Introduction: A New Star in Mario Kart World
Since the launch of Mario Kart World alongside the new Nintendo Switch 2 last week, one character has captured gamers’ attention more than others. While at first glance Cow appears to be a cute, simple bovine, players quickly discovered that she is one of the most powerful racers at the starting line. Her unique abilities and charming design have sparked widespread interest among fans.
The Unexpected Focus: Cow’s Mucky Bottom
However, a recent trend on Japanese social media has shifted the spotlight to an unexpected feature: Cow’s bottom. Several users have shared images highlighting her sometimes muddy rear end, with captions like “Dirty butt!!!!” circulating widely. One user humorously commented, “I love this character so much that I feel sad when people badmouth her, but yes, her butt is dirty.”
ケツきったな！！！！！！#マリオカートワールド #NintendoSwitch2 pic.twitter.com/eSupIAP2Y3
— Yuyukichi (@YuyukichiRTA) June 5, 2025
Farmers Appreciate the Game’s Realism
As discussions about Cow’s muddy bottom grew, a Japanese farmer entered the conversation, expressing admiration for the game’s attention to detail and realism. Renta, a rice farmer from Gifu Prefecture who studied livestock farming at university, shared his perspective in a tweet that has been viewed over 8.4 million times. He explained, “Honestly, cow butts are about this mucky. When cows are out grazing in pastures, they often end up covered in mud.”
Renta was impressed by how accurately the game recreated this aspect of bovine life, adding, “You have to love cows to appreciate how well this detail is depicted.” He also posted adorable photos of real cows, emphasizing that farmers work tirelessly to keep their animals clean and healthy, often scrubbing their rear ends and ensuring their overall well-being.
It’s hilarious how much this has gone viral. Just to clarify, farmers also battle daily to keep cows clean — brushing and showering them when needed. That’s real love. Plus, cows are awesome because they’re cute! pic.twitter.com/tchxn78Ojd
— Renta (@taihibansei) June 7, 2025
Gameplay Mechanics and Realism
In Mario Kart World, the new bovine racer’s rear is pristine at the start of each race, but it gradually dirties as she drives through mud and obstacles on the track. This feature adds a layer of realism that players and farmers alike find charming. Although cows like Moo Moo have appeared grazing in Mario Kart backgrounds since 1996’s Mario Kart 64, this is the first time one has taken the wheel as a playable character.
Behind the Creation of Cow Racer
In an earlier interview with IGN, the game’s art director, Masaaki Ishikawa, explained how the idea of a playable Cow originated. He shared that it all started with a humorous sketch from the design team, which eventually led to the realization that the game’s environment was ripe with untapped creative potential. This inspired developers to turn other iconic Mario NPCs, such as the red fish Cheep Cheep and the cactus Pokey, into controllable characters for the first time.
Player Reactions and Future Prospects
Since the reveal of Cow two months ago, fans have expressed excitement through reaction videos and social media posts. Following the game’s release last week, many players with the new Switch 2 have been focusing on the bovine character, filling online lobbies with kart-riding cows and motorcycles. The question remains whether Cow will maintain her popularity as players unlock additional characters and explore other game features.
About the Author
Verity Townsend is a freelance writer based in Japan, with a background as an editor, contributor, and translator for the gaming news website Automaton West. She also writes about Japanese culture and cinema for various international publications.
Emma Blake
Emma is a tech-savvy news editor who thrives on staying ahead of the curve. With a background in digital journalism and media studies, she brings readers up-to-the-minute updates on gaming, tech, and entertainment trends. Emma’s writing is sharp, insightful, and always backed by credible sources. Her mission is to keep the community informed and curious about the fast-changing digital world.
