"Mario Kart World: Initially Planned for Switch 1"

Mario Kart World, the latest installment in the iconic racing series, was initially developed for the Nintendo Switch before shifting gears to the Nintendo Switch 2. Dive into the fascinating journey of how this game evolved and the significant adaptations made during its development for the new console.

Mario Kart World Developer Insights

Prototyping Began in 2017

Set to launch alongside the Nintendo Switch 2, Mario Kart World's roots trace back to 2017 when the team was simultaneously working on Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. In a detailed interview published on May 21 in Nintendo’s Ask the Developer series, the creative minds behind the game shed light on its inception. Producer Kosuke Yabuki revealed that after crafting a prototype in March 2017, full-scale development commenced by year's end. Yabuki emphasized their desire to build upon the successful formula established with Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, aiming for something grander.

Yabuki also clarified why the new game wouldn't be named Mario Kart 9. The team's vision extended beyond merely expanding the course list; they sought to elevate the series entirely. "So, we'd already added ‘MARIO KART WORLD’ to the concept art from the early stages of development," Yabuki explained, underscoring their bold new direction.

Shifting to Switch 2

Programming Director Kenta Sato recounted the pivotal decision to transition development to the Switch 2 in 2020. Initially, the team had only speculative ideas about the next-gen console's capabilities. "Until then, we just had to proceed with development based on provisional estimates," Sato noted. The challenge was ensuring their ambitious vision could be realized within the new system's performance limits.

Sato admitted, "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." The switch to the Switch 2 alleviated these concerns, allowing the team to fully realize their creative goals. "I remember being overjoyed when I discovered we could express even more than we'd originally set out to," Sato enthused.

The upgrade to the Switch 2 also necessitated enhanced graphics. Art Director Masaaki Ishikawa explained that the visuals needed to be more detailed. Rather than feeling overwhelmed, the art team embraced the opportunity to enhance the game's aesthetics. "Their shift to developing for Switch 2 gave them more leeway, opening up more chances to make the game look better, like adding more trees to terrain, making the art richer, and more things that were restricted due to the previous device’s performance," Ishikawa noted.

Cow Being a Playable Character

A delightful surprise for fans was the announcement that Cow would be a playable character in Mario Kart World. Previously, Cow had been a background element or obstacle in the series. Art Director Masaaki Ishikawa shared the light-hearted origin of this decision, "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 (NPCs) as racers in the future. This inclusion aligns with the team's vision of a richly interconnected world.

Beyond the addition of Cow, the developers have meticulously worked on various aspects to bring their vision of an interconnected world to life. They've focused on diverse elements like food to enrich the game's environment, and made adjustments to karts to navigate different terrains effectively. Continuous track modifications also contribute to a dynamic racing experience.

As excitement builds for Mario Kart World, fans eagerly anticipate the return of the beloved plumber in this expansive new racing universe. With Nintendo going all-in with the Switch 2, Mario Kart World is poised to be a standout title upon the console's launch.

Mario Kart World is slated for release on June 5, 2025, exclusively for the Nintendo Switch 2. Stay tuned for more updates and dive deeper into the game's world with our comprehensive coverage!