Nintendo Keeps Mario Kart World Focused on the Mushroom Kingdom, Excludes Cross-Franchise Cameos

Exclusive Focus on the Mushroom Kingdom in Mario Kart World

Nintendo has made it clear that Mario Kart World will remain dedicated to the vibrant and whimsical universe of the Mushroom Kingdom. Fans should not expect to see popular characters from other Nintendo franchises like Zelda, Splatoon, or Animal Crossing making appearances in this game.

While Mario Kart 8 featured beloved characters such as Link, Zelda, Isabelle, and the Inklings, the latest installment, Mario Kart World, intentionally limits its character roster to the Mario universe. Even the option to race as your Mii, a popular feature since Mario Kart Wii, has been removed in this version.

Deliberate Artistic and Design Choices

Nintendo has addressed the decision to exclude characters from outside the Mario universe, emphasizing that it was a purposeful choice to maintain the game’s cohesive world. The goal was to avoid creating a sense of dissonance that might arise from blending different Nintendo worlds.

Mario Kart World producer Kosuke Yabuki explained to a Japanese publication that incorporating characters from other Nintendo titles would have felt incongruous within the game’s universe. “As developers, it would have seemed out of place to add characters from other games to this world,” Yabuki stated. “And it didn’t seem necessary, given everything we could already do with Mario.”

When asked whether he had considered including characters from other Nintendo projects like Arms, Yabuki firmly responded, “Absolutely not!”

Character Selection and Player Experience

Yabuki also shared his thoughts on how players might perceive the character lineup. Despite the limited roster, he believes that the extensive variety of characters and costumes available ensures that every player can find their favorites and personalize their experience.

While some may view the absence of cross-franchise characters as a step back, it aligns with the game’s foundation as an open-world reinterpretation of the Mushroom Kingdom. This focus allows developers to craft a more immersive and cohesive environment.

Exploring the World of Mario

Mario Kart World features expansive maps designed to evoke the feeling of a road trip through Mario’s backyard, from Peach’s Castle to Bowser’s Fortress. The game emphasizes exploring familiar locations and enjoying the charm of the Mushroom Kingdom.

In contrast, including characters like Samus or Tom Nook, or creating tracks inspired by other Nintendo worlds such as Hyrule, F-Zero, or Excitebike, would be challenging within this specific setting. The game’s scope and design philosophy prioritize the core Mario experience.

Nintendo’s Broader Strategy for Its Franchises

Nintendo is also focusing on creating distinct identities for its franchises. Its recent ventures, such as Super Nintendo Land and the upcoming Super Mario Bros. animated movie, aim to establish separate, immersive worlds for their beloved characters—distinct from cross-franchise mashups.

For example, the upcoming animated Mario sequel is not expected to connect directly with Nintendo’s live-action Zelda projects. This approach reflects Nintendo’s broader strategy to keep each franchise’s universe unique and recognizable.

While fans still hope for a major crossover title, such as a new Super Smash Bros., creator Masahiro Sakurai is currently busy developing a new Kirby game, which may introduce fresh surprises in the future.

Helpful Guides for Mario Kart World Fans

If you’re diving into Mario Kart World, be sure to check out detailed guides on how to unlock all hidden characters, including NPC drivers like Kamek. There are also tips on finding food scattered across the open world, which helps unlock outfits and costumes permanently, enhancing your gameplay experience.

Alex "Pixel" Petrov

Gaming journalist & industry insider. Covers the latest game releases, updates, and behind-the-scenes dev stories. Knows every Easter egg, patch note, and upcoming title worth hyping. Always gaming, always analyzing.