Being a Playable Character

A thrilling surprise for fans was the introduction of Cow as a playable character. Previously seen only as a non-playable entity, Cow's inclusion as a racer was a delightful twist.

Ishikawa shared that each new Mario Kart game typically introduces a new character. He recounted, "And then one of the designers came up with that silly sketch of Cow cruising along, and I thought to myself, ‘This is it!’ (Laughs) So that's when we realized the course surroundings actually contained a lot of untapped resources." Ishikawa was pleasantly surprised that Cow's inclusion felt natural and opened up possibilities for integrating more NPC characters into the game's interconnected world.

The developers have meticulously crafted various aspects of Mario Kart World to achieve a cohesive and immersive experience. Their focus on diverse food elements enhances the world's richness, while adjustments to karts and dynamic track changes cater to varied terrains and gameplay.

As excitement builds, fans eagerly await the return of Mario and friends in this expansive new racing world. Nintendo is set to make a significant impact with the Switch 2, launching with one of its most cherished franchises.

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