The producer of Mario Kart World recently shared that the game was initially developed for the Nintendo Switch. Dive into this article to discover the evolution of the game and the adjustments made during its transition to the Nintendo Switch 2.
Mario Kart World Developer Insights
Prototyping Began in 2017
Mario Kart World, the latest installment in the iconic racing series, is set to launch with the Nintendo Switch 2. However, its development journey started back in 2017, concurrent with the work on Mario Kart 8 Deluxe.
In a recent installment of Nintendo’s Ask the Developer series on May 21, the team behind Mario Kart World provided insights into the game's development. Producer Kosuke Yabuki revealed that after prototyping in March 2017, the project officially kicked off by year's end. Yabuki noted that having perfected the formula with Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, the team aimed to create a more expansive experience.
Yabuki also clarified why the new game isn't titled Mario Kart 9, despite fan expectations. He explained that the goal was to transcend mere course additions and elevate the series to new heights, thus opting for a fresh title. "We added ‘MARIO KART WORLD’ to the concept art from the early stages of development," he stated.
Shifting to Switch 2
Programming Director Kenta Sato shared that the idea to transition to the Switch 2 came up in 2020. Initially, the team had only a conceptual understanding of the next-generation console, but it wasn't until they received development units that they could proceed confidently. "Until then, we just had to proceed with development based on provisional estimates," Sato remarked.
The developers were keen on ensuring their vision aligned with the new console's performance capabilities. Sato noted, "The Switch system's performance is sufficient for different kinds of games, but including everything we wanted in this game's vast world would have compromised the 60 fps target and led to framerate drops."
Once they had a firm grasp of the Switch 2’s capabilities, their concerns dissipated, and they felt confident in realizing their vision. "I remember being overjoyed when I discovered we could express even more than we'd originally set out to," Sato recalled.
Transitioning to the Switch 2 also necessitated enhanced asset quality. Art Director Masaaki Ishikawa explained that the graphics needed to be more detailed. Rather than feeling daunted, the art team was relieved to have the opportunity to enrich the game's visuals, such as adding more trees to the terrain and enhancing overall art quality, which was previously limited by the original Switch's performance.
Cow Being a Playable Character
Fans were thrilled to learn from the trailer that Cow, previously a non-playable character, will now be a playable racer in Mario Kart World. In past games, Cow served as part of the background or an obstacle.
Ishikawa shared that introducing a new character in each Mario Kart game is a tradition. "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 sparked ideas about adding more NPC characters, enhancing the game's interconnected world.
In addition to the novel addition of Cow as a racer, the developers focused on various aspects to create a truly interconnected world. They incorporated diverse types of food to add richness to the game's environment, made adjustments to the karts to suit different terrains, and continually modified the tracks.
With all these updates, fans are eagerly anticipating the return of the beloved plumber in a vast new racing world. Nintendo is set to launch one of its most cherished franchises on the Switch 2 from day one.
Mario Kart World is scheduled for release on June 5, 2025, exclusively for the Nintendo Switch 2. Stay updated with the latest news by checking out our article below!
