Mario Kart World was initially planned for the original Switch
"It was difficult for us to incorporate everything we wanted, so we were always conscious of what we were giving up in return,' said programming director Kenta Sato. A big sticking point seemed to be that the original Switch would have had to run the game at 30FPS. Mario Kart games have always run at 60FPS, for obvious reasons. You can't simulate speed without, uh, simulating speed. To view this content, you'll need to update your privacy settings. Please click here and view the "Content and social-media partners" setting to do so.
Developers pecked away at the "tough situation" until finally deciding to create more DLC for Mario Kart 8 Deluxe as a way to bide time as the team figured out what to do.
"As we'd decided to release Mario Kart 8 Deluxe — Booster Course Pass , we thought that would give us a bit more time to continue development," said producer Kosuke Yabuki. "That's when the conversation of moving it to the Nintendo Switch 2 system came up, and this suddenly opened up a bunch of possibilities on what we could do. It was truly a ray of hope.'
This interview also revealed that the game has been in development since 2017, which is a heck of a long time. However, it makes a certain amount of sense given that the original Mario Kart 8 came out in 2014. To view this content, you'll need to update your privacy settings. Please click here and view the "Content and social-media partners" setting to do so.
The upcoming racer was always set in an open world and it was never going to be called Mario Kart 9. The developers wanted to "take the series to the next level." The big, connected world seems to do just that.
"I felt that in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe , we were able to perfect the formula that we'd been following in the series up to that point, where players race on individual courses," Yabuki continued. "That's why, this time, we wanted the gameplay to involve players driving around a large world, and we began creating a world map like this.'
I personally think the company made the right call by delaying this game until the Switch 2. Recent first-party Switch titles have experienced massive framerate issues, and there's no way the console could have handled races with 24 participants. In any event, we only have a couple of weeks until we get to play Mario Kart World , if you've successfully reserved the Switch 2 for the June 5 launch.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Gizmodo
9 hours ago
- Gizmodo
Why There Aren't Many Ports of Games on Switch 2… Yet
Nintendo wants all the games coming to its Switch 2 to emphasize the features that make it distinct from the original Switch. After all, why else would consumers drop $450 on a new handheld when many are still holding onto their 8-year-old device? If you were twiddling your thumbs waiting for developers to port your favorite games to the Switch 2, know that they may be coming, but only after developers can show they'll emphasize the new system's best—or at least distinctive—qualities. Over the last few months, murmurs from the developer community have hinted Nintendo has held back dev kits from some studios, and now we have a better idea why. In now-deleted posts to its LinkedIn page, Poland-based studio Lynxbyte shared what Nintendo wants from developers in order to receive a dev kit to port their games. YouTuber Doctre81 shared these posts from LynxByte in a video, and the LinkedIn posts have already made the rounds on Bluesky. If LynxByte's explanation is correct, then Nintendo isn't interested if a game already runs on the original Switch. The entire point is to show off the Switch 2's capabilities. Nintendo 'prioritizes' games that 'take advantage' of the Switch 2's hardware. This could be showing off games running at 4K resolution and 60 fps or titles that support the Joy-Con 2 mouse mode. The more developers can emphasize features, including GameChat for quick and dirty video calls or even improved rumble in the official controllers, the greater their chances at securing a dev kit. Nintendo individually approves companies and greenlights titles. Partner studios obviously get the fast-lane treatment. Nintendo's latest Direct game showcases haven't left us with many surprises. Many of the games in the most recent Indie World Showcase emphasized they were coming to the original Switch, rather than Switch 2. Upcoming titles like Mina the Hollower, Content Warning, and Ball X Pit will be emphasized for both platforms, though you'll still be able to play any OG Switch titles on the sequel handheld. Games like Glaciered will be exclusive to Switch 2. The July 31 Nintendo Direct showcased ports of games like Persona 3 Reload and Apex Legends as exclusive to Switch 2. It's unclear how those games or new titles like 007: First Light are embellishing the Switch 2's features, but likely it will be in performance as well as Joy-Con 2 mouse controls. The details revealed by LynxByte also revealed extra information we didn't know about Nintendo's handheld, despite having it in hand for more than two months. We were already well aware the Switch 2 supports Nvidia's deep learning super sampling tech, or DLSS, for AI upscaling. DLSS takes frames rendered at a lower resolution and bumps them up to a higher resolution while enhancing the overall frame rate. We just didn't know what version of DLSS the Switch 2 was using. The leaks show Nintendo's Nvidia-made chipset supports DLSS 3.1, which first launched in 2023. That's the version before the advent of DLSS 3.5 with enhanced ray-traced lighting techniques and the current DLSS 4 with improved 'neural' upscaling. The latest version of Nvidia's upscaler uses trained AI models to make textures and geometry look sharper compared to previous versions. This all checks out, as leaked Switch 2 specs support Nvidia and Nintendo's joint choice to go with Ampere-level graphics performance that was first introduced back in 2020. You could compare the Switch 2's performance to the lower-end GeForce RTX 30-series cards, which is impressive enough for a handheld. We've seen ports like Cyberpunk 2077 perform even better than their counterparts on handhelds like the Steam Deck. Other ports like Street Fighter 6 also run at a steady clip. Then there are anticipated ports of titles like Star Wars Outlaws, which is set to launch on Switch 2 on Sept 4. Some fans watching the July 31 Direct were flabbergasted by the trailer's muddy textures, lower detail, and odd visual hiccups that made the game look worse than it appeared on PC or PlayStation 5/Xbox Series X. Ubisoft RedLynx, which is working with the original game developers Massive Entertainment, mentioned it had added extra features like touch controls in certain minigames to 'enhance immersion.' While we have to wait to see if the port can match the performance of Cyberpunk 2077, it's clear that adding those Switch 2 exclusive features was a big reason this port is coming sooner than others.
Business Wire
11 hours ago
- Business Wire
Nintendo Partners With Interstate Scholastic Esports Alliance (ISEA) to Welcome Students to Competitive Gaming
REDMOND, Wash.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nintendo of America is partnering with the Interstate Scholastic Esports Alliance (ISEA) to make gaming competitions more social, accessible, and rewarding. Starting this fall, the Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate and Splatoon 3 games for the Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch – OLED Model systems will be used for school-organized tournaments and events for grades 4 through 12, reaching over 80,000 elementary, middle, and high school students across 23 states. Nintendo of America and the ISEA are excited to offer students another way to gather in the name of fun and friendly competition. As part of the partnership, Nintendo will provide a large quantity of Nintendo Switch Online memberships and digital game download codes at no cost. 'We are so excited to partner with Nintendo as we continue to grow and expand competitive gaming opportunities for students across the country,' said ISEA President Danielle Johnson. 'Games are a fun, communal experience. We want to make gaming accessible to as many students as possible regardless of their previous gaming experience. School-based gaming programs connect students that may have not been involved in social competitive activities before, and every student deserves a place to belong at school. These programs not only raise student attendance and achievement but also help students build healthy relationships that can last a lifetime.' In November 2023, Nintendo of America reorganized its official guidelines and application portal for individual competitive gaming event organizers. The goal was to make the process of hosting not-for-profit, small-scale community tournaments involving games for which Nintendo owns the copyright easier and more transparent. This partnership with the ISEA is yet another way to help build and support an engaged and connected gaming community. 'We support kids who want to celebrate their passion – or discover a new passion – by getting involved in memorable cooperative and competitive play experiences,' says Bill Trinen, Vice President of Player and Product Experience at Nintendo of America. 'Working closely with the ISEA ensures that we are creating a fun experience that is open to everyone.' To find the organization that is building esports in your state, and to learn more about the ISEA, please visit the Interstate Scholastic Esports Alliance official website: Additional information on official Nintendo tournament guidelines is available here: About Nintendo: Nintendo Co., Ltd., headquartered in Kyoto, Japan, has been providing a wide range of entertainment products and experiences since its founding in 1889, beginning with the manufacture and sale of Hanafuda playing cards. Since the 1983 release of the Family Computer (Famicom) system in Japan, and continuing through Nintendo Switch 2, Nintendo's focus has been the development, manufacturing, and sale of its gaming systems and software. To date, Nintendo has sold more than 5.9 billion video games and over 860 million hardware units globally, and has created franchises such as Mario ™, Donkey Kong ™, The Legend of Zelda ™, Pokémon ™, Metroid ™, Kirby ™, Animal Crossing ™, Pikmin ™, and Splatoon ™. Nintendo strives to expand the number of people who have access to its characters and worlds. Its continuing mission is to put smiles on the faces of everyone it touches with unique entertainment experiences, centered on its integrated video game hardware and software products. A wholly owned subsidiary, Nintendo of America Inc., based in Redmond, Wash., serves as headquarters for operations in the Americas. For more information about Nintendo, please visit the company's website at About the Interstate Scholastic Esports Alliance (ISEA): Founded in 2022, The Interstate Scholastic Esports Alliance (ISEA), is a nationwide coalition of educator-run scholastic esports organizations serving grades K through 12. ISEA is committed to advocating for, protecting, and elevating scholastic gaming programs in order to empower all students to use esports as a platform to grow socially, emotionally, and academically. Official ISEA-affiliated scholastic competitive gaming organizations include the Texas Scholastic Esports Federation, Garden State Esports in New Jersey, the Missouri Scholastic Esports Federation, the Minnesota Varsity League, and many others across the U.S. Note to editors: Nintendo press materials are available at a password-protected site. To obtain a login, please register on the site.
Tom's Guide
12 hours ago
- Tom's Guide
I think every Nintendo Switch 2 owner should play these 11 Switch games first — and Woot has them on sale
The Nintendo Switch 2 has been around for a few weeks now, so you might have already had your fill of Mario Kart World and Donkey Kong Bananza. If you're looking for something new to play, there are a ton of incredible Nintendo Switch games that you might have missed out on — in fact, I think every Nintendo Switch 2 owner should play these. Woot is my favorite place to go for Switch game deals. This Amazon subsidiary company has Switch game discounts that are otherwise extremely rare to come by. For example, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is on sale for $45 at Woot. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is still worth picking up, even for Mario Kart World owners — it'll get you access to 48 more tracks. Plus, my main boy, Roy the Koopaling, hasn't made the Mario Kart World roster yet, so I would still buy a copy of MK8D just to play as him. Another must-buy is Animal Crossing: New Horizons on sale for $44 at Woot. In my opinion, it provides one of the most enjoyable and relaxing gaming experiences you can have — and I've gotten over 500 hours of playtime out of this title myself. If we look at the Animal Crossing series' past release schedule, it's possible that we're still a few years out from seeing a new game release on the Switch 2. So I recommend grabbing this deal on Animal Crossing: New Horizons while you can and seeing for yourself why this game is so beloved! I've rounded up all the essential Switch game deals in Woot's sale below. For more savings, see the deals I'd buy from $8 in Best Buy's Tech Fest sale. Fans of Donkey Kong Bananza will definitely want to experience some of DK's hit games from the past, and the Switch 2 is a great console to do it on. For starters, you can get Donkey Kong Country Returns HD on sale for $41. With updated visuals and 80 action-packed stages, this is a classic platformer that's a must-play. You'll be navigating challenges like mine carts, rocket barrels and animal companions in solo or co-op check: $51 @ Amazon Initially launched on the Wii U, Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze is back and sports a new Funky Mode. In this 2D platformer, you play as one of the Kong clan as they seek to save their island from an invading arctic force. Tropical Freeze is one of the best side-scrolling platformers ever made, and it looks (and plays) even better check: $48 @ Amazon One of the best games on Switch, Super Mario Odyssey offers innovative gameplay, creative level design and colorful graphics. There are hundreds of moons to find hidden everywhere from the Luncheon Kingdom to New Donk City, so you'll never run out of things to do in this check: $59 @ Best Buy This is one of the games that helped get many people through a tough couple of years after it released in 2020, letting you jet off to an untamed island courtesy of business raccoon Tom Nook. It's up to you to bring civilization to that island and turn it into a villager's check: $51 @ Amazon Mario's latest side-scrolling adventure is a wonderfully refreshing spin on the classic formula. Venturing to the Flower Kingdom, you'll discover stage-altering Wonder Flowers which can warp levels, create new platforming challenges and even turn Mario into an elephant. Playable in up to four-player co-op, Super Mario Bros. Wonder is a platforming marvel for the entire family and one of the very best Nintendo Switch games you can play check: $49 @ Amazon This take on the classic monster-hunting formula throws you back in time to find one of the most elusive Pokémon while also braving a wilder version of a familiar world. Legends Arceus is a little different from the Pokémon games you're used to, but it's a good check: $48 @ Walmart If you've ever wanted to construct your own Mario courses rather than just play them, Super Mario Maker 2 is the game for you. Play, create and share your courses with the world and dive into a full single-player story as well. With thousands of user-created courses already available, Super Mario Maker 2 offers a nearly endless supply of new content. Price check: $52 @ Amazon Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is one of the most popular Switch games available — even years after its launch, it continues to dominate the best-sellers chart. This means any form of discount is pretty rare, but you can currently save on this must-have family-friendly hit. And if you want even more courses, be sure to pick up the Booster Pack DLC that adds 48 new tracks, including fan-favourite check: $48 @ Walmart Super Smash Bros. Ultimate brings together every single character in the fighting franchise's history for a showdown of epic proportions. We might not see a Smash Bros. crossover of this scale again, so this Switch title is a check: $49 @ Amazon Fans have been waiting a long time for Samus Aran to return to the space-exploration scene in a new Metroid title, and this game was totally worth the wait. You'll be hunting down aliens and fighting for your life against deadly robotic assassins. Whether you're new to the series or an old pro, we highly recommend Metroid Dread. The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening on the Nintendo Switch is a lovingly crafted remaster of the 1993 classic. Take control of Link as he explores the mysterious Koholint Island, where he'll traverse eight puzzling dungeons as well as an expansive check: $55 @ Best Buy
