The launch of Mario Kart World has definitely thrilled longtime fans, especially with its sprawling open-world setup and a stacked roster featuring 50 playable characters. But there’s something noticeably missing—and people are talking. Where are the crossover characters from other beloved Nintendo franchises? You know, like Link from The Legend of Zelda or Isabelle from Animal Crossing. They were part of the fun in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, so their absence here raised a few eyebrows.
Now, producer Kosuke Yabuki has finally addressed the decision. His reasoning? Surprisingly simple: it just “didn’t seem necessary.”
Key Takeaways:
- Mario Kart World sticks strictly to Super Mario characters, despite past crossover rosters.
- Producer Kosuke Yabuki cites cohesion and richness within the Mario universe as the main rationale.
- Developers felt non-Mario characters would’ve felt “incongruous.”
- Unexpected Mario-world additions, like a Cow, have been warmly received.
- No official word on non-Mario characters in future DLC, but it hasn’t been ruled out.
The Pure Mario Vision: Why Crossovers Were Sidelined
In an interview with Ouest-France, Kosuke Yabuki—who’s something of a staple in the Mario Kart lineage—offered a bit more context. At the heart of the team’s decision was a desire to bring the focus back home, to the Mario universe itself.
“As developers,” Yabuki said, “it would have seemed incongruous to us to add characters from other games to this universe. And it didn’t seem necessary, given everything we could already do with Mario.” In other words, they had enough Mario characters to work with, so why go outside the family?
That choice marks a distinct shift from the strategy behind Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, which enthusiastically brought in figures from Zelda, Splatoon, and Animal Crossing. Mario Kart World, by contrast, is taking a different route—literally and thematically.
With its open-world design, players are meant to feel like they’re touring the Mushroom Kingdom itself, weaving through iconic landmarks from Peach’s Castle to Bowser’s Fortress. Dropping in a random character from another universe, Yabuki implies, might just muddle the whole aesthetic.
A Robust Roster: More Than Enough Mario
Launching with 50 characters, the game isn’t exactly short on options. While some fans have voiced disappointment over missing familiar faces from other IPs, Yabuki highlighted the immense depth already available in the Mario franchise. “There are so many characters and so many costumes that there’s sure to be something for everyone,” he noted.
And he’s not wrong. This time around, Nintendo’s gone deep into the Mario well—adding characters like the Cow from Moo Moo Meadows (yes, seriously), a crab, and even a “dead fish.” These oddball picks sparked quite the buzz, but oddly enough, fans seem to be loving them. Even Yabuki admitted, “It clearly exceeded our expectations.”
Another nice touch? Costume variations. Twenty-four of the characters come with alternate unlockable outfits, which players can access using “snacks” picked up during races. It’s a clever way to add variety without expanding beyond the Mario cast.
Remembering Mario Kart 8 Deluxe: A Different Context
Back when Mario Kart 8 dropped on the Wii U, Nintendo was in a very different spot. That console struggled, and including characters like Link, the Villager, or Isabelle likely served a dual purpose: appeal to more fans and cross-promote franchises. Even the later Splatoon-themed content in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe played into that strategy.
But Mario Kart World is arriving at a time when both the franchise and the new Nintendo Switch 2 are already juggernauts. There’s no need to rely on other IPs to grab attention. Instead, Nintendo appears to be refining Mario Kart’s identity, much like it has with the Super Mario Bros. Movie or the Super Nintendo World theme park.
It’s all part of a broader push to establish Mario as a standalone universe—not just one piece in the larger Nintendo puzzle.
Community Reactions and the Road Ahead
Unsurprisingly, fan reactions have run the gamut. On Reddit and other gaming forums, some players are fully on board with the Mario-only direction. They see Mario Kart World as a love letter to the franchise.
“It is MARIO Kart. Not NINTENDO Kart,” one user pointed out. Another added, “Non-Mario characters would feel especially out of place here.”
But not everyone’s thrilled. Some are still holding out hope for Diddy Kong, the Koopalings, or even Professor E. Gadd. For them, swapping in a Cow or Dolphin instead feels… off.
Still, there’s a big asterisk hanging over all this: DLC. Nintendo has a solid track record of supporting major titles post-launch, and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe saw massive expansion over time. While there’s no official confirmation just yet, the possibility of non-Mario characters eventually joining the race isn’t off the table.
Technical Specs & Gameplay Highlights
Mario Kart World is available exclusively on the Nintendo Switch 2. It introduces an open-world format, allowing players to explore a massive interconnected map inspired by the Mushroom Kingdom. Race tracks are woven directly into this world, so players can dive in and out without load screens.
A standout mode is “Knockout Tour,” which borrows from battle royale gameplay—eliminating racers across multiple tracks until only a few remain. That, combined with traditional Grand Prix and online multiplayer options, forms the core of the experience.
Reception has been overwhelmingly positive. Critics have praised the game’s fluid controls, creative map design, and engaging mechanics. There have been a few critiques—some about the online features or UI quirks—but overall, it’s a hit and a strong launch title for the new console.
FAQs about Mario Kart World’s Character Roster
Q1: Why aren’t characters like Link or Isabelle in Mario Kart World?
A1: According to producer Kosuke Yabuki, the team felt it would be “incongruous” and ultimately “not necessary” given the depth of the Mario universe. They wanted to keep the experience Mario-focused.
Q2: Did Nintendo consider adding characters from other games like ARMS?
A2: Not at all. When asked, Yabuki reportedly responded, “Absolutely not!”
Q3: Are there new, non-traditional Mario characters in the game?
A3: Yes! Characters like the Cow from Moo Moo Meadows, a crab, and even a “dead fish” are part of the lineup—all from the Mario universe, though not the usual suspects.
Q4: Will Nintendo add non-Mario characters in future DLC?
A4: Nothing official has been announced. But given Nintendo’s history with DLC, and the precedent from Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, it remains a possibility.
Q5: How many playable characters are there at launch?
A5: The game features 50 playable characters at launch, with many offering alternate costumes unlocked through in-game progression.
