Overview

• Mario Kart World launches June 5 on Nintendo Switch 2 with a roster expanded to include former background characters as drivers.
• Cow—originally an obstacle in Moo Moo Meadows from Mario Kart 64—was added after a developer brainstorming session to turn NPCs into racers.
• The new roster features NPC characters such as Penguin, Para-Biddybud, Swoop, Chargin’ Chuck and Monty Mole alongside established Mario series favorites.
• Developers say they were surprised by a wave of fan art and social media tributes celebrating Cow well before the game’s release.
• Unlike Mario’s core cast, the newly introduced NPC drivers currently lack alternate costumes, a shortcoming Nintendo may address with downloadable content.