Mario Kart World Launches on Nintendo Switch 1

The producer of Mario Kart World has revealed the game was initially conceived for the original Nintendo Switch. Read on to discover the story behind its creation and the adaptations the team made when development shifted to the Switch 2.

Insights from the Mario Kart World Developers

Prototyping Started in 2017

Mario Kart World is the new kart-racing series entry launching with the Nintendo Switch 2. However, its development began back in 2017 while the team was still working on Mario Kart 8 Deluxe.

In the latest installment of Nintendo's Ask the Developer series on May 21, the Mario Kart World team shared their insights. According to Producer Kosuke Yabuki, after crafting a prototype in March 2017, formal development commenced by the end of that year. He explained that having perfected the series' formula with Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, the goal was to create something on a grander scale.

Yabuki also addressed why the next title isn't called Mario Kart 9, as many anticipated. He stated their ambition extended beyond simply adding new courses; they aimed to elevate the series to a new level, prompting a move away from numbered sequels. "We had already incorporated 'MARIO KART WORLD' into the concept art from the earliest stages of development," he said.

The Transition to Switch 2

Programming Director Kenta Sato noted that Yabuki first considered moving development to the Switch 2 in 2020. While the team had preliminary ideas about the next-gen console, they later gained access to actual development hardware. "Until then, we had to proceed based on provisional estimates," Sato stated.

The team was determined to align their creative vision with the hardware's capabilities. Sato elaborated, "The original Switch can handle various games, but to include everything we envisioned for this vast world without compromising a smooth 60 fps experience would have been impossible."

Once they understood the Switch 2's full potential, their concerns vanished, replaced by confidence. "I remember the thrill of realizing we could achieve even more than our initial plans," Sato recalled.

However, the upgrade necessitated higher-quality assets. Art Director Masaaki Ishikawa mentioned the need for more detailed graphics. Far from being daunted, the art team felt liberated, excited by the new possibilities.

Developing for Switch 2 provided greater creative freedom, allowing for visual enhancements like denser foliage, richer environments, and other details previously constrained by hardware limitations.

The Cow as a Playable Character

Series fans were delighted to see the Cow character become playable for the first time in the trailer. Previously, Cow appeared only as a non-playable character, often as background scenery or an obstacle.

Ishikawa explained that each new Mario Kart game introduces a new racer. "A designer showed me this amusing sketch of Cow driving along, and I immediately thought, 'This is perfect!'" he said with a laugh. "That's when we recognized the untapped potential within the game's environments." Ishikawa was pleasantly surprised by how naturally Cow fit, opening the door for more NPCs to join the roster in a coherent, interconnected world.

Beyond adding NPCs as racers, the developers meticulously crafted various game aspects to realize their interconnected world. Emphasizing diverse foods adds richness, while kart adjustments for different terrains and dynamic track elements were key focuses.

With constant updates fueling excitement, fans eagerly await Mario's return to a vast new racing universe. Nintendo is fully committed to the Switch 2, launching one of its flagship franchises alongside the new console.

Mario Kart World launches exclusively for Nintendo Switch 2 on June 5, 2025. For the latest news on the game, check out our article below.