Why Mario Kart World’s Character Roster Stays Strictly Mario
Mario Kart World, the highly anticipated new entry in the beloved racing series, has arrived, bringing with it expansive tracks, chaotic 24-player races, and a massive character roster. However, fans hoping to see familiar faces like Link from The Legend of Zelda or Isabelle from Animal Crossing return after their appearance in Mario Kart 8 might be surprised – the new game features only characters hailing from the Super Mario universe.
According to producer Kosuke Yabuki, this was a deliberate choice from the outset. In a recent interview, Yabuki explained the development team’s philosophy behind excluding characters from other iconic Nintendo franchises.
“As developers,” Yabuki stated, “it would have seemed incongruous to add characters from other games to this universe. And it didn’t seem necessary, given everything we could already do with Mario.”
He further elaborated that while they considered how players might perceive the roster, the sheer variety already available within the Mario universe felt sufficient. Yabuki, who previously worked on the fighting game ARMS, also reportedly dismissed with a laugh the specific notion of ARMS characters being considered for Mario Kart World.
Expanding Within the Mario Universe
This focus on staying strictly within the Super Mario realm contrasts with Mario Kart World‘s ambition to expand the series in other significant ways. The game is described as a major step forward, potentially serving as a showcase title for the new Nintendo Switch 2 hardware.
Rather than bringing in outside characters, development efforts seem to have centered on deepening the experience within the existing universe and its mechanics. The game boasts a substantial roster of 50 unique playable characters (plus variants and costumes for some), featuring both mainstays and some deep-cut fan favorites from Mario lore. These characters are noted for their expressive animations and distinct handling influenced by their weight and stats, a design choice that replaces the kart customization options seen in previous titles.
New Gameplay and Ambitious Features
Mario Kart World introduces several new mechanics alongside returning ones, such as a Charge Jump, wall riding, and rail grinding, adding layers of depth and requiring players to hone new skills to master track layouts. The game also drastically increases the player count to 24 in certain modes, leading to a more chaotic and frenetic racing experience.
The most prominent new mode, Knockout Tour, is widely praised as a highlight. This intense, survival-based elimination race spans connected sections of the game’s world, effectively selling the scale and providing thrilling, high-stakes competition.
While the core Grand Prix mode is restructured into “Road Trip,” featuring four courses linked together physically within the game’s overall “World,” the development team also dedicated significant resources to an expansive “Free Roam” open-world mode. Developed with input from Monolith Soft, this mode allows players to explore the vast, interconnected map, discovering secrets and tackling hundreds of P-Switch challenges designed to help players practice new movement techniques. Though some reviewers found the open world can feel directionless or repetitive for solo play, its visual appeal and opportunities for casual exploration are noted.
Ultimately, producer Kosuke Yabuki’s comments underscore a core design philosophy for Mario Kart World: to expand the game’s scale, mechanics, and roster variety, but to do so by focusing inward on the rich possibilities already present within the Super Mario universe, rather than integrating external characters from across Nintendo’s pantheon.
