Three weeks after the Nintendo Switch 2’s huge launch on June 27, 2025, when it sold over 3.5 million units worldwide, its main game, Mario Kart World, is getting a lot of attention. The game has been a hit because it has new features, exciting tracks, and a lot of new characters. Fans are buzzing about one big question, though: where are the crossovers with other Nintendo games? The game’s producer gave the answer, which might make some players feel a little let down.
There Won’t Be Any Crossovers in Mario Kart World
People used to say that Mario Kart World might be like Super Smash Bros. Ultimate and mix characters from games like The Legend of Zelda or Splatoon into its own game. The game doesn’t go anywhere else; it only takes place in the Mushroom Kingdom. It adds new characters like Goomba, Pianta, Spike, Penguin, Monty Mole, Dry Bones, Cheep Cheep, and even a fan-favorite Cow. But why only Mario?
Kosuke Yabuki, the producer, talked to the French newspaper Ouest France about why the team did what they did. He said,
“As developers, it didn’t feel right to bring characters from other games into this world.”
“We didn’t think it was necessary because there are so many things to do in the Mario world.”
For now, crossovers are not an option. This might disappoint fans who wanted to see Link racing around or Inklings painting tracks with paint.
How Fans Reacted and a Surprising Star
The new characters have been a huge hit, even though there haven’t been any crossovers. Yabuki said he was surprised by how well the new drivers were received:
“We hoped the new drivers would make players happy, but the excitement has been more than we expected!”
The Cow is one of the most popular characters and has become the game’s unofficial mascot. Yabuki said it’s his favorite, but he laughed and said,
“Having a favorite doesn’t mean we gave it the best stats!”
New Characters in Mario Kart World: Important Things to Know
| Character | Traits / Special Features |
|---|---|
| Goomba | Small but fast |
| Pianta | Heavyweight, tropical feel |
| Spike | A racer who is very aggressive |
| Penguin | An expert at slippery tracks |
| Monty Mole | Quick and sneaky |
| Dry Bones | Lightweight and strong |
| Cheep Cheep | Water-track advantage |
| Cow | A fan favorite with balanced stats |
Could Crossovers Happen Later?
Nintendo has a history of changing its mind, so even though crossovers aren’t planned right now, they could happen. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe eventually added characters from The Legend of Zelda and Animal Crossing, so there is still hope for Mario Kart World. Doug Bowser, the president of Nintendo of America, has said in the past that the game will get long-term support, possibly through DLC or expansion packs. Could these bring famous characters from other series? Fans are definitely hoping for the best.
Mario Kart World is doing well on its own right now, with its colorful characters and new tracks keeping players glued to their Switch 2 consoles. The game has a lot to offer, whether you’re grinding laps as the beloved Cow or learning new courses, even if Link and his friends aren’t racing this time.
