Ant Workshop and Grumpy Pizza have officially announced that Go Kart Island will be launching on the Nintendo Switch, with a digital release set for January 9, 2026 via the Nintendo eShop.
This marks a significant milestone for both studios, bringing a vibrant new entry to the popular genre of kart racing games on Nintendo’s hybrid console. Go Kart Island is an open-world kart racer starring Lachlan the highland cow, whose dream is to win the "BIG RACE" and become the ultimate Go Kart Champion.
In the game's charming narrative, players must navigate a quirky island community, overcoming the mayor’s challenge of collecting 1,000 coins as an entry fee.
To succeed, racers will participate in a variety of events including classic races, time trials, chases, item collection, and deliveries—combining strategic use of items, driftslides, and speed boosts. Ewan McKenzie, the developer at Grumpy Pizza Games, reflected on this project as a personal achievement.
"Announcing the release of my very own game on Nintendo Switch is a dream realized.
As a child, I loved creating Mario Kart tracks on paper, so putting my spin on the genre for a Nintendo platform is truly something special," McKenzie shared in a recent statement. McKenzie also shared insights into the game's development journey: after beginning Go Kart Island as a hobby in 2019, he decided to pursue development full-time following a job redundancy in December 2024.
"Building an open-world kart racing experience was my way to offer something distinct in a well-loved genre.
I’m excited to bring a unique, cow-themed karting adventure to the original Switch—it’s long overdue!" he remarked. Go Kart Island distinguishes itself with a robust story mode that spans 34 unique events and features over 150 collectibles scattered throughout the open-world environment.
Players will encounter a cast of 32 different animals to interact with, race, and unlock—including familiar faces such as giraffes, turtles, and sheep.
The game also boasts 84 challenge events designed to test players’ skills and provide fresh twists for replayability, as well as a range of items to deploy against rivals and obstacles to avoid on each course.
Of course, no kart would be complete without a honkable horn–a playful touch that adds to the game’s whimsical atmosphere. With Ant Workshop previously known for creative collaborations and Grumpy Pizza making its mark with this charming indie project, Go Kart Island’s upcoming release highlights the depth and diversity of the Nintendo Switch library.
Fans can look forward to jumping into this spirited karting adventure globally via the Nintendo eShop when it accelerates onto Nintendo Switch on January 9, 2026.
This marks a significant milestone for both studios, bringing a vibrant new entry to the popular genre of kart racing games on Nintendo’s hybrid console. Go Kart Island is an open-world kart racer starring Lachlan the highland cow, whose dream is to win the "BIG RACE" and become the ultimate Go Kart Champion.
In the game's charming narrative, players must navigate a quirky island community, overcoming the mayor’s challenge of collecting 1,000 coins as an entry fee.
To succeed, racers will participate in a variety of events including classic races, time trials, chases, item collection, and deliveries—combining strategic use of items, driftslides, and speed boosts. Ewan McKenzie, the developer at Grumpy Pizza Games, reflected on this project as a personal achievement.
"Announcing the release of my very own game on Nintendo Switch is a dream realized.
As a child, I loved creating Mario Kart tracks on paper, so putting my spin on the genre for a Nintendo platform is truly something special," McKenzie shared in a recent statement. McKenzie also shared insights into the game's development journey: after beginning Go Kart Island as a hobby in 2019, he decided to pursue development full-time following a job redundancy in December 2024.
"Building an open-world kart racing experience was my way to offer something distinct in a well-loved genre.
I’m excited to bring a unique, cow-themed karting adventure to the original Switch—it’s long overdue!" he remarked. Go Kart Island distinguishes itself with a robust story mode that spans 34 unique events and features over 150 collectibles scattered throughout the open-world environment.
Players will encounter a cast of 32 different animals to interact with, race, and unlock—including familiar faces such as giraffes, turtles, and sheep.
The game also boasts 84 challenge events designed to test players’ skills and provide fresh twists for replayability, as well as a range of items to deploy against rivals and obstacles to avoid on each course.
Of course, no kart would be complete without a honkable horn–a playful touch that adds to the game’s whimsical atmosphere. With Ant Workshop previously known for creative collaborations and Grumpy Pizza making its mark with this charming indie project, Go Kart Island’s upcoming release highlights the depth and diversity of the Nintendo Switch library.
Fans can look forward to jumping into this spirited karting adventure globally via the Nintendo eShop when it accelerates onto Nintendo Switch on January 9, 2026.
