Mario’s Mushroom Mystery: How Nintendo Delved Deep into Lore for Mario Kart World
Mario Kart World, the highly anticipated title for the Nintendo Switch 2, promises to be a revolutionary step for the beloved racing series. With its expansive open world, drive-thru restaurants, and customizable costumes, the game is poised to redefine the kart racing experience. But behind the scenes, Nintendo developers faced a crucial question that required them to unearth forgotten Mario lore: “Does Mario, in fact, eat mushrooms?”
According to a recent “Ask the Developer” interview, the addition of a “Dash Food” mechanic sparked the inquiry. Producer Kosuke Yabuki admitted that feature caused the team to question whether **Mario** actually consumes the iconic power-up mushrooms. Planning team lead Shintaro Jikumaru elaborated: “In the midst of development, we went up to Tezuka-san (Takashi Tezuka, a producer on the 2D Mario games) and asked him to confirm, ‘Is **Mario** actually eating those mushrooms?’” The definitive answer? “Yeah, he is.”
This seemingly simple question led to significant design decisions. Ishikawa says, "The designers came up with various ideas, thinking that if the theme was a vast world, they could show things other than racing." The idea of including local food unique to various locations was another element that made the game special.
This revelation influenced the inclusion of unique features like **Yoshi's** drive-thrus serving themed cuisine, such as piping-hot Bowser-inspired soup in volcanic regions. Furthermore, the act of eating certain foods will allow **Mario** to transform and give him new outfits, to which the team said “When Mario eats something, he transforms.” Jikumaru recalls with a laugh that the development team actually almost cut this food and customization feature due to the amount of work that it would require.
During the development of the game, with considerations of what to remove, producer Yabuki decided that nothing could go. They worked on the Mario Kart 8 Deluxe release and hoped that the new game would come to fruition eventually.
The developers also confirmed that Nintendo Switch users could participate in races with up to 24 players, up from the original 12.
So, as you race through the vibrant landscapes of Mario Kart World on June 5, remember the dedication and research that went into every detail, even the seemingly obvious question of Mario's culinary habits. Will this newfound knowledge change your perception of the Mushroom Kingdom? Share your thoughts and predictions in the comments below!
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