Mario Kart World: Initially Planned for Switch 1

Discover how Mario Kart World, the latest addition to the iconic racing series, was initially developed for the Nintendo Switch before transitioning to the Switch 2. Dive into the developer insights to understand the evolution of this eagerly anticipated game.

Mario Kart World Developer Insights

Prototyping Began in 2017

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

In a recent installment of Nintendo’s Ask the Developer series on May 21, the creative minds behind Mario Kart World shared their development story. Producer Kosuke Yabuki revealed that the project kicked off with a prototype in March 2017, and by the end of that year, the team was fully committed to bringing this vision to life. Yabuki highlighted that after refining the formula with Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, the team aimed to elevate the series further.

Yabuki also clarified why the game isn't titled Mario Kart 9, as many fans anticipated. He explained, "Our goal was to transcend merely adding more courses and truly advance the series to a new level. That's why we opted for a fresh name from the very beginning. 'MARIO KART WORLD' was part of our concept art right from the early stages of development."

Shifting to Switch 2

Programming Director Kenta Sato shared that the shift to developing for the Switch 2 was considered in 2020. Initially, the team worked with speculative data about the next-gen console, but it wasn't until they had access to actual development units that they could fully plan their approach. Sato remarked, "Until then, we had to base our development on provisional estimates."

The team was keen on ensuring their expansive vision could be realized on the new hardware. Sato noted, "While the original Switch's performance is robust for many games, to include everything we envisioned in this vast world would have compromised the game's 60 fps target, leading to frequent frame rate drops."

With a solid understanding of the Switch 2's capabilities, the team's concerns were alleviated, allowing them to confidently pursue their ambitious design. Sato expressed, "I was thrilled to find out we could go beyond our initial goals with the new console."

The transition to the Switch 2 also meant enhancing the game's assets. Art Director Masaaki Ishikawa explained the need for more detailed graphics, which the team embraced as an opportunity to enrich the game's visual appeal. The improved hardware allowed for finer details, such as adding more trees to the terrain and enhancing the overall art quality, which was previously limited by the original Switch's performance.

Cow Being a Playable Character

The inclusion of Cow as a playable character thrilled fans, as it marked the first time this character, previously a mere background element, could race alongside Mario and friends.

Ishikawa discussed the creative process behind this decision, stating, "One of our designers sketched Cow racing, and it clicked instantly. It was a humorous yet fitting addition (Laughs). This opened our eyes to the potential of using more NPC characters, enhancing the sense of an interconnected world."

The developers have meticulously crafted various aspects of Mario Kart World to achieve a truly interconnected racing experience. From incorporating diverse foods to enrich the game's world to fine-tuning the karts for different terrains and constantly evolving tracks, the team's dedication shines through.

With Mario Kart World's release on June 5, 2025, exclusively for the Nintendo Switch 2, fans are buzzing with excitement. This launch promises to bring one of Nintendo's most cherished franchises to the forefront of the new console's debut. Stay tuned for more updates and dive deeper into the world of Mario Kart by checking out our related articles below!