Nintendo Denies AI Use in Mario Kart World Development Amid Billboard Speculation

Nintendo has publicly denied allegations that it used AI-generated visuals in the development of its upcoming title, Mario Kart World. The controversy began gaining traction following a recent Nintendo Treehouse livestream, which offered fans an up-close look at the game. Observant viewers noticed something unusual on several in-game billboards—images depicting a construction site, a bridge, and an unusually tall vehicle—that led some to speculate whether generative AI was involved.

Does this look like AI to you? Image credit: Nintendo

While it's common for unreleased games to feature placeholder graphics, Nintendo clarified definitively to Eurogamer that no AI tools were used during the development process. The company issued a clear statement: “AI-generated images were not used in the development of Mario Kart World.”

This unusual car design fueled online speculation. Image credit: Nintendo

The topic of generative AI remains a widely debated subject across creative industries, particularly within video game development. Alongside concerns about copyright and ethics, labor organizations have raised alarms over the potential displacement of human workers due to automation through AI. Video game performers and voice actors have also called for stronger safeguards against AI use in production workflows.

Back in September of last year, Shigeru Miyamoto, one of Nintendo’s most influential developers, expressed the company's unique stance toward artificial intelligence. Unlike other major studios embracing AI as a core component of their operations—such as EA CEO Andrew Wilson, who described AI as “the very core of our business”—Miyamoto emphasized Nintendo’s preference for a different creative path.

In a conversation with The New York Times, Miyamoto elaborated on Nintendo’s philosophy regarding AI integration:

“It might seem like we are just going the opposite direction for the sake of going in the opposite direction, but it really is trying to find what makes Nintendo special,”

he explained. He further noted that while the industry often moves in unison when new technologies emerge, Nintendo sees such moments as opportunities to chart its own course.

His comments built upon earlier statements from Nintendo president Shuntaro Furukawa, who acknowledged the creative possibilities of generative AI but also highlighted its legal complexities, especially concerning intellectual property rights.

“We have decades of know-how in creating the best gaming experiences for our players,”

Furukawa added. “While we are open to utilizing technological developments, we will work to continue delivering value that is unique to Nintendo and cannot be created by technology alone.”

As anticipation builds for the release of the Nintendo Switch 2, for which *Mario Kart World* is an exclusive launch title, all eyes remain on how Nintendo will continue balancing innovation with tradition. The console is scheduled to launch globally on June 5. Pre-orders opened on April 24 at a consistent price point of $449.99 — with results largely meeting community expectations. For more information, check out IGN’s detailed Nintendo Switch 2 pre-order guide.

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