Mario Kart World, the much-anticipated successor to Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, is set to launch alongside the Nintendo Switch 2 on June 5, 2025. However, this wasn’t always the plan. Development for the game began in 2017, shortly after the release of the original Switch. The team aimed to innovate beyond the traditional course-based gameplay, envisioning a seamless open-world racing experience. This ambitious direction required a complete rethinking of the game’s structure and presented significant technical challenges.
One of the primary hurdles was the original Switch’s hardware limitations. The developers aspired to increase the in-race player count to 24, doubling the series’ previous maximum. Achieving this, along with maintaining high-quality graphics and frame rates, proved difficult on the aging console. Programming director Kenta Sato noted that accommodating 24 players necessitated extensive processing optimizations from the outset.
Faced with these constraints, the team considered various compromises, including reducing visual fidelity and lowering frame rates. Ultimately, they decided to shift development to the more powerful Nintendo Switch 2. This move allowed them to realize their vision without sacrificing performance or gameplay quality.
The transition to the Switch 2 also influenced the game’s branding. Producer Kosuke Yabuki explained that the significant evolution in gameplay, particularly the open-world design, justified moving away from the traditional numbering. Thus, the game was titled Mario Kart World instead of Mario Kart 9.
As a launch title for the Switch 2, Mario Kart World represents a bold step forward for the franchise. Its development journey underscores the challenges of innovating within established series and the importance of aligning creative ambitions with technological capabilities.
