Nintendo is making headlines once again, this time addressing speculation surrounding the visuals in the much-anticipated Mario Kart World. During a recent Nintendo Treehouse livestream, avid fans spotted some in-game advertisements that seemed to echo the style of AI-generated imagery.
A Nintendo representative firmly stated, “We did not utilize AI-generated images in the development of Mario Kart World,” as confirmed in an interview with Nova Play. This statement comes as a reassurance to fans invested in the authenticity of the game’s artistic direction.
The images that caught viewers’ attention feature peculiar artwork on billboards along the racetrack. One billboard displays a strikingly odd bridge, with warped lines and misplaced elements that could be mistaken for outputs from a generative AI model.
Next to this, another billboard showcases a wobbly skyscraper, its floors and pathways oriented in bizarre angles that add to the speculation about the possible use of AI in the designs.
To add to the eccentricity, a third billboard displays a curiously designed car with oversized windows—once again, reminiscent of generative AI aesthetics.
It’s worth noting that what was showcased during the livestream may not reflect the final product, as placeholder graphics are common during game development phases. This opens up intriguing possibilities as we anticipate the game’s official launch.
As we await more details, the question remains: will these creative visuals make the cut in the final release? Mario Kart World is set to launch on June 5th, coinciding with the debut of Nintendo’s upcoming console, the Switch 2. I had the chance to delve into the game for an hour last month and left thoroughly impressed. “Mario Kart World reinvents the series, making it feel like the ultimate game for the Switch 2,” I wrote in my review, and I can’t help but speculate how it might reshape kart racing in the generations to come.
