All articles tagged with #mario kart
Lego lists several Nintendo-themed sets as retiring soon on its US/UK pages, including Super Mario, Mario Kart, and Animal Crossing lines, with regional retirements and a note that Zelda’s first set was retired earlier.
Oscar Piastri lightheartedly referenced a Mario Kart mushroom to Charles Leclerc in the Japanese Grand Prix cooldown room, a moment that entertained the podium trio as Ollie Bearman’s dramatic crash dominated the session and the ongoing chatter around 2026 power-unit tech echoed the game-inspired analogy.
Nintendo veteran Hideki Konno is reportedly leaving the company after about 40 years, per a July 2025 Facebook post. He started as a designer on Super Mario Bros. 2/3, directed titles like Super Mario Kart, Yoshi's Island and Mario Kart 64, led a group at Nintendo EPD, helped shape the 3DS as a producer, and later produced Mario Kart 8 while overseeing Nintendo's mobile division (Super Mario Run, Fire Emblem Heroes, Mario Kart Tour) and contributing to MK8 Deluxe DLC. His departure follows Kensuke Tanabe's retirement, marking another long-time Nintendo staffer stepping away; Nintendo has not issued an official statement.
Longtime Nintendo designer Hideki Konno has left the company after about 40 years, with confirmation from his Facebook page that he departed last July. Konno produced most Mario Kart titles (director on Super Mario Kart), directed Luigi’s Mansion, and later led Nintendo’s mobile efforts (Miitomo, Dr. Mario World, Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp, Super Mario Run, Fire Emblem Heroes, Mario Kart Tour) and the 3DS hardware, a departure that comes amid other senior retirements at Nintendo.
The UK software sales chart for the week ending December 27, 2025, features two Nintendo Mario Kart games in the top five, with Mario Kart World at #2 and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe at #5, highlighting Nintendo's strong presence in the market.
The Switch 2 Mario Kart World Bundle is reaching the end of its lifecycle, with no further units to be produced, making it a limited-time offer that is soon unavailable.
Mazda developed a 1990s concept for a suitcase-sized, electric go-kart designed for quick airport transit, inspired by a desire to avoid waiting for taxis, but it was never produced due to practical limitations. Modern technology could revive this idea with lightweight batteries and compact design, potentially turning airport travel into a real-life Mario Kart experience.
Nintendo's Shigeru Miyamoto expressed skepticism that any new IP could surpass Mario Kart's sales, emphasizing Mario Kart's enduring popularity and suggesting it may never be overtaken, though he acknowledged the potential for new successful IPs if they resonate with players.
The latest Japanese game charts show Silent Hill f leading sales, with Mario Kart World and the new Switch 2 console also performing strongly. Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds struggled to keep pace, highlighting regional preferences and anticipation for the Switch 2 release. Hardware sales favor the Switch 2, which remains the top-selling console this week.
Sega's new racing game Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds appears to playfully challenge Nintendo and Mario Kart, leveraging modern 'live service' features to attract players and refresh content regularly, while Sega emphasizes creating new experiences over remaking old titles.
Sega has released a nostalgic ad for Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds that mocks Mario Kart World by emphasizing its traditional racing structure and speed, echoing its 90s 'blast processing' campaign, and positioning its game as a more straightforward alternative to Nintendo's open-world kart racing.
SEGA's marketing for Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds playfully references a classic Genesis commercial and takes a light-hearted jab at Nintendo's Mario Kart World, highlighting features like cross-dimensional racing and customization while acknowledging the different market dynamics of 2025.
RPM Raceway has launched Kart Klash, an innovative real-life racing experience at their indoor tracks in the northeast, using advanced electric karts that mimic the fun and accessibility of Mario Kart, offering a new way for enthusiasts to enjoy karting with a modern twist.
Kirby Air Riders, a sequel to the 2003 GameCube game Kirby Air Ride, is set to launch on Nintendo Switch 2 on November 20, with the developer describing it as being similar to Mario Kart.
Mattel has announced a special edition Pauline Hot Wheels vehicle, inspired by her appearance in Mario Kart, available for pre-order at $22, arriving in September 2025, featuring a Rhodamine red body and premium packaging.