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.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
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Mario Kart™ World (Nintendo Switch 2) | $79.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
![Mario Kart World Standard - Nintendo Switch 2 [Digital Code]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51zaiyfzDeL._SL160_.jpg)
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Mario Kart World Standard - Nintendo Switch 2 [Digital Code] | $79.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
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DreamWorks All-Star Kart Racing - Nintendo Switch | $27.40 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
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Donkey Kong Bananza (Nintendo Switch 2) | $69.00 | Buy on Amazon |
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.
The Tool Desk
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- Race from one course to another through interconnected paths that span the world
- Traverse mountains, forests, cities, and more—with shifting weather patterns and a day/night cycle
- Ride on rails, jump off walls, skim across water, and more as you race for the finish line
- Take on the adrenaline-packed Knockout Tour—a fierce 24-driver elimination mode
- Explore courses at your own pace and wander the world to discover fun surprises in Free Roam
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.
Quick Recap
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- Explore a vast underground world—by smashing your way through it!
- A brand-new 3D platforming action adventure starring Donkey Kong and Pauline
- Bash through just about anything in groundbreaking exploration! Crash through walls and carve tunnels—the more you smash, the more areas open up to you
- Pair up with Pauline to use Bananza Transformations: smash through obstacles with the raw strength of Kong form, gallop with incredible speed as a Zebra, and more
- Team up with a friend in two-player co-op as Donkey Kong and Pauline! Blast foes and terrain alike with Pauline’s voice as you explore together
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- ALL-STAR CAST OF DREAMWORKS CHARACTERS: Who will you choose? With favorites such as Shrek, Po, Tigress, Boss Baby, Puss in Boots, Hiccup, and Astrid, it’ll be hard to choose just one.
- 20 AWESOME KARTS: Each kart draws its distinct design from the unique personality of its DreamWorks character-driver! Put your very own twist on the kart with hundreds of parts and accessory combinations to level up!
- RACE THROUGH ICONIC LOCATIONS: Be transported into fantastical worlds as you speed, shift, jump and drift through tracks inspired by your favorite DreamWorks movies: The Kingdom of Far Far Away from Shrek, Bergen Town from Trolls, Baby Corp from The Boss Baby, New York City Zoo from Madagascar, and many more!
- TROLLS AS RACE HOSTS & POWER-UPS: Poppy, Branch, Barb, Cooper and others from the colorful world of the DreamWorks Trolls are not only rockin’ it as your hosts for each race, but also help you hit the right notes for your racetrack success with their power-up potential. Collect them to ride along with you throughout each race for special surprises!
- MULTIPLE RACING MODES: Awesome online and split-screen local multi-player for non-stop action the entire family will love.
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- Race from one course to another through interconnected paths that span the world
- Traverse mountains, forests, cities, and more—with shifting weather patterns and a day/night cycle
- Ride on rails, jump off walls, skim across water, and more as you race for the finish line
- Take on the adrenaline-packed Knockout Tour—a fierce 24-driver elimination mode
