Mario Kart World Launches on Switch

Mario Kart World Was Originally For Switch 1

The producer behind Mario Kart World confirms the game was initially designed for the original Nintendo Switch. Dive into its development journey and discover the adjustments needed when shifting focus to the Switch 2.

Inside Mario Kart World's Development

Early Prototypes Date Back to 2017

Though launching alongside Nintendo Switch 2, Mario Kart World traces its roots to 2017 during Mario Kart 8 Deluxe's development. In Nintendo's May 21 Ask the Developer series, the team revealed producer Kosuke Yabuki began prototyping in March 2017, with full development kicking off later that year.

Having refined their formula with Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, the developers aimed higher. Yabuki explained why this sequel breaks tradition by abandoning numbered titles: "We envisioned something beyond incremental upgrades. That's why 'MARIO KART WORLD' appeared in our concept art from day one."

Transitioning to Switch 2 Hardware

Programming Director Kenta Sato recalls Yabuki proposing the Switch 2 shift in 2020. Though developers understood the next-gen console's potential, actual dev kits arrived much later. "We progressed using provisional specs until hardware confirmation," Sato noted.

The team prioritized maintaining 60fps performance across their expansive vision. Early concerns vanished upon testing Switch 2's capabilities. "Seeing we could surpass our original goals was exhilarating," Sato admitted.

Art Director Masaaki Ishikawa welcomed the upgrade, noting it allowed richer textures and environmental details previously constrained by hardware limits - from denser foliage to enhanced track designs.

Surprise Character Reveal: Playable Cow

The trailer's biggest surprise came from Cow's promotion to playable racer, formerly just background decoration. Ishikawa explained how a designer's sketch sparked the idea: "When we saw Cow racing, we knew instantly - our environments hid untapped potential!"

Beyond character additions, developers focused on worldbuilding through diverse culinary elements, terrain-responsive karts, and dynamic tracks. These innovations reinforce their interconnected racing universe.

With anticipation building, Mario Kart World launches June 5, 2025 as a Nintendo Switch 2 exclusive. Stay updated through our latest coverage.