The Missing Name in Mario Kart World Credits

Fans of the Mario Kart series have recently noticed something unusual: the game’s credits do not include the name of Shigeru Miyamoto, Nintendo’s legendary designer and creator of Mario himself. While Miyamoto’s absence might catch some by surprise, many seasoned followers have come to expect this change given his evolving role within Nintendo.

The Legacy of Shigeru Miyamoto at Nintendo

For decades, Miyamoto’s name was virtually synonymous with Nintendo’s gaming success. He was involved in a wide array of iconic titles, from the early arcade hit Donkey Kong to beloved franchises like Pikmin and even the Pokémon series. According to the video game credit tracking website Mobygames, Miyamoto received at least 20 credits in games released just in the year 2000 alone.

How Miyamoto’s Role Has Changed Over Time

However, Miyamoto’s responsibilities within Nintendo have shifted significantly over the years. Since 2005, he has taken on a more supervisory and strategic role as a Creative Fellow. Instead of appearing prominently in game credits, Miyamoto has increasingly served as a guiding figure behind the scenes. His appearances are now more common in relation to Nintendo’s ventures beyond traditional gaming, such as promotional campaigns for the Super Mario Bros. Movie or the Super Nintendo World theme parks.

Recent Contributions and Credits

Prior to the release of the anticipated Nintendo Switch 2, Miyamoto’s most recent game credits date back to 2024, where he served as a Senior Supervisor on Mario spin-offs like Mario & Luigi: Brothership and Princess Peach: Showtime! While he is credited as a Supervisor on the 2023 release Super Mario Bros. Wonder, the game’s development was primarily led by veteran Nintendo developers Takashi Tezuka and Shiro Mouri, who handled production and direction, respectively.

Why It’s Not Unexpected for Miyamoto to Be Absent

It’s worth noting that Miyamoto was credited in the 2014 game Mario Kart 8, but his absence in the latest Mario Kart World isn’t entirely surprising. Being the original creator of Mario no longer directly correlates with being credited in every new game. Additionally, Miyamoto wasn’t credited for recent spin-offs like Mario Kart Tour.

The Case of Voice Actor Samantha Kelly

Another notable absence in Mario Kart World is voice actress Samantha Kelly, who voiced Princess Peach and Toad for over 18 years. Kelly discovered her tenure had ended on Nintendo Switch 2’s launch day, coinciding with the game’s release without her contributions included. This change underscores how the team behind Mario has evolved over time.

Additional Insights

Photo credit: Rodin Eckenroth/Getty Images.

Tom Phillips is a seasoned News Editor at IGN. You can reach him via email or find him on social media platforms for more updates on Nintendo and gaming news.

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.