"Mario Kart World Debuted on Switch 1"

The producer of Mario Kart World has revealed that the game was initially developed for the Nintendo Switch. Dive into the details to understand the game's origins and the significant adaptations made when development shifted to the Nintendo Switch 2.

Mario Kart World Developer Insights

Prototyping Began in 2017

Mario Kart World, the latest addition to the beloved racing-kart series, is set to launch alongside the Nintendo Switch 2. However, its development journey began back in 2017, during the creation of Mario Kart 8 Deluxe.

In the recent installment of Nintendo's Ask the Developer series released on May 21, the Mario Kart World team shared the behind-the-scenes story of the game's inception. Producer Kosuke Yabuki disclosed that after crafting the prototype in March 2017, the project officially kicked off by the end of that year. He emphasized that having perfected the formula with Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, the team aspired to create something more expansive.

Yabuki also clarified why the upcoming game isn't titled Mario Kart 9, as many fans had anticipated. He explained that their ambition extended beyond merely adding new courses; they aimed to elevate the series to a new level. Consequently, they opted for a fresh title, 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 mentioned that the idea to transition to the Nintendo Switch 2 emerged in 2020. At that point, although the team had a preliminary understanding of the next-gen console, they didn't have access to actual development units until later. "Until then, we just had to proceed with development based on provisional estimates," Sato explained.

The developers were committed to ensuring their vision could be realized within the Switch 2's capabilities. Sato noted, "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."

Once they gained a solid understanding of the Switch 2's potential, their concerns dissipated, and they were confident in achieving their envisioned game. "I remember being overjoyed when I discovered we could express even more than we'd originally set out to," Sato shared.

Transitioning to the Switch 2 necessitated an upgrade in asset quality. Art Director Masaaki Ishikawa revealed that the graphics required more detail. Instead of feeling overwhelmed, the art team was relieved to have the opportunity to enhance the game's visuals. This shift provided more creative freedom, allowing them to add more elements like trees to the terrain and enrich the overall art, which was previously limited by the original Switch's performance.

Cow Being a Playable Character

Fans were thrilled to see Cow introduced as a playable character in the game's trailer. In past titles, Cow was merely a non-playable character, often part of the scenery or an obstacle to dodge.

Ishikawa explained that introducing a new character to race with is a tradition for each Mario Kart game. He shared, "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 by how well Cow integrated into the game, sparking ideas about incorporating more non-playable characters in future titles to enhance the interconnected world.

Beyond the addition of Cow as a racer, the developers have meticulously focused on various aspects to bring their vision of an interconnected world to life. Emphasizing different types of food adds diversity to the game's environment, while adjustments to the karts and tracks ensure adaptability to various terrains and continuous evolution.

With excitement building among fans, the return of the beloved plumber in an expansive new racing world is highly anticipated. Nintendo is fully committed to the Switch 2, launching one of its most iconic franchises on the console's debut day.

Mario Kart World is scheduled for release on June 5, 2025, exclusively for the Nintendo Switch 2. Stay tuned for the latest updates by checking out our article below!