Monolith Soft Collaborates with Nintendo on Mario Kart World for Switch Launch

Nintendo’s highly anticipated release, Mario Kart World, has officially launched as a flagship title for the Nintendo Switch.

Developed internally by Nintendo, the game showcases vibrant courses and iconic characters that continue the legendary racing series’ tradition.

However, a significant addition to this installment is the involvement of Monolith Soft, a studio best known for its work on the critically acclaimed Xenoblade Chronicles series. Monolith Soft, a subsidiary of Nintendo, has an established reputation in the gaming industry for its ambitious RPG titles.

The developer operates two major studios that frequently support Nintendo’s core game development by providing technical expertise and art direction.

While Monolith Soft’s past credits include foundational support on high-profile projects—such as The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, Splatoon, Animal Crossing: New Horizons, and Pikmin 3—Mario Kart World marks the studio’s first contribution to the Mario Kart franchise. According to an official announcement published on Monolith Soft’s website, the developer collaborated closely with Nintendo on Mario Kart World, focusing specifically on field and character design elements.

In a statement summarizing their contributions, Monolith Soft emphasized their partners’ creative vision while highlighting their own role in crafting environments and refining the racing game’s distinctive cast.

“Working with Nintendo, our teams contributed to the field and character designs in Mario Kart World, helping to bring fresh experiences to players worldwide,” the studio shared. This collaboration illustrates Nintendo’s ongoing strategy of leveraging talent across its development ecosystem to elevate its most important releases.

Monolith Soft’s expertise in creating expansive environments and diverse character models has become increasingly valuable, especially as Nintendo continues to deliver visually and technically polished experiences to Switch players. With Mario Kart World now available on the Nintendo Switch and via the Nintendo eShop, fans can look forward to a game that benefits from the creative synergies between two of Nintendo’s most respected development teams.

The launch underscores the enduring popularity of the Mario Kart series and the critical role of cross-studio cooperation in achieving its high production standards.

Monolith Soft’s recent projects also include the release of Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition, which debuted in March.

The studio continues to be a pivotal force behind some of Nintendo’s most influential titles, solidifying its legacy within the broader Nintendo portfolio.

Mario Kart Nintendo Switch Xenoblade Mario Kart World Nintendo Mario Monolith Soft Xenoblade Chronicles Switch Kart Zelda Tears of the Kingdom Breath of the Wild Splatoon Animal Crossing New Horizons Pikmin 3