How Mario Kart World Devs Reimagined It Into an Open World Game

Mario Kart is the latest in a long line of Nintendo’s inventive attempts to reimagine its most beloved franchises.

In Mario Kart World, the company switches from its popular circuit-based races to an open-world layout that combines exciting racing with exploration. This game changes your perspective on the Mario Kart world in addition to how you play.

Mario Kart World: Nintendo’s Open-World Leap That Changes Everything

One World, Endless Tracks

Each racetrack was a separate, enclosed area in earlier versions. However, each course in Mario Kart World is a component of a bigger, interconnected map.

You’re finding tracks now, not just picking them out. The Mushroom Kingdom served as the inspiration for the new map, which was thoughtfully designed to be enjoyable to drive through whether you’re speeding through deserts or climbing mountains.

Producer Kosuke Yabuki, who worked on Mario Kart 7 and 8, claims that the goal was pure enjoyment rather than realism.

The placement of each hill, curve, and shortcut was done with gameplay in mind. The process of creating a map became more complicated than ever before because altering one area required altering the others.

Rethinking Racing

Nintendo had to completely rethink how races operate because of the open-world idea. Tracks in older games had a single starting point.

Players can join or leave races in Mario Kart World from almost anywhere. Developers had to create new “entry points” and race flows that feel natural regardless of where players begin because of this freedom. It’s a significant change that alters players’ perspectives on racing in general.

Greater Crowds, Greater Difficulties

Additionally, Nintendo increased the number of racers from 12 to 24. The action on screen is doubled. The game had to be rebalanced with more karts; roads are now wider, karts are slightly modified, and items are redesigned to keep the chaos entertaining rather than annoying.

This scale is exploited by new modes such as “Knockout Tour.” Players must race across the entire world map in this battle royale-style challenge. The game progresses more naturally now that you must drive to your next race, even in the traditional Grand Prix mode.

Quirky Mario Humor Remains

Mario Kart World retains its allure in spite of the modifications. Fans of a recurring mystery will like? head of a toad.

Now that we know it’s not a hat, Yabuki teases even stranger surprises by donning racing helmets. Perhaps the helmet becomes food. Nintendo lets us use our imagination.

Mario Kart World is a complete reimagining of what kart racing can be, not just a new game in the series. Nintendo has maintained the fun core of Mario Kart while delivering a daring and thrilling twist with a huge map, clever race design, and bigger-than-ever races.