Mario Kart World producer Kosuke Yabuki explains that characters from other games feel out of place within the Mario universe. Read on to learn more about Mario Kart World's diverse cast of characters.
Interview with Mario Kart World Producer Kosuke Yabuki
Distinct from the Crossover-Heavy Mario Kart 8 Deluxe
Mario Kart World, the latest mainline installment in Nintendo's Mario Kart series, sets itself apart from Mario Kart 8 Deluxe by stepping back from the inclusion of non-Mario characters.
According to an interview with its producer, Kosuke Yabuki, the vision behind Mario Kart World focuses on building a more concentrated Mario-themed universe, prioritizing depth and consistency rather than wide-reaching crossovers.
"As developers, it would have seemed incongruous to us to add characters from other games to this universe. And it didn't seem necessary to us, given everything we could already do with Mario."
As a veteran director of the series, Yabuki has been involved with Mario Kart since the Wii era. He directed Mario Kart 7 on the 3DS, Mario Kart 8 on the Wii U, and later oversaw its Deluxe version on the Switch.
Largest Cast in Mario Kart History
Even without characters from other games, Mario Kart World’s current roster remains strong and memorable. As of writing, there are 50 playable characters in the game. Classic racers like Mario, Luigi, Peach, Toad, Bowser, Yoshi, and Donkey Kong (sporting a new look), make a return alongside fresh additions such as the Dolphin from Whirlpool Lagoon, and the Cow from Moo Moo Meadows.
"We inevitably wonder how the players will perceive this casting. But there are so many characters and so many costumes that every player is sure to find what they are looking for."
Yabuki goes on to note the positive reaction to the new characters, saying they had hoped the additions would be a pleasant surprise for players, but the warm welcome ended up exceeding their expectations.
Meanwhile, when asked to name his favorite new racer, Yabuki admitted he shared the same opinion as many fans online.
"First of all, I want to say that having a favourite doesn’t mean that they have been given the best statistics," Yabuki initially stated, " But just for the reception they have received, I have to admit it’s the Cow."
Mario Kart World was released alongside the Nintendo Switch 2. To find out how to unlock the cow and other characters in Mario Kart World, read our guide below.
Source:
EXCLUSIVE. Mario Kart World on Switch 2, producer Kosuke Yabuki reveals his creative secrets
Mario Kart World producer: ‘It didn’t seem necessary’ to add characters from other Nintendo games
