The long-awaited launch of the Nintendo Switch 2 on June 5 came with a wave of excitement — and over 20 launch titles. But one game stood above the rest: Mario Kart World, the newest chapter in Nintendo’s legendary racing series. As fans dived into the new features like Free Roam and Knockout Tour modes, many were surprised to learn about one of the key studios behind the game’s development: Monolith Soft.
While widely recognized for its work on the Xenoblade Chronicles series, Monolith Soft has once again proven its versatility by assisting with field design and character modeling in Mario Kart World. This was confirmed in a social media post by the studio, where it detailed its contributions.
A Proven Partnership with Nintendo
Monolith Soft has quietly become one of Nintendo’s most valuable internal partners, lending support to numerous first-party titles. From shaping the expansive worlds of The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild to enhancing the technical aspects of Splatoon 3, the studio has earned a reputation for delivering high-quality world-building and art design.
Their involvement in Mario Kart World isn’t a first, either — the studio also contributed to previous Mario Kart entries, and their return for this new iteration only elevates expectations.
Elevating Mario Kart’s Visual Experience
Thanks to the Switch 2’s upgraded hardware, Mario Kart World looks and feels better than ever. The game features a mix of classic Grand Prix races and innovative new modes, all presented in crisp, dynamic environments. Monolith Soft’s influence is evident in the game’s diverse track design and stylized character models, which strike a perfect balance between familiarity and next-gen flair.
Why This Matters
With Mario Kart World being one of the biggest launch titles for Nintendo Switch 2, Monolith Soft’s involvement speaks volumes. It highlights how Nintendo continues to rely on its internal teams to push creative boundaries while maintaining beloved franchises.
As fans race through new worlds and discover fresh gameplay mechanics, they’ll be experiencing the careful craftsmanship of one of Nintendo’s most quietly essential studios.