Mario Kart World Introduces Cow as Playable Character: Behind the Scenes with Nintendo Developers

In an insightful new Ask the Developer article, Nintendo has revealed the unexpected inspiration and creative process behind adding Cow as a playable character in Mario Kart World.

Longtime Mario Kart fans will recognize Cow as a familiar face—or rather, obstacle—from past games in the series, yet for the upcoming title, Nintendo’s developers have gone a step further by bringing Cow onto the starting grid as an official racer. Mario Kart World, developed by Nintendo, is set to release globally on June 5, 2025, both at retail and digitally via the Nintendo eShop, exclusively for the Nintendo Switch 2 platform.

This latest installment in the iconic racing franchise promises an expanded character roster and innovative gameplay mechanics that celebrate the series’ legacy while introducing creative new twists. Producer Kosuke Yabuki shared the backstory, noting that in previous games, Cow was part of the background scenery or served as an obstacle on select tracks.

During early development of a ranch-themed course for Mario Kart World, a designer submitted a humorous sketch of Cow racing alongside the main cast, which sparked the team’s imagination.

Yabuki explained, "While reviewing concepts for this course, a sketch of Cow racing appeared, bringing laughter to the team and firing up our creativity." Art director Masaaki Ishikawa recalled that after extensive character additions in the last game, the team wondered how to bring unexpected excitement to the new roster.

When the Cow racing sketch emerged, Ishikawa immediately saw its potential: "That was the moment we realized we could tap into the abundance of overlooked course-side characters in our universe." A prototype was developed, and surprisingly, Cow fit seamlessly as a racer, inspiring the team to include additional former obstacles—Cheep Cheep and Pokey—into the driver lineup.

"Transforming traditionally course-bound characters into playable racers established a more connected Mario Kart world," Ishikawa added. Programming director Kenta Sato described these new additions as “NPC drivers”—normally non-playable characters turned into competitors on the track.

Yabuki lightheartedly mentioned the amusing paradox: "It’s hilarious to see a four-legged Cow gripping motorcycle handlebars with her front hooves, blurring the line between NPC and player." On the animation side, Ishikawa noted that Cow’s jumps maintain her animal authenticity, stating, "Even when catching air, Cow naturally adopts a true quadruped stance, keeping her roots as an animal intact." Lead planner Shintaro Kijumaru elaborated on how the concept paved the way for unique items within the game.

One such item lets Kamek, now appearing in item form, cast a spell transforming all racers into playable NPCs—meaning multiple Cows might appear mid-race.

"This innovation opened opportunities for even more obstacle character cameos, like Camel and Giraffe, enriching the dynamic world of Mario Kart World," Kijumaru explained. Mario Kart World cements Cow’s place as a pivotal and inspired addition to the series.

As anticipation grows for the Nintendo Switch 2’s debut, this creative leap underscores Nintendo’s commitment to evolution and playful surprise in game development. Mario Kart World will launch worldwide on June 5, 2025, available in retail stores and digitally through the Nintendo eShop for Nintendo Switch 2.

For more, catch up with the latest reveals from the recent Nintendo Direct and stay tuned for ongoing updates.

Nintendo Switch 2 Mario Kart Nintendo Switch Mario Kart World Nintendo Mario Switch 2 Switch Kart Cow Kosuke Yabuki Kenta Sato Masaaki Ishikawa Shintaro Kijumaru Cheep Cheep Pokey Kamek Nintendo eShop