Fans of Nintendo’s iconic Mario Kart series have noticed a significant omission in the credits for Mario Kart World: Shigeru Miyamoto, the legendary creator of Mario himself. 
While it might initially seem like an oversight, it’s not entirely surprising given Miyamoto’s evolving role within the company over the years.
For decades, Miyamoto’s name was synonymous with almost every major Nintendo release. From creating the timeless Donkey Kong to shaping franchises like Pokémon and Pikmin, his contributions were a central pillar of the company’s identity. As recently as 2000, he had over 20 credits for various Nintendo games. However, his duties have shifted since he became Creative Fellow in 2005, with a less hands-on role in game development. These days, Miyamoto is more commonly associated with Nintendo’s expansions beyond gaming, such as the Super Mario Bros. Movie and the Super Nintendo World theme parks.
Before the 2024 Switch 2 launch, Miyamoto’s most recent involvement in game credits was as a Senior Supervisor for the Mario & Luigi: Brothership and Princess Peach: Showtime! spin-offs. In Super Mario Bros. Wonder (2023), while he was credited as a Supervisor, the game’s production was led by other Nintendo veterans, Takashi Tezuka and Shiro Mouri. Given his more supervisory role, it’s not shocking that Mario Kart World wouldn’t feature him in the credits, especially when his direct involvement in recent Mario Kart titles like Mario Kart Tour was also minimal.
Another noticeable absence in the credits is Samantha Kelly, the voice of Princess Peach and Toad for over 18 years. On the launch day of Mario Kart World for Switch 2, Kelly found that she was no longer credited for her iconic roles, marking the end of an era.
In many ways, Miyamoto’s absence reflects the changing nature of his career. Once deeply involved in game development, he now enjoys a more relaxed and advisory role at Nintendo. And while some fans might miss his hands-on approach, it’s clear that his legacy will continue to shape the company for years to come.