Summary
- Shigeru Miyamoto is not credited in Mario Kart World.
- Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom also did not credit Miyamoto back in 2024.
- Miyamoto's shift to a less hands-on role could reflect his confidence in Nintendo's future without him.
Mario Kart World is a big moment for the franchise, but Mario's creator, Shigeru Miyamoto, is noticeably missing from the game's credits. Miyamoto is one of the most legendary developers not only at Nintendo, but in video game history, being responsible for iconic series like Mario, The Legend of Zelda, and Star Fox. However, he's taken on a less involved role in newer Nintendo titles, as evidenced by his absence in the Mario Kart World credit roll.
Miyamoto isn't the only longtime Mario mainstay without an appearance in the racing title. Notably, Mario Kart World has a new voice actor for Princess Peach, replacing Samantha Kelly, who had voiced Peach and Toad since 2007. While Miyamoto's absence from the game was likely less of a shock, given his shift over time to a more advisory position, it's still the first time he hasn't appeared in the credits for a mainline Mario Kart game.
Mario Kart World Checks a Big Item Off Players' Wish Lists
Mario Kart World stays true to its title and finally allows players to roam freely, as many fans have requested for a long time.
As discovered by Bluesky user Stealth40k, Miyamoto's name is nowhere to be seen in Mario Kart World, not even as a special thanks for his contributions to the series. The Mario creator also did not appear in the mobile game Mario Kart Tour or the toy-racing experience Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit, but the absence stands out more in World as a mainline entry. Other franchises started by the iconic developer have made similar moves lately, with The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom not crediting Miyamoto in a first for the Zelda series.
Shigeru Miyamoto Is Not in Mario Kart World's Credits
Shigeru Miyamoto is not in the credits of Mario Kart World. Not even as a Special Thanks. — Stealth40k (@stealth40k.bsky.social) 2025-06-07T21:43:59.543Z
Mario Kart World's lack of a Miyamoto mention might be understandable. While he is the original creator of the broader Mario franchise and has contributed so much to Nintendo that one investor went as far as to call Shigeru Miyamoto a "genius" a while ago, he likely did not work directly on the title. Over the past few years, the storied developer has become less heavily involved in the actual production of Nintendo's games and more of a guiding hand in their creative vision.
Despite a decades-long tenure in the gaming business, Miyamoto has said he has no plans to retire soon. At the same time, Miyamoto has said Nintendo will carry on much the same without him, as the company has a "shared sense" of Nintendo's core brand and a large roster of executives and developers with passion and creative ideas. His dwindling direct involvement in Nintendo games may be a notable shift for Nintendo, but it seems Miyamoto believes the company and the franchises he helped develop are in good hands.
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 87 /100 Critics Rec: 97%
- Released
- June 5, 2025
- ESRB
- Everyone // Mild Fantasy Violence, Users Interact
- Developer(s)
- Nintendo
- Publisher(s)
- Nintendo
WHERE TO PLAY
Hit the open road with Mario and friends! Zip around courses in a vast world where everything is connected. Race along grassy plains, bustling cities, wide-open waters, big ol' volcanos, and more—plus everything in between.
A sprawling world of courses. Speed across plains, cities, water, volcanos, and much more. Everything is connected!
Go beyond the course. There's more to racing than just the course. Hop off the course and race the distance to the next one!
Free Roam - Drive wherever your heart takes you. Where to? That's up to you! Take off in any direction in this new mode. Explore areas that pique your interest, and maybe even snap some in-game pics at scenic spots.
Play Together - Have a blast with friends, whether near or far. Up to 4 players can race on the same system. Play using your choice of button controls or motion controls. Attach a Joy-Con 2 controller to the optional Joy-Con 2 wheel accessory to wheely feel like you're driving. You can also play using Nintendo Switch Joy-Con controllers connected wirelessly.
- Multiplayer
- Local Multiplayer, Online Multiplayer
- Prequel(s)
- Mario Kart 8 Deluxe
- Franchise
- Mario Kart
- Number of Players
- 1-24
- Nintendo Switch 2 Release Date
- June 5, 2025
- Genre(s)
- Racing, Open-World
- Platform(s)
- Nintendo Switch 2
- OpenCritic Rating
- Mighty
