Mario Kart World: Originally Designed for Switch 1

Mario Kart World, the latest installment in the beloved racing-kart series, was initially developed for the Nintendo Switch. Dive into this article to discover the game's origin story and the significant adjustments made during its transition 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 thrilling new chapter in the iconic racing series. Development kicked off in 2017, coinciding with the work on Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. In the May 21 edition of Nintendo’s Ask the Developer series, the creative minds behind Mario Kart World shared how their vision evolved.

Producer Kosuke Yabuki revealed that the project's prototype was crafted in March 2017, with full development commencing by year's end. Building on the success of Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, the team aimed to push the boundaries further. Yabuki explained the decision to forgo the expected "Mario Kart 9" title, opting instead for "Mario Kart World" to signify their ambition to transcend the series' traditional format. "We added ‘MARIO KART WORLD’ to our concept art right from the early stages," he noted.

Shifting to Switch 2

Programming Director Kenta Sato disclosed that the idea to shift development to the Switch 2 emerged in 2020. Initially, the team worked with speculative estimates about the new console's capabilities. "Until we got our hands on actual development units, we had to rely on provisional estimates," Sato explained.

The developers were keen to ensure their ambitious vision could be realized on the new hardware. Sato noted, "The Switch’s performance was great, but to include everything we wanted in our vast world, maintaining 60 fps would have been challenging." Once they understood the Switch 2's potential, their concerns dissipated. "We were thrilled to discover we could achieve even more than initially planned," Sato shared.

The transition to Switch 2 also demanded enhanced asset quality. Art Director Masaaki Ishikawa emphasized the need for more detailed graphics. Far from feeling overwhelmed, the art team was relieved and excited by the new possibilities. The upgraded hardware allowed for richer environments, such as adding more trees and enhancing overall visual fidelity.

Cow Being a Playable Character

The inclusion of Cow as a playable character excited fans, marking a first for the series. Previously, Cow had been a non-playable element, often part of the scenery or an obstacle. Ishikawa shared how the idea came to fruition: "One of our designers sketched Cow racing, and it clicked instantly (laughs). We realized the surroundings held untapped potential." The seamless integration of Cow into the game opened up possibilities for future inclusions of other NPC characters, enhancing the interconnected world.

Beyond the novel addition of Cow, the developers focused on creating a diverse and interconnected world. Attention to various types of food helped enrich the game's environment, while modifications to the karts and tracks catered to different terrains and dynamic changes.

As anticipation builds, fans are eager to see Mario and friends race through this expansive new world. With Mario Kart World launching exclusively on the Nintendo Switch 2 on June 5, 2025, Nintendo is set to make a significant impact with one of its flagship franchises right from the console's debut.

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