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.

Read more: Retro's Donkey Kong team brought in »