Which earlier game did Mario Kart World’s team believe had perfected the traditional racing formula?

Mario Kart World’s team believed Mario Kart 8 Deluxe had perfected the traditional racing formula. That view helped motivate Nintendo to pursue a more radical direction for the next entry.

Rather than simply adding another numbered sequel with more courses, producer Kosuke Yabuki wanted the new game to innovate through open-world elements. The developers chose the name Mario Kart World to signal that broader approach.

The result connected courses with roads and introduced Free Roam, off-road driving, boat racing, rail grinding, and wall movement. Grand Prix also changed so racers drive between courses instead of stopping after each separate race.

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe still influenced development in another way: its Booster Course Pass served as a stopgap while work on Mario Kart World continued.