The producer of Mario Kart World recently disclosed that the game was initially developed for the Nintendo Switch. Delve into this article to discover the origins of the game and the adaptations the developers made during the transition to the Switch 2.
Mario Kart World Developer Insights
Prototyping Began in 2017
Mario Kart World, the latest addition to the renowned racing-kart series, will launch alongside the Nintendo Switch 2. Interestingly, its development commenced back in 2017, concurrently with the work on Mario Kart 8 Deluxe.
In the May 21 edition of Nintendo’s Ask the Developer series, the Mario Kart World team provided a detailed look into the game's development. Producer Kosuke Yabuki mentioned that the prototype was crafted in March 2017, and full development kicked off by the year's end. He highlighted that having honed the series' formula with Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, the team aspired to create something more expansive.
Yabuki also clarified why the next installment isn’t titled Mario Kart 9, as many anticipated. The team’s ambition extended beyond merely increasing the number of courses; they wanted to elevate the series to new heights. Hence, the decision to forgo sequential numbering and opt for a fresh title, "Mario Kart World," was made early in the development process.
Shifting to Switch 2
Programming Director Kenta Sato revealed that the idea to transition to the Switch 2 came about in 2020. Although the team had a preliminary understanding of the next-gen console's capabilities, actual development units weren't available until later. "We had to proceed with development based on provisional estimates," Sato noted.
The team aimed to ensure their vision could be realized within the performance parameters of the new device. Sato explained, "The Switch system's performance is capable of developing various games, but incorporating everything we wanted into this game's expansive world would have compromised the 60 fps framerate and led to constant drops."
Once they had a clear understanding of the Switch 2's capabilities, their concerns dissipated, and they were confident in creating the game they envisioned. Sato expressed his joy at discovering they could achieve even more than initially planned.
However, moving to the Switch 2 necessitated an upgrade in asset quality. Art Director Masaaki Ishikawa stated that the graphics required more detail. Rather than feeling daunted, the art team felt relieved and excited about the possibilities this offered. The shift to Switch 2 provided more freedom, enabling them to enhance the game's visuals by adding more elements like trees to the terrain, enriching the art, and including features that were previously restricted by the performance of the original Switch.
Cow Being a Playable Character
Fans were thrilled to see Cow introduced as a playable character in the game's trailer. Previously, Cow had only appeared as a non-playable character, often in the background or as an obstacle.
Ishikawa shared that introducing a new character to race as is a tradition in each Mario Kart game. He recounted, "One of our designers sketched Cow cruising along, and I thought, ‘This is it!’ (Laughs). We realized the course surroundings held a lot of untapped potential." Ishikawa was pleasantly surprised at how naturally Cow fit into the game, sparking ideas about incorporating more NPC characters in future iterations, enhancing the sense of an interconnected world.
Beyond introducing Cow as a playable racer, the developers focused on various elements to create a cohesive, interconnected world. The inclusion of diverse food types helps enrich the game's environment. Adjustments to the karts to handle different terrains and constant track modifications were also prioritized.
With excitement building, fans eagerly anticipate the return of the beloved plumber in this expansive new racing world. Nintendo is set to make a strong launch with the Switch 2, featuring one of its most cherished franchises from day one.
Mario Kart World is slated for release on June 5, 2025, exclusively for the Nintendo Switch 2. Stay updated with the latest game news by checking out our article below!
