Retro's help with Mario Kart 7 'an act of emergency'

Mario Kart series producer Hideki Konno has revealed that production on Mario Kart 7 stalled when it became necessary for Nintendogs + Cats to be completed for the Nintendo 3DS launch.

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Mario Kart series producer Hideki Konno has revealed that production on Mario Kart 7 stalled when it became necessary for Nintendogs + Cats to be completed for the Nintendo 3DS launch.

The two titles had been co-developed by Konno's division, Nintendo EAD Software Development Group No.1, with both projects originally starting with an internal production staff of eight people. According to the latest edition of Iwata Asks, there was "an act of emergency" to complete Mario Kart 7 by the end of the year, forcing Nintendo to bring Retro Studios in on the project.

Nintendo had previously revealed that Retro Studios was brought in to Mario Kart 7's development to design a track around Donkey Kong Country Returns; however, the interview (currently only available in Japanese) implies the team did much more.

Speculation, based on the translated transcription of the Iwata Asks episode, is that Retro Studios was tapped to develop classic courses found in the Nintendo 3DS-exclusive title, while Konno's EAD Group No. 1 development team focused on new courses. Throughout the interview, which included a number of staffers from Retro and Konno's division, both sides complimented each team's efforts on the latest version of Mario Kart.

A translated version of the latest Iwata Asks is expected soon. Mario Kart 7 launches for the Nintendo 3DS on December 4.

[via NeoGAF]

Xav de Matos was previously a games journalist creating content at Shacknews.

From The Chatty
  • reply
    November 28, 2011 5:30 PM

    Xav de Matos posted a new article, Retro's help with Mario Kart 7 'an act of emergency'.

    Mario Kart series producer Hideki Konno has revealed that production on Mario Kart 7 stalled when it became necessary for Nintendogs + Cats to be completed for the Nintendo 3DS launch.

    • reply
      November 28, 2011 8:19 PM

      I guess the slow 3ds sales forced Nintendo into "all hands on deck" mode. Mario 3D Land was another awesome title from EAD Tokyo and this is shaping up rather nicely so at least they should be heading into the new year with a sizable install base (which is key for those big 3rd party publishers not yet committed to the platform). I'm really excited to see what Retro's new project is. While I would love a new Metroid Prime game from them next, I'd be ok if they did something else for their first Wii U game while they learned the workings of the system. Then in a few years blow us away with Metroid Prime 4 just like they did back in 2002.

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        November 28, 2011 8:28 PM

        Metroid Optimus?

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        November 28, 2011 8:33 PM

        I think Retro is probably done with Metroid Prime since many of the engineers on that title are gone, maybe i'm wrong about that though.

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      November 28, 2011 8:34 PM

      Mario Kart and Mario Land are making me want to pick a 3DS up!

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      November 29, 2011 12:47 AM

      yeah i think im going to wait for reviews on this first.

    • reply
      November 29, 2011 5:56 AM

      lol

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